Seat cushion airbag device and seat cushion airbag structure

Abstract

To improve a technology which stably retrains an occupant with a seat belt while inhibiting deformation of a seat support part 5 in a seat cushion airbag device when an impact occurs.SOLUTION: A seat cushion airbag device 1 includes: a seat cushion airbag 11 which is disposed below a seat surface 93 of a seat 90 of a vehicle and inflated and deployed when an impact occurs in the vehicle; and a supporting lifter 15 which is disposed below the seat surface 93 and extends in a vertical direction when the impact occurs. The seat cushion airbag 11 is supported from below by the supporting lifter 15 in the extending state when inflated and deployed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

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 applied to 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 positioned 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 introduced in Patent Document 2, it may be possible to suppress deformation of the seat pan while using the seat pan to support the seat cushion airbag from below.

[0015] In other words, in the technology disclosed in Cited Document 2, a large seat pan extending in the front-to-rear 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 part as a whole, and there is a possibility that the seat cushion airbag can be deployed and inflated greatly upward.

[0016] Incidentally, if the seat pan is enlarged and extended in the front-to-rear direction of the seat as disclosed in Patent Document 2, the seat pan will be located below the buttocks of the occupant.

[0017] 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.

[0018] As described above, in the conventional seat cushion airbag device, there is room for improvement in the technology for stably restraining the occupant with the seat belt while suppressing deformation of the seat support portion when an impact occurs.

[0019] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to solve the problem of improving the technology for a seat cushion airbag device that stably restrains an occupant with a seat belt while suppressing deformation of a seat support portion when an impact occurs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0020] The seat cushion airbag device of the present invention, which solves the above problems, is a seat cushion airbag disposed below a seat surface of a vehicle seat and deployed and inflated when an impact occurs to the vehicle; a support lifter that is disposed below the seat surface and extends in the vertical direction when the impact occurs; The seat cushion airbag is a seat cushion airbag device that is supported from below by the support lifter in an extended state when deployed and inflated.

[0021] Further, the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention, which solves the above-mentioned problems, comprises: a seat cushion airbag disposed below a seat surface of a vehicle seat and deployed and inflated when an impact occurs to the vehicle; a support lifter that is disposed below the seat surface and extends in the vertical direction when the impact occurs; a seat support portion disposed below the seat cushion airbag and above the support lifter, The seat cushion airbag is a seat cushion airbag structure that is supported from below by the support lifter in an extended state when deployed and inflated.

[0022] The seat cushion airbag device and the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention are capable of stably restraining an occupant with a seat belt when an impact occurs, while suppressing deformation of the seat support portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [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. 10 is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining a seat cushion airbag structure according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the airbag in the seat cushion airbag structure of the third embodiment, viewed from below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The seat cushion airbag device of the present invention comprises a seat cushion airbag that is positioned below the seat surface of a vehicle seat and that deploys and inflates when an impact occurs to the vehicle, and a support lifter that is positioned below the seat surface and extends in the vertical direction when the impact occurs.

[0025] In contrast, the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention has, in addition to the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention, a seat support portion that is arranged below the seat cushion airbag and above the support lifter as a component.

[0026] 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.

[0027] In the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention, the seat cushion airbag deploys and inflates upon impact, raising the seat surface of the seat and lifting the lumbar region of the occupant sitting in the seat.

[0028] Furthermore, the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention includes a support lifter in addition to the seat cushion airbag. The support lifter expands in the vertical direction when an impact occurs. When the seat cushion airbag is deployed and inflated, the support lifter in the expanded state supports the seat cushion airbag from below.

[0029] Here, the support lifter supporting the seat cushion airbag from below means that the load generated when the seat cushion airbag deploys and inflates acts on the support lifter, and the support lifter generates a corresponding reaction force.

[0030] More specifically, this means that the support lifter contacts the seat cushion airbag from below, generating a reaction force, and that the support lifter contacts the seat support part such as the seat pan from below, lifting it up and contacting the seat cushion airbag from below.

[0031] Furthermore, the support lifter extending in the vertical direction means that the length of the support lifter in the vertical direction becomes greater after extension than before extension.

[0032] Therefore, for example, the support lifter may be fixedly disposed below the seat cushion airbag at a distance from the seat cushion airbag, and the support lifter may extend upward and come into contact with the seat cushion airbag upon impact, thereby generating a reaction force.

[0033] Alternatively, the support lifter may be fixedly disposed directly below the seat cushion airbag so as to abut against the seat cushion airbag, and the support lifter may extend downward upon the occurrence of an impact and abut against a rigid body (such as the vehicle floor or the seat frame) below the seat cushion airbag, thereby generating a reaction force.

[0034] Furthermore, the support lifter may be fixedly disposed below the seat cushion airbag at a distance from the seat cushion airbag, and may be fixedly disposed above the rigid body below the seat cushion airbag at a distance from the rigid body, and the support lifter may extend both upward and downward upon the occurrence of an impact and come into contact with both the seat cushion airbag and the rigid body, thereby generating a reaction force.

[0035] In the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention that is provided with such a support lifter, the support lifter receives the downward external force generated by the seat cushion airbag when it is deployed and inflated. In such a seat cushion airbag device of the present invention, it can also be said that a support lifter is used instead of the seat support portion as disclosed in Patent Document 2 as a support element for supporting the seat cushion airbag from below.

[0036] According to the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention, deformation of the seat support part due to the expansion and inflation of the seat cushion airbag can be suppressed while the seat cushion airbag can be expanded and inflated in a large upward direction, thereby lifting the occupant's lower back sufficiently high.

[0037] According to the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention, the cooperation of the above makes it possible to stably restrain the occupant with the seat belt when an impact occurs while suppressing deformation of the seat support portion.

[0038] As described above, the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention uses a support lifter instead of a seat support portion as a support element. Therefore, the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention does not require a large seat pan extending in the front-to-rear direction of the seat, as in the technology of Patent Document 2. This has the advantage that the cushioning properties of the seat are not easily impaired and the comfort of the seat is not easily deteriorated.

[0039] 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.

[0040] Therefore, according to the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention, similar to the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention, when an impact occurs, it is possible to stably restrain the occupant with the seat belt while suppressing deformation of the seat support part. Furthermore, the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention, like the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention, has the advantage that the cushioning properties of the seat are not easily impaired and the comfort of the seat is not easily deteriorated.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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. In this specification, the terms "device" and "structure" refer to both the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention and the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] The seat cushion airbag device and the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention are disposed below the seating surface of a vehicle seat.

[0046] The seat support portion in the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention is a portion that supports the seat portion of the seat. The seat includes the seat portion having a seat surface on which the occupant sits, the seat support portion that supports the seat portion from below, a backrest located behind the seat portion to support the occupant's back, and armrests located on the widthwise ends of the seat portion.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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 device and seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention, which include 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.

[0050] The seat cushion airbag may have any shape that allows it to deploy and inflate upon impact, and is generally bag-shaped. The 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.

[0051] 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 in its normal state, i.e., when not deployed or inflated, and the material of the airbag is preferably selected to be foldable and deployable.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] The seat cushion airbag device of the present invention includes a support lifter in addition to the airbag described above.

[0056] The support lifter is disposed below the seat surface of the vehicle seat together with the airbag. The support lifter may be any device that can expand vertically when a vehicle impact occurs, supporting the airbag from below and assisting the airbag in deploying and inflating upward. Therefore, the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention is not particularly limited in terms of the structure or mechanism of the support lifter.

[0057] When the airbag is deployed and inflated, the support lifter comes into contact with the underside of the airbag directly or indirectly via another member to generate a reaction force and support the airbag. As described above, the support lifter may extend upward, downward, or both upward and downward.

[0058] For example, the support lifter may be a support airbag device having a support airbag other than the airbag described above. The support airbag needs only to expand vertically when deployed and support the deployed airbag from below. There are no particular limitations on the shape, size, deployment mechanism, or position of the support airbag in the support airbag device other than when deployed and inflated.

[0059] For example, the support airbag may have the same shape and material as an airbag. The support airbag may also be deployed and inflated by the same mechanism as an airbag. For example, the support airbag may be deployed and inflated by receiving inflation fluid from the same inflation fluid source as the airbag. Furthermore, the support airbag may be deployed and inflated by receiving inflation fluid from an inflation fluid source separate from the inflation fluid source for the airbag.

[0060] Since the support airbag device is a device for supporting an airbag from below, it is preferable that the vertical length of the support airbag when deployed and inflated be smaller than the vertical length of the airbag when deployed and inflated. Specifically, the vertical size (maximum length) of the support airbag when deployed and inflated can be 70% or less, 50% or less, or 40% or less of the vertical size (maximum length) of the airbag when deployed and inflated.

[0061] The support lifter may be a support extension device other than the support airbag device described above. For example, the support extension device may be an extension device in a pedestrian protection mechanism that raises the hood to protect pedestrians and the like when a vehicle impact occurs. This pedestrian protection mechanism is also called a pop-up hood mechanism or an active hood mechanism.

[0062] As the above-mentioned support extension device, a device used in a pedestrian protection mechanism such as a pop-up hood mechanism or an active bonnet mechanism can be suitably used.

[0063] For example, the support and extension device may be one equipped with a rod and an actuator for moving the rod back and forth. The actuator may be selected appropriately depending on the mechanism for moving the rod back and forth in the support and extension device.

[0064] For example, the mechanism for moving the rod forward and backward in a support and extension device may be a mechanism including a rod with a thread, a gear that directly or indirectly engages with the thread of the rod, and an electric motor that rotates the gear. Alternatively, a solenoid mechanism may be used that generates a magnetic force and moves the rod back and forth by the magnetic force. Furthermore, the rod may be advanced and retracted by a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, or the like.

[0065] In either case, at least a portion of the support lifter is located below the airbag when the airbag is deployed and inflated, and supports the airbag from below.

[0066] In the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention, the seat support portion is disposed below the airbag and above the support lifter. The seat support portion is as described above.

[0067] In the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention, the position of the support lifter only needs to satisfy the above-mentioned conditions, and the positional relationship between the support lifter and the seat support portion is not particularly limited. For example, in the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention, the seat support portion may not be present above the support lifter, or the seat support portion may not be present above the support lifter and the seat support portion may not be present below the support lifter.

[0068] In the device and structure of the present invention, it is preferable that the support lifter is located above the vehicle floor, and that the support lifter, which expands upon impact, contacts the vehicle floor from above. This allows the vehicle floor to generate a sufficient reaction force against the expanded support lifter, and therefore the support lifter can generate a sufficient reaction force against the deployed airbag. As a result, the deployed airbag can be stably supported from below by the support lifter.

[0069] In the device and structure of the present invention, the timing at which the support lifters extend is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the support lifters extend before the airbag deploys. This allows the airbag to be guided upward in its deployment and inflation direction, allowing the airbag to be deployed and inflated greatly upward, and thus enabling the occupant's hips to be lifted higher more quickly.

[0070] The seat support is a component located below the seat surface of the seat. The seat support supports the occupant seated in the seat from below. Specific examples of the seat support include the seat pan, seat bar, and side frame of the seat.

[0071] Of these, the seat pan is a plate-shaped component that is generally spanned across the seat frame in the front-to-back and width directions based on its shape, 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] In the seat cushion airbag device of the present invention, when a seat support part is provided below the airbag and above the support lifter, the seat support part may be any part, such as a seat pan or a seat bar. The same applies to the seat support part in the seat cushion airbag structure of the present invention.

[0074] However, as will be described later, in order to further reduce the burden on the occupant in the event of an impact, it is preferable for the airbag to lift the occupant's buttocks rather than the occupant's thighs. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable that the airbag be positioned below the occupant's buttocks before and after deployment, and the seat support part is also preferably located below the airbag. A seat pan is more preferably selected as such a seat support part. The reason why it is preferable for the airbag to lift the occupant's buttocks rather than the occupant's thighs will now be explained.

[0075] Even when a seat cushion airbag is deployed, the occupant moves forward when an impact occurs. If the impact is large, the occupant may move forward significantly. The inventors of the present invention have noticed that when a seat cushion airbag is of a conventional type, such as that introduced in Patent Document 1, the occupant's chest may be pushed relatively strongly rearward by the seat belt, which may place a large burden on the occupant.

[0076] The inventors of the present invention have conducted extensive research to prevent the above-mentioned problem of the occupant's chest being pushed hard when an impact occurs, and as a result have found that the problem of the occupant's chest being pushed hard when an impact occurs is related to the occupant's posture at the time of the impact.

[0077] When an impact occurs, the occupant's waist is restrained by the waist strap of the seat belt, and the shoulders are restrained by the shoulder strap of the seat belt. If a conventional seat cushion airbag is deployed at this time, the occupant's thighs are lifted up, which is thought to suppress the submarine phenomenon and the like.

[0078] However, even when the occupant is restrained by the seat belt and the seat cushion airbag is deployed, a large forward force acts on the occupant. Because the occupant's waist is secured by the waist straps to prevent forward movement, if the impact is strong, the occupant's upper body will fall forward significantly. At this time, the shoulder straps are positioned along the occupant's chest, i.e., the area between the shoulders and waist, and the tension of the shoulder straps presses strongly against the occupant's chest.

[0079] The inventor of the present invention believed that when the shoulder straps are aligned with the occupant's chest in this manner, the occupant's chest will be pressed hard against the seat, and therefore thought that it would be useful to restrict the occupant's posture so that the shoulder straps are not aligned with the occupant's chest.

[0080] The inventor took this idea a step further and came up with the idea that if the shoulder straps are not aligned with the occupant's chest when an impact occurs, the occupant's chest can be prevented from being pressed hard by the shoulder straps.

[0081] Specifically, when the seat cushion is raised in the event of an impact, if the vertical distance between the occupant's waist and chest becomes closer than usual, the shoulder straps will not be aligned with the occupant's chest but will be stretched between the occupant's shoulders and waist. This creates a gap between the shoulder straps and the occupant's chest, which is located between the shoulders and waist. This prevents or reduces the tension of the shoulder straps from pushing the occupant's chest too hard. As a result, it is possible to reduce the strain on the occupant during an impact.

[0082] In a situation where the vertical distance between the waist and chest of a seated occupant becomes closer than usual, the occupant's back may be bent forward, resulting in a hunched posture. In other words, if the occupant's posture can be regulated so that they are hunched when the airbag deploys, the strap will be less likely to be aligned with the occupant's chest when an impact occurs, and the problem of the occupant's chest being pressed hard can be prevented.

[0083] When a conventional airbag is deployed and inflated to lift the thighs of the occupant, the thighs are simply lifted and the occupant falls forward, which makes it difficult for the occupant's spine to bend and for them to hunch over.

[0084] On the other hand, when an airbag deploys and inflates, lifting the occupant's buttocks, a force acts on the occupant's spine from below toward above. Because the vertical distance between the occupant's buttocks and the airbag, which is the source of this force, is very close, this force acts directly on the occupant's buttocks, and the speed at which the occupant's buttocks are lifted is high. However, to parts of the occupant's body that are farther vertically from the airbag, the force is transmitted while being buffered via the occupant's spine. Therefore, the further a part of the occupant's body is from the airbag in the vertical direction, the slower the lift speed of that part and the amount of lift of that part becomes. Because the occupant's hips are closer to the buttocks than the shoulders, and the occupant tends to fall forward during an impact, when the airbag deploys and inflates and lifts the occupant's buttocks, the shoulders and hips become closer to each other, which is thought to cause the occupant to hunch over.

[0085] In the device and structure of the present invention, when a vehicle impact occurs, the deployed and inflated cushion airbag is supported from below by the support lifter in a stretched state. Therefore, with the device and structure of the present invention, it is possible to rapidly deploy and inflate the airbag upward, and it is also possible to deploy and inflate the airbag greatly in the upward direction.

[0086] Therefore, the device and structure of the present invention can quickly and highly lift the occupant's buttocks when an impact occurs, thereby preventing the occupant from hunching over when an impact occurs and ultimately preventing the occupant's chest from being pressed hard against the body.

[0087] The device and structure of the present invention will be described below with specific examples.

[0088] Example 1 The seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment includes a support airbag device as a support lifter, and also includes the seat cushion airbag device 1 of the first embodiment and a seat support portion 5.

[0089] 1 and 2 are diagrams for schematically explaining the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1 as seen from above. Fig. 2 shows the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1 when the airbag is deployed and inflated upon impact and the support lifter is in an extended state.

[0090] 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 each drawing. The upper side refers to the upper side in the vertical direction, and the lower side refers to the lower side in the vertical direction. The front side refers to the front side in the vehicle traveling direction, and the rear side refers to the rear side in the vehicle traveling direction.

[0091] 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, an inflation fluid generating source 10 for the airbag, and a support lifter 15.

[0092] 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.

[0093] Inside the seat portion 91, a seat pan 96p and a first seat bar 96f are arranged. The seat pan 96p is fixed to a seat frame (not shown) at the front end of the seat portion 91. The seat frame is a part that constitutes the lower part of the seat portion 91 of the seat 90, and is disposed below the cushion 95, with the function of supporting the entire seat portion 91 including the cushion 95. The seat pan 96p, first seat bar 96f, and the seat frame (not shown) all constitute the seat support part 5.

[0094] 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 is spanned across the two side frames. As shown in the figure, the rear end portion of the seat pan 96p is bent downward and extends in the vertical direction like a standing wall. The seat pan 96p can be said to have a general seat pan portion 96g extending in the front-to-rear direction and a standing seat pan wall portion 96w extending in the vertical direction.

[0095] The first seat bar 96f is bridged between the two side frames rearward of the seat pan 96p.

[0096] The airbag 11 is disposed above the seat pan 96p inside the seat portion 91 and fixed to the seat pan 96p. 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 fore-and-aft direction.

[0097] An inflation fluid source 10 for the airbag 11 is disposed inside the airbag 11 and is fixed to the seat pan general portion 96g.

[0098] The inflation fluid generating source 10 for the airbag 11 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.

[0099] The airbag 11 is made of a polyester woven fabric and has a bag shape. When inflation fluid generated by the inflation fluid source 10 is supplied to the inside of the airbag 11, the airbag 11 expands and inflates as shown in Figure 2, and the vertical length of the airbag 11 increases.

[0100] The support lifter 15 is equipped with a support airbag 16 and an inflation fluid generating source 17 for the support airbag 16. The support lifter 15 is a support airbag device. The support airbag 16 and the inflation fluid generating source 17 for the support airbag 16 in the support lifter 15 are similar to the airbag 11 and inflation fluid generating source 10 described above.

[0101] The support lifter 15 is fixedly disposed below the airbag 11. Specifically, the support airbag 16 and the inflation fluid generation source 17 for the support airbag 16 are disposed further below the seat pan 96p. The inflation fluid generation source 17 for the support airbag 16 is fixed to the seat pan standing wall portion 96w, and the support airbag 16 is fixed to the seat pan standing wall portion 96w via the inflation fluid generation source 17 for the support airbag 16.

[0102] In the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1, when an impact occurs, first, the inflation fluid generating source 17 for the support airbag 16 generates inflation fluid and supplies it to the support airbag 16, causing the support airbag 16 to deploy and inflate. At this time, the support lifter 15 having the support airbag 16 extends significantly downward to abut against the vehicle floor 97, and also extends slightly upward to press upward against the seat pan general portion 96g of the seat pan 96p. Note that the support lifter 15 in the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1 extends at approximately the same timing as the seat belt pretensioner operates.

[0103] With a slight delay from the extension of the support lifter 15, the inflation fluid generating source 10 for the airbag 11 generates inflation fluid and supplies it to the airbag 11. This causes the airbag 11 to deploy and inflate.

[0104] As described above, at this time, the support lifter 15 extends in the vertical direction and presses upward the seat pan general portion 96g of the seat pan 96p. Therefore, the support lifter 15 supports the airbag 11 from below via the seat pan 96p, which is the seat support portion 5.

[0105] Therefore, when the airbag 11 is deployed and inflated, it is supported from below by the support lifters 15 in a stretched state, and is deployed and inflated upward quickly and greatly. As a result, the buttocks 99b of the occupant 99 seated on the bottom portion 91 of the seat 90 are lifted upward quickly and greatly when an impact occurs.

[0106] According to the seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment, the occupant 99 can be made to hunch back while preventing the submarine phenomenon. As a result, the seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment not only can stably support the occupant 99 with the shoulder straps 94s of the seat belt, but also can suppress deformation of the seat pan 96p, which is the seat support portion 5, and can also reduce the burden on the occupant 99.

[0107] Example 2 The seat cushion airbag structure of the second embodiment is substantially the same as the seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment, except for the shape of the seat pan and the attachment position of the support lifter to the seat pan. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a schematic view of 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.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 3, in the seat cushion airbag structure of the second embodiment, a seat pan 96p has a double structure in which an upper plate 96u and a lower plate 96l are stacked one on top of the other.

[0109] A portion of the upper plate 96u bulges upward. A through-hole 96h is formed in the bulging portion 96b of the upper plate 96u. The through-hole 96h extends from the upper plate 96u to the lower plate 96l. The inflation fluid generation source 17 for the support airbag 16 is fixed to the seat pan 96p by a mounting bolt b. The mounting bolt b is inserted into the through-hole 96h upward from the lower plate 96l of the seat pan 96p, and the tip of the mounting bolt b is hidden between the upper plate 96u and the lower plate 96l at the bulging portion 96b. The inflation fluid generation source 17 for the support airbag 16 is disposed below the seat pan 96p and fixed to the seat pan 96p.

[0110] In the seat cushion airbag structure of the second embodiment, similarly to the seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment, when an impact occurs, first, the inflation fluid generating source 17 for the support airbag 16 generates inflation fluid and supplies it to the support airbag 16. As the support airbag 16 deploys and inflates, the support lifter 15 expands downward greatly and comes into contact with the vehicle floor, and also expands upward slightly and presses the seat pan 96p upward.

[0111] Therefore, also in the seat cushion airbag structure of the second embodiment, the support lifters 15 support the airbag 11 from below via the seat pan 96p, which is the seat support portion 5. Then, when the airbag 11 is deployed and inflated, it is supported from below by the support lifters 15 in an extended state, and is deployed and inflated upward quickly and greatly. Therefore, also in the seat cushion airbag structure of the second embodiment, the buttocks 99b of the occupant 99 seated on the seat 90 are lifted upward quickly and greatly when an impact occurs.

[0112] Therefore, the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 2, like the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1, can stably support the occupant 99, suppress deformation of the seat pan 96p, and reduce the burden on the occupant 99.

[0113] Example 3 The seat cushion airbag structure of the third embodiment is substantially the same as the seat cushion airbag structure of the first embodiment, except for the shape of the seat pan, the structure of the support lifter, and the attachment position of the support lifter to the seat pan. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a seat cushion airbag structure according to a third embodiment. The seat cushion airbag structure of the third embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0114] 4, the seat pan 96p in the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 3 is in the shape of a flat plate. A support lifter 15 is fixed to the underside of the seat pan 96p.

[0115] Specifically, the support lifter 15 in the seat cushion airbag structure of the third embodiment is a support extension device, and includes a rod 18 and an actuator 19 that moves the rod 18 back and forth. The actuator 19 is fixed to the lower surface of the seat pan 96p. The rod 18 extends downward from the actuator 19. The lower end of the rod 18 is formed by a plate-shaped support base 18b.

[0116] The actuator 19 is an electric motor, and a gear (not shown) is attached to its rotary shaft. When the motor starts and the rotary shaft of the electric motor rotates, the gear also rotates integrally. A screw thread (not shown) is formed on the rod 18, and the gear meshes with the screw thread. Therefore, as the electric motor rotates, the rod 18 extends downward, and the support base 18b at the lower end of the rod 18 abuts against the vehicle floor 97.

[0117] In the seat cushion airbag structure of the third embodiment, when an impact occurs, first, the electric motor, which is the actuator 19, is activated. As the electric motor rotates, the rod 18 extends downward, and the support lifter 15 extends in the vertical direction. When the support lifter 15 extends downward significantly, the support base 18b of the support lifter 15 abuts against the vehicle floor 97, and further, the seat pan 96p is pressed upward.

[0118] Therefore, also in the seat cushion airbag structure of the third embodiment, the support lifters 15 support the airbag 11 from below via the seat pan 96p, which is the seat support portion 5. Then, when the airbag 11 is deployed and inflated, it is supported from below by the support lifters 15 in an extended state, and is deployed and inflated upward quickly and greatly. Therefore, also in the seat cushion airbag structure of the second embodiment, the buttocks 99b of the occupant 99 seated on the seat 90 are lifted upward quickly and greatly when an impact occurs.

[0119] Therefore, like the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 1, the seat cushion airbag structure of Example 3 can stably support the occupant 99, suppress deformation of the seat pan 96p, and reduce the burden on the occupant 99.

[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) 15: Support lifter 5: Seat support part 90: Seat 93: Seat 97: Vehicle floor

Claims

1. a seat cushion airbag disposed below a seat surface of a vehicle seat and deployed and inflated when an impact occurs to the vehicle; a support lifter that is disposed below the seat surface and extends in the vertical direction when the impact occurs; a seat support portion disposed below the seat cushion airbag and above the support lifter, The seat cushion airbag structure is such that, when deployed and inflated, the seat cushion airbag is supported from below by the support lifter in an extended state.

2. a seat cushion airbag disposed below a seat surface of a vehicle seat and deployed and inflated when an impact occurs to the vehicle; a support lifter that is disposed below the seat surface and extends in the vertical direction when the impact occurs; The seat cushion airbag device is configured such that, when deployed and inflated, the seat cushion airbag is supported from below by the support lifter in an extended state.

3. 3. The seat cushion airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the seat cushion airbag is disposed above a seat support portion disposed below the seat surface, and the support lifter is disposed below the seat support portion.

4. 4. The seat cushion airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the extended support lifter abuts against a vehicle floor from above.

5. 4. The seat cushion airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the support lifter expands before the seat cushion airbag deploys and inflates upon the occurrence of the impact.

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