Occupant restraint device for vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure obtains a vehicle occupant restraint device capable of suppressing interference of a seatbelt support airbag with a head-on collision airbag during a head-on collision of a vehicle, reducing input of a local load from a shoulder seatbelt to the chest of an occupant, and ensuring restraint to both shoulders of the occupant. The vehicle occupant restraint device is provided with: a three-point seat belt device that restrains an occupant seated on a vehicle seat to the vehicle seat; a head-on collision airbag that is inflated and deployed from the front side of the vehicle toward the occupant by being supplied with gas from the inflator during a head-on collision of the vehicle; and a seatbelt support airbag that is inflated and deployed in a seat width direction between a shoulder seatbelt in a seat belt of the seat belt device and a shoulder of the occupant by being supplied with gas from the inflator at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle, and constrains both shoulders including clavicles of the occupant.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an occupant restraint device for a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Gazette No. 2015-217740, a vehicle occupant restraint device has long been known, which is an auxiliary airbag device provided on a shoulder seatbelt so that, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, an auxiliary bag body is inflated and deployed toward the front side of the vehicle on the shoulder of the occupant on the opposite side of the shoulder seatbelt (inner side in the vehicle width direction). As a result, the shoulder of the occupant seated on the opposite side of the shoulder seatbelt is restrained to the seat via the auxiliary bag body, and both sides of the occupant's upper body in the vehicle width direction can be stably restrained.

[0003] Furthermore, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-047790, a vehicle occupant restraint device has long been known that includes an airbag extending from a belt guide disposed on an upper portion of a seat back along a shoulder belt to the shoulder of the occupant, the airbag being configured to expand in the thickness direction of the shoulder belt during a frontal collision of the vehicle. This restrains the occupant's shoulders while isolating the shoulder belt from the chest and reducing the input load acting from the shoulder belt side on the occupant's chest.

[0004] However, in a structure where the airbag deploys toward the vehicle front side of the shoulder belt during a frontal collision, it is not possible to reduce the input of local load from the shoulder belt to the occupant's chest. In other words, it is not possible to suppress chest deflection of the occupant.

[0005] Furthermore, during deployment, this airbag could interfere with the frontal collision airbag deployed toward the occupant from the front of the vehicle, potentially preventing deployment to the intended location. Furthermore, because the airbag, which expands in the thickness direction of the shoulder belt during a frontal collision, is positioned along the shoulder belt, the restraint of the occupant's shoulder on the inner side of the vehicle width where the shoulder belt is not engaged is not ensured, leaving room for improvement in terms of enhancing restraint. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present disclosure provides a vehicle occupant restraint device that can suppress interference of a seatbelt-supported airbag with a frontal collision airbag during a frontal collision of the vehicle, reduce the input of local load from the shoulder belt to the chest of the occupant, and ensure restraint of both shoulders of the occupant.

[0007] A first embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present disclosure includes: a three-point seatbelt device that restrains an occupant seated on a vehicle seat to the vehicle seat; a frontal collision airbag that is inflated and deployed from the front side of the vehicle toward the occupant by gas supplied from an inflator in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle; and a belt-supported airbag that is inflated and deployed in a manner extending in the seat width direction between a shoulder belt of the seatbelt of the seatbelt device and the shoulders of the occupant by gas supplied from an inflator in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, thereby restraining both shoulders of the occupant, including the clavicle.

[0008] According to the first embodiment, during a frontal collision, gas is supplied from the inflator, causing the belt-supported airbag to inflate and deploy between the shoulder belt portion of the seatbelt assembly and the occupant's shoulders, extending in the seat width direction. This restrains both shoulders, including the clavicle. In other words, the shoulder belt portion of the seatbelt acts as a component that receives the reaction force of the belt-supported airbag. This prevents the belt-supported airbag from interfering with the frontal collision airbag.

[0009] Furthermore, since the localized load applied to the occupant from the shoulder belt is distributed across both shoulders via the belt-supported airbag, the localized load applied to the occupant's chest from the shoulder belt is reduced, ensuring proper restraint of both shoulders. Furthermore, due to the thickness of the belt-supported airbag, the shoulder belt is lifted off the occupant's chest, reducing the localized load applied to the occupant's chest from the shoulder belt. This reduces the risk of chest damage caused by the shoulder belt's movement toward the front of the vehicle, particularly for occupants with reduced chest tolerance, such as women and the elderly.

[0010] Furthermore, since the belt-supported airbag inflates and deploys during a frontal collision, the initial slack in the shoulder belt can be eliminated, eliminating the need for a pretensioner in the seatbelt system. Furthermore, the phrase "frontal collision" also includes situations where a frontal collision is predicted (foreseeable) to be unavoidable.

[0011] In addition, the second type of vehicle occupant restraint device involved in the present disclosure is that, in the first type of vehicle occupant restraint device, the seat belt support airbag has an upper extension portion at least on the end portion on the shoulder seat belt side, which is opposite to the upper surface of the shoulder of the occupant on the shoulder seat belt side.

[0012] According to the second aspect, an upper extension portion is formed on at least the shoulder belt-side end of the belt-supported airbag, facing the upper surface of the occupant's shoulder on the shoulder belt side. Therefore, compared to a case where the belt-supported airbag does not have an upper extension portion, the amount of interference with the occupant's shoulder, including the clavicle, which moves toward the front of the vehicle due to inertial force, during a frontal collision is increased. This makes it easier for the belt-supported airbag to remain on the targeted occupant's shoulder, including the clavicle, even if the occupants have different builds.

[0013] In addition, the third type of vehicle occupant restraint device involved in the present disclosure is that, in the vehicle occupant restraint device of the first type or the second type, after the seat belt support airbag begins to restrain the occupant with the shoulder seat belt as a reaction force component, the occupant moves toward the front side of the vehicle due to the inertial force, thereby continuing to restrain the occupant with the frontal collision airbag as a further reaction force component.

[0014] According to the third aspect, after the belt-supported airbag begins restraining the occupant using the shoulder belt as a reaction force, the frontal collision airbag continues to restrain the occupant as the occupant moves toward the vehicle front due to inertia. Consequently, a restraining force is effectively applied to the shoulder, including the clavicle, on the opposite side of the shoulder belt where the shoulder belt is not worn, enabling efficient occupant restraint.

[0015] Furthermore, a vehicle occupant restraint apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle occupant restraint apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the belt-supporting airbag is configured to inflate and deploy to a predetermined shape before the frontal collision airbag.

[0016] According to the fourth aspect, the belt-supported airbag is inflated and deployed to a predetermined shape before the frontal collision airbag. Therefore, the belt-supported airbag is inflated and deployed to the target shoulder area including the clavicle of the occupant without being affected by the frontal collision airbag.

[0017] Furthermore, a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle occupant restraint apparatus of the third or fourth aspect, wherein the internal pressure of the inflated and deployed belt-supporting airbag is higher than the internal pressure of the inflated and deployed frontal collision airbag.

[0018] According to the fifth aspect, the internal pressure of the inflated and deployed belt-supporting airbag is higher than the internal pressure of the inflated and deployed frontal impact airbag. Therefore, during the latter half of the occupant restraint period, the inflated and deployed belt-supporting airbag is not significantly crushed by the inflated and deployed frontal impact airbag, allowing the shoulder belt to continue to float away from the occupant's chest. This effectively reduces the localized load applied to the occupant's chest.

[0019] Furthermore, a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle occupant restraint apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the pretensioner mechanism of the seat belt apparatus is activated after the belt-supported airbag has completed inflation and deployment.

[0020] According to the sixth aspect, the pretensioner mechanism of the seatbelt device is activated after the belt-supported airbag has completed inflation and deployment. Therefore, the belt-supported airbag is inflated and deployed to the target shoulder area of ​​the occupant, including the clavicle, without being affected by the pretensioner mechanism.

[0021] Furthermore, a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle occupant restraint apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein operation of the pretensioner mechanism of the seat belt apparatus is prohibited during inflation and deployment of the belt-supported airbag.

[0022] According to the seventh aspect, the operation of the pretensioner mechanism of the seatbelt device is prohibited during the inflation and deployment of the belt-supported airbag. Therefore, the belt-supported airbag is inflated and deployed to the target shoulder area including the clavicle of the occupant without being affected by the pretensioner mechanism.

[0023] As described above, according to the present disclosure, interference of the belt-supported airbag with the frontal collision airbag can be suppressed during a frontal collision of the vehicle, and the input of local load from the shoulder belt to the occupant's chest can be reduced, thereby ensuring restraint on both shoulders of the occupant. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 It is a schematic perspective view showing a state during inflation and deployment of a seatbelt-supported airbag in the vehicle occupant restraint apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0026] Figure 2 It is a schematic front view showing a state during inflation and deployment of a seatbelt-supported airbag in the vehicle occupant restraint apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0027] Figure 3 It is a schematic side view showing a state in which a seatbelt-supported airbag of the vehicle occupant restraint apparatus according to the first embodiment is inflated and deployed.

[0028] Figure 4 It is a schematic front view showing a normal state in which the seat belt of the vehicle occupant restraint apparatus according to the first embodiment supports the air bag.

[0029] Figure 5 It is a schematic side view showing a normal state in which the seat belt of the vehicle occupant restraint apparatus according to the first embodiment supports the air bag.

[0030] Figure 6 It is a schematic side view showing the vehicle occupant restraint apparatus according to the first embodiment when restraining an occupant.

[0031] Figure 7 It is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the vehicle occupant restraint apparatus according to the first embodiment is mounted on a vehicle.

[0032] Figure 8 It is a schematic front view showing a state during inflation and deployment of a seatbelt-supported airbag in a vehicle occupant restraint apparatus according to a second embodiment.

[0033] Figure 9 It is a schematic side view showing a state during inflation and deployment of a seatbelt-supported airbag in a vehicle occupant restraint apparatus according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Below, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. For ease of explanation, the arrow mark UP, as appropriately shown in each of the accompanying drawings, will indicate the upward direction of the vehicle and its seat, the arrow mark FR will indicate the front direction of the vehicle and its seat, and the arrow mark RH will indicate the right direction of the vehicle and its seat. Therefore, in the following description, when up and down, front and back, or left and right directions are mentioned without specific reference, they are considered to represent up and down, front and back, or left and right in the vehicle and its seat. Furthermore, the left and right direction has the same meaning as the vehicle width direction and the seat width direction.

[0035] <First embodiment>

[0036] First, the first embodiment will be described. Figures 1 to 5As shown, the vehicle occupant restraint device 10 according to the first embodiment is primarily provided on a vehicle seat 12. The vehicle seat 12 is a front seat or a rear seat of a vehicle (automobile). Here, the front seat on the driver's side is referred to as the vehicle seat 12. The vehicle seat 12 includes a seat cushion 14, a seat back 16 rotatably provided at the rear end of the seat cushion 14 with the seat width direction as an axial direction, and a headrest 18 provided at the upper end of the seat back 16 in a manner that allows for elevation.

[0037] In addition, Figure 1 In the figures, a crash test dummy (human dummy) is shown seated on the seat cushion 14 of a vehicle seat 12 as a model of the occupant to be protected. The dummy is, for example, an AM50 (50th percentile American adult male) dummy for frontal crash tests (Hybrid III). The dummy is seated in the standard seating position specified in the crash test law, with the vehicle seat 12 positioned at the reference setting corresponding to the seating position. Hereinafter, this dummy will be referred to as "occupant P."

[0038] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, an occupant P seated on a seat cushion 14 of a vehicle seat 12 is restrained in the vehicle seat 12 by a seat belt (webbing) 22 provided in a seat belt device 20. The seat belt device 20 is a three-point seat belt device, also known as a seat-integrated seat belt device. Hereinafter, the portion of the seat belt 22 extending from the shoulder Ps to the abdomen Pt of the occupant P will be referred to as the shoulder belt 22A.

[0039] A frame 24 serving as an outlet for the seat belt 22 is provided on the upper end surface of the seat back 16 on the vehicle width direction outer side (on the seat width direction one end side), and a buckle 26 for attaching a tongue 25 provided on the seat belt 22 is provided on the vehicle width direction inner side (on the seat width direction other end side) of the seat cushion 14 (see FIG. Figure 2 ). In addition, a retractor 28 (see FIG. 1 ) for retracting one end of the seat belt 22 is mounted on the lower portion of a side frame (not shown) provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction inside the seat back 16. Figure 3 ) The retractor 28 is provided with a pretensioner mechanism and a force limiter mechanism.

[0040] The vehicle seat 12 is provided with an airbag device 30. The airbag device 30 includes an inflator 32 embedded in the side portion 16S on the vehicle width direction outer side of the seat back 16, and an inflator 32 normally stored in a folded state in a cover member 40 (see FIG. Figure 4 、 Figure 5) inside the seat belt support air bag 42, and a gas supply pipe 34, described later, which connects the seat belt support air bag 42 and the inflator 32 and supplies gas from the inflator 32 to the seat belt support air bag 42.

[0041] like Figure 4 、 Figure 5 As shown, the cover member 40 is attached, for example, by sewing to a fabric holder member (not shown) that holds the guide member 38 through which the shoulder belt 22A is movably inserted. The cover member 40 covers the holder member, the belt-supporting airbag 42 positioned closer to the occupant P than the guide member 38, and the later-described telescopic portion 34A of the gas supply tube 34, surrounding the shoulder belt 22A facing the shoulder Ps of the occupant P. Furthermore, the cover member 40 is configured to break at least on the occupant P side as the belt-supporting airbag 42 inflates and deploys.

[0042] The guide member 38 is formed into a rectangular, flat cylindrical shape from a highly slippery resin material, such as silicone, to facilitate movement (sliding) of the shoulder belt 22A. A retaining frame member is attached to the circumference of the guide member 38, excluding the occupant P side, using any fixing method. Furthermore, the guide member 38 prevents the shoulder belt 22A from contacting the telescopic portion 34A of the gas supply tube 34, preventing external forces from being applied to the telescopic portion 34A of the gas supply tube 34 during installation or removal of the seat belt 22.

[0043] The inflation device 32 is, for example, an inflatable (cold type) roughly cylindrical cylinder-type inflation device, and generates gas by operating an unillustrated control device provided on the vehicle when a frontal collision of the vehicle is detected or when a frontal collision is predicted (foreseen) to be inevitable (hereinafter referred to as "frontal collision of the vehicle").

[0044] That is, the control device is electrically connected to the inflator 32 and the collision sensor, and in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, based on information from the collision sensor, activates the inflator 32. Furthermore, the types of frontal collisions in which the control device activates the inflator 32 include not only full overlap frontal collisions but also offset frontal collisions such as oblique collisions and small overlap collisions.

[0045] The inflator 32 is mounted, for example, together with the retractor 28, on a side frame on the vehicle width direction outer side of the seat back 16, with the vertical direction being the axial direction. One end of a gas supply pipe 34, such as a flexible tube, is connected to a discharge port at its upper end. The other end of the gas supply pipe 34 protrudes from the seat back 16 below the frame 24 and is connected to the belt-supported airbag 42.

[0046] like Figure 6 As shown, with respect to the gas supply pipe 34 for supplying gas from the inflator 32 to the seat belt support air bag 42, a portion thereof on the seat belt support air bag 42 side, i.e., a predetermined area portion protruding from the seat back 16, is provided as a telescopic portion 34A constructed in such a manner as to be able to extend in response to the forward movement of the seat belt support air bag 42.

[0047] Specifically, the telescopic portion 34A of the gas supply tube 34, which protrudes from the seat back 16, is formed into an accordion shape and is capable of expanding under a predetermined tensile load. Consequently, when the belt-supported airbag 42 is supplied with gas and inflated and deployed, the telescopic portion 34A of the gas supply tube 34 expands to a predetermined outer diameter, enabling rapid and stable gas supply. Furthermore, the telescopic portion 34A of the gas supply tube 34 is configured to expand and then contract to a predetermined inner diameter as the belt-supported airbag 42 moves forward in response to the forward movement of the occupant P.

[0048] That is, the gas supply pipe 34 is reduced in diameter by its telescopic portion 34A, thereby also functioning as a check valve, making it difficult for gas to return from the interior of the seatbelt-supported airbag 42. Furthermore, the telescopic portion 34A of the gas supply pipe 34 is configured to expand under a load lower than the load of the force limiter mechanism provided in the retractor 28.

[0049] In addition, although Figure 4 、 Figure 5 As shown, the expandable portion 34A of the gas supply tube 34 is in a shortened state when housed within the cover member 40. However, the expandable portion 34A may also be in a flattened shape along the shoulder belt 22A. In other words, the flattened expandable portion 34A of the gas supply tube 34 and the folded belt-supporting airbag 42 may be housed together within the cover member 40.

[0050] The seat belt supporting airbag 42 is formed into a bag shape by overlapping two front and rear base fabrics that are set to be roughly rectangular in shape when viewed from the front, with the seat width direction becoming the longitudinal direction, and sewing the peripheral edges of each other together. Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the inflated and deployed seatbelt-supported airbag 42 comprises a single, generally cylindrical chamber whose longitudinal direction (axial direction) extends from the seat width direction. The axial length of the chamber is set to a length that allows it to face both shoulders Ps of the occupant P in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, each base fabric is formed of a polyamide or polyester fabric material, for example.

[0051] The belt-supported airbag 42 is configured such that gas is supplied from the inflator 32 via the gas supply pipe 34 passing through the lower side of the frame 24. As a result, the belt-supported airbag 42 inflates and deploys between at least the shoulder belt 22A and both shoulders Ps of the occupant P, extending only in the seat width direction. The belt-supported airbag 42 is pushed forward by the occupant P moving forward due to inertia, and moves forward to follow the occupant P, thereby restraining at least both shoulders Ps of the occupant P, including the clavicle.

[0052] In addition, if Figure 7 As shown, on the front seat side, a frontal collision airbag device 44F (44) is built into the rear side of the vehicle's steering wheel 48 or the instrument panel 47 on the passenger seat side. On the rear seat side, a frontal collision airbag device 44R (44) is built into the rear side of the front seat's seat back 16. These frontal collision airbag devices 44 include an inflator (not shown) arranged in the center of the steering wheel 48, the rear side of the instrument panel 47, and the rear side of the seat back 16, and frontal collision airbags 46F and 46R (46) that are normally folded and stored in the center of the steering wheel 48, the rear side of the instrument panel 47, and the rear side of the seat back 16.

[0053] The inflator is, for example, a substantially cylindrical air cylinder-type inflator of the same inflatable (cold type) type as the inflator 32, and generates gas when a frontal collision of the vehicle occurs by actuation of a control unit provided in the vehicle. Specifically, the control unit is also electrically connected to the inflator, and when a frontal collision of the vehicle occurs, based on information from a collision sensor, the control unit actuates the inflator at a timing that is, for example, a predetermined time later than that of the inflator 32. Thus, the seatbelt-supported airbag 42 is configured to inflate and deploy to a predetermined shape before the frontal collision airbags 46F and 46R (46).

[0054] The frontal collision airbag 46 is a well-known airbag, and is configured so as to be compressed by supplying gas from an inflator. Figure 6 、 Figure 7As shown, the airbag inflates and deploys from the front toward the occupant P. This restrains and protects the occupant P, who is moving forward due to inertial force. The frontal collision airbag 46 is also formed into a bag shape by overlapping two base fabrics made of, for example, polyamide or polyester fabric and sewing their peripheral edges together.

[0055] Furthermore, after the belt-supported airbag 42 begins restraining the occupant P using the shoulder belt 22A as a reaction force, it continues restraining the occupant P using the frontal collision airbag 46 as a further reaction force as the occupant P moves forward due to inertia. Therefore, as described above, the frontal collision airbag 46 is configured to inflate and deploy at a timing that is a predetermined time later than that of the belt-supported airbag 42. In other words, the belt-supported airbag 42 is configured to inflate and deploy to a predetermined configuration before the frontal collision airbag 46.

[0056] Furthermore, the outputs of the inflator 32 for the belt-supporting airbag 42 and the inflator 46 for the frontal impact airbag 46 are set so that the internal pressure of the inflated and deployed belt-supporting airbag 42 is higher than the internal pressure of the inflated and deployed frontal impact airbag 46. Furthermore, the control device controls the pretensioner mechanism provided in the retractor 28 to activate only after the inflation and deployment of the belt-supporting airbag 42 is complete. In other words, the pretensioner mechanism is inhibited from operating during the inflation and deployment of the belt-supporting airbag 42.

[0057] Next, the operation of the vehicle occupant restraint device 10 according to the first embodiment having the above-described structure will be described. Figures 1 to 3 In FIG, the guide member 38 and the cover member 40 are omitted from illustration.

[0058] During a frontal collision of the vehicle, the inflator 32 is activated under the control of the control device. That is, gas is ejected from the inflator 32. The gas ejected from the inflator 32 is then supplied into the belt-supported airbag 42 through the gas supply pipe 34. In other words, gas is supplied into the folded belt-supported airbag 42, which is housed within the cover member 40 and disposed on the occupant P side (back side) of the shoulder belt 22A.

[0059] So, if Figures 1 to 3As shown, the belt-supported airbag 42 is inflated and deployed between the shoulder belt 22A and the shoulders Ps of the occupant P, extending only in the seat width direction. Thus, the inflated and deployed belt-supported airbag 42 is positioned between the shoulder belt 22A and the shoulders Ps of the occupant P, including at least the clavicles. In other words, the belt-supported airbag 42 is positioned behind the shoulder belt 22A and in front of the shoulders Ps of the occupant P.

[0060] And, as Figure 6 As shown, the belt-supported airbag 42 moves forward following the occupant P, which moves forward due to the inertial force of the impact during a frontal collision, and restrains the two shoulders Ps of the occupant P, including at least the clavicle. In other words, the shoulder belt 22A serves as a member that receives the reaction force of the belt-supported airbag 42. Therefore, interference with the frontal collision airbag 46 by the belt-supported airbag 42 can be suppressed or prevented.

[0061] Furthermore, as the occupant P moves forward due to inertial force, their upper body, including their head, is restrained and protected by the frontal collision airbag 46. The frontal collision airbag 46 inflates and deploys at a predetermined time later than the belt-supporting airbag 42. In other words, the belt-supporting airbag 42 inflates and deploys to a predetermined configuration before the frontal collision airbag 46. Therefore, the belt-supporting airbag 42 can be inflated and deployed to the target location, namely, the shoulder Ps of the occupant P, including the clavicle, without being affected by the frontal collision airbag 46.

[0062] Furthermore, at this time, the telescopic portion 34A of the gas supply pipe 34, which supplies gas from the inflator 32 to the belt-supported airbag 42, expands in accordance with the forward movement of the belt-supported airbag 42. Therefore, regardless of the physique of the occupant P, the belt-supported airbag 42 can be continuously held between the shoulder belt 22A and both shoulders Ps of the occupant P, and at least both shoulders Ps of the occupant P can be effectively restrained from the front half to the rear half of the occupant's restraint.

[0063] Furthermore, the belt-supported airbag 42 can preemptively generate an appropriate restraining force on the shoulder Ps on the opposite side of the shoulder belt (inward in the vehicle width direction) from where the shoulder belt 22A is not attached. In other words, the localized load applied to the occupant P from the shoulder belt 22A can be preemptively distributed to both shoulders Ps (mainly supported by the clavicle) via the belt-supported airbag 42. Thus, despite its simple structure, the localized load applied to the chest Pc of the occupant P from the shoulder belt 22A can be reduced, effectively restraining both shoulders Ps of the occupant P.

[0064] Furthermore, after the belt-supported airbag 42 begins restraining the occupant P using the shoulder belt 22A as a reaction force member, it continues restraining the occupant P using the frontal collision airbag 46 as a further reaction force member as the occupant P moves forward due to inertia. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the frontal collision airbag 46 is not used as a reaction force member, a restraining force can be more effectively generated on the shoulder Ps on the opposite side of the shoulder belt where the shoulder belt 22A is not attached, thereby efficiently, left-right, and right-left balanced, and stably restraining the upper body of the occupant P.

[0065] Furthermore, the thickness of the inflated and deployed belt support airbag 42 allows the shoulder belt 22A to float away from the chest Pc of the occupant P, creating a predetermined gap between the shoulder belt 22A and the chest Pc of the occupant P. Consequently, the localized load applied from the shoulder belt 22A to the chest Pc of the occupant P can be reduced. This can reduce the chest damage caused by the forward movement obstruction of the shoulder belt 22A, particularly for occupants with low chest tolerance, such as women or the elderly.

[0066] Furthermore, the internal pressure of the inflated and deployed belt-supporting airbag 42 is set higher than the internal pressure of the inflated and deployed frontal impact airbag 46. Therefore, during the latter half of the occupant restraint period, the inflated and deployed belt-supporting airbag 42 is not significantly crushed by the inflated and deployed frontal impact airbag 46, allowing the shoulder belt 22A to continue to float upward from the chest Pc of the occupant P. This effectively reduces the local load applied to the chest Pc of the occupant P.

[0067] Furthermore, the pretensioner mechanism of the seatbelt device 20 is configured to operate after the belt-supporting airbag 42 has completed inflation and deployment. In other words, the pretensioner mechanism of the seatbelt device 20 is inhibited from operating during the inflation and deployment of the belt-supporting airbag 42. Therefore, the belt-supporting airbag 42 can be inflated and deployed to the target shoulder Ps, including the clavicle, of the occupant P without being affected by the pretensioner mechanism.

[0068] In this manner, the vehicle occupant restraint device 10 according to the first embodiment can enhance the restraint performance of the occupant P and achieve more efficient occupant restraint. Furthermore, the vehicle occupant restraint device 10 can eliminate initial slack in the shoulder belt 22A during a frontal collision by inflating and deploying the belt-supporting airbag 42. Consequently, a pretensioner mechanism can be eliminated from the retractor 28 of the seatbelt device 20. In other words, the pretensioner mechanism can be eliminated.

[0069] Furthermore, the seatbelt supporting airbag 42 is arranged in a folded state on the occupant P side (back side) of the shoulder belt 22A, and the inflator 32 for supplying gas to the seatbelt supporting airbag 42 and the seatbelt 22 are provided on the vehicle seat 12. In other words, all components constituting the vehicle occupant restraint system 10, except for the frontal collision airbag 46 and its inflator, are provided on the vehicle seat 12. Therefore, since the vehicle occupant restraint system 10 is mainly equipped with only the vehicle seat 12, it can be easily equipped. And, as Figure 7 As shown, the device can be installed not only on the vehicle seat 12 on the driver's side but also on the front seat on the passenger side or on rear seats of a minivan or SUV that is configured to slide greatly in the front-rear direction.

[0070] <Second embodiment>

[0071] The second embodiment will now be described. Components identical to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof (including common functions) will be omitted as appropriate.

[0072] like Figure 8 、 Figure 9 As shown, the vehicle occupant restraint device 10 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above only in that upper extension portions 42A are formed on both end portions (left and right sides) in the seat width direction of the inflated and deployed seatbelt-supported airbag 42, which are opposite to the upper surfaces of the two shoulders Ps of the occupant P.

[0073] This increases the amount of interference (contact area) caused by the belt-supported air bag 42 with the shoulder Ps, including the clavicle, of the occupant P, which moves forward due to inertial force, compared to a configuration in which the upper extension 42A is not formed on the belt-supported air bag 42. Therefore, even if there are differences in the physiques of the occupants P, the belt-supported air bag 42 can be more easily retained in the target shoulder Ps, including the clavicle, of the occupant P.

[0074] Alternatively, the upper extension portion 42A may be formed at least only at the outer end portion in the vehicle width direction, that is, only at the end portion on the shoulder belt 22A side. However, if the upper extension portion 42A is formed on both the left and right sides of the belt-supporting airbag 42, that is, at both the end portion of the belt-supporting airbag 42 on the shoulder belt 22A side and the end portion of the belt-supporting airbag 42 on the opposite side of the shoulder belt, this allows the belt-supporting airbag 42 to be installed in the front passenger side seat without requiring any design changes to the belt-supporting airbag 42, thereby improving manufacturing costs.

[0075] While the vehicle occupant restraint device 10 according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the vehicle occupant restraint device 10 according to this embodiment is not limited to the illustrated configuration and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the other end of the gas supply pipe 34 may be configured to protrude through the frame 24.

[0076] Furthermore, if the belt-supporting airbag 42 can be inflated and deployed to the target shoulder area Ps, including the clavicle, of the occupant P without being affected by the frontal collision airbag 46, the belt-supporting airbag 42 and the frontal collision airbag 46 may be inflated and deployed substantially simultaneously. Furthermore, if the belt-supporting airbag 42, which is inflated and deployed during the latter half of the occupant restraint, is not crushed by the inflated and deployed frontal collision airbag 46, the internal pressure of the belt-supporting airbag 42 and the internal pressure of the frontal collision airbag 46 may be equal.

[0077] Furthermore, since the seatbelt device 20 is mounted on the vehicle seat 12, the shoulder belt 22A does not necessarily need to be attached to the shoulder on the outside in the vehicle width direction. That is, the vehicle occupant restraint device 10 of this embodiment can also be applied to a structure in which the shoulder belt 22A is attached to the shoulder on the inside in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the seatbelt supporting airbag 42 is not limited to a structure in which two base fabrics are overlapped and the peripheral edges are sewn together; a structure in which three or more base fabrics are used and the peripheral edges are sewn together is also possible. Furthermore, the material of the guide member 38 is not limited to a silicone-based, highly slippery resin material; any other material can be used as long as it has excellent slip properties.

Claims

1. A vehicle occupant restraint device comprising: A seat belt device of a three-point type that restrains an occupant seated on a vehicle seat to the vehicle seat; a frontal collision airbag that is supplied with gas from an inflator and thereby inflates and deploys from the front side of the vehicle toward the occupant in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle; A belt-supported airbag is supplied with gas from an inflator during a frontal collision of the vehicle, thereby expanding and deploying between a shoulder belt portion of the seat belt of the seat belt device and the shoulders of the occupant in a manner extending in the seat width direction, thereby restraining both shoulders of the occupant including the clavicle.

2. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1, wherein: The belt-supporting airbag includes an upper extension portion at least at an end portion on the shoulder belt side, the upper extension portion facing an upper surface of a shoulder of the occupant on the shoulder belt side.

3. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: After the belt-supported airbag begins to restrain the occupant using the shoulder belt as a reaction force member, the frontal collision airbag continues to restrain the occupant as the occupant moves toward the front of the vehicle due to inertia.

4. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 3, wherein: The seatbelt supporting airbag is configured to inflate and deploy to a predetermined shape before the frontal collision airbag.

5. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 3, wherein: The internal pressure of the inflated and deployed belt-supporting airbag is higher than the internal pressure of the inflated and deployed frontal collision airbag.

6. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The pretensioner mechanism of the seat belt device is configured to be actuated after the belt-supported airbag has been inflated and deployed.

7. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The operation of the pretensioner mechanism of the seat belt apparatus is prohibited during the inflation and deployment of the belt-supported air bag.

8. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 2, wherein: The belt-supporting airbag further includes an upper extension portion at an end portion on the opposite side of the shoulder belt, the upper extension portion facing an upper surface of a shoulder of the occupant on the opposite side of the shoulder belt.

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