Vehicle occupant protection device

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle occupant protection device with which it is possible to lower the risk of causing a submarine phenomenon during a vehicle crash.　A vehicle occupant protection device 30, which is to be installed in a vehicle seat 100 that has a seat back 110 and a seat cushion 112 extending forward from a lower part of the seat back 110, is provided with inflation bags 31, 32. The inflation bag 31 is configured to operate, when the risk of a crash has increased, so as to be inflated by supply of a working fluid and to push out a rearmost part of a seating surface 138 of the seat cushion 112 upward. Similarly, the inflation bag 32 is configured to operate so as to push out a lower part of a seat front surface 128 of the seat back 110 forward.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle occupant protection device provided in a vehicle seat. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, when a vehicle occupant is seated in a vehicle seat, the shoulder belt of the seat belt is placed diagonally across the occupant's chest, and the lap belt of the seat belt is placed across the occupant's waist. During a vehicle collision, the seat belt restrains the occupant's movement. However, particularly during a frontal collision, there is a possibility that the occupant's body may slip under the lap belt, resulting in a "submarining" phenomenon. This submarining phenomenon is undesirable because, for example, the occupant's legs may be pushed under the instrument panel, resulting in injury, or the lap belt may compress the occupant's abdomen.

[0003] As a countermeasure against the submarine phenomenon, passenger protection devices that provide an airbag in a vehicle seat are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). For example, in Patent Document 1, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, an airbag in the seat cushion is instantly inflated by an inflator to push up the front part of the seat cushion, thereby restraining the occupant's waist and suppressing forward movement of the occupant. In Patent Document 2, the position of the airbag is changed in the vertical direction from that of Patent Document 1, and the airbag is placed below the front part of the support members (seat pan and spring) of the seat cushion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-217818 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-188198 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is desirable to consider various approaches to counter the submarining phenomenon. For example, since the submarining phenomenon occurs when the lap belt slips upward from the occupant's pelvis during a vehicle collision, one possible way to prevent this is to make it more difficult for the lap belt to come off the pelvis during a vehicle collision. However, Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not consider this point.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle occupant protection device that can reduce the risk of the submarine phenomenon occurring during a vehicle collision. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A vehicle occupant protection device according to one aspect of the present invention is provided in a vehicle seat having a seat back and a seat cushion extending forward from the lower part of the seat back, and is equipped with an inflation bag configured to perform at least one of the following actions (1) and (2) by being supplied with a working fluid and inflating when the risk of a vehicle collision increases. (1) The action of pushing the rearmost part of the seat cushion upward (2) An action of pushing the lower part of the front of the seat back forward.

[0008] According to this aspect, when an occupant is seated in a vehicle seat in a normal posture, the angle of the occupant's pelvis can be tilted forward prior to a vehicle collision, thereby making it less likely that the lap belt of the seat belt will come off the pelvis in the event of a vehicle collision.

[0009] Specifically, for example, it works as follows: When the risk of a vehicle collision increases, the inflation bag is supplied with hydraulic fluid and inflates, pushing up the rearmost part of the seat cushion's seat surface (action (1) above). This pushes up the area below the occupant's hip bones (the area behind the pelvis toward the sacrum), causing the occupant's pelvis to rotate forward. If the angle of backward pelvic tilt is reduced in this way, then in the event of an actual vehicle collision, the lap belt portion of the seat belt will be securely attached to the occupant's ilium and will be less likely to come off. This reduces the risk of submarining occurring.

[0010] The same applies to the operation (2) above. That is, when the risk of a vehicle collision increases, the inflation bag is supplied with hydraulic fluid and inflates, pushing the lower part of the front of the seat back forward. This pushes the back part of the occupant's lower back forward, causing the occupant's pelvis to rotate forward. Therefore, as with the operation (1) above, if a vehicle collision actually occurs thereafter, the risk of the submarine phenomenon occurring is reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the external shape of a vehicle seat provided with a vehicle occupant protection device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal frame structure of the vehicle seat. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are side views of a vehicle seat with an occupant seated in a normal position, in which (A) shows a state in which the vehicle occupant protection device according to the embodiment is not installed, (B) shows a state in which the first inflatable bag of the vehicle occupant protection device according to the embodiment is installed, and (C) shows a state in which the first inflatable bag and the second inflatable bag of the vehicle occupant protection device according to the embodiment are installed. [Figure 4] 1 is a system configuration diagram of a vehicle occupant protection device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 5 is an external view of a vehicle seat equipped with the vehicle occupant protection device of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a system configuration diagram of a vehicle occupant protection device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] 7 is an external view of a vehicle seat equipped with the vehicle occupant protection device of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 7 is a side view showing a vehicle seat equipped with the vehicle occupant protection device of FIG. 6, together with an occupant seated in a normal position. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram of a vehicle occupant protection device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is an external view of a vehicle seat equipped with the vehicle occupant protection device of FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram of a vehicle occupant protection device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 12] 12 is an external view of a vehicle seat equipped with the vehicle occupant protection device of FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram of a vehicle occupant protection device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 14] 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a fluid supply unit of the vehicle occupant protection device of FIG. 13. FIG. [Figure 15] 14 is an external view of a vehicle seat equipped with the vehicle occupant protection device of FIG. 13. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram of a vehicle occupant protection device according to a modified example of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a system configuration diagram of a vehicle occupant protection device according to another modified example of the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A vehicle occupant protection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, up / down, left / right, and front / rear are defined as follows. When an occupant is seated in a vehicle seat in a normal posture, the direction in which the occupant faces forward is referred to as the forward direction, and the opposite direction is referred to as the rearward direction, and the axes of coordinates are referred to as the front / rear direction. Furthermore, when an occupant is seated in a vehicle seat in a normal posture, the right side of the occupant is referred to as the right direction, and the left side of the occupant is referred to as the leftward direction, and the axes of coordinates are referred to as the left / right direction. Similarly, when an occupant is seated in a normal posture, the direction of the occupant's head is referred to as the upward direction, and the direction of the occupant's waist is referred to as the downward direction, and the axes of coordinates are referred to as the up / down direction.

[0013] [Vehicle seat overview] As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle seat 100 is provided with a seat belt device 1. The seat belt device 1 has a seat belt 10, which is a webbing that restrains an occupant. The seat belt 10 has a shoulder belt 12 that extends from an upper guide loop or upper anchor 20 to a tongue 22, and a lap belt 14 that extends from the tongue 22 to a lap anchor 24. The shoulder belt 12 is wrapped diagonally around the occupant's chest from the upper part of one side of the occupant seated in the vehicle seat 100 to the lower part of the other side. The lap belt 14 is wrapped around the occupant's waist from the upper part of one side of the occupant to the lower part of the other side. The shoulder belt 12 and the lap belt 14 are formed as a single continuous strip.

[0014] The upper anchor 20 is provided on the upper wall of the vehicle interior or on the upper part of the seat back 110. The tongue 22 has a loop portion 26 through which the seat belt 10 is slidably inserted. When the tongue 22 is attached to and fastened in a buckle 28, the seat belt 10 is folded back at the loop portion 26 as a boundary and separated into a shoulder belt 12 and a lap belt 14. The lap anchor 24 is for fixing the other end of the seat belt 10 to a part of the vehicle structure (for example, a vehicle frame, a seat frame, or a seating frame). Therefore, when the tongue 22 is coupled to the buckle 28, the seat belt device 1 defines a three-point restraint between the upper anchor 20, the tongue 22 (buckle 28), and the lap anchor 24.

[0015] The vehicle seat 100 includes a seat back 110 that supports the back of an occupant, a seat cushion 112 on which the occupant sits, and a headrest 114 that supports the head of the occupant. The vehicle seat 100 may be a front seat (i.e., a driver's seat or a passenger seat) or a rear seat. The seat cushion 112 extends forward from a lower portion of the seat back 110. The lower portion of the seat back 110 and a rear end portion of the seat cushion 112 are connected. The seat back 110 can be configured to be rotatable (in the front-rear direction) relative to the seat cushion 112 around this connected portion.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 2, a seat back frame 120 and a seating frame 130 that form the framework of the seat are provided inside the seat back 110 and the seat cushion 112, respectively. The seat back frame 120 and the seating frame 130 are made of processed metal parts or hard resin. The seat back frame 120 and the seating frame 130 are connected via a reclining mechanism 140. The reclining mechanism 140 constitutes the above-mentioned joint and enables adjustment of the forward / backward tilt angle of the seat back 110 relative to the seat cushion 112.

[0017] The seatback frame 120 is formed, for example, by connecting the upper ends and lower ends of a pair of side frames 122, 122 with an upper frame 124 and a lower frame 126, respectively. The seating frame 130 is formed, for example, by connecting the front ends and rear ends of a pair of side frames 132, 132 with a front frame 134 and a rear shaft 136, respectively. A seat pan (not shown) is installed between the front sides of the side frames 132, 132.

[0018] The surfaces and peripheries of the seat back frame 120 and the seating frame 130 are covered with a seat pad made of urethane foam material or the like, and the surface of this seat pad is covered with a seat cover made of leather, fabric, etc. Therefore, the surface of the seat cover forms the seat front surface 128 (backrest surface) of the seat back 110 and the seat surface 138 of the seat cushion 112 (see Figure 1).

[0019] [Overview of occupant protection devices] Referring to Figure 3, a vehicle occupant protection device 30 (hereinafter simply referred to as "occupant protection device") will be described. The occupant protection device 30 is provided in a vehicle seat 100. Specifically, the occupant protection device 30 is provided in a seat back 110 and / or a seat cushion 112. The occupant protection device 30 is activated when the risk of a vehicle collision increases, and tilts the angle of the pelvis PS of the occupant P forward prior to the vehicle collision. This makes it less likely that the lap belt 14 of the seat belt 10 will come off the pelvis PS in the event of a vehicle collision, reducing the risk of the submarine phenomenon occurring.

[0020] An increased risk of a vehicle collision can be detected based on information from sensors mounted on the vehicle, such as cameras, radar, and LiDAR. For example, when a sensor or camera mounted on the front of the vehicle detects an object in front of the vehicle (examples include, but are not limited to, a vehicle or an obstacle), the vehicle-side ECU receives the detection information and calculates a collision prediction regarding the risk of a vehicle collision, with or without considering information such as vehicle speed or vehicle acceleration. This collision prediction information (information indicating an increased risk of a vehicle collision) is transmitted from the vehicle-side ECU to the occupant protection device 30, which then activates.

[0021] The passenger protection device 30 includes inflatable bags 31 and 32. Fig. 3(A) shows a state in which the passenger protection device 30 is not provided, Fig. 3(B) shows a state in which the inflatable bag 31 is provided in the seat cushion 112, and Fig. 3(C) shows a state in which the inflatable bag 32 is further provided in the seat back 110. The inflatable bags provided in the passenger protection device 30 are both the inflatable bags 31 and 32. be .

[0022] The inflation bags 31, 32 inflate when the risk of a vehicle collision increases, and apply a force to tilt the angle of the pelvis PS of the occupant P forward. Specifically, the inflation bags perform at least one of the following (1) and (2) by inflating. (1) An operation of pushing the rearmost part of the seat surface 138 of the seat cushion 112 upward. (2) An operation of pushing the lower part of the seat front surface 128 of the seat back 110 forward.

[0023] This action rotates the pelvis PS of the occupant P so that it tilts forward, thereby reducing the pelvic backward tilt angle θ of the occupant P. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the pelvic backward tilt angle θ2 in (B) becomes smaller than the pelvic backward tilt angle θ1 in (A), and the pelvic backward tilt angle θ3 in (C) becomes even smaller.

[0024] The inflatable bag 31 is a first inflatable bag for the operation (1) above. The inflatable bag 31 is provided inside or below the rear part of the seat cushion 112.

[0025] The position of the inflation bag 31 in the front-to-rear direction is near the joint between the seat back 110 and the seat cushion 112 at the rear of the seat cushion 112. Therefore, with respect to an occupant P properly seated in the vehicle seat 100, the inflation bag 31 is located in the lower rear portion of the pelvis PS of the occupant P. For example, the inflation bag 31 is located closer to the seat back 110 than directly below the pelvis PS of the occupant P, and is located below the sacrum PSS of the occupant P. Positioning the inflation bag 31 in the lower rear portion of the pelvis PS makes it easier to tilt the pelvis PS forward.

[0026] When the inflation bag 31 inflates, it pushes up the rearmost portion of the seat surface 138 (see FIG. 8). This pushes up the area below the hip bones of the occupant P (the area toward the sacrum PSS behind the pelvis PS), causing the pelvis PS to rotate and tilt forward. As a result, the angle of backward tilt of the pelvis is smaller (θ2<θ1) than in the absence of the occupant protection device 30. Note that the inflation bag 31 may operate to push up the rearmost portion of the seat surface 138 diagonally forward in order to encourage the rotation of the pelvis PS so that it tilts forward.

[0027] The inflatable bag 31 is provided inside the rear part of the seat cushion 112 below the seat surface 138. For example, as shown in FIG. 3(B), the inflatable bag 31 is housed inside the rear part of the seat cushion 112. In this case, the inflatable bag 31 may be covered by a seat pad. By providing the inflatable bag 31 inside the seat cushion 112, it is possible to push up the rearmost part of the seat surface 138 with a small inflated volume. The inflatable bag 31 may also be supported by a part of the seat frame 130 (for example, the side frames 132, 132).

[0028] In another embodiment, the inflatable bag 31 may be provided below the seat cushion 112. For example, the inflatable bag 31 may be provided in the space below the seat cushion 112. In this case, the inflatable bag 31 acts to push the entire rearmost portion of the seat cushion 112 from below, thereby pushing the rearmost portion of the seat surface 138 upward. The inflatable bag 31 may be supported by a part of the seat frame 130 (for example, the side frames 132, 132), or may be supported by a bracket to the seat frame 130 or the vehicle frame.

[0029] The inflation bag 32 is a second inflation bag for the operation (2) above. The inflation bag 32 is provided inside or behind the lower part of the seatback 110.

[0030] The position of the inflatable bag 32 in the vertical direction is near the joint between the seat back 110 and the seat cushion 112 at the bottom of the seat back 110. Therefore, with respect to an occupant P properly seated in the vehicle seat 100, the inflatable bag 32 is located behind the pelvis PS of the occupant P. By positioning the inflatable bag 32 in this way, it becomes easier to tilt the angle of the pelvis PS forward.

[0031] When the inflatable bag 32 inflates, it pushes the lower part of the seat front surface 128 forward (see FIG. 8). This pushes the back part of the occupant P's waist forward, causing the pelvis PS to rotate so as to tilt forward. As a result, the angle of backward tilt of the pelvis is smaller than in the case where the occupant protection device 30 is not present. Note that in order to encourage the rotation of the pelvis PS so as to tilt forward, the inflatable bag 32 may operate to push the lower part of the seat front surface 128 diagonally upward and forward.

[0032] The inflatable bag 32 is provided inside the lower part of the seat back 110 behind the seat front surface 128. For example, as shown in FIG. 3(C), the inflatable bag 32 is housed inside the lower part of the seat back 110. In this case, the inflatable bag 32 may be covered by a seat pad. By providing the inflatable bag 32 inside the seat back 110, the seat front surface 128 can be pushed forward with a small inflation volume. The inflatable bag 32 may also be supported by a part of the seat back frame 120 (for example, the side frames 122, 122 or the lower frame 126).

[0033] In another embodiment, the inflatable bag 32 may be provided behind the seat back 110. For example, the inflatable bag 32 may be provided in the space behind the seat back 110. In this case, the inflatable bag 32 acts to push the entire lower part of the seat back 110 from the rear side, thereby pushing the lower part of the seat front surface 128 forward. The inflatable bag 32 may be supported by a part of the seat back frame 120 (e.g., the side frames 122, 122 or the lower frame 126), or may be supported by a bracket to the seat back frame 120 or the vehicle frame.

[0034] The inflation bags 31, 32 are configured to inflate when supplied with a working fluid. Various types of inflation bags can be used for the inflation bags 31, 32 as long as they can form an inflatable bag body. For example, an airbag can be used. The inflation bags 31, 32 are formed, for example, by sewing or bonding one or more pieces of base fabric or the like at appropriate positions.

[0035] The inflation bags 31, 32 are configured to be able to release the supplied hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid can be released by utilizing the weight of the occupant P. For example, the hydraulic fluid can be released from the inflation bags 31, 32 by compressing the inflation bags 31, 32 due to the weight of the occupant P seated in the vehicle seat 100. The inflation bags 31, 32 have a common supply port and discharge port for the hydraulic fluid. However, in other embodiments, the inflation bags 31, 32 may have the supply port and discharge port for the hydraulic fluid formed in separate locations. The hydraulic fluid can also be released by utilizing equipment (for example, a fluid cylinder unit 42; see FIG. 14).

[0036] The occupant protection device 30 includes a fluid supply unit 40 configured to supply a working fluid to the inflation bags 31, 32. The working fluid may be gas or any liquid such as oil. The gas may be a gas specifically for the inflation bags 31, 32, but it is preferable to use outside air.

[0037] The fluid supply unit 40 can be configured with a pumping machine that pumps the working fluid. When the working fluid is air, the air is pumped and supplied to the inflation bags 31, 32 by a pumping machine made up of, for example, an air pump or an air cylinder. The pumping machine can be, for example, a pump or a cylinder, regardless of the type of working fluid, but is not limited to these.

[0038] The fluid supply unit 40 may be provided for each of the inflation bags 31, 32, or may be common to both inflation bags 31, 32. In the latter case, the working fluid from the single or common fluid supply unit 40 is distributed through a piping system and supplied to the inflation bags 31, 32. In addition, a flow regulator such as a flow control valve may be provided in the piping system between the fluid supply unit 40 and the inflation bags 31, 32 to adjust the individual flow rates of the working fluid to the inflation bags 31, 32.

[0039] Next, several embodiments of the occupant protection device 30 will be described. Note that in the second and subsequent embodiments, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same or similar reference numerals will be used to designate components common to or similar to the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0040] [First embodiment] 4 and 5, the occupant protection device 30 includes an inflation bag 31, an air pump 41, a controller 51, and a control switch 61. The air pump 41 is an example of the fluid supply unit 40. The air pump 41 is connected to the inflation bag 31 via an air tube 71.

[0041] The controller 51 electrically controls the air pump 41. The controller 51 is an electronic control unit (ECU) equipped with a CPU, memory, and an input / output interface, and is configured as, for example, a microcomputer. The input / output interface is connected to devices constituting the occupant protection device 30, such as the air pump 41 and a control switch 61. The input / output interface is also connected to a vehicle-side ECU, and information regarding collision prediction is input thereto. The collision prediction relates to the risk of a vehicle collision and is calculated by the vehicle-side ECU based on sensor information from a camera, radar, LiDAR, and other sensors mounted on the vehicle. With this configuration, the controller 51 receives input signals from the control switch 61 and information from the vehicle-side ECU indicating an increased risk of a vehicle collision. In response to these input signals and information, the controller 51 sends instruction signals to various devices, such as the air pump 41, to control the inflation of the inflation bag 31.

[0042] The control switch 61 functions as an operation unit for manually switching between supplying air to the inflation bag 31 and releasing air from the inflation bag 31. The control switch 61 has, for example, a supply button 61a and a release button 61b that are manually input by the occupant. The controller 51 controls the air pump 41 based on the manual input to the control switch 61.

[0043] The control switch 61 is provided at a position where it can be manually operated by an occupant P seated in the vehicle seat 100. For example, the control switch 61 is provided on the right or left side outside the seat cushion 112. In contrast, the air pump 41 and the controller 51 are provided inside the seat cushion 112. For example, the air pump 41 and the controller 51 are attached to the inner or outer surface of the side frame 132.

[0044] Under normal circumstances, the occupant P can use the control switch 61 to supply or release air to the inflation bag 31. For example, when the occupant P presses the supply button 61a, an input signal to that effect is sent to the controller 51, and the controller 51 sends a working fluid supply signal to the air pump 41. When the air pump 41 is driven, air is supplied to the inflation bag 31 via the air tube 71, inflating the inflation bag 31. Note that the supply of air is stopped when the inflation bag 31 is fully inflated. It is advisable to provide an on-off valve (not shown) in the air tube 71 and close this valve.

[0045] Furthermore, when the occupant P presses the release button 61b, an input signal to that effect is sent to the controller 51, and the controller 51 sends a stop signal to the air pump 41. As a result, when the air pump 41 stops, release of air from the inflation bag 31 is permitted. If an open / close valve (not shown) is provided in the air tube 71, the open / close valve is opened when the air pump 41 is stopped. As a result, air is released from the inflation bag 31 into the air tube 71 as the inflation bag 31 is compressed by the weight of the occupant P seated in the vehicle seat 100. In this way, under normal circumstances, the occupant P can use the control switch 61 to adjust the inflation bag 31 to a desired level of inflation.

[0046] When the risk of a vehicle collision increases, the controller 51 receives information indicating the increased risk of a vehicle collision from the vehicle-side ECU. Based on this received information, the controller 51 sends a hydraulic fluid supply signal to the air pump 41, causing the air pump 41 to operate. The inflation bag 31 is inflated to its maximum capacity with air from the air pump 41. As described above, the inflated inflation bag 31 pushes up the rearmost portion of the seat surface 138, tilting the angle of the pelvis PS of the occupant P forward. This adjusts the posture of the occupant P in a direction that makes the submarine phenomenon less likely to occur. As described above, if a vehicle collision actually occurs thereafter, the lap belt 14 is less likely to come off the pelvis PS, reducing the risk of the submarine phenomenon occurring.

[0047] When a vehicle collision does not actually occur and the risk of a vehicle collision has decreased, the controller 51 receives information from the vehicle-side ECU indicating that the risk of a vehicle collision has decreased. Based on this received information, the controller 51 may send a stop signal to the air pump 41 to stop the air pump 41 and allow air to be released from the inflation bag 31.

[0048] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the risk of a vehicle collision increases, the inflation bag 31 is automatically inflated during the pre-crash region time (the time when the risk of a collision is predicted before the collision begins), thereby tilting the angle of the pelvis PS of the occupant P forward and reducing the risk of the submarine phenomenon occurring during a subsequent actual vehicle collision.

[0049] Furthermore, by tilting the angle of the pelvis PS forward, the kyphosis of the lumbar spine of the occupant P is reduced, thereby reducing the moment load applied to the lumbar spine in an actual vehicle collision. This reduces the risk of lumbar spine damage due to a collision. Furthermore, since the inflation bag 31 can be manually adjusted to the desired inflation level under normal conditions, it can also function to keep the occupant in a comfortable position.

[0050] [Second embodiment] 6 to 8 show an occupant protection device 30A according to a second embodiment. The occupant protection device 30A is configured by adding an inflation bag 32 to the occupant protection device 30 according to the first embodiment. The inflation bag 32 can function as a lumbar support bag for the occupant P under normal circumstances. The air pump 41 is common to the inflation bags 31 and 32 and is connected to each of the inflation bags 31 and 32 via air tubes 71 and 72 (first and second pipes). Air from the air pump 41 is distributed and supplied to the inflation bags 31 and 32, inflating them. The control switch 62 is configured to be able to individually switch between supplying and releasing air to the inflation bags 31 and 32, and includes, for example, a supply button 62a1 and a release button 62b1 for the inflation bag 31, and a supply button 62a2 and a release button 62b2 for the inflation bag 32.

[0051] According to this embodiment, when the risk of a vehicle collision increases, the angle of the pelvis PS of the occupant P is tilted forward not only by the inflatable bag 31 but also by the inflatable bag 32. Therefore, a greater effect than in the first embodiment is expected.

[0052] [Third embodiment] 9 and 10 show an occupant protection device 30B according to a third embodiment. The occupant protection device 30B is configured by adding one or more cushion units 80 to the occupant protection device 30A according to the second embodiment. The one or more cushion units 80 are provided on the seat back 110 and / or the seat cushion 112 at positions different from the positions at which the inflatable bags 31, 32 are installed. In this embodiment, two cushion units 80 are provided on the seat back 110.

[0053] Similar to the inflation bags 31, 32, the cushion section 80 is configured to be able to receive air from the air pump 41 and to release the supplied air. The air pump 41 is common to the inflation bags 31, 32 and the cushion section 80, and is connected to the inflation bags 31, 32 and the cushion section 80 via air tubes 71, 72, 81, respectively. Air from the air pump 41 is distributed and supplied to the inflation bags 31, 32 and the cushion section 80, inflating them.

[0054] The control switch 63 is configured to be able to manually switch between supplying and releasing air to the inflation bags 31, 32 and the cushion portion 80. For example, the control switch 63 has supply buttons 62a1, 62a2 and release buttons 62b1, 62b2 dedicated to the inflation bags 31, 32, respectively, as well as a supply button 63a and a release button 63b dedicated to the cushion portion 80.

[0055] According to this embodiment, the air pump 41 can be effectively used to inflate the cushion portion 80, thereby supporting the occupant P. Furthermore, as in the second embodiment, when the risk of a vehicle collision increases, the inflation bags 31, 32 can be inflated to tilt the angle of the pelvis PS of the occupant P forward, but in this case, air may not be distributed and supplied to the cushion portion 80. For example, an on-off valve (not shown) may be provided in a duct (e.g., air tube 81) related to the cushion portion 80, and the controller 51 may close this on-off valve.

[0056] [Fourth embodiment] 11 and 12 show an occupant protection device 30C according to a fourth embodiment. The occupant protection device 30C is configured by adding an accumulator 91 and on-off valves 92 and 93 to the occupant protection device 30 according to the first embodiment. The accumulator 91 and the on-off valves 92 and 93 may be provided inside the seat cushion 112, similar to the air pump 41 and the controller 51.

[0057] The on-off valves 92, 93 are electrically connected to the controller 51, and their opening and closing operations are controlled by the controller 51. The on-off valves 92, 93 are configured by, for example, solenoid valves. The on-off valves 92, 93 are provided in the piping system between the inflation bag 31 and the air pump 41.

[0058] The accumulator 91 (pressure accumulator) is configured to be able to accumulate air and supply the accumulated air to the inflation bag 31. The accumulator 91 is provided in a piping system between the inflation bag 31 and the air pump 41. Air is supplied to the accumulator 91 from the air pump 41 and the accumulator 91 maintains the supplied air at a constant pressure. For example, during normal use (when a collision is not predicted), the accumulator 91 maintains the air supplied by the air pump 41 at a constant pressure. Air is normally supplied to the inflation bag 31 from the air pump 41 with an on-off valve 92 open. In other words, during normal use, the on-off valve 93 is closed and air from the accumulator 91 is not supplied to the inflation bag 31.

[0059] The accumulator 91 is configured to supply accumulated air to the inflation bag 31 when the risk of a vehicle collision increases. Specifically, the controller 51 opens the on-off valve 93 when the risk of a vehicle collision increases. This allows the accumulated air to be supplied from the accumulator 91 to the inflation bag 31. The air from the accumulator 91 is combined with the air from the air pump 41 and supplied to the inflation bag 31.

[0060] According to this embodiment, when the risk of a vehicle collision increases, it is possible to increase the inflation speed of the inflation bag 31. From another perspective, even if the output of the air pump 41 is small, it is possible to sufficiently inflate the inflation bag 31 when the risk of a vehicle collision increases.

[0061] [Fifth embodiment] 13 to 15 show an occupant protection device 30D according to a fifth embodiment. The occupant protection device 30D is suitable when the working fluid is a liquid such as oil. The occupant protection device 30D is basically the same as the occupant protection device 30 according to the first embodiment, but includes a fluid cylinder unit 42 instead of the air pump 41. The fluid cylinder unit 42 is an example of the fluid supply unit 40.

[0062] The fluid cylinder unit 42 includes, for example, a cylinder 300, a piston 310, a shaft 320, a linear slider 330, a slider guide 340, and a motor 350. The motor 350 is electrically connected to the controller 51 and is configured as a DC motor controlled by, for example, PWM control. When the motor 350 is driven, the linear slider 330 translates while being guided by the slider guide 340. The piston 310 connected to the linear slider 330 via the shaft 320 moves. The piston 310 moves back and forth as the motor 350 rotates forward and backward. That is, as the piston 310 moves forward, oil in the cylinder 300 is supplied to the inflation bag 31 via the fluid tube 74. As the piston 310 moves backward, the supplied oil is released from the inflation bag 31 and flows into the cylinder 300 via the fluid tube 74.

[0063] The fluid cylinder unit 42 functions in the same manner as the air pump 41. For example, when the risk of a vehicle collision increases, the controller 51 sends a working fluid supply signal to the motor 350 of the fluid cylinder unit 42 to drive the motor 350 of the fluid cylinder unit 42. The inflation bag 31 inflated by the oil from the fluid cylinder unit 42 pushes up the rearmost part of the seat surface 138, as described above, and tilts the angle of the pelvis PS of the occupant P forward.

[0064] Therefore, in this embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0065] In addition, when an actual vehicle collision does not occur and the risk of a vehicle collision has decreased, the controller 51 may, as in the first embodiment, send a stop signal or a fluid release signal to the motor 350 of the fluid cylinder unit 42, causing the motor 350 of the fluid cylinder unit 42 to stop or rotate in the reverse direction, thereby allowing oil to be released from the inflation bag 31.

[0066] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The elements of each embodiment, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, etc., are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the embodiments can be combined or applied together.

[0067] For example, just as the second embodiment is formed by adding the inflation bag 32 to the first embodiment, the fifth embodiment may also include an inflation bag 32. In this case, as shown in Fig. 16, the passenger protection device 30E may include two fluid cylinder units 42A, 42B corresponding to the two inflation bags 31, 32.

[0068] 17, the occupant protection device 30F may have one fluid cylinder unit 42C common to the two inflation bags 31, 32. In this case, a flow regulator 500 may be provided downstream of the fluid cylinder unit 42C. The flow regulator 500 may be configured with a flow regulation valve (e.g., an electric valve) controlled by a controller 51. The flow regulator 500 is configured to be able to adjust the flow rate of oil from the fluid cylinder unit 42C to the inflation bag 31 and the flow rate of oil from the fluid cylinder unit 42C to the inflation bag 32.

[0069] In another embodiment of the present invention, a device (e.g., an inflator, a micro gas generator, etc.) for inflating the inflation bag of each of the occupant protection devices 30A-30F by another method may be additionally provided. Such a configuration is useful, for example, when a condition that increases the risk of a vehicle collision cannot be detected due to some problem (e.g., a malfunction) with the camera or sensor used to detect the risk of a vehicle collision. It is also useful when a condition that increases the risk of a vehicle collision can be detected but the collision is unexpected (e.g., a collision to the side of the vehicle rather than to the front of the vehicle) and the time from detection to activation is too short to inflate the inflation bag (e.g., when the fluid supply unit 40 cannot inflate the inflation bag in time).

[0070] In consideration of such a case, the occupant protection devices 30A to 30F may activate the additional device (e.g., an inflator, a micro gas generator, etc.) in response to a collision signal indicating that a collision has actually occurred. Specifically, when a collision actually occurs, the vehicle-side ECU may send a collision signal to other airbags that may generally be installed in the vehicle (e.g., a front airbag, a curtain airbag, a knee airbag, a side airbag, etc.), and may also send a collision signal to additional devices for inflation bags in the occupant protection devices 30A to 30F, causing the inflation bag to inflate in the same way as the other airbags are activated. In other words, the occupant protection devices 30A to 30F are basically reversible in their activation mode, but when a collision actually occurs, they may switch to an irreversible activation mode (e.g., gas generation by an inflator, a micro gas generator, etc.) and activate in conjunction with the activation of other airbags, etc.

[0071] [Implementation] The present technology is described, for example, according to the following various embodiments. Various examples of the embodiments of the present technology are described as numbered examples (1, 2, 3, etc.) for convenience. These are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the present technology. It should be noted that any of the subordinate examples can be combined in any appropriate manner and incorporated into each independent example.

[0072] Example 1. A vehicle occupant protection device provided in a vehicle seat having a seat back and a seat cushion extending forward from a lower portion of the seat back, When the risk of a vehicle collision increases, hydraulic fluid is supplied and expands, (1) An action of pushing the rearmost part of the seat cushion upward; (2) An action of pushing the lower part of the front of the seat back forward; a vehicle occupant protection device including an inflatable bag configured to perform at least one of the above.

[0073] Example 2. The inflation bag has a first inflation bag for the operation (1), 2. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the first inflatable bag is provided inside or below the rear portion of the seat cushion.

[0074] Example 3. The inflation bag has a first inflation bag for the operation (1), The vehicle occupant protection device described in Example 1 or 2, wherein the first inflatable bag is provided at the rear of the seat cushion so as to be positioned at the lower rear portion of the occupant's pelvis when the occupant is properly seated in the vehicle seat.

[0075] Example 4. The inflation bag has a second inflation bag for the operation (2), The vehicle occupant protection device according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the second inflatable bag is provided inside or behind a lower portion of the seat back.

[0076] Example 5. The inflation bag has a second inflation bag for the operation (2), The vehicle occupant protection device described in any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the second inflatable bag is provided at the bottom of the seat back so as to be positioned at the back portion of the occupant's pelvis when the occupant is properly seated in the vehicle seat.

[0077] Example 6. a fluid supply unit configured to supply the working fluid to the inflation bag; a controller that electrically controls the fluid supply unit, A vehicle occupant protection device as described in any one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the controller sends a hydraulic fluid supply signal to the fluid supply unit when the risk of a vehicle collision increases, causing the fluid supply unit to supply the hydraulic fluid to the inflation bag.

[0078] Example 7. 7. The vehicle occupant protection device of example 6, wherein the controller receives information indicating an increased risk of a vehicle collision and sends the actuating fluid supply signal to the fluid supply unit based on the received information.

[0079] Example 8. The inflation bag is configured to be able to release the supplied working fluid, 8. The vehicle occupant protection device of Example 6 or 7, wherein the controller stops the fluid supply unit and allows the release of the hydraulic fluid from the inflation bag when the risk of the vehicle collision decreases.

[0080] Example 9. The inflation bag is configured to be able to release the supplied working fluid, The occupant protection device further includes an operating unit for manually switching between supplying the hydraulic fluid to the inflation bag and releasing the hydraulic fluid from the inflation bag, 9. The vehicle occupant protection device according to any one of Examples 6 to 8, wherein the controller controls the fluid supply unit based on the manual input to the operation unit.

[0081] Example 10. A vehicle occupant protection device as described in Example 9, further comprising one or more cushion sections configured to be able to supply the working fluid from the fluid supply unit and to be able to release the supplied working fluid at a position different from the installation position of the inflation bag.

[0082] Example 11. The airbag further includes an accumulator configured to store the hydraulic fluid and to supply the stored hydraulic fluid to the inflation bag, 11. The vehicle occupant protection device according to any one of Examples 6 to 10, wherein the accumulator is configured to supply accumulated hydraulic fluid to the inflation bag when the risk of a vehicle collision increases.

[0083] Example 12. an on-off valve between the inflation bag and the accumulator; Example 12. A vehicle occupant protection device as described in Example 11, wherein the controller opens the on-off valve to allow the accumulated hydraulic fluid to be supplied from the accumulator to the inflation bag when the risk of a vehicle collision increases.

[0084] Example 13. The inflatable bag is A first inflation bag for the operation (1); and a second inflatable bag for the operation of (2).

[0085] Example 14. The hydraulic system further includes a fluid supply unit configured to be able to supply the hydraulic fluid, A vehicle occupant protection device as described in Example 13, wherein the fluid supply unit is common to the first inflation bag and the second inflation bag and is connected to each of the first inflation bag and the second inflation bag via a first pipe line and a second pipe line.

[0086] Example 15. The vehicle occupant protection device of Example 13 or 14, further comprising a flow regulator configured to adjust the flow rate of the working fluid to the first inflation bag and the flow rate of the working fluid to the second inflation bag. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1...seat belt device, 10...seat belt, 12...shoulder belt, 14...lap belt, 20...upper anchor, 22...tongue, 24...lap anchor, 26...loop portion, 28...buckle, 30, 30A to 30F...occupant protection device, 31, 32...inflator bag (first inflator bag, second inflator bag), 40...fluid supply unit, 41...air pump, 42, 42A to 42C...cylinder unit, 51...controller, 61, 62, 63...control switch (operation part), 61a, 62a1, 62a2, 63a...supply button, 61b, 62b1, 62b2, 63b...release button, 71, 72...air tube (first pipe line, second pipe line), 74...liquid tube, 8 0...cushion portion, 81...air tube, 91...accumulator, 92, 93...opening / closing valve, 100...vehicle seat, 110...seat back, 112...seat cushion, 114...headrest, 120...seat back frame, 122...side frame, 124...upper frame, 126...lower frame, 128...seat front, 130...seating frame, 132...side frame, 134...front frame, 136...rear shaft, 138...seat, 140...reclining mechanism, 300...cylinder, 310...piston, 320...shaft, 330...linear slider, 340...slider guide, 350...motor, 500...flow regulator, P...occupant, PS...pelvis, PSS...sacrum

Claims

1. A vehicle occupant protection device provided in a vehicle seat having a seat back and a seat cushion extending forward from a lower portion of the seat back, When the risk of a vehicle collision increases, hydraulic fluid is supplied and expands, (1) An action of pushing the rearmost part of the seat surface of the seat cushion upward; (2) An action of pushing the lower part of the seat front of the seat back forward; an inflatable bag configured to at least one of: The inflation bag includes a first inflation bag for the operation (1) and a second inflation bag for the operation (2), the first inflatable bag is provided inside or below a rear portion of the seat cushion so as to be located at a lower rear portion of the pelvis of the occupant when the occupant is properly seated in the vehicle seat; the second inflatable bag is provided inside or behind a lower portion of the seat back so as to be positioned at the back of the pelvis of the occupant when the occupant is properly seated in the vehicle seat, and functions as a lumbar support for the occupant under normal circumstances; The first inflation bag and the second inflation bag are configured to be able to release the supplied working fluid, The vehicle occupant protection device includes a first inflation bag and a second inflation bag that are inflated when the risk of a vehicle collision increases, and when a vehicle collision does not occur and the risk of a vehicle collision decreases, the first inflation bag and the second inflation bag are allowed to release the operating fluid.

2. a fluid supply unit configured to supply the working fluid to the inflation bag; a controller that electrically controls the fluid supply unit, 2. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the controller sends a hydraulic fluid supply signal to the fluid supply unit to cause the fluid supply unit to supply the hydraulic fluid to the inflation bag when a risk of a vehicle collision increases.

3. 3. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 2, wherein the controller receives information indicating an increased risk of a vehicle collision, and sends the actuating fluid supply signal to the fluid supply unit based on the received information.

4. A vehicle occupant protection device as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the controller stops the fluid supply unit and allows the release of the working fluid from the inflation bag when the risk of the vehicle collision decreases.

5. The device further includes an operating unit for manually switching between supplying the working fluid to the inflation bag and releasing the working fluid from the inflation bag; The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the controller controls the fluid supply unit based on the manual input to the operation unit.

6. 6. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 5, further comprising one or more cushion portions configured to be able to supply the working fluid from the fluid supply unit and to be able to release the supplied working fluid at a position different from the installation position of the inflatable bag.

7. The airbag further includes an accumulator configured to store the hydraulic fluid and to supply the stored hydraulic fluid to the inflation bag, 4. A vehicle occupant protection device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the accumulator is configured to supply accumulated hydraulic fluid to the inflatable bag when there is an increased risk of a vehicle collision.

8. an on-off valve between the inflation bag and the accumulator; 8. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 7, wherein the controller opens the on-off valve to allow the accumulated hydraulic fluid to be supplied from the accumulator to the inflation bag when the risk of a vehicle collision increases.

9. The hydraulic system further includes a fluid supply unit configured to be able to supply the hydraulic fluid, 2. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid supply unit is common to the first inflation bag and the second inflation bag, and is connected to the first inflation bag and the second inflation bag, respectively, via a first pipe line and a second pipe line.

10. 10. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 9, further comprising a flow regulator configured to adjust a flow rate of the hydraulic fluid to the first inflation bag and a flow rate of the hydraulic fluid to the second inflation bag.

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