Occupant protection device

Abstract

Provided is a passenger protection device having an airbag that is movable on a waist belt portion, and in which a passenger can easily position the airbag. A passenger protection device (10) has a seat belt (11), an airbag assembly (29) that contains an airbag (30) and is assembled to a waist belt portion (13) of the seat belt (11) in a manner that allows sliding movement in a left-right direction of the seat, and an inflator that supplies the airbag (30) with inflation gas. The airbag assembly (29) has a protruding portion (59a) that is disposed on one end side in the left-right direction and protrudes toward the passenger M side, and a protruding portion (59b) that is disposed on the other end side in the left-right direction and protrudes toward the passenger M side, in a state in which a tongue is combined with a buckle.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Currently, seat belts are widely used as a structure for protecting occupants seated in a seat. Furthermore, Patent Document 1 describes a structure in which an airbag is installed in the lap belt portion that restrains the occupant's waist when the seat belt is worn.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-66425

[0004] To maximize airbag performance, it is preferable to position the airbag at the front of the occupant. However, due to individual differences in occupant size, the target position of the airbag may not be in front of all occupants if the airbag's position relative to the lap belt is fixed. Therefore, a structure that allows the airbag to slide on the lap belt is considered. This allows occupants to adjust the airbag's position, making it easy to position the airbag in front of each occupant.

[0005] However, even if the structure is designed to allow the airbag to slide on the lap belt, if the occupant does not adjust the position of the airbag sufficiently, and the target position of the airbag is not positioned in front of the occupant, the performance of the airbag may not be maximized. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an occupant protection device having an airbag movable on the waist belt, which allows the occupant to easily position the airbag.

[0007] A representative structure of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is an occupant protection device for protecting an occupant seated in a seat, characterized by having: a seat belt having at least a tongue, a buckle engaged with the tongue, and a lap belt portion that restrains the waist of the occupant seated in the seat when the tongue is engaged with the buckle; an airbag assembly comprising an airbag that is folded in and inflated to protect the occupant, and is assembled to the lap belt portion in a manner that allows it to slide in the left-right direction of the seat; and an inflator that supplies inflation gas to the airbag, wherein the airbag assembly, when the tongue is engaged with the buckle, has: a first protrusion disposed at one end in the left-right direction and protruding toward the occupant; and a second protrusion disposed at the other end in the left-right direction and protruding toward the occupant.

[0008] According to the present invention, in an airbag assembly configured to slide on a lap belt, a first protrusion and a second protrusion protruding toward the occupant are respectively provided at one end and the other end. Therefore, when wearing a seatbelt, the occupant can easily adjust the position of the airbag so that the center of their body is positioned between the first and second protrusions. Thus, the occupant can easily position the airbag.

[0009] Furthermore, in this invention, it is preferably configured such that, when the tongue is engaged with the buckle, the amount of protrusion of the first protrusion and the second protrusion toward the occupant side increases from the center side to the end side of the airbag assembly in the left-right direction.

[0010] According to this structure, the first and second protrusions can easily fit along the occupant's waistline, thus improving the occupant's comfort.

[0011] Furthermore, in this invention, preferably, the airbag assembly includes: the airbag; a connecting member that holds the airbag and is connected to the waistband portion in a manner that allows sliding movement in the left-right direction; and a receiving member that receives the airbag and the connecting member in a folded state and is connected to the waistband portion in a manner that allows sliding movement in the left-right direction, the receiving member having the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

[0012] According to this structure, in the airbag assembly, a first protrusion and a second protrusion are provided in the receiving component located on the occupant side, which is closer to the airbag and the connecting component than the airbag and the connecting component. Therefore, the occupant can easily identify the first protrusion and the second protrusion by sight and touch.

[0013] In addition, preferably, the first protrusion and the second protrusion are formed of an elastomer.

[0014] According to this structure, the first and second protrusions elastically deform upon contact with the occupant, thereby increasing the contact area and improving the contact between the first and second protrusions and the occupant. Furthermore, the occupant's sensation of something being in their body is reduced, thus improving occupant comfort.

[0015] Alternatively, preferably, the elastomer is mounted on the inner circumferential surface of the occupant-side portion of the housing component.

[0016] With this structure, the elastomer is not exposed to the outside of the housing component, thus preventing damage to the aesthetic appearance of the housing component. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is an oblique view of a seat equipped with occupant protection devices.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a left view of the seat equipped with occupant protection devices.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a front view of a seat equipped with occupant protection devices, showing the occupant seated and wearing a seatbelt. The airbag in its inflated state is indicated by a double-dotted line.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a left view of a seat equipped with occupant protection devices, showing the occupant seated with their seatbelt on and the airbag inflated.

[0021] Figure 5 Yes Figure 3 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the airbag assembly of the occupant protection device, cut through section AA.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the airbag assembly, showing the inflated state of the occupant protection device from below, omitting the airbag cover.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a top view of the components that make up the airbag assembly of the occupant protection device.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the airbag assembly of the occupant protection device, with double-dotted lines indicating the occupant wearing a seatbelt.

[0025] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view showing other structures of the airbag assembly for occupant protection.

[0026] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view showing other structures of the airbag assembly for occupant protection. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the overall structure of the occupant protection device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the structural components described below are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Additionally, in the following description, from the perspective of an occupant M seated in the seat 1 equipped with the occupant protection device 10, the left-right direction refers to the left and right sides, and from the perspective of the occupant M, the front-back direction refers to the front and rear.

[0028] Figure 1 This is an oblique view of the seat 1 equipped with the occupant protection device 10. Figure 2 This is a left view of the seat 1 equipped with the occupant protection device 10. Figure 3This is a front view of the seat 1 equipped with the occupant protection device 10, showing the occupant M sitting in the seat 1 and wearing the seat belt 11. The airbag 30 in the inflated state is represented by a double-dotted line. Figure 4 This is a left view of the seat 1 equipped with the occupant protection device 10, showing the occupant M sitting in the seat 1 and wearing the seat belt 11 with the airbag 30 inflated.

[0029] like Figures 1-4 As shown, the occupant protection device 10 is mounted on the vehicle seat 1. The occupant protection device 10 consists of the following components: a seat belt 11; an airbag assembly 29 having an airbag 30; and an inflator 24 that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 30. The seat 1 has a backrest 2 and a seat portion 5.

[0030] The seat belt 11 is configured such that it can be extended from a winding device 15 located inside the upper end 11a side of the upper end 3 of the backrest 2 near the left shoulder opening of the occupant M seated in the seat 1. The lower end 11b side of the seat belt 11 becomes a fixed end that is secured to an anchoring member 17 located on the left side of the seat 5. Furthermore, the seat belt 11 is formed of a strip material woven from polyester fiber or the like, which has good sliding properties.

[0031] A tab 20 is provided in the middle of the seat belt 11. The tab 20 is fastened (engaged) to the buckle 19 located on the right side of the seat 5 of the seat 1. When the occupant M is seated in the seat 1, the seat belt 11 is worn by the occupant M when the tab 20 and the buckle 19 are fastened.

[0032] Regarding the seat belt 11 worn by occupant M, it extends from the tongue 20 towards the winding device 15 and is positioned on the front surface of the upper body MU of occupant M. The portion that restrains the upper body MU of occupant M is designated as the shoulder strap portion 12. It extends from the lower end 11b of the tongue 20 and is positioned on the front surface of the waist MW of occupant M. The portion that restrains the waist MW is designated as the lumbar belt portion 13. Furthermore, occupant M can release the fastening state of the tongue 20 relative to the buckle 19 by pressing a release button (not shown) provided on the buckle 19, thereby allowing the tongue 20 to be removed from the buckle 19.

[0033] Furthermore, the winding device 15 has a pre-tensioning mechanism 16 configured such that it stops the seat belt 11 from being pulled out abruptly, and can wind up the pulled-out seat belt 11 in the event of a vehicle collision. The pre-tensioning mechanism 16 is a general structure that uses a built-in gas generator to rotate the shaft around which the seat belt 11 is wound, thereby winding up the seat belt 11 instantaneously.

[0034] The inflator 24 has: an approximately cylindrical inflator body 25 that discharges expansion gas; and a tube 26 that extends from the inflator body 25 and bends in an approximately L-shape. The inflator 24 is fixed to the rear surface of the seat portion 5 of the seat 1. The tube 26 is connected to the front end 47a of the gas supply passage 45 and is fastened to the gas supply passage 45 by a clamp 27.

[0035] The airbag assembly 29, as an airbag component, includes an airbag 30, an airbag connecting part 52, an airbag cover 59, and a gas supply passage 45. The gas supply passage 45 connects the airbag 30 to the inflator 24 and supplies the airbag 30 with inflation gas discharged from the inflator 24. The airbag 30 is folded and stored inside the airbag cover 59 in its uninflated state before operation. The detailed structure of the airbag assembly 29 will be described later.

[0036] Next, the protective operation of the occupant protection device 10 for occupant M will be explained. First, in the event of a collision in a vehicle equipped with the occupant protection device 10, the pretensioning mechanism 16 of the winding device 15 activates, winding up the seat belt 11 worn by occupant M to stabilize occupant M in a seated posture on seat 1. This pulls the lap belt portion 13 of the seat belt 11 towards the tongue 20 and the shoulder strap portion 12 connected to the lap belt portion 13 towards the shoulder opening of occupant M. Then, the inflator 24 activates, supplying inflation gas to the airbag 30 from the inflator body 25 via the gas supply passage 45, causing the airbag 30 to inflate. Thus, the upper body MU of occupant M moving forward is protected by the airbag 30.

[0037] Next, the detailed structure of the airbag assembly 29 will be explained. Figure 5 Yes Figure 3 The cross-sectional view of the airbag assembly 29 with section AA shown. Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the airbag assembly 29, showing the inflated state of the airbag 30 from below, omitting the airbag cover 59. Figure 7 This is a top view of the components that make up the airbag assembly 29. Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the airbag assembly 29, with the double-dotted line representing the occupant M wearing the seatbelt 11.

[0038] like Figures 5-8As shown, the airbag assembly 29 includes an airbag 30, an airbag connecting portion 52, an airbag cover 59, and a gas supply passage portion 45. When fully inflated, the airbag 30 is shaped such that, when viewed from the side, the peripheral wall 31 expands into an approximately triangular prism shape. Furthermore, the airbag 30 has a bottom wall portion 32 on the bottom surface side, a rear wall portion 33 on the rear surface side, a front wall portion 34 on the front surface side, and left and right side wall portions 35L and 35R. Regarding the fully inflated airbag 30, the lower surface 32a of the bottom wall portion 32 serves as a support surface supported by the thigh MF of the occupant M, and the rear wall portion 33 serves as a support surface that supports the upper body MU of the occupant M as it moves forward.

[0039] Additionally, near the rear edge 32b of the bottom wall portion 32 of the airbag 30, two inlet ports 40a are provided as openings for the inflatable gas to flow into the gas supply passage portion 45. Furthermore, vent holes 42 are provided on the front sides of the left and right sidewall portions 35L and 35R as openings for the discharge of any remaining portion of the inflatable gas that has flowed into the airbag 30.

[0040] An airbag base fabric is formed by applying a coating material such as silicone to a fabric made of polyester fiber through plain weaving or similar processes to prevent gas leakage. An airbag 30 is formed from this airbag base fabric. Furthermore, the peripheral wall 31 of the airbag 30 is formed from two pieces of airbag base fabric: a front portion 31a forming the front side of the bottom wall portion 32, the front wall portion 34, and the left and right side wall portions 35L and 35R, and a rear portion 31b forming the rear side of the rear side of the rear wall portions 33 and the left and right side wall portions 35L and 35R.

[0041] The gas supply section 45 includes: an airbag side section 46 connected to the airbag 30; and a cylindrical gas flow section 47 extending from the airbag side section 46 toward the inflator 24. The front end 47a of the gas flow section 47 is connected to the tube section 26 of the inflator 24. The airbag side section 46 has a connecting port 46a communicating with the inlet 40a of the airbag 30, and the periphery of the connecting port 46a is sewn to the periphery of the inlet 40a so that the airbag side section 46 is connected to the rear edge 32b of the bottom wall section 32 of the airbag 30.

[0042] The gas supply section 45 is formed by sewing together the outer periphery of the lower surface side outer material 49 and the outer periphery of the airbag side material 50, which has the same external dimensions as the outer material 49, on the airbag 30 side. The outer material 49 and the airbag side material 50 are formed from the same base fabric as the airbag base fabric that forms the airbag 30. Furthermore, before sewing together the outer periphery of the outer material 49 and the outer periphery of the airbag side material 50, the periphery of the communication opening 46a of the airbag side material 50 is pre-sewn to the periphery of the inlet 40a of the airbag 30.

[0043] The airbag connecting portion 52, serving as a connecting component, connects the airbag 30 to the waistband portion 13. The airbag connecting portion 52 is a cylindrical component formed by joining the ends 54a of a connecting portion base material 54 (which is the same base fabric used to form the airbag 30) together using a stitch 56. The airbag connecting portion 52 is stitched to the airbag side portion 46 of the gas supply passage portion 45 at the stitch 52b. That is, the airbag connecting portion 52 is not directly connected to the airbag 30, but indirectly connected to the lower surface 32a side of the airbag 30 via the gas supply passage portion 45. Thus, the airbag connecting portion 52 holds the airbag 30. Furthermore, by directly stitching the airbag connecting portion 52 to the airbag 30, the airbag connecting portion 52 can be configured to directly hold the airbag 30.

[0044] Furthermore, the cylindrical airbag connecting portion 52 has a strap insertion portion 52a that serves as the interior space of its cylinder for the waist belt portion 13 to pass through. If the waist belt portion 13 is inserted into the strap insertion portion 52a, the airbag connecting portion 52 is connected to the waist belt portion 13 in a manner that allows it to slide along the length of the waist belt portion 13. As a result, the airbag 30 held in the airbag connecting portion 52 can slide along the waist belt portion 13.

[0045] By configuring the airbag 30 to slide on the lap belt 13, the occupant M, seated in the seat 1 and wearing the seat belt 11, can slide the airbag 30 in the left-right direction of the seat 1, allowing its position to be adjusted according to the individual's body shape. Therefore, it is easy to position the center of the airbag 30, which serves as the target location, in front of the occupant M, facilitating the effective operation of the airbag 30.

[0046] The airbag cover 59, serving as a housing component, houses the airbag 30, the airbag side 46 of the gas supply passage 45, the airbag connecting part 52, and the airbag assembly 29 of the waist belt part 13, all assembled in a folded state. The ends 60a of the cover base material 60 are sewn together using stitching 61 to form the airbag cover 59 into a cylindrical shape, housing the aforementioned components inside the cylinder. Furthermore, when the airbag 30 inflates, the airbag cover 59 is subjected to pressure from the airbag 30, causing a portion of it to break off, resulting in the airbag 30 protruding from the airbag cover 59. Additionally, the airbag cover 59 is designed to cover only the waist belt part 13, allowing it to slide on the waist belt part 13. Moreover, the cover base material 60 is made of a fabric different from the base material of the airbag 30, used in the seat base material of the seat 1 in a manner that does not detract from the aesthetic appearance.

[0047] Furthermore, two polyurethane blocks 65a and 65b, which serve as elastomers for forming the protrusions 59a and 59b described later, are installed on the inner circumferential surface of the airbag cover 59 on the occupant M side using methods such as adhesives, double-sided tape, hook and loop fasteners, and sewing. When the occupant M is wearing the seatbelt 11, these blocks 65a and 65b are respectively positioned on one end and the other end of the airbag cover 59 in the left-right direction of the seat 1, and are also positioned near one end and the other end of the seat 1 in the same direction.

[0048] Furthermore, when the occupant M is wearing the seatbelt 11, the blocks 65a and 65b are formed with a relatively thick shape in the front-rear direction of the seat 1, extending from the center side to the end side of the airbag cover 59. In this embodiment, the blocks 65a and 65b are approximately triangular when viewed from a plumb line, and are symmetrical in shape. Specifically, the block 65a has a mounting surface 65a1 that is mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the airbag cover 59, a belt contact surface 65a2 that contacts the lap belt portion 13, and other surfaces 65a3. Moreover, it is formed into an approximately triangular shape with three vertices: a vertex 65a4 formed by the mounting surface 65a1 and the belt contact surface 65a2, a vertex 65a5 formed by the mounting surface 65a1 and the other surfaces 65a3, and a vertex 65a6 formed by the belt contact surface 65a2 and the other surfaces 65a3, and these three vertices are chamfered. Similarly, block 65b has a mounting surface 65b1 that is mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the airbag cover 59, a contact surface 65b2 that contacts the waist belt portion 13, and other surfaces 65b3. Furthermore, it is formed as an approximate triangle with three vertices: a vertex 65b4 formed by the mounting surface 65b1 and the contact surface 65b2, a vertex 65b5 formed by the mounting surface 65b1 and the other surfaces 65b3, and a vertex 65b6 formed by the contact surface 65b2 and the other surfaces 65b3, and these three vertices are chamfered. In this embodiment, inexpensive polyurethane is used as the material for blocks 65a and 65b, but the invention is not limited to this, and blocks 65a and 65b formed of other materials may also be used.

[0049] By mounting blocks 65a and 65b onto the inner circumferential surface of the airbag cover 59, protrusions 59a and 59b, respectively, are formed on the airbag cover 59, protruding toward the occupant M. That is, as... Figure 8As shown, blocks 65a and 65b are positioned to contact the waist belt portion 13. However, the rigidity of the waist belt portion 13 is higher than that of the airbag cover 59. Therefore, due to the rigidity of the waist belt portion 13, blocks 65a and 65b are squeezed outwards from the inner circumferential surface of the airbag cover 59, thereby forming protrusions 59a and 59b on the airbag cover 59. Furthermore, based on the shape of blocks 65a and 65b, the amount of protrusion of protrusions 59a and 59b towards the occupant M increases from the center side to the end side of the airbag cover 59 in the left-right direction of the seat 1. In this embodiment, the protrusion of the apexes 65a5 and 65b5, which are the most protruding parts of protrusions 59a and 59b, is approximately 5 cm.

[0050] Furthermore, by positioning blocks 65a and 65b at the aforementioned locations, protrusions 59a and 59b are positioned as follows: Specifically, protrusion 59a, as the first protrusion, is positioned at one end of the airbag cover 59 in the left-right direction of the seat 1, and near one end of the seat 1, when the occupant M is wearing the seatbelt 11. Protrusion 59b, as the second protrusion, is positioned at the other end of the airbag cover 59 in the left-right direction of the seat 1, and near the other end of the seat 1, when the occupant M is wearing the seatbelt 11. Additionally, the center position of the airbag 30 is set to be near the center of the virtual line connecting protrusions 59a and 59b.

[0051] Here, one end and the other end of the airbag cover 59, when the occupant M is wearing the seatbelt 11, refer to the side of the seat 1 in the left-right direction relative to the center of the airbag cover 59. According to the simplified viewpoint of the occupant M adjusting the position of the airbag 30, as described later, it is preferable to set the distance between the protrusions 59a and 59b in the left-right direction of the seat 1 to be approximately 400mm to 550mm; in this embodiment, it is set to approximately 500mm. Furthermore, according to the same viewpoint, as near each end of the seat 1 in the left-right direction, it is preferable to position the protrusions 59a and 59b at a position 150mm from each end of the seat 1 in the left-right direction.

[0052] When the airbag assembly 29 is assembled to the waist belt portion 13, the air supply passage 45, which connects to the airbag connecting portion 52 before it is formed into a cylindrical shape, is first connected to the airbag 30, and the airbag 30 is folded. Next, the airbag connecting portion 52 is used to partially wrap the airbag assembly 29 assembled to the waist belt portion 13, so that the airbag connecting portion 52 is formed into a cylindrical shape. Then, the airbag cover 59 is used to wrap the folded airbag 30 and other components together with the waist belt portion 13, so that the airbag cover 59 is formed into a cylindrical shape. In this way, the airbag assembly 29 can be assembled to the waist belt portion 13. Then, the clamp 27 is used to connect the tube 26 of the inflator 24 to the front end 47a of the gas flow passage 47 of the gas supply passage 45, so that the airbag assembly 29 can be mounted on the seat 1.

[0053] Next, the method for occupant M to adjust the position of airbag 30 will be described. First, occupant M sits in seat 1, pulls out seat belt 11 from retractor 15, and fastens tongue 20 to buckle 19 to wear seat belt 11. Next, if the center of airbag 30 is not positioned in the center of occupant M's upper body MU, occupant M slides airbag assembly 29 on lap belt 13 to adjust its position so that the center of airbag 30 is positioned in the center of occupant M's upper body MU. At this time, occupant M identifies protrusions 59a and 59b by sight or touch, and adjusts the position of airbag assembly 29 so that the center of upper body MU is positioned at the center of the virtual line connecting protrusions 59a and 59b, thereby making the center of upper body MU approximately aligned with the center of airbag 30. Thus, according to the structure of this embodiment, occupant M can easily position airbag 30.

[0054] Furthermore, the protrusions of the protrusions 59a and 59b toward the occupant M are configured such that they increase from the center side to the end side of the airbag cover 59 in the left-right direction of the seat 1. With this structure, the protrusions 59a and 59b can easily conform to the waistline of the occupant M, thus improving the comfort of the occupant M.

[0055] Furthermore, the protrusions 59a and 59b are formed of an elastomer. As a result, when the protrusions 59a and 59b come into contact with the occupant M, they undergo elastic deformation, increasing the contact area between the protrusions 59a and 59b and the occupant M, thus improving the contact between the protrusions 59a and 59b and the occupant M. In addition, the occupant M's feeling of foreign body sensation is alleviated, improving the comfort of the occupant M.

[0056] Furthermore, the blocks 65a and 65b used to form the protrusions 59a and 59b are mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the airbag cover 59. With this structure, the blocks 65a and 65b do not protrude to the outside, thus preventing damage to the aesthetic appearance of the airbag cover 59.

[0057] Furthermore, protrusions 59a and 59b are provided on the airbag cover 59, which is located closer to the occupant M than the airbag 30 and airbag connecting portion 52 that constitute the airbag assembly. As a result, the occupant M can easily identify the protrusions 59a and 59b through sight, touch, etc.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the structure in which blocks 65a and 65b are mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the airbag cover 59, forming protrusions 59a and 59b in the airbag cover 59, has been described; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as Figure 9 As shown, protrusions 59a and 59b can be formed by mounting blocks 65a and 65b onto the outer peripheral surface of the airbag cover 59 using the same method described above. Therefore, protrusions 59a and 59b can be easily provided by mounting blocks 65a and 65b onto an existing airbag assembly 29. Furthermore, as... Figure 10 As shown, the length of the airbag connecting portion 52 in the left-right direction of the seat 1 can be greater than the structure described above. By installing the blocks 65a and 65b onto the airbag connecting portion 52 using the same method as described above, protrusions 59a and 59b are formed. Forming this structure can also achieve the same effect as described above.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example of a so-called three-point seat belt 11 having a shoulder strap portion 12 and a lap belt portion 13 has been described to illustrate the occupant protection device 10, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the same effects can be obtained by applying the present invention to a so-called two-point seat belt 11 that has a lap belt portion 13 but does not have a shoulder strap portion 12.

[0060] Explanation of the label

[0061] 1…seat, 10…occupant protection device, 11…seat belt, 13…lap belt, 19…buckle, 20…tongue, 24…inflator, 25…inflator body, 26…pipe, 29…airbag assembly, 30…airbag, 45…gas supply line, 52…airbag connection, 59…airbag cover, 59a, 59b…protrusions, 65a, 65b…block, M…occupant, MW…waist.

Claims

1. An occupant protection device for protecting an occupant seated in a seat, characterized in that, The occupant protection device has the following features: A seat belt having at least a tongue, a buckle engaging with the tongue, and a lap belt portion that restrains the waist of an occupant seated in the seat when the tongue is engaged with the buckle. An airbag assembly comprising an airbag that is folded in place and inflated to protect the occupant, and is mounted to the lap belt portion in a manner that allows it to slide in the lateral direction of the seat; and An inflator that supplies inflation gas to the airbag. The airbag assembly, in the state where the tongue is engaged with the buckle, has the following characteristics: A first protrusion is disposed at one end in the left-right direction and protrudes towards the occupant side; and a second protrusion is disposed at the other end in the left-right direction and protrudes towards the occupant side. The first protrusion and the second protrusion are formed in a shape that will not be deformed by the expansion gas supplied from the inflator.

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