occupant restraint system

Abstract

Provided is an occupant restraint apparatus that makes it possible to ensure deployment performance of an airbag cushion even when a vehicle accessory is installed on the upper side of an instrumental panel. This occupant restraint apparatus 10 is provided with an airbag cushion 12 that is inflated and deployed toward an occupant P from an instrumental panel 20 in the vehicle front part of a vehicle interior during a vehicle emergency. When the inflation and deployment is complete, the airbag cushion 12, as seen in a lateral view, comprises: a front-end part 31 on the front side of the vehicle; a rear-end part 32 on the side opposite to the front-end part 31; and a constricted part 33 located in a region above the instrumental panel 20 between the front-end part 31 and the rear-end part 32. The position of the constricted part 33 in the vehicle longitudinal direction corresponds to the position of a vehicle accessory such as a navigation monitor 24 that protrudes upward from the instrumental panel 20.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an occupant restraint device equipped with an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys from an instrument panel located at the front of the vehicle interior toward an occupant in the event of a vehicle emergency. [Background technology]

[0002] Various airbag panel configurations are known for this type of airbag cushion for passenger restraint devices. For example, the airbag cushion in Patent Document 1 is configured by connecting a sub-bag to the inner side of the main bag in the vehicle width direction. When inflated and deployed, the main bag is positioned substantially in front of the passenger in the front passenger seat. The sub-bag is configured to inflate and deploy when gas flows in from the main bag when the passenger abuts against the main bag. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-031159 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in future vehicles, vehicle accessories such as a relatively large display may be located above the instrument panel, but Patent Document 1 does not take this into consideration.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an occupant restraint device that can ensure the deployment performance of an airbag cushion even when a vehicle accessory is located above the instrument panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An occupant restraint device according to one aspect of the present invention is an occupant restraint device equipped with an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys from an instrument panel located at the front of the vehicle inside the passenger compartment toward the occupant in the event of a vehicle emergency, and when inflation and deployment is complete, the airbag cushion has, in a side view, a front end portion toward the front of the vehicle, a rear end portion opposite the front end portion, and a narrowed portion located between the front end portion and the rear end portion in the upper region of the instrument panel.

[0007] According to this aspect, even if a vehicle accessory is located above the instrument panel, the constricted portion of the airbag cushion can prevent interference with the vehicle accessory. Meanwhile, while preventing interference, the constricted portion can function as a receiving portion that receives the reaction force of the inflation and deployment from the vehicle accessory, thereby directing the inflation and deployment in a desired direction. Therefore, even if a vehicle accessory is located above the instrument panel, the inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion is not impaired, and the deployment performance of the airbag cushion can be ensured. The position of the minimum constricted portion, where the cross-sectional area of ​​the constricted portion is smallest, may be set to approximately coincide with the position of the maximum protrusion of the vehicle accessory. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing an airbag cushion when inflation and deployment are complete, together with an instrument panel and an occupant, in an occupant restraint device according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is an enlarged side view of the airbag cushion of FIG. 1 when inflation and deployment are complete. FIG. [Figure 2A] 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a top view of a cross section taken along line IIA-IIA in FIG. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the airbag cushion at the time of completion of inflation and deployment together with the navigation monitor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a plan view of FIG. 3A. [Figure 3C] 3B are cross-sectional views taken along the lines of FIG. 3A. [Figure 4A]3 is an example showing a center panel of an airbag cushion according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4B] 4 is an example showing a first side panel of the airbag cushion according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4C] 4 is an example showing a second side panel of the airbag cushion according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4D] 1 is a side view of the airbag cushion according to the first embodiment at the time of completion of inflation and deployment. FIG. [Figure 5] 3A to 3C are side views showing the state over time of the airbag cushion being inflated and deployed in the occupant restraint device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 3 is a front view of the occupant restraint device according to the first embodiment, showing how an airbag cushion is inflated and deployed over time, as viewed from the rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction. FIG. [Figure 7A] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a center panel of an airbag cushion according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7B] 10 is an example showing a first side panel of an airbag cushion according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7C] 10 is an example showing a second side panel of an airbag cushion according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8A] 3B is a cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion according to the second embodiment when it is cut at the position of line AA in FIG. 3A at the time of completion of inflation and deployment. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of part 8B of FIG. 8A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] <Definition of terms and outline of implementation form> An occupant restraint 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 seat in a normal posture, the direction the occupant faces is referred to as the forward direction, and the opposite direction is referred to as the rearward direction, and when indicating the axes of coordinates, these are referred to as the front-rear direction or the vehicle's front-rear direction. Furthermore, when an occupant is seated in a 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 when indicating the axes of coordinates, these are referred to as the left-right direction or the vehicle width 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 when indicating the axes of coordinates, these are referred to as the up / down direction.

[0010] In addition, in this document, "occupant" or "passenger" refers to a person with a physique equivalent to that of an average American man, conforming to the frontal crash test dummy (Hybrid III AM50 / frontal crash test dummy established by the NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration] standard [49CFR Part 572 Subparts E and O]), with approximate dimensions of 175 cm in height, 88 cm in seated height, and 78 kg in weight.

[0011] The occupant restraint device according to the embodiment includes an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys from an instrument panel (hereinafter referred to as "instrument panel") located at the front of the vehicle inside the vehicle cabin toward an occupant (e.g., a passenger in the front seat) in the event of a vehicle emergency. The airbag cushion is normally stored in a folded or rolled-up state inside the instrument panel. In the event of a vehicle emergency, the airbag cushion receives a supply of gas from an inflator and inflates and deploys toward the occupant inside the windshield (front glass). Examples of vehicle emergencies include, but are not limited to, a frontal collision or rollover of the vehicle.

[0012] The occupant restraint system also includes a vehicle accessory that protrudes upward from the instrument panel. A typical example of the vehicle accessory is a navigation monitor, but is not limited to this. For example, the vehicle accessory may be a touch display, a meter panel, a controller for air conditioning or the like, a speaker, or a holder or stand for a mobile communication device (e.g., an iPhone (registered trademark)). The following description will be given using a navigation monitor as an example of the vehicle accessory.

[0013] The navigation monitor is typically disposed near the center of the front of the vehicle interior. However, as the navigation monitor becomes larger, a portion of the navigation monitor may protrude upward from the instrument panel. In the occupant restraint device of this embodiment, a constricted portion is formed in the airbag cushion when inflation and deployment are complete to take into consideration and / or utilize this protruding portion of the navigation monitor, thereby ensuring the deployment performance of the airbag cushion.

[0014] <First embodiment of passenger restraint device> As shown in Fig. 1, an occupant restraint device 10 includes an airbag cushion 12 that inflates and deploys in the event of a vehicle emergency. The airbag cushion 12 receives gas from an inflator 14 and inflates and deploys from an instrument panel 20 located at the front of the vehicle inside the vehicle compartment toward an occupant P. At this time, the airbag cushion 12 inflates and deploys inside a windshield 22. That is, the airbag cushion 12 inflates and deploys in a space surrounded by the instrument panel 20, the windshield 22, and the occupant P.

[0015] The airbag cushion 12 is normally folded and housed in a housing 16, to which an inflator 14 is fixed. The housing 16 is attached to the vehicle inside an instrument panel 20. The housing 16 may have a cover including seams that allow the airbag cushion 12 to deploy, or may be connected to such a cover. The housing 16 may be, for example, a shallow case that is open at the top, and applies a reaction force to the airbag cushion 12 when it inflates and deploys. In the occupant restraint device 10, the airbag cushion 12, the inflator 14, the housing 16, etc. form a modularized airbag device, which is housed in the instrument panel 20.

[0016] The inflator 14 is electrically connected to the vehicle ECU. For example, in the event of a vehicle emergency, the inflator 14 receives a signal from the vehicle ECU detecting a collision or impact, and is activated to instantaneously supply gas to the airbag cushion 12. Various inflators can be used as the inflator 14, including those filled with a gas generating agent, compressed gas, or both. For example, the inflator 14 has an ignition device at the open end of a bottomed cylindrical body. The ignition device ignites the gas generating agent inside the cylindrical body to generate gas, and the gas for inflation and deployment is supplied into the airbag cushion 14 from multiple nozzle holes on the circumferential surface of the cylindrical body.

[0017] The occupant restraint device 10 also includes a navigation monitor 24 (vehicle accessory) that protrudes upward from the instrument panel 20. The navigation monitor 24 is disposed, for example, near the center of the front of the vehicle inside the vehicle cabin. A portion of the navigation monitor 24 is located in front of the occupant when viewed from the center in the vehicle width direction. A portion of the navigation monitor 24 is also located in the space above the instrument panel 20.

[0018] 2 is an enlarged view of the airbag cushion 12 after inflation and deployment. As shown in FIG. 2, the airbag cushion 12 has, in a side view, a front end 31 on the vehicle front side, a rear end 32 on the opposite side from the front end 31, and a constricted portion 33 located between the front end 31 and the rear end 32 and in an upper region of the instrument panel 20. In addition, in a side view, the airbag cushion 12 has an upper portion 34 connecting upper portions of the front end 31 and the rear end 32, and a lower portion 35 connecting lower portions of the front end 31 and the rear end 32. The front end 31 faces the windshield 22 and can abut against the windshield 22 (see FIG. 1). Meanwhile, the rear end 32 faces the occupant P and can abut against the occupant P (see FIG. 1).

[0019] The constricted portion 33 is a portion in the middle of the airbag cushion 12, and is narrower or recessed in the up-down and / or left-right directions compared to the portions in front and behind the constricted portion 33. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the constricted portion 33 is thinner in a side view or narrower in the up-down direction compared to the portions in front and behind it.

[0020] The intermediate portion of the airbag cushion 12 refers to the portion of the airbag cushion 12 that is inflated and deployed between the front end portion 31 and the rear end portion 32, between the rearmost end portion of the housing 16 in which the airbag cushion 12 is accommodated in a side view (for example, near cross sections OO and PP in Figures 3A and 3C) and the portion of the airbag cushion 12 that has the largest cross section (for example, near cross sections DD, EE, and FF in Figures 3A and 3C).

[0021] 2A, which is a top view of the cross section taken along line IIA-IIA in FIG. 2, constricted portion 33 can include a portion that narrows both in the cross section and in the left-right direction. For example, the position of minimum constriction portion 33A, where the cross-sectional area of ​​constricted portion 33 is smallest, may be set to approximately coincide with the position of the largest protruding portion of a vehicle accessory (e.g., largest protruding portion 24A of navigation monitor 24), but may be set to avoid that protruding portion.

[0022] From another perspective, the cross-sectional area of ​​the cross section perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction changes between the front end 31 and the rear end 32 of the airbag cushion 12, and it can be said that a constricted portion 33 is formed by the portion with the smallest cross-sectional area and the portions before and after that portion where the cross-sectional area gradually decreases toward that portion.

[0023] If the airbag cushion 12 at the time of complete inflation and deployment is divided along the vehicle longitudinal direction based on this change in cross-sectional area, the airbag cushion 12 is divided into a first portion 41, a second portion 42, and a third portion 43. Specifically, the cross-sectional area gradually increases from the front end portion 31 to the first portion 41, gradually decreases from the first portion 41 to the second portion 42, gradually increases from the second portion 42 to the third portion 43, and gradually decreases from the third portion 43 to the rear end portion 32.

[0024] The constricted portion 33 is formed in front of and behind the second portion 42, with the second portion 42 as the center. Here, the constricted portion 33 is formed in a range from the first portion 41 through the second portion 42 to the portion between the second portion 42 and the third portion 43. In a side view, the length of the constricted portion 33 in the front-to-rear direction is equal to or less than one-third of the length of the airbag cushion 12 in the front-to-rear direction. If the length exceeds one-third, the airbag cushion 12 may be deformed (for example, bent) at the position of the constricted portion 33 due to the reaction force from the occupant P during restraint, which may impair the restraint performance.

[0025] The constricted portion 33 constitutes a portion where the bottom surface of the airbag cushion 12 is raised in a direction away from the instrument panel 20. Therefore, a space 36 is defined between the constricted portion 33 and the instrument panel 20.

[0026] In a side view, the lower portion 33a of the constricted portion 33 narrows more toward the inside of the airbag cushion 12 than the upper portion 33b. In other embodiments, the lower portion 33a and the upper portion 33b may be narrowed in the same manner. However, from the viewpoint of being less susceptible to deformation (e.g., bending) due to a reaction force from the occupant P when restrained, it is preferable that the upper portion 33b be flatter than the lower portion 33a. Furthermore, since the upper portion 33b comes into contact with the windshield 22 when the airbag cushion 12 is being deployed and / or has been deployed, it is also preferable that the upper portion 33b be flatter than the lower portion 33a from the viewpoint of being more susceptible to a reaction force from the windshield 22.

[0027] The lower portion 33a of the constricted portion 33 is curved upward and forms part of the bottom surface of the airbag cushion 12. In this example, the front portion of the lower portion 33a is formed so as to rise obliquely backward, and the rear portion of the lower portion 33a is formed so as to rise obliquely forward, in a side view.

[0028] The upper portion 33b of the constricted portion 33 forms part of the top surface of the airbag cushion 12 and extends parallel or nearly parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In this example, the upper portion 33b is slightly tilted upward toward the rear in side view, but is nearly flat compared to the lower portion 33a.

[0029] Furthermore, in a side view, the constricted portion 33 is located further forward of the center of the airbag cushion 12 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In relation to the navigation monitor 24, the position of the constricted portion 33 in the vehicle longitudinal direction corresponds to the position of the navigation monitor 24. Specifically, the navigation monitor 24 is located directly below the constricted portion 33. Here, the second portion 42 is located slightly forward of the navigation monitor 24.

[0030] The constricted portion 33 may be provided at a position where it abuts against the navigation monitor 24. The presence of the constricted portion 33 prevents the airbag cushion 12 from interfering with the navigation monitor 24. Meanwhile, when the airbag cushion 12 inflates and deploys, the portion that constitutes the constricted portion 33 abuts against the navigation monitor 24, applying a reaction force of inflation and deployment to that portion. In other words, the constricted portion 33 functions as a receiving portion that receives the reaction force of inflation and deployment from the navigation monitor 24, and can contribute to directing the inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion 12 in the desired direction.

[0031] 3A and 3B show an example of a side view and a plan view of the airbag cushion 12 together with the navigation monitor 24 after inflation and deployment. The line PP in FIG. 3A corresponds to the first portion 41 in FIG. 2, and similarly, the line QQ corresponds to the second portion 42, and the line EE corresponds to the third portion 43. The navigation monitor 24 is located on the line AA. FIG. 3C shows cross-sectional views taken along the lines in FIG. 3A. As shown in FIG. 3C, the cross-sectional area of ​​the airbag cushion 12 varies along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, as described above.

[0032] 3B, in plan view, the constricted portion 33 is narrower than the front end portion 31 and the rear end portion 32. In plan view, the airbag cushion 12 gradually becomes wider from the constricted portion 33 to partway along the rear end portion 32.

[0033] 4A to 4D show an example of the panel configuration of the airbag cushion 12. This panel configuration has a center panel 50 in Fig. 4A, a first side panel 51 in Fig. 4B, and a second side panel 52 in Fig. 4C. Each of the panels 50 to 52 is made of fabric such as a nonwoven fabric.

[0034] The center panel 50 and the side panels 51, 52 are joined (for example, by sewing, bonding, welding, etc.) at appropriate positions to form the airbag cushion 12, which defines an inflatable chamber. Here, the side panels 51, 52 are joined to the inner and outer sides of the center panel 50 in the vehicle width direction. In Figures 4A to 4C, the numbers 1 to 26 shown in each panel 50, 51, 52 indicate the positions where the center panel 50 and the side panel 51 or 52 join together when joined. For reference, these numbers are also shown in Figure 4D.

[0035] 4A, the center panel 50 is made of a single panel that is folded over and joined at both longitudinal ends. When fully inflated and deployed, the center panel 50 comprises a front end 31, a rear end 32, an upper portion 34, and a lower portion 35. In other embodiments, the center panel 50 may be made of two or more panels joined together.

[0036] The center panel 50 has, from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction, a first width changing portion 61, a first straight portion 62, a third width changing portion 63, an enlarged portion 64, a fourth width changing portion 65, a second straight portion 66, and a fifth width changing portion 67, in that order.

[0037] The first width varying portion 61 and the fifth width varying portion 67 are formed so as to narrow toward the first straight portion 62 and the second straight portion 66, respectively. The first width varying portion 61 and the fifth width varying portion 67 constitute the front end portion 31 and its surrounding area when inflation and deployment are complete.

[0038] The third width changing portion 63 and the fourth width changing portion 65 are formed so as to increase in width from the first straight portion 62 and the second straight portion 66, respectively, toward the expanded portion 64. The first straight portion 62 and the third width changing portion 63 constitute most of the lower portion 35 and the rear end portion 32 when inflation and deployment are complete. The fourth width changing portion 65 and the second straight portion 66 constitute most of the upper portion 34 when inflation and deployment are complete.

[0039] The first straight portion 62 has a gas inlet portion 68 at a position on the first width varying portion 61 side for introducing gas from the inflator 14. A part or most of each of the first straight portion 62 and the second straight portion 66 constitutes the lower portion 33a and upper portion 33b of the constricted portion 33 upon completion of inflation and deployment. For example, the portion of the first straight portion 62 between the numbers 3 and 5 constitutes the majority of the lower portion 33a of the constricted portion 33.

[0040] The expanded portion 64 is the widest (widest) portion of the center panel 50 in the vehicle width direction. The expanded portion 64 has the same width and a predetermined length. Here, the length of the expanded portion 64 is shorter than the lengths of the other components (61 to 63, 65 to 67) of the center panel 50. The expanded portion 64 forms the portion directly above the rear end portion 32 when inflation and deployment are complete. The expanded portion 64, together with the fourth width-changing portion 65, is the portion that faces the occupant P when inflation and deployment are complete.

[0041] As shown in Figures 4B and 4C, the side panels 51, 52 each consist of a single panel, and the peripheral edges of each are joined to either side of the center panel 50 in the width direction. The side panels 51, 52 can be formed in a paired (symmetrical) shape. However, in other embodiments, the side panels may have different shapes. This will be described later in embodiment 2.

[0042] When inflation and deployment are complete, the side panels 51, 52 constitute both side portions in the vehicle width direction of the airbag cushion 12. Therefore, the shape of the side panels 51, 52 is formed to be the same as the shape of the airbag cushion 12 when viewed from the side when inflation and deployment are complete (see Figures 2 and 4D).

[0043] In particular, the shapes of the side panels 51, 52 are formed to correspond to the constricted portion 33 of the airbag cushion 12 when inflation and deployment are complete. For example, the side panels 51, 52 each have recesses 71, 72 that define the lower portion 33a of the constricted portion 33. The recesses 71, 72 are formed in the lower portions of the side panels 51, 52. The portions of the side panels 51, 52 that define the recesses 71, 72 are curved upward, similar to the lower portion 33a of the constricted portion 33. The positions of the recesses 71, 72 relative to the center panel 50 are between the expanded portion 64 and the gas inlet portion 68 (positions corresponding to the first straight portion 62).

[0044] The side panels 51 and 52 have corner regions 720 that connect to the lower sides of the vehicle rearward portions that make up the recesses 71 and 72 and that protrude toward the front of the vehicle. Specifically, the recess 71 of the side panel 51 is composed of a front portion 71a (the portion from 2 to 3), a rear portion 71b (the portion from 5 to 6; the vehicle rearward portion), and an upper portion 71c (the portion from 3 to 5) that connects the front portion 71a and the rear portion 71b. The rear portion 71b is slightly inclined forward as it extends downward. The corner region 720 (the portion from 6 to just before 8) is located on the extension of the rear portion 71b, and the corner region 720 extends rearward and connects to the bottom 710 of the side panel 51 (the portion from just before 8 to 10). As a result of the rear portion 71b being inclined downward toward the front as described above, the corner region 720 protrudes in a shape that bulges out toward the front of the vehicle. Such a protruding shape can prevent the airbag cushion 12 from swinging up and down (preventing flapping) when inflated and deployed. The same applies to the recessed portion 72 of the side panel 52.

[0045] Vent holes 81, 82 are formed on the rear side of the side panels 51, 52, respectively. When the airbag cushion 12 hits the occupant P after it has fully inflated and deployed, gas inside the airbag cushion 12 is allowed to escape to the outside through the vent holes 81, 82. This allows the airbag cushion 12 to restrain the occupant P more gently.

[0046] 5 and 6, an example of how the airbag cushion 12 inflates and deploys in the occupant restraint device 10 will be described. When the supply of gas from the inflator 14 begins, the airbag cushion 12 begins to inflate and deploy, and is exposed to the outside of the instrument panel 20. At this time, the airbag cushion 12 deploys so that the side panels 51, 52 instantly rise up, and the upper front portion of the center panel 50 (the second straight portion 66 and the fifth width-changing portion 67) instantly hits the windshield 22 (see the diagram at t1). Note that t1 is, for example, 10 ms, and t2 and thereafter are timings at which, for example, 5 ms have elapsed.

[0047] The airbag cushion 12 receives reaction forces from the windshield 22 and the housing 16, and inflates and deploys toward the occupant P (see t2 in the drawing). Thereafter, the airbag cushion 12 receives a reaction force from the navigation monitor 24 at the constricted portion 33, and inflates and deploys toward the occupant P (see t3 and t4 in the drawings). The airbag cushion 12 assumes a deployed shape with sufficient width, for example, at about t3 from the start of supply, and hits the occupant P at about t4 from the start of supply, absorbing the impact of the occupant P and restraining the occupant P.

[0048] When inflation and deployment are complete (see figure t10), the airbag cushion 12 assumes the inflated and deployed shape shown in Figure 2, with the constricted portion 33 positioned in the upper region of the instrument panel 20 at a position corresponding to the position of the navigation monitor 24.

[0049] The occupant restraint device 10 according to the embodiment described above is equipped with an airbag cushion 12 that inflates and deploys from the instrument panel 20 located at the front of the vehicle inside the passenger compartment toward the occupant P in the event of a vehicle emergency, and when inflation and deployment is complete, the airbag cushion 12 has, in a side view, a front end 31 on the front side of the vehicle, a rear end 32 on the opposite side from the front end 31, and a narrowed portion 33 located between the front end 31 and the rear end 32 in the upper region of the instrument panel 20.

[0050] With this configuration, even if a vehicle accessory (navigation monitor 24) is provided above the instrument panel 20, the airbag cushion 12 can inflate and deploy by receiving a reaction force of the inflation and deployment from the navigation monitor 24 while being prevented from interfering with the navigation monitor 24 by the constricted portion 33. Therefore, even if the navigation monitor 24 is located above the instrument panel 20, the inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion 12 is not impaired, and the deployment performance of the airbag cushion 12 can be ensured.

[0051] Next, other embodiments will be described. The other embodiments will be described mainly focusing on the differences from the above embodiment, and the same or similar reference numerals will be used to designate the same components as the above embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0052] <Embodiment 2 of the passenger restraint device> 7A to 7C and 8A and 8B show an occupant restraint device 110 according to a second embodiment, in which cutouts 200 and 202 are provided in a center panel 150 and a second side panel 152, respectively, in the panel configuration of an airbag cushion 120. Unlike the first embodiment, the side panels 151 and 152 are not symmetrical. The side panel 151 has the same configuration as the side panel 51 of the first embodiment, but the side panel 152 has an additional cutout 202 in a part of the recess 172, in comparison with the configuration of the side panel 52 of the first embodiment.

[0053] 7A, the cutout portion 200 of the center panel 150 is formed on one end side of the first straight portion 162 in the vehicle width direction (here, the inner side in the vehicle width direction). The cutout portion 200 is curved in a substantially U-shape toward the center line of the first straight portion 162. The position of the cutout portion 200 in the front-rear direction is the end portion of the first straight portion 162 that connects to the third width changing portion 163. The cutout portion 200 constitutes at least a part of the vehicle width direction half of the lower portion 133a of the constricted portion 133 when inflation and deployment are complete.

[0054] 7C , the cutout 202 of the side panel 152 is formed, for example, in the rear corner of the recess 172. The cutout 202 is curved in a substantially U-shape toward the inside of the side panel 152. The position of the cutout 202 corresponds to the position of the cutout 200. Although not particularly shown, a ribbon-shaped or patch-shaped reinforcing fabric may be added at the stitching position of the cutout 200 and the cutout 202. This is because, when the airbag cushion inflates and deploys, there is a possibility that a higher stress will be locally applied to the cutout portion than to other portions.

[0055] Fig. 8A shows a cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion 120 at the completion of inflation and deployment, taken along line AA in Fig. 3A (i.e., the position where the navigation monitor 24 is located). Fig. 8B shows an enlarged view of portion 8B in Fig. 8A. For comparison, Fig. 8B also shows a cross-section of the airbag cushion 12 according to embodiment 1.

[0056] 8B, the cross section of the lower portion of the airbag cushion 120 is cut inward compared to the airbag cushion 12. This is because the airbag cushion 120 has cutouts 200, 202 formed at the position of the lower portion 133a of the constricted portion 133. This reduces the amount of interference with the navigation monitor 24 when the airbag cushion 120 is inflated and deployed, making it possible to prevent the airbag cushion 120 from tilting during inflation and deployment.

[0057] Thus, in the second embodiment, when the airbag cushion 120 is fully inflated and deployed, it is formed so that a cross section perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction is asymmetrical at the position of the constricted portion 133. In particular, when viewed from the vehicle longitudinal direction, the asymmetrical cross section is such that one side (here, the inner side in the vehicle width direction) where the navigation monitor 24 occupies a larger proportion is more recessed toward the inside of the airbag cushion 120 than the other side (here, the outer side in the vehicle width direction).

[0058] As in the second embodiment, by making the cross section at the position of the constricted portion 133 asymmetrical in consideration of the position, size, and proportion of the navigation monitor 24 in the vehicle width direction, it is possible to reduce the reaction force that the airbag cushion 120 receives from the navigation monitor 24 during inflation and deployment, but it is also possible to suppress tilting of the airbag cushion 120 during inflation and deployment. As a result, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to ensure the deployment performance of the airbag cushion 120 without impairing the inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion 120. Furthermore, making the cross section asymmetrical does not require the use of a tether.

[0059] 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, and the configurations of each embodiment can be combined with each other.

[0060] For example, in the first embodiment, the constricted portion 33 has been described as being narrower or recessed in the up-down direction than its front and rear portions. However, in addition to or separately from this, the constricted portion 33 may be narrower or recessed in the left-right direction. For example, the constricted portion 33 may be thinner or narrower in the left-right direction in a top view than its front and rear portions. Furthermore, the constricted portion 33 may be recessed more toward the inside of the airbag cushion 12 on one side (e.g., the inner side in the vehicle width direction) than on the other side (the outer side in the vehicle width direction) in a top view.

[0061] Additional Considerations Regarding Various Implementations [Embodiment 1] An occupant restraint device equipped with an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys from an instrument panel located at the front of the vehicle in the passenger compartment toward the occupant in the event of a vehicle emergency, When the airbag cushion is fully inflated and deployed, it has the following configuration in a side view: A front end portion on a front side of the vehicle; a rear end portion opposite the front end portion; a constricted portion located between the front end portion and the rear end portion and in an upper region of the instrument panel; An occupant restraint device having:

[0062] [Embodiment 2] An occupant restraint device as described in embodiment 1, wherein the constricted portion is narrower at the bottom toward the inside of the airbag cushion than at the top when viewed from the side.

[0063] [Embodiment 3] An occupant restraint device as described in embodiment 1, wherein the constricted portion is recessed more toward the inside of the airbag cushion on one side than on the other side when viewed from above.

[0064] [Embodiment 4] An occupant restraint device as described in embodiment 2, wherein the constricted portion is recessed more toward the inside of the airbag cushion on one side than on the other side when viewed from above.

[0065] [Embodiment 5] The constricted portion, when viewed from the side, The bottom curves upwards, an upper portion extending parallel or substantially parallel to the front-rear direction of the vehicle; 5. An occupant restraint device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, comprising:

[0066] [Embodiment 6] When the airbag cushion is completely inflated and deployed, the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion are identified based on the change in cross-sectional area of ​​a cross section perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction between the front end portion and the rear end portion along the vehicle longitudinal direction, The cross-sectional area is a gradually expanding portion extending from the front end to the first portion; a gradual decrease from the first portion to the second portion; The second portion gradually expands to the third portion, gradually decreasing from the third portion to the rear end; An occupant restraint device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the constricted portion is formed in front of and behind the second portion, with the second portion as the center.

[0067] [Embodiment 7] An occupant restraint device as described in embodiment 6, wherein the constricted portion is formed in a range from the first portion through the second portion to a portion between the second portion and the third portion.

[0068] [Embodiment 8] An occupant restraint device as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the airbag cushion, when fully inflated and deployed, is formed so that, when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is asymmetric at the position of the constricted portion.

[0069] [Embodiment 9] The occupant restraint device further includes a vehicle appendage that protrudes upward from the instrument panel, An occupant restraint device as described in embodiment 8, wherein the asymmetric cross section, when viewed from the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, is such that one side, where the vehicle accessory occupies a larger proportion, is more recessed toward the inside of the airbag cushion than the other side.

[0070] [Embodiment 10] The occupant restraint device further includes a vehicle appendage that protrudes upward from the instrument panel, An occupant restraint device as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the constricted portion is provided in an upper region of the instrument panel at a position in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction corresponding to the position of the vehicle accessory.

[0071] [Embodiment 11] An occupant restraint device as described in embodiment 9 or 10, wherein the constricted portion is provided at a position that abuts against the vehicle accessory.

[0072] [Embodiment 12] An occupant restraint device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the constricted portion is located forward of the center of the airbag cushion in the vehicle longitudinal direction in a side view.

[0073] [Embodiment 13] The panel configuration of the airbag cushion is a center panel having a portion facing the occupant when inflation and deployment are complete; a first side panel and a second side panel provided respectively on the inner and outer sides of the center panel in the vehicle width direction, An occupant restraint device as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 12, wherein the first side panel and the second side panel have recesses for forming the waist portion.

[0074] [Embodiment 14] The center panel is an expansion portion that expands in the vehicle width direction; a gas introduction portion for introducing gas from an inflator, An occupant restraint device as described in embodiment 13, wherein the first side panel and the second side panel are joined to the center panel so that the recess is located between the expansion portion and the gas inlet portion.

[0075] [Embodiment 15] An occupant restraint device as described in embodiment 13 or 14, wherein the first side panel and the second side panel have corner portions that connect to the lower side of the rear portion of the vehicle that constitutes the recess and protrude toward the front of the vehicle.

[0076] [Embodiment 16] An occupant restraint device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 15, wherein, in a side view, the longitudinal length of the constricted portion is 1 / 3 or less of the longitudinal length of the airbag cushion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 10...occupant restraint device, 12...airbag cushion, 14...inflator, 16...housing, 20...instrument panel, 22...windshield, 24...navigation monitor (vehicle accessory), 31...front end, 32...rear end, 33...constricted portion, 33a...lower portion, 33b...upper portion, 34...upper portion, 35...lower portion, 36...space, 41...first portion, 42...second portion, 43...third portion, 50...center panel, 51...first side panel, 52...second side panel, 61...first width changing portion, 62...first straight portion, 63...third width changing portion, 64...expansion portion Large portion, 65...fourth width changing portion, 66...second straight portion, 67...fifth width changing portion, 68...gas inlet portion, 71, 72...recessed portion, 71a...front portion, 71b...rear portion, 71c...upper portion, 81, 82...vent hole, 110...occupant restraint device, 120...airbag cushion, 150...center panel, 151...first side panel, 152...second side panel, 162...first straight portion, 163...third width changing portion, 200, 202...notched portion, 133:constricted portion, 133a...lower portion, 172...recessed portion, 710...bottom portion, 720...corner portion, P...occupant

Claims

1. An occupant restraint device equipped with an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys from an instrument panel located at the front of the vehicle in the passenger compartment toward the occupant in the event of a vehicle emergency, When the airbag cushion is fully inflated and deployed, it has the following configuration in a side view: A front end portion on a front side of the vehicle; a rear end portion opposite the front end portion; a constricted portion located between the front end portion and the rear end portion and in an upper region of the instrument panel; and The constricted portion is, in a top view, recessed more toward the inside of the airbag cushion on one side than on the other side.

2. 2. The passenger restraint device according to claim 1, wherein the constricted portion is narrower inwardly of the airbag cushion at a lower portion than at an upper portion in a side view.

3. The constricted portion, when viewed from the side, The bottom curves upwards, an upper portion extending parallel or substantially parallel to the front-rear direction of the vehicle; 3. An occupant restraint device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

4. When the airbag cushion is completely inflated and deployed, the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion are identified based on a change in cross-sectional area of ​​a cross section perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction between the front end portion and the rear end portion along the vehicle longitudinal direction, The cross-sectional area is a gradually expanding portion extending from the front end to the first portion; a gradual decrease from the first portion to the second portion; The second portion gradually expands to the third portion, gradually decreasing from the third portion to the rear end; The occupant restraint device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the constricted portion is formed in front of and behind the second portion, with the second portion as the center.

5. 5. The passenger restraint device according to claim 4, wherein the constricted portion is formed in a range from the first portion through the second portion to a portion between the second portion and the third portion.

6. 3. The occupant restraint device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag cushion, when fully inflated and deployed, is formed so that a cross section perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction is asymmetric at the position of the constricted portion when viewed from the vehicle longitudinal direction.

7. An occupant restraint device equipped with an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys from an instrument panel located at the front of the vehicle inside the vehicle cabin toward the occupant in a vehicle emergency, When the airbag cushion is fully inflated and deployed, it has the following configuration in a side view: A front end portion on a front side of the vehicle; a rear end portion opposite the front end portion; a constricted portion located between the front end portion and the rear end portion and in an upper region of the instrument panel; and the airbag cushion, when fully inflated and deployed, is formed so that a cross section perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction is asymmetric at the position of the constricted portion when viewed from the vehicle longitudinal direction, The occupant restraint device further includes a vehicle appendage that protrudes upward from the instrument panel, An occupant restraint device in which, when viewed from the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, the asymmetric cross section is such that one side, where the vehicle accessory occupies a larger proportion, is more recessed toward the inside of the airbag cushion than the other side.

8. The occupant restraint device further includes a vehicle appendage that protrudes upward from the instrument panel, 7. The passenger restraint device according to claim 6, wherein the constricted portion is provided in an upper region of the instrument panel at a position in the vehicle longitudinal direction that corresponds to a position of the vehicle accessory.

9. The occupant restraint device according to claim 7, wherein the constricted portion is provided at a position where it abuts against the vehicle accessory.

10. The occupant restraint device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the constricted portion is located forward of the center of the airbag cushion in the vehicle longitudinal direction in a side view.

11. The panel configuration of the airbag cushion is a center panel having a portion facing the occupant when inflation and deployment are complete; a first side panel and a second side panel provided respectively on the inner side and the outer side of the center panel in the vehicle width direction, 3. The occupant restraint device according to claim 1, wherein the first side panel and the second side panel have recesses for forming the waisted portions.

12. The center panel is an expansion portion that expands in the vehicle width direction; a gas introduction portion for introducing gas from an inflator, 12. The passenger restraint device according to claim 11, wherein the first side panel and the second side panel are joined to the center panel such that the recess is located between the enlarged portion and the gas inlet portion.

13. The occupant restraint device according to claim 11, wherein corner portions of the first side panel and the second side panel that are connected to lower sides of the vehicle rear side portions that form the recessed portions protrude toward the front of the vehicle.

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