Vehicular occupant protection device

Abstract

To provide a vehicular occupant protection device that can protect the head of an occupant, at the time of side collision of a vehicle, without having influence on inflation and expansion of a curtain airbag, regardless of an angle of backward tilting of a seat back of a vehicular seat.SOLUTION: A vehicular occupant protection device 10 is provided with: a side air bag 42 for a head, loaded on at least an outside end part in a vehicle width direction in a headrest 18 of vehicular seat 14, which is configured to be supplied with gas at the time of side collision of a vehicle 12 to inflate and expand toward a front side of the vehicle, at least outside in the vehicle width direction of the head H of an occupant P seated on a seat cushion 15 of the vehicular seat 14; and a curtain airbag 32, loaded on least on a roof side rail 28 of the vehicle 12, which is supplied with gas at the time of side collision of the vehicle 12 to inflate and expand toward a lower side of the vehicle. The side airbag 42 for the head is configured to inflate and expand only when the seat back 16 of the vehicular seat 12 is tilted backward at more than a predetermined angle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle occupant protection device. [Background technology]

[0002] A vehicle curtain airbag device having a leading end chamber that receives gas from a main chamber and inflates and deploys toward the front of the vehicle and below the door belt line has been known for some time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this vehicle curtain airbag device, when the vehicle seat is in a comfortable position, the lower end region of the curtain airbag that comes into contact with the occupant's head has a restraint performance improving portion (high friction force imparting portion) that increases the reaction force when the head is restrained, thereby preventing the occupant's head from slipping outward in the vehicle width direction (toward the window). Also, a headrest with a built-in airbag that inflates and deploys to the side of the occupant's head and generally forward when the vehicle is hit by an oblique collision has been known for some time (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-055465 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-175309 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when the seatback is tilted back to the recommended maximum position for a comfortable seated position, such as when the vehicle is in autonomous driving mode, the occupant's head may fall significantly downwards, potentially causing it to fall out of the inflation area of ​​the curtain airbag. This means that the curtain airbag may no longer be able to protect the occupant's head in the event of a side collision.

[0005] Furthermore, even if a headrest is equipped with a head side airbag that inflates and deploys to the side of the occupant's head and generally forward, there is a risk that the inflated head side airbag may interfere with (hit) the curtain airbag in the event of a side collision, which could impede the curtain airbag's inflation and deployment.If the curtain airbag does not deploy properly downwards on the vehicle, it will not be able to prevent the occupant from being ejected from the vehicle in the event of a rollover that may occur later.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle occupant protection device that can protect the head of an occupant during a side collision of the vehicle, regardless of the rearward tilt angle of the seat back of the vehicle seat and without affecting the inflation and deployment of a curtain airbag. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the vehicle occupant protection device of the present invention comprises a head side airbag mounted on at least the outer end of the headrest of a vehicle seat in the vehicle width direction and configured to inflate and deploy towards the front of the vehicle at least on the outer side of the head of an occupant seated on the seat cushion of the vehicle seat in the vehicle width direction when gas is supplied thereto in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, and a curtain airbag mounted on at least the roof side rail of the vehicle and configured to inflate and deploy towards the lower side of the vehicle when gas is supplied thereto in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, and the head side airbag is configured to inflate and deploy only when the seatback of the vehicle seat is tilted backward by a predetermined angle or more.

[0008] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the head side airbag is configured to inflate and deploy only when the seatback of the vehicle seat is tilted backward by a predetermined angle or more. Here, since the rearward tilt angle of the seatback is specified to be equal to or greater than the predetermined angle, the position of the headrest is limited to a specific area below the vehicle.

[0009] Therefore, even if a head side airbag inflates and deploys from the headrest during a side collision of the vehicle when the seatback of the vehicle seat is tilted backward by more than a predetermined angle, the head side airbag is prevented from obstructing the inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag. As a result, during a side collision of the vehicle when the seatback of the vehicle seat is tilted backward by more than a predetermined angle, the head side airbag protects the occupant's head, and in the event of a rollover of the vehicle, the curtain airbag protects the occupant (preventing them from being thrown out of the vehicle).

[0010] Furthermore, if the seatback of the vehicle seat is not tilted rearward by more than a predetermined angle, the head side airbag will not inflate and deploy. In other words, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle in that case, the occupant's head is protected by the curtain airbag. In this way, according to the present invention, the occupant's head is protected in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, regardless of the rearward tilt angle of the seatback of the vehicle seat and without affecting the inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag. Note that "during a collision" as used herein also includes when the inevitability of a collision is predicted (foreseen).

[0011] Furthermore, a second aspect of the vehicle occupant protection device according to the present invention is the vehicle occupant protection device of the first aspect, wherein the predetermined angle is an angle at which the inflated and deployed head side airbag does not interfere with the inflation portion of the curtain airbag.

[0012] According to the second aspect of the invention, the predetermined angle when the seatback of the vehicle seat is tilted rearward is an angle at which the inflated and deployed head side airbag does not interfere with the inflation portion of the curtain airbag. Therefore, even if the head side airbag inflates and deploys from the headrest during a side collision of the vehicle when the seatback of the vehicle seat is tilted rearward by more than the predetermined angle, the head side airbag is prevented from interfering with the inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag.

[0013] A third aspect of the vehicle occupant protection device according to the present invention is the vehicle occupant protection device of the first or second aspect, wherein the head side airbag is configured to inflate and deploy only when the seatback is tilted backward to a recommended limit position in a comfortable position.

[0014] According to the third aspect of the invention, the head side airbag is configured to inflate and deploy only when the vehicle seat is in a comfortable position with the seatback tilted backward to the recommended limit position. Therefore, even if the head side airbag inflates and deploys from the headrest during a side collision of the vehicle, the head side airbag is further prevented from interfering with the inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag.

[0015] In addition, a fourth aspect of the vehicle occupant protection device according to the present invention is the vehicle occupant protection device of the third aspect, wherein the seat back is configured to be able to tilt backward into the comfortable position only when the vehicle seat has slid to a predetermined position toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0016] According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the seatback of the vehicle seat is configured to be able to tilt rearward into the comfortable position only when the vehicle seat has slid to a predetermined position toward the rear of the vehicle. That is, the head side airbag inflates and deploys only when the vehicle seat has slid to the predetermined position and is in the comfortable position. Therefore, even if the head side airbag inflates and deploys from the headrest during a side collision of the vehicle, the head side airbag is further prevented from interfering with the inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag.

[0017] A fifth aspect of the vehicle occupant protection device according to the present invention is the vehicle occupant protection device of any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the head side airbag is configured to inflate and deploy later than the curtain airbag.

[0018] According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the head side airbag is configured to inflate and deploy later than the curtain airbag. Therefore, compared to a case in which the head side airbag is configured to inflate and deploy simultaneously with or before the curtain airbag, even if the head side airbag inflates and deploys from the headrest in the event of a side collision of the vehicle when the seatback of the vehicle seat is tilted rearward by more than a predetermined angle, the head side airbag is more likely to prevent obstruction of the inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag.

[0019] A sixth aspect of the vehicle occupant protection device according to the present invention is the vehicle occupant protection device of any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the head side airbags are mounted on the vehicle width outer end and vehicle width inner end of the headrest, and when gas is supplied during a side collision of the vehicle, the head side airbags inflate and deploy toward the front of the vehicle at the vehicle width outer and inner sides of the occupant's head, and the vehicle width outer and inner front ends are connected together by a frontal collision chamber extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0020] According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the head side airbag is mounted on the vehicle width outer and inner ends of the headrest, and when gas is supplied during a side collision of the vehicle, the head side airbag inflates and deploys toward the front of the vehicle at the vehicle width outer and inner sides of the occupant's head, and the vehicle width outer and inner front ends are connected together by a frontal impact chamber extending in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the occupant's head is protected not only during a side collision of the vehicle, but also during a frontal collision of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] As described above, according to the present invention, the head of an occupant can be protected in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, regardless of the rearward tilt angle of the seatback of the vehicle seat and without affecting the inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1]FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the inflated and deployed state of the curtain airbag and head side airbag according to the first embodiment when the vehicle seat is in a comfortable position and at the rearmost position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the inflated and deployed state of the curtain airbag and head side airbag according to the first embodiment when the vehicle seat is in the comfortable position and at the frontmost position. [Figure 3] 1 is an enlarged schematic front view showing the structure of a head side airbag according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are schematic plan views showing a head side airbag according to the first embodiment before and after inflation and deployment, respectively. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic front view showing an enlarged view of the structure of a head side airbag according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] 1A is a schematic plan view showing a head side airbag according to a second embodiment before inflation and deployment, and FIG. 1B is a schematic plan view showing a head side airbag according to a second embodiment after inflation and deployment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] 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, 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, left / right, and left / right directions of the vehicle. Furthermore, the left / right directions are synonymous with the vehicle width direction and the seat width direction.

[0024] In addition, the vehicle occupant protection device 10 according to this embodiment takes as an example an autonomously driven automobile 12 as the vehicle, and takes as an example a case in which an occupant P is seated in a right-side vehicle seat 14 serving as the front seat (driver's seat) of the automobile. The occupant P is an anthropomorphic dummy for crash tests, and this anthropomorphic dummy is, for example, a World Side Impact Dummy (World SID) AF05 (5th percentile of adult American women).

[0025] First Embodiment First, a first embodiment will be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a vehicle seat 14 includes a seat cushion 15 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 H of the occupant P. The occupant P is seated in the vehicle seat 14 in a manner specified in the side collision test method, and is restrained in the vehicle seat 14 by a seat belt of a three-point seat belt device (not shown).

[0026] The seat cushion 15 of the vehicle seat 14 is configured to be electrically slidable in the front-rear direction, and the seat back 16 of the vehicle seat 14 is configured to be electrically tiltable in the front-rear direction. The vehicle seat 14 is provided with an angle sensor (not shown) that detects the rearward tilt angle of the seat back 16. In the following, the state in which the seat back 16 is tilted rearward to the recommended limit position is referred to as the "comfortable posture." The "recommended limit position" here refers to a position slightly higher than the limit position to which the seat back can actually be tilted rearward.

[0027] A side airbag device 20 is mounted on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the seatback 16 of the vehicle seat 14. This side airbag device 20 includes an inflator (not shown) embedded in the side of the seatback 16, and a side airbag 22 that is inflated and deployed by gas ejected from the inflator and supplied to the inside.

[0028] The inflator is, for example, a cylindrical gas generator formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is embedded with its axial direction aligned substantially along the vertical direction, which is the extension direction of 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 automobile 12 is detected or predicted (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "at the time of a side collision"), and is capable of instantly supplying gas into the inside of the side airbag 22.

[0029] The side airbag 22 is formed into a single bag shape by sewing the outer peripheral edges of two pieces of base fabric together, and is configured to be inflated and deployed outward in the vehicle width direction of the occupant P seated in the vehicle seat 14 when gas ejected from an inflator is supplied to the inside. Note that the side airbag 22 is formed to be large enough to cover at least the area from the waist to the shoulders of the occupant P in a side view seen from the vehicle width direction. In other words, the side airbag 22 is for covering the waist and chest of the occupant P.

[0030] Furthermore, curtain airbag devices 30 are mounted on at least the left and right roof side rails 28 of the automobile 12, more specifically, from the rear ends of the left and right front pillars 23 through the roof side rails 28 to the front ends of the rear pillars (not shown). Note that each curtain airbag device 30 is symmetrical and has the same configuration, so only the right curtain airbag device 30 will be described below.

[0031] This curtain airbag device 30 is configured to include an inflator (not shown) embedded in the roof side rail 28, for example, approximately in the center in the fore-and-aft direction, and a curtain airbag 32 that inflates and deploys when gas ejected from the inflator is supplied to the interior.

[0032] This inflator is also a cylindrical gas generator formed, for example, in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is embedded with its axial direction aligned substantially along the longitudinal direction, which is the extension direction of the roof side rail 28. This inflator is activated in the event of a side collision of the automobile 12, and is capable of instantly supplying gas into the interior of the curtain airbag 32.

[0033] The curtain airbag 32 is constructed by, for example, one-piece woven (abbreviated as OPW) method. In the OPW method, a seamless bag body is formed by simultaneously weaving two base fabrics using a Jacquard loom and multi-weaving required areas.

[0034] The manufacturing method of the curtain airbag 32 is not limited to the above-described OPW method. For example, the curtain airbag 32 may be manufactured by sewing one or more base fabrics formed by cutting out a polyamide or polyester fabric material into a bag shape.

[0035] In addition, when the automobile 12 is involved in a side collision or rollover, the curtain airbag 32 is supplied with gas ejected from the inflator, causing it to inflate and deploy downward, and is formed large enough to cover, in a side view, at least the head H of the occupant P seated in the front vehicle seat 14 and at least the head of the occupant (not shown) seated in the rear vehicle seat (not shown).

[0036] That is, the curtain airbag 32 is configured to inflate and deploy in a curtain shape along the front side glass 24W of the front side door 24, approximately the upper half of the center pillar 25 extending in the vertical direction, and the rear side glass 26W of the rear side door 26. Therefore, the longitudinal direction of the curtain airbag 32 is the front-to-rear direction.

[0037] The curtain airbag 32 has a known configuration, and is formed with inflatable portions (not shown) filled with gas and non-inflatable portions (not shown) for partitioning gas supply passages at a plurality of predetermined locations. The inflatable portions formed in the curtain airbag 32 are configured to restrain and protect at least the head H of an occupant P seated in the front vehicle seat 14 and at least the head of an occupant seated in a rear vehicle seat. Note that the outer peripheral edges of the curtain airbag 32, i.e., the upper edge 32U, lower edge 32D, front edge 32F, and rear edge (not shown) of the curtain airbag 32, are not filled with gas and serve as non-inflatable portions.

[0038] Furthermore, a plurality of fixing tabs 33 are provided extending upward from the upper edge portion 32U of the curtain airbag 32. Each fixing tab 33 is formed by cutting out a base fabric similar to the base fabric of the curtain airbag 32 into a substantially rectangular shape, and is joined to the upper edge portion 32U of the curtain airbag 32 by sewing. Note that each fixing tab 33 may be configured to extend integrally from the upper edge portion 32U of the curtain airbag 32.

[0039] Each fixing tab 33 is located on the roof side rail 28 that includes the rear end of the front pillar 23 and the front end of the rear pillar. That is, each fixing tab 33 is fixed to the roof side rail 28 that extends from the rear end of the front pillar 23 to the front end of the rear pillar by fasteners (not shown), such as clips, bolts, and nuts. Normally, the curtain airbag 32 is stored in the roof side rail 28 together with the inflator in a long roll shape with its axial direction extending approximately in the front-to-rear direction.

[0040] A head side airbag device 40 capable of restraining and protecting head H of occupant P seated on seat cushion 15 is mounted on the outer end of headrest 18 of vehicle seat 14 in the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , head side airbag device 40 includes head side airbag 42 and a single inflator 38.

[0041] The inflator 38 is a cylindrical gas generator formed, for example, in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is provided with its axial direction facing the vertical direction in the center in the seat width direction on the rear side inside the headrest 18. Depending on its length, the inflator 38 may be provided so as to straddle from inside the headrest 18 to inside the seat back 16.

[0042] Head side airbag 42 is normally stored in a bellows-like folded state inside headrest 18 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. In the event of a side collision of vehicle 12, head side airbag 42 is supplied with gas ejected from inflator 38, and is configured to inflate and deploy forward from in front of headrest 18 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, past the outer side in the vehicle width direction of head H of occupant P (to the right side in the illustrated example).

[0043] Specifically, head side airbag 42 is formed into a long bag shape by overlapping two long pieces of base fabric and sewing together the upper and lower peripheral edges. The base fabrics are each made of a polyamide or polyester fabric material, for example. The upper front end of inflated and deployed head side airbag 42 is formed with cutout 42U that is cut out in a straight line so as not to overlap with curtain airbag 32 in a side view (see FIG. 1).

[0044] Furthermore, outlet 34A of supply pipe 34, which is made of resin or metal, is connected to base portion 42A of head side airbag 42. Supply pipe 34 is disposed on the rear side inside headrest 18. Outlet 34A of supply pipe 34 extends outward and forward in the vehicle width direction at a predetermined angle and by a predetermined length in a plan view (see FIG. 4).

[0045] Furthermore, an outlet 38A of an inflator 38 is connected to a cylindrical base 34B extending downward from supply pipe 34. That is, in the event of a side collision of vehicle 12, inflator 38 ejects gas into supply pipe 34, and gas is supplied from supply pipe 34 to head side airbag 42.

[0046] A tear line (not shown) is formed at an appropriate position on the front surface of headrest 18. This tear line is configured to rupture under the inflation pressure of head side airbag 42 when head side airbag 42 inflates and deploys. This allows head side airbag 42 to inflate and deploy forward from the front surface of headrest 18 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

[0047] The inflator of the side airbag device 20, the inflator of the curtain airbag device 30, and the inflator 38 of the head side airbag device 40 are each electrically connected to an airbag ECU (Electronic Control Unit; not shown) provided in the automobile 12. The airbag ECU is then electrically connected to a side collision sensor and a rollover sensor (both of which include a camera or the like; not shown) provided in the automobile 12.

[0048] The side impact sensor is configured to detect or predict a side impact of the automobile 12 and output a side impact signal to the airbag ECU. The rollover sensor is configured to detect or predict a rollover of the automobile 12 and output a rollover signal to the airbag ECU.

[0049] When a side collision signal is input, the airbag ECU is configured to activate the inflator of the side airbag device 20 on the side of the side collision (near side) and the inflator of the curtain airbag device 30. As a result, the near side side airbag 22 and the curtain airbag 32 are supplied with gas and inflate and deploy. Note that when a rollover signal is input, the airbag ECU is configured to activate the inflators of the left and right curtain airbag devices 30.

[0050] Furthermore, when a rollover signal is input after a side collision, the airbag ECU is configured to activate the inflator of the curtain airbag device 30 on the far side opposite to the near side that has already been activated. In addition to the airbag ECU, the automobile 12 is also equipped with a control device (not shown) that controls each part, and the angle sensor is electrically connected to this control device.

[0051] Head side airbag 42 is configured to inflate and deploy only when seatback 16 of vehicle seat 14 is tilted backward by a predetermined angle or more. In other words, the airbag ECU is configured to activate inflator 38 of head side airbag device 40 only when a side collision signal is input while the control device recognizes from the angle sensor that the rearward tilt angle of seatback 16 is equal to or greater than the predetermined angle.

[0052] In other words, when the angle sensor detects that the rearward tilt angle of the seat back 16 is less than a predetermined angle, the airbag ECU is configured not to activate the inflator 38 of the head side airbag device 40 even if a side impact signal is input.

[0053] The "predetermined angle" is an angle at which the inflated and deployed head side airbag 42 does not interfere with the inflating portion of the curtain airbag 32, and is, for example, the angle when the seatback 16 is in a comfortable position. More specifically, this is the torso angle, which is the angle of the seatback 16 with respect to the vertical direction, and is, for example, 50 degrees or more.

[0054] Furthermore, the seat back 16 of the vehicle seat 14 may be configured to be able to tilt backward into a comfortable position only when the vehicle seat 14 has slid to a predetermined rearward position. In other words, the vehicle seat 14 may be configured to be controlled by a control device so that a position sensor (not shown) detects that the vehicle seat 14 has not slid to the predetermined rearward position, and in that state, even if a switch for tilting the seat back 16 is turned on, no current is applied to a motor (not shown) for tilting the seat back 16. Note that the "predetermined position" referred to here means the rearmost position of the vehicle seat 14 or a position up to 50 mm forward from the rearmost position.

[0055] Furthermore, this head side airbag 42 is configured to inflate and deploy with a delay relative to the inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag 32. In other words, the airbag ECU controls the transmission of the activation signal to the inflator 38 with a delay relative to the transmission of the activation signal to the inflator of the curtain airbag device 30.

[0056] Next, the operation of the vehicle occupant protection device 10 according to the first embodiment configured as above will be described.

[0057] When a side impact sensor detects that the automobile 12 has experienced a side impact, the side impact sensor sends a side impact signal to the airbag ECU. When the side impact signal is input to the airbag ECU, the airbag ECU activates the inflator of the side airbag device 20 and the inflator of the curtain airbag device 30 for the side impact (on the right side in the illustrated vehicle), causing gas to be instantly ejected into the side airbag 22 and the curtain airbag 32. In other words, the airbag ECU inflates and deploys the side airbag 22 and the curtain airbag 32.

[0058] As a result, even when the vehicle seat 14 is positioned in the rearmost position as shown in FIG. 1, or when the vehicle seat 14 is positioned in the frontmost position as shown in FIG. 2, in a side view, at least the waist to shoulder regions of the occupant P are restrained and protected by the side airbag 22 (shown by imaginary lines in FIGS. 1 and 2), and at least the head H of the occupant P is restrained and protected by the curtain airbag 32.

[0059] When automobile 12 is traveling autonomously, seatback 16 of vehicle seat 14 may be tilted backward by a predetermined angle or more, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. If a side impact sensor detects that automobile 12 has experienced a side collision in this state, airbag ECU also inflates and deploys side head airbag 42.

[0060] In other words, when the angle sensor detects that the rearward tilt angle of the seat back 16 is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle and a side impact signal is input to the airbag ECU, the airbag ECU activates the inflator 38 of the head side airbag device 40.

[0061] Here, as described above, seatback 16 of vehicle seat 14 is specified as being tilted rearward by a predetermined angle or more, and therefore the position of headrest 18 is limited to a specific area on the lower side. Therefore, even if head side airbag 42 inflates and deploys from the outer side portion of headrest 18 in the vehicle width direction in this state, head side airbag 42 can be suppressed or prevented from interfering with the inflation and deployment of curtain airbag 32.

[0062] In particular, if the "predetermined angle" is an angle at which the inflated and deployed head side airbag 42 does not interfere with the inflation portion of the curtain airbag 32, specifically, a torso angle of 50 degrees or more, it is possible to reliably prevent head side airbag 42 from interfering with the inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag 32.

[0063] Furthermore, if head side airbag 42 is designed to inflate and deploy only when seatback 16 is in a comfortable position with a torso angle of 50 degrees or more, head side airbag 42 can be further prevented from interfering with the inflation and deployment of curtain airbag 32.

[0064] 1, when the rearward tilt angle of seatback 16 is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle and vehicle seat 14 is positioned in the rearmost position, cutout 42U prevents the upper front end of inflated and deployed head side airbag 42 from overlapping with the inflated and deployed curtain airbag 32 in a side view. In other words, cutout 42U creates a slight gap between the inflated and deployed curtain airbag 32 and the upper front end of inflated and deployed head side airbag 42.

[0065] Therefore, particularly when the rearward tilt angle of the seatback 16 is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle and the vehicle seat 14 is positioned in the rearmost position, the head side airbag 42 can be more effectively prevented from interfering with the inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag 32. Therefore, the seatback 16 may be configured to be able to tilt rearward into the comfortable position only when the vehicle seat 14 has slid rearward to the predetermined position.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 2, when the rearward tilt angle of the seatback 16 is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle and the vehicle seat 14 is positioned in the frontmost position, the upper front end (notch 42U) of the inflated and deployed head side airbag 42 slightly overlaps with the inflated and deployed curtain airbag 32 in a side view.

[0067] However, the portion that is overlapped by the upper front end (notch 42U) of head side airbag 42 is the position of center pillar 25, and curtain airbag 32 does not have an inflation portion at the position of center pillar 25. Therefore, even in this case, head side airbag 42 can be suppressed or prevented from interfering with the inflation and deployment of curtain airbag 32.

[0068] Furthermore, head side airbag 42 is configured to inflate and deploy later than curtain airbag 32. Therefore, head side airbag 42 is more effectively prevented from interfering with the inflation and deployment of curtain airbag 32 than when head side airbag 42 is configured to inflate and deploy simultaneously with or before curtain airbag 32.

[0069] The head side airbag 42 thus inflated and deployed can restrain and protect the head H of the occupant P in the event of a side collision of the automobile 12 when the seatback 16 of the vehicle seat 14 is tilted backward by a predetermined angle or more (when the occupant is in a comfortable position). Then, in the event of a rollover of the automobile 12 that may occur thereafter, the curtain airbag 32 normally inflated and deployed downward can restrain and protect the occupant P. In other words, the occupant P can be prevented from being thrown out of the vehicle when the automobile 12 rolls over.

[0070] On the other hand, if the seat back 16 of the vehicle seat 14 is not tilted backward by more than the predetermined angle, in other words, if the angle sensor detects that the rearward tilt angle of the seat back 16 is less than the predetermined angle and a side impact signal is input to the airbag ECU, the airbag ECU will not activate the inflator 38 of the head side airbag device 40.

[0071] That is, in this case, because the curtain airbag 32 is present on the outer side of the head H of the occupant P in the vehicle width direction, the head side airbag 42 does not inflate and deploy, and the head H of the occupant P is restrained and protected by the curtain airbag 32. In this way, the vehicle occupant protection device 10 according to the first embodiment can protect the head H of the occupant P in the event of a side collision of the automobile 12, regardless of the rearward tilt angle of the seatback 16 of the vehicle seat 14 and without affecting the inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag 32.

[0072] 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 (including common functions) will be omitted as appropriate.

[0073] 5 and 6, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that head side airbags 42 are mounted on the outer and inner ends of headrest 18 in the vehicle width direction. Head side airbags 42 are configured to be supplied with gas ejected from inflator 38 and inflate and deploy forward from the front of headrest 18, passing over both the left and right sides and above head H of occupant P seated on seat cushion 15 of vehicle seat 14.

[0074] Specifically, head side airbag 42 includes a pair of left and right front and rear chambers 44 extending in the front-to-rear direction, and a frontal collision chamber 46 extending in the seat width direction and integrally connecting front end portions 44F of the pair of front and rear chambers 44. In other words, head side airbag 42 is configured to have a substantially U-shape that opens rearward in plan view, with the pair of front and rear chambers 44 and frontal collision chamber 46 protruding from headrest 18.

[0075] The pair of front and rear chambers 44 are configured to be inflated and deployed forward by the gas ejected from the inflator 38, passing over both the left and right sides of the head H of the occupant P. The frontal collision chamber 46 moves forward by passing above the head H of the occupant P as the pair of front and rear chambers 44 inflate and deploy, and then, by the gas supplied from the pair of front and rear chambers 44, is configured to inflate and deploy between the front end portions 44F of the pair of front and rear chambers 44 with a delay relative to the pair of front and rear chambers 44.

[0076] The pair of front and rear chambers 44 and the frontal collision chamber 46 are formed into a long bag shape by overlapping two long pieces of base fabric and sewing the upper and lower peripheral edges together. The base fabric of the pair of front and rear chambers 44 and the base fabric of the frontal collision chamber 46 are each made of, for example, a polyamide or polyester fabric material.

[0077] Furthermore, each of the pair of front and rear chambers 44 is folded in an accordion-like manner, and the boundary between the pair of front and rear chambers 44 and frontal collision chamber 46 forms a crease and is folded downward. Head side airbag 42 in this state is stored inside headrest 18. In other words, head side airbag 42 is configured to be disposed along the outline (top surface and both left and right side surfaces) of headrest 18 in a front view (see FIG. 5).

[0078] The rear ends of the pair of front and rear chambers 44 are integrally connected by a rear connecting portion 45 extending in the seat width direction. Cylindrical base portions 45A extending rearward are integrally formed on both end portions and the center portion in the seat width direction on the rear surface of the rear connecting portion 45. Each base portion 45A is connected to a respective outlet 36A of a distribution pipe 36, which will be described later.

[0079] A resin or metal distribution pipe 36 is disposed inside the headrest 18 on the rear side. The distribution pipe 36 is formed in a cylindrical shape that branches in three directions, and outlets 36A branching from the center in the seat width direction in the left and right directions and upward direction are connected to both left and right ends and a central root portion 45A of the rear connecting portion 45, respectively. The outlets 36A of the distribution pipes 36 on both the left and right sides extend outward and forward inward in the vehicle width direction at a predetermined angle and a predetermined length, respectively, in a plan view (see FIG. 6).

[0080] Furthermore, an outlet 38A of the inflator 38 is connected to a cylindrical base 36B extending downward from the distribution pipe 36. That is, the inflator 38 is configured to inject gas into the distribution pipe 36 during a side collision of the automobile 12, and gas is supplied from the distribution pipe 36 to the pair of left and right front and rear chambers 44 via the rear connecting portion 45, and gas is supplied from the pair of left and right front and rear chambers 44 to the frontal collision chamber 46.

[0081] With the head side airbag 42 of the vehicle occupant protection device 10 according to the second embodiment configured as described above, the pair of front and rear chambers 44 and the frontal collision chamber 46 are inflated and deployed forward from the front of the headrest 18 in that order, with the pair of front and rear chambers 44 being disposed on the outer and inner sides of the head H of the occupant P in the vehicle width direction, and the frontal collision chamber 46 being disposed in front of the head H of the occupant P. Therefore, the head H of the occupant P can be protected not only in the event of a side collision of the automobile 12, but also in the event of a frontal collision of the automobile 12.

[0082] The vehicle occupant protection device 10 according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the vehicle occupant protection device 10 according to this embodiment is not limited to the illustrated one, and the design can be appropriately modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, the vehicle occupant protection device 10 according to this embodiment can also be applied to a passenger seat 14. Therefore, the vehicle according to this embodiment is not limited to an autonomously driven automobile 12.

[0083] Furthermore, instead of using the angle sensor to detect that seatback 16 of vehicle seat 14 is tilted backward by a predetermined angle or more, head side airbag 42 may be configured to inflate and deploy only when it is determined that the overlap amount of inflated and deployed head side airbag 42 with curtain airbag 32 is a predetermined amount or less, for example, 30 mm or less, in a side view. Here, lower edge portion 32D of curtain airbag 32 is a non-inflatable portion that is not filled with gas, and its width is, for example, 30 mm or less.

[0084] Therefore, if the overlap amount of inflated and deployed head side airbag 42 with curtain airbag 32 is, for example, 30 mm or less, it is possible to suppress or prevent head side airbag 42 from obstructing the inflation and deployment of curtain airbag 32. The overlap amount of head side airbag 42 with curtain airbag 32 in a side view can be predicted by detecting the position of headrest 18, for example, with a camera or the like provided in the vehicle compartment.

[0085] Furthermore, the vehicle seat 14 is not limited to a configuration in which it slides and tilts electrically, but may be configured to slide and tilt manually. In this case, the position and rearward tilt angle of the vehicle seat 14 may be detected by a detection means such as a camera installed in the vehicle compartment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 10. Vehicle occupant protection device 12 Automobiles (vehicles) 14 Vehicle seats 15 seat cushion 16 Seat back 18 Headrest 28 Roof side rail 32 Curtain airbag 42 Head side airbags 46 Frontal impact chamber H head P crew

Claims

1. a head side airbag mounted on at least a vehicle width direction outer end of a headrest of a vehicle seat, and configured to inflate and deploy toward the front of the vehicle at least at the vehicle width direction outer side of the head of an occupant seated on a seat cushion of the vehicle seat when gas is supplied thereto in the event of a side collision of the vehicle; a curtain airbag that is mounted on at least a roof side rail of a vehicle and that inflates and deploys downward of the vehicle when gas is supplied thereto in the event of a side collision of the vehicle; Equipped with The head side airbag is The vehicle occupant protection device is configured to inflate and deploy only when the seat back of the vehicle seat is tilted backward by a predetermined angle or more.

2. 2. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined angle is an angle at which the inflated and deployed head side airbag does not interfere with the inflating portion of the curtain airbag.

3. 3. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the head side airbag is configured to inflate and deploy only when the seatback is tilted backward to a recommended limit position in a comfortable position.

4. 4. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 3, wherein the seat back is configured to be able to tilt rearward into the comfortable position only when the vehicle seat is slid to a predetermined position toward the rear of the vehicle.

5. 3. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the head side airbag is configured to inflate and deploy later than the curtain airbag.

6. 3. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the head side airbag is mounted on the headrest at an outer end and an inner end in the vehicle width direction, and when gas is supplied during a side collision of the vehicle, the head side airbag inflates and deploys toward the front of the vehicle at the outer and inner end in the vehicle width direction of the occupant's head, and the outer and inner front end portions in the vehicle width direction are connected together by a frontal collision chamber extending in the vehicle width direction.

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