Occupant protection device

Abstract

Provided is an occupant protection device with a simple structure that improves occupant restraint force. An airbag cushion (108) of an occupant protection device is provided with: side panels (120, 122) positioned on both sides in the vehicle width direction; and a main panel (118) connecting the edges of the side panels (120) to each other. The main panel (118) forms an occupant restraint surface (124) on the occupant side, the occupant restraint surface being in contact with the occupant. A bulged portion (126) is formed on a side panel (122) disposed on the center side in the vehicle width direction, the bulged portion (126) continuously bulged within a predetermined range from the occupant restraint surface (124) in the main panel (118) to the side panel (122). When the occupant (114) is in contact with the occupant restraining surface (124), the bulging part (126) comes into contact with a predetermined portion of the instrument panel (120) and absorbs a force received from the occupant (114).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an occupant protection device including an airbag cushion that is inflated and deployed between an instrument panel of a vehicle and an occupant seated on a passenger seat. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, vehicles are basically equipped with airbag devices as standard. Airbag devices are safety devices that work in emergency situations such as vehicle collisions, and use airbag cushions that expand and deploy under air pressure to block and protect passengers. There are various types of airbag devices depending on the installation location and purpose. For example, in the driver's seat, a front airbag is installed in the center of the steering device. In addition, in the passenger seat, a passenger airbag is installed on the instrument panel and its surrounding areas.

[0003] In order to effectively restrain the occupant, the airbag cushions of various airbag devices are designed in shape according to surrounding structures, etc. For example, the passenger airbag 13 described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a recess 28 to prevent interference with an adjacent member 2 of an instrument panel.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-125053 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] In addition to frontal collisions from the front and side collisions from the side, collisions that occur on vehicles also include oblique collisions from an oblique direction. Among them, it is known that in the event of an oblique collision, the posture of the airbag cushion is easily deformed because the occupant enters the airbag cushion at an angle relative to the airbag cushion. Therefore, the airbag cushion for the passenger seat is also required to have a shape that is prepared for collisions in an oblique direction. However, as described in Patent Document 1, the provision of an edge tether 60 or a correction tether 53 makes the structure of the airbag cushion complicated, which is likely to affect the folding method during storage and the manufacturing cost, so a simpler structure is required.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an occupant protection device that has an improved occupant restraining force with a simple structure.

[0010] Solutions to the problem

[0011] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the representative structure of the occupant protection device involved in the present invention is that it is an occupant protection device with an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys between the instrument panel of the vehicle and the occupant sitting on the front passenger seat, characterized in that the airbag cushion has: a pair of side panels, which are located on both sides in the vehicle width direction; a main panel, which connects the edges of the pair of side panels to each other, the main panel, which forms an occupant restraint surface that contacts the occupant on the occupant side, and a bulging portion that continuously bulges out within a specified range from the occupant restraint surface of the main panel to one side panel is formed on the side panel on one side of the center side in the vehicle width direction. When the occupant contacts the occupant restraint surface, the bulging portion contacts a specified part of the instrument panel to absorb the force received from the occupant.

[0012] According to the above structure, when the occupant moves obliquely forward of the center side in the vehicle width direction relative to the airbag cushion, a bulging portion is formed on one side panel, and the bulging portion contacts the structure in the center of the instrument panel, thereby supporting the posture of the airbag cushion. As a result, the posture of the airbag cushion is stabilized, and the airbag cushion can effectively absorb the load from the occupant to catch the occupant. Therefore, according to the above structure, an occupant protection device with improved occupant restraint force can be provided with a simple structure.

[0013] The one side panel may be configured to have a larger dimension in a direction corresponding to the front-rear direction of the vehicle than the other side panel arranged on the opposite side to the main panel before being connected to the main panel.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the bulging portion can be efficiently formed on one of the side panels.

[0015] The one side panel may have a predetermined sewed portion in a part of the range where the bulge is formed, and the sewed portion may be a state in which a part of the one side panel is folded along a fold extending in the up-down direction.

[0016] According to the above configuration, by folding a part of one side panel having a larger dimension in the front-rear direction to provide the tuck portion, a bulge can be efficiently formed on the one side panel when the occupant enters obliquely.

[0017] The one side panel may further include a vent hole provided in the range where the pleat portion is formed and capable of discharging gas in the airbag cushion, and the vent hole may be opened when the bulge portion is inflated and deployed.

[0018] According to the above structure, by providing the vent hole in the pleat portion, the gas pressure can be easily applied to the pleat portion, and the bulge portion can be efficiently formed. In addition, by opening the vent hole after the bulge portion is formed, the internal pressure of the airbag cushion can be reduced, and the burden on the occupant can be reduced.

[0019] The side panel on one side may further include a sewn portion for sewing and fixing the dart portion in a folded state. By providing the sewn portion, the formation of the dart portion can be appropriately maintained.

[0020] The sewn portion may also be broken during the expansion of the airbag cushion. For example, by adopting a structure in which the sewn portion is broken when the internal pressure of the airbag cushion increases to a certain level, such as when the occupant comes into contact with the airbag cushion, the pleat portion can be released at a more appropriate time to form a bulge.

[0021] The upper end and the lower end of the dart portion can also be sewn on the edge of the main panel. Through this structure, the formation of the dart portion can be maintained.

[0022] The above-mentioned main panel may have a recessed portion extending in the up-down direction and concave forward at the center of the width direction of the occupant restraint surface, and the occupant restraint surface may include a bulging restraint surface formed on both sides of the recessed portion to bulge toward the occupant side when the airbag cushion is inflated and deployed, so as to restrain the occupant.

[0023] According to the above configuration, for example, when the occupant comes into contact with the bulging restraining surface located closer to the center in the vehicle width direction than the recessed portion of the occupant restraining surface, the bulging portion can be efficiently formed.

[0024] The occupant restraining surface may be in a state where the upper side and the lower side of the recessed portion are not recessed but bulge gently toward the occupant side.

[0025] According to the above configuration, the vicinity of the face of the occupant can be restrained by the recessed portion, and the forehead, chest, etc. of the occupant can be appropriately restrained by the upper and lower portions of the recessed portion.

[0026] The instrument panel may include a predetermined structure that is disposed at the center in the vehicle width direction and projects upward or rearward of the vehicle, and the bulging portion may contact the structure from behind.

[0027] Examples of the structure include a display of a navigation system, etc. According to the above configuration, the bulge contacts the structure in the center of the instrument panel from behind, so that the posture of the airbag cushion is stabilized and the airbag cushion can effectively absorb the load from the occupant and receive the occupant.

[0028] Effects of the Invention

[0029] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an occupant protection device that has an improved occupant restraining force with a simple structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 It is a diagram illustrating the outline of the occupant protection device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 (b) is a schematic AA cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion.

[0032] Figure 3 This is an example showing Figure 1 (b) is a schematic diagram of an airbag cushion.

[0033] Figure 4 This is an example showing Figure 3 (a) is a diagram of a pair of side panels of an airbag cushion.

[0034] Figure 5 This is an example showing Figure 1 (b) is a diagram showing the process in which the airbag cushion restrains the occupant.

[0035] Figure 6 This is an example showing Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a diagram of a modified example of the side panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values ​​shown in the above embodiments are only for illustration to facilitate understanding of the invention, and unless otherwise specified, do not limit the present invention. In addition, in this specification and the accompanying drawings, for elements having substantially the same function and structure, repeated description is omitted by marking the same symbols, and elements that are not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the drawings.

[0037] Figure 1 It is a diagram illustrating the outline of an occupant protection device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 (a) is a diagram illustrating a vehicle before the occupant protection device 100 is activated.

[0038] In this embodiment, the occupant protection device 100 is used as a passenger seat of a right-hand drive vehicle, and is implemented as a passenger airbag arranged in front of the front left seat 104. In the following, for example, the vehicle outer side in the vehicle width direction refers to the vehicle left side, and the vehicle inner side in the vehicle width direction refers to the vehicle right side. In addition, the upper side refers to the occupant 114 (refer to FIG. 1 ) who is sitting on the seat 104 in a normal position. Figure 2 ) refers to the direction of the head observed from the occupant 114, and downward refers to the direction of the lower limbs observed from the occupant 114.

[0039] In the present embodiment, when the passenger sits down in a regular posture relative to the seat 104 as the front passenger seat, the direction in which the passenger is facing is set to the front, the direction of the opposite back is set to the rear, the right hand side of the passenger is set to the right direction, and the left hand side of the passenger is set to the left direction. In addition, when the passenger sits down in a regular posture, the direction of the passenger's head is set to the top, and the direction under the passenger's feet is set to the bottom. In the drawings used in the following description, the front, back, left, right, up and down directions based on the passenger in the regular seated position are indicated by arrows F (Forward), B (Back), L (Left), R (Right), U (up), and D (down) as needed.

[0040] The airbag cushion 108 of the occupant protection device 100 (see Figure 1 (b)) is accommodated in an accommodation portion 106 provided on the instrument panel 102 of the vehicle. The accommodation portion 106 is provided in the vehicle front of the seat 104 and accommodates an inflator 110 (see FIG. 1 ) as a gas generating device in addition to the airbag cushion 108. Figure 2 ).

[0041] Figure 1 (b) is an example showing Figure 1 (a) is a diagram of a vehicle after the occupant protection device 100 is activated. The airbag cushion 108 is bag-shaped and is formed by overlapping and sewing or bonding a plurality of panels constituting the surface thereof.

[0042] In this embodiment, a navigation system display 116 is arranged as a predetermined structure at the center of the instrument panel 102 in the vehicle width direction. The display 116 is provided to protrude toward the rear of the vehicle compared to the design surface 102b in front of the seat 104 in the instrument panel 102. The airbag cushion 108 utilizes a bulging portion 126 described later, and the display 116 can also be used as a support surface.

[0043] The above-mentioned structures may include, in addition to the display 116 of the navigation system, various equipment that protrudes upward and rearward of the vehicle beyond the design surface 102 b of the instrument panel 102 , such as an instrument panel on which instruments are arranged.

[0044] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 (b) is a schematic AA cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion 108. Figure 2 As shown, the airbag cushion 108 is inflated and deployed between the upper surface 102a of the instrument panel 102 and the windshield 112 and between the design surface 102b of the instrument panel 102 and the occupant 114 of the seat 104 while being grounded to restrain the occupant 114 from the front of the vehicle.

[0045] The front expansion portion 108 a of the airbag cushion 108 has a shape tapering forward along the upper surface 102 a of the instrument panel 102 and the windshield 112 , and maintains the posture of the airbag cushion 108 by contacting the upper surface 102 a of the instrument panel 102 and the windshield 112 .

[0046] The rear inflation portion 108 b of the airbag cushion 108 is enlarged in vertical dimension along the design surface 102 b of the rear side of the instrument panel 102 , and restrains the occupant 114 mainly from the head to the upper body.

[0047] A portion of an inflator 110 as a gas generating device is inserted inside the airbag cushion 108. The inflator 110 is fixed to the inside of the instrument panel 102 with a stud (not shown), and operates due to an impact detection signal from a predetermined sensor, and supplies gas to the airbag cushion 108. The airbag cushion 108 begins to expand by the gas from the inflator 110, and the cover portion 107 (see FIG. 1 ) is expanded by the expansion pressure. Figure 1 (a)) cracks, etc. and expands and spreads toward the seat 104.

[0048] In this embodiment, the inflator 110 is a disk-type (disc-type) inflator. Popular inflators include a type that is filled with a gas generating agent and burns to generate gas, a type that is filled with compressed gas and supplies gas without generating heat, or a hybrid type that uses both combustion gas and compressed gas. Any type of inflator can be used as the inflator 110.

[0049] Figure 3 This is an example showing Figure 1 (b) is a schematic diagram of the airbag cushion 108. Figure 3 (a) is Figure 1 (b) is a diagram similarly illustrating an example of viewing the airbag cushion 108 from the seat 104 side.

[0050] The outer surface of the airbag cushion 108 is composed of a central main panel 118 and a pair of left and right side panels 120 , 122 .

[0051] The main panel 118 is provided around the front and rear and up and down sides of the airbag cushion 108, and connects the edges of the pair of left and right side panels 120 and 122 to each other. Figure 2 ) forms an occupant restraint surface 124 for restraining the occupant 114.

[0052] The pair of left and right side panels 120, 122 are located on both sides of the airbag cushion 108 in the vehicle width direction, forming the side portion of the airbag cushion 108. In the present embodiment, the size of the side panel 122 on the center side in the vehicle width direction is set larger than the size of the side panel 120 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and a bulging portion 126 described later is formed in a part of the side panel 122.

[0053] Figure 3 (b) From the top of the center side in the vehicle width direction Figure 1 (a) is a perspective view showing an example of an airbag cushion 108 .

[0054] When the airbag cushion 108 is inflated and deployed, a predetermined range including a portion of the side panel 122 continuously bulges out from the main panel 118 to form a bulging portion 126. The bulging portion 126 is formed on the vehicle interior side of the rear inflation portion 108b and is aligned with the display 116 (see Figure 1 (a)) is in contact with the airbag cushion 108 and uses it as a support surface to maintain the posture of the airbag cushion 108.

[0055] Figure 4 This is an example showing Figure 3 (a) is a diagram of a pair of side panels 120 and 122 of the airbag cushion 108.

[0056] Figure 4 (a) is an example showing Figure 3 (a) is a diagram of a side panel 120 on the outside of the vehicle placed on a plane. The side panel 120 is formed in a shape that is bent as a whole so that it can be formed before being connected to the main panel 118. Figure 2 The illustrated example includes a front expansion portion 108a extending forward and backward and a rear expansion portion 108b extending upward and downward. The side panel 120 is also provided with exhaust holes 132 for exhausting gas.

[0057] Figure 4 (b) is an example showing Figure 3 (b) is a diagram of the side panel 122 on the vehicle interior side placed on a plane. When the side panel 122 is expanded in a plane before being connected to the main panel 118, the dimension T2 in the direction corresponding to the vehicle front-rear direction of the airbag cushion 108 is set to be larger than that of the side panel 120 ( Figure 4 (a)) has a large dimension T1 in a direction corresponding to the vehicle front-rear direction (T2>T1).

[0058] The side panel 122 is provided with a folded area 128, which is folded when the airbag cushion 108 is formed. The folded area 128 is folded back along the outer fold line L1 and the inner fold line L2 to form a dart portion 130. The dart portion 130 is provided in the side panel 122 to form the bulge portion 126 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 3 (b)) on a portion of the range.

[0059] Figure 4 (c) is Figure 4 (b) is a diagram showing a state where the dart portion 130 is formed on the side panel 122. The side panel 122 has a symmetrical shape with the side panel 120 on the opposite side due to the formation of the folded dart portion 130.

[0060] Figure 4 (d) Yes Figure 4 (c) is a BB cross-sectional view of the dart portion 130 of the side panel 122. The dart portion 130 is folded forward at the outer fold line L1 and then folded rearward at the inner fold line L2 so that the folded region 128 is located inside the airbag cushion 108.

[0061] like Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1, the upper end 130a and the lower end 130b of the pleat portion 130 are connected to the main panel 118 (see FIG. 1) by sewing 134, similarly to the other portions of the edge of the side panel 122. Figure 3 Thus, the dart portion 130 is kept folded back, and the formation of the dart portion 130 is maintained before and after the airbag cushion 108 is inflated and deployed.

[0062] Figure 5 This is an example showing Figure 1 (b) is a diagram showing a process in which the airbag cushion 108 restrains the occupant 114 .

[0063] Figure 5 (a) is a schematic illustration of Figure 1 (b) is a CC cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion 108 . The pleat portion 130 is formed in a range of the side panel 122 that is located behind the display 116 .

[0064] A recessed portion 136 that is recessed forward is formed on the occupant restraining surface 124 of the main panel 118. Figure 3 As shown in (a), the recess 136 is formed to extend in the vertical direction at the center of the width direction of the occupant restraint surface 124. The recess 136 is formed by joining the occupant restraint surface 124 by welding or the like, or by pulling the occupant restraint surface 124 forward from the inside of the airbag cushion 108 by a tether or the like.

[0065] like Figure 5 As shown in (a), the occupant restraint surface 124 is in a state where both sides of the recess 136 bulge toward the occupant 114. Thus, the occupant restraint surface 124 is formed with a bulging restraint surface 124a on the vehicle outer side of the recess 136 and a bulging restraint surface 124b on the vehicle inner side of the recess 136.

[0066] Figure 5 (b) is an example showing the occupants and Figure 5(a) is a diagram showing a state when the airbag cushion 108 contacts the seat 104. In the case of an oblique collision in the vehicle tilting direction, the occupant 114 may be dislodged from the seat 104 (see Figure 1 (b)) The airbag cushion 108 enters the oblique front of the vehicle interior. At this time, the airbag cushion 108 can catch the occupant 114 through the bulging restraint surface 124b on the vehicle interior.

[0067] Figure 5 (c) is an example showing Figure 5 (b) is a diagram showing a state in which the occupant 114 further enters the front of the vehicle interior. When the occupant 114 contacts the bulging restraint surface 124b which is closer to the center side in the vehicle width direction than the concave portion 136 which is the center part of the occupant restraint surface 124, a part of the side panel 122 on the vehicle interior side bulges to form a bulging portion 126. The range from the bulging restraint surface 124b of the main panel 118 to a part of the side panel 122 bulges toward the center side in the vehicle width direction and in the vehicle front-rear direction to form a bulging portion 126. At this time, the pleat portion 130 is formed behind the display 116, and the bulging portion 126 is also mainly formed behind the display 116. Then, the bulging portion 126 contacts the display 116 from the rear.

[0068] Figure 5 (d) is an example showing Figure 5 (c) shows a state where the occupant 114 further enters the front of the vehicle interior. The bulging portion 126 uses the display 116 as a support surface, so that the airbag cushion 108 can also receive a reaction force from the display 116. That is, the bulging portion 126 can absorb the force received by the airbag cushion 108 from the occupant 114 by contacting the display 116. Thus, the airbag cushion 108 can maintain its posture even when the occupant enters obliquely, and appropriately restrain the occupant.

[0069] like Figure 4 As shown in (c), the pleat portion 130 is formed by folding a portion of the side panel 122 along the fold lines (outer fold line L1, inner fold line L2) extending in the vertical direction. Figure 5 As exemplified in (d) and the like, when the occupant 114 comes into contact with the vehicle width direction center side of the recessed portion 136 in the occupant restraining surface 124 , the bulging portion 126 can be efficiently formed.

[0070] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1A , in the passenger restraint surface 124 of the main panel 118, the bulging restraint surface 124b is bulged integrally with the bulging portion 126 of the side panel 122, and the bulging restraint surface 124b also forms a part of the vehicle rear side of the bulging portion 126. When the airbag cushion 108 is inflated and deployed, the occupant 114 side (see FIG. 1B ) is bulged. Figure 5(b), etc.), the range W2 of the airbag cushion 108 from the recessed portion 136 to the vehicle inner side is larger in the vehicle width direction than the range W1 from the recessed portion 136 to the vehicle outer side.

[0071] As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the occupant 114 enters the airbag cushion 108 obliquely forward of the center side in the vehicle width direction, the bulging portion 126 is formed on the side panel 122, and the bulging portion 126 contacts the display 116 protruding from the center of the instrument panel 102. As a result, the posture of the airbag cushion 108 is stabilized, and the airbag cushion 108 can effectively absorb the load from the occupant 114 and catch the occupant 114 even when the occupant 114 enters obliquely. In this way, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the occupant protection device 100 that improves the occupant restraining force with a simple structure.

[0072] The airbag cushion 108 of this embodiment folds a portion of the large side panel 122 in a direction corresponding to the front-rear direction of the vehicle to provide the pleat portion 130, thereby effectively forming the bulge portion 126 during restraint, thereby achieving an improvement in the restraint force of the occupant. In this way, the airbag cushion 108 can efficiently form the bulge portion 126 with a simple structure by utilizing the large side panel 122 and the pleats 130, without requiring a complicated mechanism such as an internal tie.

[0073] In the present embodiment, the pleat portion 130 is formed in the side panel 122 in a range behind the display 116 , but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the position of the pleat portion 130 may be appropriately changed in accordance with the structure of the instrument panel 102 .

[0074] like Figure 3 In the example shown in (b), the occupant restraining surface 124 of the airbag cushion 108 has an upper portion 124c on the upper side and a lower portion 124d on the lower side of the recess 136 that is not recessed but is formed to be gently inclined toward the occupant 114 side (see Figure 2 According to the upper part 124c and the lower part 124d, the concave part 136 is used to restrain the vicinity of the face of the occupant 114, and the upper part 124c is used to restrain the forehead of the occupant, and the lower part 124d is used to restrain the chest of the occupant, etc., so that the occupant can be restrained better.

[0075] (Variation Example)

[0076] Figure 6 This is an example showing Figure 4FIG. 1 is a diagram of a modified example (side panel 200) of the side panel 122. In the following description, the same symbols are marked on the components that have been described, thereby omitting their description. In addition, components with the same names as the components that have been described have the same structure and function even if different symbols are marked.

[0077] Figure 6 (a) is an example showing the corresponding Figure 4 (b) is a diagram of the side panel 200. The side panel 200 has a vent 202 in the folded region 128 which is a range where the dart portion 130 is formed.

[0078] The exhaust hole 202 is used to exhaust the airbag cushion 108 (see Figure 3 Therefore, in the side panel 200, when the gas flows from the exhaust hole 202 to the outside, the folded area 128 around the exhaust hole 202 is easily affected by the force of the gas.

[0079] Figure 6 (b) is an example showing the corresponding Figure 4 (c) is a diagram of the side panel 200. The exhaust hole 202 is formed by folding the folded area 128 to form the dart portion 130, and is in a state of being folded inside the dart portion 130.

[0080] The side panel 200 is provided with sewn portions 204a and 204b on the pleat portion 130. The sewn portions 204a and 204b are portions where the pleat portion 130 is sewn and fixed in a folded state, and are provided at respective portions above and below the exhaust hole 202 in the pleat portion 130. The side panel 200 can maintain the formation of the pleat portion 130 appropriately by providing the sewn portions 204a and 204b.

[0081] In this modification, the sewing portions 204a and 204b are provided as temporary sewing, and the thread used can be broken by a certain degree of force. Figure 5 (b), etc.) is filled with gas. When the force of the gas applied to the pleat portion 130 reaches a certain level, the sewn portions 204a and 204b are broken, the pleat portion 130 is released, and the exhaust hole 202 is opened.

[0082] Figure 6 (c) Yes Figure 6 (b) is a DD cross-sectional view of the side panel 200. Since the pleat portion 130 is sewn by the sewing portions 204a and 204b, the airbag cushion 108 (see Figure 3 The formation of the dart portion 130 is maintained until the internal pressure of (b) etc.) rises to a certain level.

[0083] Figure 6 (d) Yes Figure 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of the side panel 200 taken along line EE. The exhaust hole 202 is located inside the pleat portion 130. Therefore, the exhaust hole 202 is located inside the pleat portion 130. Figure 6 (c)) until the airbag cushion 108 (refer to Figure 5 Before the internal pressure of (a) etc.) rises to a certain level, the outflow of gas from the exhaust hole 202 can be suppressed. According to this structure, the internal pressure of the airbag cushion 108 rises early in the initial stage of inflation and deployment, so that the inflation and deployment can be completed more smoothly and quickly.

[0084] Figure 6 (e) is an example showing Figure 6 (c) is a diagram showing a state in which the pressure of the gas applied to the side panel 200 is increased. In the case where the side panel 200 is used, for example, Figure 5 As shown in (b), when the occupant 114 comes into contact with the inflated and deployed airbag cushion 108, the load from the occupant 114 is applied to the bulging restraining surface 124a, thereby increasing the internal pressure of the airbag cushion 108. Furthermore, the force of the gas applied to the dart portion 130 is also greater than before the occupant restraint, and the gas force acts to open the dart portion 130, so that the sewn portions 204a and 204b are stretched and broken.

[0085] Figure 6 (f) is an example showing Figure 6 (d) is a diagram showing a state in which the bulging portion 126 is formed on the side panel 200. Figure 6 (e)) When the slit 130 is broken, the fold of the slit 130 is eliminated, the gas is discharged from the exhaust hole 202, and the force of the gas is concentrated in the area around the exhaust hole 202, thereby the range including the slit 130 bulges to form a bulging portion 126.

[0086] By adopting the side panel 200, Figure 5 Similarly to the side panel 122 of (d), the bulging portion 126 uses the display 116 as a support surface, and the airbag cushion 108 receives a reaction force from the display 116, thereby improving its occupant restraint force. In addition, in this structure, when the head of the occupant 114 contacts the bulging restraint surface 124a, the sewn portions 204a and 204b (see Figure 6 (c)) is released, the bulging portion 126 expands and expands, and the exhaust hole 202 opens, and the exhaust amount of gas increases. As a result, the internal pressure of the airbag cushion 108 is reduced, and the burden on the occupant 114 is reduced, for example, the injury value of the head of the occupant 114 can be suppressed.

[0087] As described above, the side panel 200 provides the vent holes 202 in the pleat portion 130, so that gas pressure can be easily applied to the pleat portion 130, and the bulge portion 126 can be efficiently formed. In addition, the side panel 200 provides the sewed portions 204a and 204b that can be broken in the pleat portion 130, so that the pleat portion 130 can be kept formed before the occupant is restrained, and the pleat portion 130 can be released at a more appropriate timing, such as when the occupant is restrained and the internal pressure of the airbag cushion 108 increases to a certain level or more, and the bulge portion 126 can be efficiently formed.

[0088] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the main panel 118 and the side panels 120, 122, 200 can not only be formed as a panel component, but also can be formed by combining a plurality of panels. In addition, the main panel 118 and a part of each side panel 120, 122, 200 can also be formed as a panel of a continuous, integrally integrated structure.

[0089] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the above-described embodiments are preferred examples of the present invention, and other embodiments may be implemented or completed by various methods. Unless there is a special limitation in the specification of this application, the present invention is not restricted by the shape, size, and structural configuration of the detailed components shown in the drawings. In addition, the expressions and terms used in the specification of this application are for the purpose of explanation, and are not limited thereto unless there is a special limitation in the specification.

[0090] Therefore, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can conceive of various changes and modifications within the scope described in the claims, and these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0091] Industrial Applicability

[0092] The present invention can be used for an occupant protection device including an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys between an instrument panel of a vehicle and an occupant in a front passenger seat.

[0093] Explanation of symbols

[0094] 100…Occupant protection device 102…Instrument panel

[0095] 102a…upper surface 102b…design surface

[0096] 104 ... seat 106 ... storage part

[0097] 108 ... airbag cushion 108a ... front side inflation portion

[0098] 108b ... rear side inflation portion 110 ... inflator

[0099] 112… Windshield 114… Passenger

[0100] 116…Display 118…Main panel

[0101] 120, 122…side panels 124…occupant restraint surface

[0102] 124a, 124b...bulge restraining surface 124c...upper side portion

[0103] 124d...lower part 126...bulging part

[0104] 128 ... folded area 130 ... pleat

[0105] 132…Vent hole 134…Sewing

[0106] 136 ... concave portion L1 ... outer fold line

[0107] L 2…Inner fold line T1, T 2…Dimensions

[0108] W 1…the area outside the vehicle W 2…the area inside the vehicle

[0109] 200…Side panel 202…Exhaust hole

[0110] 204a, 204b ... sewing section

Claims

1. An occupant protection device, comprising an airbag cushion, which is inflated and deployed between a dashboard of a vehicle and an occupant seated on a front passenger seat, characterized in that: The airbag cushion has: A pair of side panels, which are located on both sides in the vehicle width direction; a main panel which connects the edges of the pair of side panels to each other, the main panel forming an occupant restraint surface on the occupant side with which the occupant contacts, A bulging portion is formed on one of the side panels disposed on the center side in the vehicle width direction of the pair of side panels, the bulging portion bulging continuously from the occupant restraining surface of the main panel to the one side panel by a predetermined range. When the occupant comes into contact with the occupant restraining surface, the bulging portion comes into contact with a predetermined portion of the instrument panel to absorb a force received from the occupant.

2. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Before being connected to the main panel, the one side panel has a larger dimension in a direction corresponding to the front-rear direction of the vehicle than the other side panel arranged on the opposite side to the main panel.

3. The occupant protection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The one side panel has a predetermined slit portion in a portion of a range forming the bulging portion. The dart portion is in a state where a portion of the one side panel is folded along a fold extending in the up-down direction.

4. The occupant protection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The one side panel further includes a vent hole provided in a range where the dart portion is formed and capable of discharging gas in the airbag cushion. The exhaust hole opens when the bulge expands and expands.

5. The occupant protection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The one side panel further includes a sewn portion that sews and fixes the dart portion in the folded state.

6. The occupant protection device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The sewn portion may be broken during the inflation of the airbag cushion.

7. The occupant protection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The upper end and the lower end of the pleat portion are sewn on the edge of the main panel.

8. The occupant protection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The main panel has a concave portion that is formed in the center of the occupant restraining surface in the width direction and extends in the up-down direction and is concave forward. The occupant restraining surface includes a bulging restraining surface formed so as to be inflated toward the occupant at both sides of the recessed portion when the airbag cushion is inflated and deployed, thereby being able to restrain the occupant.

9. The occupant protection device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The occupant restraining surface is in a state where the upper side and the lower side of the recessed portion are not recessed but gently bulge toward the occupant side.

10. The occupant protection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The instrument panel has a predetermined structure disposed at the center in the vehicle width direction and protruding upward or rearward of the vehicle. The bulge may contact the structure from behind.

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