Wearable airbag system

Abstract

The present invention provides a wearable airbag device that can accurately cover the area to be protected by the airbag, even if that area is curved. [Solution] The wearable airbag device 10 comprises a wearable device 11 worn by the wearer M, who is the person to be protected, and an airbag 30 held by the wearable device 11, which inflates when inflation gas is supplied, and is configured to cover the neck MN and head MH, which are the parts of the wearer M that are to be protected, when inflation is complete. The airbag 30 when inflation is complete has a lower chamber 30a and a middle chamber 30b which is located outside the lower chamber 30a and adjacent to the lower chamber 30a, and the middle chamber 30b is supplied with inflation gas from the lower chamber 30a via communication ports 30ah2, 30ah3, 30bh1, and 30bh2 that connect the lower chamber 30a and the middle chamber 30b.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wearable airbag device that is worn by a protected person and receives and protects the protected person by means of an airbag.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, wearable airbag devices that are worn by a protected person and receive and protect the protected person by means of an airbag have been widely known. In Patent Document 1, a wearable airbag device is disclosed that includes a head protection airbag that covers the head of the protected person from behind across both sides, and a hip protection airbag that covers the hips of the protected person from behind across both sides.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, the head protection airbag and the hip protection airbag are each composed of a single chamber. Therefore, in order to align the airbag along the curved portions such as around the waist and head of the protected person, a configuration in which these airbags are pre-bent by a tether or the like can be considered.

[0005] However, there are individual differences in the body shapes of protected persons. Therefore, in a configuration in which the airbag is pre-bent by a tether or the like in order to align the airbag along the curved portions of the protected person, the shape of the airbag may not be able to follow these individual differences, and there is a risk that the protected part of the protected person cannot be accurately covered.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a wearable airbag device that can accurately cover the area to be protected by the airbag, even if the area to be protected is curved. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A typical configuration of a wearable airbag device according to the present invention for solving the above problems is characterized by comprising: a wearable device worn by a person to be protected; an airbag held by the wearable device, which inflates when inflation gas is supplied, and is configured to cover the part of the person to be protected when inflation is complete; and a gas generator held by the wearable device that releases the inflation gas supplied to the airbag, wherein the airbag when inflation is complete has a first chamber and a second chamber located outside the first chamber and adjacent to the first chamber, the second chamber to which the inflation gas is supplied from the first chamber through a communication port that connects the first chamber and the second chamber.

[0008] According to the present invention, in a wearable airbag device, even if the part of the body to be protected is curved, the airbag can accurately cover the part to be protected. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a wearable airbag system. [Figure 2] This is a rear view of a wearable airbag device. [Figure 3] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the area around the gas generator of a wearable airbag system. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a wearable airbag system when it is activated. [Figure 5] This is a left side view of a wearable airbag system when the airbag has finished inflating. [Figure 6] This is a rear view of a wearable airbag system when the airbag has finished inflating. [Figure 7]This is a top view of a wearable airbag system when the airbag has finished inflating. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram showing the manufacturing process of airbags. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The following description of a wearable airbag device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be made with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensions, materials, shapes, etc., of the components described below are not intended to limit the scope of this invention to those unless otherwise specified.

[0011] The wearable airbag device 10 is attached to the upper body of the wearer M and protects the wearer M's neck MN and head MH, which are the areas to be protected, by receiving air from the airbag 30. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the left and right directions refer to the left and right directions as seen from the upright wearer M wearing the wearable airbag device 10, and the front and rear directions refer to the front and rear directions as seen from the upright wearer M wearing the wearable airbag device 10. The up and down directions refer to the upward and downward directions in the vertical direction.

[0012] Figure 1 is a front view of the wearable airbag device 10. Figure 2 is a rear view of the wearable airbag device 10. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the area around the gas generator 14 of the wearable airbag device 10, cut along the AA section shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the wearable airbag device 10 when it is activated. Figures 1 to 3 show the configuration of the wearable airbag device 10 before it is activated. Also, in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the wearer M is indicated by a dashed line.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the wearable airbag device 10 comprises an airbag 30, a gas generator 14 that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 30, an angular velocity sensor 16 and an acceleration sensor 17 used to detect falls of the wearer M, and a control device 18 that controls the operation of the gas generator 14. The wearable airbag device 10 also comprises a wearable device 11 that holds the airbag 30, gas generator 14, angular velocity sensor 16, acceleration sensor 17, and control device 18, and is worn on the upper body of the wearer M.

[0014] The garment 11 comprises a left front section 11a covering the front of the upper left body of the wearer M, a right front section 11b covering the front of the upper right body, and a back section 11c covering substantially the entire back. The garment 11 also includes a zipper 11d that can connect the left front section 11a and the right front section 11b. In this embodiment, the garment 11 is configured as a vest, but it may take other forms such as a jacket as long as it can be worn by the wearer M.

[0015] Before inflation, the airbag 30, gas generator 14, angular velocity sensor 16, acceleration sensor 17, and control device 18 are positioned in the space between the outer fabric 11c1 and the lining 11c2 of the back portion 11c of the wearable device 11. Additionally, multiple snap buttons 60 are arranged horizontally on the upper part of the back portion 11c of the wearable device 11, connecting the outer fabric 11c1 and the lining 11c2 of the back portion 11c. Before inflation of the airbag 30, the outer fabric 11c1 and lining 11c2 of the upper part of the back portion 11c are connected by the snap buttons 60. When the airbag 30 inflates, the pressure from the airbag 30 releases the snap buttons 60, thus releasing the connection between the outer fabric 11c1 and the lining 11c2. Maintenance personnel can access the airbag 30, gas generator 14, etc., by releasing the snap buttons 60 to perform maintenance.

[0016] The acceleration sensor 17 detects accelerations in three axial directions of up / down, front / back, and left / right. The angular velocity sensor 16 detects angular velocities around three axes of up / down, front / back, and left / right. The control device 18 is composed of a CPU, a memory, etc., and is electrically connected to the acceleration sensor 17, the angular velocity sensor 16, and the gas generator 14 by a cable (not shown). The control device 18 transmits an operation signal for operating the gas generator 14 to the gas generator 14 according to the detection results of the acceleration sensor 17 and the angular velocity sensor 16.

[0017] The airbag 30 is a bag-shaped member that expands to cover the neck MN and the head MH of the wearer M when inflation gas is supplied from the gas generator 14. The airbag 30 of the present embodiment is formed of a flexible woven fabric such as a polyester thread. An insertion port 30ah1 for inserting the upper part of the gas generator 14 is provided at the lower part of the airbag 30.

[0018] The gas generator 14 is a substantially cylindrical member that stores inflation gas such as compressed carbon dioxide inside the gas storage part 14a and discharges the inflation gas from a discharge port 14b provided at the upper part of the gas storage part 14a during operation. The part of the gas generator 14 where the discharge port 14b is formed is inserted into the airbag 30 from the insertion port 30ah1 of the airbag 30. The gas generator 14 operates to generate inflation gas when an operation signal is input from the control device 18.

[0019] Also, the gas generator 14 is attached to the airbag 30 and the wearing device 11 by bolts with clamps 65, 66. Specifically, an attachment tab 11e, which is a rectangular woven fabric to which the gas generator 14 is fixed, is attached to the inner surface of the lining 11c2 of the back part 11c of the wearing device 11. The upper and lower parts of the attachment tab 11e are sewn to the back part 11c of the wearing device 11 at the sewing parts 11e1, 11e2. The part of the attachment tab 11e between the sewing parts 11e1, 11e2 is not sewn to the back part 11c of the wearing device 11, and this part becomes a fixing part 11e3 to which the gas generator 14 is fixed.

[0020] The bolted clamp 65 includes an annular clamp portion 65a made of sheet metal that can be reduced in diameter, and a bolt portion 65b that protrudes radially from the outer peripheral surface of the clamp portion 65a. The clamp portion 65a is wound around the outer peripheral portion of the gas storage portion 14a of the gas generator 14. The bolt portion 65b is fastened to the fixing portion 11e3 of the mounting tab 11e by a nut 68 in a state where the clamp portion 65a is wound as described above. As a result, the clamp portion 65a wound around the gas storage portion 14a is reduced in diameter to hold the gas storage portion 14a, and the gas generator 14 is fixed to the mounting tab 11e.

[0021] The bolted clamp 66 includes an annular clamp portion 66a made of sheet metal that can be reduced in diameter, and a bolt portion 66b that protrudes radially from the outer peripheral surface of the clamp portion 66a. The clamp portion 66a is wound around a portion that covers the gas generator 14 in the airbag 30 from the outside. The bolt portion 65b is fastened to the fixing portion 11e3 of the mounting tab 11e by a nut 69 in a state where the clamp portion 66a is wound as described above. As a result, the clamp portion 66a wound around the airbag 30 is reduced in diameter to integrally hold the airbag 30 and the gas generator 14 together so as to clamp them, and the airbag 30 and the gas generator 14 are fixed to the mounting tab 11e. Further, the insertion port 30ah1 of the airbag 30 is sealed so that the inflation gas does not leak out from the insertion port 30ah1.

[0022] Next, the protection operation of the wearer M by the wearable airbag device 10 will be described. First, when the wearer M falls, the acceleration sensor 17 and the angular velocity sensor 16 detect this fall as acceleration and angular velocity. When the acceleration and angular velocity detected by these sensors exceed a predetermined threshold value, the control device 18 determines that the wearer M has fallen and transmits an operation signal to the gas generator 14. As a result, the gas generator 14 operates, and the inflation gas is supplied from the discharge port14b of the gas generator 14 into the airbag 30.

[0023] When inflation gas is supplied and the airbag 30 begins to inflate, it first makes contact with the snap button 60 on the back portion 11c of the wearer 11. As the airbag 30 inflates further, the pressure from the airbag 30 releases the snap button 60, and an opening (not shown) is formed between the outer fabric 11c1 and the lining 11c2 at the top of the back portion 11c. The airbag 30 is then deployed out of the wearer 11 through this opening and completes its inflation. As shown in Figure 4, the neck MN and head MH of the wearer M, which are about to hit the ground G in the event of a fall, are covered and absorbed by the airbag 30, thus protecting the neck MN and head MH, which are the parts of the wearer M that need protection.

[0024] Next, the detailed configuration of the airbag 30 will be described. Figure 5 is a left side view of the wearable airbag device 10 when the airbag 30 has finished inflating. Figure 6 is a rear view of the wearable airbag device 10 when the airbag 30 has finished inflating. Figure 7 is a top view of the wearable airbag device 10 when the airbag 30 has finished inflating. In Figures 5 to 7, the wearer M is indicated by a dashed line.

[0025] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the airbag 30 when fully inflated comprises three chambers arranged vertically: a lower chamber 30a, a middle chamber 30b, and an upper chamber 30c. These are arranged from bottom to top in the order of lower chamber 30a, middle chamber 30b, and upper chamber 30c. That is, the middle chamber 30b is located outside the lower chamber 30a and is vertically adjacent to the lower chamber 30a. The lower chamber 30a is an example of a first chamber, and the middle chamber 30b is an example of a second chamber. The upper chamber 30c is located outside the middle chamber 30b and is vertically adjacent to the middle chamber 30b. The middle chamber 30b is also an example of a second chamber, and the upper chamber 30c is also an example of a second chamber.

[0026] When inflation is complete, the portion of the lower chamber 30a exposed to the outside of the wearer 11 is roughly U-shaped when viewed from the vertical, and this roughly U-shaped opening is positioned to face forward. Specifically, the portion of the lower chamber 30a exposed to the outside of the wearer 11 when inflation is complete includes a left inflation portion 30a1 (first left inflation portion) positioned near the upper part of the left shoulder of the wearer M in an upright position, covering the wearer M's neck MN from the left side; a right inflation portion 30a2 (first right inflation portion) positioned near the upper part of the right shoulder of the wearer M in the same position, covering the wearer M's neck MN from the right side; and a central inflation portion 30a3 (first central inflation portion) that curves along the circumference of the wearer M's neck MN in the same position, connecting the left inflation portion 30a1 and the right inflation portion 30a2, and covering the wearer M's neck MN from the rear.

[0027] Furthermore, the lower chamber 30a has an insertion port 30ah1, which is an opening for inserting the gas generator 14, and two communication ports 30ah2 and 30ah3, which are openings that communicate with the middle chamber 30b. The insertion port 30ah1 extends downward from the central expansion section 30a3 of the lower chamber 30a and is located at the lower end of the gas inlet 30a4, which is positioned inside the wearer 11 when the lower chamber 30a is fully expanded. The communication port 30ah2 is formed on the upper surface of the left expansion section 30a1, and the communication port 30ah3 is formed on the upper surface of the right expansion section 30a2.

[0028] When the expansion is complete, the middle chamber 30b has a roughly U-shape when viewed from the vertical, and this roughly U-shaped opening is positioned to face forward. Specifically, when the middle chamber 30b is fully inflated, it is positioned above the left inflation section 30a1 of the lower chamber 30a when the wearer M is standing upright, and has a left inflation section 30b1 (first left inflation section, second left inflation section) that covers the wearer M's neck MN and head MH from the left side, a right inflation section 30b2 (first right inflation section, second right inflation section) that is positioned above the right inflation section 30a2 of the lower chamber 30a and covers the wearer M's neck MN and head MH from the right side, and a central inflation section 30b3 (first central inflation section, second central inflation section) that curves along the neck MN and head MH of the wearer M in the same state, connecting the left inflation section 30b1 and the right inflation section 30b2, and covering the wearer M's neck MN and head MH from the rear.

[0029] Furthermore, the middle chamber 30b has two communication ports 30bh1 and 30bh2, which are openings that communicate with the lower chamber 30a. Communication port 30bh1 is formed on the lower surface of the left expansion section 30b1 and communicates with communication port 30ah2 of the lower chamber 30a. Communication port 30bh2 is formed on the lower surface of the right expansion section 30b2 and communicates with communication port 30ah3 of the lower chamber 30a. In this way, the middle chamber 30b and the lower chamber 30a are in communication, and the expansion gas supplied from the gas generator 14 into the lower chamber 30a is supplied into the middle chamber 30b via the communication ports 30bh1, 30bh2, 30ah2, and 30ah3.

[0030] Furthermore, the middle chamber 30b has two outlets 30bh5 and 30bh6, which are openings for discharging excess expansion gas supplied into the middle chamber 30b. Outlet 30bh5 is formed on the lower surface of the left expansion section 30b1 and faces the left expansion section 30a1 of the lower chamber 30a when the middle chamber 30b and the lower chamber 30a have completed their expansion. Outlet 30bh6 is formed on the lower surface of the right expansion section 30b2 and faces the right expansion section 30a2 of the lower chamber 30a when the middle chamber 30b and the lower chamber 30a have completed their expansion. Also, when the middle chamber 30b and the lower chamber 30a have completed their expansion, outlet 30bh5 is positioned closer to the center 30bs of the middle chamber 30b compared to the communication port 30bh1, and outlet 30bh6 is positioned closer to the center 30bs of the middle chamber 30b compared to the communication port 30bh2. In this context, "completion of inflation of the middle chamber 30b and the lower chamber 30a" refers to the time when the wearer M is standing upright and the middle chamber 30b and the lower chamber 30a have completed inflation.

[0031] Furthermore, the middle chamber 30b has two communication ports 30bh3 and 30bh4, which are openings that communicate with the upper chamber 30c. Communication port 30bh3 is formed on the upper surface of the left expansion section 30b1, and communication port 30bh4 is formed on the upper surface of the right expansion section 30b2.

[0032] When fully inflated, the upper chamber 30c has a roughly U-shape when viewed from the vertical, and this roughly U-shaped opening is positioned to face forward. Specifically, when the wearer M is standing upright, the upper chamber 30c has a left-side inflation section 30c1 (second left-side inflation section) positioned above the left-side inflation section 30b1 of the middle chamber 30b, covering the wearer M's head MH from the left side; a right-side inflation section 30c2 (second right-side inflation section) positioned above the right-side inflation section 30b2 of the middle chamber 30b, covering the wearer M's head MH from the right side; and a central inflation section 30c3 (second central inflation section) that curves along the circumference of the wearer M's head MH in the same state, connecting the left-side inflation section 30c1 and the right-side inflation section 30c2, and covering the wearer M's head MH from the rear.

[0033] Furthermore, the upper chamber 30c has two communication ports 30ch1 and 30ch2, which are openings that communicate with the middle chamber 30b. Communication port 30ch1 is formed on the lower surface of the left expansion section 30c1 and communicates with communication port 30bh3 of the middle chamber 30b. Communication port 30ch2 is formed on the lower surface of the right expansion section 30c2 and communicates with communication port 30bh4 of the middle chamber 30b. In this way, the upper chamber 30c and the middle chamber 30b are in communication, and the expansion gas supplied from the lower chamber 30a into the middle chamber 30b is supplied into the upper chamber 30c via communication ports 30bh3, 30bh4, 30ch1, and 30ch2.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the portion of the lower chamber 30a exposed to the outside of the wearer 11 when inflation is complete, the middle chamber 30b, and the upper chamber 30c have substantially the same shape. When the airbag 30 is fully inflated, the middle chamber 30b is positioned slightly rearward relative to the aforementioned portion of the lower chamber 30a, and the upper chamber 30c is positioned slightly rearward relative to the middle chamber 30b.

[0035] Therefore, when the airbag 30 is fully inflated, the front end 30b3a of the central inflation portion 30b3 of the middle chamber 30b is positioned rearward relative to the front end 30a3a of the corresponding central inflation portion 30a3 of the lower chamber 30a, and the front end 30c3a of the central inflation portion 30c3 of the upper chamber 30c is positioned rearward relative to the front end 30b3a of the corresponding central inflation portion 30b3 of the middle chamber 30b.

[0036] Similarly, when the airbag 30 is fully inflated, the front end 30b1a of the left inflation portion 30b1 of the middle chamber 30b is positioned rearward relative to the front end 30a1a of the corresponding left inflation portion 30a1 of the lower chamber 30a, and the front end 30c1a of the left inflation portion 30c1 of the upper chamber 30c is positioned rearward relative to the front end 30b1a of the corresponding left inflation portion 30b1 of the middle chamber 30b. Similarly, when the airbag 30 is fully inflated, the front end 30b2a of the right inflation portion 30b2 of the middle chamber 30b is positioned rearward relative to the front end 30a2a of the corresponding right inflation portion 30a2 of the lower chamber 30a, and the front end 30c2a of the right inflation portion 30c2 of the upper chamber 30c is positioned rearward relative to the front end 30b2a of the corresponding right inflation portion 30b2 of the middle chamber 30b.

[0037] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the manufacturing process of the airbag 30. As shown in Figure 8, the airbag 30 is formed by joining a lower panel 81 that forms the lower chamber 30a, a middle panel 82 that forms the middle chamber 30b, and an upper panel 83 that forms the upper chamber 30c. In this embodiment, the lower panel 81, the middle chamber 30b, and the upper chamber 30c are made of a flexible woven fabric.

[0038] The lower panel 81 is formed into a bag shape by suturing the periphery of the upper panel 81a, which forms the upper surface of the lower chamber 30a when the wearer M is standing upright and the airbag 30 has finished inflating, and the periphery of the lower panel 81b, which forms the lower surface of the lower chamber 30a in the same state, together at a suture 81x1. Parts of the periphery of the upper panel 81a and the lower panel 81b are unsewn portions, and these unsewn portions become the insertion opening 30ah1 of the lower chamber 30a. Communication openings 30ah2 and 30ah3 are formed in the upper panel 81a.

[0039] The middle panel 82 is formed into a bag shape by suturing the periphery of the upper panel 82a, which forms the upper surface of the middle chamber 30b when the wearer M is standing upright and the airbag 30 has finished inflating, and the periphery of the lower panel 82b, which forms the lower surface of the middle chamber 30b in the same state, together at a seam 82x1. Communication openings 30bh3 and 30bh4 are formed in the upper panel 82a. Communication openings 30bh1 and 30bh2 are formed in the lower panel 82b.

[0040] The upper panel 83 is formed into a bag shape by suturing the periphery of the upper panel 83a, which forms the upper surface of the upper chamber 30c when the wearer M is standing upright and the airbag 30 has finished inflating, and the periphery of the lower panel 83b, which forms the lower surface of the upper chamber 30c in the same state, together at a seam 83x1. The lower panel 83b has communication openings 30ch1 and 30ch2.

[0041] The lower panel 81 and the middle panel 82 are joined by suturing the sutures 81x2 around the periphery of the communication opening 30ah2 of the lower panel 81 to the sutures 82x2 around the periphery of the communication opening 30bh1 of the middle panel 82, and by suturing the sutures 81x3 around the periphery of the communication opening 30ah3 of the lower panel 81 to the sutures 82x3 around the periphery of the communication opening 30bh2 of the middle panel 82. Similarly, the middle panel 82 and the upper panel 83 are joined by suturing the sutures 81x4 around the periphery of the communication opening 30bh3 of the middle panel 82 to the sutures 83x2 around the periphery of the communication opening 30ch1 of the upper panel 83, and by suturing the sutures 81x5 around the periphery of the communication opening 30bh4 of the middle panel 82 to the sutures 83x3 around the periphery of the communication opening 30ch2 of the upper panel 83. In other words, the lower chamber 30a and the middle chamber 30b are joined only around the communication openings 30ah2, 30ah3, 30bh1, and 30bh2, and the middle chamber 30b and the upper chamber 30c are joined only around the communication openings 30bh3, 30bh4, 30ch1, and 30ch2. The airbag 30 is formed in this way.

[0042] As described above, the wearable airbag device 10 of this embodiment achieves the following effects because the airbag 30, when fully inflated, has multiple chambers. Specifically, the neck MN and head MH of the wearer M are generally curved slightly forward relative to the vertical. Therefore, if the airbag 30 were composed of a single chamber, a configuration could be considered in which the airbag 30 is pre-bent with a tether or the like to conform to these curved areas. However, there are individual differences in the body shape of the wearer M. Therefore, in a configuration in which the airbag 30 is pre-bent with a tether or the like to conform to the neck MN and head MH of the wearer M, the shape of the airbag 30 may not be able to follow these individual differences, and there is a risk that the neck MN and head MH may not be adequately covered.

[0043] In contrast, in the configuration of this embodiment, the airbag 30 when inflation is complete comprises a lower chamber 30a, a middle chamber 30b located outside the lower chamber 30a and adjacent to the lower chamber 30a, and an upper chamber 30c located outside the middle chamber 30b and adjacent to the middle chamber 30b. Therefore, the relative movement of the lower chamber 30a, the middle chamber 30b, and the upper chamber 30c allows the airbag 30 to conform to the curved shape of the wearer M's neck MN and head MH. Thus, with the wearable airbag device 10 of this embodiment, even if the area to be protected of the wearer M is a curved area such as the neck MN or head MH, the airbag 30 can accurately cover the area to be protected of the wearer M.

[0044] Furthermore, since the airbag 30, when fully inflated, has three chambers—a lower chamber 30a, a middle chamber 30b, and an upper chamber 30c—the overall volume of the airbag 30 is smaller compared to a single chamber. Therefore, the airbag 30 can be inflated more quickly, making it easier to protect the wearer M.

[0045] Furthermore, the lower chamber 30a and the middle chamber 30b are connected only around the communication ports 30ah2, 30ah3, 30bh1, and 30bh2. By connecting the lower chamber 30a and the middle chamber 30b only at the minimum necessary points, the degree of freedom of relative movement between the lower chamber 30a and the middle chamber 30b is improved, thereby improving the airbag 30's ability to follow the curvature of the wearer M's neck MN and head MH.

[0046] Specifically, in this embodiment, the communication ports 30ah2, 30ah3, 30bh1, and 30bh2 are located in the left expansion section 30a1 and the right expansion section 30a2 of the lower chamber 30a, and in the left expansion section 30b1 and the right expansion section 30b2 of the middle chamber 30b. Therefore, with the above configuration, the degree of freedom of relative movement of the central expansion section 30a3 of the lower chamber 30a and the central expansion section 30b3 of the middle chamber 30b can be improved, thereby improving the ability to follow the curvature of the wearer's neck MN and the back of the head MH.

[0047] Similarly, the middle chamber 30b and the upper chamber 30c are connected only around the communication ports 30bh3, 30bh4, 30ch1, and 30ch2. By connecting the lower chamber 30a and the middle chamber 30b only where connection is minimally necessary, the degree of freedom of relative movement between the middle chamber 30b and the upper chamber 30c is improved, thereby improving the airbag 30's ability to follow the curvature of the wearer M's neck MN and head MH.

[0048] Specifically, in this embodiment, the communication ports 30bh3, 30bh4, 30ch1, and 30ch2 are located in the left expansion section 30b1 and the right expansion section 30b2 of the middle chamber 30b, and in the left expansion section 30c1 and the right expansion section 30c2 of the upper chamber 30c. Therefore, with the above configuration, the degree of freedom of relative movement of the central expansion section 30a3 of the middle chamber 30b and the central expansion section 30c3 of the upper chamber 30c can be improved, thereby improving the ability to follow the curvature of the wearer's neck MN and the back of the head MH.

[0049] Furthermore, the exhaust ports 30bh5 and 30bh6 of the middle chamber 30b are positioned opposite the lower chamber 30a when the middle chamber 30b and the lower chamber 30a have completed their inflation. As a result, the exhaust ports 30bh5 and 30bh6 are largely blocked by the lower chamber 30a until the airbag 30 deforms upon contact with the ground G, etc. Therefore, the internal pressure of the airbag 30 is maintained to preserve a large reaction force until the airbag 30 makes contact with the ground G, etc. After that, the inflation gas is released from the exhaust ports 30bh5 and 30bh6 to prevent the wearer M from being thrown upward by the reaction force of the airbag 30.

[0050] Furthermore, when the airbag 30 is fully inflated, the front end 30b3a of the central inflation portion 30b3 of the middle chamber 30b is positioned rearward relative to the front end 30a3a of the corresponding central inflation portion 30a3 of the lower chamber 30a, and the front end 30c3a of the central inflation portion 30c3 of the upper chamber 30c is positioned rearward relative to the front end 30b3a of the corresponding central inflation portion 30b3 of the middle chamber 30b. As a result, when these central inflation portions 30a3, 30b3, and 30c3 bend to follow the curvature of the wearer M's neck MN and head MH, the curvature tends to increase, allowing the central inflation portions 30a3, 30b3, and 30c3 to bend gently, reducing the load on the wearer M's neck MN and head MH from the central inflation portions 30a3, 30b3, and 30c3.

[0051] In this embodiment, the airbag 30, upon completion of inflation, has been described as having three chambers: a lower chamber 30a, a middle chamber 30b, and an upper chamber 30c. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. That is, the same effects can be obtained if the airbag 30, upon completion of inflation, has multiple chambers adjacent to each other. For example, the airbag 30, upon completion of inflation, may have two chambers: a lower chamber 30a and a middle chamber 30b, or two chambers: a middle chamber 30b and an upper chamber 30c. However, the more chambers there are, the better the airbag can conform to the curved shape of the wearer's neck MN and head MH. Therefore, it is preferable to have a configuration in which the airbag 30, upon completion of inflation, has three or more chambers, as in this embodiment.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the protected area of ​​the wearable airbag device 10 is the neck MN and head MH of the wearer M, and a configuration in which the airbag 30 covers these areas of the wearer M when inflation is complete has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same effects can be obtained even if the protected area of ​​the wearer M by the wearable airbag device 10 is a different part, and the airbag 30 covers that protected area of ​​the wearer M when inflation is complete. For example, if the protected area of ​​the wearer M by the wearable airbag device 10 is the waist, it is desirable for the airbag 30 to follow the waist of the wearer M when inflation is complete. Therefore, by arranging multiple chambers of the airbag 30 in a substantially horizontal direction when inflation is complete, the conformability of the airbag 30 to the waist of the wearer M can be improved compared to the case in which the airbag 30 is composed of a single chamber. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1...Vehicle, 10...Wearable airbag device, 11...Wearing device, 14...Gas generator, 30...Airbag, 30a...Lower chamber (1st chamber), 30a1...Left inflation section (1st left inflation section), 30a2...Right inflation section (1st right inflation section), 30a3...Central inflation section (1st central inflation section), 30ah2, 30ah3...Communication port, 30b...Middle chamber (1st chamber, 2nd chamber), 30b1...Left inflation section (1st left inflation section, 2nd left inflation section), 30b2...Right inflation section (1st right inflation section, 2nd right side expansion part), 30b3...Central expansion part (1st center expansion part, 2nd center expansion part), 30bh1, 30bh2, 30bh3, 30bh4...Communication port, 30bh5, 30bh6...Exhaust port, 30c...Upper chamber (2nd chamber), 30c1...Left side Inflatable part (second left inflation part), 30c2...right inflation part (second right inflation part), 30c3...central inflation part (second central inflation part), 30ch1, 30ch2...communication port, M...wearer (person to be protected), MH...head (part to be protected), MN...neck (part to be protected)

Claims

1. Equipment worn by the person under protection, An airbag is held in the aforementioned wearable device, inflates when inflation gas is supplied, and is configured to cover the protected area of ​​the person to be protected when inflation is complete. A gas generator held in the aforementioned wearable device and releasing inflation gas supplied to the airbag, Equipped with, When inflation is complete, the airbag The first chamber and, A second chamber is located outside the first chamber and adjacent to the first chamber, and the expansion gas is supplied from the first chamber to the second chamber through a communication port that connects the first chamber and the second chamber. A wearable airbag device characterized by having the following features.

2. The wearable airbag device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first chamber and the second chamber are arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical direction and are configured to cover at least one of the neck or head of the person to be protected from the rear.

3. The first chamber comprises a first left-side expansion section that covers the neck or head from the left side, a first right-side expansion section that covers the neck or head from the right side, and a first central expansion section that curves along the circumference of the neck or head of the person to be protected, connecting the first left-side expansion section and the first right-side expansion section, and covering the neck or head from the rear side. The wearable airbag device according to claim 2, characterized in that the second chamber comprises a second left-side inflation section positioned above the first left-side inflation section and covering the neck or head from the left side; a second right-side inflation section positioned above the first right-side inflation section and covering the neck or head from the right side; and a second central inflation section positioned above the first central inflation section, curving along the neck or head of the person to be protected, connecting the second left-side inflation section and the second right-side inflation section, and covering the neck or head from the rear.

4. The wearable airbag device according to claim 3, characterized in that the front end of the second central inflation section is positioned rearward relative to the front end of the first central inflation section.

5. The second chamber has an outlet which is an opening for discharging the expansion gas inside the second chamber to the outside. The wearable airbag device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the inflation of the first chamber and the second chamber is complete, the discharge port is positioned opposite the first chamber.

6. The wearable airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first chamber and the second chamber are connected only around the communication port.

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