Occupant protection device

Abstract

Occupant protection device, comprising: a plurality of first inflation sections (26) arranged in a seat transverse direction with intervals therebetween and provided between vehicle seats (16) arranged facing each other, and inflating in a vehicle vertical direction with respect to a floor (18) of a vehicle body as gas is supplied into an interior of the first inflation sections (26); and a second inflation section (28) connected to the first inflation sections (26) and inflated by the supply of gas from one of the first inflation sections (26) in a state after inflation, wherein the second inflation section (28) is arranged to face occupants (P) in a seat longitudinal direction in a state in which the occupants (P) are seated on the vehicle seats (16) arranged facing each other, and is separated from the floor (18) of the vehicle body, wherein the plurality of first inflation sections (26) are connected in the seat transverse direction via the second inflation section (28), and Gas from an inflator (22) is supplied to a first inflation section (26) of the plurality of first inflation sections (26) arranged on one side in the seat transverse direction.

Description

BackgroundTechnical area

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an occupant protection device. Related state of the art

[0002] JP 2017-149331 A discloses an occupant protection device that reduces the injury levels of occupants sitting on vehicle seats arranged so that they face each other in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle. In this occupant protection device, at the time of a vehicle collision, by expanding a transverse airbag between vehicle seats arranged facing each other, the transverse airbag is inserted between the occupants sitting on these vehicle seats. This can force the knees of the occupants sitting on these vehicle seats, which are in contact with each other, downward pressure.

[0003] From the perspective of reducing the injury rates of occupants sitting on vehicle seats that are arranged facing each other or opposite each other, it is important to quickly expand the airbag (the inflation section) between the vehicle seats.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 10 2014 013 649 A1 discloses an adaptive, deployable restraint element for a vehicle safety system with at least two leg elements arranged at least partially in a V-shape relative to one another, between which at least one cross strut is arranged, connecting the leg elements, wherein the leg elements and / or the cross strut are inflatable. Also disclosed are a gas bag module and an occupant safety system with such a restraint element, as well as the use of the fin-jet effect in an adaptive restraint element.

[0005] US 10 525 922 B1 discloses an airbag assembly having an airbag configured to be attached to a vehicle floor. The airbag is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position, the airbag is deflated. In the deployed position, the airbag is inflated and spaced from the vehicle floor to define an opening between the airbag and the vehicle floor. The opening is sized to accommodate the feet or lower legs of a vehicle occupant, thereby limiting the movement of the vehicle occupant's legs when an external force is applied to the vehicle.

[0006] US 11 577 680 B1 discloses an assembly for a vehicle having a vehicle floor. The assembly includes a base slidably supported by the vehicle floor, the base being movable relative to the vehicle floor from a stowed position to a deployed position. The assembly includes a tray supported by the base and an airbag supported by the base adjacent to the tray.

[0007] In addition, DE 10 2011 008 370 A1 discloses an airbag, in particular for a motor vehicle, with a support structure having a plurality of hollow body parts, which is movable from a storage position into a retention position and by which, in its retention position, a retention volume of the airbag is at least partially surrounded, wherein at least one of the hollow body parts of the support structure is formed in one piece, as well as a method for producing such an airbag. Summary

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an occupant protection device that can quickly expand an inflation portion between facing vehicle seats.

[0009] The above object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject matter of the subsequent dependent claims.

[0010] A first explanatory aspect of the present disclosure corresponds to an occupant protection device comprising: a first inflation portion provided between vehicle seats arranged to face each other, and inflating in a vehicle vertical direction with respect to a floor of a vehicle body by supplying gas into an interior of the first inflation portion; and a second inflation portion connected to the first inflation portion and inflating by supplying gas from the first inflation portion in a post-inflation state, wherein the second inflation portion is arranged to face occupants in a seat longitudinal direction in a state where the occupants are seated on the vehicle seats arranged to face each other and is separated from the floor of the vehicle body.

[0011] According to the occupant protection device of the first aspect, when gas is supplied to the interior of the first inflation portion, the first inflation portion inflates in the vehicle vertical direction with respect to the floor of the vehicle body. Further, when gas is supplied from the first inflation portion to the second inflation portion, the second inflation portion inflates, and the second inflation portion is arranged to face the occupants sitting on the vehicle seats arranged facing each other in the seat longitudinal direction. Therefore, at the time of a vehicle collision, for example, the bodies of the occupants moving toward the seat fronts can be restrained by the second inflation portion.Here, the passenger protection device of the first aspect is configured to include the first inflation section and the second inflation section located away from the bottom of the vehicle body in a post-inflation state. With this structure, the volume of the inflation section (the first inflation section and the second inflation section) can be made small compared to a structure in which, for example, a single inflation section with the same protection area is expanded between the opposing vehicle seats. This allows the inflation section (the first inflation section and the second inflation section) to be quickly expanded between the vehicle seats arranged facing each other.

[0012] A second explanatory aspect of the present disclosure corresponds to the first aspect of the occupant protection device, wherein a first partition-shaped member is provided on a lower side of the second inflation portion after inflation, which first partition-shaped member connects the floor of the vehicle body and the second inflation portion and separates a region between the vehicle seats arranged facing each other in the seat longitudinal direction.

[0013] According to the passenger protection device of the second aspect, the first partition-shaped member is provided on the underside of the second inflation section after inflation. This allows luggage or the like moving from the side of one of the vehicle seats to the side of the other vehicle seats to be suppressed or restrained by the first partition-shaped member. Furthermore, the first partition-shaped member connects the floor of the vehicle body to the second inflation section. This allows shaking of the second inflation section to be suppressed (the movement of the second inflation section can be stabilized) at the time of gas supply from the first inflation section to the second inflation section.

[0014] A third explanatory aspect of the present disclosure corresponds to the first or second aspect of the occupant protection device, wherein the second inflation portion includes a head portion facing portion which, after inflation, is arranged to face head portions of the occupants in the seat longitudinal direction in the state where the occupants are seated on the vehicle seats arranged to face each other.

[0015] According to the occupant protection device of the third aspect, when the head-facing portion of the second inflation portion inflates, the head-facing portion is positioned so as to face the head portions of the occupants sitting on the vehicle seats arranged facing each other in the seat longitudinal direction. Therefore, at the time of a vehicle collision, the head portions of the occupants that have moved toward the seat fronts can be restrained by the head-facing portion of the second inflation portion.

[0016] A fourth explanatory aspect of the present disclosure corresponds to the first or second aspect of the occupant protection device, wherein the second inflation portion includes a knee-facing portion disposed, after inflation, to face knees of the occupants in the seat longitudinal direction in the state where the occupants are seated on the vehicle seats arranged to face each other.

[0017] According to the occupant protection device of the fourth aspect, when the knee-facing portion of the second inflation section inflates, the knee-facing portion is positioned so that it faces the knees of the occupants sitting on the vehicle seats arranged facing each other in the seat longitudinal direction. Therefore, at the time of a vehicle collision, the knees of the occupants who have moved toward the seat fronts can be restrained by the knee-facing portion of the second inflation section.

[0018] A fifth explanatory aspect of the present disclosure corresponds to the fourth aspect of the occupant protection device according to the third aspect of the occupant protection device, wherein a second partition-shaped member connecting the head portion facing portion and the knee portion and separating, in the seat longitudinal direction, a region between the vehicle seats arranged to face each other is provided between the head portion facing portion after inflation and the knee portion after inflation.

[0019] According to the occupant protection device of the fifth aspect, the second partition-shaped member connecting the head-facing portion after inflation and the knee-facing portion after inflation is provided between the two after inflation. Therefore, the interval between the head-facing portion after inflation and the knee-facing portion after inflation can be set to a desired distance by the second partition-shaped member.

[0020] A sixth explanatory aspect of the present disclosure corresponds to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the occupant protection device, which includes a plurality of first inflation portions arranged with intervals therebetween in a seat width direction, wherein: the plurality of first inflation portions are connected in the seat width direction via the second inflation portion, and gas from an inflator is supplied to a first inflation portion of the plurality of first inflation portions arranged on one side in the seat width direction.

[0021] According to the passenger protection device of the sixth aspect, the plurality of first inflation sections are provided, which are arranged in the seat width direction with intervals therebetween. The plurality of first inflation sections are connected in the seat width direction via the second inflation section. With this structure, the volume of the inflation section (the first inflation sections and the second inflation section) can be made small compared to a structure in which, for example, a single inflation section with the same protection area is expanded between the oppositely arranged vehicle seats. Therefore, the inflation section (the first inflation sections and the second inflation section) can be quickly expanded even in a structure in which gas from an inflator is supplied to the first inflation section, which is arranged on one side in the seat width direction, among the plurality of first inflation sections.

[0022] A seventh explanatory aspect of the present disclosure corresponds to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the occupant protection device, which includes a plurality of first inflation portions arranged with intervals therebetween in a seat width direction, wherein: the plurality of first inflation portions are connected in the seat width direction via the second inflation portion, and gas from an inflator is supplied to a first inflation portion of the plurality of first inflation portions arranged at a central portion in the seat width direction.

[0023] According to the occupant protection device of the seventh aspect, the plurality of first inflation sections are arranged in the seat width direction with intervals therebetween. The plurality of first inflation sections are connected in the seat width direction via the second inflation section. With this structure, the volume of the inflation section (the first inflation sections and the second inflation section) can be made small compared to a structure in which, for example, a single inflation section with the same protection area is expanded between the facing or opposing vehicle seats.Thereby, the inflation section (the first inflation sections and the second inflation section) can be quickly expanded even in the case of a structure in which gas from an inflator is supplied to the first inflation section, among the plurality of first inflation sections, which is arranged at the center section in the seat width direction.

[0024] The occupant protection device related to the present disclosure can quickly expand an inflation portion between vehicle seats arranged facing each other. Short description of the figures Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a portion of a passenger compartment of a vehicle equipped with an occupant protection apparatus of a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state after operation of the occupant protection apparatus of the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing Fig. 2 and shows a state after operation of an occupant protection device of a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing Fig. 2 and shows a state after the operation of an occupant protection device of a first explanatory example. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing Fig. 2 and shows a state after the operation of an occupant protection device of a second explanatory example. Detailed Description (Occupant Protection Device 10 of the First Embodiment)

[0025] An occupant protection device 10 relating to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is constructed using Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Note that the FRONT arrow shown in the respective figures indicates the front side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the TOP arrow indicates the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction, and the WIDTH arrow indicates a side in the vehicle transverse direction. Furthermore, when descriptions are made using only longitudinal and vertical directions below, unless otherwise stated, these refer to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vertical direction of the vehicle vertical direction. Note that the vehicle longitudinal direction, viewed from rear seats 16R, which will be described later, coincides with a seat longitudinal direction.

[0026] As in Fig. As shown in FIG. 1, the occupant protection device 10 of the present embodiment is provided in a cabin or passenger compartment 14 of an autonomous vehicle 12 without a driver's seat. Note that the occupant protection device 10 of the present embodiment can also be applied to autonomous vehicles with a driver's seat, in which the vehicle seats can be oriented toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0027] In the cabin or passenger compartment 14 of the vehicle 12, four vehicle seats 16 are provided, which are arranged facing each other in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the seating capacity of the vehicle 12 of the present embodiment is four. Here, the vehicle seats 16 arranged at the front are referred to as front seats 16F, and the vehicle seats 16 arranged at the rear are referred to as rear seats 16R. Note that in Fig. 1 The illustration of the front seat 16F and the rear seat 16R, which are arranged on one side in the transverse direction of the vehicle, is omitted.

[0028] The occupant protection device 10 of the present embodiment is provided at the central portion of a floor 18 of the cabin 14 (the floor 18 of the vehicle body) between the front seats 16F and the rear seats 16R. In the state where an airbag case 21 of the occupant protection device 10 is mounted (fixed) to the floor 18, an upper plate portion 20 of the occupant protection device 10 is exposed toward the cabin 14 side. The upper plate portion 20 is formed in an elongated shape whose longitudinal direction corresponds to the vehicle width direction. The dimension of this upper plate portion 20 in the vehicle width direction is set to a dimension corresponding to the front seats 16F and the rear seats 16R, which are adjacent in the vehicle width direction. Further, by breaking the upper plate portion 20, an inflation portion 24 and a first partition-shaped member 30 (see Fig. 2), which will be described later, extend or expand from the bottom 18 toward the upper side. Note that markings are provided on the upper plate portion 20 indicating that placing luggage on the upper plate portion 20 is to be avoided, or the like.

[0029] As in Fig. 2, the occupant protection device 10 includes an inflator 22 that generates gas upon operation, the inflating portion 24 that is formed in the shape of a bag and inflates by the gas generated by the inflator 22 supplied to the interior, and the first partition-shaped member 30 that connects the inflating portion 24 and the floor 18. Note that the inflator 22, the inflating portion 24, and the first partition-shaped member 30 are disposed inside the airbag case 21, which is attached and fixed directly or via brackets to frame members arranged on the rear surface side of the floor 18. The open end side of the airbag case 21 is closed by the upper plate portion 20.

[0030] The inflation section 24 includes a pair of first inflation sections 26 that inflate from the bottom of the vehicle body in the vehicle vertical direction as gas is supplied to the interior thereof, and a second inflation section 28 that is connected to the pair of first inflation sections 26 and connects the upper end portions of the pair of first inflation sections 26 in the vehicle transverse direction.

[0031] The pair of first inflation sections 26 are each arranged at one end portion on one side and one end portion on the other side in the vehicle width direction of the cabin 14, and are formed in the shape of cylindrical tubes in the post-inflation states, the longitudinal direction of which corresponds to the vertical direction. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the inflator 22 is connected to the lower end portion of the first inflation section 26 of the pair of first inflation sections 26, which is located on one side in the vehicle width direction.

[0032] The second inflation portion 28 is arranged so that, in the post-inflation state, it is separated from the floor 18 and extends between the upper end portions of the pair of first inflation portions 26. In the post-inflation state, the second inflation portion 28 is formed in the shape of a cylindrical tube whose longitudinal direction corresponds to the vehicle transverse direction. Further, the second inflation portion 28 is arranged so that, in the seat longitudinal direction, it faces occupants P sitting on the front seats 16F and the rear seats 16R and is separated from the floor 18. In further detail, the second inflation portion 28 in the present embodiment corresponds to a head portion facing portion 28A arranged so that, in the seat longitudinal direction, it faces head portions P1 of the occupants P sitting on the front seats 16F and the rear seats 16R.The height of this head-facing portion 28A from the floor 18 is set taking into account the movement locus of the head portion P1 at the time of a collision. For example, in a case where the occupant P is wearing a three-point seat belt, it is assumed that the head portion P1 will approach the head-facing portion 28A while moving in the vehicle transverse direction at the time of a collision. The height of the head-facing portion 28A from the floor 18 is set taking into account this movement locus of the head portion P1. Note that in . Fig. 2 the illustration of the front seats 16F and the occupants P sitting on the front seats 16F is omitted.

[0033] Since the inflation section 24 includes the above-described pair of first inflation sections 26 and the second inflation section 28, the inflation section 24 inflates in an inverted U-shape when viewed from the front or rear of the seat.

[0034] Furthermore, the occupant protection device 10 of the present embodiment includes the first partition-shaped member 30, which serves as a partition-shaped member connecting the second inflation portion 28 and the floor 18 (specifically, the airbag case 21 attached and fixed to the floor 18) on the lower side of the second inflation portion 28 after inflation, and which separates the front seats 16F and the rear seats 16R in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the first partition-shaped member 30 connects the pair of first inflation portions 26 in the vehicle transverse direction. Note that, for example, a mesh-like member connected to the inflation portion 24, or a fabric-like member formed integrally with the inflation portion 24 and made of the same material as the inflation portion 24, may be used as the first partition-shaped member 30. (Operation and Effects of the Present Embodiment)

[0035] The operation and effects of the present embodiment are described below.

[0036] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the inflator 22 is actuated during travel of the vehicle 12 equipped with the occupant protection device 10 of the present embodiment in a case where the vehicle 12 is involved in a collision or in a case where there is a high possibility that the vehicle 12 will be involved in a collision.

[0037] The gas generated by the operation of the inflator 22 is directed into the inflation section 24, and the inflation section 24 begins to inflate. The inflation section 24, which has begun to inflate, pushes against the upper plate section 20, and the upper plate section 20 is ruptured. As a result, the inflation section 24 expands into the cabin 14.

[0038] Here, the gas generated by the inflator 22 is supplied to the first inflation section 26 located on one side in the vehicle transverse direction among the pair of first inflation sections 26 structuring sections of the inflation section 24. Therefore, the first inflation section 26 located on one side in the vehicle transverse direction inflates from the ground in the vehicle vertical direction. Furthermore, the second inflation section 28 inflates because gas is supplied to the second inflation section 28 from the first inflation section 26 located on one side in the vehicle transverse direction (gas flow). In addition, the first inflation portion 26 located on the other side in the vehicle transverse direction inflates in the vehicle vertical direction from the ground because gas from the second inflation portion 28 is supplied (gas flow) to the first inflation portion 26 located on the other side in the vehicle transverse direction.This completes the extension or expansion of the inflation section 24 into the cabin 14.

[0039] Then, in the state where the expansion of the inflation portion 24 into the cabin 14 is completed, at the time when the occupants P sitting on the front seats 16F and the rear seats 16R move toward the seat fronts, that is, at the time when the occupants P sitting on the front seats 16F move toward the vehicle rear, or at the time when the occupants P sitting on the rear seats 16R move toward the vehicle front, the head portions P1 of the occupants P can be restrained by the second inflation portion 28 (the head portion facing portion 28A).

[0040] Here, the present embodiment is configured to include the pair of first inflation portions 26 and the second inflation portion 28 separated from the floor 18 in the post-inflation state. With this structure, the volume of the inflation portion 24 (the first inflation portions 26 and the second inflation portion 28) can be made small compared to a structure in which a single inflation portion is expanded between the front seats 16F and the rear seats 16R (a structure in which a portion corresponding to the first partition member 30 is also inflated). This allows the inflation portion 24 (the first inflation portions 26 and the second inflation portion 28) to be quickly expanded between the front seats 16F and the rear seats 16R.Furthermore, with this structure, the force with which the inflation portion 24 (the second inflation portion 28) throws up the leg portions of the occupants P can be reduced compared with a structure in which a single inflation portion is expanded between the front seats 16F and the rear seats 16R (a structure in which a portion corresponding to the first partition-shaped member 30 is also inflated).

[0041] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, in the state where the expansion of the inflation portion 24 (the first inflation portions 26 and the second inflation portion 28) is completed, the bottom of the second inflation portion 28 is partitioned in the longitudinal direction by the first partition-shaped member 30. Therefore, luggage or the like moving from the side of one of the vehicle seats 16 to the side of the other vehicle seats 16 can be suppressed or restrained by the first partition-shaped member 30. Furthermore, the first partition-shaped member 30 connects the floor 18 and the second inflation portion 28. Therefore, at the time when gas is supplied from the first inflation portion 26 on one side in the vehicle transverse direction to the second inflation portion 28, swinging of the second inflation portion 28 can be suppressed. (Occupant protection devices with reference to second embodiment and first and second explanatory examples)

[0042] Occupant protection devices 32, 34, 36 relating to a second embodiment of the present invention and first and second illustrative examples of the present disclosure will be described below using Fig. 3 to Fig. 5. It should be noted that in the occupant protection devices 32, 34, 36 relating to the second embodiment and the first and second explanatory examples, elements and portions corresponding to those of the previously described occupant protection device(s) are designated by the same reference numerals as the corresponding elements and portions of the previously described occupant protection device(s), and there are cases where the description thereof is omitted. (Occupant protection device 32 of the second embodiment)

[0043] As in Fig. As shown in FIG. 3, the occupant protection device 32 of the second embodiment is characterized by having a pair of second inflation portions 28 arranged with a gap therebetween in the vertical direction in the state where the expansion of the inflation portion 24 is completed. Of the pair of second inflation portions 28, the second inflation portion 28 located on the upper side corresponds to the head portion facing portion 28A positioned to face the head portions P1 of the occupants P seated on the front seat 16F and the rear seat 16R in the seat longitudinal direction. Further, the second inflation portion 28 located on the lower side of the pair of second inflation portions 28 corresponds to a knee-facing portion 28B arranged to face knees P2 of the occupants P sitting on the front seats 16F and the rear seats 16R in the seat longitudinal direction.

[0044] Further, the occupant protection device 32 of the second embodiment is provided with a second partition-shaped member 38 which serves as a partition-shaped member and connects the pair of second inflation portions 28 (the head portion facing portion 28A and the knee portion facing portion 28B) which are in the state where the expansion of the inflation portion 24 has been completed, and which connects the pair of first inflation portions 26 in the vehicle transverse direction.

[0045] According to the above-described occupant protection device 32 of the second embodiment, the head portions P1 of the occupants P can be restrained by one of the second inflation portions 28 (the head portion facing portion 28A), and the knees P2 of the occupants P can be restrained by the other second inflation portion 28 (the knee facing portion 28B).

[0046] Furthermore, due to the provision of the second partition-shaped member 38, the vertical distance between the pair of second inflation portions 28 (the head portion facing portion 28A and the knee portion facing portion 28B) after inflation can be made a desired distance. (Occupant protection device 34 of the first explanatory example and occupant protection device 36 of the second explanatory example)

[0047] As in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the occupant protection device 34 of the first embodiment and the occupant protection device 36 of the second embodiment have the features of having three of the first inflation portions 26 arranged at intervals in the vehicle transverse direction. As shown in Fig. 4, in the occupant protection device 34 of the first explanatory example, the first inflation portion 26, which is arranged at the central portion in the vehicle width direction, among the three first inflation portions 26, is connected to the central portion of the second inflation portion 28 in the vehicle width direction (the head portion facing portion 28A).

[0048] Furthermore, as in Fig. 5, in the occupant protection device 36 of the second explanatory example, the first inflating portion 26, which is arranged at the central portion in the vehicle width direction, among the three first inflating portions 26, is connected to the central portion of the one second inflating portion 28 in the vehicle width direction (the head portion facing portion 28A) and connected to the central portion of the other second inflating portion 28 in the vehicle width direction (the knee portion facing portion 28B).

[0049] Furthermore, as in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, in the occupant protection device 34 of the first explanatory example and the occupant protection device 36 of the second explanatory example, the inflator 22 is connected to the lower side of the first inflation portion 26 of the three first inflation portions 26, which is arranged at the central portion in the vehicle transverse direction.

[0050] In the above-described passenger protection device 34 of the first embodiment and the passenger protection device 36 of the second embodiment, since the inflator 22 is connected to the lower side of the first inflation portion 26 among the three first inflation portions 26 located at the center portion in the vehicle width direction, the inflation portion 24 (the first inflation portions 26 and the second inflation portion(s) 28) can be expanded more uniformly in the vehicle width direction.

[0051] Note that the description is given of examples in which two or three of the first inflation sections 26 are provided in the above-described occupant protection devices 10, 32, 34, 36. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the number of the first inflation sections 26 may be one or four or more. Thus, it suffices to appropriately set the number of the first inflation sections 26, taking into account the dimension of the cabin 14 in the vehicle transverse direction, the number of vehicle seats 16, and the like.

[0052] Further, examples are described in which the above-described passenger protection devices 10, 32, 34, 36 are provided with the first partition-shaped member 30 and the second partition-shaped member 38, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Whether or not to provide the first partition-shaped member 30 and the second partition-shaped member 38 can be appropriately determined in consideration of structures such as accommodation portions (portions in which luggage or the like is accommodated) provided within the cabin 14 or the like. Furthermore, a structure may be provided in which the lower end portion of the first partition-shaped member 30 is separated or removed from the floor 18 (the airbag case 21).In this case too, provided that both side portions of the first partition-shaped member 30 are fixed to the first inflation portions 26 and that the upper end portion of the first partition-shaped member 30 is fixed to the second inflation portion 28, sufficient tension is applied and the effect of protecting the occupants is achieved.

[0053] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above and can of course be implemented by modifying it in various ways other than the above within a scope that does not depart from the gist thereof.

Claims

[1] Occupant protection device, comprising: a plurality of first inflation sections (26) arranged in a seat transverse direction with intervals therebetween and provided between vehicle seats (16) arranged facing each other, and inflating in a vehicle vertical direction with respect to a floor (18) of a vehicle body as gas is supplied into an interior of the first inflation sections (26); and a second inflation section (28) connected to the first inflation sections (26) and inflated by the supply of gas from one of the first inflation sections (26) in a state after inflation, wherein the second inflation section (28) is arranged to face occupants (P) in a seat longitudinal direction in a state in which the occupants (P) are seated on the vehicle seats (16) arranged facing each other, and is separated from the floor (18) of the vehicle body, wherein the plurality of first inflation sections (26) are connected in the seat transverse direction via the second inflation section (28), and Gas from an inflator (22) is supplied to a first inflation section (26) of the plurality of first inflation sections (26) arranged on one side in the seat transverse direction. [2] The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein a first partition-shaped member (30) is provided on a lower side of the second inflation section (28) after inflation, which first partition-shaped member (30) connects the floor (18) of the vehicle body and the second inflation section (28) and separates a region between the vehicle seats (16) arranged facing each other in the seat longitudinal direction. [3] The occupant protection device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second inflation portion (28) comprises a head portion facing portion (28A) which, after inflation, is arranged to face head portions of the occupants (P) in the seat longitudinal direction in the state in which the occupants (P) are seated on the vehicle seats (16) arranged facing each other. [4] The occupant protection device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second inflation portion (28) comprises a knee-facing portion (28B) which, after inflation, is arranged to face knees of the occupants (P) in the seat longitudinal direction in the state in which the occupants (P) are seated on the vehicle seats (16) arranged facing each other. [5] The occupant protection device according to claim 3, wherein the second inflation portion (28) comprises a knee-facing portion (28B) which, after inflation, is arranged to face knees of the occupants (P) in the seat longitudinal direction in the state in which the occupants (P) are seated on the vehicle seats (16) arranged facing each other. [6] The occupant protection device according to claim 5, wherein a second partition-shaped element (38) connecting the head-portion-facing portion (28A) and the knee-facing portion (28B) and separating a region between the vehicle seats (16) arranged facing each other in the seat longitudinal direction is provided between the head-portion-facing portion (28A) after inflation and the knee-facing portion (28B) after inflation. [7] The occupant protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a plurality of second inflation sections (28), wherein the second inflation sections (28) are connected in the vehicle vertical direction via the first inflation sections (26).

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