Occupant protection device

Abstract

The present invention relates to and provides an occupant protection device capable of providing optimal occupant protection even when an occupant places his / her arms on an armrest. The occupant protection device (101) temporarily rotates the armrest (14) upward and then rotates downward to drop the arm of the occupant (P), and deploys a main airbag body (52) toward the upper body of the occupant (P), so that the arm can be dropped after the posture of the occupant (P) is corrected, and when dropping the arm of the occupant (P), the posture of the occupant (P) can be prevented from being disturbed or falling off the seat (10), and the occupant (P) can be optimally protected.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In order to protect passengers from collisions and the like, vehicles such as automobiles are equipped with a main airbag device as an occupant protection device.

[0003] The airbag device is usually composed of an impact sensor, an inflator, an airbag, a control device, etc. When the impact sensor detects an impact due to a frontal collision, the airbag device outputs a detection signal to the control device, and the control device transmits a working signal to the inflator, which generates gas and delivers it to the airbag. In addition, the airbag is instantly inflated by the gas delivered from the inflator and deployed in front of the occupant. As a result, the airbag catches the body of the occupant moving forward due to the impact through the internal air pressure, and shrinks while absorbing the kinetic energy. In this way, the airbag mitigates the violent forward movement of the occupant caused by the collision impact in a frontal collision of an automobile, thereby ensuring the safety of the occupant.

[0004] On the other hand, in recent years, the technology of automatic driving has been studied. In such an automatic driving vehicle, the driving state of the vehicle is controlled regardless of the intention of the driver or other passengers. Therefore, an occupant protection device for a vehicle corresponding to automatic driving is proposed. In the occupant protection device of the vehicle, there is a front airbag deployed in front of the upper body of the occupant, and a shoulder support recess into which the shoulder can enter is formed at a position that abuts against the shoulder of the upper body of the occupant that moves forward from the seated position of the seat before a collision during the automatic driving of the vehicle. Thus, even if the upper body of the occupant sitting on the seat moves forward from the seated position of the seat before a collision, the shoulder of the upper body can be supported in the shoulder support recess to protect the occupant. In addition, in the occupant protection device of the vehicle, an inclined surface is formed from the shoulder support recess toward one side of the vehicle width direction, with one side being more backward than the other side. Thus, the upper body as a whole moving forward in a posture in which the other shoulder is inclined forward can be supported by the inclined surface of the front airbag, and can be supported in a stable state, and the impact can be absorbed in this state (refer to patent document 1).

[0005] However, when autonomous driving becomes truly popular, the degree of freedom of passengers in the riding state increases. Therefore, for example, even if sitting in the driver's seat, it is conceivable to hold a portable terminal in hand while the vehicle is running. In addition, even now, it is conceivable to hold a portable terminal in hand while the vehicle is running in a seat other than the driver's seat. In addition, there is also a case where the passenger puts his arm on the armrest.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-052441 Summary of the Invention

[0009] Technical Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] However, when the front airbag deploys toward the occupant, if the occupant holds a portable terminal or places an arm on the armrest, the occupant's arm or the like is sandwiched between the front airbag and the upper body of the occupant, making it difficult to achieve optimal occupant protection.

[0011] In addition, if the armrest is lowered casually when the weight of the occupant acts on the armrest, the occupant's posture will be disturbed, and an unexpected situation such as falling off the seat may occur.

[0012] The present invention is developed to solve such existing problems, and its object is to provide an occupant protection device that can achieve optimal occupant protection even when the occupant places an arm on the armrest.

[0013] Technical Solution for Solving the Problem

[0014] The occupant protection device for a vehicle according to the present invention includes: a collision prediction unit that predicts a collision of the vehicle; a main airbag that deploys from the front of the vehicle toward the occupant when a collision of the vehicle is predicted by the collision prediction unit; an occupant center-of-gravity detection device that detects the position of the center of gravity of the occupant; an armrest moving device (armrest movable device) that moves the armrest; and a deployment control unit that, when a collision of the vehicle is predicted by the collision prediction unit, moves the armrest upward by the armrest moving device based on the position of the center of gravity of the occupant detected by the occupant center-of-gravity detection device and guides the center of gravity of the occupant to an appropriate range, then allows the armrest to fall, and then deploys the main airbag.

[0015] In addition, in the occupant protection device for a vehicle according to the present invention, it is also possible that the deployment control unit only moves upward the armrest on the side where the center of gravity of the occupant is determined to be offset by the occupant center-of-gravity detection device among a pair of left and right armrests, and guides the center of gravity of the occupant to an appropriate range.

[0016] In addition, in the occupant protection device for a vehicle according to the present invention, it is also possible that the deployment control unit allows the armrest to fall after detecting that the center of gravity of the occupant has moved to an appropriate range by the occupant center-of-gravity detection device after the armrest has moved upward.

[0017] In addition, in the occupant protection device for a vehicle according to the present invention, it is also possible that the deployment control unit does not allow the armrest to fall when it does not detect that the center of gravity of the occupant has moved to an appropriate range by the occupant center-of-gravity detection device within a specified time after the armrest has moved upward.

[0018] In addition, in the vehicle occupant protection device according to the present invention, the occupant center-of-gravity detection device may include any one of a camera, a load sensor, and a pressure sensor.

[0019] In the vehicle occupant protection device according to the present invention, the deployment control unit may deploy the main airbag without moving the armrest when the occupant's center of gravity detection device detects that the occupant's center of gravity is at a predetermined position.

[0020] Effects of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an occupant protection device that can optimally protect the occupant even when the occupant places his or her arms on the armrests. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] 1( a )-( b ) are schematic cross-sectional views showing a portion of a vehicle equipped with an occupant protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic block diagram of an occupant protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] 3(a-1) to (c-2) are side views and front views showing the movement of the armrest and the deployment of the air bag body.

[0025] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an overview of the operation of the occupant protection device.

[0026] 5(a-1) to (c-2) are side views and front views showing the movement of the armrest and the deployment of the air bag body when the occupant's posture is not corrected.

[0027] Explanation of symbols

[0028] 1 vehicle, 3 floor, 4 roof, 5 instrument panel, 10 seat, 11 seat cushion, 12 seat back, 13 headrest, 14 armrest, 14L left armrest, 14R right armrest, 31 vehicle camera, 32 radar, 33 load sensor, 34 pressure sensor, 50 main airbag device, 51 main inflator, 52 main airbag body, 80 armrest moving device, 101 occupant protection device, 110 control unit DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0030] (First Embodiment)

[0031] FIG. 1(a)-(b) are schematic cross-sectional views showing a portion of a vehicle equipped with an occupant protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 23 (a-1) to (c-2) are side views and front views showing the movement of the armrest and the deployment of the airbag body when the occupant protection device of this embodiment is in operation. Figure 4 5(a-1) to (c-2) are side and front views showing the movement of the armrest and the deployment of the airbag body when the occupant's posture is not corrected even when the armrest is operated.

[0032] (Structure of Vehicle 1)

[0033] As shown in Fig. 1 (a) and (b), 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 provided on the floor 3. In addition, the vehicle 1 is provided with an occupant protection device 101 described later.

[0034] The seat 10 is a member for the passenger P who sits in 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) provided in a reclining manner, a headrest 13 (headrest portion) for supporting the head of the passenger P, and an armrest 14 (elbow support portion) for supporting the forearm or elbow of the passenger P. The armrest 14 includes a pair of left and right armrests, namely, a left armrest 14L at the upper left of the seat cushion 11 and a right armrest 14R at the upper right of the seat cushion 11.

[0035] The armrests 14 are provided on both sides of the seat back 12 and extend approximately horizontally toward the front of the vehicle 1 from positions approximately at the height of the elbows of the occupant P when sitting on the seat cushion 11. As described later, the armrests 14 are vertically rotatable around the attachment position to the seat back 12.

[0036] (Structure of Occupant Protection Device 101)

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, the occupant protection device 101 includes an onboard camera 31 , a radar 32 , a load sensor 33 , a pressure sensor 34 , a main airbag device 50 , an armrest moving device 80 , and a control unit 110 . The main airbag device 50 is provided on the instrument panel 5 .

[0038] In addition, the control unit 110 detects the collision of the vehicle 1 and predicts the collision based on the information input from the vehicle-mounted camera 31 and the radar 32, and also has the function of an airbag deployment control unit (hereinafter referred to as ACU) that controls the deployment of the airbag body provided in the main airbag device 50. In addition, the control unit 110 may also be a part of a vehicle control device (hereinafter referred to as ECU) that controls the entire vehicle 1.

[0039] (Car Camera 31)

[0040] The vehicle-mounted camera 31 can capture the exterior and interior of the vehicle 1. For example, the vehicle-mounted camera 31 captures the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1, specifically, the front, rear, and sides of the vehicle 1. In addition, the vehicle-mounted camera 31 captures the interior of the vehicle in such a way that the seated state of the occupant P sitting on the seat 10, in particular, the position of the arms and hands of the occupant P, is clearly captured. Moreover, the captured image information is transmitted to the control unit 110, and the image information is recorded in the RAM of the control unit 110, and the image information is analyzed in the control unit 110. Thus, the control unit 110 can recognize the surrounding conditions of the vehicle 1 (the conditions outside the vehicle) in real time and afterwards. In addition, the control unit 110 can recognize the conditions inside the vehicle in real time and afterwards, in particular, the state of the occupant P. In addition, the state of the occupant P mentioned here is particularly to estimate the position of the arms and hands of the occupant P. In addition, the control unit 110 can also determine the center of gravity position of the occupant P through the acquired image information.

[0041] (Radar 32)

[0042] The radar 32 emits radio waves to detect objects such as obstacles and measures the distance and direction to the objects. In addition, the radar 32 is installed on the front bumper and the rear bumper of the vehicle 1, and can monitor the front, side, and rear of the vehicle 1. Moreover, the monitoring information is input to the control unit 110, the monitoring information is recorded in the RAM of the control unit 110, and the monitoring information is analyzed in the control unit 110. As a result, the control unit 110 can recognize the surrounding conditions of the vehicle 1 in real time and afterwards.

[0043] In addition, in this embodiment, the vehicle-mounted camera 31 and the radar 32 are provided, and collision prediction is performed using information from both parties, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and only one party may be used, or other devices may be used. In addition, in this embodiment, the image information from the vehicle-mounted camera 31 is used to obtain information on the condition in the vehicle, that is, the condition of the occupant P, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a human sensor or the like may be used.

[0044] (Load sensor 33)

[0045] A plurality of load sensors 33 are provided on the seat cushion 11 and the armrest 14 of the seat 10, and can detect the loads acting on each of them. For example, the load sensors 33 detect the loads acting on the seat cushion 11 at five locations, namely, the left front, right front, left rear, right rear, and center, at two locations in front and rear of the left armrest 14L, and at two locations in front and rear of the right armrest 14R, for a total of nine locations.

[0046] Then, each detected value is input to the control unit 110, each detected value is recorded in the RAM of the control unit 110, and the load information is analyzed in the control unit 110. Thus, the control unit 110 can determine the seating state of the occupant P, specifically, the center of gravity position of the occupant P.

[0047] (Pressure sensor 34)

[0048] A plurality of pressure sensors 34 are provided on the seat cushion 11, the seat back 12, and the armrest 14 of the seat 10, and can detect pressure acting on each of them. For example, the pressure sensors 34 detect pressure acting on 24 locations in total, namely, 9 locations in 3 rows in front and back, left and right of the seat cushion 11, 9 locations in 3 rows in top and bottom, left and right of the seat back 12, and 6 locations in 3 locations in front and back of the left and right armrests 14.

[0049] Then, each detected value is input to the control unit 110, each detected value is recorded in the RAM of the control unit 110, and the pressure information is analyzed in the control unit 110. Thus, the control unit 110 can determine the seating state of the occupant P, specifically, the center of gravity position of the occupant P.

[0050] In addition, in this embodiment, there are: a vehicle-mounted camera 31, a load sensor 33, and a pressure sensor 34, each of which can determine the center of gravity position of the occupant P, but it is not necessary to have all of these structures, and only one of them can be used, and other devices can also be used. In addition, in this embodiment, the load sensor 33 and the pressure sensor 34 use multiple sensors, but are not limited to this. At the very least, it is sufficient as long as they can detect whether the center of gravity of the occupant P is on the right or on the left.

[0051] (Main air bag device 50)

[0052] The main airbag device 50 is controlled by the control unit 110 to protect the occupant P from the impact of a collision. The main airbag device 50 includes a main inflator 51 and a main airbag body 52 (see FIGS. 3( a - 1 ) to ( c - 2 )).

[0053] (Main inflator 51)

[0054] The main inflator 51 ignites gunpowder and generates gas by chemical reaction caused by combustion in response to an operation signal generated by the control unit 110 based on collision detection or collision prediction of the vehicle 1. The gas generated by the main inflator 51 is pressed into the main airbag body 52.

[0055] (Main air bag body 52)

[0056] The main airbag body 52 is a bag body into which gas is pressed by the main inflator 51, and is folded small when not in operation. In addition, when gas is pressed from the main inflator 51, the main airbag body 52 expands and deploys in the direction from the instrument panel 5 to the seat 10, thereby alleviating the impact of the collision of the vehicle 1 on the head and chest of the occupant P. That is, when the collision of the vehicle 1 is predicted by the control unit 110, the main airbag body 52 is deployed from the front of the vehicle 1 toward the occupant P.

[0057] (Handrail moving device 80)

[0058] The armrest moving device 80 is controlled by the control unit 110 to move the armrest 14. Specifically, the armrest moving device 80 rotates the front end of either the left armrest 14L or the right armrest 14R upward around the mounting portion with the seat back 12 (hereinafter referred to as upward rotation) under the control of the control unit 110. Also, the armrest moving device 80 rotates the front end of both the left armrest 14L and the right armrest 14R downward around the mounting portion with the seat back 12 (hereinafter referred to as downward rotation) under the control of the control unit 110.

[0059] In addition, when the control unit 110 detects a collision prediction of the vehicle 1, the armrest moving device 80 rotates the left armrest 14L or the right armrest 14R on the side where the center of gravity of the occupant P acts upward, and after the offset of the center of gravity position of the occupant P is released, the armrest moving device 80 rotates both the left armrest 14L and the right armrest 14R downward.

[0060] (Control Unit 110)

[0061] The control unit 110 is used to control the operation of the occupant protection device 101. The control unit 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a central processing unit, a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing control programs, data tables, various instructions and data executed by the CPU, a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing data, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) composed of a rewritable non-volatile memory, and an input / output interface circuit, and controls the occupant protection device 101 in general.

[0062] Furthermore, the control unit 110 is connected to the vehicle-mounted camera 31 , the radar 32 , the load sensor 33 , the pressure sensor 34 , the main airbag device 50 , the armrest moving device 80 , and an ECU (not shown) via an input / output interface circuit.

[0063] Furthermore, the control unit 110 performs collision prediction and collision determination of the vehicle 1 based on information input from the vehicle-mounted camera 31 and the radar 32 .

[0064] In addition, the control unit 110 is not limited to the information input from the vehicle-mounted camera 31 and radar 32, and can also use acceleration sensors (G sensors), distance sensors, impact sensors (pressure sensors), etc. to perform collision prediction and collision judgment based on the information input from these devices.

[0065] Furthermore, the control unit 110 identifies the state of the occupant P, specifically, the position of the arm of the occupant P, based on the information input from the vehicle-mounted camera 31 .

[0066] In addition, the control unit 110 determines the center of gravity position of the occupant P based on information input from the vehicle-mounted camera 31 , the load sensor 33 , and the pressure sensor 34 .

[0067] When a collision of the vehicle 1 is predicted, the control unit 110 moves the armrest moving device 80 to rotate the armrest 14 upward or downward to deploy the main airbag body 52 after the occupant P pushes his arm away.

[0068] (Operation of the Occupant Protection Device 101)

[0069] Next, the operation of the occupant protection device 101 will be described.

[0070] 3 (a-1) to (c-2) are side views and front views showing the movement of the armrest 14 and the deployment of the main air bag body 52. Figure 4 : is a flowchart showing an overview of the operation of the occupant protection device 101 .

[0071] The occupant protection device 101 is periodically controlled by the control unit 110 at predetermined intervals. Figure 4 The control process shown.

[0072] In the control process, the control unit 110 first performs a collision prediction process (step S101). Specifically, the control unit 110 performs a collision prediction of the vehicle 1 based on the information input from the vehicle-mounted camera 31 and the radar 32. In addition, in addition to the collision prediction, the control unit 110 also performs a collision determination process of the vehicle 1. In addition, when the control unit 110 detects a collision of the vehicle 1, it can also perform the same process as the following collision prediction process, but it is desirable to perform the collision process. In the collision process, for example, the armrest 14 is not moved, and only the main airbag body 52 is deployed.

[0073] Next, the control unit 110 determines whether a collision prediction of the vehicle 1 is detected (step S102). That is, the control unit 110 determines whether a collision of the vehicle 1 is predicted in the above-mentioned collision prediction process.

[0074] If the control unit 110 determines that a collision is predicted (YES in step S102 ), the process proceeds to step S103 . If the control unit 110 determines that a collision is not predicted (NO in step S102 ), that is, if no collision is predicted, the control process ends.

[0075] When the collision prediction of the vehicle 1 is detected, the control unit 110 performs a center of gravity determination process of the occupant P (step S103). Specifically, the control unit 110 detects the position of the center of gravity of the occupant P seated on the seat 10 based on the information input from the load sensor 33. In addition, as described above, the detection of the center of gravity position of the occupant P may also be based on the information input from the vehicle-mounted camera 31 and the pressure sensor 34 to detect the position of the center of gravity of the occupant P seated on the seat 10.

[0076] Next, the control unit 110 determines whether the center of gravity of the occupant P is offset (step S104 ). Specifically, the control unit 110 determines whether the position of the detected center of gravity of the occupant P is within a predetermined range from the left and right center of the seat 10 .

[0077] If the control unit 110 determines that the center of gravity of the occupant P is offset (YES in step S104 ), the processing proceeds to step S105 . If the control unit 110 determines that the center of gravity of the occupant P is not offset (NO in step S104 ), the processing proceeds to step S108 .

[0078] When the control unit 110 determines that the center of gravity of the occupant P is biased, the control unit 110 rotates the left armrest 14L or the right armrest 14R on the side where the center of gravity acts upward through the armrest moving device 80 (step S105). Specifically, the control unit 110 determines the left armrest 14L or the right armrest 14R that can be moved based on the biased direction of the center of gravity of the occupant P, and outputs an operation signal to the armrest moving device 80 to rotate the determined left armrest 14L or the right armrest 14R upward. In this way, the occupant P who is biased to one side can be lifted up toward the center, and the center of gravity of the occupant P can be guided to an appropriate range.

[0079] Next, the control unit 110 determines whether the center of gravity of the occupant P has moved to an appropriate range (step S106). Specifically, after the armrest 14 moves upward, the control unit 110 obtains a detection signal from the load sensor 33 again, detects the position of the center of gravity of the occupant P, and determines whether the position of the detected center of gravity of the occupant P is within a prescribed range from the left and right center of the seat 10. In addition, in this case, the detection signal for obtaining the center of gravity position is not limited to the load sensor 33, and the detection signal of the vehicle-mounted camera 31 and the pressure sensor 34 can also be obtained.

[0080] When the control unit 110 determines that the center of gravity of the occupant P has moved to the appropriate range (yes in step S106), the processing proceeds to step S108. When it determines that the center of gravity of the occupant P has not moved to the appropriate range (no in step S106), the processing proceeds to step S107.

[0081] When the control unit 110 determines that the center of gravity of the occupant P has not moved to the appropriate range, it determines whether a predetermined time has passed since the movement of the armrest 14 (step S107). When the control unit 110 determines that the predetermined time has passed (yes in step S107), the process proceeds to step S109. When the control unit 110 determines that the predetermined time has not passed (no in step S107), the process returns to step S105 and repeats the above process.

[0082] When the control unit 110 determines that the center of gravity of the occupant P has not been offset from the beginning (No in step S104) or that the center of gravity of the occupant P has been moved to an appropriate range by the movement of the armrest 14 (Yes in step S106), the control unit 110 performs a process of dropping the armrest 14 (step S108). Specifically, the control unit 110 transmits an operation signal to the armrest moving device 80 to rotate both the left armrest 14L and the right armrest 14R downward. As a result, the arm of the occupant P placed on the armrest 14 can be dropped downward.

[0083] Next, the control unit 110 performs a process to deploy the main airbag bag body 52 (step S109). Specifically, the control unit 110 sends an operation signal to the main inflator 51 of the main airbag device 50 to ignite and generate gas. When the main inflator 51 of the main airbag device 50 generates gas, the gas is pressed into the main airbag bag body 52, and the main airbag bag body 52 is deployed backward toward the upper body of the occupant P.

[0084] On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 5( a - 1 ) to ( c - 2 ), when the posture of the occupant P is not corrected, the armrest 14 is not rotated downward.

[0085] Specifically, first, the control unit 110 rotates the armrest 14 on the side where the center of gravity acts upward through the armrest moving device 80 (step S105). Then, if the center of gravity of the occupant P does not move to the appropriate range even after a predetermined time has passed (determined in steps S106 and S107), the control unit 110 does not rotate the armrest 14 downward (does not perform the process of step S108), but deploys the main airbag body 52 (step S109).

[0086] In addition, in the present embodiment, even if the armrest 14 is rotated upward, the armrest 14 is kept rotated upward when the center of gravity of the occupant P does not move to the appropriate range, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the armrest 14 may be returned to the original position. In this way, for example, even if the hand comes near the face due to the upward rotation of the armrest 14, the hand can be moved away from the face by returning the armrest 14 to the original position, and when the main airbag body 52 is deployed, the hand or a foreign object held by the hand (for example, a portable terminal, etc.) can be prevented from contacting the face or head, and the occupant can be properly protected.

[0087] In addition, in the present embodiment, the armrest moving device 80 rotates the armrest 14 upward and downward, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the armrest 14 may be moved vertically and horizontally up and down. In addition, the armrest 14 may be moved upward inward or downward outward. In addition, the armrest 14 may be rotated or moved outward in the left-right direction.

[0088] In the present embodiment, the armrest moving device 80 moves or rotates the armrest 14 , but the present invention is not limited thereto, and an air bag may be deployed from the armrest 14 to correct the posture of the occupant P or to drop the arm.

[0089] As described above, the occupant protection device 101 of the present embodiment causes the armrest 14 to temporarily rotate upward and then rotate downward, thereby dropping the arm of the occupant P and deploying the main air bag body 52 toward the upper body of the occupant P. Therefore, the arm can be dropped after the posture of the occupant P is corrected, and when dropping the arm of the occupant P, the posture of the occupant P can be prevented from being disturbed or falling off the seat 10, etc., and the occupant P can be optimally protected.

[0090] Furthermore, the occupant protection device 101 of this embodiment deploys the main air bag body 52 without rotating the armrest 14 downward if the posture of the occupant P is not corrected even if the armrest 14 is rotated upward. Therefore, the occupant P can be appropriately protected without randomly interfering with the posture of the occupant P.

[0091] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the vehicle-mounted camera 31 , the load sensor 33 , and the pressure sensor 34 constitute the occupant center of gravity detection device of the present application.

[0092] In addition, in the present embodiment, the control unit 110 constitutes the collision prediction means and the deployment control means of the present application.

[0093] In addition, in the present embodiment, the main bag body 52 constitutes the main bag of the present application.

Claims

1. A vehicle occupant protection device, comprising: a collision prediction unit that predicts a collision of the vehicle; a main airbag that is deployed from the front of the vehicle toward an occupant when a collision of the vehicle is predicted by the collision prediction unit; An occupant center of gravity detection device, which detects the center of gravity position of the occupant; an armrest moving device for rotating the armrest upward and downward in a seat having a seat back and an armrest mounted on the seat back, with the armrest and the seat back being mounted as the center; as well as A control unit which, when a collision of the vehicle is predicted by the collision prediction unit, determines whether the center of gravity position of the occupant detected by the occupant center of gravity detection device is within a specified range from the left and right center of the seat, and based on the determination, causes the armrest moving device to rotate the armrest upward, thereby moving the center of gravity of the occupant from one of the left and right sides of the seat toward the center and guiding the center of gravity position to within the specified range, then rotates the armrest downward, and then deploys the main airbag.

2. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit moves upward only the armrest of the pair of left and right armrests on the side where the center of gravity of the occupant is determined by the occupant center of gravity detection device to guide the center of gravity of the occupant to a predetermined range.

3. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The control unit does not rotate the armrest downward if the occupant's center of gravity detection device does not detect that the occupant's center of gravity has moved to a predetermined range within a predetermined time after the armrest has moved upward.

4. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The occupant center of gravity detection device includes: any one of a camera, a load sensor and a pressure sensor.

5. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 3, wherein: The occupant center of gravity detection device includes: any one of a camera, a load sensor and a pressure sensor.

6. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The control unit deploys the main airbag without moving the armrest when the occupant's center of gravity detection device detects that the occupant's center of gravity is at a predetermined position.

7. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 3, wherein: The control unit deploys the main airbag without moving the armrest when the occupant's center of gravity detection device detects that the occupant's center of gravity is at a predetermined position.

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