Airbag device for vehicle

Abstract

This invention provides a vehicle airbag device that can deploy the airbag body earlier and reduce the possibility of head rotation injury to the occupant. The vehicle airbag device includes an airbag body having front and rear chambers and a front chamber. The front and rear chambers deploy from an inflator activated based on the detection or prediction of a frontal collision, passing through the side of the occupant's head towards the front of the seat. The front and rear chambers are positioned to the side of the occupant's head. The front chamber extends inward from the front end of the front and rear chambers towards the seat width and is positioned in front of the occupant's head. The airbag body has a shoulder support that contacts the occupant's shoulder opposite to the shoulder with the shoulder strap from the front of the seat, restraining the occupant's other shoulder.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to airbag devices for vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-049898, a distal airbag device is known, which includes a first chamber that expands from the side of the seat back opposite to the shoulder strap toward the adjacent seat back when the vehicle is involved in an oblique side collision or a side collision; a second chamber that receives gas supply from the front end of the first chamber and expands toward the front of the seat; and a third chamber that receives gas supply from the front end of the second chamber and expands toward the inside of the seat width direction, and has a strap connecting the first chamber and the third chamber.

[0003] However, in the case of a distal airbag device as described above, the airbag's anchor point (base) is only located on one side of the seat back, resulting in a single-sided airbag deployment. Therefore, during the process of restraining the occupant's head in the latter half of the collision, from a top-down view, the airbag tends to rotate away from the occupant's head, centered on the anchor point.

[0004] As a result, the likelihood of head rotation injuries to occupants increases. Furthermore, the limited space on the sides (outer side) of the seat back limits the deployment space of the airbag, leading to delayed deployment and impacting its overall performance. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, this disclosure provides a vehicle airbag device that can deploy the airbag body earlier and reduce the possibility of head rotation injury to the occupant.

[0006] The first technical solution provides a vehicle airbag device comprising an airbag body having front and rear chambers and a front chamber. The front and rear chambers are deployed from the side of the head of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat towards the front of the seat using gas ejected from an inflator that operates upon detection or prediction of a frontal collision. The front and rear chambers are positioned on the side of the occupant's head. The front chamber extends from the front end of the front and rear chambers towards the inside of the seat width and is positioned on the front side of the occupant's head. The airbag body has a shoulder support that contacts the occupant's shoulder opposite to the shoulder with the shoulder strap from the front side of the seat, thereby restraining the occupant's other shoulder.

[0007] According to the first technical solution, if the inflator operates during a frontal collision, the front and rear chambers of the airbag body deploy forward of the seat, passing the side of the occupant's head, and are positioned to the side of the occupant's head. Then, the front chamber of the airbag body deploys inward in the seat width direction from the front end of the front and rear chambers, and is positioned to the front of the occupant's head, restraining the occupant's head. Here, the space to the side of the occupant's head is larger than the space to the side of the seat back (outer side). Therefore, compared to an airbag that deploys forward of the seat back, there is no spatial limitation, and the airbag body deploys earlier.

[0008] Furthermore, the shoulder support of the airbag body contacts the opposite shoulder of the occupant from the front side of the seat, restraining that shoulder. During a frontal collision, as the occupant moves forward, the shoulder restrained by the shoulder strap receives a load from the strap, causing the head and the opposite shoulder to rotate around an axis of vertical rotation. However, since the opposite shoulder receives a load from the airbag body via the shoulder support, the head and the opposite shoulder rotate in opposite directions. As a result, the rotation of the head cancels out, thus reducing the likelihood of rotational head injury during a frontal collision.

[0009] Furthermore, in the vehicle airbag device of the second technical solution, the shoulder support portion has a first shoulder restraint surface extending from the lower end of the front and rear chambers toward the underside of the seat.

[0010] According to the second technical solution, the shoulder support has a first shoulder restraint surface extending from the lower ends of the front and rear chambers of the airbag body towards the underside of the seat. Here, the front and rear chambers deploy before the front chamber. Therefore, in a frontal collision, the shoulder support deploys earlier. As a result, the possibility of rotational head injury to the occupant can be effectively reduced. Furthermore, since the airbag body contacts the occupant's shoulder, the contact force with the occupant's head is mitigated. This also reduces the torsional force on the occupant's neck.

[0011] In addition, in the vehicle airbag device of the third technical solution, the airbag body has a roof abutment portion that abuts against the roof of the vehicle compartment in the vehicle airbag device of the first technical solution or the second technical solution.

[0012] According to the third technical solution, in a frontal collision, when the shoulder of an occupant who has moved forward comes into contact with the shoulder support of the airbag body, from a side view, the junction of the front and rear chambers and the front chamber of the airbag body tends to rotate towards the roof. At this time, the airbag body abuts against the roof through the roof contact portion, receiving a reaction force from the roof, which can inhibit the rotation of the airbag body, and can inhibit the forward and upward sliding of the airbag body and the downward rotation of the occupant's chest. Therefore, it can suppress the change in the relative positional relationship between the occupant's head and chest, and reduce the injury value to the occupant's neck.

[0013] Furthermore, in the vehicle airbag device of the fourth technical solution, the roof abutment portion is composed of a first protrusion extending from the upper end of the front and rear chambers corresponding to the shoulder support portion toward the upper side of the seat.

[0014] According to the fourth technical solution, the roof abutment portion is provided as the first protrusion at the upper end of the front and rear chambers corresponding to the shoulder support portion of the first deployed front and rear chambers, thus the roof abutment portion is deployed earlier. Furthermore, the shoulder support portion and the roof abutment portion are positioned in a corresponding relationship, thereby effectively suppressing the airbag body from sliding forward and upward and the occupant's chest from rotating downward.

[0015] Furthermore, in the vehicle airbag device of the fifth technical solution, in the vehicle airbag device of the third or fourth technical solution, the airbag body has an auxiliary shoulder support that contacts one of the occupants' shoulders from the front side of the seat and restrains one of the occupants' shoulders.

[0016] According to the fifth technical solution, the auxiliary shoulder support of the airbag body contacts the shoulder of the occupant with the shoulder strap from the front side of the seat, thus restraining that shoulder. Therefore, in the event of a frontal collision, it can effectively assist the shoulder strap in restraining the occupant.

[0017] Furthermore, in the vehicle airbag device of the sixth technical solution, the auxiliary shoulder support has a second shoulder restraint surface that extends from the lower end of the front chamber toward the underside of the seat.

[0018] According to the sixth technical solution, the auxiliary shoulder support has a second shoulder restraint surface extending from the lower end of the front chamber of the airbag body towards the underside of the seat. Therefore, the airbag body can make balanced and good contact with the other shoulder and one shoulder of the occupant, mitigating the contact force on the occupant's head. Consequently, the torsional force on the occupant's neck is also reduced.

[0019] Furthermore, in the vehicle airbag device of the seventh technical solution, in the vehicle airbag device of the fifth or sixth technical solution, the roof abutment portion is composed of a second protrusion extending from the upper end of the front chamber corresponding to the auxiliary shoulder support portion toward the upper side of the seat.

[0020] According to the seventh technical solution, the roof abutment portion is provided as the second protrusion at the upper end of the front chamber, corresponding to the auxiliary shoulder support portion of the front chamber. That is, the auxiliary shoulder support portion and the roof abutment portion are positioned in a corresponding relationship. Therefore, it can effectively suppress the airbag body from sliding forward and upward and the occupant's chest from rotating downward.

[0021] Furthermore, in the vehicle airbag device of the eighth technical solution, the roof abutment portion is composed of a third protrusion extending from the upper end of the junction of the front and rear chambers and the front chamber toward the side above the seat.

[0022] According to the eighth technical solution, the roof abutment portion is provided as the third protrusion at the upper end of the junction between the front and rear chambers and the front chamber. Therefore, it can effectively suppress the forward and upward slippage of the airbag body and the downward rotation of the occupant's chest.

[0023] Furthermore, in the vehicle airbag device of the ninth technical solution, in any of the technical solutions from the first to the eighth technical solutions, the airbag body, viewed from above, is formed by the front and rear chambers and the front chamber in a "V" shape, and the head restraint surface at the front chamber that restrains the occupant's head is set at an acute angle relative to the central axis of the front and rear chambers.

[0024] According to the ninth technical solution, in the event of a frontal collision, the airbag body, viewed from above, forms a "V" shape to cover the head of the occupant moving forward. Specifically, the head restraint surface of the front chamber is set at an acute angle, thus generating a torque in the direction opposite to the direction away from the occupant's head, causing the airbag body to rotate towards the occupant's head (in the opposite direction). This suppresses head rotation and effectively restrains the occupant's head.

[0025] Furthermore, in the vehicle airbag device of the 10th technical solution, in any of the vehicle airbag devices of the 1st to 9th technical solutions, the vehicle airbag device includes a shell portion, the shell portion including a cover portion that opens when the airbag body is deployed, and accommodating the airbag body, the cover portion being positioned symmetrically to the left and right of the seat belt guide relative to the center line of the vehicle seat, the seat belt guide guiding the shoulder belt at a position corresponding to one of the occupant's shoulders.

[0026] According to the tenth technical solution, a vehicle airbag device includes a shell portion comprising a cover portion that opens when the airbag body deploys, and which houses the airbag body. The cover portion is positioned symmetrically with respect to the centerline of the vehicle seat and a seatbelt guide, the seatbelt guide guiding the shoulder strap at a position corresponding to the occupant's shoulder. Therefore, the left-right balance in the vehicle seat is good, and it is also aesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, "left-right symmetry" in this disclosure also includes approximate left-right symmetry, which is not exact left-right symmetry but rather a slight offset from an exact position.

[0027] As described above, according to this disclosure, the airbag body can be deployed earlier, and the possibility of head rotation injury to the occupant can be reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0029] Figure 1 This is a front view of a vehicle seat equipped with the vehicle airbag device according to this embodiment, shown together with the occupants;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the main part of a vehicle seat equipped with the vehicle airbag device according to this embodiment;

[0031] Figure 3 This is a top view showing the airbag body of the vehicle airbag device according to the first embodiment during deployment;

[0032] Figure 4 This is a top view showing the airbag body of the vehicle airbag device according to the first embodiment just after it has been deployed;

[0033] Figure 5 This is a side view showing the airbag body of the vehicle airbag device according to the first embodiment just after it has been deployed.

[0034] Figure 6This is an unfolded view showing the airbag body of the vehicle airbag device according to the first embodiment;

[0035] Figure 7 This is a top view showing the airbag body of the vehicle airbag device according to the second embodiment just after it has been deployed;

[0036] Figure 8 This is a side view showing the airbag body of the vehicle airbag device according to the second embodiment just after it has been deployed.

[0037] Figure 9 This is an unfolded view showing the airbag body of the vehicle airbag device according to the second embodiment;

[0038] Figure 10 This is a side view showing the movements of the occupant and the airbag body immediately after the vehicle airbag device according to the second embodiment has just deployed.

[0039] Figure 11 This is a side view showing the final action of the occupant after the vehicle airbag device according to the second embodiment has deployed.

[0040] Figure 12 This is a top view showing the airbag body of the vehicle airbag device according to the third embodiment just after it has been deployed.

[0041] Figure 13 This is a side view showing the airbag body of the vehicle airbag device according to the third embodiment just after it has been deployed.

[0042] Figure 14 This is an unfolded view showing the airbag body of the vehicle airbag device according to the third embodiment;

[0043] Figure 15 This is a top view showing the airbag body of the vehicle airbag device according to the fourth embodiment just after it has been deployed.

[0044] Figure 16 This is a side view showing the airbag body of the vehicle airbag device according to the fourth embodiment just after it has been deployed.

[0045] Figure 17 This is an unfolded view showing the airbag body of the vehicle airbag device according to the fourth embodiment;

[0046] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram used to explain the tilt angle formed by the front and rear chambers and the front chamber of the airbag body constituting the vehicle airbag device according to this embodiment, as well as the torque acting on the airbag body.

[0047] Figure 19 It is a graph showing the change in torque acting on the airbag body relative to the tilt angle formed by the front and rear chambers and the front chamber of the airbag body constituting the vehicle airbag device according to this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The embodiments disclosed herein will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, in each figure, arrow UP will be used to indicate the direction upwards from the seat, arrow FR to indicate the direction forwards from the seat, and arrow RH to indicate the direction to the right from the seat. Therefore, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, the directions of up / down, forward / backward, and left / right refer to the up / down, forward / backward, and left / right directions in the vehicle seat 10. Additionally, the meaning of the left / right direction is the same as that of the seat width direction.

[0049] Furthermore, the vehicle airbag device (hereinafter referred to as "airbag device") 30 according to this embodiment is mainly installed behind the headrest 20 (described later) of the vehicle seat 10, which is a rear seat of the vehicle. Therefore, in the vehicle seat 10 of this embodiment, the right seat (the seat on the outer side in the width direction of the seat) in the rear seats will be used as an example for explanation, but the airbag device 30 may also be installed in the front seats. In addition, "occupant P" in this embodiment, as an example, refers to an occupant equivalent to dummy AM50.

[0050] <First Embodiment>

[0051] First, the airbag device 30 according to the first embodiment will be described. Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle seat 10 has a seat cushion (not shown) for occupant P to sit on (supporting the buttocks and thighs of occupant P), a seat back 12 for supporting the back of occupant P, and a headrest 20 for supporting the head Ph of occupant P.

[0052] A retractor 14, serving as a retractor for the seat belt 16, is embedded in the upper part of the right side (left-right side) of the seat back 12. Furthermore, a slit-shaped seat belt opening 12A is formed on the upper surface of the right side of the seat back 12 for pulling the seat belt 16, which is fed from the retractor 14, towards the front of the seat. A seat belt guide 13 for guiding the seat belt 16 is provided at the periphery of this seat belt opening 12A.

[0053] The retractor 14 has a built-in pretensioning mechanism that instantly retracts the seat belt 16 in the event of a frontal collision, limiting the forward movement of the occupant P caused by inertial forces. Thus, the seat belt device in this embodiment is a pretensioning seat belt device.

[0054] like Figure 1 As shown, a tongue plate 17 is slidably mounted on the seat belt 16. This tongue plate 17 is designed to be detachably fitted into a buckle 18 located on the left side (the other side in the left-right direction) of the seat cushion. Furthermore, from now on, a portion of the seat belt 16 that rests on the shoulder Ps of the occupant P will be referred to as a shoulder strap 16S.

[0055] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the headrest 20 is positioned at the center of the upper end of the seat back 12 in the seat width direction, allowing it to be raised and lowered. Furthermore, a box-shaped shell portion 22, longer than the length of the headrest 20 in the seat width direction, is provided on the rear side of the headrest 20. In addition, the shell portion 22, except for the front wall 23 of the side portion 22L described later, is covered with the same surface material as the surface material covering the headrest 20; however, the shell portion 22 shown in the illustration omits a portion thereof and the surface material.

[0056] A predetermined space S (including the arrangement part S1 and the receiving part S2, described later) is formed inside the shell portion 22. An inflator 28 is arranged in the arrangement part S1, which is part of the space S formed at the center of the seat width direction of the shell portion 22. The inflator 28 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape, and its outer periphery is supported by a retainer 26 on a reaction plate 24 formed in the shape of a box, so that its axial part is arranged along the seat width direction.

[0057] The reaction plate 24 is fixed to the seat back support (not shown) via a bracket (not shown) that passes through the bottom wall 22D of the shell 22, thus blocking the reaction force transmitted by the airbag body 32 (described later) from the front side via the inflator 28. In addition, the reaction plate 24 and the retainer 26 are also disposed in the mounting section S1.

[0058] The inflator 28 is electrically connected to the vehicle's airbag ECU (not shown), and is also electrically connected to detection devices such as collision detection sensors (accelerometers) and the airbag ECU. Therefore, when the detection devices detect a frontal collision with the vehicle, the inflator 28 operates via the airbag ECU to instantaneously eject gas.

[0059] Furthermore, the inflator 28 may operate not based on the detection of a frontal collision, but rather based on the prediction of a frontal collision by a collision prediction sensor or other detection device (not shown). Additionally, the airbag body 32 is fitted into the nozzle 28A of the inflator 28 at a connection point (not shown).

[0060] Furthermore, when viewed from the front, the left side of the shell 22 (inside in the seat width direction) is provided as a rectangular box-shaped side 22L that protrudes to the left side of the left end face 20L of the headrest 20. In the receiving part S2 formed in this side 22L, which is the remaining part of the space part S, the airbag body 32 of the airbag device 30 is housed in a rolled-up state (outward rolled state).

[0061] In addition, for Figure 2 The airbag body 32 shown is depicted with its rolled shape omitted for simplicity. Furthermore, the portion of the airbag body 32 housed in the side portion 22L (the portion not protruding from the side portion 22L) will be referred to below as the base 32A of the airbag body 32 (see reference). Figure 18 The connection point 32, which connects the airbag body 32 to the inflator 28's nozzle 28A, is designated as a fixed point 32B (refer to...). Figure 18 ).

[0062] like Figure 3 As shown, the airbag device 30 has an airbag body 32, which unfolds by being propelled forward by gas ejected from the inflator 28, passing to the left of the head Ph of the occupant P seated in the vehicle seat 10, while being rolled up. Furthermore, the left side of the head Ph of the occupant P seated in the vehicle seat 10 refers to the space on the opposite side, approximately symmetrical to the seatbelt guide 13 of the shoulder strap 16S, across the headrest 20 (occupant P's head Ph) (i.e., relative to the centerline of the vehicle seat).

[0063] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the airbag body 32 has: a front and rear chamber 34 disposed on the side of the head Ph of the occupant P (on the left side in this embodiment); and a front chamber 36 that extends inward from the front end of the front and rear chambers 34 in the seat width direction and is disposed on the front side of the head Ph (face) of the occupant P (on the front right side in this embodiment).

[0064] Furthermore, the airbag body 32 has a strap 38 that connects a predetermined position at the upper end of the front and rear chambers 34 to a predetermined position at the upper end of the front chamber 36. That is, when viewed from above, the airbag body 32 unfolds into a roughly "V"-shaped bend, and except for the shoulder support portion 40 (extension portion 34A) described later, it is positioned above the shoulder portion Ps of the occupant P, which can restrain at least the head Ph of the occupant P.

[0065] Furthermore, the strap 38 is configured to connect at least the upper ends of the front and rear chambers 34 and the upper end of the front chamber 36; for example, it can also be configured to connect a predetermined position of the lower end of the front and rear chambers 34 and a predetermined position of the lower end of the front chamber 36. Additionally, the strap 38 is only indicated in… Figure 4 In the following discussion Figure 7 , Figure 12 , Figure 15 The text is omitted.

[0066] Here, according to Figure 18 , Figure 19 The tilt angle θ of the front chamber 36 relative to the front and rear chambers 34 and the torque acting on the airbag body 32 will be explained. In a top view, when the centerline of the front and rear chambers 34 along the seat width direction in the front-rear direction is designated as the central axis 34C, and the surface of the front chamber 36 opposite to the head Ph is designated as the head restraint surface 36B, as follows... Figure 18 As shown, the tilt angle θ of the head constraint surface 36B of the front chamber 36 relative to the central axis 34C of the front and rear chambers 34 is set to an acute angle (preferably 20 to 40 degrees).

[0067] Furthermore, when the occupant P's head Ph comes into contact with the head restraint surface 34B (which is the surface opposite to the head Ph in the front and rear chambers) and the head restraint surface 36B (which is the front chamber 36) due to the inertial force generated during a frontal collision, a load is input from the head Ph to the head restraint surfaces 34B and 36B. When considering the load F input to the head restraint surfaces 36B, the load F can be decomposed into a load F1 input along the head restraint surface 36B and a load F2 input in the normal direction of the head restraint surface 36B.

[0068] There is sufficient friction between the head Ph of occupant P and the head restraint surface 36B, preventing slippage along the head restraint surface 36B. Therefore, the load F1 is eliminated by the frictional force with the head restraint surface 36B. On the other hand, the load F2 input in the normal direction to the head restraint surface 36B can be decomposed into a load F3 along the front-rear direction and a load F4 along the seat width direction (left-right direction).

[0069] Here, the distance along the front-rear direction from the fixing point 32B of the base 32A of the airbag body 32 to the contact point T in the head restraint surface 36B where the head Ph of the occupant P contacts is defined as distance L1, and the shortest distance from the central axis 34C of the front and rear chambers 34 to the contact point T is defined as distance L2. Thus, when the head Ph of the occupant P contacts the head restraint surface 36B of the front chamber 36, a torque M1 (M1 = F3 × L2) is generated at the fixing point 32B of the airbag body 32, causing the airbag body 32 to rotate in a direction away from the occupant P.

[0070] However, as described above, since the head restraint surface 36B of the front chamber 36 is set to an acute angle θ relative to the central axis 34C of the front and rear chambers 34, a torque M2 (M2 = F4 × L1) can be generated at the fixed point 32B of the airbag body 32 to rotate it in the opposite direction to the torque M1.

[0071] That is, based on this airbag body 32, the airbag body 32 can be rotated toward the head Ph of the occupant P (in the opposite direction to the direction away from the head Ph). Furthermore, as... Figure 19 As shown, the tilt angle θ of the head constraint surface 36B of the front chamber 36 relative to the central axis 34C of the front and rear chambers 34 is preferably set to 30 degrees to maximize the torque M2.

[0072] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the airbag body 32 has a shoulder support 40, which contacts the left shoulder PsL of the occupant P from the front side, which is opposite to the right (one) shoulder PsR of the occupant P with the shoulder strap 16S. The left shoulder PsL of the occupant P is pressed towards the seat back 12 to restrain it.

[0073] When the front and rear chambers 34 expand and unfold, the shoulder support 40 is formed by the rear surface of an extension 34A, which is integrally extended downward from the lower end (lower end face) of the base 32A side of the front and rear chambers 34 and is shaped as a generally triangular pyramid. This rear surface is set as a planar first shoulder restraint surface 42. Immediately after the front and rear chambers 34 have unfolded (before the front chamber 36 has fully unfolded), the shoulder support 40 abuts against the left shoulder PsL of the occupant P from the front side, restraining the shoulder PsL of the occupant P to the seat back 12.

[0074] Therefore, as Figure 3 As shown, in the event of a frontal collision, firstly, the shoulder strap 16S presses down on the right shoulder PsR of the occupant P from the front side, and then the shoulder support 40 formed in the front and rear chambers of the deployed airbag body 32 presses down on the left shoulder PsL of the occupant P from the front side.

[0075] In addition, when the airbag body 32 has finished inflating, the shoulder support 40 integrally formed on the base 32A side of the front and rear chambers 34 abuts against the left shoulder PsL of the occupant P from the front side, so that the junction 35 (the curved part) between the front and rear chambers 34 and the front chamber 36 is held in front of the head Ph of the occupant P.

[0076] That is, the downstream side of the shoulder support portion 40 in the unfolding direction of the front and rear chambers 34 extends longer than the upstream side in the unfolding direction of the shoulder support portion 40 in the forward direction, forming a gap D (refer to) between the junction 35 of the front and rear chambers 34 and the front chamber 36 and the head Ph (face) of the occupant P. Figure 4 , Figure 7 , Figure 12 , Figure 15 Therefore, the airbag body 32 has the following structure: as long as the occupant P does not move significantly forward due to inertial force, it will not come into contact with the occupant P's face.

[0077] Furthermore, the front wall 23, which forms the cover portion of the front end face of the side portion 22L of the shell portion 22, may break off in a straight line along the vertical direction, for example, as the airbag body 32 deploys. Moreover, the breakage point is preferably the right end of the front wall 23 (the inner end in the seat width direction). In other words, it is preferable to form a vulnerable portion, such as a breakable part, at the right end of the front wall 23.

[0078] When the breakage occurs at the right end of the front wall 23 (when there is a vulnerable part or other part that is easily broken at the right end of the front wall 23), the left end of the front wall 23 will open as a hinge, thus suppressing or preventing the airbag body 32 from contacting the head of the occupant (not shown) sitting in the center of the rear seat. Furthermore, the front wall 23 is positioned approximately symmetrically to the seatbelt guide 13, across the headrest 20 (the head Ph of occupant P) (i.e., relative to the centerline of the vehicle seat).

[0079] In addition, such as Figure 6 As shown, in the unfilled state, the airbag body 32 has three non-inflatable portions 33 formed by sewing at predetermined intervals in the front-to-back direction at approximately the center. Each non-inflatable portion 33 is formed into an approximately elliptical shape with the vertical direction as its length direction.

[0080] By forming each non-inflatable portion 33, the structure becomes such that the front chamber 36 can bend inward in the seat width direction relative to the front and rear chambers 34, and can deploy inward in the seat width direction. That is, the side of the airbag body 32 that is upstream in the deployment direction of the non-inflatable portion 33 is the front and rear chambers 34, and the side that is downstream in the deployment direction of the non-inflatable portion 33 is the front chamber 36.

[0081] Next, the function of the airbag device 30 according to the first embodiment with the structure as described above will be explained.

[0082] When the detection device detects a frontal collision, the inflator 28 operates, momentarily ejecting gas into the airbag body 32. As gas is ejected into the airbag body 32, the front wall 23 of the side portion 22L ruptures due to the deployment of the airbag body 32 (due to pressure from the inside by the airbag body 32). Furthermore, the airbag body 32 deploys forward from the side portion 22L, passing to the left of the occupant P's head Ph.

[0083] More specifically, if the inflator 28 operates during a frontal collision, the front and rear chambers 34 of the airbag body 32 deploy forward, passing to the left of the occupant P's head Ph, and are positioned to the left of the occupant P's head Ph. Then, the front chamber 36 of the airbag body 32 deploys inward along the width of the seat from the front end of the front and rear chambers 34, and is positioned to the right of the occupant P's head Ph (face).

[0084] With the airbag body 32 (front and rear chambers 34 and front chamber 36) configured in this way, at least the head Ph of the occupant P, who is seated in the vehicle seat 10 and is about to move forward due to inertia, is restrained. That is, even if the head Ph of the occupant P moves forward significantly due to inertia, the head Ph can be restrained by the airbag body 32 (front and rear chambers 34 and front chamber 36).

[0085] Furthermore, the head restraint surface 36B of the front chamber 36 is set to an acute angle θ (e.g., θ = 30 degrees) relative to the central axis 34C of the front and rear chambers 34. Therefore, a torque M2 can be generated at the fixed point 32B of the airbag body 32 to rotate it in the opposite direction to the torque M1.

[0086] In other words, the airbag body 32 can rotate toward the head Ph of the occupant P (in the opposite direction to the direction away from the head Ph). Therefore, in the event of a frontal collision, the airbag body 32 can cover the head Ph of the occupant P, which is moving forward due to inertia, thereby suppressing or preventing poor restraint of the head Ph.

[0087] Furthermore, the space to the side of the head Ph of occupant P is larger than the space to the side (outer side) of the seat back 12. Therefore, compared to an airbag that deploys from the side of the seat back 12 to the front (not shown), there is no space limitation, allowing the airbag body 32 (front and rear chambers 34 and front chamber 36) to deploy earlier.

[0088] Furthermore, the side on which the airbag body 32 deploys is opposite to the left and right sides of the seat belt guide 13 (seat belt opening 12A), so it will not be affected by the shoulder strap 16S when the airbag body 32 deploys. Therefore, the airbag device 30 according to this embodiment can be applied not only to the rear seats of a vehicle, but also easily applied to the front seats.

[0089] In addition, immediately after the front and rear chambers 34 are deployed (before the front chamber 36 is fully deployed), the shoulder support 40 of the airbag body 32 contacts the left shoulder PsL of the occupant P from the front side, opposite to the right shoulder PsR on which the shoulder strap 16S is attached, and presses the left shoulder PsL of the occupant P towards the seat back 12 to restrain it.

[0090] Here, as the occupant P moves forward during a frontal collision, the right shoulder PsR, restrained by shoulder strap 16S, receives a load from the shoulder strap 16S, causing the head Ph and left shoulder PsL of occupant P to rotate around the axis of rotation, with the vertical direction as the axis of rotation. That is, in top view, the head Ph and left shoulder PsL of the occupant P in the illustration are intended to rotate clockwise.

[0091] However, at this time, the left shoulder PsL of occupant P is loaded rearward from the airbag body 32 (at least the front and rear chambers 34) via the shoulder support 40. Therefore, the head Ph of occupant P and the left shoulder PsL effectively rotate in opposite directions (counterclockwise in top view). As a result, the rotational force applied to the head Ph of occupant P can be canceled out.

[0092] In other words, it can effectively suppress unintentional rotation of occupant P's head Ph, and effectively restrain occupant P's head Ph. Therefore, in a frontal collision, it can reduce the possibility of head rotation injury to occupant P, and also reduce the torsional force on occupant P's neck Pn.

[0093] Furthermore, the shoulder support 40 has a first shoulder restraint surface 42 extending downward from the lower end (lower end face) of the front and rear chambers 34 of the airbag body 32. Here, the front and rear chambers 34 deploy before the front chamber 36. Therefore, in the event of a frontal collision, the shoulder support 40 can deploy earlier, which can more effectively reduce the possibility of head rotation injury to the occupant P.

[0094] Furthermore, the shoulder support 40 (first shoulder restraint surface 42) only contacts the front of the left shoulder PsL of the occupant P and will not press down on the left arm of the occupant P. Therefore, the shoulder strap 16S, which contacts the front of the right shoulder PsR of the occupant P and restrains the shoulder PsR, can restrain the occupant P in a good left-right balance.

[0095] Therefore, even if the occupant P's head Ph moves forward due to inertia, the contact force between the occupant P's head Ph and the airbag body 32 can be mitigated. In other words, the occupant P's head Ph (face) will not forcefully contact the airbag body 32. This more effectively reduces the torsional force on the occupant P's neck Pn.

[0096] Furthermore, as described above, when the airbag body 32 deploys, the front wall 23 has a structure that opens with its left end as a hinge. Therefore, the front wall 23 can suppress or prevent the airbag body 32 from deploying from contacting the head (face) of the occupant (not shown) of the vehicle seat (not shown) located in the center of the rear seat.

[0097] Furthermore, the front wall 23, which opens when the airbag body 32 deploys, is positioned approximately symmetrically to the seatbelt guide 13, across the headrest 20 (the head Ph of occupant P) (i.e., relative to the centerline of the vehicle seat). The seatbelt guide 13 guides the shoulder strap 16S at a position corresponding to the right shoulder PsR of occupant P. Therefore, as... Figure 1 As shown, in the vehicle seat 10, the left-right balance is good, and the aesthetics are also good.

[0098] <Second Implementation>

[0099] Next, the airbag device 30 according to the second embodiment will be described. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for parts equivalent to those in the first embodiment described above, and detailed descriptions (including common functions) are appropriately omitted.

[0100] like Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown, the airbag body 32 of the airbag device 30 according to the second embodiment has a roof abutting portion 44 that abuts against the roof 50 of the vehicle compartment, except that this is different from the first embodiment described above.

[0101] The canopy contact portion 44 is preferably formed as a block on the base 32A side of the front and rear chambers 34 so that it touches the canopy 50 as early as possible when the front and rear chambers 34 expand and unfold. In this embodiment, it is formed by a generally elliptical cylindrical first protrusion 46 that extends integrally upward from the upper end (upper end face) of the front and rear chambers 34 corresponding to the shoulder support portion 40.

[0102] More specifically, such as Figure 9 As shown, the shoulder support 40 and the first protrusion 46 are formed at approximately the same position in the front-rear direction (the unfolding direction of the front and rear chambers 34). In other words, as Figure 7As shown, in top view, the first protrusion 46 is formed at a position where at least a portion of it overlaps with the shoulder support 40.

[0103] According to such a roof abutment 44 (first protrusion 46), as Figure 10 As shown, in a frontal collision, the left shoulder PsL of the occupant P moving forward touches the shoulder support 40, and the airbag body 32 is pushed forward (changing from the state represented by the virtual line to the state represented by the solid line). This can suppress or prevent the following situation: when viewed from the side in the vehicle width direction (seat width direction), the junction 35 of the airbag body 32 is about to rotate upward about the base 32A of the airbag body 32.

[0104] That is, as in Figure 10 As shown by the solid line, the upper end face 46A of the first protrusion 46 abuts against the roof 50. The first protrusion 46 (roof abutment portion 44) receives a reaction force from the roof 50. As a result, the upward rotation with the base 32A side of the airbag body 32 as the rotation center is suppressed, and the sliding towards the front upper side of the junction 35 of the airbag body 32 and the downward rotation of the occupant P's chest can be suppressed.

[0105] Therefore, in a frontal collision, it can suppress the change in the relative position of the head Ph and chest of occupant P, reduce the possibility of head rotation injury to occupant P, and reduce the injury value (torsional force generated on neck Pn) to occupant P.

[0106] And, for example, Figure 11 As shown, in a frontal collision, even if the head Ph of occupant P moves significantly forward due to inertial force, the airbag body 32 will not shift upward and detach from the head Ph of occupant P. The airbag body 32 (front and rear chambers 34 and front chamber 36) can effectively restrain the head Ph of occupant P.

[0107] <Third Implementation>

[0108] Next, the airbag device 30 according to the third embodiment will be described. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for parts equivalent to those in the first and second embodiments described above, and detailed descriptions (including common functions) are appropriately omitted.

[0109] like Figure 12 , Figure 13As shown, the airbag body 32 of the airbag device 30 according to the third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that it has an auxiliary shoulder support 41 that contacts the right shoulder PsR of the occupant P from the front side and restrains the right shoulder PsR of the occupant P, and a roof abutment 45 that abuts against the roof 50 of the vehicle compartment is also integrally formed in the upper end of the front chamber 36.

[0110] The auxiliary shoulder support 41 is an extension 36A (see reference) that is integrally extended downward from the lower end (lower end face) of the front end 37 (the rear end which is bent into a roughly "V" shape when viewed from above) of the front end chamber 36 when it expands and unfolds. The extension is set in a roughly triangular pyramid shape. Figure 14 The rear surface is formed by the second shoulder constraint surface 43, which is set as a planar surface.

[0111] After the front chamber 36 has just unfolded, the auxiliary shoulder support 41 abuts against the right shoulder PsR of the occupant P from the front side, restraining the shoulder PsR of the occupant P to the seat back 12. That is, the auxiliary shoulder support 41 (second shoulder restraint surface 43) only contacts the front of the right shoulder PsR of the occupant P, and will not press down on the right arm of the occupant P. Therefore, the auxiliary shoulder support 41 can effectively assist the shoulder strap 16S in restraining the right shoulder PsR of the occupant P in the event of a frontal collision.

[0112] The canopy abutment portion 45 is composed of a generally elliptical cylindrical second protrusion 47 that extends integrally upward from the upper end (upper surface) of the front end chamber 36 corresponding to the auxiliary shoulder support portion 41 when the front end chamber 36 expands and unfolds. That is, as Figure 14 As shown, the auxiliary shoulder support 41 and the second protrusion 47 are formed at approximately the same position in the front-rear direction. In other words, as Figure 12 As shown, in top view, the second protrusion 47 is formed at a position such that at least a portion of it overlaps with the auxiliary shoulder support 41. Therefore, in side view, the second protrusion 47 is positioned approximately in the same location as the first protrusion 46.

[0113] According to such a roof abutment 45 (second protrusion 47), as Figure 13 As shown, in a frontal collision, the left shoulder PsL of the occupant P, which has moved forward, touches the shoulder support 40, and the right shoulder PsR of the occupant P touches the auxiliary shoulder support 41. The airbag body 32 is pushed forward, which can more effectively suppress or prevent the following situation: in a side view, the junction 35 of the airbag body 32 intends to rotate upward with the base 32A of the airbag body 32 as the rotation center.

[0114] That is, the upper end face 46A of the first protrusion 46 abuts against the roof 50, and the upper end face 47A of the second protrusion 47 abuts against the roof 50. The first protrusion 46 (roof abutting part 44) and the second protrusion 47 (roof abutting part 45) receive a reaction force from the roof 50. As a result, the upward rotation with the base 32A side of the airbag body 32 as the rotation center is suppressed, and the sliding towards the front upper side of the junction 35 of the airbag body 32 and the downward rotation of the occupant P's chest can be more effectively suppressed.

[0115] Therefore, in a frontal collision, it can suppress the change in the relative position of the head Ph and chest of occupant P, reduce the possibility of head rotation injury to occupant P, and reduce the injury value (torsional force generated on neck Pn) to occupant P.

[0116] <Fourth Implementation>

[0117] Finally, the airbag device 30 according to the fourth embodiment will be described. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for parts equivalent to those in the first to third embodiments described above, and detailed descriptions (including common functions) are appropriately omitted.

[0118] like Figure 15 , Figure 16 As shown, in the fourth embodiment, the roof abutting portion 48 of the airbag body 32 of the airbag device 30 that abuts against the roof 50 of the vehicle compartment is integrally formed only at the upper end of the junction 35 between the front and rear chambers 34 and the front chamber 36, which is different from the third embodiment described above.

[0119] That is, such as Figure 17 As shown, the canopy abutment portion 48 is composed of a generally elliptical cylindrical third protrusion 49 that extends integrally upward from the upper end (upper end face) of the junction 35 between the front and rear chambers 34 and the front end chamber 36 when the front and rear chambers 34 and the front end chamber 36 are expanded.

[0120] According to such a roof abutment part 48 (third protrusion 49), as Figure 16 As shown, in a frontal collision, the left shoulder PsL of the occupant P, which has moved forward, touches the shoulder support 40, and the right shoulder PsR of the occupant P touches the auxiliary shoulder support 41. The airbag body 32 is pushed forward, which can more effectively suppress or prevent the following situation: in a side view, the junction 35 of the airbag body 32 is about to rotate upward about the base 32A of the airbag body 32.

[0121] In other words, the torque is greatest at the junction 35 side of the airbag body 32. Therefore, when the upper end face 49A of the third protrusion 49 abuts against the roof 50, the third protrusion 49 (roof abutment portion 48) effectively receives a reaction force from the roof 50. As a result, upward rotation with the base 32A side of the airbag body 32 as the center of rotation is effectively suppressed, and sliding towards the front and upper side of the junction 35 of the airbag body 32 and downward rotation of the occupant P's chest can be more effectively suppressed.

[0122] Therefore, in a frontal collision, it can suppress the change in the relative position of the head Ph and chest of occupant P, reduce the possibility of head rotation injury to occupant P, and reduce the injury value (torsional force generated on neck Pn) to occupant P.

[0123] The airbag device 30 according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the airbag device 30 according to this embodiment is not limited to the device shown in the drawings, and appropriate design changes can be made without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. For example, the airbag body 32 may also be housed in a pleated (corrugated) state. In addition, the reaction plate 24 supporting the inflator 28 may not be fixed to the seat back support, but may be fixed to the headrest support (not shown) via a bracket (not shown).

[0124] Furthermore, the shoulder support portion 40 and the auxiliary shoulder support portion 41 are not limited to being composed of the rear surfaces of the extension portion 34A and the extension portion 36A that extend downward, respectively. For example, they can also be configured such that the front and rear chambers 34 and the front chamber 36 extend downward, respectively, and a first shoulder restraint surface 42 and a second shoulder restraint surface 43 are formed on the lower part of the extended head restraint surface 34B and the head restraint surface 36B, respectively, such as pressing the shoulder portion PsL and the shoulder portion PsR of the occupant P from the front side.

[0125] Alternatively, in the third embodiment, the structure may be configured such that the roof abutment portion 44 (first protrusion 46) is not formed. That is, in the case of the airbag body 32 in the third embodiment, the structure may be configured such that the roof abutment portion 45 (second protrusion 47) is formed only on the front chamber 36 side. However, since the front and rear chambers 34 are closer to the base 32A (fixed point 32B) than the front chamber 36, they are less prone to swaying (stable movement) than the front chamber 36. Therefore, it is preferable to form the roof abutment portion 44 (first protrusion 46) in the front and rear chambers 34 compared to forming the roof abutment portion 44 in the front chamber 36.

[0126] Alternatively, in the first and second embodiments, the structure may include an auxiliary shoulder support 41. Furthermore, in the third and fourth embodiments, the structure may not include an auxiliary shoulder support 41. Additionally, the airbag device 30 according to this embodiment is not limited to application to the bench-type rear seats shown in the illustration; it can also be applied to individual seat-type rear seats, front seats of autonomous vehicles, etc. Furthermore, the airbag device 30 according to this embodiment is also effective in oblique collisions involving vehicles colliding from a forward-facing direction.

Claims

1. A vehicle airbag device, characterized in that, The vehicle airbag device includes an airbag body, which has front and rear chambers and a front chamber. The front and rear chambers deploy from an inflator that operates based on the detection or prediction of a frontal collision, passing through the side of the head of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat and positioned on the side of the occupant's head. The front chamber deploys from the front end of the front and rear chambers inward in the width direction of the seat and is positioned on the front side of the occupant's head. The airbag body has a shoulder support that contacts the occupant's shoulder on the opposite side from the shoulder with the shoulder strap from the front side of the seat, thus restraining the occupant's other shoulder. The shoulder support has a first shoulder restraint surface extending from the lower end of the front and rear chambers toward the underside of the seat, the first shoulder restraint surface contacting only the front of the other shoulder of the occupant. Viewed from above, the airbag body is formed by the front and rear chambers and the front chamber in a "V" shape. The head restraint surface that restrains the occupant's head in the front chamber is set at an acute angle relative to the central axis of the front and rear chambers.

2. The vehicle airbag device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The airbag body has a roof abutment portion that abuts against the roof of the vehicle compartment.

3. The vehicle airbag device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The canopy abutment is formed by a first protrusion that extends from the upper end of the front and rear chambers corresponding to the shoulder support towards the upper side of the seat.

4. The vehicle airbag device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The airbag body has an auxiliary shoulder support that contacts one of the occupants' shoulders from the front side of the seat to restrain that shoulder.

5. The vehicle airbag device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The auxiliary shoulder support has a second shoulder restraint surface that extends from the lower end of the front chamber toward the underside of the seat.

6. The vehicle airbag device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The canopy abutment is formed by a second protrusion that extends from the upper end of the front chamber corresponding to the auxiliary shoulder support toward the upper side of the seat.

7. The vehicle airbag device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The canopy abutment is formed by a third protrusion that extends from the upper end of the junction of the front and rear chambers and the front end chamber toward the upper side of the seat.

8. The vehicle airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The vehicle airbag device includes a housing portion, which includes a cover portion that opens when the airbag body deploys and houses the airbag body. The cover portion is positioned symmetrically to the left and right of the seatbelt guide relative to the center line of the vehicle seat, and the seatbelt guide guides the shoulder strap at a position corresponding to one of the occupant's shoulders.

Images