Occupant restraint device

Abstract

Provided is an occupant restraint device capable of ensuring the deployment performance of an airbag cushion even when a vehicle accessory is provided above an instrument panel. An occupant restraint device (10) is provided with an airbag cushion (12) which is inflated and deployed from an instrument panel (20) in front of a vehicle in a vehicle compartment to a passenger (P) when an emergency occurs in the vehicle. The airbag cushion (12) has, when viewed from the side after completion of inflation and deployment, a front end section (31) located on the front side of the vehicle, a rear end section (32) located on the opposite side of the front end section (31), and a constricted section (33) located between the front end section (31) and the rear end section (32) and located in a region above the instrument panel (20). The position of the contraction part (33) in the front-rear direction of the vehicle corresponds to the position of a vehicle accessory such as a navigation display (24) protruding upwards from the instrument panel (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an occupant restraint device having an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys from an instrument panel in front of the vehicle in the vehicle interior toward an occupant when an emergency occurs in the vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Regarding the airbag cushion of such an occupant restraint device, various airbag and panel structures are known. For example, the airbag cushion in Patent Document 1 is configured by connecting a sub-airbag to a side surface portion on the vehicle-width direction inner side of a main airbag. When inflating and deploying, the main airbag is located substantially directly in front of the co-driver seat occupant. The sub-airbag receives an inflow of gas from the main airbag by abutting against the occupant and the main airbag, and thus inflates and deploys.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-031159 Summary of the Invention

[0005] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, as a vehicle with future possibilities, it is conceivable to provide a vehicle accessory such as a large-sized display above the instrument panel. In this regard, this is not considered in Patent Document 1.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an occupant restraint device that can ensure the deployment performance of the airbag cushion even when a vehicle accessory is provided above the instrument panel.

[0008] Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] An occupant restraint device according to an aspect of the present invention has an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys from an instrument panel in front of the vehicle in the vehicle interior toward an occupant when an emergency occurs in the vehicle. After the airbag cushion has completed inflation and deployment, when viewed from the side, it has a front end portion located on the front side of the vehicle, a rear end portion located on the opposite side of the front end portion, and a constriction portion located between the front end portion and the rear end portion and in a region above the instrument panel.

[0010] According to this aspect, even when a vehicle accessory is provided above the instrument panel, the airbag cushion can suppress interference with the vehicle accessory by the constriction portion. On the other hand, while suppressing interference, the constriction portion can also serve as a receiving portion that receives the reaction force of the inflation and deployment from the vehicle accessory, thereby guiding the direction of inflation and deployment to a predetermined direction. Therefore, even when a vehicle accessory is provided above the instrument panel, it does not affect the inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion, and the deployment performance of the airbag cushion can be ensured. The position of the minimum cross-sectional area portion of the constriction portion, that is, the position of the minimum constriction portion, can be set to be substantially the same as the position of the maximum protruding portion of the vehicle accessory. Description of the Drawings

[0011] Figure 1 , which is a side view showing the airbag cushion at the completion of inflation and deployment together with the instrument panel and the occupant, related to Embodiment 1.

[0012] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 An enlarged side view of the airbag cushion at the completion of inflation and deployment.

[0013] Figure 2A Shows Figure 2 A top view of the cross-section taken along line IIA-IIA of

[0014] Figure 3A Is a side view showing the airbag cushion at the completion of inflation and deployment related to Embodiment 1 together with the navigation display.

[0015] Figure 3B Is Figure 3A A top view of

[0016] Figure 3C Is each cross-sectional view when cutting along each line in Figure 3A

[0017] Figure 4A Is an example of the center panel of the airbag cushion related to Embodiment 1.

[0018] Figure 4B Is an example of the first side panel of the airbag cushion related to Embodiment 1.

[0019] Figure 4C Is an example of the second side panel of the airbag cushion related to Embodiment 1.

[0020] Figure 4D Is a side view of the airbag cushion at the completion of inflation and deployment related to Embodiment 1.

[0021] Figure 5 Is a side view showing the process of inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion over time in the occupant restraint device related to Embodiment 1.

[0022] Figure 6 Is a view showing the process of inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion over time in the occupant restraint device related to Embodiment 1, which is a front view when observed from the rear in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0023] Figure 7A Is an example of the center panel of the airbag cushion related to Embodiment 2.

[0024] Figure 7B Is an example of the first side panel of the airbag cushion related to Embodiment 2.

[0025] ​Figure 7C This is an example of the second side panel of the airbag cushion involved in Embodiment 2.

[0026] Figure 8A This is a cross-sectional view when the airbag cushion at the completion of inflation and deployment involved in Embodiment 2 is cut along the Figure 3A position of line A-A.

[0027] Figure 8B This is Figure 8A an enlarged view of part 8B in Detailed Embodiment

[0028] <Term Definitions and Summary of Embodiments>

[0029] The occupant restraint device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, up and down, left and right, and front and back are defined as follows. When the occupant is seated on the vehicle seat in a regular posture, the direction the occupant faces is called the front, and the opposite direction is called the back. When representing the coordinate axes, it is called the front-back direction or the vehicle front-back direction. In addition, when the occupant is seated on the seat in a regular posture, the right side of the occupant is called the right direction, and the left side of the occupant is called the left direction. When representing the coordinate axes, it is called the left-right direction or the vehicle width direction. Similarly, when the occupant is seated on the seat in a regular posture, the direction of the occupant's head is called the upper direction, and the direction of the occupant's waist is called the lower direction. When representing the coordinate axes, it is called the up-down direction.

[0030] In addition, in this specification, "occupant" or "rider" refers to a person corresponding to the average body type of an American male according to the frontal collision test dummy (Hybrid III AM50 / NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the United States] standard [frontal collision test human dummy specified in 49 CFR Part 572 Subpart E and O]), with approximate dimensions of height 175 cm, sitting height 88 cm, and weight 78 kg.

[0031] The occupant restraint device involved in the embodiment has an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys from the instrument panel in the front of the vehicle interior to the rider (for example, the rider in the passenger seat) when an emergency occurs in the vehicle. The airbag cushion is usually folded or rolled up and housed in the instrument panel. When an emergency occurs in the vehicle, the airbag cushion receives the supply of gas from the inflator and inflates and deploys toward the rider inside the windshield (front glass). Vehicle emergencies include, for example, collisions in front of the vehicle, rollovers, etc., but are not limited to these.

[0032] In addition, the occupant restraint device has a vehicle accessory that protrudes upward from the instrument panel. The vehicle accessory is typically a navigation display, but is not limited thereto. For example, the vehicle accessory can be a touch display, an instrument panel, a controller for an air conditioner, a speaker, etc., or can be a bracket, a dock, etc. for mounting a mobile communication device, such as an iPhone (registered trademark). Hereinafter, a navigation display will be described as an example of the vehicle accessory.

[0033] The navigation display is usually installed near the center in the front of the vehicle interior. However, if the navigation display is enlarged, a part of the navigation display may protrude upward from the instrument panel. In the occupant restraint device of the present embodiment, in order to consider and / or utilize the protruding portion of the navigation display, a contraction portion is formed on the airbag cushion at the completion of inflation deployment to ensure the deployment performance of the airbag cushion.

[0034] <First Embodiment of Occupant Restraint Device>

[0035] As Figure 1 shown, the occupant restraint device 10 includes an airbag cushion 12 that inflates and deploys when an emergency occurs in the vehicle. The airbag cushion 12 receives air supply from the inflator 14 and inflates and deploys toward the occupant P from the instrument panel 20 in the front of the vehicle interior. At this time, the airbag cushion 12 inflates and deploys inside the windshield 22. That is, the airbag cushion 12 inflates and deploys into the space surrounded by the instrument panel 20, the windshield 22, and the occupant P.

[0036] The airbag cushion 12 is normally folded and housed in the housing 16, and the inflator 14 is fixed in the housing 16. The housing 16 is installed in the instrument panel 20 of the vehicle. The housing 16 may have an outer cover or be combined with such an outer cover, and the outer cover includes stitches through which the airbag cushion 12 can deploy. The housing 16 is constituted by, for example, a shallow-bottomed case with an opening at the top, and provides a reaction force to the airbag cushion 12 when the airbag cushion 12 inflates and deploys. In the occupant restraint device 10, the airbag device is configured to be modularized by the airbag cushion 12, the inflator 14, the housing 16, etc., and the airbag device is housed in the instrument panel 20.

[0037] The inflator 14 is electrically connected to the vehicle-side ECU. For example, when an emergency occurs in the vehicle, the inflator 14 starts after receiving a signal indicating a detected collision or impact from the vehicle-side ECU, and instantaneously supplies air to the airbag cushion 12. As the inflator 14, various types filled with a gas generant, compressed gas, or both can be used. As an example, the inflator 14 is a bottomed cylindrical body, and the open end has an ignition device. And, the gas generant in the cylindrical body is ignited by this ignition device, thereby generating gas, and the gas for inflation deployment is supplied into the airbag cushion 14 through a plurality of spray holes on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical body.

[0038] In addition, the occupant restraint device 10 has a navigation display 24 that protrudes upward from the instrument panel 20, i.e., a vehicle accessory. The navigation display 24 is installed, for example, near the center in the front of the vehicle interior. When viewed from the center in the vehicle width direction, a part of the navigation display 24 is located on the front side of the occupant. In addition, a part of the navigation display 24 is located in the upper space of the instrument panel 20.

[0039] Figure 2 is an enlarged view showing the airbag cushion 12 when the inflation and deployment are completed. As Figure 2 shown, when the airbag cushion 12 is viewed from the side, it has a front end portion 31 located on the front side of the vehicle, a rear end portion 32 located on the opposite side of the front end portion 31, and a constricted portion 33 located between the front end portion 31 and the rear end portion 32 and in the region above the instrument panel 20. In addition, when the airbag cushion 12 is viewed from the side, it has an upper portion 34 connecting the upper portions of the front end portion 31 and the rear end portion 32 and a lower portion 35 connecting the lower portions of the front end portion 31 and the rear end portion 32. The front end portion 31 faces the windshield 22 and can abut against the windshield 22 (see Figure 1 ). On the other hand, the rear end portion 32 faces the occupant P and can abut against the occupant P (see Figure 1 ).

[0040] The constricted portion 33 is a part on the middle portion of the airbag cushion 12 and is narrower or recessed in the vertical direction and / or the horizontal direction compared to the front and rear portions of the constricted portion 33. For example, as Figure 2 shown, the constricted portion 33 is thinner when viewed from the side or narrower in the vertical direction compared to its front and rear portions.

[0041] In addition, the middle portion of the airbag cushion 12 refers to the portion between the front end portion 31 and the rear end portion 32 in the airbag cushion 12 that inflates and deploys. When viewed from the side, it is the portion from the rearmost end of the housing 16 that houses the airbag cushion 12 (for example, Figure 3A , 3C near the cross-sections O-O, P-P) to the portion with the maximum cross-section of the airbag cushion 12 (for example, Figure 3A , 3C near the cross-sections D-D, E-E, F-F).

[0042] And, for example, as Figure 2 shown in the top view of the cross-section of line IIA-IIA in Figure 2A , the constricted portion 33 may also include a portion that narrows in the horizontal direction in the cross-section. As an example, the position of the minimum cross-sectional area portion of the constricted portion 33, i.e., the minimum constricted portion 33A, can be set to be approximately the same as the position of the maximum protruding portion of the vehicle accessory (for example, the maximum protruding portion 24A of the navigation display 24), and it can be arranged to avoid this protruding portion.

[0043] From another perspective, between the front end portion 31 and the rear end portion 32 of the airbag cushion 12, the cross-sectional area of the cross-section perpendicular to the vehicle front-rear direction changes. It can be considered that the constriction portion 33 is formed by the portion with the smallest cross-sectional area and the front and rear portions of this portion, that is, the portions where the cross-sectional area gradually becomes smaller towards this portion.

[0044] Based on this change in the cross-sectional area, when the airbag cushion 12 is divided in the vehicle front-rear direction when the inflation and deployment are completed, the airbag cushion 12 will be divided into a first portion 41, a second portion 42, and a third portion 43. Specifically, from the front end portion 31 to the first portion 41, the cross-sectional area gradually increases; from the first portion 41 to the second portion 42, the cross-sectional area gradually decreases; from the second portion 42 to the third portion 43, the cross-sectional area gradually increases; from the third portion 43 to the rear end portion 32, the cross-sectional area gradually decreases.

[0045] The constriction portion 33 is formed around the second portion 42, in front of and behind the second portion 42. Here, the constriction portion 33 is formed within the range from the first portion 41 through the second portion 42 and extending to the portion between the second portion 42 and the third portion 43. When viewed from the side, the length of the constriction portion 33 in the front-rear direction is 1 / 3 or less of the length of the airbag cushion 12 in the front-rear direction. If it exceeds 1 / 3, the airbag cushion 12 may be deformed (e.g., buckled) at the constriction portion 33 due to the reaction force from the occupant P during restraint, which may affect the restraint performance.

[0046] The constriction portion 33 constitutes the portion where the bottom surface of the airbag cushion 12 is lifted away from the instrument panel 20. Therefore, a gap 36 is defined and formed between the constriction portion 33 and the instrument panel 20.

[0047] When viewed from the side, the lower part 33a of the constriction portion 33 is narrower towards the inside of the airbag cushion 12 than the upper part 33b. Of course, in other embodiments, the lower part 33a and the upper part 33b may also be narrowed equally. However, from the viewpoint of the ease of deformation (e.g., buckling) due to the reaction force from the occupant P during restraint, it is preferred that the upper part 33b is flatter than the lower part 33a. In addition, when the airbag cushion 12 is inflated and deployed and / or after deployment, when the upper part 33b contacts the windshield 22, from the viewpoint of easily receiving the reaction force from the windshield 22, it is also preferred that the upper part 33b is flatter than the lower part 33a.

[0048] The lower part 33a of the constriction portion 33 constitutes a part of the bottom surface of the airbag cushion 12 and bends upward. Here, when viewed from the side, the front part of the lower part 33a is formed to stand obliquely rearward, and the rear part of the lower part 33a is formed to stand obliquely forward.

[0049] The upper portion 33b of the contraction portion 33 constitutes a part of the top surface of the airbag cushion 12 and extends parallel or almost parallel to the vehicle front-rear direction. Here, when viewed from the side, the upper portion 33b is slightly inclined upward and backward, but is almost flat compared with the lower portion 33a.

[0050] Furthermore, when viewed from the side, the contracted portion 33 is located on the vehicle front side of the center in the vehicle front-rear direction of the airbag cushion 12. In relation to the navigation display 24, the position of the contracted portion 33 in the vehicle front-rear direction corresponds to the position of the navigation display 24. Specifically, the navigation display 24 is located directly below the contracted portion 33. Here, the second portion 42 is located slightly on the vehicle front side of the navigation display 24.

[0051] The contraction portion 33 may be provided at a position abutting against the navigation display 24. Since the airbag cushion 12 is provided with the contraction portion 33, interference with the navigation display 24 can be suppressed. On the other hand, when the airbag cushion 12 is inflated and deployed, the portion constituting the contraction portion 33 abuts against the navigation display 24, so that the portion receives the reaction force of the expansion and deployment. In other words, the contraction portion 33 functions as a receiving portion that receives the expansion and deployment reaction force from the navigation display 24, and can help guide the expansion and deployment direction of the airbag cushion 12 to a predetermined direction.

[0052] Figure 3A and 3B This is an example of a side view and a plan view showing the airbag cushion 12 when inflation and deployment are complete together with the navigation display 24 . Figure 3A The PP line in corresponds to Figure 2 The first part 41 in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 1 , and the same is true for the following. The QQ line corresponds to the second part 42, and the EE line corresponds to the third part 43. The navigation display 24 is located on the AA line. Figure 3C Shown along Figure 3A The cross-sectional diagram of each line when cutting. Figure 3C As shown, the cross-sectional area of the airbag cushion 12 changes along the front-rear direction of the vehicle as described above.

[0053] In addition, if Figure 3B As shown, when viewed from a plan view, the width of the contraction portion 33 is narrower than the front end portion 31 and the rear end portion 32. When viewed from a plan view, the width of the airbag cushion 12 gradually increases from the contraction portion 33 to the rear end portion 32.

[0054] Figures 4A to 4D FIG. 1 is an example of a panel structure of the airbag cushion 12. The panel structure includes Figure 4A The center panel 50, Figure 4B The first side panel 51 and Figure 4C The second side panel 52 in the embodiment. Each panel 50 to 52 is made of a fabric such as a nonwoven fabric.

[0055] The airbag cushion 12 having an inflatable chamber is formed by joining (e.g., sewing, gluing, welding, etc.) the center panel 50 and the side panels 51 and 52 in place. Here, the inner and outer sides in the vehicle width direction of the center panel 50 are joined to the side panels 51 and 52, respectively. In Figures 4A to 4C the numbers 1 to 26 shown in each of the panels 50, 51, and 52 indicate the portions where the center panel 50 is connected to the side panel 51 or 52 during the joining process. For reference, these numbers are also shown in Figure 4D it.

[0056] As Figure 4A shown, the center panel 50 is formed of a single panel, and the two end portions in the longitudinal direction of the single panel are folded back and joined. When the inflation and deployment are completed, the center panel 50 forms the front end portion 31, the rear end portion 32, the upper portion 34, and the lower portion 35. In other embodiments, the center panel 50 may also be formed by joining two or more panels.

[0057] The center panel 50 sequentially has a first width change portion 61, a first straight portion 62, a third width change portion 63, an enlarged portion 64, a fourth width change portion 65, a second straight portion 66, and a fifth width change portion 67 from one end side to the other end side in the longitudinal direction.

[0058] The first width change portion 61 and the fifth width change portion 67 are each formed to gradually narrow in width in the direction of the first straight portion 62 and the second straight portion 66. When the inflation and deployment are completed, the first width change portion 61 and the fifth width change portion 67 form the front end portion 31 and the portions near it.

[0059] The third width change portion 63 and the fourth width change portion 65 are each formed to gradually widen in width from the first straight portion 62 and the second straight portion 66 in the direction of the enlarged portion 64. When the inflation and deployment are completed, the first straight portion 62 and the third width change portion 63 form most of the lower portion 35 and the rear end portion 32. The fourth width change portion 65 and the second straight portion 66 form most of the upper portion 34 when the inflation and deployment are completed.

[0060] The first straight portion 62 has a gas introduction portion 68 for introducing gas from the inflator 14 at a position on the side of the first width change portion 61. A part or most of each of the first straight portion 62 and the second straight portion 66 forms the lower portion 33a and the upper portion 33b of the contraction portion 33 when the inflation and deployment are completed. For example, the portion of the numbers 3 to 5 in the first straight portion 62 forms most of the lower portion 33a of the contraction portion 33.

[0061] The enlarged portion 64 is the part in the center panel 50 that expands the most (has the widest width) in the vehicle width direction. The widths of the enlarged portions 64 are consistent and have a prescribed length. Here, the length of the enlarged portion 64 is shorter than the lengths of the other components (61 to 63, 65 to 67) of the center panel 50. The enlarged portion 64 constitutes the portion directly above the rear end portion 32 when the inflation and deployment are completed. Together with the fourth width change portion 65, the enlarged portion 64 forms the portion facing the occupant P when the inflation and deployment are completed.

[0062] As Figure 4B and 4C shown, the side panels 51 and 52 are each composed of a single panel, and their respective peripheral portions are joined to the respective side surfaces in the width direction of the center panel 50. The side panels 51 and 52 can be formed in a paired shape (symmetrical shape). However, in other embodiments, different shapes may also be employed. This will be described again in Embodiment 2.

[0063] The side panels 51 and 52 constitute the two side portions in the vehicle width direction of the airbag cushion 12 when the inflation and deployment are completed. Therefore, the shapes of the side panels 51 and 52 are the same as the shape of the side view of the airbag cushion 12 when the inflation and deployment are completed (refer to: Figure 2 , Figure 4D ).

[0064] In particular, the shapes of the side panels 51 and 52 correspond to the contraction portion 33 of the airbag cushion 12 when the inflation and deployment are completed. For example, the side panels 51 and 52 each have recesses 71 and 72 for forming the lower portion 33a of the contraction portion 33. The recesses 71 and 72 are formed in the lower portions of the side panels 51 and 52. The portions of the side panels 51 and 52 that define the recesses 71 and 72 are bent upward, just like the lower portion 33a of the contraction portion 33. The positions of the recesses 71 and 72 are located between the enlarged portion 64 and the gas introduction portion 68 in relation to the center panel 50 (i.e., the position corresponding to the first straight portion 62).

[0065] In side panels 51 and 52, a corner portion 720 connected to the lower side of the vehicle rear portion constituting the recesses 71 and 72 protrudes forward of the vehicle. Specifically, the recess 71 of the side panel 51 is composed of a front portion 71a (the portion from number 2 to number 3), a rear portion 71b (the portion from number 5 to number 6, located at the rear of the vehicle), and an upper portion 71c (the portion from number 3 to number 5) connecting the front portion 71a and the rear portion 71b. Here, the rear portion 71b is slightly inclined downward and forward. And, the corner portion 720 (the portion before number 6 to number 8) is located on the extension line of the rear portion 71b, and the corner portion 720 is connected to the bottom 710 (the portion from the front of number 8 to number 10) of the side panel 51 backward. Since the rear portion 71b is inclined downward and forward as described above, the corner portion 720 is formed in a shape that bulges and protrudes forward of the vehicle. By forming such a protruding shape, the swinging in the vertical direction (preventing shaking) when the airbag cushion 12 expands and deploys can be prevented. Of course, the same applies to the recess 72 of the side panel 52.

[0066] Exhaust holes 81 and 82 are respectively formed at the rear sides of the side panels 51 and 52. When the inflated airbag cushion 12 contacts the occupant P, the gas in the airbag cushion 12 can be discharged to the outside through the exhaust holes 81 and 82. In this way, the restraint of the airbag cushion 12 on the occupant P becomes softer.

[0067] Next, with reference to Figure 5 and 6 , an example of the inflation and deployment process of the airbag cushion 12 in the occupant restraint device 10 will be described. When the inflator 14 starts to supply gas, the airbag cushion 12 starts to inflate and deploy and is exposed outside the instrument panel 20. At this time, the airbag cushion 12 will instantaneously raise and deploy the side panels 51 and 52. At the same time, the upper front side (the second straight portion 66 and the fifth width change portion 67) of the center panel 50 will instantaneously collide with the windshield 22 (refer to the figure at t1). In addition, an example of t1 is 10 ms, and the time points after t2 are, for example, every 5 ms.

[0068] After the airbag cushion 12 receives the reaction force from the windshield 22 and the reaction force from the housing 16, it inflates and deploys toward the occupant P (refer to the figure at t2). Subsequently, it further receives the reaction force from the navigation display 24 at the contraction portion 33 and continues to inflate and deploy toward the occupant P (refer to the figures at t3 and t4). The airbag cushion 12, for example, becomes an unfolded shape with sufficient width from the start of gas supply to around t3, and contacts the occupant P from the start of gas supply to around t4, absorbs the impact of the occupant P, and restrains the occupant P.

[0069] When the inflation and deployment are completed (refer to the figure at t10), the airbag cushion 12 is in the shape of Figure 2In the inflated and deployed shape shown, the contraction portion 33 is located at a position corresponding to the position of the navigation display 24 and is located in the upper region of the instrument panel 20.

[0070] The occupant restraint device 10 according to the embodiment described above includes an airbag cushion 12 that inflates and deploys from the instrument panel 20 in the front of the vehicle interior towards the occupant P when an emergency occurs in the vehicle. After the inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion 12 is completed, when viewed from the side, it has a front end portion 31 located on the front side of the vehicle, a rear end portion 32 located on the opposite side of the front end portion, and a contraction portion 33 located between the front end portion 31 and the rear end portion 32 and in the upper region of the instrument panel 20.

[0071] According to this structure, even if there is a vehicle accessory (navigation display 24) provided above the instrument panel 20, the airbag cushion 12 can suppress interference with the navigation display 24 through the contraction portion 33, and at the same time can inflate and deploy by receiving the reaction force of the inflation and deployment from the navigation display 24. Therefore, even if the navigation display 24 is located above the instrument panel 20, it will not affect the inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion 12, thus ensuring the deployment performance of the airbag cushion 12.

[0072] Next, other embodiments will be described. For other embodiments, the differences from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described, and for the structures that are the same or similar to the above-described embodiment, the same or similar symbols will be used, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0073] <Second Embodiment of Occupant Restraint Device>

[0074] As Figures 7A to 7C and Figure 8A and 8B shown, in the occupant restraint device 110 according to the second embodiment, in the panel structure of the airbag cushion 120, the center panel 150 and the second side panel 152 are respectively provided with cutout portions 200 and 202. Different from the first embodiment, the side panels 151 and 152 are not symmetric shapes. The side panel 151 has the same configuration as the side panel 51 in the first embodiment, but the side panel 152 has an additional cutout portion 202 on a part of the concave portion 172 compared to the side panel 52 in the first embodiment.

[0075] As Figure 7A shown, the cutout portion 200 of the center panel 150 is formed at one end side in the vehicle width direction (here, the inner side in the vehicle width direction) of the first straight portion 162. The cutout portion 200 is bent into a substantially U shape towards the center line of the first straight portion 162. The position of the cutout portion 200 in the front-rear direction becomes the end portion of the first straight portion 162 connected to the third width change portion 163. The cutout portion 200 at least constitutes at least a part of the half portion in the vehicle width direction of the lower part 133a of the contraction portion 133 when the inflation and deployment is completed.

[0076] As shown Figure 7C in FIG. 2, the cutout portion 202 of the side panel 152 is formed, for example, at the rear side corner of the recess 172. The cutout portion 202 is bent inwardly of the side panel 152 into a substantially U shape. The position of the cutout portion 202 corresponds to the position of the cutout portion 200. Although not particularly shown, a strip-shaped or patch-shaped reinforcing cloth may be added at the suturing positions of the cutout portion 200 and the cutout portion 202. This is because when the airbag cushion expands and deploys, these cutout portions may locally withstand higher stress than other portions.

[0077] Figure 8A is a cross-sectional view when the airbag cushion 120 at the completion of expansion and deployment is cut along the Figure 3A A-A line position (the position where the navigation display 24 is located).

[0078] Figure 8B It is Figure 8A an enlarged view of the 8B portion in FIG. 2. In addition, Figure 8B for easy comparison, a cross-section of the airbag cushion 12 according to the first embodiment is also shown.

[0079] As shown Figure 8B in FIG. 2, compared with the airbag cushion 12, the lower cross-section of the airbag cushion 120 is cut inwardly. This is because the cutout portions 200 and 202 are formed at the lower portion 133a of the contraction portion 133 of the airbag cushion 120. Therefore, when the airbag cushion 120 expands and deploys, the amount of interference with the navigation display 24 can be reduced, and the inclination of the airbag cushion 120 during the expansion and deployment process can be suppressed.

[0080] As described above, in the second embodiment, when the airbag cushion 120 at the completion of expansion and deployment is viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction, the cross-section perpendicular to the vehicle front-rear direction is formed into a left-right asymmetric shape at the position of the contraction portion 133. In particular, when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction, in the left-right asymmetric cross-section, the side where the navigation display 24 occupies a larger proportion (here, the inner side in the vehicle width direction) is significantly recessed toward the inside of the airbag cushion 120 compared to the other side (here, the outer side in the vehicle width direction).

[0081] As shown in the second embodiment, considering the position, size, and proportion of the navigation display 24 in the vehicle width direction, by forming the cross-section at the position of the contraction portion 133 into a left-right asymmetric shape, although the reaction force received by the airbag cushion 120 from the navigation display 24 during the expansion and deployment process is reduced, the inclination of the airbag cushion 120 during the expansion and deployment process can still be suppressed. As a result, similar to the first embodiment, the expansion and deployment of the airbag cushion 120 are not affected, and the deployment performance of the airbag cushion 120 can be ensured. In addition, since the cross-section is left-right asymmetric, a tether is not required.

[0082] The above-described embodiments are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Each element included in the embodiments, as well as their configurations, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, etc., are not limited to the illustrated examples and can be appropriately changed, and the structures of the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0083] For example, in Embodiment 1, it is mainly described that the constricted portion 33 is narrower or recessed in the up-down direction compared to its front and rear portions. However, in addition to this, the constricted portion 33 may also be narrower or recessed in the left-right direction. For example, the constricted portion 33 may be thinner in the top view compared to its front and rear portions, or may be narrower in the left-right direction. Further, when the constricted portion 33 is viewed from above, one side (e.g., the inner side in the vehicle width direction) may be more recessed into the interior of the airbag cushion 12 than the other side (the outer side in the vehicle width direction).

[0084] <Additional Considerations Regarding Various Embodiments>

[0085] [Embodiment 1]

[0086] An occupant restraint device having an airbag cushion that expands and deploys towards an occupant from an instrument panel in front of the vehicle in the vehicle interior when an emergency occurs in the vehicle

[0087] After the airbag cushion has completed its expansion and deployment, when viewed from the side, it has:

[0088] A front end portion located on the front side of the vehicle,

[0089] A rear end portion located on the opposite side of the front end portion, and

[0090] A constricted portion located between the front end portion and the rear end portion and above the instrument panel area.

[0091] [Embodiment 2]

[0092] The occupant restraint device according to Embodiment 1, wherein, when viewed from the side, the lower part of the constricted portion is narrower towards the interior of the airbag cushion than the upper part.

[0093] [Embodiment 3]

[0094] The occupant restraint device according to Embodiment 1, wherein, when viewed from above, one side of the constricted portion is more recessed into the interior of the airbag cushion than the other side.

[0095] [Embodiment 4]

[0096] The occupant restraint device according to Embodiment 2, wherein, when viewed from above, one side of the constricted portion is more recessed into the interior of the airbag cushion than the other side.

[0097] [Embodiment 5]

[0098] The occupant restraint device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the contraction portion, when viewed from the side, has:

[0099] a lower portion that bends upward, and

[0100] an upper portion that extends parallel or substantially parallel to the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0101] [Embodiment 6]

[0102] The occupant restraint device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 5, wherein, with respect to the airbag cushion at the completion of inflation deployment, when defined as a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion based on the change in the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction between the front end portion and the rear end portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction,

[0103] the cross-sectional area,

[0104] gradually increases from the front end portion to the first portion;

[0105] gradually decreases from the first portion to the second portion;

[0106] gradually increases from the second portion to the third portion; gradually decreases from the third portion to the rear end portion, and,

[0107] the contraction portion is formed before and after the second portion with the second portion as the center.

[0108] [Embodiment 7]

[0109] The occupant restraint device according to Embodiment 6, wherein the contraction portion is formed within a range of a portion that extends from the first portion through the second portion to a portion between the second portion and the third portion.

[0110] [Embodiment 8]

[0111] The occupant restraint device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 7, wherein, when the airbag cushion at the completion of inflation deployment is viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the cross-section perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction is formed in an asymmetrical shape with respect to left and right at the position of the contraction portion.

[0112] [Embodiment 9]

[0113] The occupant restraint device according to Embodiment 8, wherein the occupant restraint device further has a vehicle accessory that protrudes upward from the instrument panel,

[0114] When observed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle, in the left-right asymmetric cross-section, the side where the vehicle appendage occupies a larger proportion is significantly recessed toward the inside of the airbag cushion compared to the other side.

[0115] [Embodiment 10]

[0116] The occupant restraint device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the occupant restraint device further has a vehicle appendage protruding upward from the instrument panel.

[0117] The contraction part is provided in the upper region of the instrument panel at a position in the front-rear direction of the vehicle corresponding to the position of the vehicle appendage.

[0118] [Embodiment 11]

[0119] The occupant restraint device according to Embodiment 9 or 10, wherein the contraction part is provided at a position where it abuts against the vehicle appendage.

[0120] [Embodiment 12]

[0121] The occupant restraint device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 11, wherein when observed from the side, the contraction part is located on the vehicle front side of the center in the front-rear direction of the airbag cushion.

[0122] [Embodiment 13]

[0123] The occupant restraint device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 12, wherein the panel structure of the airbag cushion includes:

[0124] A center panel having a part facing the occupant when inflation and deployment are completed;

[0125] A first side panel and a second side panel respectively provided on the inner and outer sides in the vehicle width direction of the center panel, and

[0126] The first side panel and the second side panel have recesses for forming the contraction part.

[0127] [Embodiment 14]

[0128] The occupant restraint device according to Embodiment 13, wherein the center panel has:

[0129] An enlarged part that expands in the vehicle width direction;

[0130] A gas introduction part for introducing gas from the inflator, and

[0131] The first side panel and the second side panel are joined to the center panel, and the recesses are located between the enlarged part and the gas introduction part.

[0132] [Embodiment 15]

[0133] The occupant restraint device according to Embodiment 13 or 14, wherein, in the first side panel and the second side panel, a corner portion connected to a lower side of a rear vehicle side portion constituting the recess projects forward of the vehicle.

[0134] [Embodiment 16]

[0135] The occupant restraint device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 15, wherein, when viewed from the side, a length of the contraction portion in the front-rear direction is 1 / 3 or less of a length of the airbag cushion in the front-rear direction.

[0136] Symbol Description

[0137] 10... Occupant restraint device, 12... Airbag cushion, 14... Inflator, 16... Housing, 20... Instrument panel, 22... Windshield, 24... Navigation display (vehicle accessory), 31... Front end portion, 32... Rear end portion, 33... Contraction portion, 33a... Lower portion, 33b... Upper portion, 34... Upper portion, 35... Lower portion, 36... Space, 41... First part, 42... Second part, 43... Third part, 50... Center panel, 51... First side panel, 52... Second side panel, 61... First width change portion, 62... First straight portion, 63... Third width change portion, 64... Expansion portion, 65... Fourth width change portion, 66... Second straight portion, 67... Fifth width change portion, 68... Gas introduction portion, 71, 72... Recess, 71a... Front portion, 71b... Rear portion, 71c... Upper portion, 81, 82... Exhaust holes, 110... Occupant restraint device, 120... Airbag cushion, 150... Center panel, 151... First side panel, 152... Second side panel, 162... First straight portion, 163... Third width change portion, 200, 202... Cutout portion, 133: Contraction portion, 133a... Lower portion, 172... Recess, 710... Bottom, 720... Corner portion, P... Occupant

Claims

1. An occupant restraint device having an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys from a dashboard in front of the vehicle in the passenger compartment when an emergency occurs in the vehicle. When the inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion is completed and viewed from the side, the airbag cushion has: A front end portion on the front side of the vehicle, A rear end portion on the opposite side of the front end portion, and A constriction portion located in the area above the dashboard between the front end portion and the rear end portion.

2. The occupant restraint device according to claim 1, wherein, When viewed from the side, the lower part of the constriction portion is narrower towards the inside of the airbag cushion than the upper part.

3. The occupant restraint device according to claim 1, wherein, When viewed from above, one side of the constriction portion is more recessed towards the inside of the airbag cushion than the other side.

4. The occupant restraint device according to claim 2, wherein, When viewed from above, one side of the constriction portion is more recessed towards the inside of the airbag cushion than the other side.

5. The occupant restraint device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, When viewed from the side, the constriction portion has: A lower part that curves upward, and An upper part that extends parallel or almost parallel to the vehicle's front-rear direction.

6. The occupant restraint device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, Regarding the airbag cushion when the inflation and deployment is completed, when it is specified as a first part, a second part, and a third part based on the change in the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the vehicle's front-rear direction along the vehicle's front-rear direction between the front end portion and the rear end portion, The cross-sectional area, Gradually increases from the front end portion to the first part; Gradually decreases from the first part to the second part; Gradually increases from the second part to the third part; Gradually decreases from the third part to the rear end portion, and The constriction portion is formed before and after the second part with the second part as the center.

7. The occupant restraint device according to claim 6, wherein, The constriction portion is formed within the range of the portion that extends from the first part through the second part to the portion between the second part and the third part.

8. The occupant restraint device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, When the airbag cushion when the inflation and deployment is completed is viewed from the vehicle's front-rear direction, the cross-section perpendicular to the vehicle's front-rear direction is formed in an asymmetrical shape about the left and right at the position of the constriction portion.

9. The occupant restraint device according to claim 8, wherein, The occupant restraint device further has a vehicle attachment that protrudes upward from the dashboard, When viewed from the vehicle's front-rear direction, in the asymmetrical cross-section about the left and right, the side where the vehicle attachment occupies a larger proportion is significantly recessed towards the inside of the airbag cushion compared to the other side.

10. The occupant restraint device according to claim 8, wherein, The occupant restraint device further has a vehicle attachment that protrudes upward from the dashboard, The constriction portion is provided at a position in the front-rear direction of the vehicle corresponding to the position of the vehicle attachment in the area above the dashboard.

11. The occupant restraint device according to claim 9, wherein, The constriction portion is provided at a position where it abuts against the vehicle attachment.

12. The occupant restraint device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, When viewed from the side, the constriction portion is located at a position on the front side of the center of the airbag cushion in the vehicle's front-rear direction.

13. The occupant restraint device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The panel structure of the airbag cushion includes: A center panel having a portion that faces the occupant when the inflation and deployment is completed; A first side panel and a second side panel respectively provided on the inner and outer sides in the vehicle width direction of the center panel, and The first side panel and the second side panel have recesses for forming the constriction portion.

14. The occupant restraint device according to claim 13, wherein, The center panel has: An enlarged portion that expands in the vehicle width direction; A gas introduction portion for introducing gas from an inflator, and The first side panel and the second side panel are joined to the center panel, and the recess is located between the enlarged portion and the gas introduction portion.

15. The occupant restraint device according to claim 13, wherein, Among the first side panel and the second side panel, a corner portion connected to the lower side of the vehicle rear side portion constituting the recess projects toward the vehicle front.

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