occupant restraint system

Abstract

To restrict forward movement of an occupant by rapidly upward-lifting a seat cushion.SOLUTION: An occupant restraint device includes: a seat cushion 6; a seat frame 4 to which the seat cushion 6 is mounted; an air-bag G arranged between the seat cushion 6 and the seat frame 4; and an inflator 3 for supplying gas to the air-bag G. The air-bag G has a first chamber 1, and a second chamber 2 coupled to a front part on a lower surface side of the first chamber 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an occupant restraint device. [Background technology]

[0002] Various airbag and seatbelt systems have been developed to restrain occupants in the event of a vehicle collision. In a frontal collision, the lumbar region of an occupant restrained in a vehicle seat by a seatbelt system may slip under the lap belt, creating a "submarine phenomenon." To address this issue, a system has been proposed that raises the front of the seat cushion by inflating an airbag located under the seat cushion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-199979 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an occupant restraint device that quickly lifts a seat cushion upward to restrain the occupant from moving forward. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The occupant restraint device of the present invention comprises a seat cushion, a seat frame on which the seat cushion is mounted, an airbag arranged between the seat cushion and the seat frame, and an inflator that supplies gas to the airbag, wherein the airbag has a first chamber and a second chamber connected to the front part of the underside of the first chamber.

[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, the seat frame has a pair of side frames extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat, a front frame bridging the front portions of the pair of side frames, and a rear frame bridging the rear portions of the pair of side frames, and the inflator is positioned rearward of the first chamber and fixed to the rear frame.

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, the first chamber has a first panel on the upper side and a second panel on the lower side, the rear end of the first panel is a rear end extension portion that extends rearward beyond the rear end of the second panel, a first bolt insertion hole is formed in the rear end extension portion of the first panel, and a second bolt insertion hole is formed in the rear end portion of the second panel, and a stud bolt erected from the side of the inflator is inserted through the second bolt insertion hole and then inserted through the first bolt insertion hole of the rear end extension portion that is folded back to the lower side.

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, a communication port that communicates the first chamber with the second chamber is provided rearward of the center in the front-rear direction of the second chamber.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, the first chamber has a first panel on the upper surface side and a second panel on the lower surface side, and a circular seam is provided to join the first panel and the second panel.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, the seat frame has a pair of side frames extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat, a front frame bridging the front portions of the pair of side frames, and a rear frame bridging the rear portions of the pair of side frames, and the inflator is positioned at the left and right widthwise ends of the first chamber and fixed to the side frames. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the seat cushion can be quickly lifted upward to prevent the occupant from moving forward. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of an airbag according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the airbag as viewed from below. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a base frame of the vehicle seat. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of attaching an airbag to a base frame. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an airbag in a normal state. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an inflated airbag. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a plan view of an airbag according to another embodiment, as viewed from below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] The airbag G according to the embodiment of the present invention is installed between a base frame 4 and a seat cushion 6 of a vehicle seat S (see FIGS. 5 to 8). Hereinafter, the seat front-rear direction corresponds to the vehicle front-rear direction, the seat up-down direction corresponds to the vehicle up-down direction, and the seat width direction corresponds to the vehicle width direction. In addition, the seat front-rear direction, seat up-down direction, and seat width direction may also be simply referred to as front-rear, up-down, left-right, and right-left.

[0015] 1 is a plan view of the airbag G seen from above, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the airbag G seen from below, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG.

[0016] The airbag G includes a first chamber 1 and a second chamber 2 connected to the front and bottom of the first chamber 1.

[0017] The first chamber 1 has a generally trapezoidal shape in plan view, the width of which increases towards the front, and an insertion opening for the inflator 3 is provided at the rear.

[0018] The first chamber 1 has a panel 11A that forms the upper outer surface and a panel 11B that forms the lower outer surface. The left and right side edges and front edge of the panels 11A and 11B are sewn together with stitching thread 13. The rear edges of the panels 11A and 11B are not sewn together, forming an opening for inserting the inflator 3. The panels 11A and 11B may be separate panels or may be a continuous, integrated unit.

[0019] A circular seam 14 is provided in the center of the first chamber 1 in the left-right direction and the center of the front-rear direction, connecting the panels 11A and 11B. Providing the circular seam 14 reduces the volume of the first chamber 1. The circular seam 14 may also be omitted.

[0020] The rear end of panel 11A extends further rearward than panel 11B. Rear end extension 11A' of panel 11A and the rear end of panel 11B are provided with bolt insertion holes 16 and 17, respectively, through which stud bolts 30 erected from the side surfaces of inflator 3 are inserted.

[0021] 4, the inflator 3 is inserted into the first chamber 1 from the opening at the rear of the first chamber 1, and the stud bolt 30 is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 17 (second bolt insertion hole) of the panel 11B. Next, the rear end extension 11A' of the panel 11A is folded back downward, and the stud bolt 30 is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 16 (first bolt insertion hole).

[0022] The second chamber 2 has a generally rectangular shape with both left and right sides curved outwardly, and its maximum width in the left-right direction is approximately the same as that of the first chamber 1. The length of the second chamber 2 in the front-to-rear direction is greater than the length from the circular seam 14 to the front edge of the first chamber 1, and the front edge of the second chamber 2 protrudes further forward than the front edge of the first chamber 1. For example, the length of the second chamber 2 in the front-to-rear direction is approximately 100 mm, and the length from the circular seam 14 to the front edge of the first chamber 1 is approximately 80 mm. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the second chamber 2 is located forward of the circular seam 14.

[0023] The maximum width of the first chamber 1 from side to side and the maximum width of the second chamber 2 from side to side are approximately the same.

[0024] The second chamber 2 has a panel 21A that forms the lower outer surface and a panel 21B that forms the upper outer surface. The panels 21A and 21B are sewn together at their peripheries with stitching 23. The panels 21A and 21B may be separate panels or may be integrally formed. The second chamber 2 may be provided with a vent hole.

[0025] A communication opening 12 is provided in the lower panel 11B of the first chamber 1 between the circular seam 14 and the front edge. A communication opening 22 is provided in the upper panel 21B of the second chamber 2, rearward of the center in the front-to-rear direction. The diameters of the communication openings 12 and 22 are approximately the same. There is no particular limitation on the number of communication openings 12, 22, but in this example, two communication openings 12, 22 are provided on each side, spaced apart in the left-right width direction.

[0026] With the communication opening 22 of the second chamber 2 aligned with the communication opening 12 of the first chamber 1, the peripheries of these communication openings 12 and 22 are joined together with sutures 15. This connects the first chamber 1 and the second chamber 2, and the inside of the first chamber 1 and the inside of the second chamber 2 are communicated with each other.

[0027] The diameter of the communication holes 12, 22 is smaller than the diameter of the gas flow paths on the left and right sides of the circular seam 14 of the first chamber 1. This allows the first chamber 1 to be deployed quickly.

[0028] 5 is a perspective view of a base frame 4 of a vehicle seat S to which an airbag G is attached. A seat cushion 6 (see FIG. 7) made of urethane or the like is placed on the base frame 4. The vehicle seat S also includes a seat back 5 rotatably connected to the base frame 4 via a support shaft 9 and a reclining device (not shown), and a headrest (not shown) attached to the upper part of the seat back 5.

[0029] The base frame 4 is located on both the left and right sides of the seat and has a pair of side frames 41a, 41b extending in the front-to-rear direction, a front frame 42 connecting the front portions of the side frames 41a, 41b, and a rear frame 43 connecting the rear portions of the side frames 41a, 41b. S-springs 44 are installed between the front frame 42 and the rear frame 43 as elastic bodies.

[0030] The S springs 44 snake left and right and extend in the front-rear direction from the front frame 42 to the rear frame 43. A plurality of S springs 44 are arranged in multiple rows in the left-right direction between the front frame 42 and the rear frame 43.

[0031] The rear portion of the front frame 42 forms an inclined surface 42a (see FIG. 7) that becomes lower toward the rear, and one end of an S-spring 44 is connected to this inclined surface.

[0032] 6, the inflator 3 is fixed to the rear frame 43 by fastening a bracket (not shown) or the like attached to the rear frame 43 to the stud bolts 30 of the inflator 3 protruding from the rear of the airbag G. The airbag G is installed unfolded on the S-springs 44 between the side frames 41a, 41b and on the inclined surface 42a of the front frame 42, with the second chamber 2 facing downward.

[0033] After the airbag G is installed, the seat cushion 6 is placed on the base frame 4. The airbag G is installed between the base frame 4 and the seat cushion 6 in an expanded state.

[0034] 7 shows a state in which an occupant P is seated in a vehicle seat S under normal circumstances (when the airbag G is not inflated). The occupant P is wearing a seat belt 8. In this embodiment, the inflator 3 is attached to the rear frame 43, and the airbag G is not folded but is spread out flat, so that the occupant P seated in the vehicle seat S is unlikely to feel a foreign body sensation, and comfort (sitting comfort) can be improved.

[0035] When the sensor detects / predicts a vehicle collision, an activation signal is input from the inflator control circuit to the inflator 3, causing gas to be ejected forward from the inflator 3. As the gas is ejected, first the first chamber 1 of the airbag G inflates, and then the second chamber 2 is inflated by the gas that has passed through the communication ports 12 and 22, as shown in FIG.

[0036] The airbag G is supported from below by the S-springs 44 and the inclined surfaces 42a of the front frame 42, and inflates so as to increase in thickness (diameter) upward. This pushes up the seat cushion 6, increasing the occupant restraining force of the seat belt 8 (lap belt), and suppressing the forward movement of the occupant.

[0037] The first chamber 1, which widely covers the seat surface from the rear of the seat, inflates early, so that the occupant P's waist can be supported.

[0038] The inflated second chamber 2 supports from below the front of the first chamber 1. The inflated airbag G has a shape in which the thickness of the bag increases from the rear of the seat to the front of the seat, so the amount of lift on the seat cushion 6 increases toward the front of the seat, effectively preventing the occupant from moving forward.

[0039] Although the second chamber 2 is pressed by the first chamber 1, the shape is maintained between the second chamber 2 and the inclined surface 42a of the front frame 42, thereby maintaining the thickness of the front of the airbag G and suppressing the forward movement of the occupant.

[0040] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the inflator 3 is provided at the rear (rear edge) of the first chamber 1 and fixed to the rear frame 43 using a stud bolt 30 protruding outward from within the chamber, but the inflator 3 may also be fixed to the side frame 41a (or 41b).

[0041] In this case, as in the first chamber 1' shown in Fig. 9, an attachment region for the inflator 3 is provided at the rear of the left and right widthwise ends. In the example shown in Fig. 9 as well, the panel 11A is folded back to the lower surface side and a stud bolt 30 is inserted through it. A gas flow path is formed by the stitching thread 13 that stitches the peripheries of the panels 11A and 11B, and gas from the inflator 3 flows from the rear of the first chamber 1' to the front.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the base frame 4 is described as having an S-spring 44 installed between the front frame 42 and the rear frame 43 as an elastic body, but a pan (metal panel) may also be used instead of the S-spring 44.

[0043] The above-described embodiment is an example of the present invention, and the present invention may have other configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1. First Chamber 2. Second Chamber 3 Inflator 4 Base Frame 5 Seat back 6 seat cushions 30 stud bolt 43 Rear frame

Claims

1. Seat cushion and a seat frame on which the seat cushion is mounted; an airbag disposed between the seat cushion and the seat frame; an inflator that supplies gas to the airbag; Equipped with The airbag has a first chamber and a second chamber connected to a front portion of a lower surface of the first chamber.

2. the seat frame includes a pair of side frames extending in a front-rear direction of the seat, a front frame bridging front portions of the pair of side frames, and a rear frame bridging rear portions of the pair of side frames, 2. The passenger restraint device according to claim 1, wherein the inflator is disposed rearward of the first chamber and fixed to the rear frame.

3. the first chamber has a first panel on an upper surface side and a second panel on a lower surface side; a rear end of the first panel is a rear end extension portion that extends rearward beyond a rear end of the second panel, a first bolt insertion hole is formed in the rear end extension portion of the first panel, a second bolt insertion hole is formed in the rear end of the second panel, 3. The occupant restraint device according to claim 2, wherein a stud bolt extending from a side surface of the inflator passes through the second bolt insertion hole and the first bolt insertion hole of the rear end extension portion folded back toward the lower surface.

4. 4. The occupant restraint device according to claim 1, wherein a communication opening that communicates the first chamber with the second chamber is provided rearward of a center in the front-rear direction of the second chamber.

5. 5. The occupant restraint device according to claim 1, wherein the first chamber has a first panel on an upper surface side and a second panel on a lower surface side, and a circular seam is provided to join the first panel and the second panel.

6. the seat frame includes a pair of side frames extending in a front-rear direction of the seat, a front frame bridging front portions of the pair of side frames, and a rear frame bridging rear portions of the pair of side frames, The occupant restraint device according to claim 1, wherein the inflator is disposed at each of the left and right widthwise ends of the first chamber and is fixed to the side frame.

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