Seat cushion airbag device and seat cushion airbag structure

Abstract

Provided are a seat cushion airbag device and a seat cushion airbag structure which are capable of supporting a seat cushion airbag when the seat cushion airbag is expanded by abutting against the seat cushion airbag with a large area from below, and which are capable of satisfactorily maintaining the sitting comfort of a seat. A seat cushion airbag device (1) is provided with: a seat cushion airbag (11) which is disposed below a seat surface (93) of a seat (90) of a vehicle and above a seat support section (5) of the seat (90), and which expands and expands when an impact is generated in the vehicle; and a tether part (3) made of fabric, the tether part (3) being erected on the seat support part (5) at a position below the seat cushion air bag (11) and at least a partial region in the front-rear direction of the seat (90) and / or at least a partial region in the width direction of the seat (90).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat cushion airbag device and a seat cushion airbag structure mounted on a seat of a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] It is known that when a vehicle is subjected to an impact such as during a collision, an occupant sitting in a vehicle seat may move forward or downward even if the occupant is wearing a seat belt.

[0003] In this specification, the terms "front," "front," and so on refer to the front, front, and so on in the fore-and-aft direction, based on the body of an occupant seated on the seat. Similarly, the terms "rear," "rear," and so on refer to the rear, rear, and so on in the fore-and-aft direction, based on the body of an occupant seated on the seat. Furthermore, in this specification, the width direction, described later, refers to a horizontal direction perpendicular to the fore-and-aft direction. Furthermore, "up" and "down" refer to the vertical direction, respectively.

[0004] As one of the above-mentioned phenomena, for example, a phenomenon in which an occupant slides down and forward from a seat surface of a seat (so-called dive phenomenon) is known.

[0005] This dive phenomenon is thought to occur when the occupant's waist moves forward when a frontal impact is applied to the vehicle, causing a lap belt (also called a lap belt or lap belt) in the seat belt, which is used to restrain the occupant's waist, to pass from below.

[0006] In order to suppress the above-mentioned phenomenon of occupant movement, a technique has been proposed in which an airbag called a seat cushion airbag is provided below the seat surface of a seat, more specifically, inside the seat portion (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0007] For example, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, when an impact occurs, the seat cushion airbag is deployed and inflated to raise the seat surface. Paragraph

[0007] of Patent Document 1 and other sections explain that the seat cushion airbag raises the occupant's thighs and inhibits the occupant from moving forward.

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-188123

[0009] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-106617

[0010] As described above, the seat cushion airbag described in Patent Document 1 deploys and expands in response to an impact. During deployment and expansion, the seat cushion airbag lifts the occupant's waist from below. As a result, it is thought that it is difficult to suppress the occupant's forward movement, making the aforementioned dive phenomenon less likely to occur.

[0011] Here, the passenger sits on the seat cushion airbag and the seat portion, and the downward load caused by the passenger acts on the seat portion. Therefore, immediately after the seat cushion airbag is deployed and inflated, the passenger becomes an obstacle and the seat portion is difficult to deform upward.

[0012] That is, immediately after the seat cushion airbag is deployed and inflated, the seat portion first deforms downwardly, where it is easily deformed, and then deforms upwardly. Therefore, when the seat cushion airbag is deployed and inflated, a large downward force acts on the seat portion of the seat.

[0013] In order to stably restrain and support the occupant with the seat belt during an impact, it is desirable to significantly raise the waist of the occupant seated in the seat. Therefore, the seat cushion airbag needs to be deployed and inflated significantly in the vertical direction.

[0014] However, on the other hand, when the seat cushion airbag is greatly deployed and inflated in the vertical direction, the downward force acting from the seat cushion airbag on the seat portion of the seat also increases.

[0015] However, a typical seat has a seat support portion such as a seat pan and a seat rod. The seat support portion is a component arranged below at least a portion of a cushion portion of the seat and supports the seat portion of the seat including the cushion portion and an occupant seated thereon from below.

[0016] This seat support portion is pressed downward by the seat cushion airbag, which expands and deforms downward. Therefore, if the seat cushion airbag's expansion force is set high to significantly elevate the seated occupant's waist during an impact, the seat cushion airbag will significantly press the seat support portion downward during an impact. Depending on the situation, this may cause the seat support portion to deform.

[0017] Patent Document 2 proposes a technique in which a seat pan, which is a portion of a seat support, is extended in the front-rear direction of a seat and the seat pan is bridged on a seat rod, which is another portion of the seat support.

[0018] According to the technology described in Patent Document 2, a large seat pan extending in the fore-aft direction of the seat cushion contacts the seat cushion airbag from below over a large area during its deployment and expansion. Consequently, the seat pan distributes the external forces caused by the deployment and expansion of the seat cushion airbag, distributing the reaction forces resulting from these forces. Furthermore, this seat pan suppresses deformation of the entire seat support while supporting the seat cushion airbag from below, enabling the seat cushion airbag to deploy and expand significantly upward.

[0019] However, if the seat pan is enlarged and extended in the front-rear direction of the seat as described in Patent Document 2, the seat pan will be located below the buttocks of the occupant.

[0020] Because the seat portion supports the seat from below, the seat pan is formed of a relatively rigid material. Consequently, when a large seat pan extends in the front-to-rear direction of the seat and is positioned below the occupant's buttocks, the seat's cushioning properties are compromised, significantly deteriorating the ride comfort. Summary of the Invention

[0021] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above situation, and aims to provide a seat cushion airbag device that contacts and supports a seat cushion airbag from below with a large area during deployment and expansion, thereby maintaining good riding comfort of the seat.

[0022] The seat cushion airbag device of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems has the following features:

[0023] a seat cushion airbag disposed below a seat surface of a vehicle seat and above a seat support portion of the seat, and deployed and inflated when an impact occurs to the vehicle; and

[0024] The laces are made of cloth.

[0025] The tether portion is mounted on the seat support portion below the seat cushion airbag and over at least a portion of the front-rear direction of the seat and / or over at least a portion of the width direction of the seat.

[0026] Furthermore, the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention, which solves the above-mentioned problems, has the following features:

[0027] a seat support portion disposed below a seat surface of a vehicle seat;

[0028] a seat cushion airbag disposed below the seat surface and above the seat support portion, and deployed and inflated when an impact occurs to the vehicle; and

[0029] The laces are made of cloth.

[0030] The tether portion is mounted on the seat support portion below the seat cushion airbag and over at least a portion of the front-rear direction of the seat and / or over at least a portion of the width direction of the seat.

[0031] According to the technology of the present invention, it is possible to provide a seat cushion airbag device that contacts and supports a seat cushion airbag from below with a large area during deployment and expansion, thereby maintaining good riding comfort of a seat. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 It is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment.

[0033] Figure 2 It is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment.

[0034] Figure 3 It is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment.

[0035] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a state in which the airbag of the seat cushion airbag structure according to the first embodiment is viewed from the bottom.

[0036] Figure 5 It is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a seat cushion airbag structure according to a second embodiment.

[0037] Figure 6 It is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a seat cushion airbag structure according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] A seat cushion airbag device of the present invention is disposed below a seat surface of a vehicle seat and above a seat support portion of the seat, and includes a seat cushion airbag and a tether portion.

[0039] On the other hand, the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention is the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention, and further includes the above-mentioned seat support portion as a structural element.

[0040] The seat support portion, as used herein, is a general term for a rigid body positioned below at least a portion of a cushion portion of a seat, and refers to the portion that supports the entire seat, including the cushion portion. The seat support portion includes the seat frame, namely, the seat pan, seat bars (also called shafts), and side frames.

[0041] A seat cushion airbag device according to the present invention includes a seat cushion airbag that is deployed and inflated when a vehicle impact occurs, and a tether portion made of fabric.

[0042] The tether is located below the seat cushion airbag and extends across the seat support over at least a portion of the front-to-back area and / or the width of the seat. This tether, when deployed and inflated, contacts the seat cushion airbag over a wide area, effectively absorbing the external forces generated by the seat cushion airbag.

[0043] Furthermore, the tether portion is mounted on the seat support portion, so that the tether portion generates a reaction force due to the external force generated by the seat cushion airbag, thereby stably supporting the seat cushion airbag from below.

[0044] Furthermore, the tether portion is attached to the seat support portion over at least a portion of the front-to-back area of ​​the seat and / or at least a portion of the width of the seat. Therefore, the tether portion distributes the external force generated by the seat cushion airbag, effectively distributing the reaction force caused by the seat cushion airbag during deployment and expansion. Consequently, the external force generated by the seat cushion airbag is prevented from acting disproportionately on a portion of the seat, thereby preventing undesirable effects such as deformation of the seat support portion.

[0045] Furthermore, the tie portion is made of fabric and is therefore flexible and deformable. Therefore, if an occupant sits on the seat and the seat portion including the cushion and cover deforms downward, the tie portion below the seat surface of the seat also bends and deforms downward.

[0046] Therefore, with the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention, the cushioning properties of the seat are less likely to be impaired, and the riding comfort of the seat can be maintained satisfactorily.

[0047] According to the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention, the above-mentioned cooperative operation can achieve the effect of sufficiently dispersing the reaction force caused by the seat cushion airbag during deployment and expansion, and maintaining good riding comfort of the seat.

[0048] As described above, the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention is the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention described above, and further includes a seat support portion as a structural element.

[0049] Therefore, the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention has the effect of sufficiently dispersing the reaction force caused by the seat cushion airbag during deployment and expansion, and maintaining good riding comfort of the seat, similar to the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention.

[0050] Hereinafter, each structural element of the seat cushion airbag device and the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention will be described.

[0051] Furthermore, as described above, the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention includes the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, in this specification, descriptions of the various components of the seat cushion airbag device of the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention can be replaced with descriptions of the various components of the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention.

[0052] Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the front-rear direction, width direction, and up-down direction refer to directions of a seat, more specifically, directions relative to a seated passenger. The width direction may also refer to the left-right direction relative to the seated passenger.

[0053] Unless otherwise specified, the numerical range "x to y" described in this specification includes the lower limit x and the upper limit y within the range. Furthermore, any combination of the aforementioned upper and lower limits, as well as the numerical values ​​listed in the Examples, can be used to form new numerical ranges. Furthermore, any numerical value selected from within the aforementioned arbitrary numerical ranges can be used as the upper and lower limits of a new numerical range.

[0054] A seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention is disposed below a seat surface of a vehicle seat and above a seat support portion of the seat.

[0055] As mentioned above, the seat support section is the part that supports the seat portion of the passenger seat. The seat comprises a seat portion for the passenger to sit on, a seat support section that supports the seat portion from below, a backrest located behind the seat portion to support the passenger's back, and armrests located on the widthwise front side of the seat portion.

[0056] Furthermore, the seats in this specification may be any seats as long as they can accommodate passengers, and may be front seats such as a driver's seat and a passenger seat, or rear seats.

[0057] The seat portion includes a cushion portion and a skin portion exposed on the surface side of the cushion portion. The seat surface of the seat is formed by the skin portion of the seat portion.

[0058] When a vehicle impact occurs, the seat cushion airbag deploys and inflates, raising the seat surface and, in turn, the waist of a seated occupant. Thus, the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention, incorporating this seat cushion airbag, can suppress the aforementioned dive phenomenon. Furthermore, the seat cushion airbag elevates the occupant's waist, and thus the occupant's upper body, thereby enabling the shoulder strap of the seatbelt, which restrains the occupant's chest, to stably support the occupant's chest.

[0059] A seat cushion airbag typically expands and expands in response to an impact, and is typically formed into a bag shape. The seat cushion airbag device may include an inflation fluid source connected to the seat cushion airbag to supply inflation fluid to the seat cushion airbag. Unless otherwise specified, the airbag referred to in this specification refers to the airbag of the seat cushion airbag device.

[0060] When the airbag is deployed and inflated, it deforms itself and presses the seat surface of the seat upward.

[0061] It is preferable that such an airbag be folded in a normal state or stored in a seat portion in a flattened state, and a material that can be folded and expanded is preferably selected as the material of the airbag.

[0062] As a specific material for the airbag, it is preferable to select a material having flexibility and high strength. For example, a woven fabric using high-strength resin fibers such as polyester and polyamide can be particularly preferably used.

[0063] As the inflation fluid generating source, a so-called inflator that generates gas as the inflation fluid is preferably used. However, depending on the situation, a structure that generates an inflation fluid other than gas, such as liquid or gel, may also be used.

[0064] The inflation fluid generating source may be any device for supplying inflation fluid to the airbag. For example, it may be a so-called pilot-type inflator that includes a gas generating agent that generates gas serving as the inflation fluid. Alternatively, it may be a so-called hybrid-type inflator that ruptures the partition wall of a high-pressure container to supply the gas contained therein. The inflation fluid generating source may be disposed entirely outside the airbag, or partially or entirely within the airbag.

[0065] The seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention includes a fabric tether portion that is bridged over a seat support portion below the airbag and across at least a portion of the front-rear direction and / or width direction of the seat.

[0066] The lacing portion can be made of any fabric, i.e., a woven fabric, and its weaving method is arbitrary. Furthermore, the material of the lacing portion can be appropriately selected based on the required strength of the lacing portion. Specific examples of the lacing portion material include, but are not limited to, high-strength resin fibers similar to those used in the airbag, glass fibers, carbon fibers, metal fibers, and natural fibers derived from plants.

[0067] The tether portion is required to be able to fully bend and deform in the vertical direction and fully support the airbag from below during deployment and inflation. More preferably, the tether portion is flexible and not easily deformed by stretching.

[0068] The tether portion of the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention is made of fabric and is therefore less susceptible to stretching and deformation than, for example, tether portions made of knitted or nonwoven fabrics. Therefore, the tether portion of the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention can be sufficiently flexed and deformed in the vertical direction, providing sufficient support from below for the airbag during deployment and inflation.

[0069] In other words, the tether portion of the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention is made of fabric, so that it can abut against the airbag from below with a large area during deployment and inflating to stably support the airbag from below, while also achieving the effect of maintaining good riding comfort of the seat.

[0070] The tether portion is bridged over the seat support portion over at least a portion of the seat in the front-rear direction and / or over at least a portion of the seat in the width direction.

[0071] Regarding the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention, the area where the tether portion is installed in the seat is not particularly limited, for example, it is preferably greater than or equal to 30% of the front-to-back length and / or width length of the seat portion of the seat, greater than or equal to 50% or greater than or equal to 70%.

[0072] When the strap portion is mounted on the seat support portion over at least a portion of the front-to-rear direction of the seat, the widthwise length of the strap portion is preferably greater than or equal to 30%, greater than or equal to 50%, greater than or equal to 70%, or greater than or equal to the width of the airbag.

[0073] In the case where the tether portion is mounted on the seat support portion over at least a portion of the width direction of the seat, the length of the tether portion in the front-to-back direction is preferably greater than or equal to 30% of the front-to-back length of the seat portion, greater than or equal to 50%, greater than or equal to 70%, or greater than or equal to the front-to-back length of the airbag.

[0074] When the tether portion is arranged above the seat spring of the seat portion, there is an advantage in that the tether portion can efficiently generate a reaction force due to the deployment and expansion of the airbag.

[0075] Seat springs are part of the seat and are located below the cushion. Interposed between the cushion and the seat frame, they cushion vibrations during vehicle travel, improving seat comfort.

[0076] If a downward load acts on the seat spring, it elastically compresses it downward. Therefore, if the seat spring is directly below the airbag and the airbag expands downward during an impact, pressing the seat spring downward, the seat spring is compressed, buffering the downward force acting from the airbag. Consequently, due to the spring characteristics of the seat spring, the reaction force acting from below on the airbag during expansion decreases, lowering the lower end of the airbag. This, in turn, makes it difficult to rapidly expand the airbag upward, potentially hindering the rapid raising of the seat surface.

[0077] When the tether is positioned above the seat springs, it becomes interposed between the airbag and the seat springs. As described above, the tether is attached to the seat support and receives the external force generated during airbag deployment and inflation, generating a reaction force. Therefore, in this case, the external force generated by the airbag during deployment and inflation is less likely to be transmitted to the seat springs. Consequently, this allows for rapid upward deployment and inflation of the airbag, allowing the seat surface to rise rapidly.

[0078] The tether is mounted on the seat support. Therefore, during airbag deployment, a significant force acts on the tether in the direction of its mounting on the seat support. Therefore, to further suppress tensile deformation of the tether, it is preferable to design the tether so that it is less susceptible to tensile deformation in the direction of its mounting on the seat support. Hereinafter, the direction of the tether in the direction of its mounting on the seat support will sometimes be referred to as the mounting direction.

[0079] However, the fabric used as the material of the lace portion is greatly deformed by stretching in the case of twill, but is not easily deformed by stretching in the case of vertical and horizontal grains, and is particularly difficult to deform by stretching in the case of vertical grain.

[0080] The longitudinal grain mentioned here refers to the direction in which the warp threads in the cloth extend in the same direction as the direction of the greatest force acting in the cloth. Specifically, it refers to the direction in which the warp threads in the lace portion extend in the same direction as the direction in which the lace portion is erected.

[0081] In addition, horizontal grain means that the direction in which the warp threads in the fabric extend is perpendicular to the direction in which the greatest force acts on the fabric. Specifically, it means that the direction in which the warp threads in the lace portion extend is perpendicular to the direction in which the lace portion is erected.

[0082] In addition, twill refers to a fabric in which the direction of extension of the warp threads intersects at 45 degrees with the direction of the maximum force acting on the fabric. Specifically, it refers to a fabric in which the direction of extension of the warp threads in the lace portion intersects at 45 degrees with the direction in which the lace portion is erected.

[0083] As described above, in order to further suppress the tensile deformation of the lace portion, the angle formed by the installation direction of the lace portion and the direction in which the warp of the lace portion extends is preferably 0 degrees or 90 degrees, and 0 degrees is particularly preferred.

[0084] Here, the angle formed by the installation direction of the lace portion and the direction in which the warp of the lace portion extends may not strictly be 0 degrees or 90 degrees, but may be within a range of about ±10 degrees of the above angles.

[0085] As described above, the tether portion of the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention is mounted on the seat support portion over at least a portion of the seat's longitudinal direction and / or at least a portion of the seat's width direction. In other words, the tether portion can be mounted on the seat support portion in the longitudinal direction or in the width direction. The tether portion can be mounted on the seat support portion in both the longitudinal and width directions.

[0086] The seat support portion is a member disposed below at least a portion of a cushion portion of a seat and supports an occupant sitting on the cushion portion from below. Specific examples include the seat pan, seat bars, and side frames of the seat.

[0087] Among them, the seat pan is a component formed in a plate shape, and is usually installed in the front-to-back direction and the width direction relative to the seat part based on its shape, and is installed in the front-to-back direction and the width direction relative to the seat frame of the seat, thereby supporting the seat part of the seat from below, and further supporting the seat part and the occupant sitting on the seat part from below.

[0088] A seat post is a rod-shaped member that, more specifically, spans the width of the seat portion relative to the seat frame. This supports the seat portion from below, and thus the seat portion and the occupant seated therein. While the seat post is typically positioned rearward of the seat pan, it can also be positioned forward of the seat pan.

[0089] A seat may have only one seat post or may have more than one seat post. When a seat has two or more seat posts, the rear seat post is referred to as the first seat post and the front seat post is referred to as the second seat post.

[0090] When the seat has, for example, one seat pan and one seat rod, the seat pan and the seat rod can be selected as the seat support portion on which the tether portion is mounted. In this case, it can be said that the tether portion is mounted in the front-to-back direction over the area extending across the front-to-back direction of the seat pan and the seat rod.

[0091] In addition, when the seat has the above-mentioned first seat rod and second seat rod, the seat support portion for the belt portion to be mounted can be a seat pan and the first seat rod, a seat pan and the second seat rod, a first seat rod and the second seat rod, or a seat pan, the first seat rod and the second seat rod.

[0092] For example, when the tether portion is spanned between the seat pan and the first seat rod, it can be said that the tether portion is spanned in the front-rear direction over a region extending across the seat pan and the first seat rod in the front-rear direction.

[0093] For example, when the tether portion is spanned between the seat pan and the second seat rod, it can be said that the tether portion is spanned in the front-rear direction over the region extending across the seat pan and the second seat rod in the front-rear direction.

[0094] For example, when the tether portion is spanned between the first seat post and the second seat post, it can be said that the tether portion is spanned in the front-rear direction over the region extending between the first seat post and the second seat post in the front-rear direction.

[0095] Furthermore, the seat frame of the seat can be selected as the seat support portion. For example, the two side frames (1k) that form part of the seat frame and constitute the side portions of the seat can be selected as the seat support portion. Since the side frames are separated in the width direction, in this case, the tie portion is extended in the width direction between one side frame and the other side frame. In other words, in this case, the tie portion can be said to be extended in the width direction across the width of one side frame and the other side frame.

[0096] The seat support portion on which the tether portion is mounted can be appropriately determined based on the position of each seat support portion relative to the seat surface, the position of the airbag, the shape of the tether portion, the shape of the airbag, etc.

[0097] In order to more stably and efficiently support the airbag deployed and inflated during an impact using the tether portion from below, it is preferred that tension be applied to the tether portion in the direction in which the tether portion is deployed during an impact. Specifically, the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention preferably includes a tensioning element for applying tension to the tether portion in the direction in which the tether portion is deployed during an impact.

[0098] For example, when the tether portion is extended in the front-rear direction, the tension applying element may apply tension in the front-rear direction to the tether portion when an impact occurs.

[0099] Furthermore, for example, when the tether portion is stretched in the width direction, the tension applying element may apply tension in the width direction to the tether portion when an impact occurs.

[0100] As long as the tension applying element can apply the above-mentioned tension to the lace portion when an impact occurs, its structure and tension generating mechanism are not particularly limited.

[0101] For example, the airbag itself may be used as the tension applying element.

[0102] Specifically, the airbag may be provided with a downward pressing portion that bulges downward during deployment and inflation, and the downward pressing portion may be used as a tension applying element.

[0103] When the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention includes such a tension-applying element, when the airbag deploys during an impact, a portion of the airbag, namely the lower pressing portion, bulges downward. This airbag then further presses the tether portion located therebelow downward, thereby applying tension to the tether portion in the direction in which it is deployed.

[0104] The position of the downward pressing portion of the airbag is not particularly limited, but for example, the downward pressing portion is preferably disposed between the seat pan and the second seat post or between the second seat post and the first seat post when the airbag is inflated.

[0105] Furthermore, for example, when a portion of the tether portion is located forward and / or backward relative to the airbag, this portion can also be used as a tension applying element.

[0106] That is, a part of the airbag changes its position upward when it is deployed and inflated. It is sufficient to integrate the part of the tether portion that is closer to the front and / or rear than the airbag with the part.

[0107] Hereinafter, the portion of the airbag whose position changes upward during deployment and inflation is referred to as an upward stretching portion as needed.

[0108] In this case, when the airbag deploys and expands during an impact, and the upper tensile portion, which is part of the airbag, changes position upward, the portion of the tether portion that is integrated with the upper tensile portion also stretches upward. As a result, tension is applied to the tether portion in the direction in which it is deployed.

[0109] Furthermore, for example, the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention may include an electric actuator connected to the tether portion and configured to stretch the tether portion when an impact occurs. In this case, the electric actuator may also be used as a tension applying element.

[0110] In this case, the electric actuator operates when an impact occurs, and the tether portion is stretched following the operation of the electric actuator. As a result, tension is applied to the tether portion in the direction in which it is installed.

[0111] For example, if an electric motor is used as the electric actuator and a portion of the tether is attached to the rotating shaft of the electric motor, the tether is wound as the motor rotates, thereby imparting the aforementioned tension to the tether.

[0112] Hereinafter, the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention will be described with reference to specific examples.

[0113] (Example 1)

[0114] The seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1 includes a seat pan as a seat support portion and two seat rods, and the airbag has a downward pressing portion.

[0115] exist Figures 1 to 3 , which schematically illustrates the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1. Figure 1 The seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1 is schematically shown as viewed from above. Figure 2 The seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1 is shown when the airbag is in a normal state. Figure 3 The seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1 is shown when an impact occurs and the airbag is deployed and inflated. Figure 41 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a state where the airbag of the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1 is viewed from the bottom.

[0116] In the following, in Example 1, the terms "up", "down", "left", "right", "front", and "back" refer to the respective figures. The left-right direction corresponds to the width direction.

[0117] The seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment includes a seat cushion airbag device 1 and a seat support portion 5 .

[0118] like Figure 1 As shown, the seat cushion airbag device 1 includes an airbag 11 and an inflation fluid generating source 10 .

[0119] The seat cushion airbag device 1 of the seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment is mounted on a vehicle seat 90, and more specifically, is arranged below a seat surface 93 in a seat portion 91 of the seat 90. It can also be said that the seat cushion airbag device 1 of the seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment is arranged below the seat surface 93 in the seat portion 91.

[0120] A seat pan 96p, a first seat rod 96f, and a second seat rod 96s are arranged within the seat portion 91. The seat pan 96p is fixed to a seat frame (not shown) at the front end of the seat portion 91. The seat frame forms the lower portion of the seat portion 91 of the seat 90. It is arranged below the cushion 95 and supports the entire seat portion 91, including the cushion 95.

[0121] The seat frame (not shown) includes two side frames spaced apart from each other in the width direction and a front frame located at the front side and connecting the two side frames.

[0122] The seat pan 96p is mounted on the front frame and the front portions of the two side frames in the seat frame.

[0123] The first seat bar 96f and the second seat bar 96s are mounted on the two side frames at a position rearward of the seat pan 96p. The first seat bar 96f is positioned rearward of the second seat bar 96s, and the second seat bar 96s is disposed between the seat pan 96p and the first seat bar 96f.

[0124] The airbag 11 is located above the seat pan 96p and the second seat rod 96s within the seat 91. The airbag 11 can be said to be arranged in the front region between the center and the front end of the seat 91 in the front-rear direction.

[0125] The inflation fluid generating source 10 is disposed inside the airbag 11 and is disposed forward of the second seat rod 96 s .

[0126] The inflation fluid generator 10 of the seat cushion airbag device 1 is an inflator that generates gas as the inflation fluid and is connected to a control device (not shown) for deploying and inflating the airbag 11. The control device is the vehicle's electronic control unit (ECU) and operates in response to power supply.

[0127] The airbag 11 is made of polyester fabric. Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the airbag 11 includes a bag-shaped main body 11m and a bag-shaped lower pressing portion 11d integral with the lower surface of the main body 11m. The lower pressing portion 11d has a protruding end facing downward. The interior of the lower pressing portion 11d communicates with the interior of the main body 11m.

[0128] Therefore, when the airbag 11 is deployed and inflated, if the inflation fluid generated by the inflation fluid generating source 10 is supplied to the interior of the main body 11m, the inflation fluid is also supplied to the interior of the lower pressing portion 11d connected to the main body 11m. Therefore, at this time, the lower pressing portion 11d is convex downward ( Figure 3 ).

[0129] Furthermore, in the seat cushion airbag device 1 of Example 1, the downward pressing portion 11d is disposed between the seat pan 96p and the second seat rod 96s when the airbag 11 is inflated, and presses the tether portion 3 downward therebetween. Alternatively, the downward pressing portion 11d may be disposed between the second seat rod 96s and the first seat rod 96f when the airbag 11 is inflated. In this case, the downward pressing portion 11d presses the tether portion 3 downward therebetween.

[0130] For reference, regarding the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1, the length of the lower pressing portion 11d in the front-to-back direction is preferably approximately 25% to 50% of the length of the airbag 11 in the front-to-back direction, in other words, the length of the main body portion 11m in the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, the length of the lower pressing portion 11d in the width direction is preferably approximately 80% to 100% of the length of the airbag 11 in the width direction, in other words, the length of the main body portion 11m in the width direction.

[0131] In the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1, the main body portion 11m has a length of approximately 200 mm in the front-to-back direction and a length of approximately 400 mm in the width direction. Meanwhile, the lower pressing portion 11d has a length of approximately 50 mm in the front-to-back direction and a length of approximately 380 mm in the width direction.

[0132] The tether portion 3 is made of the same polyester woven fabric as the airbag 11 and is spanned in the front-rear direction between the seat pan 96p, the second seat rod 96s, and the first seat rod 96f.

[0133] Regarding the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1, the length of the tether portion 3 in the front-rear direction is about 75% of the length of the seat portion 91 in the front-rear direction, and the length of the tether portion 3 in the width direction is about 90% of the length of the seat portion 91 in the width direction.

[0134] The front end of the tether 3 is fixed to the seat pan 96p using bolts (not shown). Furthermore, the rear end of the tether 3 is fixed to the first seat rod 96f using hooks (not shown). The center portion of the tether 3 in the front-to-back direction is extended above the second seat rod 96s, located between the seat pan 96p and the first seat rod 96f.

[0135] The direction in which the warp of the tether portion 3 extends is substantially consistent with the front-rear direction. Therefore, the angle formed by the direction in which the tether portion 3 is stretched over the seat support portion 5 and the direction in which the warp of the tether portion 3 extends is substantially 0 degrees.

[0136] In the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1, the tether portion 3 is located below the airbag 11. Therefore, when the airbag 11 deploys during an impact, if the lower pressing portion 11d bulges downward, the tether portion 3 located below the airbag 11 is pressed downward by the lower pressing portion 11d of the airbag 11.

[0137] The lace portion 3 is as follows Figure 1 As shown, the tether portion 3 of the seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment is formed into a belt shape extending in the width direction and the front-to-back direction, and is arranged to extend in the front-to-back direction. In other words, the tether portion 3 of the seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment extends to a portion of the front-to-back direction and a portion of the width direction relative to the seat portion 91 of the seat 90, and particularly to a portion of the front-to-back direction extending over the seat support portion 5.

[0138] Therefore, when the airbag 11 is deployed and inflated, the tether portion 3 contacts the airbag 11 over a large area, and can efficiently receive the external force generated by the airbag 11 .

[0139] Furthermore, when the airbag 11 is deployed and inflated, the tether portion 3 pressed downward by the lower pressing portion 11d is stretched in the front-to-back direction. That is, in the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1, the lower pressing portion 11d applies tension in the front-to-back direction to the tether portion 3 when an impact occurs ( Figure 3 ).

[0140] As described above, the tether portion 3 is mounted on the seat pan 96p, the second seat rod 96s, and the first seat rod 96f, which serve as the seat support portion 5. Therefore, when the tether portion 3 is subjected to external force from the airbag 11 during deployment and inflation, a reaction force is generated, thereby stably supporting the airbag 11 from below. Furthermore, tension is applied to the tether portion 3 in the front-rear direction by the lower pressing portion 11d, thereby providing more stable and efficient support for the airbag 11 from below.

[0141] Thus, according to the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1, when an impact occurs, the airbag 11 can be deployed and inflated to a higher position, so that the buttocks 99b of the occupant 99 can be raised from the bottom to a sufficient height, and the waist 99w of the occupant 99 can be fully raised, and the occupant 99 can be stably restrained and supported by the seat belt 94s.

[0142] Furthermore, the tether portion 3 is arranged across a relatively large area in the front-to-back and width directions on the seat support portion 5. Therefore, the tether portion 3 can distribute the external force generated by the airbag 11 during deployment and inflation over a relatively large area, thereby preventing the external force from being biased towards the tether portion 3 or a portion of the seat 90. Consequently, the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1 can prevent problems such as deformation of a portion of the seat 90, including the seat support portion 5.

[0143] The tie portion 3 is made of fabric and is flexible and deformable. Therefore, when an occupant 99 sits on the seat 90 and the seat surface 93 of the seat 90 deforms downward, the tie portion 3 below the seat surface 93 of the seat 90 follows this movement and deforms downward. In other words, the tie portion 3 deforms downward along the buttocks 99b of the occupant 99. As a result, the tie portion 3 is less likely to impair the cushioning properties of the seat 90, maintaining a high level of riding comfort.

[0144] According to the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1, through the above-mentioned cooperative action, a large area of ​​the seat cushion airbag 11 can be abutted from below during deployment and expansion, thereby supporting the airbag 11. Furthermore, during an impact, the seat belt 94s can stably restrain and support the occupant 99. Furthermore, according to the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1, the riding comfort of the seat 90 can be maintained at a good level.

[0145] (Example 2)

[0146] The seat cushion airbag structure of Example 2 is substantially the same as the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1 except for the tension applying element.

[0147] exist Figure 5 and Figure 6 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a seat cushion airbag structure according to a second embodiment.

[0148] Next, the seat cushion airbag structure of the second embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0149] like Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the seat cushion airbag structure of the second embodiment does not have the lower pressing portion 11 d in the airbag 11 . Instead, the portion of the tether portion 3 that is further forward than the airbag 11 is integrated with the upper tensile portion 11 u located on the front and upper side of the airbag 11 .

[0150] The upper tensile portion 11 u of the airbag 11 is a portion whose position changes upward during deployment and expansion. It can be said that the upper tensile portion 11 u is a tension-applying element of the seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment.

[0151] The portion of the tether 3 located forward of the airbag 11 is integrated with the upper tension portion 11u of the airbag 11. Therefore, when the airbag 11 deploys during an impact, the tether 3 follows this movement and stretches forward and upward. Consequently, tension is applied to the tether 3 in the front-rear direction.

[0152] The seat cushion airbag structure of Example 2 includes an upper tensioning portion 11u as a tension-applying element, in place of the lower pressing portion 11d. Similar to the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1, the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 2 supports the airbag 11 from below, with a large area in contact with it during its deployment. This allows the seat belt 94s to stably restrain and support the occupant 99 during an impact. Furthermore, the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 2 maintains excellent riding comfort in the seat 90.

[0153] And, as Figure 5 As shown, in the seat cushion airbag structure of the second embodiment, the tether portion 3 is arranged above the seat spring 97 and is interposed between the seat spring 97 and the airbag 11 .

[0154] Therefore, if Figure 6 As shown, regarding the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 2, it is possible to suppress the influence of the seat spring 97 on the deployment and expansion of the airbag 11, and to enable the tether portion 3 to efficiently generate a reaction force, thereby enabling the tether portion 3 to efficiently support the airbag 11 from the bottom side, and further enabling the seat surface 93 of the seat 90 and the waist 99w of the occupant 99 sitting on the seat 90 to rise rapidly.

[0155] Therefore, according to the seat cushion airbag structure of the second embodiment, the occupant 99 can be restrained and supported more stably by the seat belt 94s when an impact occurs.

[0156] The present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the like. Elements described in the embodiments and the like can be appropriately extracted and combined, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0157] Furthermore, the specification of the present invention not only discloses the citation relationship of each technical claim at the time of application, but also discloses the technical concept of appropriately combining the matters described in each technical claim.

[0158] Description of the label

[0159] 1: Seat airbag device

[0160] 11: Airbag (seat airbag)

[0161] 11d: Lower pressing portion (tension applying element)

[0162] 11u: Upper stretching part (tension applying element)

[0163] 3: Lace

[0164] 5: Seat support

[0165] 90: Seats

[0166] 93: Seat surface

[0167] 96p: Seat chassis

[0168] 96f: 1st seat rod (seat rod)

[0169] 96s: 2nd seat post (seat post)

Claims

1. A seat cushion airbag structure, wherein: The seat cushion airbag structure comprises: a seat support portion disposed below a seat surface of a vehicle seat; a seat cushion airbag, which is arranged below the seat surface and above the seat support portion and is deployed and inflated when an impact occurs to the vehicle; as well as The laces are made of cloth. The tether portion is mounted on the seat support portion below the seat cushion airbag and over at least a portion of the front-rear direction of the seat and / or over at least a portion of the width direction of the seat.

2. A seat cushion airbag device, wherein: The seat cushion airbag device comprises: A seat cushion airbag, which is arranged below the seat surface of a vehicle seat and above the seat support portion of the seat, and is deployed and inflated when an impact occurs to the vehicle; as well as The laces are made of cloth. The tether portion is mounted on the seat support portion below the seat cushion airbag and over at least a portion of the front-rear direction of the seat and / or over at least a portion of the width direction of the seat.

3. The seat cushion airbag device according to claim 2, wherein: The seat support portion comprises: a seat rod extending in the width direction relative to the seat portion of the seat; and The seat bottom plate is formed in a plate shape and is located further forward than the seat rod in the front-rear direction. The tether portion is mounted on the seat rod and the seat pan.

4. The seat cushion airbag device according to claim 2, wherein: The seat support portion includes at least two selected from the following components: a first seat rod extending in the width direction relative to the seat portion of the seat; a second seat rod extending across the seat portion in the width direction and positioned further forward than the first seat rod in the front-rear direction; as well as A seat pan is formed in a plate shape and is located further forward than the second seat rod. The tether portion is mounted on at least two selected from the first seat post, the second seat post, and the seat pan.

5. The seat cushion airbag device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The tether portion is mounted on the seat support portion in at least a portion of the front-rear direction. The seat cushion airbag device includes a tension applying element that applies tension in the front-rear direction to the tether portion when the impact occurs.

6. The seat cushion airbag device according to claim 5, wherein: The seat cushion airbag has a downward pressing portion that bulges downward when deployed and inflated. The tension applying element is the lower pressing portion.

7. The seat cushion airbag device according to claim 5, wherein: The seat cushion airbag has an upper stretching portion whose position changes upward when deployed and expanded. The portion of the tether portion that is located further forward and / or rearward of the seat cushion airbag in the front-rear direction is integrated with the upper stretch portion. The tension applying element is the upper stretching portion.

8. The seat cushion airbag device according to claim 5, wherein: The seat cushion airbag device includes an electric actuator connected to the tether portion and configured to stretch the tether portion when the impact occurs. The tension applying element is the electric actuator.

9. The seat cushion airbag device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: An angle formed by a direction in which the tether portion is laid across the seat support portion and a direction in which a warp of the tether portion extends is 0 degrees or 90 degrees.

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