Front center airbag device for vehicle

Abstract

To obtain a vehicle front center airbag device which can inhibit increase in the size of a front center airbag and properly protect an occupant with the front center airbag whether a vehicle is collided at a driver seat side or a front passenger seat side during a lateral collision.SOLUTION: A vehicle front center airbag device 20 includes a front center airbag 22 mounted on a side part on an inner side in a vehicle width direction in a seat back of a vehicle seat serving as a driver's seat and inflated and deployed by a gas being supplied from an inflator. The front center airbag 22 is configured such that when a lateral collision of the vehicle occurs on the driver's seat side, a deployment region in a vehicle front-rear direction is larger and an internal pressure is smaller than when a lateral collision of the vehicle occurs on the passenger's seat side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a front center airbag device for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Front center airbag devices that are mounted on the inner side of the seat back of the driver's seat in the vehicle width direction and that inflate and deploy between the seat back and the adjacent passenger seat have been known for some time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Some of these front center airbag devices have a configuration in which the deployment state differs depending on whether an occupant is sitting in the driver's seat alone or both the driver's seat and the passenger seat.

[0003] Specifically, when only the driver's seat is occupied, the sub-chamber deploys toward the front of the vehicle along with the main chamber, causing the front portion of the front center airbag to deploy more widely and maintaining the internal pressure of the front center airbag at an appropriate level.On the other hand, when both the driver's seat and the passenger seat are occupied, the sub-chamber deploys toward the bottom of the vehicle along with the main chamber, causing the lower portion of the front center airbag to deploy more widely and reducing the internal pressure of the front center airbag. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-059250 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the above-described front center airbag device does not take into consideration whether the impact side in a side collision of the vehicle is the driver's side or the passenger's side. In order to adequately protect the occupant in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, whether the impact side is the driver's side or the passenger's side, it is necessary to increase the length of the front center airbag in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and the thickness in the vehicle width direction (hereinafter referred to as "enlarging"). However, because the front center airbag is mounted on the inner side of the seatback of the driver's seat in the vehicle width direction, there is a demand for it to be compact.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a front center airbag device for a vehicle that can prevent the front center airbag from becoming too large and that can adequately protect an occupant with the front center airbag in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, regardless of whether the impact side is the driver's side or the passenger's side. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the front center airbag device for a vehicle according to the present invention comprises a front center airbag mounted on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the seat back of a vehicle seat serving as a driver's seat, and which is inflated and deployed by gas supplied from an inflator, and the front center airbag is configured so that when a side collision of the vehicle occurs on the driver's seat side, the deployment area in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction is larger and the internal pressure is smaller than when the side collision of the vehicle occurs on the passenger side.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, a front center airbag that is inflated and deployed by gas supplied from an inflator is mounted on an inner side in the vehicle width direction of a seatback of a vehicle seat serving as a driver's seat. In such a front center airbag, when a side collision of the vehicle occurs on the driver's side, it is preferable to increase the deployment area in the vehicle longitudinal direction rather than increasing the internal pressure in order to adequately protect the passenger on the front passenger side, and when a side collision of the vehicle occurs on the passenger side, it is preferable to increase the internal pressure rather than increasing the deployment area in the vehicle longitudinal direction in order to adequately protect the passenger on the driver's side.

[0009] The front center airbag according to the present invention is configured so that, in a side collision of the vehicle, the deployment area in the vehicle longitudinal direction is larger and the internal pressure is smaller in a side collision of the vehicle against the driver's side than in a side collision of the vehicle against the passenger's side. In other words, in a side collision of the vehicle against the passenger's side, the deployment area in the vehicle longitudinal direction is not larger and the internal pressure is not smaller in a side collision of the vehicle against the passenger's side than in a side collision of the vehicle against the driver's side. This prevents the front center airbag from becoming too large, and the front center airbag can adequately protect the occupant in a side collision of the vehicle, whether the impact side is the driver's side or the passenger's side.

[0010] In addition, a second aspect of the front center airbag device for a vehicle according to the present invention includes a front center airbag that is mounted on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the seat back of the vehicle seat that serves as the driver's seat, and that is inflated and deployed by gas being supplied from an inflator, and the front center airbag is configured so that when the vehicle is hit in a side collision on the passenger side, the deployment area in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction is smaller and the thickness along the vehicle width direction is greater than when the vehicle is hit in a side collision on the driver's side.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the invention, a front center airbag that is inflated and deployed by gas supplied from an inflator is mounted on an inner side in the vehicle width direction of a seatback of a vehicle seat serving as a driver's seat. In a side collision of the vehicle, it is preferable for such a front center airbag to have a larger thickness along the vehicle width direction than a larger deployment area in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction in order to adequately protect the occupant on the driver's seat when the vehicle side collision occurs. In addition, in a side collision of the vehicle, it is preferable for such a front center airbag to have a larger deployment area in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction than a larger thickness along the vehicle width direction in order to adequately protect the occupant on the passenger seat when the vehicle side collision occurs.

[0012] The front center airbag according to the present invention is configured so that, in a vehicle side collision occurring on the passenger side, its deployment area in the vehicle longitudinal direction is smaller and its thickness in the vehicle width direction is greater than in a vehicle side collision occurring on the driver's side. In other words, in a vehicle side collision occurring on the driver's side, its thickness in the vehicle width direction is smaller and its deployment area in the vehicle longitudinal direction is greater than in a vehicle side collision occurring on the passenger side. This prevents the front center airbag from becoming too large, and the front center airbag adequately protects the occupant in either the driver's side or the passenger's side in a vehicle side collision.

[0013] A third aspect of the front center airbag device for a vehicle according to the present invention is the front center airbag device for a vehicle of the first aspect, wherein a portion of the front center airbag is folded in an accordion-like shape and restrained by a string-like member, and the restraint by the string-like member is released when a side collision of the vehicle occurs on the driver's side.

[0014] According to the third aspect of the invention, a portion of the front center airbag is folded in an accordion-like shape and restrained by a string-like member, and is configured so that the restraint by the string-like member is released in the event of a side collision of the vehicle on the driver's side. Therefore, an increase in the size of the front center airbag can be avoided with a simple configuration, and as a result, the size of the inflator can be reduced.

[0015] A fourth aspect of the front center airbag device for a vehicle according to the present invention is the front center airbag device for a vehicle of the second aspect, wherein the front center airbag is restrained by a string-like member so that its thickness along the vehicle width direction is reduced, and the restraint by the string-like member is released when a side collision of the vehicle occurs on the passenger side.

[0016] According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the front center airbag is constrained by a string-like member so that its thickness in the vehicle width direction is reduced, and is configured so that the string-like member is released from the constraining position in the event of a side collision of the vehicle on the passenger side. This makes it possible to avoid an increase in the size of the front center airbag with a simple configuration, and as a result, the size of the inflator can be reduced.

[0017] A vehicle front center airbag device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle front center airbag device according to the fourth aspect, wherein a plurality of the string-like members are provided.

[0018] According to the fifth aspect of the invention, a plurality of string-shaped members are provided, which more effectively achieves a thinner thickness in the vehicle width direction and a larger deployment area in the vehicle longitudinal direction in the front center airbag compared to a front center airbag provided with a single string-shaped member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the front center airbag from becoming larger, and the front center airbag can provide appropriate protection for the occupant in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, regardless of whether the impact side is the driver's side or the passenger's side. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are schematic plan views showing a side collision on the driver's seat side of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle front center airbag device according to the first embodiment, respectively; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic plan view showing, in enlarged form, a portion of the configuration of a vehicle front center airbag device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are schematic plan views showing the deployment state of the front center airbag according to the first embodiment when the passenger side of the front center airbag is subjected to a side collision, respectively. [Figure 4] 1A is a schematic rear view showing the deployed state of the front center airbag according to the second embodiment together with the strap provided therein in the event of a side collision on the driver's side, and FIG. 1B is a schematic plan view showing the deployed state of the front center airbag according to the second embodiment together with the strap provided therein in the event of a side collision on the driver's side. [Figure 5] 1A is a schematic plan view showing the deployment state of a front center airbag according to a second embodiment together with a strap provided therein when the passenger side of the front center airbag is subjected to a side collision, and FIG. 1B is a schematic plan view showing the deployment state of a front center airbag according to a modified example of the second embodiment together with a strap provided therein when the driver side of the front center airbag is subjected to a side collision. [Figure 6]1A is a flowchart showing the operation process of a vehicle front center airbag device according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a flowchart showing the operation process of a vehicle front center airbag device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, the arrow UP shown in each drawing indicates the upward direction of the vehicle, the arrow FR indicates the forward direction of the vehicle, the arrow LH indicates the leftward direction of the vehicle, and the arrow RH indicates the rightward direction of the vehicle. Therefore, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, when the up / down, front / rear, and left / right directions are mentioned, they refer to the up / down, front / rear, and left / right directions of the vehicle. Furthermore, the left / right direction is synonymous with the vehicle width direction.

[0022] 1(A) and 1(B), a vehicle 10 according to this embodiment is, for example, a left-hand drive vehicle, with the left vehicle seat 12 being a driver's seat 12L and the right vehicle seat 12 being a passenger seat 12R. Also, the occupant P shown in the figure is, for example, an occupant corresponding to AM50 (50th percentile of adult American males) of the WorldSID (World Side Impact Dummy), and hereinafter, the occupant seated in the driver's seat 12L may be referred to as "occupant P1," and the occupant seated in the passenger seat 12R may be referred to as "occupant P2."

[0023] First Embodiment First, a first embodiment will be described. As shown in Figures 1(A) and 1(B), left and right vehicle seats 12 (a driver's seat 12L and a passenger's seat 12R) provided as front seats in a vehicle 10 each have a seat cushion 14 that supports the buttocks and thighs of an occupant P, a seat back 16 that supports the back of the occupant P, and a headrest 18 that supports the head of the occupant P. The occupant P seated in each vehicle seat 12 is restrained by a seat belt device (not shown).

[0024] A vehicle front center airbag device 20 according to the first embodiment is mounted on a side portion 16A on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the seat back 16 of the driver's seat 12L. The vehicle front center airbag device 20 includes an inflator (not shown) embedded in the side portion 16A of the seat back 16, and a front center airbag (far side airbag) 22 that is inflated and deployed by gas ejected from the inflator and supplied to the interior.

[0025] The inflator is, for example, a cylindrical gas generating device formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and its axial direction is set to a direction (substantially a vertical direction) along the side frames (not shown) that form the framework of both the left and right sides of the seat back 16. The inflator is activated when a side collision of the vehicle 10 is detected or predicted (hereinafter referred to as "at the time of a side collision"), and is capable of instantaneously supplying gas into the interior of the front center airbag (hereinafter simply referred to as "airbag") 22.

[0026] The airbag 22 is formed into a single bag shape by sewing the outer edges of two pieces of base fabric together, and when gas ejected from an inflator is supplied to the inside, it inflates and deploys toward the inside of the vehicle width direction of the occupant P1 seated in the driver's seat 12L, and is formed to be large enough to cover at least the occupant P1 from the buttocks to the head when viewed from the side.

[0027] 1(A) and 1(B), when a side collision of the vehicle 10 occurs, there are cases where the driver's seat side is hit and cases where the passenger's seat side is hit. The airbag 22 according to the first embodiment is configured so that when the vehicle 10 side collision occurs on the driver's seat side, the deployment area in the front-to-rear direction is larger and the internal pressure is smaller than when the vehicle 10 side collision occurs on the passenger's seat side.

[0028] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the front side of the airbag 22 is folded in an accordion-like manner and is restrained by a strap 24 serving as a string-like member, and is configured so that the restraint by the strap 24 is released when a side collision of the vehicle 10 occurs on the driver's seat side.

[0029] The release mechanism 30 that releases the restraint of the strap 24 is provided on the side portion 16A of the seat back 16 of the driver's seat 12L, and is configured, for example, as follows: That is, the release mechanism 30 includes a cylindrical pin 32 that is inserted into one end portion 24A formed in a ring shape of the strap 24, a holding portion 34 that holds one end portion of the pin 32, and a cover portion 38 that houses the pin 32 when it is removed from the holding portion 34.

[0030] A support plate 35 that holds the other end of the pin 32 extends from the holding portion 34, and the other end of the pin 32 is inserted into and supported by a through hole 35B formed in a tip portion 35A of the support plate 35. The opening of the cover portion 38 is attached to the tip portion 35A of the support plate 35.

[0031] An inflator 36 is connected to the retaining portion 34, and when a side collision of the vehicle 10 occurs on the driver's side, the inflator 36 is activated to eject gas into the retaining portion 34, and the pressure of the gas ejects the pin 32, removing it from one end 24A of the strap 24. The ejected pin 32 is housed in a cover portion 38.

[0032] The other end 24B side of the strap 24 is pierced through the bellows-shaped folded part of the airbag 22, and the other end 24B is sewn and attached to the airbag 22 so as not to fall off from the airbag 22.

[0033] Therefore, when a side collision of the vehicle 10 occurs on the driver's side, as shown in FIG. 3(A), when the release mechanism 30 releases the restraint on one end 24A of the strap 24, the airbag 22 expands widely so as to become longer in the front-to-rear direction as gas enters the accordion-like folded portion as shown in FIG. 3(B), thereby slightly reducing the internal pressure.

[0034] Although not shown, sensors that detect or predict a side collision and a sensor that detects or predicts whether the side collision will occur on the driver's side or the passenger's side are provided on both the left and right sides of the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 is also provided with a control device that is electrically connected to these sensors and is also electrically connected to the inflator of the airbag 22 and the inflator 36 of the release mechanism 30. In other words, the control device controls the operation of the inflator of the airbag 22 and the inflator 36 of the release mechanism 30 based on the detection or prediction results of each sensor.

[0035] Next, the operation of the vehicle front center airbag device 20 according to the first embodiment configured as above will be described.

[0036] In the event of a side collision of the vehicle 10 on the driver's side, it is preferable to enlarge the deployment area in the front-to-rear direction of the airbag 22, which inflates and deploys from the side portion 16A of the seatback 16 of the driver's seat 12L, rather than increasing its internal pressure, in order to adequately protect the passenger seat occupant P2 who tends to move toward the driver's seat due to inertial force. This is because the passenger seat occupant P2 is farther from the airbag 22 than the passenger seat occupant P1.

[0037] Furthermore, when a side collision of the vehicle 10 occurs on the passenger side, it is preferable to increase the internal pressure of the airbag 22 rather than increasing the deployment area in the front-to-rear direction in order to adequately protect the driver's seat occupant P1 who tends to move toward the passenger side due to inertial force. This is because the driver's seat occupant P1 is closer to the airbag 22 than the passenger side occupant P2, and there is no reaction force surface when there is no passenger side occupant P2.

[0038] Therefore, the vehicle front center airbag device 20 according to the first embodiment is configured such that its longitudinal length and internal pressure differ depending on whether a side collision of the vehicle 10 occurs on the driver's side or the passenger's side. That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, first, a side collision of the vehicle 10 is detected (step S11). Next, it is determined whether the side collision exceeds a threshold value that requires deployment of the airbag 22 (step S12). If it is determined in step S12 that the threshold value is not exceeded, the airbag 22 is not inflated and deployed, and the process ends.

[0039] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the threshold value is exceeded, it is then determined whether the side collision occurred on the passenger side (step S13). If it is determined in step S13 that the side collision of the vehicle 10 occurred on the passenger side, the inflator 36 of the release mechanism 30 does not operate, and only the inflator of the airbag 22 operates, causing the airbag 22 to inflate and deploy (step S14).

[0040] That is, the airbag 22 inflates and deploys with a portion of the front side folded like an accordion. Therefore, the deployment area of the airbag 22 in the front-rear direction is not enlarged, and the internal pressure of the airbag 22 at this time is not reduced (the internal pressure is kept high). Therefore, in the event of a side collision of the passenger side of the vehicle 10, the occupant P1 seated in the driver's seat 12L and attempting to move toward the passenger side due to inertial force can be appropriately protected.

[0041] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that the side collision of the vehicle 10 is not on the passenger side, i.e., on the driver side, not only the inflator of the airbag 22 but also the inflator 36 of the release mechanism 30 is activated, causing the airbag 22 to inflate and deploy. That is, the restraint on one end 24A of the strap 24 is released, and the airbag 22, including the bellows-shaped folded portion, inflates and deploys (step S15).

[0042] Therefore, the airbag 22 has a larger deployment area in the front-rear direction and a slightly smaller internal pressure, so that when the driver's side of the vehicle 10 is hit by a side collision, the occupant P2 seated in the passenger seat 12R who tends to move toward the driver's side due to inertial force can be appropriately protected.

[0043] In this way, the front center airbag device 20 for a vehicle according to the first embodiment can prevent the airbag 22 from becoming too large, and can prevent a decrease in the ease of mounting it on the side portion 16A of the seat back 16. In addition, the airbag 22 can adequately protect the occupant P in the event of a side collision of the vehicle 10, regardless of whether the impact side is the driver's seat side or the passenger seat side.

[0044] Moreover, in the vehicle front center airbag device 20 according to the first embodiment, a portion of the front side of the airbag 22 is folded in an accordion-like shape and restrained by the strap 24, and is configured so that the restraint by the strap 24 is released when a side collision of the vehicle 10 occurs on the driver's seat side. Therefore, an increase in the size of the airbag 22 can be avoided with a simple configuration, and as a result, the size of the inflator that supplies gas to the airbag 22 can be reduced. In other words, a low-output inflator is sufficient.

[0045] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate the same parts as those in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted where appropriate.

[0046] As shown in Figures 4(A) and 4(B), the airbag 22 of this second embodiment is configured so that when a side collision of the vehicle 10 occurs on the passenger side, the deployment area in the fore-and-aft direction is smaller and the thickness along the vehicle width direction is greater than when a side collision of the vehicle 10 occurs on the driver's side.

[0047] More specifically, the airbag 22 is restrained at approximately the center in the longitudinal and vertical directions by a strap 26 as a string-like member provided inside the airbag 22 so that the thickness of the airbag 22 along the vehicle width direction is reduced, and is configured so that the restraint by the strap 26 is released when a side collision of the vehicle 10 occurs on the passenger side. The mechanism for releasing the restraint by the strap 26 may be the same as the release mechanism 30 in the first embodiment.

[0048] One end 26A of the strap 26 is restrained by the release mechanism 30, a middle portion 26C of the strap 26 is inserted into a ring portion 28 serving as a strap direction change guide provided on the inner surface 22A of the airbag 22 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction (passenger seat side) and folded back, and the other end 26B is attached by sewing to the inner surface 22B of the airbag 22 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction (driver seat side). Therefore, when the restraint by the strap 26 is released, the thickness of the airbag 22 along the vehicle width direction increases, and as a result, the length in the front-to-rear direction decreases, as shown in Fig. 5(A) .

[0049] Next, the operation of the vehicle front center airbag device 20 according to the second embodiment configured as above will be described.

[0050] In the event of a side collision of the vehicle 10 on the passenger side, it is preferable to increase the thickness along the vehicle width direction, i.e., the energy absorption stroke, of the airbag 22 that is inflated and deployed from the side portion 16A of the seatback 16 of the driver's seat 12L, rather than increasing the deployment area in the front-to-rear direction, in order to adequately protect the driver's seat occupant P1 who tends to move toward the passenger side due to inertial force. This is because the driver's seat occupant P1 is closer to the airbag 22 than the passenger side occupant P2, and there is no reaction force surface when there is no passenger side occupant P2.

[0051] Furthermore, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle 10 on the driver's side, it is preferable to increase the deployment area in the front-to-rear direction of the airbag 22 rather than increasing its thickness along the vehicle width direction in order to adequately protect the passenger seat occupant P2 who tends to move toward the driver's seat due to inertial force, because the passenger seat occupant P2 is farther from the airbag 22 than the passenger seat occupant P1.

[0052] Therefore, the vehicle front center airbag device 20 according to the second embodiment is configured such that its length in the front-rear direction and its thickness in the vehicle width direction differ depending on whether the side collision of the vehicle 10 occurs on the driver's side or the passenger's side. That is, as shown in FIG. 6(B), first, a side collision of the vehicle 10 is detected (step S21). Next, it is determined whether the side collision exceeds a threshold value that requires the deployment of the airbag 22 (step S22). If it is determined in step S22 that the threshold value is not exceeded, the airbag 22 is not inflated and deployed, and the process ends.

[0053] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that the threshold value is exceeded, it is then determined whether the side collision occurred on the driver's side (step S23). If it is determined in step S23 that the side collision of the vehicle 10 occurred on the driver's side, the inflator 36 of the release mechanism 30 does not operate, and only the inflator of the airbag 22 operates to inflate and deploy the airbag 22 (step S24).

[0054] That is, the airbag 22 inflates and deploys while being restrained by the straps 26 so that its thickness in the vehicle width direction is reduced. Therefore, the airbag 22 has a large deployment area in the front-to-rear direction at this time. Therefore, in the event of a side collision of the driver's side of the vehicle 10, the occupant P2 seated in the passenger seat 12R who tends to move toward the driver's side due to inertial force can be appropriately protected.

[0055] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S23 that the side collision of the vehicle 10 is not on the driver's side, i.e., on the passenger's side, not only the inflator of the airbag 22 but also the inflator 36 of the release mechanism 30 is activated, causing the airbag 22 to inflate and deploy. That is, the airbag 22 inflates and deploys with the restraint on one end 26A of the strap 26 released (step S25).

[0056] Therefore, the thickness of the airbag 22 in the vehicle width direction increases, and the deployment area in the front-to-rear direction decreases, so that when the passenger side of the vehicle 10 is hit by a side collision, the occupant P1 seated in the driver's seat 12L and attempting to move toward the passenger side due to inertial force can be appropriately protected.

[0057] In this way, the front center airbag device 20 for a vehicle according to the second embodiment can prevent the airbag 22 from becoming too large, and can prevent a decrease in the ease of mounting it on the side portion 16A of the seat back 16. In addition, the airbag 22 can adequately protect the occupant P in the event of a side collision of the vehicle 10, regardless of whether the impact side is the driver's seat side or the passenger seat side.

[0058] Moreover, in the vehicle front center airbag device 20 according to the second embodiment, the airbag 22 is restrained only by the strap 26 so that the thickness of the airbag 22 in the vehicle width direction is small, and is configured so that the restraint by the strap 26 is released when a side collision of the vehicle 10 occurs on the passenger side. Therefore, an increase in size of the airbag 22 can be avoided with a simple configuration, and as a result, the size of the inflator that supplies gas to the airbag 22 can be reduced. In other words, a low-output inflator is sufficient.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 5(B), one end 27A of a plurality of straps 27 (for example, two) may be connected to one end 26A of strap 26, and a plurality of ring portions 29 (for example, one each on the front and rear sides of ring portion 28) may be provided on the inner surface 22A of the airbag 22 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction (passenger seat side) as strap direction change guides.

[0060] That is, similarly to the strap 26, the middle portion 27C of each strap 27 may be inserted into the ring portion 29 and folded back, and the other end portion 27B may be attached by sewing to the inner surface 22B on the outer side in the vehicle width direction (driver's seat side) of the airbag 22. This makes it possible to more effectively achieve a state in which the thickness of the airbag 22 in the vehicle width direction is thinner and the deployment area in the front-to-rear direction is larger than when a single strap 26 is provided.

[0061] Although the vehicle front center airbag device 20 according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings, the vehicle front center airbag device 20 according to this embodiment is not limited to the one shown in the drawings, and the design can be appropriately modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, the release mechanism 30 is not limited to the mechanism shown in the drawings. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10 vehicles 12 Vehicle seats 12L driver's seat 12R passenger seat 16 Seat back 20. Front center airbag device for vehicle 22 Front center airbag 24 Strap (string-like member) 26 Strap (string-like member)

Claims

1. A front center airbag is provided on the seat back of a vehicle seat serving as a driver's seat, on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and is inflated and deployed by gas supplied from an inflator, The front center airbag is This front center airbag device for a vehicle is configured so that when a side collision of the vehicle occurs on the driver's seat side, the deployment area in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is larger and the internal pressure is smaller than when the side collision of the vehicle occurs on the passenger's seat side.

2. A front center airbag is provided on the seat back of a vehicle seat serving as a driver's seat, on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and is inflated and deployed by gas supplied from an inflator, The front center airbag is This front center airbag device for a vehicle is configured so that when a side collision of the vehicle occurs on the passenger seat side, the deployment area in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is smaller and the thickness along the vehicle width direction is larger than when a side collision of the vehicle occurs on the driver seat side.

3. 2. The front center airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the front center airbag is folded in an accordion-like manner and restrained by a string-like member, and the restraint by the string-like member is released in the event of a side collision of the vehicle on the driver's seat side.

4. 3. The front center airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the front center airbag is restrained by a string-like member so that its thickness in the vehicle width direction is reduced, and the restraint by the string-like member is released in the event of a side collision of the vehicle on the passenger side.

5. 5. The front center airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of the string-like members are provided.

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