Occupant protection device for vehicle

Abstract

A passenger protection device for a vehicle includes: an airbag main body having a front-rear chamber that deploys in front of a seat on a lateral side of a passenger's head and a top chamber that deploys inward in a seat width direction from a seat front side end of the front-rear chamber by gas ejected from an inflator that operates in response to sensing or predicting a collision of the vehicle; and a headrest having a main body portion that supports the passenger's head from a seat rear side and a side portion provided on at least the lateral side of the main body portion that protrudes toward the seat front side and is interposed between the front-rear chamber and the passenger's head before deployment of the front-rear chamber is completed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a vehicle occupant protection device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the past, a side airbag device has been known, which includes an airbag main body portion that deploys to the side of an occupant's upper body (including the head) when a front collision of a vehicle occurs, from a side portion of a seat back toward the front, and an airbag protruding portion that deploys to the front of the occupant's face from the airbag main body portion toward the inside in the seat width direction (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-008105).

[0003] However, in the case where the airbag device is mounted to the side portion of the seat back, if the occupant's head approaches the side portion side on which the airbag device is mounted when a front collision of the vehicle occurs, the airbag is likely to be caught by the occupant's head at the time of deployment of the airbag, and the deployment of the airbag is likely to be delayed. Thus, in the airbag device in which the airbag deploys to the side of the occupant's head, there is room for improvement. SUMMARY

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present application is to obtain a vehicle occupant protection device, which is an airbag device that deploys to the side of an occupant's head, and in which an airbag main body deploys smoothly even if the occupant's head approaches the side.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle occupant protection device according to an aspect of the present application includes an airbag main body having a front-rear chamber that deploys to the seat front side from the side of an occupant's head by gas ejected from an inflator that operates in response to sensing or predicting a collision of a vehicle, and a top end chamber that deploys to the seat front side of the occupant's face from a seat front side end portion of the front-rear chamber toward the inside in the seat width direction, and a headrest having a main body portion that supports the occupant's head from the seat rear side, and a side portion provided to at least the side of the main body portion, which protrudes toward the seat front side before completion of deployment of the front-rear chamber to interpose between the front-rear chamber and the occupant's head.

[0006] According to the above aspect, when a collision of a vehicle is sensed or predicted, the front-rear chamber of the airbag main body deploys to the seat front side from the side of an occupant's head by gas ejected from an inflator that operates in response thereto. At this time, the side portion of the headrest protrudes toward the seat front side before completion of deployment of the front-rear chamber of the airbag main body to interpose between the front-rear chamber and the occupant's head. Therefore, for example, even if the occupant's head approaches the side, the airbag main body is not likely to be caught by the occupant's head, and deploys smoothly.

[0007] Further, in the above-described aspect, the side portion can be configured to protrude toward the seat front side when the speed of the vehicle becomes a predetermined value or more.

[0008] According to the above-described configuration, the side portion protrudes toward the seat front side when the speed of the vehicle becomes a predetermined value or more. Therefore, before the airbag main body is deployed, the side portion is reliably disposed to the side of the head of the occupant, and the lateral displacement of the head of the occupant is corrected in advance.

[0009] Further, in the above-described aspect, the side portion can be configured to protrude toward the seat front side when a collision of the vehicle is sensed or predicted.

[0010] According to the above-described configuration, the side portion protrudes toward the seat front side when a collision of the vehicle is sensed or predicted. Therefore, before the airbag main body is deployed, the side portion is reliably disposed to the side of the head of the occupant, and the lateral displacement of the head of the occupant is corrected in advance.

[0011] Further, in the above-described aspect, the side portion can be attached to the main portion so as to be rotatable about the seat up-down direction.

[0012] According to the above-described configuration, the side portion is attached to the main portion so as to be rotatable about the seat up-down direction. Therefore, compared with a case where the side portion protrudes by sliding in the seat front-rear direction, for example, the configuration of the headrest is simplified.

[0013] Further, in the above-described aspect, the side portion can be attached to the main portion so as to be rotatable about the seat up-down direction, and configured to protrude toward the seat front side by being pushed by the deployed airbag main body.

[0014] According to the above-described configuration, the side portion is attached to the main portion so as to be rotatable about the seat up-down direction, and protrudes toward the seat front side by being pushed by the deployed airbag main body. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a protruding mechanism for protruding the side portion toward the seat front side in the headrest, and the configuration of the headrest is simplified.

[0015] Further, in the above-described aspect, the side portion can be attached to the main portion so as to be rotatable about the seat up-down direction, and configured to protrude toward the seat front side by being pushed by the deployed airbag main body.

[0016] According to the above configuration, the side portions are provided on both sides of the main portion in a rotatable manner, and the side portion on one side is pushed by the airbag main portion that is deployed on one side to protrude toward the seat front side, and the side portion on the other side protrudes toward the seat front side in conjunction with the movement. Therefore, the lateral deviation of the occupant's head is reliably corrected, and the configuration of the headrest is simplified compared to a case where a protruding mechanism is provided on each side portion.

[0017] Further, in the above aspect, the side portion can have a side portion main body and an extension portion configured to be able to move in and out with respect to the side portion main body.

[0018] According to the above configuration, the side portion has a side portion main body and an extension portion configured to be able to move in and out with respect to the side portion main body. That is, the side portion is configured to be able to change the length thereof. Therefore, the side portion protruding by the extension portion further directs the occupant's field of view toward the front side, and as a result, the lateral deviation of the occupant's head is corrected.

[0019] Further, in the above aspect, the side portion can have a side portion main body and an extension portion configured to be able to move in and out with respect to the side portion main body.

[0020] According to the above configuration, the side portion has a side portion main body and an extension portion configured to be able to move in and out with respect to the side portion main body. That is, the side portion is configured to be able to change the length thereof. Therefore, the side portion protruding by the extension portion further directs the occupant's field of view toward the front side, and as a result, the lateral deviation of the occupant's head is corrected.

[0021] As described above, according to the present application, even in an airbag device that is deployed to the side of the occupant's head, the airbag main portion of the airbag device can be smoothly deployed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Hereinafter, features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:

[0023] Figure 1 is a side view showing a headrest and an airbag main portion that constitute a vehicle occupant protection device of the present embodiment.

[0024] Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view showing the headrest of the vehicle occupant protection device of the first embodiment before operation.

[0025] Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view showing the headrest of the vehicle occupant protection device of the first embodiment after operation.

[0026] Figure 4A is a plan view showing the pre-crash seat belt device of the vehicle occupant protection device of the first embodiment before operation.

[0027] Figure 4B is a plan view showing the pre-crash seat belt device of the vehicle occupant protection device of the first embodiment after operation.

[0028] Figure 5 is a plan view showing the headrest of the vehicle occupant protection device of the first embodiment in a main part enlarged view.

[0029] Figure 6 is a plan view showing the headrest of the vehicle occupant protection device of the second embodiment before operation in an enlarged view.

[0030] Figure 7 is a plan view showing the headrest of the vehicle occupant protection device of the second embodiment after operation in an enlarged view.

[0031] Figure 8A is a plan view showing the side portion of the headrest of the vehicle occupant protection device of the third embodiment in a protruding state.

[0032] Figure 8B is a plan view showing the side portion of the headrest of the vehicle occupant protection device of the third embodiment in a housed state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail based on the drawings. Note that, for convenience, an arrow UP shown appropriately in each drawing is set as a seat upward direction, an arrow FR is set as a seat front direction, and an arrow RH is set as a seat right direction. Therefore, in the following description, in the case where the upward, downward, front, rear, left, and right directions are not particularly described, the upward, downward, front, rear, left, and right directions are set to indicate the upward, downward, front, rear, left, and right directions of the vehicle seat. Further, the left and right directions are synonymous with the seat width direction.

[0034] Further, the vehicle occupant protection device 10 of the present embodiment is provided to the headrest 20 of the vehicle seat 16 that is a rear seat of the vehicle 12. Therefore, the vehicle seat 16 of the present embodiment is described as a rear seat, but the vehicle occupant protection device 10 of the present embodiment can also be provided to the headrest of the vehicle seat (not shown) that is a front seat of the vehicle 12.

[0035] Further, as described later, the airbag device 30 that constitutes the vehicle occupant protection device 10 passes through the side window 14 (refer to Figure 7 ) that is a window and the side portion 24 (refer to Figure 2The airbag device 30 is adapted to a vehicle in which a curtain airbag device is not provided, and the front and rear chambers 34 described later function as a curtain airbag.

[0036] Further, the "window" in the present embodiment includes not only a state in which the side window 14 is closed, but also a state in which the side window 14 is opened. In addition, as one example, Figure 1 The "occupant P" in the present embodiment shown in the drawings refers to an occupant corresponding to a human body dummy AM50.

[0037] <First Embodiment>

[0038] First, the vehicle occupant protection device 10 of the first embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 1 , the vehicle seat 16 provided with the vehicle occupant protection device 10 has a seat cushion (omitted from illustration) on which the occupant P sits (supports the hips and thighs of the occupant P), a seat back 18 that supports the back of the occupant P, and a headrest 20 that supports the head Ph of the occupant P.

[0039] The headrest 20 has a block-shaped main body portion 22 provided in the seat width direction central portion of the upper end portion of the seat back 18 in a manner that is liftable, and block-shaped side portions 24 fitted to the seat width direction outer end portions (both side portions) of the main body portion 22 in a manner that the seat width direction inner end portions (proximal end portions) thereof are rotatable about the vertical direction as an axis.

[0040] That is, the vertical direction both end portions of the seat width direction inner end portions of the side portions 24 are integrally formed with protruding portions 24A of a substantially semicircular plate shape that protrude toward the main body portion 22, and the vertical pair of protruding portions 24A are disposed at the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the seat width direction outer end portions of the main body portion 22, and are rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 25 (refer to Figure 2 ) about the vertical direction as an axis.

[0041] Note that, as shown in Figure 2 , in plan view, the main body portion 22 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with the seat width direction as the long dimension direction, and the side portions 24 are formed in a substantially right triangle shape with the slope facing the rear side in the posture before rotation shown in Figure 2 . Further, hereinafter, when the left and right side portions 24 are distinguished and described, the English letters "L" and "R" are assigned.

[0042] As shown in Figure 1 and the headrest 20 of the second embodiment described later, Figure 6 , Figure 7As shown, a resin-made and box-shaped housing portion 26 is integrally provided on the rear side of the main body portion 22 of the headrest 20. The housing portion 26 is covered with a skin material (omitted from illustration) together with the main body portion 22, and one of the left and right outer side walls 26L, 26R of the housing portion 26 (the right outer side wall 26R in the illustration) is broken by the deployed airbag main body 32.

[0043] A prescribed space portion S is formed inside the housing portion 26. Also, in this space portion S, the airbag main body 32 of the airbag device 30 and the inflator device 28 are housed side by side in the seat width direction. That is, in the illustrated housing portion 26, the inflator device 28 is disposed on the left side, and the airbag main body 32 folded in a corrugated shape is housed on the right side.

[0044] As shown in Figure 1 Figure 7 , the airbag device 30 has the airbag main body 32 that deploys from the rear side (the right side rear side in the illustration) of the head Ph of the occupant P seated on the vehicle seat 16 to the side direction front side of the side portion 24R (the head Ph of the occupant P) by ejecting gas from the inflator device 28.

[0045] The airbag main body 32 has a front-rear chamber 34 disposed to the side of the head Ph of the occupant P (disposed between the side window 14 and the side portion 24R), and a top end chamber 36 deployed from the front side end portion of the front-rear chamber 34 to the inside in the seat width direction so as to be disposed to the front side of the face of the occupant P. Also, the airbag main body 32 has a rope-like tether 38 linking a prescribed position in the upper end portion of the front-rear chamber 34 and a prescribed position in the upper end portion of the top end chamber 36.

[0046] That is, the airbag main body 32 is bent so as to be substantially "V"-shaped in plan view to restrain at least a portion of the head Ph and the chest of the occupant P. Note that the tether 38 is provided to link at least the upper end portion of the front-rear chamber 34 and the upper end portion of the top end chamber 36, and may, for example, also be provided to link a prescribed position in the lower end portion of the front-rear chamber 34 and a prescribed position in the lower end portion of the top end chamber 36.

[0047] The inflator device 28 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the outer peripheral portion of the inflator device 28 is supported by a reaction force plate (omitted from illustration) formed in a box shape via a retainer (omitted from illustration) so that the axial center portion of the inflator device 28 is disposed along the seat width direction. The reaction force plate is fixed to a seat back frame (omitted from illustration) via a bracket (omitted from illustration), for example, and constitutes a structure that blocks a reaction force transmitted from the airbag main body 32 deployed to the front side via the inflator device 28. Note that the reaction force plate and the retainer are also disposed in the space portion S.

[0048] ​The inflator 28 is electrically connected to an airbag ECU (Electronic Control Unit) (not shown) provided in the vehicle 12, and a detection device (not shown) such as a collision sensing sensor or a collision prediction sensor provided in the vehicle 12 is electrically connected to the airbag ECU. Therefore, when a front collision of the vehicle 12 is sensed or predicted by the detection device, the inflator 28 is operated by the airbag ECU to instantaneously eject gas. Also, the connecting portion 31 of the airbag main body 32 is fittingly connected to an ejection port of the inflator 28.

[0049] As described above, the airbag main body 32 is housed in the space portion S of the housing portion 26 in a state of being folded in a corrugated shape (alternately a plurality of times in a prescribed length). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the airbag main body 32 is deployed to the front side while being unwound in a corrugated shape by the gas ejected from the inflator 28, between the side window 14 and the side portion 24R (the side of the head Ph of the occupant P). Figure 7

[0050] Further, along with the deployment of the airbag main body 32, the outer side wall 26R on the right side of the housing portion 26 is broken, for example, in a straight line shape along the up-and-down direction. Note that the broken portion is preferably the rear end portion of the outer side wall 26R. In other words, a weak portion or the like that is easily broken is preferably formed in advance in the rear end portion of the outer side wall 26R.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2, the headrest 20 has a compression coil spring 46 as a biasing member that biases the side portion 24 in a direction in which the side portion 24 is turned to the front side, a lock mechanism 40 that locks the side portion 24 so as not to be turned to the front side against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 46, and a lock release mechanism 50 that releases the lock of the lock mechanism 40. Figure 2 Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 2, the headrest 20 has a compression coil spring 46 as a biasing member that biases the side portion 24 in a direction in which the side portion 24 is turned to the front side, a lock mechanism 40 that locks the side portion 24 so as not to be turned to the front side against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 46, and a lock release mechanism 50 that releases the lock of the lock mechanism 40.

[0052] If described in detail, the lock mechanism 40 is provided inside the main body portion 22. The lock mechanism 40 has a cylindrical rotation member 42 that is fittingly inserted into the rotation shaft 25 that supports the side portion 24 so as to be rotatable, is fixed to the lower-side protruding portion 24A, for example, and rotates integrally with the side portion 24, and a locking portion 44 that stops the rotation of the rotation member 42.

[0053] ​​A protruding portion 42A that protrudes to the radially outer side (the seat width direction inner side) by a prescribed length and whose protruding direction becomes the long dimension direction in plan view is integrally formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member 42, and a rear end portion 46A that is one end portion of the compression coil spring 46 is fitted to the top end of the protruding portion 42A. Note that a front end portion 46B that is the other end portion of the compression coil spring 46 is fitted to the inner surface of the front wall 22A of the main body portion 22. Further, a recessed portion 42B that is a locking portion and that is approximately triangular in plan view is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member 42.

[0054] The locking portion 44 is formed in an approximately "L" shape in plan view, and a prescribed portion on the one end portion 44B side (the seat width direction inner side) of the bent portion 44C that is bent by approximately 90 degrees is supported by the rotation shaft 45 that is an axis in the up-down direction so as to be able to rotate. Further, a claw portion 44A that is approximately triangular in plan view and that is able to be inserted into the recessed portion 42B is integrally formed on the front end portion that is the other end portion of the locking portion 44. Further, the locking portion 44 is always urged by a biasing member such as a torsion spring (omitted from the drawing) in a manner in which the claw portion 44A is directed toward the front side (in the direction in which the claw portion 44A is inserted into the recessed portion 42B).

[0055] A solenoid 52 that is a lock release mechanism 50 is provided on the rear wall 22B of the main body portion 22. A cylindrical rod 52A that is able to advance and retreat in the front-rear direction by being energized and not being energized is provided on the solenoid 52, and in the most retracted state of the rod 52A, the top end portion (the front end portion) of the rod 52A is proximate to the rear surface of the one end portion 44B (the seat width direction inner side end portion that is proximate to the rotation shaft 45) of the locking portion 44.

[0056] Therefore, the following configuration is obtained: when the solenoid 52 is driven by being energized, the rod 52A protrudes to the front side and presses the one end portion 44B of the locking portion 44 to the front side, the claw portion 44A of the locking portion 44 rotates to the rear side about the rotation shaft 45, and thus the locking portion 44 is disengaged from the recessed portion 42B. Note that the solenoid 52 is electrically connected to the above-described detection device, and when the detection device senses or predicts a collision of the front of the vehicle 12, the solenoid 52 is energized and operates.

[0057] The lock mechanism 40 and the lock release mechanism 50 that are configured as described above adopt the following scheme. First, the side portion 24 is locked so as not to rotate (the posture shown in the drawing is maintained). Figure 2 That is, the side portion 24 that rotates integrally with the rotating member 42 is rotated to the rear side against the urging force of the compression coil spring 46.

[0058] Therefore, the claw 44A of the locking part 44, which is subjected to a forward force by the torsion spring, is inserted into the recess 42B of the rotating member 42, and the side part 24 is locked to maintain this posture. In other words, by the force applied by the compressed coil spring 46, the side part 24 rotates forward together with the rotating member 42, but is prevented by the locking part 44. It should be noted that when the side part 24 is locked by the locking mechanism 40, the front surface of the main body 22 and the front surface of the side part 24 are flush. Therefore, the occupant P can easily shift his head Ph from the main body 22 to the side part 24.

[0059] On the other hand, the solenoid 52 is driven to release the lock on the side portion 24. The solenoid 52 is electrically connected to the aforementioned detection device, so the collision sensing or collision prediction of the vehicle 12 performed by the detection device is used as a trigger to energize the solenoid 52, thereby causing the rod 52A to protrude forward.

[0060] When the lever 52A protrudes forward, one end 44B of the locking part 44 is pushed forward, causing the claw part 44A to rotate rearward about the rotation axis 45, thereby disengaging from the recess 42B. As a result, the side part 24, which rotates integrally with the rotating member 42, protrudes forward by the force applied by the compression coil spring 46, and is positioned on the side of the head Ph of the passenger P (between the front and rear chambers 34 and the head Ph of the passenger P).

[0061] It should be noted that the solenoid 52 is also electrically connected to the speed sensor (not shown) of the vehicle 12, and operates to release the locking mechanism 40 when the speed of the vehicle 12 reaches a predetermined value. That is, the solenoid 52, which serves as the locking release mechanism 50, is driven before the front and rear chambers 34 have been fully deployed. Furthermore, it can be configured to generate an alarm via a warning sound or display when the side portion 24 does not rotate forward when the speed of the vehicle 12 reaches a predetermined value.

[0062] In addition, such as Figure 4A As shown, a known pre-collision seat belt device 54 is provided in the vehicle seat 16. The pre-collision seat belt device 54 is electrically connected to a control device (not shown) provided in the vehicle 12, which is electrically connected to a detection device. Furthermore, the pre-collision seat belt device 54 is configured to operate via the control device when a frontal collision of the vehicle 12 is sensed or predicted by the detection device while the side 24 is protruding forward.

[0063] That is, the pre-collision seat belt device 54 is configured such that when a frontal collision of the vehicle 12 is sensed or predicted, such as Figure 4BAs shown by the hollow arrow, the seat belt 56 is pulled by being forcibly wound up by a winder (not shown) to restrain the occupant P to the seat back 18 more quickly. Thereby, the head Ph of the occupant P is pressed against the front wall 22A of the main body portion 22 of the headrest 20.

[0064] Next, the operation of the vehicle occupant protection device 10 of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described.

[0065] When the detection device senses or predicts that the vehicle 12 has suffered a front collision, the inflator 28 operates to instantaneously inject gas into the interior of the airbag main body 32. When the gas is injected into the interior of the airbag main body 32, the outer side wall 26R of the housing portion 26 is broken by the expanding airbag main body 32, and the airbag main body 32 expands to the front side along the side window 14 (to the side of the head Ph of the occupant P), but the side portion 24 protrudes to the front side before this expansion.

[0066] That is, when the detection device senses or predicts that the vehicle 12 has suffered a front collision, the lock release mechanism 50 operates before or simultaneously with the operation of the inflator 28. Specifically, the solenoid 52 is energized, and the rod 52A protrudes to the front side to press the one end portion 44B of the locking portion 44 to the front side. Thereby, the claw portion 44A of the locking portion 44 rotates to the rear side about the rotation axis 45 to disengage from the recessed portion 42B.

[0067] Then, the side portion 24 that rotates integrally with the rotating member 42 protrudes to the front side by the force applied by the compression coil spring 46 to be disposed to the side of the head Ph of the occupant P. That is, the side portion 24R of the headrest 20 protrudes to the front side before the expansion of the front-rear chamber 34 of the airbag main body 32 is completed to be interposed between the front-rear chamber 34 and the head Ph of the occupant P.

[0068] Therefore, at the time of the expansion of the airbag main body 32, even if the head Ph of the occupant P approaches the side window 14 side (even if it is shifted to the side of the side portion 24R), the position of the head Ph is corrected in advance by the side portion 24R (the head Ph is forcibly moved to the seat width direction central portion side in the main body portion 22).

[0069] Thus, the side portion 24 is reliably disposed to the side of the head Ph of the occupant P, and therefore, the lateral shift of the head Ph of the occupant P can be reliably corrected. Thereby, the airbag main body 32 is not worried about being caught by the head Ph of the occupant P, and can be easily and smoothly expanded along the side window 14. That is, according to the present embodiment, the expansion performance of the airbag main body 32 can be sufficiently ensured.

[0070] Further, by the airbag main body 32 (the front and rear chamber 34 and the top chamber 36) being fully deployed, the head Ph and at least a portion of the chest of the occupant P seated on the vehicle seat 16 are restrained. Therefore, the head Ph and at least a portion of the chest of the occupant P can be suppressed from moving forward by the inertial force by the airbag main body 32 (the front and rear chamber 34 and the top chamber 36).

[0071] Further, as described above, upon sensing or predicting the frontal collision of the vehicle 12, the side portion 24 protrudes to the front side before the deployment of the front and rear chamber 34 of the airbag main body 32 is completed, so as to be interposed between the airbag main body 32 and the head Ph of the occupant P. Therefore, at the time of deployment of the airbag main body 32, the face of the occupant P is not worried to be injured by the airbag main body 32. In other words, at the time of deployment of the airbag main body 32 deployed to the side of the head Ph of the occupant P, the face of the occupant P can be protected by the side portion 24.

[0072] Further, the side portion 24 is attached to the main body portion 22 so as to be able to pivot about the up and down direction. Therefore, compared to a case where the side portion 24 is configured to protrude, for example, in the front and rear direction, the protruding mechanism of the side portion 24 (the configuration of the headrest 20) can be simplified, and an increase in the manufacturing cost of the headrest 20 can be suppressed.

[0073] Further, when the frontal collision of the vehicle 12 is sensed or predicted in the state where the side portion 24 protrudes to the front side, the pre-crash seat belt device 54 operates. That is, by the seat belt 56 being forcibly reeled in, the head Ph of the occupant P is pressed toward the main body portion 22 of the headrest 20. Therefore, the lateral deviation of the head Ph of the occupant P can be reliably corrected, and the head Ph of the occupant P can be reliably disposed at the seat width direction central portion of the main body portion 22 of the headrest 20. Thus, the occupant protection performance at the time of the frontal collision of the vehicle 12 can be improved.

[0074] Further, when the speed of the vehicle 12 becomes a prescribed value or more, the lock release mechanism 50 (the solenoid 52) also operates, so that the side portion 24 protrudes to the front side. That is, before the airbag main body 32 is deployed, the side portion 24 becomes in a state of being disposed to the side of the head Ph of the occupant P. Therefore, the lateral deviation of the head Ph of the occupant P can be corrected in advance (the head Ph of the occupant P can be reliably returned to the seat width direction central portion of the main body portion 22), and the occupant protection performance at the time of the frontal collision of the vehicle 12 can be improved.

[0075] (Modified Example)

[0076] Note that the biasing member that biases the side portion 24 so as to pivot to the front side via the rotating member 42 is not limited to the compression coil spring 46, and may, for example, be a spring such as a torsion coil spring or a torsion bar spring. Figure 5The disc spring 48 is shown, for example, to be embedded in the rotating shaft 25 at a central portion, fixed to the side portion 24 at one end portion, and fixed to a locking pin 58 provided in the main body portion 22 at the other end portion.

[0077] <Second Embodiment>

[0078] Next, the vehicle occupant protection device 10 of the second embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are assigned to portions equivalent to those of the above-described first embodiment, and detailed description (including common effects) will be appropriately omitted.

[0079] As shown in Figure 6 , Figure 7 In the second embodiment, only the side portion 24R is configured to protrude to the front side by being pushed by the deployed airbag body 32, which is different from the above-described first embodiment. Also, the side portion 24L is configured to protrude to the front side in conjunction with the right (one) side portion 24R that protrudes to the front side by being pushed by the deployed airbag body 32.

[0080] That is, in the second embodiment, a linkage mechanism 60 is provided that rotates the side portion 24L of the other (left) side in conjunction with the rotation of the side portion 24R of the one (right) side. The linkage mechanism 60 is configured, for example, to include a wire 62 of a prescribed length and a plurality of rotatable pulleys 64, 66, 68 that wind the wire 62.

[0081] If described in detail, one end portion 62A of the wire 62 is fixed to the vicinity of the top end portion in the interior of the right side portion 24R. Also, the wire 62 is sequentially wound around a left and right pair of first and second pulleys 64, 66 that are disposed in the interior of the main body portion 22 and spaced apart in the left and right directions on the rear side of the rotating shaft 25 when viewed in side elevation.

[0082] Also, the wire 62 is further wound around a third pulley 68 that is provided in the interior of the main body portion 22 at the left side end portion and on the front side of the rotating shaft 25 when viewed in side elevation, and the other end portion 62B of the wire 62 is fixed to the vicinity of the top end portion in the interior of the left side portion 24L.

[0083] According to such a configuration, as shown in Figure 7When the right side portion 24R is pushed by the deployed airbag main body 32 to rotate around the rotation axis 25 to the front side, the one end portion 62A of the wire 62 is pulled to the front side in conjunction therewith. Then, the other end portion 62B of the wire 62 is pulled to the rear side, and the left side portion 24L rotates around the rotation axis 25 to the front side. Thus, the position of the head Ph of the occupant P is corrected (forcibly moved to the main body portion 22 side) by the left and right side portions 24.

[0084] Further, the airbag main body 32 deploys while pushing the right side portion 24R when it deploys from the housing portion 26 to the front side by the gas ejected from the inflator 28, and thus does not get caught by the head Ph of the occupant P. Thus, the airbag main body 32 can easily and smoothly deploy along the side window 14.

[0085] Further, the tip end portion (rear end portion) of the tip end chamber 36 is arranged close to or in contact with the tip end portion of the side portion 24L (the periphery of the head Ph can be surrounded by 360° by the airbag main body 32 and the side portion 24L), and thus the head Ph of the occupant P can be further protected. That is, the occupant protection performance when the vehicle 12 collides from the front can be further improved.

[0086] Further, according to this second embodiment, the right side portion 24R protrudes to the front side by being pushed by the deployed airbag main body 32, and the position of the side portion 24R is maintained by the internal pressure of the deployed airbag main body 32. Further, in other words, in conjunction with the action of the right side portion 24R protruding to the front side by being pushed by the deployed airbag main body 32, the left side portion 24L also protrudes to the front side, and the position of the side portion 24R is maintained by the internal pressure of the deployed airbag main body 32, and thus the position of the side portion 24L is also maintained via the linkage mechanism 60.

[0087] Thus, the lateral deviation of the head Ph of the occupant P can be reliably corrected by the left and right side portions 24, and a protruding mechanism for protruding each side portion 24 to the front side does not need to be provided in the headrest 20. That is, compared to the case where a protruding mechanism for protruding each side portion 24 to the front side is provided in the headrest 20, the configuration of the headrest 20 can be simplified, and the increase in the manufacturing cost of the headrest 20 can be suppressed.

[0088] <Third Embodiment>

[0089] Finally, the vehicle occupant protection device 10 of the third embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts as the first and second embodiments described above, and the detailed description will be appropriately omitted (including the common effects).

[0090] As Figure 8A , Figure 8BAs shown, in this third embodiment, only the side portion 24 is configured with a dual structure, which differs from the first and second embodiments described above. That is, the side portion 24 has: a generally cylindrical side body 24B with an open top portion; and an extension portion 24C, which can be positioned by a sliding mechanism 70 as either a retracted position inside the side body 24B or a protruding position protruding from the top portion of the side body 24B.

[0091] The sliding mechanism 70 is located inside the side body 24B and is configured, for example, to include a rack 72 and a pinion 74 meshing with the rack 72. Specifically, when the side body 24 is rotated forward, the rack 72 is located at the outer end of the interior of the side body 24B, and the pinion 74 is fitted to the outer rear end of the extension 24C. Furthermore, a motor (not shown) is provided inside the extension 24C to drive the pinion 74 to rotate in both forward and reverse directions.

[0092] Therefore, when the pinion 74 rotates due to the motor drive, the extension 24C moves forward along the rack 72, protruding forward from the top of the side body 24B. Furthermore, when the pinion 74 rotates in the opposite direction due to the motor drive, the extension 24C moves rearward along the rack 72, thus retracting into the side body 24B.

[0093] Thus, when the extension 24C is configured to move in and out relative to the side body 24B, as... Figure 8A As shown, the side portion 24 protrudes further forward through the extension 24C, allowing the occupant P's field of vision to be directed towards the front. Therefore, in this third embodiment, it is configured such that the motor drives the extension 24C to protrude, particularly when the vehicle 12's speed reaches a predetermined value or higher.

[0094] As a result, when the speed of the vehicle 12 exceeds a predetermined value, the lateral displacement of the head Ph of the occupant P can be corrected, and the head Ph of the occupant P can be positioned towards the center of the seat width direction of the main body 22. Furthermore, when the head Ph of the occupant P is positioned at the center of the seat width direction of the main body 22 in this way, the occupant protection performance in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle 12 can be further improved.

[0095] It should be noted that when the airbag body 32 deploys, as Figure 8B As shown, the extension 24C is housed within the side body 24B. That is, when the airbag body 32 is deployed, similarly to the first and second embodiments described above, the side 24 (side body 24B) is sandwiched between the airbag body 32 and the head Ph of the passenger P.

[0096] Therefore, without being worried that the airbag main body 32 is caught by the head Ph of the occupant P, the airbag main body 32 is easily and smoothly deployed to the front side from the housing portion 26 through between the side window 14 and the side portion 24R (along the side window 14). Note that in the third embodiment, the extension portion 24C can also be in a projected state at the time of deployment of the airbag main body 32, as long as the deployment of the airbag main body 32 is not hindered.

[0097] The vehicle occupant protection device 10 of the present embodiment has been described above based on the drawings, but the vehicle occupant protection device 10 of the present embodiment is not limited to the illustrated configuration, and design changes can be appropriately made within a range not departing from the gist of the present application. For example, the vehicle occupant protection device 10 of the present embodiment can also be provided to a headrest of a vehicle seat (omitted from illustration) at the center of a rear seat of the vehicle 12.

[0098] Further, the reaction force plate that supports the inflator 28 can also be fixed to a headrest support (omitted from illustration) via a bracket (omitted from illustration), instead of being fixed to the seat back frame via the bracket (omitted from illustration). Also, the side portion 24 is not limited to the configuration of being supported in a rotatable manner to the seat width direction both side portions of the main body portion 22, and can also be configured to be projected from the seat width direction both side portions in the inside of the main body portion 22. However, the configuration of rotating the side portion 24 is more preferable and can be simply manufactured than the configuration of sliding the side portion 24, and thus is preferred.

[0099] Further, the side portion 24 is not limited to the configuration of being provided to the seat width direction both side portions of the main body portion 22. The side portion 24 can be configured to be provided to at least only one side portion in which the airbag main body 32 is deployed. However, it is more preferable that the side portion 24 is provided to the seat width direction both side portions of the main body portion 22 from the viewpoint of improving the protection performance for the head Ph of the occupant P.

[0100] Further, the lock mechanism 40 and the lock release mechanism 50 in the first embodiment are not limited to the illustrated configurations. Likewise, the link mechanism 60 in the second embodiment is also not limited to the configuration including the wire 62 and the first pulley 64, the second pulley 66, and the third pulley 68. Also, the sliding mechanism 70 in the third embodiment is also not limited to the configuration including the rack 72 and the pinion 74.

Claims

1. A passenger protection device for a vehicle, comprising: an airbag main body having a front-and-rear chamber that is deployed to the side of a head of an occupant through a seat front side to be disposed to the side of the head of the occupant, and a top end chamber that is deployed from a seat front side end portion of the front-and-rear chamber to an inside in a seat width direction to be disposed to a seat front side of a face of the occupant by gas ejected from an inflator that operates in response to sensing or prediction of a collision of the vehicle; and a headrest having a main body portion that supports the head of the occupant from a seat rear side, and a side portion that is provided to at least the side of the main body portion, protrudes to the seat front side to be interposed between the front-and-rear chamber and the head of the occupant before completion of deployment of the front-and-rear chamber, the airbag main body being deployed to the seat front side between a side window that is a window and the side portion of the headrest, the side portion being attached to the main body portion so as to be rotatable about a seat up-and-down direction, and being configured to protrude to the seat front side by being pushed by the deployed airbag main body.

2. The passenger protection device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the side portion is configured to protrude to the seat front side when a speed of the vehicle becomes a predetermined value or more.

3. The passenger protection device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the side portion is configured to protrude to the seat front side when sensing or prediction of the collision of the vehicle is made.

4. The passenger protection device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the side portion is attached to the main body portion so as to be rotatable about the seat up-and-down direction.

5. The passenger protection device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the side portion is attached to the main body portion on a side opposite to the side portion on the side of the main body portion so as to be rotatable about the seat up-and-down direction, and is configured to protrude to the seat front side by the side portion on one side being pushed by the deployed airbag main body in conjunction with the side portion on the other side also protruding to the seat front side.

6. The passenger protection device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5, wherein the side portion has a side portion main body and an extension portion that is configured to be able to move in and out with respect to the side portion main body.

7. The passenger protection device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5, configured such that a pre-crash seat belt device operates when sensing or prediction of the collision of the vehicle is made in a state in which the side portion protrudes to the seat front side. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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