Occupant protection devices

Abstract

To provide an occupant protection device that can make an inflated airbag appropriately protect an occupant seated on a seat, regardless of differences of a seating position and of a seating attitude.SOLUTION: An occupant protection device S, which is configured to inflate an airbag 40 which can protect an occupant MP seated on a seat PS of a vehicle V, in accordance with a seating attitude of the occupant, is equipped with an attitude detecting device 15 and an airbag device 30 comprising an adjustment mechanism that can adjust an inflated shape of the airbag so that an occupant receiving part 46 that can receive a center of restraint of the occupant in the airbag completely inflated is arranged in accordance with the seating attitude of the occupant. The attitude detecting device comprises gravity center detecting means 15 that can detect a gravity center in an upper body of the occupant constituting the center of restraint and distance detecting means 19 that can detect a separation distance from the airbag device to the center of restraint. The gravity center detecting means detects the gravity center by image segmentation of the occupant photographed with a camera 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an occupant protection device configured to inflate an airbag capable of protecting an occupant seated in a vehicle seat in accordance with the seating position of the occupant. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been an occupant protection device that is configured to detect the center of gravity of an occupant seated in a seat, thereby inflating an airbag according to the seating posture of the occupant (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-17166 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This conventional passenger protection device is configured to detect the position of the center of gravity of the passenger sitting in the seat (specifically, whether or not the passenger has his / her arms resting on the armrest of the seat) using a camera, load sensor, etc., and to control the deployment of the airbag according to the position of the passenger's center of gravity. However, since this conventional passenger protection device is configured to control the inflation of the airbag with only the position of the passenger's center of gravity detected, it is difficult to respond to cases where the degree of freedom of the passenger's posture is further increased (forward / backward / upward / downward movement of the passenger's center of gravity), for example, during autonomous driving, etc.

[0005] The present invention is devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an occupant protection device that can optimally protect an occupant seated in a seat with an inflated airbag, regardless of the seating position or posture of the occupant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention relates to an occupant protection device that is configured to inflate an airbag capable of protecting an occupant seated in a vehicle seat in accordance with the seating posture of the occupant, A posture detection device capable of detecting the seating posture of an occupant; an airbag device including: an airbag having an occupant receiving portion capable of receiving a restraint center of an occupant when inflation is complete; a gas supplying member capable of supplying inflation gas to the airbag; and an adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the inflation form of the airbag so that the occupant receiving portion is positioned in accordance with the seating posture of the occupant; a control device that controls an adjustment mechanism in the airbag device and operates a gas supply member to inflate the airbag in response to the seating posture of an occupant detected by the posture detection device; The configuration includes: The posture detection device includes a center-of-gravity detection means capable of detecting the center of gravity of the upper body of the occupant, which constitutes the restraint center, and a distance detection means capable of detecting a distance from the airbag device to the restraint center, The center of gravity detection means is characterized by being based on image segmentation of the occupant captured by a camera.

[0007] In the passenger protection device of the present invention, the posture detection device capable of detecting the seating posture of the passenger includes a center of gravity detection means capable of detecting the center of gravity of the upper body that constitutes the restraint center of the passenger, and a distance detection means capable of detecting the distance from the airbag device to the restraint center, so that the inflation of the airbag can be controlled so as to appropriately adjust the inflation form according to the position of the restraint center and the distance from the airbag device. In addition, in the passenger protection device of the present invention, the center of gravity detection means is based on image segmentation of the passenger, so that the position of the center of gravity of the upper body of the passenger can be accurately detected, and the seating posture of the passenger can be accurately detected. Therefore, the passenger receiving portion of the airbag that has completed inflation can appropriately receive the restraint center of the passenger, and for example, the airbag that has completed inflation can appropriately protect both a passenger who is seated in a seat in a normal state and a passenger who is in a comfortable position seated in a reclined seat during automatic driving or the like.

[0008] Therefore, in the passenger protection device of the present invention, the passenger seated in the seat can be suitably protected by the inflated airbag even if the passenger's seating position or posture varies.

[0009] Furthermore, in the occupant protection device of the present invention, if the center of gravity detection means is configured to be capable of detecting the center of gravity of the occupant's head and the center of the line connecting the center of gravity of the occupant's left and right shoulders as the restraint center, this is preferable as it makes it possible to accurately detect the position of the restraint center at which the occupant is required to be protected by the airbag that has completed inflation, compared to a configuration that detects only one of them.

[0010] Furthermore, in the occupant protection device having the above-mentioned configuration, if the posture detection device is configured to include a tilt detection means that is attached to a seat belt that restrains the occupant and is capable of detecting the tilt of the occupant's upper body, by using the tilt detection means in addition to image segmentation, it becomes possible to detect the posture of the occupant's upper body with even greater accuracy, which is preferable.

[0011] Furthermore, in the occupant protection device having the above-mentioned configuration, if the camera is an in-vehicle camera of a drive recorder mounted in the vehicle, the in-vehicle camera of the drive recorder can be shared, and there is no need to install a separate camera for capturing images of the occupants, which is preferable. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view showing an occupant protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a partially enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing an airbag device in the occupant protection device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the left-right direction of a case in the airbag device of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 is a schematic perspective view of an airbag used in the airbag device of FIG. 2 in a state in which the airbag is inflated by itself, as viewed from the front. FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a schematic perspective view of the airbag of FIG. 4 as seen from the rear. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the airbag of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a state in which a passenger seated in a passenger seat has fastened a seat belt. [Figure 8] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a restraint center is detected from an image of an occupant captured by a camera; FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an occupant protection device according to an embodiment; [Figure 10] 4 is a schematic side view of the occupant protection device according to the embodiment, showing a state in which an airbag has completed inflation in a state in which a normally seated occupant is detected to be seated; FIG. [Figure 11] 4 is a schematic plan view of the occupant protection device according to the embodiment, showing a state in which an airbag has completed inflation in a state in which a normally seated occupant is detected to be seated; FIG. [Figure 12] 4 is a schematic side view of the occupant protection device according to the embodiment, showing a state in which an airbag has completed inflation upon detection of a seated occupant in a comfortable position; FIG. [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic plan view of an occupant protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which an airbag has completed inflation when a seated occupant on the right side is detected; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, an occupant protection device S for protecting an occupant MP (passenger in a passenger seat) seated in a passenger seat PS of a vehicle V will be described as an example.

[0014] 1 and 7, the passenger protection device S includes an airbag device 30 for a passenger seat having an airbag 40 capable of protecting an occupant MP seated in the passenger seat PS, a posture detection device 15 capable of detecting the seating posture of the occupant MP seated in the passenger seat PS, and a control device 65. In the embodiment, the passenger seat PS in which the occupant MP sits is equipped with a three-point restraint type seat belt 3. The vehicle V is equipped with a collision detection sensor 60 composed of an acceleration sensor or the like and capable of detecting a collision of the vehicle V, and a collision prediction sensor 61 composed of a millimeter wave radar or the like and capable of predicting a collision of the vehicle V, which are electrically connected to the control device 65.

[0015] 1 and 7, the seat belt 3 includes a belt body 4 for restraining an occupant MP seated on the passenger seat PS, a tongue plate 5 attached to the belt body 4, a buckle 6 for connecting the tongue plate 5, and a retractor 7 provided on the vehicle body 1 side (in the case of the embodiment, in the area of ​​the center pillar 1a of the vehicle V) capable of winding up the belt body 4. One end of the belt body 4 is fastened to a winding shaft of the retractor 7 and protrudes from the center pillar 1a, while the other end side is fastened to an anchor member (not shown) arranged on the left side of the rear end of the seat part of the passenger seat PS. As shown in FIG. 5, the buckle 6 is arranged on the right side of the rear end of the seat part of the passenger seat PS. The belt body 4 includes a shoulder belt 4a that is arranged at an incline with respect to the vertical direction when the tongue plate 5 is connected to the buckle 6 with the occupant seated (when the occupant is wearing the seat), and a lap belt 4b that is connected to the shoulder belt 4a and arranged so as to extend approximately along the horizontal direction (see FIG. 7).

[0016] In the embodiment, the posture detection device 15 is configured to include a center of gravity detection means 17 capable of detecting the restraint center MC (center of gravity of the upper body MU) of an occupant MP seated in the passenger seat (seat) PS, a distance detection means 19 capable of detecting the distance from the airbag device 30 to the restraint center MC of the occupant MP, and an inclination detection means 24 installed on the seat belt 3 that restrains the occupant MP and capable of detecting the inclination of the upper body MU of the occupant MP.

[0017] The center of gravity detection means 17 is for detecting the restraint center MC of the occupant MP restrained by the airbag 40 that has completed inflation, and more specifically, for detecting the center of gravity of the upper body MU of the occupant MP that constitutes the restraint center MC. Specifically, in the embodiment, the center of gravity detection means 17 is based on image segmentation of the occupant MP captured by the camera 12, and in the case of the embodiment, it is configured to be able to detect the head center of gravity HG of the occupant MP and the center of the line connecting the shoulder centers of gravity SGL, SGR of the left and right shoulders MS of the occupant MP (hereinafter, referred to as the shoulder center) SC as the restraint center MC of the occupant MP. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the center of gravity detection means 17 is able to detect (calculate) the head center of gravity HG of the head MH of the occupant MP by image analysis of the image PH of the occupant MP captured by the camera 12, and is able to detect the shoulder centers of gravity SGL, SGR of the left and right shoulders MS of the occupant MP, and to determine and calculate the center of the line connecting the shoulder centers of gravity SGL, SGR (shoulder center) SC. The camera 12 used is an in-vehicle camera of a drive recorder mounted on the vehicle V. The camera 12 (in-vehicle camera of the drive recorder) is mounted in an overhead console (specifically, a light provided in the overhead console, not shown, above the instrument panel 10) in front of and above the passenger seat PS, as shown in Fig. 1. The camera 12 is set to constantly capture an image of the state of the occupant MP when the engine is running, and the center-of-gravity detection means 17 is set to constantly detect the restraint center MC (center of gravity HG of the head and center between the shoulders SC) of the occupant MP when the engine is running.

[0018] 1 and 7, the distance detection means 19 includes a millimeter wave radar 20 provided on the instrument panel 10 side and a detection target 21 provided on the seat belt 3 side worn by the occupant MP. In the embodiment, the millimeter wave radar 20 is provided on the upper front side of the instrument panel 10 in front of the passenger seat PS, at a position substantially identical to that of the camera 12 (specifically, a position substantially directly above the airbag device 30), as shown in FIG. 1. The detection target 21 provided on the seat belt 3 side is made of an electromagnetic wave blocking material (such as a thin metal plate) that is impermeable to (reflects) millimeter waves irradiated from the millimeter wave radar 20, and in the embodiment, the detection target 21 is provided in two places on the shoulder belt 4a of the seat belt 3, that is, an area located near the shoulder MS (specifically, near the shoulder center SC) when worn, and a position near the buckle 6 (see FIGS. 1 and 7). In this distance detection means 19, the millimeter wave radar 20 is constantly operating when the engine is running, and the distance detection means 19 is set to constantly detect the separation distance between the millimeter wave radar 20 and the detected object 21 (i.e., the separation distance between the airbag device 30 in front of the passenger seat PS and the restraint center MC of the occupant MP).

[0019] The inclination detection means 24 capable of detecting the inclination of the upper body MU of the occupant MP is installed on the shoulder belt 4a of the seat belt 3 worn by the occupant MP, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7. Specifically, the inclination detection means 24 is arranged on the shoulder belt 4a near the shoulder MS of the occupant MP when the occupant MP is wearing the seat belt 3 (in the embodiment, in the region near the above-mentioned detection target 21, near the center SC between the shoulders). In the embodiment, a gyro sensor is used as the inclination detection means 24. The inclination detection means 24 is not limited to a gyro sensor, and an acceleration sensor or a geomagnetic sensor can also be used. This inclination detection means 24 is also set so as to constantly detect the inclination of the upper body MU of the occupant MP when the engine is running with the occupant MP wearing the seat belt 3.

[0020] The airbag device 30 is mounted on a portion of the instrument panel 10 in front of an occupant MP seated in the passenger seat PS, and includes an airbag 40, an inflator 33 as a gas supply member that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 40, a case 37 as a storage portion for storing the folded airbag 40 and the inflator 33, an airbag cover 31 that covers the folded airbag 40, and a tether mechanism 50 as an adjustment mechanism that can adjust the inflation form of the airbag 40, as shown in Fig. 2. In the embodiment, the airbag device 30 is a mid-mount type that is disposed inside the upper rear end side of the instrument panel 10 (see Fig. 1).

[0021] In this embodiment, the airbag cover 31 is formed integrally with the synthetic resin instrument panel 10, and is configured so that when the airbag 40 is deployed and inflated, the two front and rear doors 31a, 31b are pushed open by the airbag 40. In addition, a connecting wall 31c that is connected to a peripheral wall 37c of the case 37 is formed around the doors 31a, 31b of the airbag cover 31.

[0022] The inflator 33 serving as a gas supply member includes a substantially cylindrical main body portion 33a having a plurality of gas discharge ports 33b, and a flange portion 33c for mounting the inflator 33 to the case 37.

[0023] 1 and 2, the case 37 is provided with a substantially rectangular parallelepiped bottom wall 37a into which the inflator 33 is inserted from the front to be attached, and a substantially rectangular tubular peripheral wall 37c extending upward from the outer periphery of the bottom wall 37a to engage the connecting wall 31c of the airbag cover 31. In the embodiment, the bottom wall 37a of the case 37 is disposed substantially along the vertical direction and has an insertion hole (reference number omitted) at the center for inserting the inflator 33, and substantially slit-shaped through holes 37b are disposed at four positions above, below, left and right of the insertion hole for inserting four tether bodies 51U, 51D, 51L, and 51R of the tether mechanism 50 (described later) therethrough (see FIG. 3). On the front side of the bottom wall 37a of the case 37, payout devices 52U, 52D, 52L, and 52R of the tether mechanism 50, which will be described later, are disposed around the periphery of the through hole 37b (see Figs. 2 and 3). The airbag 40 and the inflator 33 are connected to the bottom wall 37a of the case 37 by fastening the bolts 34a of the retainer 34 disposed inside the airbag 40 as attachment means through the periphery of an inflow opening 42, which will be described later, of the airbag 40, the bottom wall 37a of the case 37, and the flange 33c of the inflator 33, and fastening with nuts 35. The case 37 is connected to the body side of the vehicle V by using a bracket (not shown).

[0024] The airbag 40 is formed from a flexible sheet (in the embodiment, a flexible woven fabric made of polyamide yarn, polyester yarn, or the like) and is in a bag shape that can be inflated by the inflation gas discharged from the inflator 33 flowing into the inside. The airbag 40 includes an occupant side wall portion 46 that is disposed on the occupant MP side when inflation is complete, and a tapered peripheral wall portion 41 that extends forward from the periphery of the occupant side wall portion 46 and converges toward the front end side, and has an outer shape that is substantially quadrangular pyramid-shaped when inflated alone (see Figs. 4 to 6). An inflow opening 42 is formed on the front end 41a side of the peripheral wall portion 41, opening in a substantially circular shape to allow the inflation gas to flow into the inside, and the periphery of which is attached to the bottom wall portion 37a of the case 37. A plurality of (four in this embodiment) mounting holes 43 are formed on the periphery of the inflow opening 42 for inserting the bolts 34a of the retainer 34 therethrough to mount the periphery of the inflow opening 42 to the bottom wall portion 37a of the case 37. In addition, slit-shaped insertion holes 44 are formed at four locations on the top, bottom, left and right of the periphery of the inflow opening 42, respectively, through which the four tether bodies 51U, 51D, 51L, 51R of the tether mechanism 50 can be inserted.

[0025] In the airbag 40 of the embodiment, the occupant side wall portion 46 constitutes an occupant receiving portion that can receive the restraint center MC of the occupant MP when the airbag 40 is fully inflated. In the embodiment, the airbag 40 is configured so that the fully inflated shape when the tether mechanism 50 as an adjustment mechanism is not activated is arranged so that the occupant side wall portion 46 is aligned substantially vertically and horizontally (see FIG. 6). In the embodiment of the occupant protection device S, when protecting an occupant MP (normally seated occupant MP0) seated in the passenger seat PS positioned in the normal state with the restraint center MC approximately aligned with the left-right center of the passenger seat PS, the airbag 40 is configured to inflate with the tether mechanism 50 in an inactivated state (a state in which the length dimensions of the tether main bodies 51U, 51D, 51L, 51R are the initial length dimensions), and the airbag 40 is configured so that when the tether mechanism 50 is inactivated, the occupant side wall portion 46 is positioned approximately along the upper body MU of the normally seated occupant MP0, close to the front of the upper body MU (see Figures 10 and 11). In addition, when the airbag 40 is in a fully inflated state with the tether mechanism 50 in a non-operated state, the vertical width dimensions and horizontal width dimensions of the occupant side wall portion 46 are set to dimensions that enable the occupant side wall portion 46 (occupant receiving portion) to stably receive the restraint center MC of a normally seated occupant MP0 (dimensions that can widely cover the upper body MU in all directions) (see the dashed double-dashed line in Figure 7).

[0026] The tether mechanism 50, which serves as an adjustment mechanism, is capable of adjusting the inflation form of the airbag 40 by changing the position and shape of the occupant side wall portion 46, which serves as the occupant receiving portion, in accordance with the seating posture of the occupant MP when the airbag 40 is fully inflated. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 to 6, the tether mechanism 50 includes four tether bodies 51U, 51D, 51L, 51R and four pay-out devices 52U, 52D, 52L, 52R that are arranged on the case 37 side and are configured to be able to pay out each tether body 51U, 51D, 51L, 51R.

[0027] The four tether bodies 51U, 51D, 51L, 51R are formed of flexible band-shaped bodies, and can be reeled out from the reeling devices 52U, 52D, 52L, 52R, respectively, with the end portions 51a connected to the upper region 46a, the lower region 46b, the left region 46c, and the right region 46d of the occupant-side wall portion 46. The length dimension (initial length dimension) of each of the tether bodies 51U, 51D, 51L, 51R in a non-operated state of the reeling devices 52U, 52D, 52L, 52R is set to a dimension that allows the tether bodies 51U, 51D, 51L, 51R to be positioned close to the front side of the upper body MU of a normally seated occupant MP0 seated in the passenger seat PS positioned in a normal state, as described above, and to be positioned substantially along the upper body MU.

[0028] The unwinding devices 52U, 52D, 52L, 52R capable of unwinding each of the tether bodies 51U, 51D, 51L, 51R are disposed around the inflator 33 (at positions above, below, left and right of the inflator 33) on the front side of the bottom wall portion 37a of the case 37 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Although not shown in detail, each of the unwinding devices 52U, 52D, 52L, 52R is configured to include a winding roller capable of winding up the end 51b side of the tether body 51U, 51D, 51L, 51R, a drive mechanism that drives the winding roller to rotate so as to unwind or wind up the tether body, and a stop mechanism that stops the rotational drive of the winding roller. Each of these pay-out devices 52U, 52D, 52L, 52R is configured to constantly pay out or reel in the tether body 51U, 51D, 51L, 51R in accordance with the seated posture and position of the occupant MP which is constantly detected by the posture detection device 15, thereby adjusting the length of the tether body 51U, 51D, 51L, 51R, and when the collision prediction sensor 61 predicts a collision of the vehicle V, the rotation of the winding roller is stopped by the stopping mechanism, thereby determining the length of the tether body 51U, 51D, 51L, 51R.

[0029] The control device 65 controls the tether mechanism 50 as an adjustment mechanism provided in the airbag device 30 according to the seating posture of the occupant MP, and operates the inflator 33 as a gas supply member to inflate the airbag 40. As described above, the control device 65 is electrically connected to the collision detection sensor 60, the collision prediction sensor 61, the center of gravity detection means 17, the distance detection means 19, the inclination detection means 24 constituting the posture detection device 15, the payout devices 52U, 52D, 52L, and 52R of the tether mechanism 50 as an adjustment mechanism, and the inflator 33. As shown in FIG. 9, the control device 65 also includes a posture determination unit 66, a collision prediction acquisition unit 67, and a collision detection acquisition unit 68. As described above, the control device 65 constantly detects the seating posture and position of the occupant MP by the posture detection device 15, and constantly controls the operation of the payout devices 52U, 52D, 52L, and 52R of the tether mechanism 50. When the collision prediction sensor 61 predicts a collision of the vehicle V, the operation of each payout device 52U, 52D, 52L, and 52R of the tether mechanism 50 is stopped and the length of the tether main bodies 51U, 51D, 51L, and 51R is determined, and when the collision detection sensor 60 detects a collision of the vehicle V, the inflator 33 is activated to inflate the airbag 40 in an inflation form that corresponds to the seating posture of the occupant MP.

[0030] In the occupant protection device S of the embodiment, the posture detection device 15 capable of detecting the seated posture of the occupant MP includes center-of-gravity detection means 17 capable of detecting the center of gravity of the upper body MU constituting the restraint center MC of the occupant MP, and distance detection means 19 capable of detecting the distance from the airbag device 30 to the restraint center MC, so that the inflation of the airbag 40 can be controlled so as to appropriately adjust the inflation form according to the position of the restraint center MC and the distance from the airbag device 30. Also, in the occupant protection device S of the embodiment, the center-of-gravity detection means 17 is based on image segmentation of the occupant MP, so that the position of the center of gravity of the upper body MU of the occupant MP can be accurately detected, and the seated posture of the occupant MP can be accurately detected. Therefore, the occupant receiving portion (occupant side wall portion 46) of the airbag 40 which has been fully inflated can optimally receive the restraint center MC of the occupant MP, and, for example, an occupant seated in a seat in a normal seating position, as well as an occupant in a comfortable position seated in a reclined seat during autonomous driving, etc., can be optimally protected by the airbag 40 which has been fully inflated.

[0031] Therefore, in the occupant protection device S of the embodiment, the occupant MP seated in the seat (passenger seat PS) can be suitably protected by the inflated airbag 40 even if the seating position or seating posture is different.

[0032] In addition, in the occupant protection device S of the embodiment, the center of gravity detection means 17 is configured to be able to detect the center of gravity HG of the head of the occupant MP and the center of the line connecting the shoulder centers of gravity SGL, SGR of the left and right shoulders MS of the occupant MP (shoulder center SC) as the restraint center MC. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which only one of them is detected, the position of the restraint center MC at which protection by the airbag that has completed inflation is required in the occupant MP can be detected with high accuracy. Note that, in the embodiment, the configuration is configured to be able to detect only the head center of gravity HG and the shoulder centers of gravity SGL, SGR by image segmentation, but in order to further improve accuracy, the configuration may be configured to detect the centers of gravity of the waist (left and right femoral trochanters) and the centers of gravity of the left and right elbows in addition to the head center of gravity and the shoulder centers of gravity.

[0033] Furthermore, in the occupant protection device S of the embodiment, the posture detection device 15 is configured to include a tilt detection means 24 that is installed on the seat belt 3 that restrains the occupant MP and is capable of detecting the tilt of the upper body MU of the occupant MP. Therefore, by using the tilt detection means 24 in addition to image segmentation, the posture of the upper body MU of the occupant MP can be detected with even greater accuracy. If such a point is not taken into consideration, a configuration without providing a tilt detection means may be used.

[0034] Furthermore, in the occupant protection device S of the embodiment, since the camera 12 is configured to use the in-vehicle camera of the drive recorder mounted on the vehicle V, the in-vehicle camera of the drive recorder can be shared and there is no need to install a separate camera for capturing images of the occupants. Of course, if such a point is not taken into consideration, a separate camera for capturing images of the occupants may be installed in addition to the in-vehicle camera of the drive recorder.

[0035] The protection of the passenger MP by the passenger protection device S of the embodiment will be described in detail below. For convenience, the embodiment will be described assuming that the passenger seat PS itself does not move forward or backward. The protection of the passenger MP described below is always for the case of a collision from the front of the vehicle V (frontal collision).

[0036] When an occupant MP (normally seated occupant MP0) seated in the passenger seat PS in a normal state (with the backrest not reclined) with the restraint center MC substantially aligned with the left-right center of the passenger seat PS is detected, the airbag 40 inflates with the tether mechanism 50 in an inoperative state (with the length dimensions of the tether bodies 51U, 51D, 51L, 51R set to the initial length dimensions). Then, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the airbag 40 completes inflation so that the occupant side wall portion 46 (occupant receiving portion) is positioned close to the front of the upper body MU of the normally seated occupant MP0 while being substantially aligned with the upper body MU of the normally seated occupant MP0 (along the vertical and horizontal directions), and the upper body MU, including the head MH, of the normally seated occupant MP0 can be accurately received by the occupant side wall portion 46 (occupant receiving portion).

[0037] Also, for example, when an occupant MP (occupant MP1 in a comfortable posture) seated in the passenger seat PS with the backrest reclined and the restraint center MC substantially aligned with the center of the passenger seat PS is detected, the tether mechanism 50 is operated to pay out the tether body 51U arranged on the upper side by a predetermined length, and the tether bodies 51L, 51R arranged on the left and right sides are paid out by a predetermined amount smaller than that of the upper tether body 51U (i.e., in a state where only the payout device 52D is inoperative (only the tether body 51D has an initial length dimension)), and the airbag 40 is inflated. In this inflation form, the airbag 40 completes inflation so that the occupant side wall portion 46 (occupant receiving portion) is positioned so that the upper region 46a is positioned rearward relative to the lower region 46b when viewed from the left and right direction, as shown in FIG. 12, and is largely inclined in the vertical direction. In other words, the airbag 40 completes inflation by aligning the occupant side wall portion 46 (occupant receiving portion) approximately along the upper body MU of the relaxed posture occupant MP1, and the occupant side wall portion 46 (occupant receiving portion) can accurately receive the upper body MU, including the head MH, of the relaxed posture occupant MP1.

[0038] Furthermore, for example, when an occupant MP is detected seated in the passenger seat PS, which is positioned in a normal state with the restraint center MC shifted to the left or right relative to the airbag device 30 (passenger seat PS), leaning against an armrest not shown (Figure 13 shows an example of a right-side moving occupant MP2 seated with the restraint center MC shifted to the right), the airbag 40 is inflated in a state in which the tether mechanism 50 is activated so that the tether body 51R located on the right side, which is the moving side of the restraint center MC, is paid out a predetermined length, and the tether bodies 51U, 51D located on the upper and lower sides are paid out a predetermined amount with a smaller payout amount than the right tether body 51R (i.e., in a state in which only the payout device 52L is inactivated (only the tether body 51D has its initial length dimension)). In this inflation form, the airbag 40 completes inflation so that the occupant side wall portion 46 (occupant receiving portion) is positioned with the right side region 46d rearward (on the occupant side) relative to the left side region 46c when viewed from the up-down direction, and is arranged at a large incline in the left-right direction, as shown in Fig. 13. That is, the airbag 40 completes inflation so that the right side of the occupant side wall portion 46 (occupant receiving portion), which is the upper body MU side of the right moving occupant MP2, is close to the front side of the upper body MU, so that the upper body MU of the right moving occupant MP2 moving forward can be quickly received by the right side region 46d of the occupant side wall portion 46 (occupant receiving portion), and the upper body MU including the head MH of the right moving occupant MP2 can be accurately received.

[0039] As a result, in the embodiment of the occupant protection device S, even if the seating posture of the occupant MP is different, the inflation form of the airbag 40 can be adjusted according to the seating posture of the occupant MP, and the airbag 40 can suitably protect the occupants MP (MP0, MP1, MP2) seated in various seating postures.

[0040] In the embodiment, the inflation form of the airbag 40 is adjusted according to the seating posture of the occupant MP, but for example, a separate sensor may be arranged to detect the physique and bone density of the occupant MP, and the inflation form of the airbag 40 may be adjusted according to the physique and bone density of the occupant MP in addition to the seating posture of the occupant MP. In the embodiment, the tether mechanism 50 that can change the shape of the occupant side wall portion 46 (occupant receiving portion) of the airbag 40 (specifically, the position and inclination of the occupant side wall portion 46 at the time of completion of inflation) is used as an adjustment mechanism that can adjust the inflation form of the airbag 40, but the adjustment mechanism that can adjust the inflation form of the airbag is not limited to the tether mechanism. For example, a drive mechanism that can move the airbag device itself (case) relative to the instrument panel (vehicle body side) (specifically, rotational movement in the vertical direction and sliding movement in the horizontal direction) may be provided, and the drive mechanism may be used as an adjustment mechanism to adjust the direction of deployment of the airbag. Furthermore, an internal pressure adjustment mechanism for adjusting the internal pressure of the airbag when it is fully inflated may be used as the adjustment mechanism, such as providing the airbag with a vent hole that can change the opening area and change the amount of inflation gas discharged, so that the internal pressure of the airbag when it is fully inflated can be changed as needed. Also, a plurality of inflators may be arranged as gas supply members for supplying inflation gas to the airbag, and the inflated form of the airbag may be varied by varying the operation timing of the inflators. Furthermore, a plurality of airbags with relatively small volumes may be arranged as the airbag, and each of them may be inflated as needed, or the inside of the airbag may be divided into a plurality of regions, and each region may be inflated as needed, so that the inflated form of the airbag may be varied. Of course, a plurality of these mechanisms may be arranged in parallel to form an adjustment mechanism.

[0041] In the embodiment, for convenience, the description is limited to the case of a frontal collision of the vehicle V with the passenger seat PS not moved forward or backward, but the state in which the occupant protection device of the present invention can be operated is not limited to the embodiment. For example, the configuration may be such that the posture of an occupant sitting in the passenger seat when the passenger seat is moved forward or backward relative to the vehicle is detected, and the inflation form of the airbag is adjusted so that the occupant can be appropriately protected not only in a frontal collision, but also in an oblique collision or an offset collision of the vehicle.

[0042] In addition, in the embodiment, an occupant protection device S that protects an occupant MP seated in the passenger seat PS is used as an example for explaining the invention, however, the invention is of course not limited to the passenger seat and can be applied to protect a driver seated in the driver's seat or an occupant seated in the rear seat. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 3...seat belt, 7...retractor, 7a...gyro sensor, 12...camera, 15...attitude detection device, 17...center of gravity detection means, 19...distance detection means, 24...tilt detection means, 30...airbag device, 33...inflator (gas supply member), 40...airbag, 46...occupant side wall portion (occupant receiving portion), 50...tether mechanism (adjustment mechanism), 65...control device, MP (MP0, MP1, MP2)...occupant, MC...restraint center, MH...head, HG...head center of gravity, MS...shoulder, SGL, SGR...shoulder center of gravity, PS...passenger seat (seat), V...vehicle, S...occupant protection device.

Claims

1. An occupant protection device configured to inflate an airbag capable of protecting an occupant seated in a vehicle seat in accordance with the seating posture of the occupant, a posture detection device capable of detecting the seating posture of the occupant; an airbag device including: the airbag having an occupant receiving portion capable of receiving a restraint center of the occupant when inflation is complete; a gas supplying member capable of supplying inflation gas to the airbag; and an adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the inflation form of the airbag so that the occupant receiving portion is positioned in accordance with the seating posture of the occupant; a control device that controls the adjustment mechanism in the airbag device and operates the gas supply member to inflate the airbag in response to the seating posture of the occupant detected by the posture detection device; The configuration includes: the attitude detection device includes a center-of-gravity detection means capable of detecting a center of gravity of an upper body of the occupant that constitutes the restraint center, and a distance detection means capable of detecting a distance from the airbag device to the restraint center, The center of gravity detection means is based on image segmentation of the occupant captured by a camera, an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the inflation shape of the airbag in accordance with a position of the restraint center and a distance between the restraint center and the airbag device.

2. An occupant protection device configured to inflate an airbag capable of protecting an occupant seated in a vehicle seat in accordance with the seating posture of the occupant, a posture detection device capable of detecting the seating posture of the occupant; an airbag device including: the airbag, which is mounted at a position in front of the occupant and has an occupant receiving portion capable of receiving a restraint center of the occupant when inflation is complete; a gas supplying member capable of supplying inflation gas to the airbag; and an adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the inflation form of the airbag so that the occupant receiving portion is positioned in accordance with the seating posture of the occupant; a control device that controls the adjustment mechanism in the airbag device and operates the gas supply member to inflate the airbag in response to the seating posture of the occupant detected by the posture detection device; The configuration includes: the attitude detection device includes a center-of-gravity detection means capable of detecting a center of gravity of an upper body of the occupant that constitutes the restraint center, and a distance detection means capable of detecting a distance from the airbag device to the restraint center, The center of gravity detection means is based on image segmentation of the occupant captured by a camera, The airbag is configured to include an occupant side wall portion that is disposed on the occupant side when inflation is completed, as the occupant receiving portion, an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position and shape of the occupant side wall portion of the airbag when it is fully inflated, the adjustment mechanism being composed of a tether mechanism that enables the position and shape of the occupant side wall portion of the airbag to be changed depending on the seating position of the occupant.

3. 3. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the center of gravity detection means is configured to detect, as the restraint center, the center of a line connecting the center of gravity of the head of the occupant and the center of the shoulder centers of gravity of the left and right shoulders of the occupant.

4. The occupant protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the posture detection device is configured to include an inclination detection means that is installed on a seat belt that restrains the occupant and is capable of detecting an inclination of the upper body of the occupant.

5. 5. The passenger protection device according to claim 1, wherein the camera is an in-vehicle camera of a drive recorder mounted on the vehicle.

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