Occupant protection device

Abstract

An occupant protection device (S) is provided that can protect an occupant seated in a seat (1) when an external force is applied from the side of the vehicle toward the inward side. It includes: an occupant support (14) that can be positioned from a waiting position (P1) to a support position (P2) that can support the part of the occupant to be protected; an external force bearing part (20A) that is positioned on the side of the seat where the external force is applied and can bear the external force; and a moving mechanism (12, 15) that can move the occupant support from the waiting position to the support position when the external force bearing part bears the external force. The occupant support is formed of a shape-retaining material, is positioned on the side of the seat in the waiting position, and when the external force bearing part bears the external force, is positioned in the support position by the moving mechanism in a manner that seals the space between the seat and the backrest of the seat and covers the side of the part to be protected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an occupant protection device that can protect occupants seated in a vehicle when an external force is applied during a vehicle collision. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, as a device for protecting occupants seated in a vehicle, an airbag device is used that protects the occupant's body parts by inflating an airbag. However, currently, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Publication 2014-83858, there are also vehicles that are for one-person use, without doors, and with the left and right sides of the occupant open.

[0003] Thus, in vehicles without doors, simply inflating the airbag is insufficient to reliably protect the occupants from the side. Furthermore, airbag systems are typically configured to inflate using an inflator, leaving room for improvement in terms of providing occupant protection while maintaining a simple design. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an occupant protection device that, with its simple structure, can reliably protect occupants even in vehicles without doors.

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

[0006] An occupant protection device that protects an occupant seated in a vehicle when an external force is applied from the side toward the inside, characterized in that...

[0007] The occupant protection device has the following features:

[0008] The occupant support is located on the side of the occupant and can be positioned from the waiting position to the support position of the protected object that can support the occupant.

[0009] External force bearing part, which is disposed on the side of the seat where external force is applied and is capable of bearing external force; and

[0010] The moving mechanism enables the occupant support to move from a waiting position to a supporting position when the external force is borne by the external force-bearing part.

[0011] The occupant support is formed of a shape-retaining material and is positioned on the side of the seat in the waiting position. When subjected to external force from the external force bearing part, it is positioned in the support position by means of a moving mechanism to block the space between the seat and the backrest of the seat and to cover the side of the protected part.

[0012] The occupant protection device of the present invention is structured such that, when an external force acts from the side of the vehicle, the occupant support portion is moved by the external force to a support position that covers the side of the occupant's protected area. Furthermore, the occupant support portion is formed of a material with shape-retaining properties. Therefore, with respect to the occupant protection device of the present invention, even in vehicles without doors that cover the occupant's side, the occupant support portion can quickly cover the occupant's side, and reliably restrain the protected area. As a result, movement of the occupant towards the side of the external force can be reliably suppressed. Moreover, the occupant protection device of the present invention is structured such that, the external force-bearing portion directly bears the external force acting from the side of the vehicle, and the occupant support portion is moved from a waiting position to a support position by a moving mechanism using the external force acting on the external force-bearing portion. Therefore, no additional drive source is required, and it can be manufactured inexpensively as a simple structure.

[0013] Therefore, the occupant protection device of the present invention, with its simple structure, can reliably protect occupants even in vehicles without doors.

[0014] Furthermore, regarding the occupant protection device of the present invention, it is preferable that if it is formed with a protective wall portion configured to cover the side of the occupant support portion subjected to external force at the support position, it is possible to suppress the occupant support portion from directly contacting the vehicle or the like subjected to external force, and thus the occupant support portion can be used to further reliably restrain the protected part.

[0015] Furthermore, based on the occupant protection device described above, it preferably includes a front wall, a rear wall, an inner wall, and an outer wall, which are connected to each other by rotating couplings to form a four-section linkage mechanism, and are formed in an approximately square tube shape such that the axial direction is approximately along the vertical direction.

[0016] The rear wall portion is configured as a fixed link to the side of the seat.

[0017] The inner wall portion constitutes the passenger support section.

[0018] The outer wall portion constitutes the protective wall portion.

[0019] The front wall, rear wall, inner wall, and outer wall are configured such that, at the waiting position, the front outer rotating coupling connecting the outer wall and the front wall faces outward and overlaps with each other, forming an approximately flat plate shape, and are disposed on the side of the seat.

[0020] The area near the front outer rotating coupler constitutes the external force-bearing part.

[0021] The moving mechanism is composed of the outer wall and the front wall.

[0022] If the occupant protection device is configured as described above, the front wall, rear wall, inner wall, and outer wall, which are approximately square-shaped in the support position, are structured as follows: in the waiting position, they are formed as overlapping flat plates, positioned on the side of the seat, thus allowing for compact mounting. Furthermore, regarding the occupant protection device with the above structure, the portion near the outermost front-outer rotating coupler in the waiting position constitutes an external force bearing part, and the outer wall and front wall constitute a moving mechanism. Therefore, if an inward pressing force is applied to the portion near the front-outer rotating coupler, the front wall and outer wall are lifted from their flat, unfolded state and moved by this force. As the front wall and outer wall move, the inner wall also moves. Therefore, without the need for a separate drive source, it can move from the waiting position to the support position, resulting in a simpler structure.

[0023] Furthermore, regarding the occupant protection device described above, if it is configured such that an airbag filled with air is disposed between the occupant support portion and the protective wall portion at the support position, even if the protective wall portion comes into contact with a vehicle or the like exerting an external force, the reaction force from the airbag, which expands and fills with air, can be used to suppress the approach to the occupant support portion. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the further entry of vehicles or the like exerting an external force. In addition, even if the occupant needs to move towards the protective wall portion (outer side) due to reverse movement, the occupant support portion, which is configured to cover the side of the protected part, can be used to restrain the protected part, and the movement of the occupant towards the protective wall portion can be further reliably suppressed. Furthermore, when an airbag is configured, if the airbag is structured such that its peripheral wall is connected to the occupant support and the protective wall and has an air inlet that allows air to flow into the interior when the occupant support moves, the airbag will inflate when air flows into the interior through the air inlet. Therefore, there is no need for a gas supply component such as an inflator to inflate the airbag, and even a structure with an airbag can be manufactured inexpensively as a simple structure. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic side view of a vehicle equipped with an occupant protection device as an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic front view of a vehicle equipped with an occupant protection device as one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a side view of the occupant protection device according to the embodiment. Figure 3 A represents the waiting position state. Figure 3 B indicates the state of the bearing position.

[0027] Figure 4This is a top view of the occupant protection device according to the embodiment. Figure 4 A represents the waiting position state. Figure 4 B indicates the state of the bearing position.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a front view of the occupant protection device according to the embodiment. Figure 5 A represents the waiting position state. Figure 5 B indicates the state of the bearing position.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the occupant protection device according to the embodiment, and... Figure 5 The corresponding VI-VI parts.

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic end view of the occupant protection device according to the embodiment, and... Figure 5 The VII-VII parts correspond.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a schematic perspective view of the protective body of the occupant protection device according to the embodiment. Figure 8 A represents the waiting position state. Figure 8 B indicates the state of the bearing position.

[0032] Figure 9 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the occupant protection device according to the embodiment, and... Figure 5 The IX-IX part corresponds.

[0033] Figure 10 This is a schematic bottom view of the support position in the occupant protection device of the embodiment.

[0034] Figure 11 This is a schematic bottom view showing the area near the air inlet of the airbag used in the occupant protection device of the embodiment.

[0035] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 A schematic cross-sectional view of section XII-XII.

[0036] Figure 13 A and B are schematic cross-sectional views representing the open and closed states of the air intake.

[0037] Figure 14 This is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the state at the bearing position in the occupant protection device of the embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 , 2As shown, the occupant protection device S of the embodiment is mounted on a vehicle V for one passenger. (As illustrated...) Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle V has no doors, and the driver MD, as an occupant, is seated in seat 1 with the left and right sides of the driver MD open.

[0039] The seat 1 is configured to have a seat portion 3 and a backrest 2. Specifically, regarding the seat 1, the backrest 2 is not directly connected to the seat portion 3, but is connected to the seat portion 3 on both left and right sides by connecting tubes 5L and 5R that extend downwards approximately along the backrest 2 (see reference). Figure 2 In detail, the backrest 2 is configured such that cuts are made in the lower half of the left and right sides of the backrest 2, respectively. The connecting tubes 5L and 5R are positioned approximately along the backrest 2 in the area where the cuts are made, roughly in the vertical direction (more specifically, slightly inclined relative to the plumb line so that the lower end is in front, see reference). Figure 1 Configuration. The connecting tubes 5L and 5R are positioned on the left and right rear sides of the driver's waist and back when the driver MD is seated.

[0040] The occupant protection device S is positioned to the side of the driver MD, who is also an occupant. In this embodiment, it is positioned on the right side of the driver MD's waist MW, in a manner similar to a connecting pipe 5R mounted on the right side (see reference). Figure 1 , 2 ).like Figures 3-7 As shown, the occupant protection device S includes: a protection body 10 as a four-section linkage mechanism; a handrail 30; and an inner airbag 35A and an outer airbag 35B, which are disposed within the protection body 10.

[0041] The protective main body 10, which is part of a four-section linkage mechanism, is formed into an approximately square tube shape with its axial direction generally along the vertical direction (plumb line side). It has a structure comprising a front wall 12, a rear wall 13, an inner wall 14, and an outer wall 15. The front wall 12, rear wall 13, inner wall 14, and outer wall 15 are connected to each other by rotating couplings 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D. The protective main body 10 is structured such that, when an external force T acts from the side (right side) of the vehicle V toward the inside (left side), it deforms and moves from a waiting position P1 (waiting state) to a bearing position P2 (bearing state). The outer shape at the bearing position P2 is formed into an approximately square tube shape with its axial direction generally along the vertical direction (plumb line side). Figure 3(B of 4, B of 5). Specifically, the protective body 10 is configured in an approximately rectangular shape, that is, the shape at the bearing position P2 is formed to block the space near the boundary between the seat 3 of the seat 1 and the backrest 2, which can largely cover the side (right side) of the waist MW of the driver MD, which is the protected part, so that the front-rear side is relatively wide and the axial direction is approximately along the plumb line. The protective body 10 of the embodiment has the following structure, that is, in the bearing position P2 state (moved state), the inner wall 14 and the outer wall 15 opposite in the left-right direction are arranged to be approximately parallel and approximately along the front-rear direction, and the front wall 12 and the rear wall 13 opposite in the front-rear direction are arranged to be approximately orthogonal to the inner wall 14 and the outer wall 15 and approximately along the left-right direction (see reference). Figure 4 (B of B, 8 of B, 9). The protective body part 10 (front wall part 12, rear wall part 13, inner wall part 14 and outer wall part 15) is formed of a material with shape retention properties, and in the case of the embodiment, it is formed as a plate-shaped body made of synthetic resin (specifically, a soft synthetic resin such as foamed styrene).

[0042] The protective body 10 has a structure in which the rear wall portion 13 is mounted on the connecting tube 5R. Specifically, on the inner end side of the rear wall portion 13, mounting portions 25, 25, which allow the connecting tube 5R to be inserted and mounted on the connecting tube 5R, are formed on the upper and lower ends, extending rearward from the rear wall portion 13. That is, regarding the protective body 10 of this embodiment, the rear wall portion 13 is configured as a fixed link fixed to the seat 1 side. In addition, regarding the protective body 10, in the support position P2, the inner wall portion 14, which is located on the inner side of the driver's MD side, constitutes an occupant support portion that covers the side (right side) of the waist MW, which is the protected part, and the outer wall portion 15, which is configured to cover the outer side (the side where external force is applied) of the inner wall portion 14, constitutes a protective wall portion. Both the inner wall portion 14 constituting the occupant support portion and the outer wall portion 15 constituting the protective wall portion rotate approximately 90° and move when moving from the waiting position P1 to the support position P2. The front outer rotary coupler 20A, front inner rotary coupler 20B, rear outer rotary coupler 20C, and rear inner rotary coupler 20D, which are respectively connected to the front wall portion 12, rear wall portion 13, inner wall portion 14, and outer wall portion 15, are arranged on the upper end 10a side and lower end 10b side of the protective main body portion 10.

[0043] The protective body 10 has the following structure: when positioned in the waiting position P1, it is formed as an approximately flat plate with the front wall portion 12, rear wall portion 13, inner wall portion 14, and outer wall portion 15 overlapping each other, and is arranged on the right side of the seat 1 in a manner that extends approximately in the left-right direction (see reference). Figure 3(A of 4, A of 5). Specifically, regarding the protective body 10, the rear side 15a of the outer wall portion 15 in the supporting state at the waiting position P1 abuts against the outer side 13a of the rear wall portion 13, such that the outer wall portion 15 is located in series on the outside (right side) of the rear wall portion 13, and the structure obtained by connecting the inner side 12a of the front wall portion 12 with the front side 14a of the inner wall portion 14 in the supporting state, thereby connecting the inner wall portion 14 and the front wall portion 12 in series, overlaps the front side of the rear wall portion 13 and the outer wall portion 15, and is configured such that the front outer rotating coupling 20A connecting the outer wall portion 15 and the front wall portion 12 faces outward (right side) (see reference). Figure 6 That is, in the waiting position P1, the outer side surface 13a of the rear wall portion 13, the rear side surface 15a of the outer wall portion 15, the front side surface 14a of the inner wall portion 14, and the inner side surface 12a of the front wall portion 12 abut against each other to form stop surfaces that can maintain a flat state (waiting state). Regarding the protective body portion 10 of the embodiment, the portion near the outermost (the side of the seat 1 where the external force is applied, which is the right side in the embodiment) of the front outermost rotating coupling member 20A at the waiting position P1 constitutes an external force bearing portion. In detail, regarding the protective body portion 10 of the embodiment, in the waiting position P1, the front wall portion 12 is configured such that the outer side surface 12b is located further outward than the front side surface 15b of the outer wall portion 15 in the bearing state (see Figure 6 , 8 The outer surface 12b of the front wall portion 12 constitutes an external force bearing portion. Furthermore, regarding the protective main body portion 10 of the embodiment, the front wall portion 12 and the outer wall portion 15 constitute a moving mechanism.

[0044] In the bearing position P2, the protective main body 10 abuts against the rear side 14b of the inner wall 14 and the inner edge 13b of the front surface of the rear wall 13, and the front side 15b of the outer wall 15 abuts against the outer edge 12c of the rear surface of the front wall 12, thus forming a square tube shape (see reference). Figure 9 In the supporting position P2, the inner edge 13b of the front surface of the rear wall portion 13, the rear side surface 14b of the inner wall portion 14, the outer edge 12c of the rear surface of the front wall portion 12, and the front side surface 15b of the outer wall portion 15 abut against each other, respectively restricting further rotational movement and forming a stop surface that can maintain the shape of a square tube (supporting state). Furthermore, in the embodiment, in the supporting position P2, magnets 24 (specifically, neodymium magnets) that can attract each other are respectively arranged on the inner edge 13b of the front surface of the rear wall portion 13, the rear side surface 14b of the inner wall portion 14, the outer edge 12c of the rear surface of the front wall portion 12, and the front side surface 15b of the outer wall portion 15, in a manner that can maintain the shape of the supporting state (square tube shape). In the embodiment, each magnet 24 is arranged on the upper end 10a side and the lower end 10b side of the protective body portion 10 (see reference). Figure 3 ,5 ).

[0045] Furthermore, regarding the protective main body 10 of the embodiment, when it is positioned in the waiting position P1 and an external force T is applied from the side of the vehicle V toward the inward side, if the portion near the front outer rotating coupling 20A constituting the external force bearing portion (specifically, the portion near the outer surface 12b of the front wall portion 12) is pressed inward by the external force T, the outer wall portion 15 and the front wall portion 12 constituting the moving mechanism will move due to the pressing force, and the inner wall portion 14 will also move accordingly. The inner wall portion 14, outer wall portion 15, and front wall portion 12, except for the rear wall portion 13 constituting the fixed link, move from the waiting position P1 to form an approximately square tube shape, and are positioned in the bearing position P2 (see reference). Figure 8 Specifically, the front wall portion 12 maintains a state roughly along the left-right direction and moves parallel to the front inward, while the inner wall portion 14 and the outer wall portion 15 move by rotating approximately 90° from a state roughly along the left-right direction, so that they are roughly along the front-back direction. Moreover, as described above, the protective body portion 10 is maintained by the magnet 24 in the state of being positioned at the bearing position P2 (approximately a square tube shape).

[0046] A handrail portion 30 is disposed on the upper side of the protective body portion 10. The handrail portion 30 is formed into a long strip shape generally along the front-rear direction and is installed on the upper side of the front wall portion 12. Specifically, the handrail portion 30 is configured to extend from the protective body portion 10 in the waiting state along the front-rear direction. As described above, the front wall portion 12 is configured to extend in the left-right direction regardless of whether the protective body portion 10 is in the waiting state or in the supporting state (see reference). Figure 4 In other words, when deforming from the waiting state to the supporting state (when moving from the waiting position P1 to the supporting position P2), the armrest 30 moves parallel to the body 10 by moving slightly forward and inward. Therefore, when the protective body 10 deforms, the armrest 30 also moves parallel to the body 10 by moving slightly forward and inward. The armrest 30 is made of synthetic resin, just like the protective body 10 (specifically, it is made of soft synthetic resin such as polystyrene foam).

[0047] The inner airbag 35A and outer airbag 35B disposed within the protective main body 10 are formed into a bag shape by means of a flexible sheet material. They are configured to fill the interior of the approximately square-shaped protective main body 10, in the supporting state, with air (atmosphere in this embodiment) filling the space inside the protective main body 10. In this embodiment, at the supporting position P2, two inner airbags 35A and outer airbags 35B are used inside the protective main body 10, which expand in an overlapping manner in the inward and outward (left-right) direction. In this embodiment, the inner airbags 35A and outer airbags 35B are configured to overlap in the front-back direction when the protective main body 10 is flat and unfolded at the waiting position P1 (see reference). Figure 6 , 7 Specifically, each inner airbag 35A and outer airbag 35B is configured such that, in its flat, deployed state, its shape is approximately rectangular, with a width dimension roughly the same as that of the rear wall portion 13 and outer wall portion 15 (or the inner wall portion 14 and front wall portion 12 arranged in series) in the waiting position P1. Except for the areas where the front outer rotary coupler 20A, front inner rotary coupler 20B, rear outer rotary coupler 20C, and rear inner rotary coupler 20D are located on the upper end 10a side and lower end 10b side (i.e., except for the upper end 10a side and lower end 10b side), the inner side of the protective body portion 10 is covered almost entirely (see reference). Figures 5-7 Detailed illustrations of the inner airbags 35A and outer airbags 35B are omitted, but the peripheral walls 37A and 37B are connected to the protective body 10 side (by means of adhesive). Specifically, the inner airbag 35A is connected to the inner wall 14 (occupant support) and the front wall 12 via the isolation side region 37a (specifically, the portion of the isolation side region 37a of the peripheral wall 37A excluding the upper and lower ends) that separates the peripheral wall 37A from the outer airbag 35B. The outer airbag 35B is connected to the outer wall 15 (protective wall) and the rear wall 13 via the isolation side region 37a (the middle portion of the isolation side region 37a of the peripheral wall 37B in the vertical direction) that separates the peripheral wall 37B from the inner airbag 35A. Furthermore, at the lower end of each inner airbag 35A and outer airbag 35B after inflation, air inlets 40A and 40B are formed, allowing air to flow into the interior when the protective body 10 deforms from the waiting state to the bearing state (when moving from the waiting position P1 to the bearing position P2). The air inlets 40A and 40B are structured such that they are blocked in the waiting position P1 (see reference...). Figure 5When deforming from the waiting state to the bearing state (when moving from the waiting position P1 to the bearing position P2), the air inlet 40A and 40B open to allow air to flow into the interior. The air inlets 40A and 40B are respectively located on the lower surface side of the inner airbag 35A and outer airbag 35B after inflation (after the protective body 10 moves to the bearing position P2), near the intersection of the inner wall 14 and the front wall 12, and near the intersection of the outer wall 15 and the rear wall 13 (see reference). Figure 10 ).

[0048] In the implementation scenario, such as Figure 11 , 12 As shown, each air inlet 40A, 40B has: an inlet body 41A, 41B, which is formed by openings in the peripheral walls 37A, 37B of the inner airbag 35A and the outer airbag 35B; and a one-way valve mechanism 43A, 43B, which, after the inner airbag 35A and the outer airbag 35B are inflated, seal the inlet body 41A, 41B from the inner peripheral surface side to restrict the flow of expansion gas from the inlet body 41A, 41B. The inlet bodies 41A, 41B are formed into an approximately elongated oval shape with a larger width on the longitudinal direction side, i.e., the front-rear direction side, of the protective body portion 10 (see reference). Figure 10 The one-way valve mechanisms 43A and 43B are formed as elongated strips capable of sealing the orifice bodies 41A and 41B, and have two valve bodies 44A, 44B, 45A, and 45B that overlap vertically when fully expanded. The valve bodies 44A, 44B, 45A, and 45B are formed from flexible sheets, similar to the substrates constituting the inner and outer air bladders 35A and 35B, such that one end 44a and 45a of each other in the overlapping state is joined to the peripheral walls 37A and 37B of the inner and outer air bladders 35A and 35B, respectively, while the other end 44b and 45b are left as free ends. In the standby state of the protective main body 10, the aforementioned air inlets 40A and 40B are formed in a manner that seals them between the inner wall portion 14 and the outer wall portion 15. When the protective main body 10 deforms from the standby state to the support state (moving from the standby position P1 to the support position P2), the inner wall portion 14, which serves as the occupant support portion, and the outer wall portion 15, which serves as the protective wall portion, move apart, causing the inlet bodies 41A and 41B to open. Furthermore, when the protective main body 10 deforms from the standby state to the support state (moving from the standby position P1 to the support position P2), the inner airbag 35A and the outer airbag 35B allow atmospheric air A to flow into the interior through the inlet bodies 41A and 41B of the air inlets 40A and 40B, which open on the lower surface side, causing expansion (see reference). Figure 13(A). Moreover, when the deformation towards the bearing state of the protective body 10 is completed (when the movement towards the bearing position P2 is completed), the hole bodies 41A and 41B of each air inlet 40A and 40B are sealed by the two valve bodies 44A, 44B, 45A and 45B due to the pressure of the atmosphere A flowing into the interior (see reference). Figure 13 (B) Suppresses the backflow of atmospheric A into the interior to the outside, and the inner airbag 35A and the outer airbag 35B remain in an inflated state.

[0049] The structure is configured such that, in the peripheral walls 37A and 37B of the inner airbag 35A and outer airbag 35B, the opposite side regions 37b and 37b (i.e., the regions not connected to the protective body 10 side) arranged opposite each other in the non-inflated state have their membrane length in a cross-section approximately along the horizontal direction set to be approximately the same as the width dimension of the protective body 10 in the left-right direction at the waiting position P1, that is, set to be greater than the diagonal length dimension of the protective body 10 in the state viewed from the top-bottom direction at the blocking position P2 (refer to...). Figure 6 , 9 Therefore, with the inner airbag 35A and the outer airbag 35B connected to the protective body 10 in a state where the isolation side regions 37a and 37a, which are isolated from each other on the peripheral walls 37A and 37B, are connected, folds are formed in the opposing side regions 37b and 37b, which are arranged opposite to each other, and the opposing side regions 37b and 37b are pressed tightly against each other, filling the interior of the protective body 10 (see reference). Figure 9 ).

[0050] Regarding the occupant protection device S in the embodiment, when an external force T is applied to the vehicle V from the right side toward the inward side, the external force T presses the protection body 10 directly toward the inward side, causing the protection body 10 to deform and move from the waiting position P1 (waiting state) to the bearing position P2 (bearing state), as... Figure 14 As shown, the protective body 10 in the supporting state is configured to cover the right side of the driver's waist MW. Furthermore, at this time, inside the protective body 10, the inner airbag 35A and the outer airbag 35B are configured to allow air to flow in and fill the interior.

[0051] Furthermore, the occupant protection device S in this embodiment is structured such that when an external force T acts from the side (right side in this embodiment) of the vehicle V, the external force T causes the inner wall portion 14 of the protective main body 10, which constitutes the occupant support portion, to move in a manner that covers the side of the waist MW, the protected part of the driver MD, who is an occupant. Additionally, this inner wall portion 14 is formed of a material with shape retention properties. Therefore, even when the occupant protection device S in this embodiment is installed in a vehicle V that does not have doors that cover the side of the occupant (driver MD), the inner wall portion 14 of the protective main body 10 can quickly cover the right side of the driver MD, and the inner wall portion 14 of the protective main body 10 can reliably restrain the waist MW. As a result, movement of the driver MD toward the side of the external force (right side) can be reliably suppressed. Furthermore, the occupant protection device S in the embodiment is structured such that the external force T acting from the right side of the vehicle V is directly borne by the portion near the front outer slewing couple 20A (specifically, the outer surface 12c of the front wall portion 12) which constitutes the external force bearing portion. Using the external force T acting on the portion near the front outer slewing couple 20A, the inner wall portion 14 is moved from the waiting position P1 to the bearing position P2 by the front wall portion 12 and the outer wall portion 15 which constitute the moving mechanism. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate drive source, and it can be manufactured inexpensively as a simple structure.

[0052] Therefore, the occupant protection device S of the implementation method has a simple structure and can reliably protect the driver MD as an occupant even in vehicles V that do not have doors.

[0053] Furthermore, the occupant protection device S in this embodiment is structured such that, in the bearing position P2 (bearing state), an outer wall portion 15, serving as a protective wall portion, is arranged to cover the external force acting on the inner wall portion 14, which serves as the occupant bearing portion (right side). Therefore, direct contact between the inner wall portion 14 and a colliding vehicle or the like, which is subjected to external force, can be suppressed, and thus the waist MW can be reliably restrained further by the inner wall portion 14. Alternatively, if this is not considered, it can be formed as an occupant bearing portion without the protective wall portion.

[0054] Furthermore, the occupant protection device S in the embodiment is formed in such a structure that the wall portion 12, the rear wall portion 13, the inner wall portion 14, and the outer wall portion 15, which are formed in an approximately square tube shape in the supporting position P2, are formed in an approximately flat plate shape that overlaps each other in the waiting position P1, and are arranged on the side of the seat 1, so that they can be compactly mounted. Furthermore, regarding the occupant protection device S in the embodiment, the portion near the outermost (rightmost) front outermost rotating coupler 20A in the waiting position P1 (specifically, the outer surface 12c of the front wall portion 12) constitutes an external force bearing portion. The front wall portion 12 and the outer wall portion 15 constitute a drive mechanism. Therefore, if an external force T pressing inward is applied to the portion near the front outermost rotating coupler 20A, the front wall portion 12 and the outer wall portion 15 bear the external force T and stand up from the flat unfolded state and move. As the front wall portion 12 and the outer wall portion 15 move, the inner wall portion 14 also moves. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate drive source, and it can move from the waiting position P1 to the bearing position P2, which can form a simpler structure.

[0055] Furthermore, the occupant protection device S in this embodiment is structured such that, at the bearing position P2, an airbag (inner airbag 35A, outer airbag 35B) filled with air is disposed between the inner wall portion 14, which serves as the occupant bearing portion, and the outer wall portion 15, which serves as the protective wall portion. Therefore, even if the outer wall portion 15 comes into contact with a vehicle or the like that subjected to an external force, the reaction force from the inner airbag 35A and the outer airbag 35B, which are inflated and filled with air, can suppress the approach to the inner wall portion 14. Thus, it is possible to suppress the further entry of a vehicle or the like subjected to an external force T. In addition, even if the driver MD is to move toward the outer wall portion 15 (outer side) by a reverse action, the waist MW can be restrained by the inner wall portion 14, which is configured to cover the sides of the waist MW, and the movement of the driver MD toward the outer wall portion 15 (outer side) can be further reliably suppressed.

[0056] Furthermore, the occupant protection device S in the embodiment is structured such that the airbags (inner airbag 35A and outer airbag 35B) are connected to the inner wall portion 14 (occupant support portion) and the outer wall portion 15 (protective wall portion) via their peripheral walls, and have air inlets 40A and 40B that allow air to flow into the interior when the inner wall portion 14 moves. Therefore, when the inner wall portion 14 (occupant support portion) moves, air flows into the interior via the air inlets 40A and 40B, causing the inner airbags 35A and outer airbags 35B to inflate. Thus, there is no need for gas supply components such as inflators for inflating the inner airbags 35A and outer airbags 35B, and even with the structure containing the inner airbags 35A and outer airbags 35B, it can be manufactured as a simple and inexpensive structure.

[0057] Specifically, in the implementation, the structure is configured such that an inner airbag 35A and an outer airbag 35B are disposed within the protective main body 10. The inner airbag 35A connects the isolation side region 37a of the peripheral wall 37A to the inner wall portion 14 and the front wall portion 12, and the outer airbag 35B connects the isolation side region 37a of the peripheral wall 37B to the outer wall portion 15 and the rear wall portion 13. Furthermore, the inner airbag 35A and outer airbag 35B are structured such that, in the protective body 10 at the waiting position P1, in a flat, unfolded state, their external shape is approximately rectangular, and they are arranged to cover the interior of the protective body 10 approximately across its entire surface. Therefore, in the protective body 10 in the supporting state, which moves towards the supporting position P2 and deforms, folds are formed in the opposing side regions 37b, 37b of the peripheral walls 37A and 37B, which are arranged opposite each other, and they are arranged to fill the interior of the protective body 10 in a seamless, close-fitting manner. In addition, the air inlets 40A and 40B formed in the inner airbag 35A and outer airbag 35B have one-way valve mechanisms 43A and 43B, so that the atmosphere A (air) temporarily flowing into the interior is difficult to leak out, and the internal pressure of the inflated inner airbag 35A and outer airbag 35B can be maintained. Therefore, even when the protective body 10 is pressed from both the inside (driver's side) and the outside (side of external force application), the inner airbag 35A and the outer airbag 35B, which maintain an inflated state by suppressing the leakage of air from the inside, can be used to prevent the inner wall 14 from being compressed to the point that the outer wall 15 is close to the inner wall 15, thus reliably restraining the waist MW of the driver's MD.

[0058] Regarding the occupant protection device S in the embodiment, the moving mechanism that moves the protective body 10 from the waiting position P1 to the bearing position P2 is composed of the front wall portion 12 and the outer wall portion 15 constituting the protective body 10 itself, and the deformation movement of the protective body 10 is a reversible deformation movement. Furthermore, the inner airbag 35A and outer airbag 35B disposed within the protective body 10 are also configured such that, when the protective body 10 moves, air inlets 40A and 40B allow air to flow into the interior and inflate. Therefore, after the protective body 10 moves to the bearing position (deformed into the bearing state), it can return to the waiting position (waiting state). The air inlets 40A and 40B have a structure with one-way valve mechanisms 43A and 43B, but they are not structures that can completely prevent the outflow of air flowing into the interior. After a predetermined time, air can leak out from the interior of the inner airbag 35A and outer airbag 35B, allowing them to unfold flat.

[0059] Furthermore, regarding the occupant protection device S in the embodiment, the protective main body 10 (front wall 12, rear wall 13, inner wall 14 (occupant support), outer wall 15 (protective wall)) is made of soft synthetic resin. However, the material forming the protective main body is not limited to the embodiment; any material capable of absorbing energy through plastic deformation and brittle fracture is acceptable. For example, it can be made of hard synthetic resin, metal plate, etc. Additionally, regarding the occupant protection device S in the embodiment, two airbags, an inner airbag 35A and an outer airbag 35B, are disposed inside the protective main body 10. However, the number of airbags is not limited to the embodiment; a structure with only one airbag can be formed.

Claims

1. An occupant protection device that protects an occupant seated in a vehicle when an external force is applied from the side toward the inside, characterized in that, The occupant protection device has the following features: The occupant support is disposed on the side of the occupant and can be disposed from the waiting position to the support position of the part of the object to be protected that can support the occupant. An external force bearing part is disposed on the side of the seat where the external force is applied and is capable of bearing the external force; as well as A moving mechanism that, when subjected to an external force by the external force-bearing part, enables the occupant support part to move from the waiting position to the support position. The occupant support is formed of a shape-retaining material and is positioned on the side of the seat in the waiting position. When the external force is borne by the external force bearing part, it is positioned in the support position by means of the moving mechanism to block the space between the seat and the backrest of the seat and to cover the side of the protected part.

2. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The occupant protection device has a protective wall portion configured to cover the side of the occupant support portion subjected to external force at the support position.

3. The occupant protection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, It has a front wall, a rear wall, an inner wall, and an outer wall, which are connected to each other by rotating couplings to form a four-section linkage mechanism. It is formed into an approximately square tube shape such that the axial direction is approximately along the vertical direction. The rear wall portion is configured as a fixing link fixed to the side of the seat. The inner wall portion constitutes the occupant support portion. The outer wall portion constitutes the protective wall portion. The front wall portion, the rear wall portion, the inner wall portion, and the outer wall portion are configured such that, at the waiting position, they are formed into an approximately flat plate shape such that the front outer rotating coupler connecting the outer wall portion and the front wall portion faces outward and overlaps with each other, and are disposed on the side of the seat. The portion near the front outer rotary coupling constitutes the external force bearing part. The outer wall portion and the front wall portion constitute the moving mechanism.

4. The occupant protection device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, At the designated support position, an airbag is provided between the occupant support portion and the protective wall portion to allow air to fill the interior.

5. The occupant protection device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The airbag is structured such that its peripheral wall is connected to the occupant support portion and the protective wall portion, and it has an air inlet that allows air to flow into the interior when the occupant support portion moves.

6. The occupant protection device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The air inlet has a one-way valve mechanism.

7. The occupant protection device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The occupant protection device is installed in a vehicle that is for one passenger and has no doors, allowing the left and right sides to open. It is designed to support the occupant's waist, which is the part to be protected.

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