Vehicle occupant restraint device

Abstract

To provide an occupant restraint device for a vehicle which can effectively retain an occupant by using a bulged and deployed center airbag irrespective of a position of a vehicle seat.SOLUTION: An occupant restraint device 10 for a vehicle comprises a vehicle seat 12 movably arranged in a fore-and-aft direction, a console box 20 arranged inside the vehicle seat 12 in a vehicle width direction, and a center airbag 36 arranged at the console box 20 so as to be turnable with the vehicle width direction as an axial direction, bulged and deployed from a sidewall 26 of the console box 20 to the inside of the vehicle width direction of the occupant who has seated on the vehicle seat 12, and partially contacting with an upper face 28A of the console box 20 while hanging out therefrom. When a front side face 16A of a seatback 16 is located at a front side of a front face 22A of the console box 20 in a side face view, the center airbag 36 turns in advance so as to be bulged and deployed in a front inclination posture.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A vehicle occupant restraint system in which the lower end of a far side airbag (center airbag) is deployed between the occupant's waist and the console box to restrain the occupant from moving inward in the vehicle width direction has been known for some time (see, for example, Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-081958 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-108740 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if the lower end of the inflated center airbag does not sufficiently overlap with the console box in a side view, in other words, if the vehicle seat is in a forward position where the front end face of the side of the seatback is located further forward than the front of the console box, such as in the case of a small occupant, the center airbag will find it difficult to obtain sufficient reaction force from the console box when the inflated center airbag restrains the occupant.

[0005] Therefore, an occupant who moves inward in the vehicle width direction due to inertial force caused by a side collision of the vehicle may fall inward in the vehicle width direction along with the center airbag. In other words, it may be difficult for the inflated and deployed center airbag to effectively restrain the occupant. As such, there is still room for improvement in a configuration that allows the inflated and deployed center airbag to effectively restrain the occupant regardless of the position of the vehicle seat (even when the vehicle seat is in the forward position).

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle occupant restraint device that can effectively restrain an occupant with an inflated and deployed center airbag regardless of the position of the vehicle seat. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention comprises: a vehicle seat that is arranged in a vehicle compartment so as to be movable in a fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle; a console box that is arranged in the vehicle compartment more inward in a vehicle width direction than the vehicle seat; and a center airbag that is mounted on the console box so as to be rotatable with the vehicle width direction as its axial direction, and that, when gas is supplied to the interior from an inflator, inflates and deploys from a side wall of the console box more inward in the vehicle width direction of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat, and a portion of the center airbag protrudes and contacts an upper surface of the console box, wherein, when the vehicle seat is in a front position in a side view where a front end face of a side portion of a seat back of the vehicle seat is located more forward of the front surface of the console box, the center airbag is pre-rotated so as to be able to inflate and deploy in a forward-leaning position, and when the vehicle seat is in a rear position where the front end face of the side portion of the seat back is located more rearward of the front surface of the console box, the center airbag is pre-rotated so as to be able to inflate and deploy in a rearward-leaning position.

[0008] According to the first aspect of the invention, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the inflator is activated and gas ejected from the inflator is supplied to the inside of a center airbag mounted on a console box so as to be rotatable about its axis in the vehicle width direction, thereby causing the center airbag to inflate and deploy from the side wall of the console box toward the vehicle width inward of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat.

[0009] When a small-sized occupant sits in the vehicle seat, the vehicle seat assumes a forward position in which, in a side view, the front end surface of the side of the seatback is located further forward than the front surface of the console box. At this time, the center airbag is pre-rotated so that it can inflate and deploy in a forward-leaning position. Therefore, even when the vehicle seat assumes the forward position, the center airbag can inflate and deploy toward the occupant's inner side in the vehicle width direction during a side collision. Furthermore, because a portion of the center airbag protrudes and contacts the upper surface of the console box, it effectively receives a reaction force from the console box. Therefore, the inflated and deployed center airbag effectively restrains the occupant.

[0010] On the other hand, when a large occupant sits in the vehicle seat, the vehicle seat assumes a rearward position in which, in a side view, the front end surface of the side of the seatback is located rearward of the front surface of the console box. In this case, the center airbag is pre-rotated so that it can inflate and deploy in a rearward tilted position. Therefore, even when the vehicle seat assumes the rearward position, the center airbag can inflate and deploy toward the occupant's inner side in the vehicle width direction during a side collision. Furthermore, because a portion of the center airbag protrudes and contacts the upper surface of the console box, it effectively receives a reaction force from the console box. Therefore, the inflated and deployed center airbag effectively restrains the occupant.

[0011] In this way, according to the present invention, the inflated and deployed center airbag effectively restrains the occupant regardless of the position of the vehicle seat. Note that "at the time of a side collision of the vehicle" includes not only when a side collision of the vehicle is detected but also when a side collision of the vehicle is predicted.

[0012] In addition, a second aspect of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention is the vehicle occupant restraint device of the first aspect, wherein the center airbag is configured to rotate in conjunction with the movement of the vehicle seat.

[0013] According to the second aspect of the invention, the center airbag is configured to rotate in conjunction with the movement of the vehicle seat, so that the center airbag can be inflated and deployed accurately toward the vehicle width inward of the occupant regardless of the position of the vehicle seat, and the inflated and deployed center airbag effectively restrains the occupant.

[0014] Furthermore, a third aspect of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention is the vehicle occupant restraint device of the first aspect, wherein the center airbag is configured to rotate based on the detection results of an occupant detection sensor that detects the physique of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat.

[0015] According to the third aspect of the invention, the center airbag is configured to rotate based on the detection result of an occupant detection sensor that detects the physique of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat. Therefore, the center airbag can be inflated and deployed accurately toward the inside of the vehicle width direction of the occupant regardless of the position of the vehicle seat, and the inflated and deployed center airbag effectively restrains the occupant.

[0016] Furthermore, a fourth aspect of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention is the vehicle occupant restraint device of the second or third aspect, wherein the console box is provided with a rotation mechanism that rotates by driving an electric motor, and the center airbag rotates by rotation of the rotation mechanism.

[0017] According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the console box is provided with a rotation mechanism that is rotated by the drive of an electric motor, and the center airbag rotates by the rotation of the rotation mechanism, thereby improving the degree of freedom of the tilt angle of the center airbag.

[0018] In addition, a fifth aspect of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention is a vehicle occupant restraint device of any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the center airbag is formed so that its shape after inflation and deployment is complete is cylindrical.

[0019] According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the center airbag is formed so that it has a cylindrical shape after inflation and deployment. Therefore, the center airbag can inflate and deploy straight upward toward the vehicle and quickly to a position above the occupant's head. Note that the term "cylindrical" here also includes "approximately cylindrical" which is not an exact cylindrical shape. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] As described above, according to the present invention, the inflated and deployed center airbag can effectively restrain the occupant regardless of the position of the vehicle seat. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view showing an inflated and deployed state of a center airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present embodiment when a vehicle seat is positioned in a front position. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic front view showing an inflated and deployed state of a center airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present embodiment when a vehicle seat is positioned in a front position; [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic side view showing an inflated and deployed state of a center airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present embodiment when a vehicle seat is positioned in a rear position; [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic front view showing an inflated and deployed state of a center airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present embodiment when a vehicle seat is positioned in a rear position; [Figure 5] 2 is a schematic side view showing an enlarged configuration of a center airbag of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6]1A and 1B are explanatory views showing a method for folding the center airbag of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present embodiment into a bellows shape, respectively, and a method for folding the center airbag of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present embodiment into a roll shape. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, the arrow UP shown in each drawing indicates the upward direction of the vehicle and the vehicle seat, the arrow FR indicates the forward direction of the vehicle and the vehicle seat, and the arrow RH indicates the rightward direction of the vehicle and the vehicle seat. Therefore, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, when the directions of up / down, front / rear, and left / right are mentioned, they refer to up / down, front / rear, left / right, and right / left of the vehicle and the vehicle seat. Furthermore, the left / right direction is synonymous with the vehicle width direction and the seat width direction.

[0023] In addition, "occupant P1" shown in Figures 1 and 2 is, for example, an occupant corresponding to AF05 (5th percentile of adult American women) of WorldSID (World Side Impact Dummy). In addition, "occupant P2" shown in Figures 3 and 4 is, for example, an occupant corresponding to AM95 (95th percentile of adult American men) of WorldSID.

[0024] 1 and 2, a vehicle seat 12 constituting a vehicle occupant restraint device 10 according to this embodiment includes a seat cushion 14 on which an occupant P1 sits (supporting the buttocks and thighs of the occupant P1), a seatback 16 that supports the back of the occupant P1, and a headrest 18 that supports the head of the occupant P1. Note that, as an example, the vehicle seat 12 is a seat on the right side of the front seats (driver's seat side) provided in the passenger compartment of a right-hand drive vehicle, and is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction by a known electric mechanism.

[0025] In a side view seen from the vehicle width direction (seat width direction), the seat cushion 14 extends in the front-rear direction, and the seat back 16 is connected to the rear end of the seat cushion 14 so as to be rotatable about its axial direction in the seat width direction and extends in the up-down direction. The headrest 18 is provided at the upper end of the seat back 16 in the center in the seat width direction so as to be able to move up and down. The occupant P1 is restrained in the vehicle seat 12 by a seat belt device (not shown). The same applies to the occupant P2 shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a console box 20 is provided on the vehicle interior floor (not shown) on the inner side of the vehicle seat 12 in the vehicle width direction (the center of the vehicle width direction). The console box 20 is a rectangular hollow box whose longitudinal direction is the front-to-rear direction in a plan view, and has a front wall 22, a rear wall 24, a left side wall 25, and a right side wall 26. At least the front wall 22 of the console box 20 has a front surface 22A that is a flat surface. The top of the console box 20 is open and can be opened and closed by a lid 28 having a predetermined thickness.

[0027] A center airbag device (center airbag module) 30 supported so as to be rotatable about its axis in the vehicle width direction is mounted inside the console box 20 on the right side wall 26 side, which is on the vehicle seat 12 side. As shown in Fig. 5, the center airbag device 30 includes an inflator 32, an inner cloth 34 that guides gas ejected from the inflator 32 upward, and a center airbag (far side airbag) 36 that is provided at the center of the lower end of the inner cloth 34 so as to communicate with the interior.

[0028] The inflator 32 is a cylindrical gas generator formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is configured to be activated and instantaneously eject gas when a side collision of the vehicle is detected or predicted (hereinafter referred to as "side collision"). The inflator 32 is attached to a lower end 34B of the inner cloth 34 with its axial direction aligned with the inflation and deployment direction (substantially the up-and-down direction) of the center airbag 36. That is, an upper end 32A of the inflator 32, which has an ejection port, is inserted into and connected to the lower end 34B of the inner cloth 34.

[0029] The inner fabric 34 is formed in a cylindrical shape with its axial direction aligned with the inflation and deployment direction (substantially the up-down direction) of the center airbag 36, and has an upper opening 34A. Therefore, the inner fabric 34 is capable of blowing gas ejected from the inflator 32 upward inside the center airbag 36. This allows the center airbag 36 to be quickly inflated and deployed upward.

[0030] The center airbag 36 is formed into a single bag by sewing together the outer peripheral edges of two pieces of base fabric, and is provided inside the console box 20 on the right side wall 26 side in a state where it is folded into a bellows or roll shape, which will be described later. When gas ejected from the inflator 32 is supplied to the inside of the center airbag 36, the center airbag 36 breaks a door portion (not shown) formed on the right side wall 26 of the console box 20, and is inflated and deployed into a substantially cylindrical shape (it is formed so that its shape after inflation and deployment is substantially cylindrical).

[0031] That is, the center airbag 36 inflated and deployed from the right side wall 26 of the console box 20 extends, in a side view, from a position beyond the upper end of the headrest 18 to the lower end of the seat back 16 (up to the seat cushion 14), and is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction of the buttocks, waist, chest, shoulders, and head of an occupant P1 seated in the vehicle seat 12, or inward in the vehicle width direction of the buttocks, waist, chest, shoulders, and head of an occupant P2 (see Figures 1 to 4).

[0032] 2 and 4, the center airbag 36 inflated and deployed from the right side wall 26 of the console box 20 has a portion of its outer side in the seat width direction that protrudes significantly inward in the vehicle width direction (outside in the seat width direction) in a front view and comes into contact with the upper surface 28A of the lid portion 28 of the console box 20. In other words, the center airbag 36 is formed to have a size (outer diameter) that allows it to come into contact with the upper surface 28A of the lid portion 28 over substantially the entire width direction (direction along the vehicle width direction).

[0033] This allows the inflated and deployed center airbag 36 to effectively receive a reaction force from the upper surface 28A of the lid portion 28 of the console box 20. In other words, even if the inertial force caused by a side collision of the vehicle causes the occupant to move inward in the vehicle width direction and press the center airbag 36 inward in the vehicle width direction, the center airbag 36 is less likely to collapse inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0034] As described above, the center airbag device 30 is supported so as to be rotatable about the vehicle width direction, and the folded center airbag 36 (including the inner fabric 34) and the inflator 32 are configured to be rotatable as a single unit. The center airbag device 30 (center airbag 36) is configured to rotate in conjunction with the movement of the vehicle seat 12.

[0035] 1 and 3, an electric motor 46 that can be rotated in both forward and reverse directions and a rotation mechanism 40 that is rotated by the rotation of the electric motor 46 are provided inside the console box 20. The center airbag device 30 (center airbag 36) is configured to rotate about a rotation shaft 38 by the rotation of the rotation mechanism 40.

[0036] A cylindrical holder (not shown) that holds the inflator 32 inserted into the lower end 34B of the inner fabric 34 that protrudes downward from the center of the lower end of the center airbag 36 is attached to the lower end 34B. Rotating shafts 38, whose axial direction is the vehicle width direction, protrude integrally from the right and left walls of the holder, and the rotating shafts 38 are rotatably supported inside the console box 20.

[0037] A gear 42 is coaxially fixed to the middle of the rotation shaft 38 that protrudes from the left wall of the holder. A gear 44 is coaxially fixed to the tip of the rotation shaft 48 of the electric motor 46, and the gear 44 meshes with the gear 42. Therefore, when the electric motor 46 rotates in the forward or reverse direction, the center airbag 36 can be tilted to any angle in the front-rear direction via the gears 44 and 42 that mesh with each other.

[0038] Here, a known electric mechanism that moves the vehicle seat 12 in the front-rear direction is electrically connected to the control device 52. As shown in the figure, the electric motor 46 is also electrically connected to the control device 52. In other words, the movement of the vehicle seat 12 and the rotation of the center airbag device 30 (center airbag 36) are controlled by the control device 52.

[0039] Therefore, under the control of the control device 52, the electric motor 46 rotates in the forward or reverse direction in conjunction with the movement of the vehicle seat 12, causing the center airbag device 30 (center airbag 36) to rotate about the rotation shaft 38, and when the center airbag 36 is inflated and deployed, it can assume the forward-leaning position shown in FIG. 1 or the backward-leaning position shown in FIG. 3.

[0040] 1 and 2, in a side view of a small occupant P1, the vehicle seat 12 takes a front position in which a front end surface (foremost end surface) 16A (see FIG. 1) of a lower side portion of the seatback 16 is located forward of a front surface 22A of the console box 20. In this case, the center airbag device 30 (center airbag 36) rotates in advance in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1 about the rotation shaft 38 in conjunction with the movement of the vehicle seat 12, so that the center airbag 36 is inflated and deployed in a forward-leaning position in the event of a side collision of the vehicle.

[0041] 3 and 4, the vehicle seat 12 assumes a rear position in which, in a side view, a front end surface 16A (see FIG. 3) on the lower side of the side of the seatback 16 is located rearward of a front surface 22A of the console box 20. In this case, the center airbag device 30 (center airbag 36) rotates in advance in the clockwise direction in FIG. 3 about the rotation shaft 38 in conjunction with the movement of the vehicle seat 12, so that the center airbag 36 is inflated and deployed in a rearward tilted position in the event of a side collision of the vehicle.

[0042] The center airbag device 30 (center airbag 36) is configured to rotate by a rotation mechanism 40 (engagement of a gear 42 and a gear 44) that is rotated by the rotation drive of an electric motor 46, so that the amount of rotation can be adjusted (the tilt angle has a degree of freedom) according to the amount of movement of the vehicle seat 12. Therefore, when inflated and deployed, the center airbag 36 can take an appropriate forward-tilted or backward-tilted position (or an upright position along the vertical direction) according to the position of the vehicle seat 12.

[0043] Next, the operation of the vehicle occupant restraint device 10 according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described.

[0044] In the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the inflator 32 is activated, and gas ejected from the inflator 32 is instantly supplied to the inside of the inner cloth 34 and then supplied to the inside of the center airbag 36 through an upper opening 34A of the inner cloth 34. Then, the door portion of the right side wall 26 of the console box 20 is broken by the internal pressure (inflation pressure) of the center airbag 36, which begins to inflate due to the supply of gas.

[0045] The center airbag 36, which is mounted on the console box 20 so as to be rotatable about its axis in the vehicle width direction, inflates and deploys from the right side wall 26 of the console box 20 so as to extend in a generally vertical direction toward the buttocks, waist, chest, shoulders, and left side (inner side in the vehicle width direction) of the head of the occupant P1 or P2. As a result, the left side of the occupant P1 or P2 from the buttocks to the head is covered from the left side by the center airbag 36. Therefore, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the left side of the occupant P1 or P2 from the buttocks to the head can be restrained by the center airbag 36.

[0046] 1, when a small occupant P1 is seated in the vehicle seat 12, the vehicle seat 12 assumes a front position in which, in a side view, a front end surface 16A on the lower side of the side of the seatback 16 is located forward of a front surface 22A of the console box 20. Then, in conjunction with the movement of the vehicle seat 12, the center airbag device 30 (center airbag 36) is pre-rotated in the counterclockwise direction as shown in the drawing.

[0047] That is, the center airbag 36 is rotated in advance so as to be able to inflate and deploy in a forward-leaning position. Therefore, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the center airbag 36 is inflated and deployed in a forward-leaning position so as to cover the left side of the occupant P1 from the buttocks to the head. In this way, the center airbag 36 can be inflated and deployed accurately toward the inside of the vehicle width direction of the occupant P1 in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, even when the vehicle seat 12 is in a forward position.

[0048] 2, the generally cylindrical center airbag 36 that is inflated and deployed from the right side wall 26 of the console box 20 has a size (outer diameter) such that a portion of its outer side in the seat width direction protrudes and contacts the upper surface 28A of the lid portion 28 of the console box 20. In other words, the center airbag 36 that is inflated and deployed from the right side wall 26 of the console box 20 in a forward-leaning position is configured so that a portion of its outer side in the seat width direction contacts substantially the entire width of the upper surface 28A of the lid portion 28 of the console box 20 in a front view.

[0049] Therefore, the center airbag 36 that is inflated and deployed from the right side wall 26 of the console box 20 can effectively receive a reaction force from the upper surface 28A of the lid portion 28 of the console box 20. Therefore, even if the occupant P1 moves inward in the vehicle width direction due to the inertial force caused by a side collision of the vehicle and presses the center airbag 36 inward in the vehicle width direction, the center airbag 36 is less likely to collapse inward in the vehicle width direction. This allows the inflated and deployed center airbag 36 to effectively restrain the occupant P1.

[0050] 3, when a large occupant P2 is seated in the vehicle seat 12, the vehicle seat 12 assumes a rear position in which, in a side view, the front end surface 16A on the lower side of the side of the seatback 16 is located rearward of the front surface 22A of the console box 20. Then, in conjunction with the movement of the vehicle seat 12, the center airbag device 30 (center airbag 36) is pre-rotated in the clockwise direction as shown in the drawing.

[0051] That is, the center airbag 36 is rotated in advance so as to be able to inflate and deploy in a rearward tilted position. Therefore, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the center airbag 36 is inflated and deployed in a rearward tilted position so as to cover the left side of the occupant P2 from the buttocks to the head. In this way, the center airbag 36 can be inflated and deployed accurately toward the inside of the vehicle width direction of the occupant P2 in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, even when the vehicle seat 12 is in the rearward position.

[0052] 4, the generally cylindrical center airbag 36 that is inflated and deployed from the right side wall 26 of the console box 20 has a size (outer diameter) such that a portion of its outer side in the seat width direction protrudes and contacts the upper surface 28A of the lid portion 28 of the console box 20. In other words, the center airbag 36 that is inflated and deployed from the right side wall 26 of the console box 20 in a rearward tilting position is configured such that a portion of its outer side in the seat width direction contacts substantially the entire width of the upper surface 28A of the lid portion 28 of the console box 20 in a front view.

[0053] Therefore, the center airbag 36 that is inflated and deployed from the right side wall 26 of the console box 20 can effectively receive a reaction force from the upper surface 28A of the lid portion 28 of the console box 20. Therefore, even if the occupant P2 moves inward in the vehicle width direction due to the inertial force caused by a side collision of the vehicle and presses the center airbag 36 inward in the vehicle width direction, the center airbag 36 is less likely to collapse inward in the vehicle width direction. This allows the inflated and deployed center airbag 36 to effectively restrain the occupant P2.

[0054] As described above, according to this embodiment, the inflated and deployed center airbag 36 can effectively restrain the small occupant P1 and the large occupant P2 (ensuring restraint performance for the occupants P1 and P2) regardless of the position of the vehicle seat 12. Moreover, since the center airbag 36 is formed so that its shape after inflation and deployment is substantially cylindrical, it can inflate and deploy straight upward and can quickly inflate and deploy not only to a position above the head of the occupant P1 but also to a position above the head of the occupant P2 (at least to the top of the head of the occupant P2) (a delay in inflation and deployment can be prevented).

[0055] Furthermore, since the center airbag 36 rotates using the rotation mechanism 40, which is rotated by the rotation drive of the electric motor 46, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in the tilt angle of the center airbag 36. In other words, the amount of rotation of the center airbag device 30 can be adjusted according to the amount of movement of the vehicle seat 12, and the center airbag 36 can take a forward-leaning or backward-leaning position (or a vertical position) at an appropriate angle according to the position of the vehicle seat 12.

[0056] (Variation) It should be noted that the rotation of the center airbag device 30 (center airbag 36) is not limited to a configuration in which it is linked to the movement of the vehicle seat 12. For example, as shown by phantom lines in Figures 2 and 4, as an example of an occupant detection sensor that detects the physique of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat 12, a measuring device 50 capable of measuring the weight of an occupant seated on the seat cushion 14 (see Figures 1 and 3) of the vehicle seat 12 may be provided below the seat cushion 14, and the measuring device 50 may be electrically connected to a control device 52 (see Figures 1 and 3).

[0057] According to this, if the weight of the occupant seated on the seat cushion 14 of the vehicle seat 12 is lighter than a predetermined weight, the control device 52 determines that the occupant P1 is small based on the detection result and drives the electric motor 46 to rotate, thereby pre-rotating the center airbag device 30 (center airbag 36) so that the center airbag 36 will be in a forward-leaning position when inflated and deployed. Therefore, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the center airbag 36 can be accurately inflated and deployed toward the inside of the occupant P1 in the vehicle width direction.

[0058] Similarly, if the weight of the occupant seated on the seat cushion 14 of the vehicle seat 12 is heavier than a predetermined weight, the control device 52 determines that the occupant P2 is a large occupant based on the detection result and drives the electric motor 46 to rotate, thereby pre-rotating the center airbag device 30 (center airbag 36) so that the center airbag 36 will be in a rearward tilted position when inflated and deployed. Thus, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the center airbag 36 can be accurately inflated and deployed inward in the vehicle width direction of the occupant P2.

[0059] Furthermore, although not shown in the figures, as an example of an occupant detection sensor that detects the physique of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat 12, a camera that photographs the occupant seated on the seat cushion 14 of the vehicle seat 12 may be provided in the vehicle interior (for example, near the location where the rearview mirror is attached), and the camera may be electrically connected to the control device 52 (see Figures 1 and 3).

[0060] According to this, an occupant seated on the seat cushion 14 of the vehicle seat 12 is photographed by the camera, and if the outer shape of the occupant is smaller than a predetermined outer shape, the control device 52 determines that the occupant is a small occupant P1 based on the detection result and drives the electric motor 46 to rotate, thereby pre-rotating the center airbag device 30 (center airbag 36) so that the center airbag 36 will be in a forward-leaning position when inflated and deployed. Therefore, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the center airbag 36 can be accurately inflated and deployed toward the inside of the occupant P1 in the vehicle width direction.

[0061] Similarly, an occupant seated on the seat cushion 14 of the vehicle seat 12 is photographed by the camera, and if the occupant's outer shape is larger than a predetermined outer shape, the control device 52 determines that the occupant is a large occupant P2 based on the detection result and drives the electric motor 46 to rotate, thereby pre-rotating the center airbag device 30 (center airbag 36) so that the center airbag 36 will be in a rearward tilted position when inflated and deployed. Thus, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the center airbag 36 can be accurately inflated and deployed inward in the vehicle width direction of the occupant P2.

[0062] (How to fold the center airbag) Finally, we will explain how to fold the center airbag 36 (the accordion-shaped folding method shown in Fig. 6(A) and the roll-shaped folding method shown in Fig. 6(B)). The center airbag 36 is folded as follows.

[0063] As shown in Figure 6(A), first, the upper and lower walls of the center airbag 36 are folded inward along their diameters into a generally flat plate shape (folding process). Then, the folded center airbag 36 is accordion-folded along multiple fold lines along the front-rear direction (accordion-folding process). This allows the center airbag 36 to be folded compactly. Note that the folding method of the center airbag 36 is not limited to this, and the center airbag 36 may be folded using the following folding method.

[0064] As shown in Figure 6(B), first, the upper and lower walls of the center airbag 36 are folded inward along their diameters into a generally flat plate shape (folding process). Then, the folded center airbag 36 is rolled outward in the axial direction along the front-to-rear direction (outward rolling process). This allows the center airbag 36 to be folded compactly. Note that "outward rolling" here refers to a rolling method that forms a rolled portion on the side opposite the occupant side (the console box 20 side).

[0065] In the case of such a roll-shaped folding method, the center airbag 36 is wound outward, and therefore, when the center airbag 36 inflates and deploys, it is possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of problems such as the center airbag 36 hitting the arm (shoulder) or face of the occupant P1 or occupant P2 seated in the vehicle seat 12.

[0066] While the vehicle occupant restraint device 10 according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings, the vehicle occupant restraint device 10 according to this embodiment is not limited to the illustrated example, and design modifications are possible as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. For example, the inflator 32 may be fixed to the inside of the console box 20 or the like so as not to rotate together with the center airbag 36. In this case, the lower end 34B of the inner fabric 34 and the upper end 32A of the inflator 32 may be connected by, for example, a flexible tube or the like.

[0067] Furthermore, the configuration for rotating the center airbag device 30 (center airbag 36) is not limited to the rotation mechanism 40 (engagement of the gear 42 and the gear 44) that is rotated by the rotational drive of the electric motor 46. For example, the center airbag 36 may be rotated by pivotally connecting the tip of a rod (not shown) extending in the front-rear direction to a portion of the center airbag device 30 (center airbag 36) below the rotation shaft 38, and moving the rod in the front-rear direction by a movement mechanism (not shown). [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 10. Vehicle occupant restraint system 12 Vehicle seats 16 Seat back 16A Front end surface of the side of the seat back 20 Console box 22A Front of the console box 26 Right side wall of console box (side wall) 28A Top of console box 32 Inflator 36 Center airbag 40 Rotation mechanism 46 Electric Motor P1 Small crew member P2 Large crew member

Claims

1. a vehicle seat provided in a vehicle compartment so as to be movable in a front-rear direction of the vehicle; a console box provided in the vehicle compartment on an inner side of the vehicle seat in a vehicle width direction; a center airbag mounted on the console box so as to be rotatable about an axial direction that is the vehicle width direction, and which, when gas is supplied to the interior from an inflator, inflates and deploys from a side wall of the console box toward the inside in the vehicle width direction of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat, with a portion of the center airbag protruding and contacting an upper surface of the console box; Equipped with A vehicle occupant restraint device in which, when the vehicle seat is in a front position where a front end surface of a side portion of the seatback of the vehicle seat is located more forward of the vehicle than the front surface of the console box in a side view, the center airbag is pre-rotated so as to be able to inflate and deploy in a forward-leaning position, and when the vehicle seat is in a rear position where a front end surface of the side portion of the seatback is located more rearward of the vehicle than the front surface of the console box, the center airbag is pre-rotated so as to be able to inflate and deploy in a rearward-leaning position.

2. 2. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1, wherein the center airbag is configured to rotate in conjunction with movement of the vehicle seat.

3. 2. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1, wherein the center airbag is configured to rotate based on a detection result of an occupant detection sensor that detects a physique of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat.

4. The console box is provided with a rotation mechanism that is rotated by driving an electric motor, 4. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 2, wherein the center airbag rotates in response to rotation of the rotation mechanism.

5. 4. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1, wherein the center airbag is formed so as to have a cylindrical shape after inflation and deployment.

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