Seat cushion airbag device and seat cushion airbag structure

Abstract

To provide a seat cushion airbag device that contacts a seat cushion airbag during deployment and inflation from below in a large area and supports the same, and can maintain good seat comfort.SOLUTION: A seat cushion airbag device 1 comprises: a seat cushion airbag 11 which is arranged below a seating face 93 in a seat 90 of a vehicle and above a seat support part 5 in the seat 90, and deploys and inflates when impact of the vehicle occurs; and a cloth-made tether part 3. The tether part 3 is stretched across the seat support part 5 at a position below the seat cushion airbag 11 and in at least partial area in a cross direction of the seat 90 and / or at least a partial area in a width direction of the seat 90.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART It is known that when an impact occurs in a vehicle, such as during a collision, a phenomenon occurs in which an occupant seated in a vehicle seat moves forward or downward despite wearing a seat belt. In this specification, the terms "front" and "forward" refer to the front and rear of the seat in the longitudinal direction relative to the body of the occupant seated on the seat. Similarly, the terms "rear" and "rearward" refer to the rear and rear of the seat in the longitudinal direction relative to the body of the occupant seated on the seat. In this specification, the width direction, which will be described later, refers to the horizontal direction and the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, "up" and "down" refer to the vertical direction and the vertical direction, respectively.

[0003] One known example of the above phenomenon is the phenomenon in which an occupant slides downwards and forwards from the seat surface (the so-called submarine phenomenon). The submarining phenomenon is thought to occur when a vehicle is hit from the front, causing the occupant's waist to move forward and slip under the lap strap (also called a waist belt or lap strap) that is part of the seat belt and is designed to restrain the occupant's waist.

[0004] In order to prevent these occupants from moving, a technology has been proposed in which an airbag known as a seat cushion airbag is provided below the seat surface of the seat, more specifically, inside the seat portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] For example, in the technology introduced in Patent Document 1, a seat cushion airbag is deployed and inflated when an impact occurs, thereby raising the seat surface. Paragraph

[0007] of Patent Document 1 explains that the seat cushion airbag raises the thighs of the occupant, thereby preventing the occupant from moving forward. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-188123 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-106617 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] As described above, the seat cushion airbag disclosed in Patent Document 1 deploys and inflates when an impact occurs. During deployment, the seat cushion airbag lifts the occupant's lower back from below. As a result, forward movement of the occupant is suppressed, which is thought to make the submarine phenomenon less likely to occur.

[0008] In this case, an occupant sits above the seat cushion airbag and the seat portion, and a downward load is exerted on the seat portion by the occupant. Therefore, immediately after the seat cushion airbag is deployed and inflated, the seat portion is difficult to deform upward due to the occupant's obstruction.

[0009] In other words, immediately after the seat cushion airbag is deployed and inflated, the seat portion first deforms downward, where it is more easily deformed, and then deforms upward. Therefore, when the seat cushion airbag is deployed and inflated, a large downward force acts on the seat portion of the seat.

[0010] In order for the seat belt to stably restrain and support the occupant when an impact occurs, it is desirable to significantly raise the lumbar region of the occupant seated in the seat, which requires the seat cushion airbag to be significantly deployed and inflated in the vertical direction. However, when the seat cushion airbag is deployed and inflated to a large extent in the vertical direction, the downward force acting from the seat cushion airbag on the seat bottom also becomes large.

[0011] Generally, seats have seat support parts such as a seat pan and a seat bar. The seat support parts are disposed below at least a portion of the cushion part of the seat and are members that support the seat part of the seat including the cushion part and the occupant seated on the seat part from below.

[0012] The seat support portion is pressed downward by the seat cushion airbag that is deployed and deformed downward. Therefore, if the deployment force of the seat cushion airbag is set to be large so as to significantly raise the lumbar region of the occupant seated in the seat upon impact, the seat support portion is significantly pressed downward by the seat cushion airbag upon impact. In this case, there is a risk that the seat support portion may be deformed.

[0013] Patent Document 2 proposes a technique in which a seat pan, which is a part of the seat support part, is extended in the front-rear direction of the seat and the seat pan is bridged over a seat bar, which is another part of the seat support part.

[0014] According to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2, a large seat pan extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat abuts a large area from below against the seat cushion airbag when it is deployed and inflated. Therefore, the seat pan receives the external force caused by the deployment and inflation of the seat cushion airbag in a distributed manner, and generates the reaction force caused by the external force in a distributed manner. As a result, the seat pan can support the seat cushion airbag from below while suppressing deformation of the seat support portion as a whole, which may enable the seat cushion airbag to be deployed and inflated greatly upward.

[0015] Incidentally, if the seat pan is enlarged and extended in the front-to-rear direction of the seat as introduced in Patent Document 2, the seat pan will be located below the buttocks of the occupant.

[0016] The seat pan is made of a highly rigid material because it supports the seat bottom from below. Therefore, if a large seat pan is extended in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat and placed below the occupant's buttocks, the cushioning of the seat will be impaired, resulting in a significant decrease in comfort.

[0017] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object to be achieved is to provide a seat cushion airbag device that can abut against the seat cushion airbag from below over a large area when deployed and inflated, to support the seat, and can maintain good seating comfort. [Means for solving the problem]

[0018] The seat cushion airbag device of the present invention, which solves the above problems, is a seat cushion airbag that is disposed below a seat surface of a vehicle seat and above a seat support portion of the seat and that deploys and inflates when an impact occurs to the vehicle; a tether portion made of fabric, The tether portion is a seat cushion airbag device that is hung across the seat support portion at a position below the seat cushion airbag in at least a portion of the area in the front-to-rear direction of the seat and / or at least a portion of the area in the width direction of the seat.

[0019] Further, the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention, which solves the above-mentioned problems, comprises: a seat support portion disposed below a seat surface of a vehicle seat; a seat cushion airbag that is disposed below the seat surface and above the seat support portion and that deploys and inflates when an impact occurs to the vehicle; a tether portion made of fabric, The tether portion is a seat cushion airbag structure that is suspended across the seat support portion at a position below the seat cushion airbag in at least a portion of the area in the front-to-rear direction of the seat and / or in at least a portion of the area in the width direction of the seat.

[0020] The technology of the present invention makes it possible to provide a seat cushion airbag device that abuts over a large area from below on the seat cushion airbag when deployed and inflated, supporting it, and maintaining good seating comfort. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining a seat cushion airbag structure according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining a seat cushion airbag structure according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining a seat cushion airbag structure according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the state of the airbag in the seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment as viewed from below. [Figure 5]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining a seat cushion airbag structure according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining a seat cushion airbag structure according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The seat cushion airbag device of the present invention is disposed below the seat surface of a vehicle seat and above a seat support portion of the seat, and includes a seat cushion airbag and a tether portion.

[0023] In contrast to this, the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention has the seat support portion as a constituent element in addition to the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention.

[0024] In this specification, the term "seat support portion" refers to a rigid body that is located below at least a portion of the cushion portion of the seat, and that supports the entire seat including the cushion portion. The seat support portion includes the seat pan, seat bar (also called the shaft), and seat frame including the side frames.

[0025] The seat cushion airbag device of the present invention includes a seat cushion airbag that deploys and inflates when a vehicle impact occurs, and a tether portion made of fabric.

[0026] The tether portion is located below the seat cushion airbag and is hung over the seat support portion in at least a portion of the area in the front-to-rear direction of the seat and / or in at least a portion of the area in the width direction of the seat. This tether portion abuts against the seat cushion airbag over a large area when the seat cushion airbag is deployed and inflated, and can efficiently absorb the external force generated by the seat cushion airbag.

[0027] The tether portion is also suspended across the seat support portion, and therefore generates a reaction force caused by an external force generated by the seat cushion airbag, enabling the tether portion to stably support the seat cushion airbag from below.

[0028] Furthermore, the tether portion is stretched across the seat support portion in at least a portion of the front-to-rear direction of the seat and / or at least a portion of the width direction of the seat. Therefore, the tether portion distributes and receives the external force generated by the seat cushion airbag, and can sufficiently distribute the reaction force caused by the seat cushion airbag when it deploys and inflates. Therefore, the external force generated by the seat cushion airbag is not applied unevenly to a portion of the seat, and it is possible to prevent problems such as deformation of the seat support portion of the seat.

[0029] In addition, since the tether is made of fabric, it is flexible and deformable. Therefore, when an occupant sits on the seat and the seat portion of the seat, including the cushion and the upholstery, deforms downward, the tether below the seat surface of the seat also deforms downward. Therefore, in the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention, the cushioning properties of the seat are unlikely to be impaired, and the seat can be kept comfortable.

[0030] According to the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention, the cooperation of the above-mentioned features makes it possible to sufficiently disperse the reaction force caused by the seat cushion airbag when it is deployed and inflated, and also has the effect of maintaining good seating comfort.

[0031] As described above, the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention includes a seat support portion as a constituent element in addition to the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention described above. Therefore, according to the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention, similar to the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention, the reaction force caused by the seat cushion airbag when deployed and inflated can be sufficiently dispersed, and there is an effect of being able to maintain good seating comfort.

[0032] Hereinafter, the seat cushion airbag device and the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention will be described in detail with respect to each of their constituent elements.

[0033] As described above, the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention includes the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, in this specification, the description of each part of the seat cushion airbag device in the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention can be read as the description of each part of the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention.

[0034] Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the terms "front-rear direction," "width direction," and "up-down direction" refer to the respective directions in the seat, more specifically, the respective directions relative to the occupant seated in the seat. The width direction can also be referred to as the left-right direction relative to the occupant.

[0035] Unless otherwise specified, the numerical ranges "x to y" described in this specification include the lower limit x and the upper limit y. These upper and lower limit values, as well as the numerical values ​​listed in the examples, can be arbitrarily combined to form new numerical ranges. Furthermore, numerical values ​​arbitrarily selected from any of the above numerical ranges can be used as the upper and lower limit values ​​of a new numerical range.

[0036] The seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention is disposed below the seat surface of a vehicle seat and above a seat support portion of the seat. As mentioned above, the seat support portion is the portion of the seat that supports the seat portion. The seat includes the seat portion on which the occupant sits, the seat support portion that supports the seat portion from below, a backrest that is located behind the seat portion and supports the occupant's back, and armrests that are located at the front of the seat portion in the width direction.

[0037] In this specification, a seat may be any seat in which an occupant can sit, and may be, for example, a front seat such as a driver's seat or a passenger seat, or a rear seat.

[0038] The seat portion includes a cushion portion and a surface portion exposed on the surface of the cushion portion. The seat surface of the seat is formed by the surface portion of the seat portion.

[0039] The seat cushion airbag deploys and inflates when a vehicle impact occurs, thereby lifting the seat surface and thereby raising the lumbar region of the occupant seated in the seat. This allows the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention, which includes the seat cushion airbag, to prevent the submarine phenomenon described above. Furthermore, by raising the lumbar region of the occupant and thus the upper body of the occupant, the seat cushion airbag also has the advantage of enabling the shoulder straps of the seat belt, which are used to restrain the occupant's chest, to stably support the occupant's chest.

[0040] A seat cushion airbag is generally bag-shaped and deploys when an impact occurs. A seat cushion airbag device may have an inflation fluid source connected to the seat cushion airbag to supply inflation fluid to the seat cushion airbag. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the term "airbag" in this specification refers to the airbag in the seat cushion airbag device.

[0041] When the airbag is deployed and inflated, it deforms and pushes up the seat surface of the seat portion of the seat. Such an airbag is preferably stored in the seat in a folded or collapsed state under normal conditions, and the material of the airbag is preferably selected to be foldable and deployable.

[0042] As a specific material for the airbag, it is preferable to select a material that is flexible and has high strength, and for example, a woven fabric made of high-strength resin fibers such as polyester or polyamide can be particularly preferably used.

[0043] As the inflation fluid generating source, it is preferable to use a so-called inflator that generates gas as the inflation fluid, but in some cases, it is also possible to use a source that generates inflation fluid other than gas, such as liquid or gel.

[0044] The inflation fluid generating source may be any device for supplying inflation fluid to the airbag, such as a so-called pyrotechnic inflator having a gas generating agent that generates gas as inflation fluid, or a so-called hybrid inflator that supplies gas contained in a high-pressure container by rupturing a bulkhead of the high-pressure container. The inflation fluid generating source may be located entirely outside the airbag, or partly or entirely inside the airbag.

[0045] The seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention includes a tether portion made of fabric, which is hung across the seat support portion below the airbag in at least a portion of the area in the front-to-rear direction of the seat and / or in at least a portion of the area in the width direction of the seat.

[0046] The tether portion may be made of fabric, i.e., woven fabric, and the weaving method is not particularly important. The material of the tether portion may be appropriately selected depending on the strength required for the tether portion. Specific examples of the material for the tether portion include, but are not limited to, high-strength resin fibers similar to those used for airbags, glass fibers, carbon fibers, metal fibers, and natural fibers derived from plants and the like.

[0047] The tether portion is required to be sufficiently flexible in the vertical direction and to be able to sufficiently support the airbag from below when it is deployed. It is preferable that such a tether portion is flexible but not easily stretched or deformed.

[0048] The tether portion in the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention is made of fabric and therefore is less susceptible to stretching deformation than, for example, tether portions made of knitted or nonwoven fabric. Therefore, it can be said that the tether portion in the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention can be sufficiently flexibly deformed in the vertical direction and can sufficiently support the airbag from below when deployed and inflated.

[0049] In other words, because the tether portion in the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention is made of fabric, it abuts over a large area from below against the airbag when deployed and inflated, and can stably support the airbag from below, while still providing the effect of maintaining good seating comfort.

[0050] The tether portion is hung over the seat support portion in at least a partial area in the front-rear direction of the seat and / or in at least a partial area in the width direction of the seat. In the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention, the area of ​​the seat over which the tether portion is spanned is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that it be, for example, 30% or more, 50% or more, or 70% or more of the front-to-rear length and / or width length of the seat portion of the seat.

[0051] When the tether portion is hung over the seat support portion in at least a portion of the fore-and-aft area of ​​the seat, it is preferable that the widthwise length of the tether portion is 30% or more, 50% or more and 70% or more of the widthwise length of the seat portion, or greater than the width of the airbag. When the tether portion is hung over the seat support portion in at least a portion of the widthwise region of the seat, it is preferable that the longitudinal length of the tether portion is 30% or more, 50% or more, 70% or more of the longitudinal length of the seat portion, or greater than the longitudinal length of the airbag.

[0052] When the tether portion is disposed above the seat spring in the seating portion, there is an advantage that the reaction force caused by the deployment and inflation of the airbag can be efficiently generated by the tether portion.

[0053] The seat spring is a component that forms part of the seat and is located below the cushion. The seat spring is positioned between the cushion and the seat frame to absorb vibrations and other issues that occur when the vehicle is moving, thereby improving the comfort of the seat.

[0054] When a downward load acts on a seat spring, the seat spring elastically compresses downward. Therefore, if the seat spring is located directly below an airbag, when an impact occurs and the airbag deploys and inflates downward, pressing the seat spring downward, the seat spring compresses and buffers the downward external force from the airbag. Therefore, depending on the spring characteristics of the seat spring, the reaction force acting on the airbag from below during deployment may be small, and the position of the lower end of the airbag may also be lowered. As a result, it may be difficult to deploy the airbag upward quickly, which may make it difficult to quickly raise the seat cushion.

[0055] When the tether portion is positioned above the seat spring in the seating portion, the tether portion is interposed between the airbag and the seat spring. As described above, the tether portion is stretched across the seat support portion, and generates a reaction force when it receives an external force generated when the airbag deploys and inflates. Therefore, in this case, the external force generated by the airbag during deployment is unlikely to be transmitted to the seat spring. Therefore, in this case, the airbag can be deployed and inflated upward quickly, and the seat surface can be raised quickly.

[0056] The tether portion is stretched over the seat support portion. Therefore, when the airbag deploys and inflates, a large force acts on the tether portion in the direction in which it is stretched over the seat support portion. Therefore, in order to further suppress the elongation and deformation of the tether portion, it is preferable to make the tether portion less susceptible to elongation and deformation in the direction in which it is stretched over the seat support portion. Hereinafter, the direction in which the tether portion is stretched over the seat support portion may be referred to as the "stretching direction" as necessary.

[0057] The fabric that is the material of the tether portion stretches and deforms greatly when it is bias fabric, but is less likely to stretch and deform when it is warp fabric or weft fabric, and is particularly less likely to stretch and deform when it is warp fabric.

[0058] The term "warp fabric" as used herein means a fabric in which the direction in which the warp threads extend coincides with the direction in which the greatest force acts on the fabric, and more specifically, a fabric in which the direction in which the warp threads extend coincides with the bridging direction of the tether section. In addition, the horizontal fabric means a fabric in which the direction in which the warp threads extend is perpendicular to the direction in which the greatest force acts in the fabric, and specifically means a fabric in which the direction in which the warp threads extend is perpendicular to the bridging direction of the tether portion. In addition, a bias fabric means a fabric in which the direction in which the warp threads extend intersects at 45 degrees with the direction in which the greatest force acts in the fabric, and more specifically, means a fabric in which the direction in which the warp threads extend in the tether section intersects at 45 degrees with the laying direction of the tether section.

[0059] In light of the above, in order to further suppress the elongation and deformation of the tether portion, it is preferable that the angle between the bridge direction of the tether portion and the extension direction of the warp yarn in the tether portion is 0 degrees or 90 degrees, and it can be said that 0 degrees is particularly preferable.

[0060] Here, the angle formed between the bridging direction of the tether portion and the extending direction of the warp thread in the tether portion does not have to be strictly 0 degrees or 90 degrees, and may include a range of about ±10 degrees between these angles.

[0061] As described above, the tether portion in the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention is hung over the seat support portion in at least a portion of the area in the front-rear direction of the seat and / or in at least a portion of the area in the width direction of the seat. In other words, the tether portion may be hung over the seat support portion in the front-rear direction or in the width direction. The tether portion may be hung over the seat support portion in both the front-rear direction and the width direction.

[0062] The seat support part is a member of the seat that is positioned below at least a portion of the cushion part and supports the cushion part and the occupant seated on the cushion part from below.Specific examples include the seat pan, seat bar, side frame, etc. of the seat.

[0063] Of these, the seat pan is a plate-shaped member that is generally spanned across the seat portion in the front-to-back and width directions based on its shape, and across the seat frame of the seat in the front-to-back and width directions, thereby supporting the seat portion of the seat from below, and ultimately supporting the seat portion and the occupant seated on the seat from below.

[0064] The seat bar is a rod-shaped member that spans the seat portion of the seat, more specifically the seat frame, in the width direction to support the seat portion from below, and thus to support the seat portion and the occupant seated on the seat from below. The seat bar is generally positioned behind the seat pan, but may also be positioned forward of the seat pan.

[0065] A seat may have only one seat bar or multiple seat bars. If a seat has more than one seat bar, the rear seat bar is referred to as the first seat bar and the front seat bar is referred to as the second seat bar.

[0066] For example, if a seat has one seat pan and one seat bar, the seat pan and the seat bar can be selected as the seat support parts over which the tether is stretched. In this case, the tether can be said to be stretched in the fore-and-aft direction in the area spanning the seat pan and the seat bar.

[0067] Furthermore, when the seat has the first seat bar and second seat bar described above, the seat support parts across which the tether part is hung may be selected to be the seat pan and the first seat bar, or the seat pan and the second seat bar, or the first seat bar and the second seat bar, or the seat pan, the first seat bar and the second seat bar.

[0068] For example, when the tether portion is stretched between the seat pan and the first seat bar, the tether portion can be said to be stretched in the front-rear direction in a region spanning the seat pan and the first seat bar in the front-rear direction.

[0069] Furthermore, for example, when the tether portion is stretched across the seat pan and the second seat bar, the tether portion can be said to be stretched across the front-rear direction in a region spanning the seat pan and the second seat bar.

[0070] Also, for example, when a tether portion is stretched across a first seat bar and a second seat bar, the tether portion can be said to be stretched across the front-to-rear direction in the front-to-rear region spanning the first seat bar and the second seat bar.

[0071] Furthermore, the seat frame of the seat may be selected as the seat support portion. For example, two side frames that are part of the seat frame and form the sides of the seat cushion may be selected as the seat support portion. Since the side frames are spaced apart in the width direction, in this case the tether portion spans between one side frame and the other side frame in the width direction. In other words, in this case, the tether portion spans in the width direction in a region spanning between one side frame and the other side frame.

[0072] The seat support part to be selected as the seat support part over which the tether part is to be hung can be determined appropriately depending on the position of each seat support part relative to the seat surface, the position of the airbag, the shape of the tether part, the shape of the airbag, etc.

[0073] In order for the tether portion to more stably and efficiently support the airbag that deploys and inflates upon impact from below, it is preferable to apply tension to the tether portion in the direction in which the tether portion is stretched upon impact. In other words, the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention is preferably equipped with a tensioning element for applying tension to the tether portion in the direction in which the tether portion is stretched upon impact.

[0074] For example, if the tether portion is stretched in the front-rear direction, the tension generating element may apply tension in the front-rear direction to the tether portion when an impact occurs. Furthermore, for example, if the tether portion is stretched across in the width direction, the tension generating element may apply tension in the width direction to the tether portion when an impact occurs.

[0075] The tension generating element may be any element as long as it can apply the above-mentioned tension to the tether portion when an impact occurs, and there are no particular limitations on its structure or tension generating mechanism.

[0076] For example, the airbag itself may be used as the tension generating element.

[0077] Specifically, the airbag may be provided with a downward pressing portion that protrudes downward when deployed and inflated, and the downward pressing portion may be used as the tension applying element.

[0078] When the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention has such a tension generating element, when the airbag deploys and inflates upon impact, the downward pressing portion, which is a part of the airbag, protrudes downward, and the airbag then presses downward on the tether portion located below it, thereby applying tension to the tether portion in the spanning direction.

[0079] The position of the downward pressing portion on the airbag is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the downward pressing portion be disposed, for example, between the seat pan and the second seat bar or between the second seat bar and the first seat bar when the airbag is inflated.

[0080] Furthermore, for example, if a portion of the tether portion is located in front of and / or behind the airbag, that portion can also be used as a tension generating element.

[0081] In other words, a part of the airbag moves upward when deployed and inflated, and the tether part located in front of and / or behind the airbag can be integrated with this part. Hereinafter, where necessary, the portion of the airbag that changes position upward when deployed and inflated will be referred to as an upward pulling portion.

[0082] In this case, when the airbag deploys and inflates upon impact, the upward tension portion, which is part of the airbag, moves upward, and the portion of the tether that is integrated with the upward tension portion is pulled upward, applying tension to the tether in the direction of its extension.

[0083] Furthermore, for example, the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention may have an electric actuator connected to the tether portion and pulling the tether portion when an impact occurs. In this case, the electric actuator can also be used as a tensioning element.

[0084] In this case, when an impact occurs, the electric actuator operates, and the tether portion is pulled in accordance with the operation of the electric actuator, so that tension is applied to the tether portion in the bridging direction.

[0085] For example, if an electric motor is used as the electric actuator and a part of the tether is attached to the rotation shaft of the electric motor, the tether is wound up as the electric motor rotates, and as a result, the above-mentioned tension is applied to the tether.

[0086] The seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention will be described below by giving specific examples.

[0087] Example 1 The seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment includes a seat pan as a seat support portion and two seat bars, and also includes a downward pressing portion on the airbag. 1 to 3 are diagrams illustrating the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1 as viewed from above. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1 when the airbag is in a normal state, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1 when an impact occurs and the airbag is deployed and inflated. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the airbag in the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1 as viewed from below.

[0088] Hereinafter, in Example 1, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front" and "rear" refer to the upper, lower, left, right, front and rear shown in the drawings. The left-right direction coincides with the width direction.

[0089] The seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment includes a seat cushion airbag device 1 and a seat support portion 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the seat cushion airbag device 1 includes an airbag 11 and an inflation fluid generating source 10.

[0090] The seat cushion airbag device 1 in the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1 is mounted on a vehicle seat 90, and more specifically, is disposed below a seat surface 93 in a seat portion 91 of the seat 90. It can also be said that the seat cushion airbag device 1 in the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1 is disposed below the seat surface 93 in the seat portion 91.

[0091] A seat pan 96p, a first seat bar 96f, and a second seat bar 96s are arranged inside the seat portion 91. The seat pan 96p is fixed to a seat frame (not shown) at the front end of the seat portion 91. The seat frame constitutes the lower portion of the seat portion 91 of the seat 90, is arranged below the cushion 95, and has the function of supporting the entire seat portion 91 including the cushion 95.

[0092] The seat frame (not shown) has two side frames spaced apart in the width direction, and a front frame located at the front and connecting the two side frames. The seat pan 96p spans the front frame of the seat frame and the front portions of the two side frames.

[0093] The first seat bar 96f and the second seat bar 96s are bridged between the two side frames rearward of the seat pan 96p. The first seat bar 96f is rearward of the second seat bar 96s, and the second seat bar 96s is disposed between the seat pan 96p and the first seat bar 96f.

[0094] The airbag 11 is located above the seat pan 96p and the second seat bar 96s inside the seat portion 91. The airbag 11 can be said to be disposed in a front region, which is a region between the center and front end of the seat portion 91 in the front-rear direction.

[0095] The inflation fluid generating source 10 is disposed inside the airbag 11 and further forward than the second seat bar 96s.

[0096] The inflation fluid generating source 10 in the seat cushion airbag device 1 is an inflator that generates gas as inflation fluid, and is connected to a control device (not shown) for deploying and inflating the airbag 11, and operates by receiving a supply of electric power. The control device is an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle.

[0097] The airbag 11 is made of polyester woven fabric. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the airbag 11 has a bag-shaped main body 11m and a bag-shaped downward pressing portion 11d integrated with the underside of the main body 11m. The protruding end of the downward pressing portion 11d faces downward. The interior of the downward pressing portion 11d is connected to the interior of the main body 11m. Therefore, when the airbag 11 is deployed and inflated, the inflation fluid generated by the inflation fluid generating source 10 is supplied to the inside of the main body 11m, and the inflation fluid is also supplied to the inside of the downward pressing portion 11d that is connected to the main body 11m, causing the downward pressing portion 11d to protrude downward (FIG. 3).

[0098] In the seat cushion airbag device 1 of the first embodiment, the downward pressing portion 11d is disposed between the seat pan 96p and the second seat bar 96s when the airbag 11 is inflated, and presses the tether portion 3 downward between the seat pan 96p and the second seat bar 96s. Alternatively, the downward pressing portion 11d may be disposed between the second seat bar 96s and the first seat bar 96f when the airbag 11 is inflated. In this case, the downward pressing portion 11d presses the tether portion 3 downward between the seat pan 96p and the second seat bar 96s.

[0099] For reference, in the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1, the length of the downward pressing portion 11d in the front-rear direction is preferably about 25% to 50% of the length of the airbag 11 in the front-rear direction, in other words, the length of the airbag main body 11m in the front-rear direction. Also, the length of the downward pressing portion 11d in the width direction is preferably about 80% to 100% of the length of the airbag 11 in the width direction, in other words, the length of the airbag main body 11m in the width direction. In the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1, the length of the airbag main body 11m in the front-rear direction is about 200 mm, and the length of the airbag main body 11m in the width direction is about 400 mm. On the other hand, the length of the downward pressing portion 11d in the front-rear direction is about 50 mm, and the length of the downward pressing portion 11d in the width direction is about 380 mm.

[0100] The tether portion 3 is made of the same polyester woven fabric as the airbag 11, and is stretched in the front-rear direction between the seat pan 96p, the second seat bar 96s, and the first seat bar 96f.

[0101] In the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1, the length of the tether portion 3 in the front-to-rear direction is approximately 75% of the length of the seat portion 91 in the front-to-rear direction, and the length of the tether portion 3 in the width direction is approximately 90% of the length of the seat portion 91 in the width direction.

[0102] The front end of the tether 3 is fixed to the seat pan 96p with a bolt (not shown). The rear end of the tether 3 is fixed to the first seat bar 96f with a hook (not shown). The center portion of the tether 3 in the front-to-rear direction is stretched over the second seat bar 96s that is located between the seat pan 96p and the first seat bar 96f.

[0103] The direction in which the warp threads in the tether portion 3 extend is substantially the same as the front-rear direction. Therefore, the angle between the direction in which the tether portion 3 is stretched across the sheet support portion 5 and the direction in which the warp threads in the tether portion 3 extend is substantially 0 degrees.

[0104] In the seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment, the tether portion 3 is located below the airbag 11. Therefore, when the airbag 11 is deployed and inflated upon impact and the downward pressing portion 11d protrudes downward, the tether portion 3 located below the airbag 11 is pressed downward by the downward pressing portion 11d of the airbag 11.

[0105] The tether portion 3 has a strip shape extending in the width direction and the front-rear direction, and is bridged in the front-rear direction as shown in Fig. 1. In other words, the tether portion 3 in the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1 extends over a partial area in the front-rear direction and a partial area in the width direction with respect to the seat portion 91 of the seat 90, and is particularly bridged over the seat support portion 5 in a partial area in the front-rear direction.

[0106] Therefore, when the airbag 11 is deployed and inflated, the tether portion 3 comes into contact with the airbag 11 over a large area, and can efficiently receive the external force generated by the airbag 11.

[0107] Furthermore, when the airbag 11 is deployed and inflated, the tether portion 3 pressed downward by the downward pressing portion 11d is stretched in the front-to-rear direction. That is, in the seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment, the downward pressing portion 11d applies tension in the front-to-rear direction to the tether portion 3 when an impact occurs (FIG. 3).

[0108] As described above, the tether portion 3 is suspended across the seat pan 96p, second seat bar 96s, and first seat bar 96f, which are the seat support portion 5, and therefore generates a reaction force when subjected to an external force generated by the airbag 11 when it is deployed and inflated, thereby stably supporting the airbag 11 from below. Furthermore, since the downward pressing portion 11d applies tension in the front-to-rear direction to the tether portion 3, the tether portion 3 supports the airbag 11 from below more stably and efficiently.

[0109] As a result, according to the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1, the airbag 11 can be deployed and inflated to a high position when an impact occurs, and the buttocks 99b of the occupant 99 can be lifted to a sufficient height from below, which in turn allows the waist 99w of the occupant 99 to be sufficiently raised so that the occupant 99 can be stably restrained and supported by the seat belt 94s.

[0110] Furthermore, the tether portion 3 is stretched across a relatively large area in the front-rear and width directions on the seat support portion 5. Therefore, the tether portion 3 receives the external force generated by the airbag 11 when it is deployed and inflated, distributing it over a relatively large area, and this external force can be prevented from acting unevenly on the tether portion 3 or a portion of the seat 90. As a result, the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1 can prevent problems such as deformation of a portion of the seat 90, including the seat support portion 5.

[0111] The tether portion 3 is made of fabric and is flexible. Therefore, when an occupant 99 sits on the seat 90 and the seat surface 93 of the seat 90 deforms downward, the tether portion 3 below the seat surface 93 of the seat 90 follows suit and flexes downward. In other words, the tether portion 3 flexes downward along the buttocks 99b of the occupant 99. Therefore, the tether portion 3 is unlikely to impair the cushioning properties of the seat 90, and the comfort of sitting on the seat 90 is maintained.

[0112] According to the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1, by virtue of the cooperation of the above, a large area of ​​the airbag 11 is brought into contact with the airbag 11 from below when it is deployed and inflated, thereby supporting the airbag 11, and ultimately enabling the occupant 99 to be stably restrained and supported by the seat belt 94s when an impact occurs. In addition, the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1 maintains good sitting comfort in the seat 90.

[0113] Example 2 The seat cushion airbag structure of the second embodiment is generally the same as the seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment except for the tensioning element. 5 and 6 are diagrams for schematically explaining the seat cushion airbag structure of the second embodiment. The seat cushion airbag structure of the second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0114] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 2 does not have a downward pressing portion 11d on the airbag 11, and instead, the portion of the tether portion 3 that is forward of the airbag 11 is integrated with an upward pulling portion 11u that is located on the front and upper side of the airbag 11. The upwardly pulled portion 11u of the airbag 11 is a portion that changes position upward when deployed and inflated, and the upwardly pulled portion 11u can be called a tension applying element in the seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment.

[0115] The portion of the tether portion 3 that is forward of the airbag 11 is integrated with the upward pulling portion 11u of the airbag 11, so that when the airbag 11 deploys and inflates upon impact, the tether portion 3 is pulled forward and upward accordingly, and as a result, tension is applied to the tether portion 3 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0116] The seat cushion airbag structure of Example 2 has an upward pulling portion 11u instead of a downward pressing portion 11d as a tensioning element. As with the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1, the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 2 also abuts a large area from below against the airbag 11 when deployed and inflated, supporting the airbag 11, and ultimately making it possible to stably restrain and support the occupant 99 with the seat belt 94s in the event of an impact. In addition, the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 2 also maintains good sitting comfort in the seat 90.

[0117] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, in the seat cushion airbag structure of the second embodiment, the tether portion 3 is disposed above the seat spring 97 and is interposed between the seat spring 97 and the airbag 11.

[0118] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, in the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 2, it is possible to efficiently generate a reaction force in the tether portion 3 while suppressing the influence of the seat spring 97 on the deployment and inflation of the airbag 11, thereby allowing the airbag 11 to be efficiently supported from below by the tether portion 3, and ultimately making it possible to quickly raise the seat surface 93 of the seat 90 and the waist 99w of the occupant 99 seated in the seat 90.

[0119] Therefore, according to the seat cushion airbag structure of the second embodiment, it is possible to more stably restrain and support the occupant 99 by the seat belt 94s when an impact occurs.

[0120] Although the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, etc., and it is possible to implement the present invention by appropriately extracting and combining elements described in the embodiments, etc., and to make various modifications within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the specification of the present invention discloses not only the citation relationships of the claims at the time of filing but also the technical idea of ​​appropriately combining the matters described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 1: Seat cushion airbag device 11: Airbag (seat cushion airbag) 11d: Downward pressing portion (tensioning element) 11u: Upper tension part (tensioning element) 3: Tether part 5: Seat support part 90: Seat 93: Seat 96p: Seat pan 96f: 1st seat bar (seat bar) 96s: Second seat bar (seat bar)

Claims

1. a seat support portion disposed below a seat surface of a vehicle seat; a seat cushion airbag that is disposed below the seat surface and above the seat support portion and that deploys and inflates when an impact occurs to the vehicle; a tether portion made of fabric, The tether portion is bridged across the seat support portion at a position below the seat cushion airbag in at least a portion of the area in the front-to-rear direction of the seat and / or in at least a portion of the area in the width direction of the seat.

2. a seat cushion airbag that is disposed below a seat surface of a vehicle seat and above a seat support portion of the seat and that deploys and inflates when an impact occurs to the vehicle; a tether portion made of fabric, the tether portion is suspended across the seat support portion at a position below the seat cushion airbag in at least a portion of the area of ​​the seat in the front-to-rear direction and / or at least a portion of the area of ​​the seat in the width direction.

3. The seat support portion is a seat bar spanning the seat portion in the width direction; a plate-shaped seat pan located forward of the seat bar in the front-rear direction, The seat cushion airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the tether portion is stretched across the seat bar and the seat pan.

4. The seat support portion is a first seat bar spanning the seat portion in the width direction; a second seat bar that spans the seat portion in the width direction and is located forward of the first seat bar in the front-rear direction; a seat pan having a plate shape and located forward of the second seat bar; 3. The seat cushion airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the tether portion is stretched across at least two selected from the first seat bar, the second seat bar, and the seat pan.

5. the tether portion is bridged over the seat support portion in at least a portion of the area in the front-rear direction, 4. The seat cushion airbag device according to claim 2, further comprising a tension applying element that applies tension in the front-rear direction to the tether portion when the impact occurs.

6. The seat cushion airbag has a downward pressing portion that protrudes downward when deployed and inflated, 6. The seat cushion airbag device according to claim 5, wherein the tensioning element is the downward pressing portion.

7. The seat cushion airbag has an upward pulling portion that changes position upward when deployed and inflated, a portion of the tether portion that is located forward and / or rearward of the seat cushion airbag in the front-to-rear direction is integrated with the upward pulling portion, 6. The seat cushion airbag device of claim 5, wherein the tensioning element is the upper tension portion.

8. an electric actuator connected to the tether portion and pulling the tether portion when the impact occurs; 6. The seat cushion airbag device of claim 5, wherein the tensioning element is the electric actuator.

9. 4. The seat cushion airbag device according to claim 2, wherein an angle formed between a direction in which the tether portion is stretched over the seat support portion and a direction in which warp threads in the tether portion extend is 0 degrees or 90 degrees.

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