Occupant protection devices

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an occupant protection device that provides an increased occupant restraining force with a simple configuration. [Solution] An airbag cushion 108 of the occupant protection device comprises: side panels 120, 122 that are positioned on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and a main panel 118 that connects edges of the side panels 120, 122. The main panel 118 forms an occupant restraining surface 124 on the occupant side thereof for contact with an occupant. The side panel 122 that is disposed on the central side in the vehicle width direction is formed with a bulging portion 126 in which a predetermined area of the main panel 118 extending from the occupant restraining surface 124 to the side panel 122 is continuously bulged. When the occupant 114 contacts the occupant restraining surface 124, the bulging portion 126 contacts a predetermined area of an instrument panel 120 to absorb force received from the occupant 114.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an occupant protection device having an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys between an instrument panel of a vehicle and an occupant seated in a passenger seat. [Background technology]

[0002] Airbag systems are now standard equipment on most modern vehicles. Airbag systems are safety devices that activate in emergencies such as vehicle collisions, and protect occupants by using an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys using gas pressure. There are various types of airbag systems depending on their installation location and purpose. For example, in the driver's seat, a front airbag is installed in the center of the steering wheel. In the passenger seat, a passenger airbag is installed in the instrument panel or its surrounding area.

[0003] The shapes of the airbag cushions of various airbag devices are designed to suit the surrounding structures, etc., so as to efficiently restrain the occupant. For example, the passenger airbag 13 described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a recess 28 to prevent interference with the adjacent member 2 of the instrument panel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-125053 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Collisions that occur to vehicles include frontal collisions, side collisions, and oblique collisions from an oblique direction. In particular, in an oblique collision, the occupant enters the airbag cushion at an angle, which is known to cause the airbag cushion to easily lose its posture. Therefore, passenger seat airbag cushions are also required to have a shape that can withstand oblique collisions. However, providing a curbside tether 60 or a correction tether 53, as in Patent Document 1, complicates the configuration of the airbag cushion, which can affect the folding method for storage and manufacturing costs. Therefore, a simpler configuration is required.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an occupant protection device that has a simple configuration and an improved occupant restraining force. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of an occupant protection device according to the present invention is an occupant protection device equipped with an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys between the vehicle's instrument panel and an occupant seated in the passenger seat, the airbag cushion having a pair of side panels located on both sides of the vehicle width direction and a main panel connecting the edges of the pair of side panels, the main panel forming an occupant restraint surface on the occupant side with which the occupant comes into contact, one of the pair of side panels located on the center side of the vehicle width direction has a bulge portion that bulges continuously over a predetermined range from the occupant restraint surface of the main panel to one of the side panels, and when the occupant comes into contact with the occupant restraint surface, the bulge portion comes into contact with a predetermined location on the instrument panel to absorb the force received from the occupant.

[0008] According to the above configuration, when an occupant enters the airbag cushion diagonally forward toward the center of the vehicle width direction, a bulge is formed in one side panel, and this bulge contacts a structure in the center of the instrument panel, thereby supporting the posture of the airbag cushion. This stabilizes the posture of the airbag cushion, allowing the airbag cushion to efficiently absorb the load from the occupant and support the occupant. Therefore, the above configuration makes it possible to provide an occupant protection device with improved occupant restraint force with a simple configuration.

[0009] Before being connected to the main panel, the one side panel may have a dimension in a direction corresponding to the vehicle longitudinal direction larger than that of the other side panel that is disposed on the opposite side of the main panel.

[0010] According to the above configuration, it is possible to efficiently form the bulging portion on one of the side panels.

[0011] The one of the side panels may have a predetermined tuck portion in a portion of the area forming the bulge portion, and the tuck portion may be in a state where a portion of the one of the side panels is folded along a crease extending in the vertical direction.

[0012] According to the above configuration, by folding a portion of one of the side panels that is larger in dimension in the fore-and-aft direction to provide a tuck portion, it is possible to efficiently form a bulge portion in that one of the side panels when an occupant enters at an angle.

[0013] The one side panel may further have a vent hole provided in the area where the tuck portion is formed to allow gas inside the airbag cushion to be discharged, the vent hole opening when the bulging portion is inflated and deployed.

[0014] According to the above configuration, by providing a vent hole in the tuck portion, gas pressure can be easily applied to the tuck portion, enabling the bulge portion to be formed efficiently. Furthermore, by opening the vent hole after the bulge portion is formed, the internal pressure of the airbag cushion can be reduced, reducing the burden on the occupant.

[0015] The one side panel may further have a sewing portion for sewing the tuck portion in the folded state. By providing this sewing portion, it is possible to suitably maintain the formation of the tuck portion.

[0016] The sewn portion may be rupturable during inflation of the airbag cushion. For example, by configuring the sewn portion to rupture when the internal pressure of the airbag cushion reaches a certain level, it becomes possible to release the tucked portion and form the inflation portion at a more appropriate timing, such as when an occupant comes into contact with the airbag cushion.

[0017] The upper and lower ends of the tuck portion may be sewn to the edge of the main panel, which makes it possible to maintain the formation of the tuck portion.

[0018] The main panel may have a recessed portion recessed forward and extending vertically in the widthwise center of the occupant restraint surface, and the occupant restraint surface may include bulging restraint surfaces formed on both sides of the recessed portion in a state that bulges toward the occupant when the airbag cushion is inflated and deployed, thereby being able to restrain the occupant.

[0019] According to the above configuration, for example, when an occupant comes into contact with the bulging restraint surface located closer to the center in the vehicle width direction than the recessed portion of the occupant restraint surface, the bulging portion can be efficiently formed.

[0020] The occupant restraint surface may be configured so that the upper and lower sides of the recessed portion are not recessed but gently bulge toward the occupant.

[0021] According to the above configuration, the recess restrains the area around the occupant's face, while the upper and lower portions of the recess can suitably restrain the occupant's forehead, chest, etc.

[0022] The instrument panel may have a predetermined structure disposed in the center in the vehicle width direction and protruding upward or rearward of the vehicle, and the bulging portion may be capable of contacting the structure from behind.

[0023] An example of such a structure is a monitor of a navigation system, etc. With the above configuration, the bulging portion comes into contact with the structure at the center of the instrument panel from behind, thereby stabilizing the posture of the airbag cushion and enabling the airbag cushion to efficiently absorb the load from the occupant and support the occupant. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an occupant protection device with a simple configuration and improved occupant restraint force. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an outline of an occupant protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion of FIG. 1(b) taken along line AA. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the outline of the airbag cushion of FIG. [Figure 4] 3(b) is a diagram illustrating a pair of side panels of the airbag cushion of FIG. 3(a). [Figure 5] 1(b) is a diagram illustrating a process in which the airbag cushion of FIG. 1(b) restrains an occupant. [Figure 6] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the side panel of FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention and, unless otherwise specified, do not limit the present invention. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0027] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of an outline of an occupant protection device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a vehicle before the occupant protection device 100 is activated.

[0028] In this embodiment, the occupant protection device 100 is implemented as a passenger bag for a front passenger seat in a right-hand drive vehicle, provided in front of the front left seat 104. In the following description, the front left seat 104 is assumed, so for example, the outer side of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction means the left side of the vehicle, and the inner side of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction means the right side of the vehicle. Furthermore, "upward" refers to the direction of the head as seen from an occupant 114 (see FIG. 2) seated properly in the seat 104, and "downward" refers to the direction of the lower legs as seen from the occupant 114.

[0029] In this embodiment, when an occupant is seated in a normal position on the passenger seat 104, the direction the occupant faces is defined as forward, the opposite direction, that is, the direction of the occupant's back, the right side of the occupant, and the left side of the occupant, as the left direction. Furthermore, when an occupant is seated in a normal position, the direction of the occupant's head is defined as upward, and the direction of the occupant's feet is defined as downward. In the drawings used in the following description, the front, rear, left, right, up and down directions relative to the occupant in the normal seating position described above are indicated as necessary by arrows F (Forward), B (Back), L (Left), R (Right), U (Up), and D (Down).

[0030] An airbag cushion 108 (see FIG. 1(b)) of the occupant protection device 100 is housed in a housing 106 provided in an instrument panel 102 of the vehicle. The housing 106 is installed in front of the seat 104, and houses not only the airbag cushion 108 but also an inflator 110 (see FIG. 2) which is a gas generator.

[0031] Fig. 1(b) is a diagram illustrating the vehicle after the activation of the occupant protection device 100 of Fig. 1(a). The airbag cushion 108 is bag-shaped and is formed by stacking multiple panels that make up its surface and sewing or gluing them together.

[0032] In this embodiment, a navigation system monitor 116 is disposed as a predetermined structure in the center of the instrument panel 102 in the vehicle width direction. The monitor 116 is installed so as to protrude toward the rear of the vehicle compared to the design surface 102b of the instrument panel 102 in front of the seat 104. The airbag cushion 108 utilizes a bulge 126, which will be described later, so that the monitor 116 can also be used as a support surface.

[0033] In addition, the above-mentioned structures may include various accessories that protrude above and behind the vehicle beyond the design surface 102b of the instrument panel 102, such as the navigation system monitor 116, a meter panel on which instruments are arranged, etc.

[0034] Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion 108 taken along line AA in Fig. 1(b). As illustrated in Fig. 2, the airbag cushion 108, in contact with the upper surface 102a of the instrument panel 102, inflates and deploys between the upper surface 102a of the instrument panel 102 and the windshield 112, and between the decorative surface 102b of the instrument panel 102 and the occupant 114 in the seat 104, thereby restraining the occupant 114 from the front of the vehicle.

[0035] The front inflatable portion 108a of the airbag cushion 108 has a tapered shape that tapers forward along the top surface 102a of the instrument panel 102 and the windshield 112, and maintains the posture of the airbag cushion 108 by coming into contact with the top surface 102a of the instrument panel 102 and the windshield 112.

[0036] The rear inflatable portion 108b of the airbag cushion 108 increases in size vertically along the rear design surface 102b of the instrument panel 102, and restrains the area of ​​the occupant 114, mainly from the head to the upper body.

[0037] A part of an inflator 110, which is a gas generator, is inserted inside the airbag cushion 108. The inflator 110 is fixed to the inside of the instrument panel 102 using a stud bolt (not shown), and is activated in response to an impact detection signal sent from a predetermined sensor to supply gas to the airbag cushion 108. The airbag cushion 108 begins to inflate with the gas from the inflator 110, and the inflation pressure causes the cover 107 (see FIG. 1(a)) to split open, and the airbag cushion 108 is inflated and deployed toward the seat 104.

[0038] In this embodiment, a disk-shaped inflator 110 is used. Currently popular inflators include types that are filled with gas generating agent and burn it to generate gas, types that are filled with compressed gas and supply gas without generating heat, and hybrid types that use both combustion gas and compressed gas. Any of these types can be used as the inflator 110.

[0039] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the outline of the airbag cushion 108 in Fig. 1(b). Fig. 3(a) is a diagram illustrating the airbag cushion 108 as seen from the seat 104 side, similar to Fig. 1(b).

[0040] The outer surface of the airbag cushion 108 is composed of a central main panel 118 and a pair of left and right side panels 120, 122.

[0041] The main panel 118 is provided so as to surround the front, rear, top and bottom of the airbag cushion 108, and connects the edges of the pair of left and right side panels 120, 122. The main panel 118, on the occupant 114 side of the airbag cushion 108 (see FIG. 2), forms an occupant restraint surface 124 that restrains the occupant 114.

[0042] A pair of left and right side panels 120, 122 are located on both sides of the airbag cushion 108 in the vehicle width direction and form the sides of the airbag cushion 108. In this embodiment, the dimension of the side panel 122 on the center side in the vehicle width direction is set larger than the dimension of the side panel 120 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and a bulge portion 126, which will be described later, is formed in part of the side panel 122.

[0043] FIG. 3(b) is a perspective view illustrating the airbag cushion 108 of FIG. 1(a) as viewed from above on the center side in the vehicle width direction.

[0044] When the airbag cushion 108 is inflated and deployed, a predetermined area including a part of the side panel 122 from the main panel 118 continuously inflates to form a bulging portion 126. The bulging portion 126 is formed on the vehicle interior side of the rear inflating portion 108b, and comes into contact with the monitor 116 (see FIG. 1(a)) described above, using it as a support surface to maintain the posture of the airbag cushion 108.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a pair of side panels 120, 122 of the airbag cushion 108 of FIG. 3(a).

[0046] Fig. 4(a) is a diagram illustrating the vehicle exterior side panel 120 of Fig. 3(a) laid flat. Before being connected to the main panel 118, the side panel 120 is formed into an overall curved shape to form the front inflatable section 108a extending longitudinally and the rear inflatable section 108b extending vertically, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The side panel 120 is also provided with vent holes 132 for discharging gas.

[0047] Fig. 4(b) is a diagram illustrating the vehicle interior side panel 122 of Fig. 3(b) laid flat. When the side panel 122 is unfolded flat before being connected to the main panel 118, the dimension T2 of the airbag cushion 108 in the direction corresponding to the vehicle front-rear direction is set to be larger than the dimension T1 of the side panel 120 (Fig. 4(a)) arranged on the opposite side in the direction corresponding to the vehicle front-rear direction (T2>T1).

[0048] The side panel 122 is provided with a folding region 128 that is folded when the airbag cushion 108 is formed. The folding region 128 is folded back along mountain fold line L1 and valley fold line L2 to form a tuck portion 130. The tuck portion 130 is provided in a portion of the area of ​​the side panel 122 that forms the bulge portion 126 (see FIG. 3(b)).

[0049] Fig. 4(c) is a diagram showing the state in which the tuck portion 130 has been formed in the side panel 122 of Fig. 4(b). By forming the folded tuck portion 130, the side panel 122 has a shape symmetrical to the side panel 120 on the opposite side.

[0050] Fig. 4(d) is a BB cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the tuck portion 130 of the side panel 122 in Fig. 4(c). The tuck portion 130 is folded forward along the mountain fold line L1 and then folded backward along the valley fold line L2 so that the folding region 128 is positioned inside the airbag cushion 108.

[0051] As shown in Figure 4(c), the upper end 130a and the lower end 130b of the tuck portion 130, like the other portions of the edge of the side panel 122, are joined to the edge of the main panel 118 (see Figure 3(b)) by stitching 134. This keeps the tuck portion 130 folded back, and maintains the formation of the tuck portion 130 before and after the airbag cushion 108 is inflated and deployed.

[0052] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the process in which the airbag cushion 108 of FIG. 1(b) restrains the occupant 114. In FIG.

[0053] 5(a) is a diagram illustrating a schematic example of a CC cross section of the airbag cushion 108 in FIG. 1(b). The tuck portion 130 is formed in an area of ​​the side panel 122 that is located rearward of the monitor 116.

[0054] A recess 136 that is recessed forward is formed in the occupant restraint surface 124 of the main panel 118. As illustrated in Fig. 3(a), the recess 136 is formed so as to extend in the vertical direction in the center of the width direction of the occupant restraint surface 124. The recess 136 is formed by joining the occupant restraint surface 124 by welding or the like, or by pulling the occupant restraint surface 124 forward from the inside of the airbag cushion 108 with a tether or the like.

[0055] 5(a), the occupant restraint surface 124 has both sides of the recess 136 bulging out towards the occupant 114. As a result, the occupant restraint surface 124 has a bulging restraint surface 124a on the vehicle exterior side of the recess 136 and a bulging restraint surface 124b on the vehicle interior side of the recess 136.

[0056] Fig. 5(b) is a diagram illustrating a state when an occupant comes into contact with the airbag cushion 108 of Fig. 5(a). When an oblique collision or the like occurs to the vehicle, the occupant 114 may move diagonally forward from the seat 104 (see Fig. 1(b)) toward the interior of the vehicle. At this time, the airbag cushion 108 can receive the occupant 114 with the protruding restraint surface 124b on the interior side of the vehicle.

[0057] FIG. 5(c) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the occupant 114 in FIG. 5(b) has further advanced forward in the interior of the vehicle. When the occupant 114 contacts the bulging restraint surface 124b, which is located closer to the center in the vehicle width direction than the recess 136, which is the center of the occupant restraint surface 124, a portion of the side panel 122 on the interior side of the vehicle bulges, forming a bulging portion 126. The bulging portion 126 is formed by a region from the bulging restraint surface 124b of the main panel 118 to a portion of the side panel 122 bulging toward the center in the vehicle width direction and in the vehicle front-to-rear direction. At this time, the tuck portion 130 is formed rearward of the monitor 116, and the bulging portion 126 is also formed mainly rearward of the monitor 116. The bulging portion 126 then contacts the monitor 116 from behind.

[0058] Fig. 5(d) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the occupant 114 of Fig. 5(c) has further advanced forward inside the vehicle. The bulging portion 126 uses the monitor 116 as a support surface, so that the airbag cushion 108 can also receive a reaction force from the monitor 116. In other words, the bulging portion 126 comes into contact with the monitor 116, thereby enabling the airbag cushion 108 to absorb the force received from the occupant 114. This allows the airbag cushion 108 to maintain its posture even when the occupant advances obliquely, thereby enabling the occupant to be appropriately restrained.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 4(c), the tuck portion 130 is formed by folding a portion of the side panel 122 along creases (mountain fold line L1, valley fold line L2) that extend in the vertical direction. This configuration makes it possible to efficiently form the bulge portion 126 when the occupant 114 comes into contact with the occupant restraint surface 124 at a position closer to the center in the vehicle width direction than the recess 136, as shown in Fig. 5(d) and other figures.

[0060] As shown in Figure 3(a), of the occupant restraint surface 124 of the main panel 118, the bulging restraint surface 124b bulges out integrally with the bulging portion 126 of the side panel 122, and the bulging restraint surface 124b also forms part of the vehicle rear side of the bulging portion 126. When the airbag cushion 108 is inflated and deployed, when viewed from the occupant 114 side (see Figure 5(b), etc.), the area W2 from the recess 136 of the airbag cushion 108 to the vehicle interior side has a larger dimension in the vehicle width direction than the area W1 from the recess 136 to the vehicle exterior side.

[0061] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the occupant 114 enters the airbag cushion 108 diagonally forward toward the center in the vehicle width direction, a bulge 126 is formed in the side panel 122, and this bulge 126 comes into contact with the monitor 116 protruding from the center of the instrument panel 102. This stabilizes the posture of the airbag cushion 108, and the airbag cushion 108 can efficiently absorb the load from the occupant 114 and receive the occupant 114 even when the occupant 114 enters diagonally. In this way, this embodiment makes it possible to provide an occupant protection device 100 with improved occupant restraint force using a simple configuration.

[0062] The airbag cushion 108 of this embodiment has a tuck portion 130 formed by folding a portion of the side panel 122 that is large in the direction corresponding to the vehicle's longitudinal direction, thereby efficiently forming a bulge portion 126 during restraint, thereby improving the occupant restraint force. In this way, by utilizing the large side panel 122 and tuck 130, the airbag cushion 108 is able to efficiently form the bulge portion 126 with a simple configuration that does not require a complex mechanism such as an internal tether.

[0063] In this embodiment, the tuck portion 130 is formed in an area of ​​the side panel 122 that is located rearward of the monitor 116, but this is not limited to this, and the location of the tuck portion 130 can be changed as appropriate to suit the structures, etc., that the instrument panel 102 has.

[0064] 3(b), the occupant restraint surface 124 of the airbag cushion 108 is configured so that an upper portion 124c above the recessed portion 136 and a lower portion 124d below the recessed portion 136 gently bulge out toward the occupant 114 (see FIG. 2, etc.) without being depressed. These upper portion 124c and lower portion 124d make it possible to more suitably restrain the occupant, for example, by restraining the area around the face of the occupant 114 with the recessed portion 136, restraining the forehead of the occupant with the upper portion 124c, and restraining the chest of the occupant with the lower portion 124d.

[0065] (Variation) Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a modified example (side panel 200) of the side panel 122 of Figure 4. In the following description, components that have already been described will be assigned the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. Furthermore, components with the same names as components already described will have the same configuration and function even if assigned different reference numerals.

[0066] Fig. 6(a) is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 4(b) and illustrating a side panel 200. The side panel 200 has a vent hole 202 in the folding region 128, which is the area where the tuck portion 130 is formed.

[0067] The vent hole 202 is a portion through which gas inside the airbag cushion 108 (see FIG. 3(b) and the like) is discharged. Therefore, in the side panel 200, when gas flows out from the vent hole 202, the folded region 128 around the vent hole 202 is easily subjected to the force of the gas.

[0068] 6(b) is a diagram illustrating the side panel 200 corresponding to FIG. 4(c). The vent hole 202 is folded inside the tuck portion 130 by folding the folding region 128 to form the tuck portion 130.

[0069] The side panel 200 has sewn portions 204a and 204b in the tuck portion 130. The sewn portions 204a and 204b are areas where the tuck portion 130 is sewn in a folded state, and are provided above and below the vent hole 202 in the tuck portion 130. By providing the sewn portions 204a and 204b, the side panel 200 can properly maintain the formation of the tuck portion 130.

[0070] In this modified example, sewn portions 204a, 204b are provided as temporary stitches using thread that can break with a certain amount of force. When gas fills the airbag cushion 108 (see FIG. 5(b), etc.) and the gas force acting on tuck portion 130 exceeds a certain level, sewn portions 204a, 204b break, releasing tuck portion 130 and opening vent hole 202.

[0071] Figure 6(c) is a DD cross-sectional view of the side panel 200 of Figure 6(b). Because the tuck portion 130 is sewn by the stitching portions 204a and 204b, the formation of the tuck portion 130 is maintained until the internal pressure of the airbag cushion 108 (see Figure 3(b), etc.) increases to a certain extent.

[0072] Figure 6(d) is an E-E cross-sectional view of the side panel 200 in Figure 6(b). The vent holes 202 are located inside the tuck portions 130. Therefore, gas is prevented from leaking out from the vent holes 202 until the stitched portions 204a, 204b (see Figure 6(c)) rupture, that is, until the internal pressure of the airbag cushion 108 (see Figure 5(a) etc.) increases to a certain level. With this configuration, the internal pressure of the airbag cushion 108 increases more quickly in the early stages of inflation and deployment, allowing inflation and deployment to be completed more smoothly and quickly.

[0073] Fig. 6(e) is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the gas pressure acting on the side panel 200 of Fig. 6(c) has increased. In the case where the side panel 200 is used, when the occupant 114 comes into contact with the inflated and deployed airbag cushion 108, as illustrated in Fig. 5(b), for example, the load from the occupant 114 acts on the expansion restraint surface 124a, increasing the internal pressure of the airbag cushion 108. The gas force acting on the tuck portion 130 also becomes larger than before the occupant was restrained, and this gas force acts to open the tuck portion 130, pulling and tearing the sewn portions 204a, 204b.

[0074] Figure 6(f) is a diagram illustrating a state in which bulge portion 126 has been formed in side panel 200 of Figure 6(d). When stitched portions 204a, 204b (see Figure 6(e)) are ruptured, the fold of tuck portion 130 is released, and gas is released from vent hole 202. At the same time, the force of the gas is concentrated in the area around vent hole 202, causing the area including tuck portion 130 to bulge, forming bulge portion 126.

[0075] By employing the above-described side panel 200, similar to the case of employing the side panel 122 of FIG. 5(d), the monitor 116 is used as a support surface by the bulging portion 126, and the airbag cushion 108 receives a reaction force from the monitor 116, thereby improving the occupant restraint force. Furthermore, with this configuration, when the head or the like of the occupant 114 comes into contact with the bulging restraint surface 124a, the stitching portions 204a, 204b (see FIG. 6(c)) are released, the bulging portion 126 inflates and deploys, and the vent hole 202 opens, increasing the amount of gas discharged. This reduces the internal pressure of the airbag cushion 108 and reduces the burden on the occupant 114, making it possible to suppress injury levels to the head or the like of the occupant 114, for example.

[0076] As described above, by providing the vent holes 202 in the tuck portions 130, the side panel 200 allows gas pressure to be applied to the tuck portions 130 more easily, thereby efficiently forming the bulging portions 126. Furthermore, by providing the rupturable stitching portions 204a, 204b in the tuck portions 130, the side panel 200 can maintain the formation of the tuck portions 130 before occupant restraint, and can release the tuck portions 130 at a more appropriate timing, such as when the internal pressure of the airbag cushion 108 increases above a certain level after occupant restraint has begun, thereby efficiently forming the bulging portions 126.

[0077] In each of the above embodiments, the main panel 118 and the side panels 120, 122, and 200 may each be formed as a single panel member, or may be formed by combining multiple panels.Furthermore, the main panel 118 and each of the side panels 120, 122, and 200 may be formed as a panel with a continuous, integrated configuration as a whole.

[0078] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above-described embodiments are merely preferred examples of the present invention, and other embodiments may be implemented or performed in various ways. Unless otherwise specified in the present specification, the present invention is not limited to the detailed shapes, sizes, and configurations of parts shown in the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the expressions and terms used in the present specification are for the purpose of explanation and are not intended to be limiting unless otherwise specified.

[0079] Therefore, it is clear that a person skilled in the art can think of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0080] The present invention can be used in an occupant protection device that includes an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys between the instrument panel of a vehicle and an occupant in the front passenger seat. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 100... occupant protection device, 102... instrument panel, 102a... upper surface, 102b... design surface, 104... seat, 106... storage section, 108... airbag cushion, 108a... front inflatable section, 108b... rear inflatable section, 110... inflator, 112... windshield, 114... occupant, 116... monitor, 118... main panel, 120, 122... side panel, 124... occupant restraint surface, 124a, 124b... bulge restraint surface, 124c... upper portion, 124d... lower portion, 126... bulge portion, 128... folding region, 130... tuck portion, 132... vent hole, 134... stitching, 136... recess, L1... mountain fold line, L2... valley fold line, T1, T2... dimensions, W1... outside area of ​​vehicle, W2... inside area of ​​vehicle, 200... side panel, 202... vent hole, 204a, 204b... stitching

Claims

1. An occupant protection device including an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys between an instrument panel of a vehicle and an occupant seated in a passenger seat, The airbag cushion is A pair of side panels located on both sides in the vehicle width direction; a main panel connecting edges of the pair of side panels; and the main panel forms an occupant restraint surface on the occupant side with which the occupant comes into contact, one of the pair of side panels that is disposed on the center side in the vehicle width direction is formed with a bulging portion that bulges continuously over a predetermined range from the occupant restraint surface of the main panel to the one side panel, When the occupant comes into contact with the occupant restraint surface, the bulging portion comes into contact with a predetermined portion of the instrument panel to absorb the force received from the occupant, An occupant protection device characterized in that, before being connected to the main panel, one of the side panels has a dimension in a direction corresponding to the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction that is larger than that of the other side panel that is arranged on the opposite side of the main panel.

2. An occupant protection device having an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys between a vehicle instrument panel and an occupant seated in a passenger seat, The airbag cushion is A pair of side panels located on both sides in the vehicle width direction; a main panel connecting edges of the pair of side panels; and the main panel forms an occupant restraint surface on the occupant side with which the occupant comes into contact, one of the pair of side panels that is disposed on the center side in the vehicle width direction is formed with a bulging portion that bulges continuously over a predetermined range from the occupant restraint surface of the main panel to the one side panel, When the occupant comes into contact with the occupant restraint surface, the bulging portion comes into contact with a predetermined portion of the instrument panel to absorb the force received from the occupant, the one side panel has a predetermined tuck portion in a part of the area forming the bulge portion, The tuck portion is formed by folding a portion of one of the side panels along a crease extending in the vertical direction.

3. the one side panel further has a vent hole provided in an area where the tuck portion is formed and capable of discharging gas from within the airbag cushion; 3. The passenger protection device according to claim 2, wherein the vent hole opens when the bulging portion is inflated and deployed.

4. 3. The passenger protection device according to claim 2, wherein the one side panel further includes a stitching portion for stitching the tuck portion in the folded state.

5. 5. The passenger protection device according to claim 4, wherein the stitching is breakable during the inflation of the airbag cushion.

6. 3. The passenger protection device according to claim 2, wherein the upper and lower ends of the tuck portion are sewn to the edge of the main panel.

7. the main panel has a recess formed in the center of the width direction of the occupant restraint surface so as to extend in the up-down direction and recessed forward, The occupant protection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the occupant restraint surface includes bulging restraint surfaces formed on both sides of the recess in a state that bulges toward the occupant when the airbag cushion is inflated and deployed, thereby being able to restrain the occupant.

8. 8. The passenger protection device according to claim 7, wherein the passenger restraint surface is not recessed above or below the recess, but is gently bulged toward the passenger.

9. the instrument panel has a predetermined structure disposed in the center of the vehicle width direction and protruding upward or rearward of the vehicle, 2. The passenger protection device according to claim 1, wherein the bulging portion is capable of contacting the structure from behind.

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