Occupant protection device

Abstract

An occupant protection device (S) for protecting an occupant (MP) seated on a seat (1) has a seat belt (7), an airbag (25) which is inflated in a manner capable of protecting the upper body of the occupant (MP) by being inflated in a region of a waist belt (10) which restrains the waist of the occupant (MP) when the seat belt (7) is worn, an inflator main body (18) which generates inflation gas, and a tube portion (19) which extends from the inflator main body (18) to guide the inflation gas into the airbag (25). The airbag (25) has a conduit portion (40) which is connected to the tube portion (19), the conduit portion (40) having a tubular conduit portion main body (41) which is fastened and fixed to the front end of the tube portion (19) in a manner fitted from the outside, and a protruding piece (80) which extends toward the outside from the conduit portion main body (41), the protruding piece (80) being fixed to a seat frame (4) which supports the seat (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an occupant protection device for protecting occupants seated in a seat. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, as an occupant protection device, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-66425, there exists a structure with an airbag having an area of ​​a lap belt that, when worn in a seatbelt, restrains the occupant's waist. Regarding this occupant protection device, as inflation gas is generated, the airbag inflates from the lap belt forward and upward, thus protecting the occupant's upper body upon completion of inflation.

[0003] In the occupant protection device described above, a tube that guides the inflation gas into the airbag and a conduit on the airbag side are connected and fixed using fastening components such as clamps. The deployment and inflation position of the airbag body is determined by the position of the conduit connected to the tube. However, if the position of the conduit deviates in the direction of the propulsion force based on the air pressure when the inflation gas is generated, it may sometimes affect the deployment and inflation position of the airbag body. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an occupant protection device that can suppress misalignment of the conduit portion at the connection with the pipe portion when generating expansion gas.

[0005] This invention relates to an occupant protection device with the following structure.

[0006] An occupant protection device for protecting an occupant seated in a seat is configured to include: a seatbelt; an airbag disposed in the area of ​​the lap belt that restrains the occupant's waist when worn, inflating to protect the occupant's upper body; an inflator body that generates inflation gas; and a tube extending from the inflator body to guide the inflation gas into the airbag.

[0007] The airbag has a conduit portion connected to the tube portion.

[0008] The conduit has: a cylindrical conduit body that is fastened to the front end of the tube in a way that fits from the outside; and an extension piece that extends outward from the conduit body and is fixed to a seat frame that supports the seat.

[0009] According to the occupant protection device of the present invention, even when a propulsive force based on the pressure of the expansion gas acts on the duct section, a reaction force in the opposite direction also acts on the duct section via an extension piece fixed to the seat frame, thereby restricting the movement of the duct section. Thus, misalignment of the duct section at the connection with the pipe section when the expansion gas is generated can be suppressed.

[0010] Furthermore, regarding the occupant protection device with the aforementioned structure, it can be configured such that the protruding pieces are respectively disposed on both sides of the flow path of the duct body separated by the expansion gas. This allows for more effective suppression of duct misalignment.

[0011] In addition, regarding the occupant protection device of the present invention, the protruding piece may be configured in such a way that it is roughly triangular when viewed from above, and is connected to the main body of the conduit via a long side portion having a longer side than the other two sides. An insertion hole for inserting a threaded component is formed at the corner of the protruding piece that is separated from the main body of the conduit.

[0012] Alternatively, regarding the occupant protection device of the present invention, the protruding piece may be fixed to the seat frame at a position further downstream of the outlet direction of the expansion gas than the position where the main body of the conduit is fixed to the conduit. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a seat equipped with an occupant protection device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Side view of the seat.

[0015] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The front view of the seat shows the seat with the seatbelt worn.

[0016] Figure 4 Figure A shows the connection between the tube and the conduit, along with their surrounding portion. Figure 4 Figure B shows the connection between the tube and the main body of the inflator, along with its surrounding parts.

[0017] Figure 5 It means to make Figure 1 A schematic oblique view of the inflated state of the airbag unit used in the occupant protection device.

[0018] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A rough longitudinal section view of the airbag.

[0019] Figure 7 It indicates composition Figure 5 A top view of the base fabric of the airbag.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a front view of the seat in the fully inflated state of the occupant protection device according to the embodiment.

[0021] Figure 9This is a side view of the seat in the fully inflated state of the airbag in the occupant protection device of the embodiment.

[0022] Figure 10 This is a side view showing the state in which the occupant is restrained by the fully inflated airbag in the occupant protection device of the embodiment.

[0023] Figure 11 This is a diagram of a modified example with multiple protruding pieces. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1-3 As shown, the occupant protection device S of the embodiment is mounted on the vehicle seat 1 and is configured to include a seat belt 7, an airbag 25, and an inflator 17. The seat 1 has a backrest 2 and a seat portion 3.

[0025] The seat belt 7 is configured to include: a seat belt body 8 for restraining an occupant MP seated in the seat 1; a flap plate 12 mounted on the seat belt body 8; and a buckle 13 for connecting the flap plate 12. One end of the seat belt body 8 is secured to the retractor shaft (not shown) disposed within the backrest 2, and the other end is secured to an anchoring member 14 (see reference 14) disposed on the left side of the rear end 3b of the seat portion 3 of the seat 1. Figure 1 , 2 Specifically, the seatbelt body 8 is configured to protrude outward from the upper left edge of the backrest 2. In the implementation embodiment, when the occupant is not seated, such as... Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the configuration is such that the lap belt 10, which houses the airbag 25, protrudes from the front surface of the backrest 2. The seat belt body 8 is structured to include: a lap belt 10; and a shoulder strap 9, which is housed within the backrest 2. When the occupant is seated and the tongue plate 12 is connected to the buckle 13, the lap belt 10, which is positioned approximately along the left-right direction, restrains the lower body MD (waist) of the occupant MP between the anchoring member 14 and the buckle 13. The shoulder strap 9, which extends from the upper left edge of the backrest 2 and is obliquely positioned to the buckle 13, restrains the upper body MU (from shoulder to chest MB and head MH) of the occupant MP (see reference). Figure 3 Furthermore, in the seat belt 7, a retractor (not shown) disposed within the backrest 2 has a pretensioning mechanism.

[0026] The inflator 17 supplies inflation gas to the airbag 25. In this embodiment, the inflator 17 includes an inflator body 18 that generates the inflation gas, and a tube 19 that extends from the inflator body 18 to guide the inflation gas into the airbag 25. In this embodiment, the inflator 17 is configured such that, in order to limit the withdrawal of the seatbelt body 8 of the seatbelt 7 accompanying the inflation of the airbag 25, the start of operation is delayed compared to the pretensioning mechanism of the seatbelt 7. Specifically, the inflator 17 is configured to operate 5 ms after the pretensioning mechanism of the seatbelt 7.

[0027] The inflator 17 is installed in the seat frame 4 that supports the seat 1 (specifically the seat 3) at a position lower than the seat surface 3a of the seat 1. For example, even if the seat 1 slides or rotates significantly in the front-back direction, the inflator 17 can move with the seat 1.

[0028] like Figure 4 A and Figure 4 As shown in Figure B, the inflator body 18 is formed as a nearly cylindrical cylinder, with its axial direction roughly along the left-right direction on the rear side, which is lower than the seat 3. At this time, the gas outlet 61 provided at one end of the axial direction of the inflator body 18 faces the left side of the seat 1.

[0029] like Figure 4 As shown in B, the inflator body 18 is fixed to the seat frame 4 at two axially separated parts by a fixing member 65. The fixing member 65 is a bolted clamp with an annular clamp 66 that can be reduced in diameter and a bolt 68 that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the clamp 66.

[0030] The clamp 66 is made of a thin metal sheet and, when assembled onto the outer circumference of the inflator body 18, shrinks in diameter and deforms to securely wrap around the inflator body 18. Thus, the fixing component 65, including the clamp 66, is installed onto the inflator body 18.

[0031] On the other hand, the mounting plate portion 70 of the seat frame 4 for fixing the inflator body 18 has a flat first mounting surface 71 extending in the left-right direction, and through mounting holes 72 are provided separately in the left-right direction (see reference). Figure 4 (B). In the embodiment, the bolt 68 of the fixing member 65 is inserted into the mounting hole 72, and the nut 75 is screwed into the external thread of the bolt 68 by clamping the mounting plate portion 70 from the front end side of the bolt 68, thereby fixing the inflator body 18 to the mounting plate portion 70 of the seat frame 4.

[0032] The tube 19 is a metal tube that is bent into an approximately L-shape, and one end 19a is connected to the gas outlet 61 of the inflator body 18 (see reference). Figure 4 (B) The end portion 19a connected to the gas outlet portion 61 is provided as an enlarged diameter portion, and a converging joint portion 76 is formed by machining the gas outlet portion 61 of the inflator body 18 while it is externally embedded in the gas outlet portion 61. In the converging joint portion 76, a portion of the tube portion 19 is screwed into the annular groove 62 formed at the base of the gas outlet portion 61, thereby connecting the end portion 19a of the tube portion 19 to the inflator body 18.

[0033] After the end 19a of the tube 19 connected to the main body 18 of the inflator extends horizontally, as shown... Figure 4 As shown in A, the bend 19b bends forward and upward. Furthermore, a front end 19c is positioned near the seat frame 4, extending forward and upward. This front end 19c is configured to connect to the duct portion 40 of the airbag 25 (described later) via a clamp 20.

[0034] The airbag 25 is folded into a long strip and positioned in the area of ​​the lap belt 10 such that it overlaps with the upper surface of the lap belt 10 when the seat belt 7 is worn (see reference). Figure 3 That is, in Figure 1 In the non-wearing state shown, the airbag 25 is positioned on the back side (two sides of the back) of the waist belt 10. In the implementation embodiment, as... Figure 3 As shown, the airbag 25 and the waist belt 10 are integrated by covering the surrounding area with a cover 22 that can break when the airbag 25 is deployed and inflated. That is, in the embodiment, the gap between the waist belt 10 and the cover 22 constitutes a storage part for storing the airbag 25.

[0035] like Figure 5 , 6 As shown, the airbag 25 has: an airbag body 26; a conduit 40, which is connected to the inflator 17 to allow inflation gas to flow into the airbag body 26; and a belt mounting part 47, which allows the belt 10 to be inserted.

[0036] The airbag body 26, when fully inflated, is shaped like an approximately triangular prism with its axial direction roughly along the left-right direction. Specifically, the airbag body 26 is configured such that, when viewed from the left or right sides, its fully inflated shape is an approximately right-angled triangle with a hypotenuse on the front side, and when viewed from the front-rear side, its fully inflated shape is an approximately rectangular shape with a wider vertical dimension (see reference). Figure 8 , 9The airbag body 26 includes: a front wall portion 27, which, when fully inflated, is positioned away from the occupant MP; a rear upper wall portion 28 and a rear lower wall portion 29, which, when fully inflated, are positioned on the occupant MP side; and a left wall portion 30 and a right wall portion 31, which, when fully inflated, are positioned opposite each other in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the airbag body 26 has a communication hole 33 on the lower surface of the rear end 29a of the rear lower wall portion 29, communicating with the conduit portion 40, and the periphery of the communication hole 33 is connected to the conduit portion 40. In this embodiment, the communication hole 33 has a circular opening, and two are arranged side-by-side in the left-right direction, approximately symmetrically positioned about one side-by-one, separated by the center of the left and right sides of the airbag body 26. Additionally, vent holes 34, 34 are formed near the center of the upper and lower edges of the left and right sides of the front wall portion 27 for discharging any remaining inflation gas. Regarding the airbag body 26 in this embodiment, the lower rear wall portion 29 forms a leg contact surface 36 that can abut against the upper surface of the occupant MP's legs (thighs) when fully inflated, and the upper rear wall portion 28 forms an upper body restraint surface 37 that is positioned in front of the occupant MP when fully inflated and can restrain the upper body of the occupant MP from the chest to the head. In this embodiment, the external shapes of the airbag body 26 in its fully inflated state, including the upper rear wall portion 28 and the lower rear wall portion 29, are respectively formed into approximately rectangular shapes that are generally along the long side in the front-rear direction or the vertical direction, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the configuration ensures that the width dimension is consistent along the long side. The upper rear wall portion 28 is configured such that, when the airbag body is fully inflated, the upper end 28a is positioned in front of the occupant's head MH (see reference). Figure 9 Furthermore, the upper rear wall portion 28 and the lower rear wall portion 29 are structured such that they are arranged approximately orthogonally in the cross-sectional shape of the airbag body 26 when it is fully inflated (see reference). Figure 6 ).

[0037] The conduit portion 40 has: a cylindrical conduit portion body 41, which is connected to the tube portion 19 of the inflator 17; and an extension piece 80, which extends outward from the conduit portion body 41 (refer to [reference needed] regarding the extension piece 80). Figure 4 A and Figure 7 The main body 41 of the conduit is configured such that the front end 41b side, which connects to the airbag body 26, is closed, while the base 41a side is open in a manner that allows it to connect to the tube 19. When the airbag 25 is fully inflated, it is positioned approximately along the waistband 10 in a left-right direction. Figure 5 As shown, the main body 41 of the conduit is positioned such that the area on the front end 41b side is located on the lower surface side of the airbag body 26 when it is fully inflated, and the area on the front end 41b side is formed into a gas storage section 42 with a relatively large width for temporarily storing the inflation gas flowing into the interior.

[0038] The width of the gas storage section 42 is set to be approximately twice the width of the portion on the base 41a side of the conduit body 41. Furthermore, the gas storage section 42 is configured such that its width in the left-right direction is approximately the same as the width in the left-right direction of the portion on the lower rear edge side of the airbag body 26 (near the location of the connecting hole 33) (see reference). Figure 5 , 7 Furthermore, an opening 42a corresponding to the connecting hole 33 formed in the airbag body 26 is formed in the gas storage section 42. In this embodiment, the conduit body 41 is formed into a cylindrical shape by joining the peripheries of the upper wall portion 43 and the lower wall portion 44, which have the same external shape, together, and the opening 42a is formed in the region of the upper wall portion 43. In addition, the opening 42a is joined (sewn) to the periphery of the connecting hole 33 all around its circumference.

[0039] like Figure 4 As shown in Figure A, a protruding piece 80 extending outward from the conduit body 41 is provided on the base 41a side of the conduit body 41. Figure 7 As shown, the protruding piece 80 is formed by engaging with portions 80a and 80b of the protruding pieces 80 provided on the two conduit section panels 57 and 58 constituting the conduit section 40. The protruding piece 80 is approximately triangular in plan view and is connected to the conduit section body 41 via a long side that is longer than the other two sides. Near the corner of the protruding piece 80 where it separates from the conduit section body 41, an insertion hole 82 is formed for inserting a threaded member 85 used as a fixing component.

[0040] Here, based on Figure 4 Section A describes the connection between the conduit portion 40 and the tube portion 19 of the airbag 25. The front end 19c of the tube portion 19 is formed as an annular protrusion protruding radially outward. In this embodiment, with the front end 19c inserted into the cylindrical conduit body 41, the clamp 20, acting as a fastening member, narrows from the outside of the conduit body 41, connecting and fixing the conduit portion 40 (specifically, the conduit body 41) to the tube portion 19. Furthermore, a protruding piece 80 is provided near the fixing portion of the clamp 20 on the base 41a side of the conduit body 41 connected to the tube portion 19. Figure 4 As shown in the enlarged view of section A, the threaded member 85 for fixing is inserted into the insertion hole 82 of the protruding piece 80, and the threaded part is screwed into the second mounting surface 73 of the mounting plate portion 70 of the seat frame 4, which is opposite to the protruding piece 80, thereby fixing the protruding piece 80 to the mounting plate portion 70 of the seat frame 4. Furthermore, at the connection between the conduit portion 40 and the pipe portion 19, downstream in the direction of the expansion gas flow ( Figure 4(in the upper left direction of A), the clamp 20, the front end 19c of the tube 19, and the insertion hole 82 for fixing the protruding piece 80 are arranged in that order. In this embodiment, the movement of the conduit 40 at the connection with the tube 19 is restricted by the protruding piece 80 fixed to the seat frame 4. Therefore, compared with a virtual occupant protection device that does not have a protruding piece 80, it is possible to suppress the misalignment of the conduit 40 at the connection when generating expansion gas.

[0041] The mounting part 47 is disposed on the lower surface side (lower wall 44 side) of the gas storage part 41 of the conduit part 40, and is formed into an approximately cylindrical shape with openings at both ends so that the belt 10 can be inserted, and is sewn to the lower wall 44 (see reference). Figure 5 , 6 The length of the belt mounting section 47 is set to be slightly smaller than the width of the gas storage section 41 in the left-right direction. That is, the length of the belt mounting section 47 in the direction of the belt 10 is set to be larger so as to prevent the airbag body 26 from floating excessively upward from the belt 10 during deployment and expansion.

[0042] In this embodiment, the airbag 25 is formed by joining the peripheries of a base fabric of a predetermined shape together, such as... Figure 6 , 7 As shown, the airbag is composed of the following components: two occupant side panels 50 and a front side panel 55, which together constitute the airbag body 26; two duct panels 57 and 58, which together constitute the duct section 40; and a mounting panel 60, which constitutes the mounting section 47. The occupant side panels 50, the front side panels 55, the duct panels 57 and 58, and the mounting panel 60 are all formed of flexible fabric made of polyester yarns, polyamide yarns, etc.

[0043] When fully inflated, the occupant side panel 50 is positioned on the occupant's MP side, forming the leg contact surface 36 to the upper body restraint surface 37, and primarily forming the upper rear wall 28 to the lower rear wall 29 of the airbag body 26 when fully inflated. Specifically, the occupant side panel 50 has: a lower portion 52, which primarily forms the leg contact surface 36 (lower rear wall 29); and an upper portion 51, which primarily forms the upper body restraint surface (upper rear wall 28). More specifically, the lower portion 52 forms the lower rear area of ​​the lower rear wall 29, the left wall 30, and the right wall 31, and the upper portion 51 forms the upper rear area of ​​the upper rear wall 28, the left wall 30, and the right wall 31, both with an approximately hexagonal shape. Furthermore, the passenger side panel 50 is formed with a shape in which the lower part 52 and the upper part 51 are connected by an edge, and the lower part 52 and the upper part 51 are formed in a symmetrical shape with reference to the connecting part 50a.

[0044] The front panel 55 mainly constitutes the front wall portion 27 of the airbag body 26 when fully inflated. Specifically, it forms the area on the front side of the front wall portion 27, the left wall portion 30, and the right wall portion 31. The front panel 55 is approximately hexagonal in shape. Specifically, the front panel 55 is shaped such that, in the occupant side panel 50, the remaining edges (front edges 51c, 52c) that are separated from each other and opened, are the lower and upper portions 51 (see reference 52c) of the occupant side panel 50, which are in an open state where the left and right rear edges 51a, 52a and the right and right rear edges 51b, 52b of the connecting portion 50a are respectively joined together. Figure 7 (roughly identical hexagons)

[0045] like Figure 7 As shown, the two conduit panels 57 and 58 have the same shape and respectively constitute the upper wall 43 and lower wall 44 of the conduit section 40. The mounting panel 60 is shaped to be approximately rectangular. The two panels are folded together and the edges 60a and 60b on the short side are joined together to form the mounting section 47.

[0046] Regarding the occupant protection device S in the embodiment, when mounted in a vehicle, if the inflator 17 operates, the inflation gas discharged from the inflator 17 flows into the airbag body 26 through the conduit 40, causing the airbag body 26 to break the cover 22, thereby protruding forward and upward from the waist belt 10, and as... Figure 8 , 9 Complete the expansion as shown. At this point... Figure 9 The propulsive force in the direction indicated by the middle arrow acts on the duct portion 40 of the airbag 25. The duct portion 40 is fixed to the tube portion 19 and is fixed to the seat frame 4 via the extension piece 80. The reaction force from the tube portion 19 and the seat frame 4 acts to suppress the movement (misalignment) of the duct portion 40 at the connection with the tube portion 19.

[0047] Furthermore, regarding the occupant protection device S in this embodiment, the airbag 25 (airbag body 26), when fully inflated, is shaped as an approximately triangular prism with its axial direction roughly along the left-right direction, such that the leg contact surface 36 abuts against the upper surface of the leg MT, and is positioned on the front side of the upper body MU of the occupant MP. Therefore, even if the occupant MP moves significantly, such as bringing its upper body MU close to its lower body MD, when the airbag 25 is fully inflated, Figure 10As shown, the leg contact surface 36 also supports the leg MT with a large area, thus suppressing tipping and compression. The upper body restraint surface 37, which is arranged opposite to the front of the upper body MU, can reliably restrain the upper body MU (chest MB to head MH) of the occupant MP. In addition, regarding the occupant protection device S of the embodiment, the fully inflated shape of the airbag 25 (airbag body 26) is formed into an approximately triangular prism shape. Therefore, even when the occupant MP is sitting in a seat with the backrest tilted, the upper body restraint surface 37 can reliably restrain the upper body MU.

[0048] According to the occupant protection device S configured as described above, even when a propulsive force based on the pressure of the expansion gas acts relative to the duct section 40, a reaction force in the opposite direction acts on the duct section 40 via the protruding piece 80 fixed to the seat frame 4, thus restricting the movement of the duct section 40. Therefore, misalignment of the duct section 40 at the connection with the pipe section 19 when the expansion gas is generated can be suppressed.

[0049] Furthermore, the above embodiment is an example of having one protruding piece 80 fixed to the seat frame 4, but the number and position of the protruding pieces 80 can be appropriately changed. For example, as Figure 11 As shown, it can also be configured such that the protruding pieces 80 are provided on both sides of the flow path of the expansion gas across the main body 41 of the conduit section, and each protruding piece 80 is fixed to the mounting plate 70 of the seat frame 4. This allows for more effective suppression of misalignment of the conduit section 40 at the connection with the pipe section 19.

[0050] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but are merely examples. The present invention can be implemented without departing from its spirit and without making various modifications.

Claims

1. An occupant protection device (S) for protecting an occupant (MP) seated on a seat (1), wherein the occupant protection device (S) is formed in a structure having the following components: a seat belt (7); an airbag (25) which inflates in a manner capable of protecting the upper body of the occupant in a manner such that the region of a waist belt (10) which restrains the waist of the occupant (MP) when worn in the seat belt (7) is inflated; an inflator main body (18) which generates inflation gas; and a pipe portion (19) which extends from the inflator main body (18) to guide the inflation gas into the airbag (25), the airbag (25) has a conduit portion (40) which extends to the side of the seat (1) and is connected to the pipe portion (19) to cause the inflation gas to flow into an airbag main body (26), the conduit portion (40) has a tubular conduit portion main body (41) which is fastened and fixed to the front end of the pipe portion (19) by a clamp (20) as a fastening component in a manner such that the front end of the pipe portion (19) is fitted from the outside, and an extension tab (80) which extends from the conduit portion main body (41) toward the outside, the extension tab (80) being fixed to a seat frame (4) which supports the seat (1).

2. The occupant protection device (S) according to claim 1, wherein in the connection portion of the conduit portion (40) and the pipe portion (19), the clamp (20), the front end (19c) of the pipe portion (19), and the insertion hole (82) for fixing the extension tab (80) are arranged in this order toward the flow direction of the inflation gas.

3. The occupant protection device (S) according to claim 1, wherein the extension tab (80) is formed in a substantially triangular shape when viewed from above, is connected to the conduit portion main body (41) via a long side portion having a long side which is longer than the other two sides, and an insertion hole (82) into which a threaded component (85) is inserted is formed in the corner portion of the extension tab (80) which is separate from the conduit portion main body (41).

4. The occupant protection device (S) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the extension tab (80) is fixed to the seat frame (4) at a position which is further downstream in the flow direction of the inflation gas than the position at which the conduit portion main body (41) is fastened and fixed to the pipe portion (19).

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