Protective devices

Abstract

This technology provides increased flexibility in the placement of display screens for mobile devices while easily securing the deployment area for airbags, thereby enhancing occupant protection. [Solution] The protective device 20 comprises an arm portion 21 extending from a base end portion 22 provided on the side of the seat 10 on which the occupant CR sits, and having a support portion 23 at its tip that is configured to support the display screen 16 of the display device 15 in a position facing the backrest portion 12; an airbag 25 that is stored inside the arm portion 21 in a folded state and is configured to unfold when gas is supplied inside, and to inflate from the arm portion 21 toward the seat 10 and expand to an area facing the display screen 16; and an inflator 28 that supplies the gas to the airbag 25 when a predetermined impact occurs to the moving body 100.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a protection device that protects an occupant of a moving body sitting on a seat from impact.

Background Art

[0002] As a protection device that protects an occupant of a moving body sitting on a seat from impact, for example, an airbag device mounted on a vehicle, which is a moving body, disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is known. When the impact sensor detects that an impact has been applied to the vehicle in Patent Document 1, the airbag inflates and pops out from the instrument panel to prevent the occupant from colliding with the instrument panel.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technology of Patent Document 1 above, in order to prevent the inflated airbag from contacting the display provided on the instrument panel, the portion for restraining the occupant of the airbag is configured to inflate at a position away from the instrument panel. According to the technology of Patent Document 1, it is possible to suppress damage to the display due to contact with the inflated airbag. However, in that configuration, in order to avoid interference between the airbag and the display, there is a possibility that the installation area of the display and the area for deploying the airbag may be restricted.

[0005] Display screens for devices such as monitors installed in front of occupants in vehicles are likely to become even larger in the future. The larger the display screen, the higher the possibility of interference between the airbag and the display screen when the airbag inflates. Until now, sufficient measures have not been taken to enable such large display screens while ensuring that the airbag deployment area is not limited by the display screen. This challenge is common not only to vehicles but to all moving objects to which occupant protection by airbags can be applied.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a technology that enhances occupant protection by easily securing the deployment area of ​​airbags while increasing the flexibility in setting up the display screen of a display device mounted on a mobile vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention can be realized, for example, in the following forms. [First Embodiment] The first embodiment is provided as a protective device mounted on a mobile body having a seat having a seat portion and a backrest portion, for protecting an occupant seated in the seat from impacts occurring on the mobile body. The protective device of the first embodiment comprises an arm portion extending from a base end provided on the side of the seat and having a support portion at its tip configured to support a display screen of a display device in a position facing the backrest portion; an airbag stored in a folded state inside the arm portion, configured to unfold when gas is supplied inside, and to inflate from the arm portion toward the seat and expand into an area facing the display screen; and an inflator that supplies the gas to the airbag when a predetermined impact occurs on the mobile body.

[0008] According to the first embodiment of the protective device, the display screen of the display device can be supported by an arm provided on the side of the seat, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the installation configuration of the display screen of the display device in a moving object. Furthermore, by providing an airbag on the arm that supports the display screen, it is possible to easily inflate the airbag in the area between the display screen and the occupant seated in the seat, thereby increasing the protection of the occupant by the airbag. [Second Embodiment] The protective device described in the first embodiment above may include a first arm portion which is the arm portion, and a second arm portion which extends from a base end provided on the side opposite to the first arm portion with the sheet in between, and whose tip is connected to the support portion of the first arm portion.

[0009] In the second form of protective device, the display screen of the display device is supported by a pair of arms positioned to sandwich the seat in the width direction, thereby increasing the support for the display screen and allowing for easy enlargement of the display screen. Furthermore, the assistance of the second arm connected via the support increases the reaction force against the load from the inflating airbag. As a result, the support for the airbag when it inflates can be further enhanced, and the protection of the occupant by the airbag can be further improved. [Third Embodiment] The protective device described in the first or second embodiment further comprises a control unit that controls the supply of gas to the airbag by the inflator, and a seating state detection unit that outputs a signal to the control unit that changes according to the seating state of the occupant in the seat, wherein the control unit may control the gas supply conditions to the airbag based on the output signal of the seating state detection unit.

[0010] According to the third type of protective device, the way the airbag inflates can be appropriately changed according to the occupant's seating position and posture on the seat. This allows the airbag to adjust its inflation state to match the occupant's position, even if the occupant is seated too close or too far from the airbag's deployment area. Therefore, it is possible to protect the occupant more effectively with the airbag. [Fourth Embodiment] The protective device according to any of the first, second, and third embodiments described above is further comprising: an angle detection unit for detecting the inclination angle of the backrest relative to the seat; an arm unit for rotating around a pivot axis along the width direction of the seat passing through the base end; a support unit for changing the angle of the display screen; an angle detection unit for detecting the inclination angle of the backrest relative to the seat; and a screen adjustment unit for changing at least one of the rotation angle of the arm unit and the angle of the display screen by the support unit based on the detection result of the angle detection unit when the airbag is inflated.

[0011] According to the fourth type of protective device, when the airbag inflates, the angle of the arm and display screen can be automatically adjusted to match the tilt angle of the seat back, so that the position of the airbag deployment area is optimized. Therefore, even if the tilt angle of the seat back is changed, the airbag can be inflated in the appropriate state accordingly, further enhancing the protection of the occupant by the airbag.

[0012] The present invention can be realized in various forms other than protective devices that protect occupants of a moving vehicle seated in a seat from impacts occurring on the vehicle. For example, it can be realized in the form of an airbag device that deploys an airbag, an airbag mechanism, an airbag system, an airbag, an airbag installation structure, an airbag control method, an airbag deployment method, and so on. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1]A first schematic diagram showing the configuration of the protective device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] A second schematic diagram showing the configuration of the protective device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] The first schematic diagram illustrates the state in which an airbag is inflated. [Figure 4] A second schematic diagram illustrating the state of an inflated airbag. [Figure 5] A first schematic diagram showing the configuration of the protective device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] A second schematic diagram showing the configuration of the protective device according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] 1. First Embodiment: 1-1. Configuration of the protective device: The configuration of the protective device 20 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the seat 10 of the mobile body 100 to which the protective device 20 of the first embodiment is applied, viewed from the side, combined with a block diagram showing some of the components of the protective device 20 as blocks. Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the seat 10 to which the protective device 20 is applied, viewed from the front.

[0015] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate arrows indicating three mutually orthogonal directions X, Y, and Z relative to sheet 10. The X direction corresponds to the width direction of sheet 10, i.e., the left-right direction. The arrow indicating the X direction indicates the direction from the right side to the left side of sheet 10. The Y direction corresponds to the front-to-back direction of sheet 10. The arrow indicating the Y direction indicates the direction from the rear to the front of sheet 10. The Z direction corresponds to the height direction of sheet 10. The Z direction indicates the direction from the bottom to the top of sheet 10. The arrows indicating the X, Y, and Z directions are also illustrated in other figures referenced herein, as appropriate, in correspondence with Figures 1 and 2.

[0016] The protection device 20 has a seat 10 in the passenger compartment where the passenger CR rides, and is mounted on a moving body 100 that seats and moves the passenger CR on the seat 10. In the present embodiment, the moving body 100 is a vehicle. The protection device 20 protects the passenger CR seated on the seat 10 from the impact generated in the moving body 100 by the airbag 25.

[0017] The seat 10 to which the protection device 20 is applied is, for example, the passenger seat. The seat 10 may be a rear seat of the vehicle. The seat 10 is installed in the passenger compartment of the moving body 100 in a direction such that its front-back direction, width direction, and vertical direction coincide with the front-back direction, width direction, and vertical direction of the moving body 100. Note that the direction in which the seat 10 is installed in the moving body 100 is not limited to the above-described direction. For example, in other embodiments, the seat 10 may be installed such that its width direction coincides with the front-back direction of the moving body 100.

[0018] The seat 10 has a seat portion 11 on which the passenger CR sits and a backrest portion 12 that supports the passenger CR sitting on the seat portion 11 from behind. The backrest portion 12 includes a headrest portion 12h provided at its upper end and supporting the head of the passenger CR from behind. The backrest portion 12 is connected to the rear end of the seat portion 11 in a state where it can rotate in the front-back direction with the rotation axis RXa at its lower end as a fulcrum, as shown by the arrow Ra in FIG. 1. Thereby, the inclination angle α of the backrest portion 12 with respect to the seat portion 11 can be changed. The seat portion 11 is configured to be movable along a rail portion 13 provided on the floor surface of the passenger compartment. Also, the height and inclination angle of the seat surface of the seat portion 11 may be configured to be changeable.

[0019] The protection device 20 includes an arm portion 21 installed on the side of the seat 10, an airbag 25 housed inside the arm portion 21, and an inflater 28 that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 25. In the present embodiment, the arm portion 21 is provided on one side in the width direction of the seat 10. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a configuration in which the arm portion 21 is provided on the right side of the seat 10 is illustrated. The arm portion 21 may be provided on the left side of the seat 10.

[0020] The arm portion 21 is constituted by a columnar member extending from a base end portion 22 provided on the side of the seat 10. In the present embodiment, the base end portion 22 of the arm portion 21 is connected to the side of the seat portion 11 and extends upward. Thereby, when the seat 10 is moved along the rail portion 13, the arm portion 21 can be moved together with the seat 10.

[0021] In the present embodiment, as shown by an arrow Rb in FIG. 1, the arm portion 21 is connected so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction around a rotation axis RXb along the width direction passing through the base end portion 22. The protection device 20 includes a first rotation drive portion 33 that rotates the arm portion 21 under the control of the control portion 30. The first rotation drive portion 33 will be described later.

[0022] The arm portion 21 has, at its tip portion, a support portion 23 configured to be able to support the display screen 16 of the display device 15. The display device 15 provides visual information to the passenger CR seated on the seat 10 through the display screen 16.

[0023] The display device 15 is, for example, a navigation device that displays the position of the moving body 100 on a map, or an in-vehicle electrical device capable of displaying information regarding the moving body 100 such as driving information and maintenance information. The display device 15 may be a communication device such as a smartphone that is not fixed to the vehicle, or a display device connected to a video playback device such as a DVD. The display screen 16 is constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electlro Luminescence) panel.

[0024] The display device 15 may have a configuration in which the display screen 16 is separated from its main body portion, and only the display screen 16 is supported by the arm portion 21. The display device 15 may have a configuration in which the display screen 16 and the main body portion are integrated, and the main body portion of the display device 15 is supported by the arm portion 21 together with the display screen 16.

[0025] The arm portion 21 supports the display screen 16 of the display device 15 in the area in front of the backrest portion 12, facing the backrest portion 12, by a support portion 23 provided at its tip. The arm portion 21 may have a telescopic mechanism that extends and retracts in the longitudinal direction so that the position of the display screen 16 from the base end portion 22 can be adjusted.

[0026] The support portion 23 is connected to the back of the display screen 16. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the support portion 23 is composed of an axial member extending in the left-right direction in front of the backrest portion 12. The display screen 16 is attached to the support portion 23 in a manner that allows it to rotate relative to the arm portion 21, as indicated by the arrow Rc in Figure 1, with the support portion 23 as the pivot axis RXc.

[0027] The protective device 20 includes a second rotation drive unit 34 that rotates the display screen 16 under the control of the control unit 30. The second rotation drive unit 34 will be described later.

[0028] The airbag 25 is composed of a bag-like component. The airbag 25 is made of, for example, a woven fabric made using nylon yarn. The airbag 25 is normally stored in a folded state in a retainer box 26 located inside the arm portion 21.

[0029] Refer to Figure 2. A lid 27 covering the opening of the retainer box 26 is attached to the side of the arm section 21 facing the seat 10. The airbag 25 deploys when gas is supplied to its internal space from the inflator 28, opening the lid 27 and expanding outwards from the arm section 21. The method of inflation of the airbag 25 will be described later.

[0030] Refer to Figure 1. The inflator 28 is a gas generator and is connected to the airbag 25 via gas piping. The inflator 28 operates when a predetermined impact occurs to the moving body 100, supplying gas to the internal space of the airbag 25 and inflating the airbag 25. In this embodiment, the inflator 28 operates in response to a command from the control unit 30 (described later) when it detects the occurrence of an impact, and supplies gas to the airbag 25.

[0031] The inflator 28 may be a gunpowder type that generates gas by burning a gas generating agent, a gas type that supplies gas that has been pre-filled at high pressure, or a hybrid type that combines these methods. The inflator 28 may be installed at a location away from the arm section 21 and connected to the airbag 25 inside the arm section 21 via gas piping. The inflator 28 may also be housed inside the arm section 21 together with the airbag 25.

[0032] In this embodiment, a valve (not shown) is provided in the gas flow path between the inflator 28 and the airbag 25 to control the gas supplied from the inflator 28 to the airbag 25. The control unit 30, described below, can adjust the pressure and amount of gas supplied to the airbag 25 by controlling the opening degree of the valve.

[0033] The protective device 20 further comprises a control unit 30, an impact detection unit 31, an angle detection unit 32, a first rotation drive unit 33, and a second rotation drive unit 34.

[0034] The control unit 30 controls the operation of the protective device 20. The control unit 30 is configured, for example, by a computer equipped with a central processing unit (CPU) and main memory (RAM). The control unit 30 may also be implemented as part of the functions of an in-vehicle ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The control details of the protective device 20 by the control unit 30 will be described as appropriate below.

[0035] The impact detection unit 31 detects an event that causes an impact on the moving body 100 and outputs the detection result to the control unit 30. Based on the output result of the impact detection unit 31, the control unit 30 activates the inflator 28 and inflates the airbag 25 when it detects that an impact of a predetermined magnitude has occurred on the moving body 100.

[0036] In this embodiment, the impact detection unit 31 is configured, for example, by an acceleration sensor that detects changes in the acceleration of the moving body 100. The control unit 30 inflates the airbag 25 when the impact detection unit 31 detects a sudden decrease in acceleration that may cause an impact that should trigger the deployment of the airbag 25.

[0037] The angle detection unit 32 detects the inclination angle α of the backrest 12 relative to the seat 11 and outputs it to the control unit 30. The inclination angle α corresponds to the angle between the seat surface of the seat 11 and the front surface of the backrest 12. The angle detection unit 32 can be configured, for example, by a rotary encoder that outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the rotation angle of the pivot axis of the backrest 12. The angle detection unit 32 may also be configured by a potentiometer.

[0038] If the inclination angle α of the backrest 12 relative to the seat 11 changes, the posture of the occupant CR seated on the seat 10 changes. In other words, the inclination angle α of the backrest 12 is one of the parameters indicating the seating state of the occupant CR on the seat 10, and the angle detection unit 32 can be said to be one form of a "seated state detection unit" that outputs a signal to the control unit 30 that changes according to the seating state of the occupant CR on the seat 10. Note that "seated state of the occupant CR on the seat 10" means the physical state of the occupant CR on the seat 10, and for example, the posture of the occupant CR on the seat 10, the position of the occupant CR, the orientation of the occupant CR, the movement status of the occupant CR, the shape of the occupant CR, and the physical characteristics of the occupant CR. Based on the output signal of the angle detection unit 32, which is the seated state detection unit, the control unit 30 controls the supply conditions of the gas supplied from the inflator 28 to the airbag 25. This control of the control unit 30 will be described later.

[0039] The first rotation drive unit 33 is composed of an actuator such as an electric motor and rotates the arm portion 21 with its base end portion 22 as a pivot point under the control of the control unit 30. In this embodiment, the first rotation drive unit 33 is provided inside the seat portion 11 of the seat 10. The occupant CR can rotate the arm portion 21 to any angle by driving the first rotation drive unit 33 by commanding the control unit 30 to rotate the arm portion 21 via an operating unit (not shown). As will be described later, when the airbag 25 is inflated, the control unit 30 adjusts the rotation angle of the arm portion 21 using the first rotation drive unit 33.

[0040] The second rotation drive unit 34 is composed of an actuator such as an electric motor and, under the control of the control unit 30, changes the angle of the display screen 16 supported by the support unit 23. In this embodiment, the second rotation drive unit 34 is provided inside the upper end of the arm unit 21. The occupant CR can rotate the display screen 16 to any angle by commanding the control unit 30 to rotate the display screen 16 via an operation unit (not shown), thereby driving the second rotation drive unit 34. As will be described later, the control unit 30 adjusts the angle of the display screen 16 by the second rotation drive unit 34 when inflating the airbag 25.

[0041] When inflating the airbag 25, the control unit 30 functions as a screen adjustment unit 35 that controls the first rotation drive unit 33 and the second rotation drive unit 34 based on the detection result of the angle detection unit 32 to adjust the arrangement of the display screen 16. The control performed by the screen adjustment unit 35 will be described later. 1-2. Operation of the protective device: Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the method of inflation of the airbag 25 in the protective device 20 and the control by the control unit 30 when inflating the airbag 25 will be explained. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an example of the airbag 25 of the protective device 20 inflated, viewed from the side. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an example of the airbag 25 of the protective device 20 inflated, viewed from the front. (1) Inflation of the airbag from the arm section: When gas is supplied from the inflator 28, the airbag 25 instantaneously inflates from the side of the arm portion 21 toward the seat 10, as shown by the dashed arrow E1, and then instantaneously inflates upward, as shown by the dashed arrow E2. The airbag 25 inflates to the area facing the display screen 16, which is supported by the support portion 23.

[0042] It is preferable that the airbag 25 inflates in such a way that the display screen 16 is covered when viewed from the perspective of an occupant CR seated in the seat. In this embodiment, the airbag 25 inflates along the display screen 16 while in contact with it. In other embodiments, it may inflate without contacting the display screen 16.

[0043] According to the protective device 20, the display screen 16 of the display device 15 is supported in the area in front of the occupant CR by an arm portion 21 that extends from the side of the seat 10. With this configuration, an area where the display screen 16 of the display device 15 can be installed can be easily secured in front of the backrest portion 12, and the degree of freedom in the installation configuration of the display screen 16 of the display device 15 on the mobile body 100 can be increased. With this configuration, the display screen 16 of the display device 15 can be easily enlarged.

[0044] Furthermore, with the protective device 20, since the airbag 25 is provided on the arm portion 21, the deployment area of ​​the airbag 25, which is the area in which the airbag 25 inflates, can be easily secured in the area between the display screen 16 and the occupant CR seated in the seat 10. Therefore, it is easy to properly inflate the airbag 25 to adequately protect the occupant CR while suppressing the display screen 16 from hindering the inflation of the airbag 25.

[0045] In addition, in this embodiment, the airbag 25 contacts the display screen 16 when inflating, allowing it to inflate smoothly along the display screen 16. Furthermore, since the inflated airbag 25 is supported by the display screen 16, the restraint of the occupant CR by the airbag 25 can be enhanced. Thus, the protection of the occupant CR by the airbag 25 can be improved.

[0046] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the airbag 25 is configured to inflate in front of the occupant CR from the side of the arm portion 21 facing in the width direction. This configuration allows a portion of the impact when the airbag 25 inflates instantaneously to be released in the width direction. Therefore, it is possible to deploy the airbag 25 in front of the occupant CR while suppressing a large impact on the occupant CR due to the instantaneous inflation of the airbag 25, thereby providing more reliable protection for the occupant CR.

[0047] In other embodiments, the airbag 25 may be configured to inflate from another side of the arm portion 21. For example, the airbag 25 may be configured to inflate in front of the occupant CR from a side of the arm portion 21 facing rearward. With this configuration, when the airbag 25 inflates and deploys in front of the occupant CR, the arm portion 21 located behind the airbag 25 can provide a reaction force for the airbag 25. Therefore, the restraint of the occupant CR by the airbag 25 can be further enhanced, and the occupant CR can be protected more reliably. (2) Airbag inflation control: When the control unit 30 detects an impact in the moving body 100 and inflates the airbag 25, it controls the gas supply conditions to the airbag 25 based on the output signal of the seating state detection unit. As described above, the seating state detection unit in this embodiment is the angle detection unit 32, and the control unit 30 controls the gas supply conditions to the airbag 25 based on the tilt angle α of the backrest 12 relative to the seat 11 detected by the angle detection unit 32. Examples of gas supply conditions include gas pressure, flow rate, and gas supply amount.

[0048] The control unit 30 reduces the pressure of the gas supplied to the airbag 25, for example, as the inclination angle α of the backrest 12 relative to the seat 11 decreases. The control unit 30 may also reduce the pressure of the gas supplied to the airbag 25 to a reference pressure when the inclination angle α of the backrest 12 relative to the seat 11 is smaller than a predetermined threshold. The control unit 30 may also reduce the amount of gas supplied to the airbag 25, either along with the gas pressure or instead of the gas pressure. This prevents the impact force applied to the occupant CR at the moment of restraint by the airbag 25 from becoming too large when the distance between the display screen 16 and the occupant CR is close and the occupant CR's position is too close to the deployment area of ​​the airbag 25.

[0049] Furthermore, the control unit 30 may increase the flow rate of gas supplied to the airbag 25 as the inclination angle α of the backrest 12 relative to the seat 11 increases. The control unit 30 may also increase the flow rate of gas supplied to the airbag 25 above a reference value when the inclination angle α of the backrest 12 relative to the seat 11 is greater than a predetermined threshold. This allows the airbag 25 to inflate more rapidly as the distance between the occupant CR and the display screen 16 increases, and the distance between the occupant CR and the deployment area of ​​the airbag 25 increases. Therefore, the time from when the mobile body 100 is subjected to an impact until the occupant CR is restrained by the airbag 25 can be shortened.

[0050] The control unit 30 may increase the amount of gas supplied to the airbag 25 as the inclination angle α of the backrest 12 relative to the seat 11 increases, thereby increasing the inflation volume of the airbag 25. Alternatively, the control unit 30 may increase the amount of gas supplied to the airbag 25 above a reference value when the inclination angle α of the backrest 12 relative to the seat 11 is greater than a predetermined threshold, thereby increasing the inflation volume of the airbag 25. This prevents the occupant CR from being too far away from the deployment area of ​​the airbag 25, resulting in insufficient restraint of the occupant CR by the airbag 25.

[0051] Thus, according to the protective device 20, the gas supply conditions to the airbag 25 are controlled and the way it inflates is adjusted according to the seating position of the occupant CR on the seat 10 as detected by the angle detection unit 32. Therefore, it becomes possible to protect the occupant CR more effectively with the airbag 25.

[0052] In this embodiment, as described above, the gas supply conditions to the airbag 25 are achieved by controlling the opening degree of a valve (not shown). Control of the gas supply conditions to the airbag 25 may be achieved by methods other than controlling the opening degree of the valve. In other embodiments, the gas supply conditions to the airbag 25 may be controlled, for example, by driving an actuator that can change the opening area of ​​the supply port through which gas flows into the airbag 25. Alternatively, a plurality of inflators may be installed connected to the airbag 25, and the control unit 30 may control the gas supply conditions to the airbag 25 by adjusting the number of inflators that are driven when the airbag 25 is activated. (3) Angle control of the arm and display unit: As described above, the control unit 30 functions as a screen adjustment unit 35. When the airbag 25 inflates, the screen adjustment unit 35 controls the first rotation drive unit 33 and the second rotation drive unit 34 based on the detection result of the angle detection unit 32 to change the position and angle of the display screen 16 and adjust the arrangement state of the display screen 16.

[0053] The screen adjustment unit 35 controls the first rotation drive unit 33 when the tilt angle α detected by the angle detection unit 32 is greater than a predetermined first threshold, to rotate the arm unit 21 so that the rotation angle of the arm unit 21 with respect to the backrest unit 12 becomes a predetermined relative angle. This allows the arm unit 21 to be rotated toward the backrest unit 12 so that, for example, when the backrest unit 12 is tilted backward and the occupant CR and the display screen 16 are excessively far apart, the deployment area of ​​the airbag 25 is brought within a predetermined distance of the occupant CR. This prevents the deployment area of ​​the airbag 25 from being too far away from the occupant CR, resulting in the occupant CR not being adequately restrained by the airbag 25.

[0054] Furthermore, the screen adjustment unit 35 may, for example, control the second rotation drive unit 34 to change the angle of the display screen 16 when the tilt angle α detected by the angle detection unit 32 is greater than a predetermined first threshold. The screen adjustment unit 35 may also control the second rotation drive unit 34 to rotate the display screen 16 so that its upper end faces the seat 10. As a result, the deployment area of ​​the airbag 25 is shifted downward by the display screen 16, bringing the deployment area of ​​the airbag 25 even closer to the occupant CR.

[0055] The screen adjustment unit 35 controls the first rotation drive unit 33 when the tilt angle α detected by the angle detection unit 32 is smaller than a predetermined second threshold, to rotate the arm unit 21 so that the rotation angle of the arm unit 21 with respect to the backrest unit 12 becomes a predetermined relative angle. This allows the arm unit 21 to rotate away from the backrest unit 12 so that, for example, when the backrest unit 12 is upright and the occupant CR and the display screen 16 are excessively close, sufficient space is secured between the occupant CR and the display screen 16 for the airbag 25 to inflate. Thus, it is possible to prevent the deployment area of ​​the airbag 25 from being too close to the occupant CR and the occupant CR from receiving an excessively large external force from the inflating airbag 25.

[0056] The screen adjustment unit 35 may, for example, control the second rotation drive unit 34 to change the angle of the display screen 16 when the tilt angle α detected by the angle detection unit 32 is smaller than a predetermined second threshold. The screen adjustment unit 35 may also control the second rotation drive unit 34 to rotate the display screen 16 to a predetermined angle along the length direction of the arm unit 21. This prevents the display screen 16 from shifting the deployment area of ​​the airbag 25 toward the occupant CR. It also prevents the display screen 16 from hindering the inflation of the airbag 25.

[0057] In this way, the protective device 20 automatically adjusts the angles of the arm portion 21 and the display screen 16 so that the position of the airbag 25 deployment area is optimized according to the tilt angle of the seat back portion 10 when the airbag 25 inflates. Therefore, even if the tilt angle α of the seat back portion 12 of the seat 10 is changed, the airbag 25 can be inflated in an appropriate state, and the protection of the occupant CR by the airbag 25 can be further enhanced. 1-3. Summary of the First Embodiment: As described above, according to the protective device of the first embodiment, the display screen 16 of the display device 15 is supported by the arm portion 21, increasing the degree of freedom in the installation of the display screen 16. Furthermore, since the airbag 25 is housed inside the arm portion 21, the deployment area of ​​the airbag 25 can be easily secured between the display screen 16 and the occupant CR, thereby improving the protective effect of the airbag 25 on the occupant CR. In addition, since the inflation method and deployment area of ​​the airbag 25 are controlled by the control unit 30, the airbag 25 can protect the occupant CR more appropriately. 2. Second Embodiment: The protective device 20A of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. In Figures 5 and 6, an example of an inflated airbag 25 is illustrated by a dashed line.

[0058] The protective device 20A of the second embodiment is applied to a seat 10 provided in the passenger compartment of a mobile vehicle 100, similar to the first embodiment. The protective device 20A of the second embodiment includes a pair of arm portions 21a and 21b provided on both sides of the seat 10.

[0059] The first arm portion 21a is substantially the same as the arm portion 21 described in the first embodiment, except that its base end portion 22 is provided on the side surface of the backrest portion 12 of the seat 10. The tip of the first arm portion 21a rotates vertically with the base end portion 22, which is provided on the side surface of the backrest portion 12, as a pivot point.

[0060] The tip of the first arm portion 21a is provided with a support portion 23 that supports the display screen 16 of the display device 15. An airbag 25 is housed inside the first arm portion 21a. Although not shown in the illustrations and detailed description, in the protective device 20A, an inflator 28 similar to that described in the first embodiment is connected to the airbag 25.

[0061] The second arm portion 21b extends from a base end portion 22 located on the side opposite to the first arm portion 21a, across the seat 10. The base end portion 22 of the second arm portion 21b is located on the side of the backrest portion 12 of the seat 10. The second arm portion 21b has a shape that is substantially symmetrical to the first arm portion 21a across the seat 10.

[0062] The tip of the second arm portion 21b is provided with a connecting portion 24, which is connected to a support portion 23 provided at the tip of the first arm portion 21a. When the second arm portion 21b is connected to the first arm portion 21a via the connecting portion 24, it rotates together with the first arm portion 21a with its base end portion 22 as a pivot point.

[0063] In the second embodiment, the connecting portion 24 of the second arm portion 21b is made of an axial member similar to the support portion 23 of the first arm portion 21a, and the connecting portion 24 and the support portion 23 are connected by fitting their opposing ends in the width direction together. The second arm portion 21b can rotate independently of the first arm portion 21a by releasing the fitting state between the connecting portion 24 and the support portion 23. When the second arm portion 21b is in the way, for example when the occupant CR is seated on the seat 10, the second arm portion 21b can be separated from the first arm portion 21a and placed beside the seat 10.

[0064] In the protective device 20A of the second embodiment, the airbag 25 inflates toward the seat 10 from the side of the first arm portion 21a when gas is supplied from the inflator 28. The airbag 25 inflates upward from the first arm portion 21a into the area between the occupant CR seated in the seat 10 and the display screen 16.

[0065] With the protective device 20A, the distance from the airbag 25 exit at the first arm portion 21a to the area between the head of the occupant CR seated in the seat 10 and the display screen 16 can be reduced compared to the first embodiment. Therefore, the airbag 25 can be made smaller. In addition, by making the airbag 25 smaller, the deployment time of the airbag 25 can be shortened, and the protective effect of the airbag 25 on the occupant CR can be further enhanced.

[0066] In the protective device 20A, the display screen 16 of the display device 15 can be supported by a pair of arm portions 21a and 21b. Therefore, even if the display screen 16 is enlarged, its support can be improved. In addition, in the protective device 20A, when the airbag 25 of the first arm portion 21a inflates, the first arm portion 21a is assisted by the second arm portion 21b, thereby increasing the reaction force against the external force generated by the inflation of the airbag 25. As a result, the support of the airbag 25 when it inflates is further improved, and the inflation of the airbag 25 becomes smoother, thus further improving the protection of the occupant CR by the airbag 25.

[0067] The protective device 20A, like the protective device 20 of the first embodiment, has a first rotational drive unit 33 and a second rotational drive unit 34. Although not shown in the figures, the protective device 20A, like the protective device 20 of the first embodiment, also has a control unit 30, an impact detection unit 31, and an angle detection unit 32. In the protective device 20A, the control unit 30 can perform the same control as described in the first embodiment. The protective device 20A can achieve the same effects as the control of the control unit 30 described in the first embodiment.

[0068] As described above, the protective device 20A of the second embodiment can enhance the protection of the occupant CR by the airbag 25 while increasing the degree of freedom in installing the display screen 16, similar to or even more effectively than the first embodiment. In addition, the protective device 20A of the second embodiment can provide various effects similar to those described in the first embodiment. 3. Other embodiments: The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments described above, and can also be realized in the following forms, for example. Any configuration described herein as other embodiments is, like the embodiments described above, positioned as an example of a form for carrying out the present invention. 3-1. Other Embodiments 1: The mobile body 100 is not limited to a vehicle. The mobile body 100 may be any vehicle that has seats 10 in which the occupants CR sit and moves, such as an aircraft or a ship. 3-2. Other Embodiments 2: In the first and second embodiments described above, the base ends 22 of the arm portions 21, 21a, and 21b do not need to be connected to the seat 10. The base ends 22 of the arm portions 21, 21a, and 21b only need to be located to the side of the seat 10, and may, for example, be fixed to the floor of the passenger compartment of the mobile body 100 located to the side of the seat 10. 3-3. Other Embodiments 3: In the first embodiment described above, the arm portion 21 may be designated as the first arm portion, and a second arm may be added that extends from a base end provided on the side opposite to the first arm, across the seat 10, and supports the display screen 16 together with the first arm and rotates together with the first arm. With this configuration, similar to the pair of arm portions 21a and 21b in the second embodiment, the support for the display screen 16 and the inflating airbag 25 can be improved. 3-4. Other Embodiments 4: In the first and second embodiments described above, the inflator 28 may be configured to mechanically react to a predetermined impact occurring on the mobile body 100 and begin supplying gas to the airbag 25, independently of a command from the control unit 30. With this configuration, the airbag 25 can be inflated independently of the control unit 30, and therefore the control unit 30 can be omitted. 3-5. Other Embodiments 5: In the protective devices 20 and 20A of the first and second embodiments described above, the angle detection unit 32, the first rotation drive unit 33, and the second rotation drive unit 34 may be omitted. The arm unit 21 may be configured to be rotatable only by manual means. Similarly, the angle of the display screen 16 supported by the support unit 23 may also be configured to be changeable only by manual means. 3-6. Other Embodiments 6: The protective devices 20 and 20A of the first and second embodiments described above may include, in addition to or instead of the angle detection unit 32, other seating state detection units that output a signal to the control unit 30 that changes according to the seating state of the occupant CR on the seat 10. The protective devices 20 and 20A may also detect the height and angle of the seat surface of the seat portion 11 as parameters indicating the seating state of the occupant CR on the seat 10.

[0069] The protective devices 20 and 20A may be configured as a seating state detection unit, for example, by a camera capable of acquiring an image of the occupant CR on the seat 10. The control unit 30 may analyze the image to detect the occupant CR's seating state, such as their posture and seating position on the seat 10. The protective devices 20 and 20A may also have a configuration that detects the occupant CR's seating state by irradiating them with infrared light on the seat 10. The seating state detection unit may be configured by other sensors capable of detecting the occupant CR's biological information on the seat 10. The control unit 30 may use the various seating state detection units described above to determine information related to the occupant CR's physical characteristics that affect their seating state on the seat 10, such as their build, gender, and age, and change the rotation angle of the arm 21 and the support angle of the display screen 16 according to the determination result. 3-7. Other Embodiments 7: The control unit 30 of the protective devices 20, 20A in the first and second embodiments described above may perform controls other than those described in the first embodiment. For example, the control unit 30 may control the amount of gas supplied to the airbag 25 to increase as the tilt angle α detected by the angle detection unit 32 increases. The control unit 30 may also control the display screen 16 to face downwards as the tilt angle α detected by the angle detection unit 32 increases. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 10...Seat, 11...Seat portion, 12...Backrest portion, 12h...Headrest portion, 13...Rail portion, 15...Display device, 16...Display screen, 20,20A...Protective device, 21...Arm portion, 21a...First arm portion, 21b...Second arm portion, 22...Base end portion, 23...Support portion, 24...Connecting portion, 25...Airbag, 26...Retainer box, 27...Lid, 28...Inflator, 30...Control unit, 31...Impact detection unit, 32...Angle detection unit, 33...First rotation drive unit, 34...Second rotation drive unit, 35...Screen adjustment unit, 100...Moving body, CR...Occupant, RXa,RXb,RXc...Rotating axis

Claims

1. A protective device mounted on a mobile vehicle equipped with a seat having a seat portion and a backrest portion, which protects an occupant seated in the seat from impacts occurring on the mobile vehicle, An arm portion extending from a base end provided on the side of the seat, with a support portion at its tip configured to support the display screen of the display device in a position facing the backrest; and an airbag stored in a folded state inside the arm portion, configured to unfold when gas is supplied inside, and to inflate from the arm portion toward the seat and expand into the area facing the display screen. An inflator that supplies the gas to the airbag when a predetermined impact occurs to the moving body, A protective device equipped with the following features.

2. A protective device according to claim 1, The first arm portion, which is the aforementioned arm portion, A second arm portion extends from a base end provided on the side opposite to the first arm portion, with the sheet in between, and its tip is connected to the support portion of the first arm portion. A protective device equipped with the following features.

3. A protective device according to claim 1, further, A control unit that controls the supply of the gas to the airbag by the inflator, A seating state detection unit outputs a signal to the control unit that changes according to the seating state of the occupant in the seat, Equipped with, The control unit is a protective device that controls the gas supply conditions to the airbag based on the output signal of the seated state detection unit.

4. A protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The inclination angle of the backrest relative to the seat is configured to be adjustable. The arm portion is configured to be rotatable around a pivot axis that passes through the base end and is aligned with the width direction of the sheet, The support portion is configured to allow the angle of the display screen to be changed. An angle detection unit for detecting the inclination angle of the backrest relative to the seat, When inflating the airbag, a screen adjustment unit changes at least one of the rotation angle of the arm portion and the angle of the display screen by the support portion based on the detection result of the angle detection unit, A protective device that further enhances this feature.

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