Vehicle occupant restraint devices and vehicles

Abstract

The objective is to provide a vehicle occupant restraint device that can suppress the increase in mass of the rotating seat and allows the tongue to be easily released from the buckle even in the event of a side collision with the vehicle while the rotating seat is in a rearward-facing position, and to provide a vehicle equipped with such a device. [Solution] A vehicle occupant restraint device 30 is provided, comprising: a swivel seat 12 provided as the front seat of a vehicle 10 and capable of being changed between a forward-facing and rearward-facing position; a first buckle 40 and a second buckle 50 provided on the left and right sides of the swivel seat, respectively; a first seat belt device 32 provided on the B-pillar 26 side and having a first tongue 38 that can be attached to and detached from the first buckle 40 which is located inward in the vehicle width direction when the swivel seat 12 is in a forward-facing position; and a second seat belt device 42 provided on the instrument panel 22 side and having a second tongue 48 that can be attached to and detached from the second buckle 50 which is located inward in the vehicle width direction when the swivel seat 12 is in a rearward-facing position. The vehicle 10 is provided with this device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle occupant restraint device and a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] A vehicle in which the front seat is a rotating seat that can be changed between a forward-facing posture and a backward-facing posture, and a three-point seat belt for restraining a seated occupant is mounted on the rotating seat has been conventionally known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in such a configuration, it is necessary to increase the rigidity of the rotating seat so that the shoulder belt located at the occupant's chest in the seat belt can withstand the load, and the mass of the rotating seat significantly increases. Further, since the buckle of the rotating seat is set inside the vehicle width direction in accordance with the forward-facing posture, when the rotating seat is rotated to the backward-facing posture, the buckle is located outside the vehicle width direction. Therefore, if the side door enters inward in the vehicle width direction during a side collision of the vehicle, it becomes difficult to release the tongue from the buckle.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle occupant restraint device that can suppress an increase in the mass of the rotating seat and can easily release the tongue from the buckle even during a side collision of the vehicle when the rotating seat is in the backward-facing posture, and a vehicle equipped with the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, a first embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle occupant restraint device comprising: a rotating seat provided as the front seat of a vehicle and capable of being changed between a forward-facing and a rearward-facing position; a first buckle and a second buckle provided on the left and right sides of the rotating seat, respectively; a first seat belt device provided on the B-pillar side and having a first tongue that is detachable from the first buckle, which is located inward in the vehicle width direction when the rotating seat is in a forward-facing position; and a second seat belt device provided on the instrument panel side and having a second tongue that is detachable from the second buckle, which is located inward in the vehicle width direction when the rotating seat is in a rearward-facing position.

[0007] According to the first embodiment of the invention, a swivel seat that can be changed between a forward-facing and a rearward-facing position is provided as the front seat of the vehicle, and a first buckle and a second buckle are provided on both the left and right sides of the swivel seat, respectively. A first seat belt device is provided on the B-pillar side, having a first tongue that can be attached to and detached from the first buckle which is located inward in the vehicle width direction when the swivel seat is in a forward-facing position, and a second seat belt device is provided on the instrument panel side, having a second tongue that can be attached to and detached from the second buckle which is located inward in the vehicle width direction when the swivel seat is in a rearward-facing position.

[0008] Therefore, when the swivel seat is facing forward, the load of the shoulder belt in the seat belt is supported by the B-pillar, and when the swivel seat is facing backward, the load of the shoulder belt in the seat belt is supported by the instrument panel. Thus, there is no need to increase the rigidity of the swivel seat, and the increase in the mass of the swivel seat is suppressed. In addition, since the buckle used is always located on the inside in the vehicle width direction, the second buckle and second tongue can be easily released even in the event of a side collision of the vehicle when the swivel seat is facing backward.

[0009] Furthermore, a second embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle occupant restraint device comprising: a swivel seat provided as a rear seat of a vehicle and capable of being changed between a forward-facing and rearward-facing position; a first buckle and a second buckle provided on the left and right sides of the swivel seat, respectively; a first seat belt device provided on the C-pillar side and having a first tongue that is detachable from the first buckle, which is located inward in the vehicle width direction when the swivel seat is in a forward-facing position; and a second seat belt device provided on the B-pillar side and having a second tongue that is detachable from the second buckle, which is located inward in the vehicle width direction when the swivel seat is in a rearward-facing position.

[0010] According to the second embodiment of the invention, a swivel seat that can be changed between a forward-facing and a rearward-facing position is provided as the rear seat of the vehicle, and a first buckle and a second buckle are provided on both the left and right sides of the swivel seat, respectively. A first seat belt device is provided on the C-pillar side, having a first tongue that can be attached to and detached from the first buckle which is located inward in the vehicle width direction when the swivel seat is in a forward-facing position, and a second seat belt device is provided on the B-pillar side, having a second tongue that can be attached to and detached from the second buckle which is located inward in the vehicle width direction when the swivel seat is in a rearward-facing position.

[0011] Therefore, when the swivel seat is facing forward, the load of the shoulder belt in the seat belt is supported by the C-pillar, and when the swivel seat is facing backward, the load of the shoulder belt in the seat belt is supported by the B-pillar. Thus, there is no need to increase the rigidity of the swivel seat, and the increase in the mass of the swivel seat is suppressed. In addition, since the buckle used is always located on the inside in the width direction of the vehicle, the second tongue can be easily released from the second buckle even in the event of a side collision of the vehicle when the swivel seat is facing backward.

[0012] Furthermore, a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention comprises a vehicle occupant restraint device according to the first or second embodiment, a discrimination device provided on the rotating seat or floor for determining the orientation of the rotating seat, attachment / detachment detection devices provided on the first buckle and the second buckle, respectively, for detecting whether the first tongue or the second tongue is attached, a warning sound generating device for generating a warning sound to the occupant, and a control device in which the discrimination device, the attachment / detachment detection device and the warning sound generating device are electrically connected, wherein the control device is configured to control the warning sound generating device to generate a warning sound when the detection result of the attachment / detachment detection device is determined to be incompatible with the orientation of the rotating seat determined by the discrimination device, and the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed.

[0013] According to the third embodiment of the invention, a discriminant device for determining the orientation of the rotating seat is provided on the rotating seat or floor, and the first buckle and the second buckle are provided with attachment / detachment detection devices for detecting whether the first tongue or the second tongue is attached, respectively. The vehicle is also equipped with a warning sound generating device for emitting a warning sound to the occupants, and a control device in which the discriminant device, the attachment / detachment detection device and the warning sound generating device are electrically connected.

[0014] If the detection result of the attachment / detachment detection device determines that it does not match the orientation of the rotating seat determined by the discrimination device, and the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed, the control device controls the warning sound generator to produce a warning sound. Therefore, it is possible to prompt occupants seated in the rotating seat to properly fasten their seat belts. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the increase in mass of the rotating seat, and the tongue can be easily released from the buckle even when the rotating seat is in a rearward-facing position during a side collision with the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1]It is a schematic side view showing the state when the rotating seat of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the first embodiment is in the forward-facing posture. [Figure 2] It is a schematic plan view showing the state when the rotating seat of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the first embodiment is in the forward-facing posture. [Figure 3] It is a schematic side view showing the state when the rotating seat of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the first embodiment is in the backward-facing posture. [Figure 4] It is a schematic plan view showing the state when the rotating seat of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the first embodiment is in the backward-facing posture. [Figure 5] It is a schematic plan view showing the state when the rotating seat of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the second embodiment is in the forward-facing posture. ! [Figure 6] ! It is a schematic plan view showing the state when the rotating seat of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the second embodiment is in the backward-facing posture.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. For the sake of convenience of explanation, the arrow UP appropriately shown in each figure is the upward direction of the vehicle, the arrow FR is the forward direction of the vehicle, and the arrow RH is the right direction of the vehicle. Also, in the following description, when the directions of up and down, front and back, and left and right are described without special mention, they indicate up and down, front and back, and left and right in the vehicle. Further, the left and right directions are synonymous with the vehicle width direction and the seat width direction.

[0018] <First Embodiment> First, the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a rotating seat 12 that can be changed between a forward-facing posture and a backward-facing posture is provided in the front seat (first-row seat) of the vehicle 10 according to the first embodiment. In FIGS. 1 to 4, the rotating seat 12 of the right front seat of the vehicle 10 is shown, but the case of the rotating seat of the left front seat of the vehicle 10 is the same except for being symmetric left and right.

[0019] The rotating seat 12 includes a seat cushion 14 provided with a rotating plate (not shown) on the lower side, a seat back 16 provided at the rear end of the seat cushion 14 so as to be rotatable (reclining and forward tilting possible) with the seat width direction as the axial direction, and a headrest 18 provided at the center in the seat width direction at the upper end of the seat back 16 so as to be vertically movable.

[0020] In each figure, a state where a dummy doll (human dummy) for a collision test is seated on the seat cushion 14 of the rotating seat 12 is shown as a model of an occupant (seated person) to be protected. The dummy doll is, for example, AM50 (50th percentile of American adult males) for a side collision test dummy. Hereinafter, this dummy doll will be referred to as "occupant P".

[0021] The vehicle 10 is equipped with an occupant restraint device 30 for a vehicle according to the first embodiment. The occupant restraint device 30 for a vehicle according to the first embodiment is configured to include at least a rotating seat 12, a pair of left and right first buckles 40 and second buckles 50, a first seat belt device 32, and a second seat belt device 42.

[0022] Specifically, a pair of left and right first buckles 40 and second buckles 50 are provided on both left and right sides and the rear side of the seat cushion 14 of the rotating seat 12. When the rotating seat 12 is in the forward-facing posture, the first buckle 40 is located closer to the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and when the rotating seat 12 is in the rear-facing posture, the second buckle 50 is located closer to the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

[0023] On the side of the B-pillar (center pillar) 26, there is provided a first seat belt device 32 having a first tongue 38, which will be described later, that is detachable from the first buckle 40 located closer to the inner side in the vehicle width direction when the rotating seat 12 is in the forward-facing posture. The first seat belt device 32 includes a first seat belt 34 and a retractor 36 that has a winding shaft (not shown) to which one end of the first seat belt 34 is attached and winds and accommodates the one end side in a state of being biased in the winding direction.

[0024] Furthermore, the first seat belt device 32 includes a shoulder anchor 37 through which the other end of the first seat belt 34, which is pulled out from the retractor 36, is inserted and supported, and a first tongue 38 through which the first seat belt 34, which is inserted into the shoulder anchor 37, is inserted into an insertion hole 38A, thereby making it movable relative to the first seat belt 34.

[0025] The other end of the first seat belt 34 is fixed to the floor 20. The shoulder anchor 37 is located at the top of the B-pillar 26, and the retractor 36 is installed inside the lower end of the B-pillar 26. In the following, the portion of the first seat belt 34 that is placed over the chest of the occupant P will be referred to as the shoulder belt 34A.

[0026] On the instrument panel (hereinafter referred to as "instrument panel") 22 side, there is a second seat belt device 42 having a second tongue 48, which will be described later, that can be attached to and detached from a second buckle 50 located on the inside in the vehicle width direction when the rotating seat 12 is in a rearward-facing position. The second seat belt device 42 comprises a second seat belt 44 and a retractor 46 which has a winding shaft (not shown) to which one end of the second seat belt 44 is attached, and which winds and stores the second end of the second seat belt 44 while biased in the winding direction.

[0027] Furthermore, the second seat belt device 42 includes a shoulder anchor 47 to which the other end of the second seat belt 44, which is pulled out from the retractor 46, is hooked and guided, and a second tongue 48 which is movable relative to the second seat belt 44 when the second seat belt 44 is inserted through the insertion hole 48A.

[0028] The other end of the second seat belt 44 is fixed to the floor 20. The shoulder anchor 47 is provided on one side in the left-right direction at the upper end of the seat back 16, which is located outward in the vehicle width direction when the swivel seat 12 is in the rearward-facing position (see Figure 4). The retractor 46 is provided on the lower surface of the upper front part of the instrument panel 22.

[0029] Furthermore, a locking hook 24 is provided on the lower front part of the instrument panel 22 to secure the other end of the second seat belt 44, which is pulled out from the retractor 46 when the rotating seat 12 is in a forward-facing position, so as not to get in the way or spoil the appearance. In the following, the portion of the second seat belt 44 that is stretched over the chest of the occupant P will be referred to as the shoulder belt 44A.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the rotating seat 12 (for example, a rotating plate) is provided with a discrimination device 21 for determining the orientation of the rotating seat 12. Note that the discrimination device 21 may be provided on the floor 20 instead of the rotating seat 12. The first buckle 40 and the second buckle 50 are provided with attachment / detachment detection devices 41 and 51, respectively, for detecting whether the first tongue 38 or the second tongue 48 has been attached.

[0031] Furthermore, the vehicle 10 is equipped with a warning sound generator 23 that emits a warning sound to the occupant P, and a control device 25 in which the discrimination device 21, the attachment / detachment detection devices 41 and 51, and the warning sound generator 23 are electrically connected. The control device 25 is configured to control the warning sound generator 23 to emit a warning sound when the detection result of the attachment / detachment detection devices 41 and 51 is determined to be incompatible with the orientation of the rotating seat 12 determined by the discrimination device 21, and the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed.

[0032] The operation of the vehicle occupant restraint device 30 and vehicle 10 according to the first embodiment, which are configured as described above, will now be explained.

[0033] As described above, a swivel seat 12 that can be changed between a forward-facing and rearward-facing position is provided as the right front seat of the vehicle 10, and a first buckle 40 and a second buckle 50 are provided on both the left and right sides of the swivel seat 12, respectively. A first seat belt device 32 having a first tongue 38 that can be attached to and detached from the first buckle 40, which is located inward in the vehicle width direction when the swivel seat 12 is in a forward-facing position, is provided on the B-pillar 26 side, and a second seat belt device 42 having a second tongue 48 that can be attached to and detached from the second buckle 50, which is located inward in the vehicle width direction when the swivel seat 12 is in a rearward-facing position, is provided on the instrument panel 22 side.

[0034] Therefore, when the rotating seat 12 is in a forward-facing position, the load of the shoulder belt 34A of the first seat belt 34 is supported by the B-pillar 26, and when the rotating seat 12 is in a rearward-facing position, the load of the shoulder belt 44A of the second seat belt 44 is supported by the instrument panel 22. Thus, there is no need to increase the rigidity of the rotating seat 12, and an increase in the mass of the rotating seat 12 can be suppressed.

[0035] Furthermore, the buckle used is always the first buckle 40 or the second buckle 50, which is located on the inside in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle 10 with the rotating seat 12 in a forward-facing position, the first tongue 38 can be easily released from the first buckle 40, and in the event of a side collision of the vehicle 10 with the rotating seat 12 in a rearward-facing position, the second tongue 48 can be easily released from the second buckle 50.

[0036] Furthermore, the rotating seat 12 or the floor 20 is provided with a discrimination device 21 for determining the orientation of the rotating seat 12, and the first buckle 40 and the second buckle 50 are provided with attachment / detachment detection devices 41 and 51, respectively, for detecting whether the first tongue 38 or the second tongue 48 is attached. The vehicle 10 is also equipped with a warning sound generator 23 for emitting a warning sound to the occupant P, and a control device 25 in which the discrimination device 21, attachment / detachment detection devices 41 and 51, and warning sound generator 23 are electrically connected.

[0037] Here, if the control device 25 determines that the detection results of the attachment / detachment detection devices 41 and 51 are incompatible with the orientation of the rotating seat 12 determined by the discrimination device 21, and the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed, the control device 25 controls the warning sound generator 23 to generate a warning sound. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the occupant P seated in the rotating seat 12 to correctly fasten either the first seat belt 34 or the second seat belt 44.

[0038] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that parts equivalent to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0039] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the rear seats (second row seats) of the vehicle 10 according to the second embodiment are provided with swivel seats 12 that can be changed between a forward-facing and rearward-facing position. Although Figures 5 and 6 show the swivel seat 12 of the right rear seat of the vehicle 10, the swivel seat of the left rear seat of the vehicle 10 is similar, only symmetrical.

[0040] The occupant restraint device 30 for a vehicle according to the second embodiment is configured to include, similar to the first embodiment, at least a rotating seat 12, a pair of left and right first buckles 40 and second buckles 50, a first seat belt device 32, and a second seat belt device 42.

[0041] On the C-pillar (rear pillar) 28 side, there is a first seat belt device 32 having a first tongue 38 that can be attached to a first buckle 40 located inward in the vehicle width direction when the rotating seat 12 is in a forward-facing position. Specifically, the first seat belt device 32 comprises a first seat belt 34, a retractor (not shown), a shoulder anchor 37, and a first tongue 38. The other end of the first seat belt 34 is fixed to the floor 20. The shoulder anchor 37 is provided on the upper part of the C-pillar 28, and the retractor is installed inside the lower end of the C-pillar 28.

[0042] Furthermore, a second seat belt device 42 is provided on the B-pillar 26 side, which has a second tongue 48 that can be attached to and detached from a second buckle 50 located inward in the vehicle width direction when the rotating seat 12 is in a rearward-facing position. Specifically, the second seat belt device 42 comprises a second seat belt 44, a retractor (not shown), a shoulder anchor 47 equivalent to the shoulder anchor 37, and a second tongue 48. The other end of the second seat belt 44 is fixed to the floor 20. The shoulder anchor 47 is provided on the upper part of the B-pillar 26, and the retractor is installed inside the lower end of the B-pillar 26.

[0043] The operation of the vehicle occupant restraint device 30 and vehicle 10 according to the second embodiment, which have the configuration described above, will now be explained. Detailed explanations of operations equivalent to those of the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0044] As described above, a swivel seat 12 that can be changed between a forward-facing and rearward-facing position is provided as the right rear seat of the vehicle 10, and a first buckle 40 and a second buckle 50 are provided on both the left and right sides of the swivel seat 12, respectively. A first seat belt device 32 having a first tongue 38 that can be attached to and detached from the first buckle 40, which is located inward in the vehicle width direction when the swivel seat 12 is in a forward-facing position, is provided on the C-pillar 28 side, and a second seat belt device 42 having a second tongue 48 that can be attached to and detached from the second buckle 50, which is located inward in the vehicle width direction when the swivel seat 12 is in a rearward-facing position.

[0045] Therefore, when the rotating seat 12 is in a forward-facing position, the load of the shoulder belt 34A of the first seat belt 34 is supported by the C pillar 28, and when the rotating seat 12 is in a rearward-facing position, the load of the shoulder belt 44A of the second seat belt 44 is supported by the B pillar 26. Thus, there is no need to increase the rigidity of the rotating seat 12, and the increase in the mass of the rotating seat 12 can be suppressed.

[0046] Furthermore, the buckle used is always the first buckle 40 or the second buckle 50, which is located on the inside in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle 10 with the rotating seat 12 in a forward-facing position, the first tongue 38 can be easily released from the first buckle 40, and in the event of a side collision of the vehicle 10 with the rotating seat 12 in a rearward-facing position, the second tongue 48 can be easily released from the second buckle 50.

[0047] Furthermore, similar to the first embodiment described above, the rotating seat 12 or floor 20 is provided with a discrimination device 21 for determining the orientation of the rotating seat 12, and the first buckle 40 and the second buckle 50 are provided with attachment / detachment detection devices 41 and 51, respectively, for detecting whether the first tongue 38 or the second tongue 48 has been attached (see Figure 5).

[0048] Therefore, if the control device 25 determines that the detection result of the attachment / detachment detection devices 41 and 51 is incompatible with the orientation of the rotating seat 12 determined by the discrimination device 21, and the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed, the control device 25 controls the warning sound generator 23 to generate a warning sound. This prompts the occupant P seated in the rotating seat 12 to correctly fasten either the first seat belt 34 or the second seat belt 44.

[0049] The vehicle occupant restraint device 30 and vehicle 10 according to this embodiment have been described above based on the drawings. However, the vehicle occupant restraint device 30 and vehicle 10 according to this embodiment are not limited to those shown, and can be appropriately modified in design without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0050] For example, the discrimination device 21 is not limited to a rotating plate provided below the seat cushion 14 or a configuration provided on the floor 20, but may also consist of a camera (not shown) provided in the passenger compartment. In addition, in the second embodiment, the first seat belt device 32, etc., may be provided on the ceiling of the passenger compartment, etc., instead of the C pillar 28. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 10 vehicles 12 Rotating Seats 20 floors 21 Discrimination device 22. Instrument panel 23 Warning sound generator 25 Control device 26 B-pillar 28 C-pillar 30. Vehicle occupant restraint devices 32. First seat belt device 38 First Tongue 40. First buckle 41. Detachment detection device 42. Second seat belt device 48 Second tongue 50. Second buckle 51. Detachment detection device

Claims

1. A rotating seat, which can be positioned in the front of the vehicle and can be changed to face forward or backward, The first buckle and the second buckle are provided on the left and right sides of the aforementioned rotating seat, A first seat belt device having a first tongue that is attached to the first buckle located on the B-pillar side and is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction when the rotating seat is in a forward-facing position, A second seat belt device having a second tongue that is attached to the second buckle located on the instrument panel side and is positioned on the inside in the vehicle width direction when the rotating seat is in a rearward-facing position, A vehicle occupant restraint device equipped with the following features.

2. A swivel seat provided as the rear seat of the vehicle, which can be changed to face forward or backward, The first buckle and the second buckle are provided on the left and right sides of the aforementioned rotating seat, A first seat belt device having a first tongue that is attached to the first buckle located on the C-pillar side and is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction when the rotating seat is in a forward-facing position, A second seat belt device having a second tongue that is attached to the second buckle located on the B-pillar side and is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction when the rotating seat is in a rearward-facing position, A vehicle occupant restraint device equipped with the following features.

3. A vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1 or claim 2, A discriminant device provided on the rotating seat or floor for determining the orientation of the rotating seat, A device is provided on the first buckle and the second buckle, respectively, to detect whether the first tongue or the second tongue is attached, A warning sound generator that emits a warning sound to the occupants, A control device electrically connected to the aforementioned discrimination device, the aforementioned attachment / detachment detection device, and the aforementioned warning sound generating device, Equipped with, The control device is configured to generate a warning sound when the detection result of the attachment / detachment detection device is determined to be incompatible with the orientation of the rotating seat determined by the discrimination device, and the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed.

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