Vehicular airbag device

Abstract

To provide a vehicular airbag device capable of effectively protecting a head section of an occupant even when an oblique collision or a narrow lap collision occurs.SOLUTION: A vehicular airbag device 20 is an occupant protection device disposed on a front side of a seat 11. The vehicular airbag device 20 includes a first airbag section 211, a second airbag section 212, and a tether 23. The first airbag section 211 is disposed on the front side of the seat 11. The second airbag section 212 is continuous to the first airbag section 211 and is disposed inside the first airbag section 211 in a vehicle width direction. The tether 23 is connected to the second airbag section 212.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] An airbag device built into the instrument panel is known as a structure for protecting a seated occupant in the event of a vehicle collision. The airbag device inflates and deploys during a collision to catch the occupant as they attempt to move forward, thereby protecting the occupant's head and other parts of the body.

[0003] Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe inventions in which the airbag is divided into multiple sections that inflate and deploy in stages in the event of a collision, thereby providing more effective protection for the occupant. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6387946 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6488084 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the inventions described in the above-mentioned patent documents leave room for improvement in terms of more effectively protecting occupants in the event of a collision.

[0006] Specifically, in an oblique collision or a narrow-lap collision, the impact can cause the occupant's upper limbs to move diagonally forward toward the center of the vehicle. Generally, the occupant's head is protected by a front airbag, but the front airbag is not large enough to adequately absorb the diagonal movement of the occupant's head. Therefore, if the occupant's upper limbs move diagonally forward, the occupant's head may slip through the front airbag.

[0007] In recent years, large displays have been installed in the center of dashboards, and some of these displays protrude upward from the dashboard. This raises the risk that an occupant's head, moving diagonally forward during a collision, may come into contact with the display.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle airbag device that can effectively protect the head of an occupant even in the event of an oblique collision or a narrow lap collision, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A vehicle airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle airbag device arranged on the front side of a seat, and is provided with a first airbag portion, a second airbag portion, and a tether, wherein the first airbag portion is arranged so as to protrude on the front side of the seat, the second airbag portion is continuous with the first airbag portion and is arranged so as to protrude inward in the vehicle width direction more than the first airbag portion, and the tether is connected to the second airbag portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the vehicle airbag device of the embodiment of the present invention, the tether is connected to the second airbag portion, causing the second airbag portion to inflate and deploy at a predetermined timing. That is, in the first half of the inflation and deployment stage, only the first airbag portion inflates and deploys, and the second airbag portion does not inflate and deploy, allowing the first airbag portion to inflate and deploy immediately and effectively protect the occupant. Furthermore, in the second half of the inflation and deployment stage, the second airbag portion also inflates and deploys in addition to the first airbag portion. This allows the occupant to be effectively supported by the second airbag portion that inflates and deploys on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a vehicle equipped with a vehicle airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where the vehicle airbag device is not inflated and deployed; [Figure 2] 1 is a side view showing a state in which a vehicle airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention is inflated and deployed in a vehicle equipped with the vehicle airbag device; [Figure 3] 1 is a front view showing an instrument panel and the like of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing an instrument panel and the like of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a top view showing a situation in which two vehicles equipped with a vehicle airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention collide with each other; [Figure 7] 1 is a front view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which only a first airbag portion is inflated and deployed. [Figure 8] 1 is a front view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a first airbag portion and a second airbag portion are inflated and deployed. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a front view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle airbag device according to another embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which only a first airbag portion is inflated and deployed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle airbag device according to another embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a first airbag portion and a second airbag portion are inflated and deployed. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a front view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle airbag device according to still another embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which only the first airbag portion is inflated and deployed. [Figure 12]FIG. 10 is a front view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle airbag device according to still another embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a first airbag portion and a second airbag portion are inflated and deployed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A vehicle airbag device 20 and a vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the front, rear, up, down, left, and right directions are used, and left and right refer to the left and right when the vehicle 10 is viewed from the rear. Furthermore, in the following description, the same components are generally given the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be omitted. Here, in this embodiment, the end includes the end and its vicinity. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the left end, right end, upper end, and lower end include these end and their vicinity.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a vehicle airbag device 20 in a state where it is not inflated and deployed.

[0014] The vehicle 10 is, for example, an engine vehicle, a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), an HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle).

[0015] A seat 11 is arranged in a passenger compartment 12, which is the interior of the body of the vehicle 10. In this embodiment, the seat 11 is, for example, a driver's seat or a passenger seat. The driver's seat is the seat 11 in which an occupant 13 who drives the vehicle 10 sits. The passenger seat is the seat 11 in which an occupant 13 who does not drive the vehicle 10 sits.

[0016] The vehicle airbag device 20 is an occupant protection device built into the instrument panel 16. The vehicle airbag device 20 has an airbag portion 21, an inflator 15, and an airbag storage portion .

[0017] The airbag section 21 is stored in a compactly folded state in the airbag storage section 26. As will be described later, in the event of a collision, the airbag section 21 breaks through the instrument panel 16 and inflates and deploys in front of the occupant 13 inside the vehicle interior 12.

[0018] The inflator 15 is a device that inflates and deploys the airbag portion 21 in the event of a collision accident.

[0019] The arithmetic and control unit 14 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor element such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The arithmetic and control unit 14 may include a semiconductor storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory) as a storage unit. Such a storage unit stores programs, parameters, etc. The arithmetic and control unit 14 executes functions and methods described below based on the programs, parameters, etc. read from the storage unit. In this embodiment, the arithmetic and control unit 14 inflates and deploys the airbag unit 21 by the inflator 15 when the collision detection device 17 detects an impact of a certain magnitude or greater, or when the external monitoring device 18 predicts a collision.

[0020] The collision detection device 17 is a device that detects the impact, acceleration, etc., when a collision accident occurs in which the front of the vehicle 10 collides with another vehicle.

[0021] The external monitoring device 18 is a monitoring device having a stereo camera, radar, etc. The external monitoring device 18 constantly monitors the area ahead of the vehicle 10 while the vehicle 10 is traveling. The monitoring results of the external monitoring device 18 are transmitted to the calculation control unit 14.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the vehicle airbag device 20 in a state where it is inflated and deployed.

[0023] If a collision accident occurs in the vehicle 10, the calculation and control unit 14 inflates and deploys the airbag unit 21. Specifically, if the impact or acceleration detected by the collision detection device 17 is equal to or greater than a certain level, the calculation and control unit 14 causes the inflator 15 to generate gas, thereby inflating and deploying the airbag unit 21. Furthermore, if the calculation and control unit 14 determines, based on the monitoring results of the external monitoring device 18, that the vehicle 10 will collide, the calculation and control unit 14 causes the inflator 15 to generate gas, thereby inflating and deploying the airbag unit 21. As the airbag unit 21 inflates and deploys, it receives the upper limbs, particularly the head, of the occupant 13, thereby increasing the safety of the occupant 13 in the event of a collision accident.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a front view showing the instrument panel 16 and the like of the vehicle 10. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the instrument panel 16 and the like of the vehicle 10.

[0025] 3 and 4 , a display 28 is disposed approximately in the center of the instrument panel 16. The display 28 functions as a display unit for a navigation system, a display unit for various conditions and settings of the vehicle 10, and the like. In recent years, displays 28 have become larger in size in order to increase the amount of information displayed and to improve visibility. Furthermore, for the same purpose, the display 28 may protrude upward from the front of the instrument panel 16. In such a case, there is a risk that the head of the occupant 13 may come into contact with the display 28 in the event of a collision. Furthermore, there is a risk that the airbag portion 21 expanding from the vehicle airbag device 20 may get caught on the display 28 in the event of a collision. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the airbag portion 21 is gradually inflated and deployed also in front of the display 28, thereby effectively protecting the occupant 13.

[0026] As described above, the vehicle airbag device 20 is disposed inside the instrument panel 16. Here, the area of ​​the instrument panel 16 where the airbag portion 21 of the vehicle airbag device 20 is stored in a folded state is indicated by a dotted line as an airbag placement area 29. The portion of the instrument panel 16 where the airbag placement area 29 is defined is the portion that the airbag portion 21 will break through when the vehicle airbag device 20 inflates and deploys. Therefore, the portion of the instrument panel 16 where the airbag placement area 29 is defined is made weaker than other portions of the instrument panel 16 to facilitate the inflation and deployment of the airbag portion 21. Here, it is possible to increase the area of ​​the airbag placement area 29 to facilitate the inflation and deployment of the airbag portion 21. However, the instrument panel 16 has a complex shape to improve functionality and aesthetics. Therefore, it is not easy to increase the area of ​​the airbag placement area 29. For this reason, as will be described later, in this embodiment, the airbag section 21 is divided into a plurality of sections, and these sections are inflated and deployed sequentially. This allows the airbag section 21 to be effectively inflated and deployed over a wide area even if the area of ​​the airbag arrangement region 29 is limited.

[0027] Here, the seats 11 described above are a driver's seat 111 and a passenger seat 112. The vehicle airbag device 20 of this embodiment is disposed in front of the passenger seat 112. In this embodiment, the steering wheel 27 is disposed on the left side of the vehicle body. Therefore, the driver's seat 111 is disposed on the left side, and the passenger seat 112 is disposed on the right side. The position of the driver's seat 111 in the left-right direction depends on the laws and regulations of each country. Therefore, the driver's seat 111 may be disposed on the right side, and the passenger seat 112 may be disposed on the left side.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle airbag device 20.

[0029] In step S10, the calculation control unit 14 causes the vehicle 10 to run. Specifically, based on the operation of the occupant 13, the calculation control unit 14 starts the engine or motor of the vehicle 10, thereby causing the vehicle 10 to run.

[0030] In step S11, the calculation control unit 14 determines whether a collision has been detected or predicted for the vehicle 10. The calculation control unit 14 determines whether a collision has been detected or predicted based on the detection result of the collision detection device 17. The calculation control unit 14 determines whether a collision has been predicted based on the monitoring result of the external monitoring device 18.

[0031] If the answer to step S11 is YES, that is, if a collision is detected or predicted, the calculation and control unit 14 proceeds to step S12 to inflate and deploy the airbag unit 21.

[0032] If the answer is NO in step S11, that is, if a collision is not detected or predicted, the calculation control unit 14 returns to step S10 and continues driving the vehicle 10.

[0033] In step S12, the calculation control unit 14 inflates and deploys the first airbag portion 211 of the airbag portion 21 by the inflator 15. The first airbag portion 211 inflates and deploys in front of the occupant 13. This will be described later with reference to FIG. 7 etc.

[0034] In step S13, the calculation control unit 14 inflates and deploys the second airbag portion 212 of the airbag portion 21. The second airbag portion 212 inflates and deploys closer to the center in the vehicle width direction than the first airbag portion 211. This matter will be described later with reference to FIG. 8 etc.

[0035] In step S14, the vehicle 10 stops. The calculation and control unit 14 contacts the police, fire department, insurance company, etc. via the communication function depending on the situation.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a top view showing a situation in which two vehicles 10 collide with each other. Here, the illustration shows a case in which an oblique collision occurs between the vehicles 10. Specifically, the front left end of the vehicle 10 traveling forward collides with the front end of another vehicle 30 traveling in the opposite direction. The angle at which the traveling direction of the vehicle 10 is inclined relative to the traveling direction of the other vehicle 30 is, for example, 30 degrees. When such an oblique collision occurs between the vehicle 10 and the vehicle 10, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper limbs of the occupant 13 (see FIG. 1) seated in the passenger seat 112 are swung toward the display 28. In this embodiment, in addition to the first airbag portion 211 described below, a second airbag portion 212 is inflated and deployed in front of the display 28. In this manner, even when an oblique collision occurs between the vehicle 10 and the vehicle 10, the occupant 13 is caught by the first airbag portion 211 and the second airbag portion 212, and the upper limbs of the occupant 13 can be effectively protected.

[0037] The configuration of the airbag section 21 and the operation of inflating and deploying the airbag section 21 will be described below. Figures 7 and 8 show the configuration of the airbag section 21 according to this embodiment and how it inflates and deploys. Figures 9 and 10 show the configuration of the airbag section 21 according to another embodiment and how it inflates and deploys. Figures 11 and 12 show the configuration of the airbag section 21 according to yet another embodiment and how it inflates and deploys.

[0038] 7 is a front view showing a state in which only the first airbag portion 211 is inflated and deployed. Here, the first airbag portion 211 and the second airbag portion 212 are shown with different hatching.

[0039] The configuration of the vehicle airbag device 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The vehicle airbag device 20 is an occupant protection device disposed in front of the passenger seat 112. The airbag section 21 of the vehicle airbag device 20 includes a first airbag section 211, a second airbag section 212, a tether 23, and an actuator 31. The first airbag section 211 and the second airbag section 212 are in a common air chamber that communicates with each other. Therefore, the gas blown out by the inflator 15 at the time of a collision is supplied to both the first airbag section 211 and the second airbag section 212.

[0040] The first airbag portion 211 is disposed so as to inflate and deploy in front of the passenger seat 112. The first airbag portion 211 is disposed so as to protrude in front of the passenger seat 112.

[0041] The second airbag portion 212 is continuous with the first airbag portion 211 and is disposed so as to inflate and deploy more inward in the vehicle width direction than the first airbag portion 211, i.e., to the left. The second airbag portion 212 is disposed so as to protrude more inward in the vehicle width direction than the first airbag portion 211.

[0042] The tether 23 is configured to be connected to the second airbag portion 212. The tether 23 is a string-like member made of, for example, a cloth-like material, and is built into the airbag portion 21. The tether 23 has a first end portion 231 and a second end portion 232. The first end portion 231 of the tether 23 is connected to the second airbag portion 212. The second end portion 232 of the tether 23 is held by the actuator 31.

[0043] The first end 231 of the tether 23 is connected to the side away from the first airbag section 211 in the vehicle width direction, i.e., to the end of the leftmost second airbag section 212. This makes it possible for the tether 23 to more reliably suppress inflation and deployment of the second airbag section 212 in the first half of the inflation and deployment stage.

[0044] Actuator 31 is a device fixed to the vehicle body side, such as instrument panel 16. Actuator 31 holds second end 232 of tether 23 by the driving force of a motor or a solenoid. While actuator 31 holds first end 231, tether 23 is fixed to the vehicle body side via actuator 31. When actuator 31 releases second end 232, tether 23 moves away from the vehicle body side and its position is no longer restricted.

[0045] As shown in Figure 7, in the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag section 21 in the event of a collision accident, only the first airbag section 211 inflates and deploys, and the second airbag section 212 does not inflate and deploy. Here, the second end 232 of the tether 23 is pulled to the right via the actuator 31 and the tether 23. Due to this action, in the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag section 21, the second airbag section 212, which is pulled to the right by the tether 23, does not inflate and deploy. In this manner, in the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag section 21, only the first airbag section 211 is instantly inflated and deployed, and the upper limbs of the occupant 13 can be received and protected by the first airbag section 211.

[0046] FIG. 8 is a front view showing a state in which the first airbag section 211 and the second airbag section 212 are inflated and deployed in the latter stage of the inflation and deployment of the airbag section 21. FIG.

[0047] In the latter stage of inflation and deployment, the actuator 31 first releases the second end 232 of the tether 23. This releases the restraining force of the second airbag section 212 by the tether 23, and the second airbag section 212 inflates and deploys toward the left, which is the center in the width direction. As a result, the second airbag section 212 deploys to cover the display 28. That is, the left end of the second airbag section 212 reaches a position to the left of the left end of the display 28. This ensures that the second airbag section 212 is present between the occupant 13 and the display 28, even if the upper limbs of the occupant 13 are swung toward the display 28 due to an oblique collision of the vehicle 10. Therefore, the second airbag section 212 receives the upper limbs of the occupant 13, thereby preventing the head of the occupant 13 from coming into contact with the display 28.

[0048] 9 is a front view showing a state in which only the first airbag portion 211 is inflated and deployed in another embodiment of the vehicle airbag device 20. The vehicle airbag device 20 shown in FIGS.

[0049] In the vehicle airbag device 20 shown here, the first airbag portion 211 and the second airbag portion 212 are separated by a partition member made of a fabric member. That is, the first airbag portion 211 and the second airbag portion 212 are separate air chambers. The partition member has a communication opening that connects the first airbag portion 211 and the second airbag portion 212. The vent portion 22 is a member that has a valve function and is attached to the communication opening. That is, when the vent portion 22 is in a closed state, the first airbag portion 211 and the second airbag portion 212 do not communicate with each other, and gas does not flow from the first airbag portion 211 to the second airbag portion 212. On the other hand, when the vent portion 22 is in an open state, gas emitted from the inflator 15 is introduced from the first airbag portion 211 to the second airbag portion 212, causing the second airbag portion 212 to inflate and deploy toward the left.

[0050] The tether 23 is disposed so as to connect the actuator 31 and the vent portion 22. A first end 231 of the tether 23 is connected to the vent portion 22. A second end 232 of the tether 23 is held by the actuator 31.

[0051] The vent portion 22 is in a closed state while being pulled by the tether 23 when the first airbag portion 211 is being inflated by the inflator 15. Therefore, gas does not flow from the first airbag portion 211 to the second airbag portion 212, and the second airbag portion 212 does not inflate and deploy. On the other hand, when the first airbag portion 211 is being inflated by the inflator 15, the vent portion 22 is in an open state when it is not pulled by the tether 23. Therefore, as will be described later, gas flows from the first airbag portion 211 to the second airbag portion 212, causing the second airbag portion 212 to inflate and deploy.

[0052] 9 shows the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag section 21. At this stage, the actuator 31 holds the second end 232 of the tether 23, so the second airbag section 212 is in a closed state. Therefore, the gas emitted from the inflator 15 inflates and deploys only the first airbag section 211. As a result, at the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag section 21, only the first airbag section 211 is immediately inflated and deployed, thereby preventing the upper limbs of the occupant 13 from colliding with the instrument panel 16.

[0053] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a state in which the first airbag portion 211 and the second airbag portion 212 are inflated and deployed in a vehicle airbag device 20 of another embodiment.

[0054] After the first airbag portion 211 has sufficiently inflated and deployed, the actuator 31 releases the second end 232 of the tether 23 based on an instruction from the calculation and control unit 14. This releases the tensile force that the tether 23 has been applying to the vent portion 22, causing the vent portion 22 to enter an open state. Once the vent portion 22 is in an open state, the first airbag portion 211 and the second airbag portion 212 enter a communication state, and gas generated by the inflator 15 flows into the second airbag portion 212. This causes the second airbag portion 212 to inflate and deploy from the first airbag portion 211 toward the left. In this manner, even if the upper limbs of the occupant 13 attempt to move toward the display 28, the second airbag portion 212 receives the upper limbs of the occupant 13, thereby improving the safety of the occupant 13.

[0055] 11 is a front view showing a vehicle airbag device 20 of another embodiment in which only the first airbag portion 211 is inflated and deployed, and the second airbag portion 212 is not inflated and deployed. The vehicle airbag device 20 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 has a first tether 24 and a second tether 25 as the tether 23. Here, the first airbag portion 211 and the second airbag portion 212 are in a common air chamber that communicates with each other. Therefore, the gas blown out by the inflator 15 at the time of a collision is supplied to both the first airbag portion 211 and the second airbag portion 212.

[0056] In the vehicle airbag device 20 here, the first tether 24 and the second tether 25 are string-like members made of cloth or the like, similar to the tether 23. Here, the first tether 24 is connected to the second airbag portion 212. On the other hand, the second tether 25 has the role of cutting the first tether 24 after the first airbag portion 211 is inflated and deployed.

[0057] The first tether 24 has a third end 241 and a fourth end 242. The third end 241 of the first tether 24 is connected to the second airbag portion 212. For example, the third end 241 of the first tether 24 is connected to the left side end of the second airbag portion 212. The fourth end 242 of the first tether 24 is connected to the instrument panel 16 and ultimately to the vehicle body via the main body of the vehicle airbag device 20 or the like.

[0058] The second tether 25 has a fifth end 251 and a sixth end 252. The fifth end 251 of the second tether 25 is connected to the first tether 24. Specifically, the fifth end 251 of the second tether 25 is connected to an intermediate portion of the first tether 24, for example, the central portion or a portion in the vicinity thereof. The sixth end 252 of the second tether 25 is connected to the first airbag portion 211. For example, the sixth end 252 of the second tether 25 is connected to the lower end of the first airbag portion 211.

[0059] Here, the tensile strength of second tether 25 is greater than the tensile strength of first tether 24. To make second tether 25 stronger than first tether 24, the material of second tether 25 may be stronger than the material of first tether 24, or the thickness of second tether 25 may be greater than the thickness of first tether 24, or the like.

[0060] 11 shows a state in which the first airbag portion 211 has inflated and deployed, but the second airbag portion 212 has not yet inflated and deployed. Here, the third end 241 of the first tether 24 is connected to the second airbag portion 212, and the second airbag portion 212 has not yet inflated and deployed to the left. Meanwhile, because the first airbag portion 211 has been sufficiently inflated and deployed, the sixth end 252 of the second tether 25 is being pulled strongly downward. As a result, the fifth end 251 of the second tether 25 applies a tensile force to the intermediate portion of the first tether 24, pulling it downward.

[0061] 12 is a front view showing a state in which the first airbag portion 211 and the second airbag portion 212 are inflated and deployed in a vehicle airbag device 20 of yet another embodiment. Here, as the first airbag portion 211 inflates and deploys, the tensile force applied by the second tether 25 to the middle portion of the first tether 24 increases, causing the first tether 24 to be cut at the connection point between the second tether 25 and the first tether 24. This eliminates the tensile force that the first tether 24 had been applying to the second airbag portion 212, causing the second airbag portion 212 to inflate and deploy toward the left. This positions the second airbag portion 212 between the upper limbs of the occupant 13 and the display 28, thereby effectively protecting the occupant 13.

[0062] The technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment will be described below together with their effects.

[0063] A vehicle airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle airbag device disposed on the front side of a seat and includes a first airbag portion, a second airbag portion, and a tether. The first airbag portion is disposed so as to protrude toward the front side of the seat, the second airbag portion is continuous with the first airbag portion, and protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the first airbag portion, and the tether is connected to the second airbag portion. According to the vehicle airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the tether is connected to the second airbag portion, causing the second airbag portion to inflate and deploy at a predetermined timing. That is, in the first half of the inflation and deployment stage, only the first airbag portion inflates and deploys, and the second airbag portion does not inflat and deploy, thereby allowing the first airbag portion to inflate and deploy immediately and effectively protect the occupant. Furthermore, in the second half of the inflation and deployment stage, in addition to the first airbag portion, the second airbag portion also inflates and deploys. This allows the second airbag portion, which inflates and deploys on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, to effectively receive the occupant.

[0064] In addition, a vehicle airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes an actuator, wherein the tether has a first end and a second end, the first end of the tether is connected to the second airbag section, and the second end of the tether is held by the actuator. According to the vehicle airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the second airbag section can be inflated and deployed at a predetermined timing because the second end of the tether is held by the actuator. That is, the second airbag section does not inflate and deploy until the first airbag section is fully inflated and deployed because the actuator continues to hold the second end of the tether. On the other hand, after the first airbag section is fully inflated and deployed, the actuator releases the second end of the tether, thereby inflating and deploying the second airbag section. Therefore, the first airbag section, which inflates immediately, and the second airbag section, which inflates and deploys at a predetermined timing can effectively protect occupants in the event of a collision accident.

[0065] In the vehicle airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first end of the tether is connected to the end of the second airbag portion on the side away from the first airbag portion in the vehicle width direction. According to the vehicle airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention, by connecting the first end of the tether to the second airbag portion on the side away from the first airbag portion, inflation and deployment of the second airbag portion can be more reliably suppressed in the first half of the inflation and deployment stage.

[0066] Furthermore, a vehicle airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes an actuator, wherein the second airbag section has a vent section, the tether is connected to the vent section, the tether has a first end and a second end, the first end of the tether is connected to the vent section, and the second end of the tether is held by the actuator. According to the vehicle airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the tether is connected to the vent section of the second airbag section, thereby enabling the second airbag section to inflate and deploy at a predetermined timing. Specifically, in the first half of the inflation and deployment stage, the vent section is closed, allowing the first airbag section to inflate and deploy sufficiently and the second airbag section not to inflate and deploy. On the other hand, in the second half of the inflation and deployment stage, the vent section is opened by operation via the tether, allowing the second airbag section to inflate and deploy. Furthermore, in the first half of the inflation and deployment stage, the actuator holds the tether connected to the vent section, keeping the vent section closed and preventing the second airbag section from inflating and deploying. On the other hand, in the latter stage of inflation and deployment, the actuator opens the tether connected to the vent portion, causing the vent portion to enter an open state, allowing the second airbag portion to inflate and deploy.

[0067] In a vehicle airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the tether includes a first tether and a second tether, the first tether includes a third end and a fourth end, the second tether includes a fifth end and a sixth end, the third end of the first tether is connected to the second airbag section, and the fifth end of the second tether is connected to the first tether. According to the vehicle airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the fifth end of the second tether is connected to the first tether, so that during the first half of the airbag inflation and deployment, the connection between the first tether and the second airbag section is maintained, preventing the second airbag section from inflating and deploying. Meanwhile, during the second half of the airbag deployment, the first tether is cut by the pulling force of the second tether, allowing the second airbag section to inflate and deploy.

[0068] In addition, in the vehicle airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the fifth end of the second tether is connected to an intermediate portion of the first tether, and the sixth end of the second tether is connected to the lower end side of the first airbag section. According to the vehicle airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention, by connecting the third end of the second tether to the intermediate portion of the first tether, the second tether can reliably cut the first tether in the latter stage of inflation and deployment, thereby enabling the second airbag section to be inflated and deployed. Furthermore, by connecting the sixth end of the second tether to the lower end of the first airbag section, the tensile force applied by the second tether to the first tether can be increased.

[0069] In the vehicle airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the tensile strength of the second tether is greater than the tensile strength of the first tether. According to the vehicle airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the second tether having a greater tensile strength can reliably cut the first tether, thereby inflating and deploying the second airbag portion.

[0070] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these and can be modified within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the above-described embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0071] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the second airbag portion 212 is inflated and deployed after the first airbag portion 211 by structural means using the tether 23 and the vent portion 22. However, the timing at which the second airbag portion 212 inflates and deploys can also be controlled by a signal input. As an example, referring to FIG. 7 , two inflators 15 can be provided, one for inflating and deploying the first airbag portion 211 and the other for inflating and deploying the second airbag portion 212. When a collision accident occurs, the inflator 15 first inflates and deploys the first airbag portion 211. After the first airbag portion 211 has sufficiently inflated and deployed, the second airbag portion 212, which is formed as a separate air chamber, is inflated and deployed by the separate inflator 15. With this configuration and operation, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be achieved.

[0072] Furthermore, depending on the type of collision accident that occurs to the vehicle 10, it is also possible to prevent the second airbag section 212 from inflating and deploying. Specifically, referring to Fig. 7, if the collision detected by the collision detection device 17 or the external monitoring device 18 described above is a frontal collision rather than an oblique collision, the calculation and control section 14 inflates and deploys only the first airbag section 211, and prevents the second airbag section 212 from inflating and deploying. In this way, when a frontal collision occurs, only the first airbag section 211 is inflated and deployed, and the upper limbs of the occupant 13 can be effectively received by the first airbag section 211. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10 vehicles 11 sheets 111 Driver's seat 112 passenger seat 12 Cabin 13 crew members 14 Calculation control unit 15 Inflator 16 Instrument panel 17 Collision detection device 18 External monitoring device 20. Airbag device for vehicle 21 Airbag section 211 First Air Bag Section 212 Second airbag section 22 Vent section 23 Tether 231 First end 232 Second end 24 First Tether 241 Third end 242 4th end 25 Second Tether 251 5th end 252 6th end 26 Airbag storage area 27 Steering 28 Display 29 Airbag placement area 30 other cars 31 Actuator

Claims

1. An airbag device for a vehicle disposed on the front side of a seat, The vehicle includes a first airbag portion, a second airbag portion, and a tether. The first airbag portion is disposed so as to protrude toward the front side of the seat, the second airbag portion is continuous with the first airbag portion and is disposed so as to protrude inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the first airbag portion, The tether is connected to the second airbag portion.

2. further comprising an actuator; the tether has a first end and a second end; the first end of the tether is connected to the second airbag portion; 2. The vehicle airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the tether is held by the actuator.

3. 3. The vehicle airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the first end of the tether is connected to an end of the second airbag portion that is farther away from the first airbag portion in the vehicle width direction.

4. further comprising an actuator; the second airbag portion has a vent portion; The tether is connected to the vent portion, the tether has a first end and a second end; the first end of the tether is connected to the vent; 2. The vehicle airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the tether is held by the actuator.

5. The tether includes a first tether and a second tether, the first tether has a third end and a fourth end; the second tether has a fifth end and a sixth end; the third end of the first tether is connected to the second airbag portion; 2. The vehicle airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the fifth end of the second tether is connected to the first tether.

6. the fifth end of the second tether is connected to an intermediate portion of the first tether; 6. The vehicle airbag device according to claim 5, wherein the sixth end of the second tether is connected to a lower end side of the first airbag portion.

7. 6. The vehicle airbag device according to claim 5, wherein the second tether has a tensile strength greater than that of the first tether.

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