Vehicle occupant restraint device

Abstract

To provide an occupant restraint device for a vehicle, capable of effectively restraining an occupant by a center airbag upon detection of a side collision of the vehicle or upon prediction of the side collision even when there is one occupant only on a driver seat, or when there are two occupants on the driver seat and a front passenger seat.SOLUTION: An occupant restraint device 10 for a vehicle includes: a center airbag 34 which is provided at a side part on a vehicle width direction inner side of a seatback 16L in a driver seat 12L, and which, when gas ejected from an inflator is supplied to an inside, is thereby inflated and deployed toward the vehicle width direction inner side of an occupant P1 seated on the driver seat 12L; a regulation member 36 which is provided inside the center airbag 34, and which regulates a thickness of the center airbag 34 to a thickness suitable when an occupant P2 is seated on a front passenger seat 12R; and a release device which is provided inside the center airbag 34, and which releases regulation by the regulation member 36 when a side collision of the vehicle is detected or predicted, and when the occupant P2 is not seated on the front passenger seat 12R.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an occupant restraint device for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] A far-side airbag device that is mounted on the inner side (center side) in the vehicle width direction of a driver's seat and inflates and deploys an airbag with inflation gas between adjacent passenger seats is conventionally known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when there is one occupant who gets in the vehicle only in the driver's seat, for example, in order to ensure the restraint performance of the center airbag (far-side airbag) when the side door on the passenger seat side is involved in a side collision, it is preferable that the thickness (length along the seat width direction) of the center airbag at the completion of inflation and deployment is set to be thick. That is, when there is one occupant, it is effective to apply a reaction force to the upper body of the occupant who moves inward in the vehicle width direction due to inertial force at an early stage. For this purpose, it is advantageous that the thickness of the center airbag at the completion of inflation and deployment is thick.

[0005] On the other hand, when there are two occupants, including a passenger in the front passenger seat, if, for example, the driver's side door collides with the vehicle, the fully inflated center airbag will be trapped between the driver and the front passenger. Therefore, if the center airbag is thick when fully inflated, it will exert an external force on the driver that is opposite to the external force directed in the direction of entry of the side door (inward in the vehicle width direction), resulting in a greater degree of flexion (injury value) in the driver's chest and abdomen.

[0006] Furthermore, when there are two occupants, the reaction force of the center airbag required to avoid a collision between the heads of the occupant seated in the driver's seat and the head of the occupant seated in the passenger seat is not as strong as it is when there is one occupant. Therefore, when there are two occupants, it is preferable to set the thickness of the center airbag to be thinner in order to keep the amount of flexion (injury value) of the chest and abdomen of the occupant in the driver's seat low. Thus, there is a difference in the thickness of the center airbag required to effectively restrain the occupants when there is one occupant and when there are two occupants.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle occupant restraint device that can effectively restrain the occupant by the center airbag when a side collision is detected or predicted, whether there is one occupant in the driver's seat or two occupants in the driver's seat and passenger seat. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, a first embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle occupant restraint device comprising: a driver's seat and a passenger seat provided in the passenger compartment of a vehicle; a recognition device that recognizes whether or not an occupant is seated in the passenger seat; a center airbag provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the seat back of the driver's seat, which inflates and deploys toward the inward direction in the vehicle width direction of the occupant seated in the driver's seat when gas ejected from an inflator is supplied inside it; a regulating member provided inside the center airbag that regulates the thickness of the center airbag to a thickness suitable when an occupant is seated in the passenger seat; and a release device provided inside the center airbag that releases the restriction by the regulating member when the recognition device recognizes that an occupant is not seated in the passenger seat during side collision detection or side collision prediction of the vehicle.

[0009] According to the first embodiment of the invention, when a side collision of the vehicle is detected or predicted, the inflator is activated, and the gas ejected from the inflator is supplied to the inside of the center airbag. As a result, the center airbag inflates and deploys inward in the vehicle width direction towards the occupant seated in the driver's seat.

[0010] Here, the thickness of the center airbag is restricted by an internal restricting member to a thickness suitable for when an occupant is seated in the passenger seat. Therefore, when there are two occupants, with an occupant seated in both the driver's seat and the passenger seat, both occupants are effectively restrained by the center airbag.

[0011] On the other hand, when the recognition device detects that no occupant is seated in the passenger seat, the release device releases the restriction imposed by the restricting member. As a result, the thickness of the center airbag increases, and the occupant seated in the driver's seat is effectively restrained by the center airbag. Thus, according to the present invention, whether there is only one occupant in the driver's seat or two occupants in the driver's and passenger seats, the occupants are effectively restrained by the center airbag when a side collision is detected or predicted.

[0012] Furthermore, a second embodiment of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention is a vehicle occupant restraint device according to the first embodiment, wherein the regulating member is a tether connecting the base fabric on the outside in the seat width direction and the base fabric on the inside in the seat width direction of the center airbag, and the release device includes a cutter for cutting the tether.

[0013] According to the second embodiment of the invention, the regulating member is a tether connecting the base fabric on the outside in the seat width direction and the base fabric on the inside in the seat width direction of the center airbag, and the release device is configured to include a cutter for cutting the tether. Therefore, when the recognition device recognizes that no occupant is seated in the passenger seat, the thickness of the center airbag is increased early.

[0014] Furthermore, a third embodiment of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention is a vehicle occupant restraint device according to the first embodiment, wherein the regulating member is a tether that connects the base fabric on the outside in the seat width direction and the base fabric on the inside in the seat width direction of the center airbag, and has a flexible middle section, with one end and the other end connected by a thread-like member, and the release device is configured to include a cutter for cutting the thread-like member.

[0015] According to the third embodiment of the invention, the regulating member connects the base fabric on the outer side in the seat width direction and the base fabric on the inner side in the seat width direction of the center airbag, and is a tether in which one end and the other end are connected by a thread-like member while the middle part is bent, and the release device is configured to include a cutter for cutting the thread-like member. Therefore, when the recognition device recognizes that no occupant is seated in the passenger seat, the thickness of the center airbag is increased early. Furthermore, even when the thickness of the center airbag is increased, the base fabric on the outer side in the seat width direction and the base fabric on the inner side in the seat width direction remain connected by the tether, so its thickness is also set appropriately.

[0016] Furthermore, a fourth embodiment of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention is a vehicle occupant restraint device according to the first embodiment, wherein the regulating member is a tether that connects the base fabric on the outside in the seat width direction and the base fabric on the inside in the seat width direction of the center airbag, and one end of the tether is wound up against a biasing force biased in the opposite winding direction, and the release device is composed of an actuator that can lock and unlock the wound-up tether.

[0017] According to the fourth embodiment of the invention, the regulating member is a tether that connects the base fabric on the outside in the seat width direction of the center airbag with the base fabric on the inside in the seat width direction, and one end of the tether is wound up against a biasing force biased in the opposite direction of winding, and the release device is composed of an actuator that can lock and unlock the wound-up tether. Therefore, when the recognition device recognizes that no occupant is seated in the passenger seat, the thickness of the center airbag is increased early. Furthermore, even when the thickness of the center airbag is increased, the base fabric on the outside in the seat width direction and the base fabric on the inside in the seat width direction remain connected by the tether, so the thickness is also set appropriately. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] As described above, according to the vehicle occupant restraint device of the present invention, even when there is only one occupant in the driver's seat or when there are two occupants in the driver's seat and the passenger seat, the occupant can be effectively restrained by the center airbag when a side collision of the vehicle is detected or a side collision is predicted.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a schematic front view showing the inflated and deployed state of the center airbag when there are two occupants in the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a schematic front view showing the inflated and deployed state of the center airbag when there is one occupant in the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a schematic side view showing the internal structure of the center airbag of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] (A) It is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X of FIG. showing the inside of the center airbag when there are two occupants in the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the first embodiment. (B) It is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X of FIG. showing the inside of the center airbag when there is one occupant in the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] (A) It is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the view taken along the line X-X of FIG. showing the inside of the center airbag when there are two occupants in the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the second embodiment. (B) It is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the view taken along the line X-X of FIG. showing the inside of the center airbag when there is one occupant in the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] (A) It is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the view taken along the line X-X of FIG. showing the inside of the center airbag when there are two occupants in the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the third embodiment. (B) It is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the view taken along the line X-X of FIG. showing the inside of the center airbag when there is one occupant in the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the third embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. For the sake of convenience of explanation, in each figure, the arrow UP shown as appropriate is the upward direction of the vehicle and the vehicle seat, the arrow FR is the forward direction of the vehicle and the vehicle seat, and the arrow RH is the rightward direction of the vehicle and the vehicle seat. Therefore, in the following description, when the directions of up and down, front and back, left and right are described without special mention, they indicate up and down, front and back, left and right in the vehicle and the vehicle seat. Also, the left and right directions are synonymous with the vehicle width direction and the seat width direction. [[ID=!]]

[0021] Also, as an example, the vehicle seat 12 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is a front seat provided in the passenger compartment of a left-hand drive vehicle. Therefore, hereinafter, the vehicle seat 12 on the driver's side (left side) may be referred to as the "driver's seat 12L", and the vehicle seat 12 on the passenger's side (right side) may be referred to as the "passenger's seat 12R" for explanation. Also, when explaining each part of the driver's seat 12L, the letter "L" may be added after the reference numeral for explanation.

[0022] Also, the "occupant P" shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is, as an example, an occupant corresponding to AM50 (50th percentile of American adult males) of WorldSID (International Standard Side Impact Dummy: World Side Impact Dummy). Also, hereinafter, the occupant P who is the driver sitting on the driver's seat 12L may be referred to as the "occupant P1", and the occupant P sitting on the passenger's seat 12R may be referred to as the "occupant P2" for explanation.

[0023] <First Embodiment> First, the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vehicle seat 12 constituting the vehicle occupant restraint device 10 according to the first embodiment includes a seat cushion 14 on which the occupant P sits (supporting the buttocks and thighs of the occupant P), a seat back 16 supporting the back of the occupant P, and a headrest 18 supporting the head Ph of the occupant P.

[0024] In a side view from the vehicle width direction (seat width direction), the seat cushion 14 extends in the front-rear direction, and the seat back 16 extends vertically, rotatably connected to the rear end of the seat cushion 14 with the seat width direction as its axial direction. The headrest 18 is provided so as to be able to move up and down at the center of the seat width direction at the upper end of the seat back 16. The occupant P is restrained in this vehicle seat 12 by a seat belt device (not shown).

[0025] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a console box 22 is provided in the center of the vehicle width direction on the floor 20 of the passenger compartment (between the driver's seat 12L and the passenger seat 12R). The console box 22 is a rectangular hollow box with its longitudinal direction in the front-to-back direction when viewed from above, and its open upper part is configured to be openable and closable by a lid 24 having a predetermined thickness. The height from the top surface of the lid 24 of the console box 22 is such that the occupant P can rest their elbow (not shown) without having to assume an awkward posture.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a seating sensor 26 is provided on the lower side of the passenger seat 12R. This seating sensor 26 is electrically connected to a recognition device 28 provided in the vehicle. In other words, the recognition device 28 is configured to recognize whether or not an occupant P2 is seated in the passenger seat 12R by receiving or not receiving a detection signal from the seating sensor 26. The recognition device 28 is built into a control device 27 that controls various parts of the vehicle.

[0027] Furthermore, a center airbag device 30 is provided on the right side (hereinafter referred to as "right side 16S") of the seat back 16L of the driver's seat 12L, which is the inner side in the vehicle width direction. As shown in Figure 3, the center airbag device 30 consists of an inflator 32 embedded in the right side 16S of the seat back 16L, and a center airbag 34 (far side airbag) into which gas ejected from the inflator 32 is supplied.

[0028] The inflator 32 is a cylindrical gas generator formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and its axial direction is aligned with the side frames (not shown) that constitute the left and right sides of the seat back 16L (substantially in the vertical direction). The inflator 32 is activated when a side collision of the vehicle is detected or predicted (hereinafter referred to as "during a side collision"), and is capable of instantly supplying gas to the inside of the center airbag 34. This configuration allows the center airbag 34 to inflate and deploy quickly.

[0029] The center airbag 34 is folded and embedded in the right side 16S of the seat back 16L, and when gas ejected from the inflator 32 is supplied to the interior, it ruptures the outer layer from the lower end to the upper end of the front wall of the right side 16S, and inflates and deploys inward in the vehicle width direction to at least the waist Pw, abdomen Pt, chest Pc, shoulder Ps, and head Ph of the occupant P1 seated in the driver's seat 12L.

[0030] Specifically, the inflated (after inflation and deployment is complete) center airbag 34 is positioned in a side view from near the upper end of the headrest 18L to near the lower end of the seatback 16L (below the lid 24 of the console box 22). The upper part 34U of the center airbag 34 is formed in a roughly elliptical shape, bulging forward from the lower part 34D which restrains the abdomen Pt and waist Pw of the occupant P1, so that it can restrain the head Ph of the occupant P1 (see Figure 3). The center airbag 34 is formed into a single bag shape by sewing together the outer edge of the base fabric 34A on the outside in the seat width direction and the outer edge of the base fabric 34B on the inside in the seat width direction (see Figures 1 and 2).

[0031] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, a tether 36 is provided inside the lower part 34D side of the center airbag 34 as a restricting member that restricts the thickness (length along the seat width direction) of the lower part 34D side of the center airbag 34 to a thickness suitable when an occupant P2 is seated on the passenger seat 12R.

[0032] To explain in more detail, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the tether 36 is formed in the shape of a strip with a predetermined width and connects the base fabric 34A on the outside in the seat width direction and the base fabric 34B on the inside in the seat width direction of the center airbag 34. That is, one end 36A of the tether 36 is attached to the base fabric 34A on the outside in the seat width direction by a substantially rectangular frame-shaped sewing portion 35 with the front-to-back direction as its longitudinal direction. Similarly, the other end 36B of the tether 36 is attached to the base fabric 34B on the inside in the seat width direction by a substantially rectangular frame-shaped sewing portion 35 with the front-to-back direction as its longitudinal direction.

[0033] Furthermore, inside the lower part 34D of the center airbag 34, there is a release device 40 that, when the recognition device 28 recognizes that occupant P2 is not seated in the passenger seat 12R during a side collision of the vehicle, is released by the control device 27 under the control of the control device 27.

[0034] To explain in more detail, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the release device 40 is composed of a cutter 42 for cutting the middle portion of the tether 36 and an actuator 44 that supports the cutter 42 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The actuator 44 has a cylindrical body portion 44A and a rod portion 44B with a rectangular cross-section that is supported by the body portion 44A so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and the cutter 42 is integrally attached to the tip of the rod portion 44B.

[0035] The main body 44A is electrically connected to the control device 27 and is installed at the center of the rear end in the left-right direction on the upper surface of a rectangular flat base 46 supported by the side frame of the seat back 16L. The rod 44B is configured to move in the front-rear direction when the main body 44A is driven by the control device 27. For example, a rack gear (not shown) is formed on the base side (opposite the tip) of the rod 44B, and a pinion gear (not shown) that meshes with the rack gear is provided on the main body 44A. With this configuration, the rod 44B can be moved by rotating the pinion gear of the main body 44A under the control of the control device 27.

[0036] Furthermore, cylindrical hooking members 48 are provided on both the left and right sides of the front end of the upper surface of the base 46, with the vertical direction as the axial direction, and are spaced apart from each other in the left and right directions. The middle portion of the tether 36 is hooked onto each hooking member 48 from the rear. This configuration allows the portion of the tether 36 hooked onto each hooking member 48, which is subjected to a predetermined tension by the internal pressure of the center airbag 34 after inflation and deployment, to be cut by the advancing cutter 42.

[0037] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(A), inside the center airbag 34 after inflation and deployment are complete, the thickness of the lower 34D side of the center airbag 34 is limited by a tether 36 that is subjected to a predetermined tension due to the internal pressure of the center airbag 34. This thickness is set to the thickness of the center airbag 34 that effectively restrains the driver's seat occupant P1 and the passenger seat occupant P2 when two people are seated in the vehicle, with the passenger seat occupant P2 seated in the passenger seat 12R.

[0038] The operation of the vehicle occupant restraint device 10 according to the first embodiment, which has the configuration described above, will now be explained.

[0039] During a side collision of the vehicle, the inflator 32 activates, and the gas ejected from the inflator 32 is supplied to the inside of the center airbag 34. As a result of the supply of gas, the internal pressure (inflation pressure) of the center airbag 34 begins to inflate, causing the surface of the right side portion 16S of the seat back 16L of the driver's seat 12L to rupture from the lower end to the upper end of the front wall.

[0040] In other words, the center airbag 34 inflates and deploys toward the right side (inward in the vehicle width direction) of the occupant P1 seated in the driver's seat 12L, covering the waist Pw, abdomen Pt, chest Pc, shoulder Ps, and head Ph. As a result, the right side of the occupant P1, from the waist Pw to the head Ph, is covered from the right side by the center airbag 34. Therefore, in the event of a side collision, the right side of the occupant P1, from the head Ph to the waist Pw, which moves inward in the vehicle width direction due to inertial force, can be restrained by the center airbag 34.

[0041] Here, the thickness of the center airbag 34 is restricted by a tether 36 provided inside the lower part 34D to a thickness suitable for when occupant P2 is seated in the passenger seat 12R. Therefore, as shown in Figure 1, when there are two occupants, with occupant P2 also seated in the passenger seat 12R, the center airbag 34 can effectively restrain both occupant P1 seated in the driver's seat 12L and occupant P2 seated in the passenger seat 12R.

[0042] In other words, when there are two occupants, with occupant P2 also seated in the passenger seat 12R, if, for example, the driver's side door (not shown) collides with the side, the center airbag 34, when fully inflated and deployed, becomes trapped between the driver's seat occupant P1 and the passenger seat occupant P2. Here, if the center airbag 34, especially the lower part 34D, is thick when fully inflated and deployed, the center airbag 34 will impart an external force to the driver's seat occupant P1 that is opposite to the external force directed in the direction of entry of the side door (inward in the vehicle width direction), resulting in a larger amount of deflection (injury value) in the driver's seat occupant P1's chest Pc and abdomen Pt.

[0043] Furthermore, when there are two occupants, the reaction force of the center airbag 34 required to avoid a collision between the head Ph of occupant P1 seated in the driver's seat and the head Ph of occupant P2 seated in the passenger seat is not as strong as the reaction force of the center airbag 34 when there is one occupant. Therefore, in this first embodiment, when there are two occupants, the tether 36 is set to reduce the thickness of the center airbag 34, especially the lower 34D side. This makes it possible to keep the amount of deflection (injury value) of the chest Pc and abdomen Pt of occupant P1 in the driver's seat low.

[0044] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2, when the recognition device 28 recognizes that occupant P2 is not seated in the passenger seat 12R (when there is only one occupant, with only the driver in the seat), the release device 40 releases the restriction by the tether 36. That is, under the control of the control device 27, the main body 44A of the actuator 44 is driven, causing the rod portion 44B to move forward, and the middle portion of the tether 36 is cut by the cutter 42 attached to its tip.

[0045] As a result, as shown in Figures 2 and 4(B), the thickness of the lower 34D side of the center airbag 34 increases compared to when there are two occupants, so that the occupant P1 seated in the driver's seat 12L can be effectively restrained by the center airbag 34. In other words, for example, when the passenger-side side door (not shown) is involved in a side collision, in order to restrain the upper body (chest Pc and abdomen Pt) of the occupant P1 seated in the driver's seat 12L (to suppress inward movement in the vehicle width direction), it is effective to apply a reaction force to the upper body of the occupant P1 as early as possible, and a thicker center airbag 34, especially the lower 34D side, is advantageous when inflation and deployment are complete.

[0046] In this first embodiment, as described above, the tether 36 is cut, and the thickness of the lower 34D side of the center airbag 34 when inflation and deployment is complete is set to be thicker than when there are two occupants, so that sufficient restraint performance by the center airbag 34 can be ensured. Thus, according to the first embodiment, whether there is one occupant in the driver's seat or two occupants in the driver's seat and passenger seat, the occupants P1 and P2 can be effectively restrained by the center airbag 34 during a side collision of the vehicle (restraint performance for occupants P1 and P2 can be ensured).

[0047] Furthermore, in this first embodiment, the restricting member is a tether 36 that connects the base fabric 34A on the outside in the seat width direction and the base fabric 34B on the inside in the seat width direction of the center airbag 34, and the release device 40 is configured to include a cutter 42 that cuts the tether 36. Therefore, when the recognition device 28 recognizes that an occupant P2 is not seated in the passenger seat 12R, the thickness of the lower 34D side of the center airbag 34 can be increased early.

[0048] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that parts equivalent to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0049] As shown in Figure 5, in this second embodiment, the only difference from the first embodiment is the configuration of the restricting member. Specifically, this restricting member connects the base fabric 34A on the outside in the seat width direction and the base fabric 34B on the inside in the seat width direction of the center airbag 34, and is a tether 36 in which one end 36A and the other end 36B are connected by a thread-like member 38, with the middle part being bent. The cutter 42 is configured to cut this thread-like member 38.

[0050] To explain in more detail, as shown in Figure 5, one end 38A of the thread-like member 38 is sewn and attached to one end 36A of the tether 36, and the other end 38B of the thread-like member 38 is sewn and attached to the other end 36B of the tether 36. Then, one end 38A and the other end 38B of the thread-like member 38 are hooked onto each hooking member 48 from the rear.

[0051] In other words, the middle portion of the tether 36 is positioned in a state where it is bent forward of each hooking member 48. Then, inside the center airbag 34 after inflation and deployment are complete, the portion of the thread-like member 38 that is hooked to each hooking member 48, which is subjected to a predetermined tension by the internal pressure of the center airbag 34, can be cut by the advancing cutter 42.

[0052] The operation of the vehicle occupant restraint device 10 according to the second embodiment, which has the configuration described above, will now be explained. Note that the explanation of operations common to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0053] In the event of a side collision, the center airbag 34 inflates and deploys towards the right side of the occupant P1 seated in the driver's seat 12L, covering the waist Pw, abdomen Pt, chest Pc, shoulder Ps, and head Ph. Here, the thickness of the center airbag 34 is restricted by a tether 36 located inside the lower part 34D to a thickness suitable for when occupant P2 is seated in the passenger seat 12R.

[0054] Therefore, as shown in Figure 1, when there are two occupants, with occupant P2 also seated in the passenger seat 12R, the center airbag 34 can effectively restrain occupant P1 seated in the driver's seat 12L and occupant P2 seated in the passenger seat 12R.

[0055] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2, when the recognition device 28 recognizes that occupant P2 is not seated in the passenger seat 12R (when there is only one occupant, with only the driver in the seat), the release device 40 releases the restriction by the tether 36 (thread-like member 38). That is, under the control of the control device 27, the main body 44A of the actuator 44 is driven, causing the rod portion 44B to move forward, and the middle portion of the thread-like member 38 is cut by the cutter 42 attached to its tip.

[0056] As a result, as shown in Figures 2 and 5(B), the thickness of the lower part 34D of the center airbag 34 increases compared to when there are two occupants, so that the occupant P1 seated in the driver's seat 12L can be effectively restrained by the center airbag 34. Thus, according to the second embodiment, whether there is one occupant in the driver's seat or two occupants in the driver's seat and passenger seat, the occupants P1 and P2 can be effectively restrained by the center airbag 34 during a side collision of the vehicle (restraint performance for occupants P1 and P2 can be ensured).

[0057] Furthermore, in this second embodiment, the regulating member is a tether 36 that connects the base fabric 34A on the outside in the seat width direction and the base fabric 34B on the inside in the seat width direction of the center airbag 34, and has a flexible middle section, with one end 36A and the other end 36B connected by a thread-like member 38, and the release device 40 is configured to include a cutter 42 for cutting the thread-like member 38. Therefore, when the recognition device 28 recognizes that an occupant P2 is not seated in the passenger seat 12R, the thickness of the lower 34D side of the center airbag 34 can be increased early.

[0058] Furthermore, in this second embodiment, even if the thickness of the lower part 34D of the center airbag 34 is increased, the base fabric 34A on the outer side in the seat width direction and the base fabric 34B on the inner side in the seat width direction remain connected by the tether 36. Therefore, the thickness of the lower part 34D of the center airbag 34 can also be appropriately set when there is only one occupant, such as the driver.

[0059] <Third Embodiment> Finally, a third embodiment will be described. Note that parts equivalent to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0060] As shown in Figure 6, in this third embodiment, the configuration of the restricting member and the release device 40 differ from those of the first embodiment. Specifically, this restricting member is a tether 36 that connects the base fabric 34A on the outside in the seat width direction and the base fabric 34B on the inside in the seat width direction of the center airbag 34, and is wound up against a biasing force biased in the opposite winding direction (the direction toward the outside in the seat width direction, which is the unwinding direction) at one end 36A. The release device 40 is composed of an actuator 50 that can lock and unlock the wound-up tether 36.

[0061] To explain in more detail, as shown in Figure 6, a base (not shown) is provided inside the center airbag 34, and a winding shaft 39 with its axis oriented vertically is provided protruding from the upper surface of the base. A spiral spring 37 is attached to the winding shaft 39, which biases the tether 36 in the opposite winding direction, and the other end 36B of the tether 36 is wound onto the spiral spring 37 against the biasing force of the spiral spring 37. The middle part of the tether 36 in this wound state is locked immovably by the actuator 50.

[0062] The actuator 50 is an air cylinder or the like that is electrically connected to the control device 27 (see Figures 1 and 2), and consists of a main body 52 positioned on the upper surface of the base, a rod 54 configured to be able to move in and out of the main body 52, and a pressing part 56 attached to the tip of the rod 54. A pressed part 58 is also provided and fixed to the base to clamp the middle part of the tether 36 between the pressing part 56 and the actuator 50.

[0063] Therefore, under the control of the control device 27, the rod portion 54 protrudes from the main body portion 52, and the middle portion of the tether 36 is clamped with a predetermined pressure by the pressing portion 56 and the pressed portion 58 fixed to the base, thereby locking the tether 36 so that it cannot move. Then, under the control of the control device 27, the rod portion 54 retracts into the main body portion 52 and separates from the middle portion of the tether 36, thereby unlocking the tether 36 so that it can move due to the biasing force of the spiral spring 37.

[0064] The operation of the vehicle occupant restraint device 10 according to the third embodiment, which has the configuration described above, will now be explained. Note that the explanation of operations common to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0065] In the event of a side collision, the center airbag 34 inflates and deploys towards the right side of the occupant P1 seated in the driver's seat 12L, covering the waist Pw, abdomen Pt, chest Pc, shoulder Ps, and head Ph. Here, the thickness of the center airbag 34 is restricted by a tether 36 located inside the lower part 34D to a thickness suitable for when occupant P2 is seated in the passenger seat 12R.

[0066] Therefore, as shown in Figure 1, when there are two occupants, with occupant P2 also seated in the passenger seat 12R, the center airbag 34 can effectively restrain occupant P1 seated in the driver's seat 12L and occupant P2 seated in the passenger seat 12R.

[0067] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2, when the recognition device 28 recognizes that occupant P2 is not seated in the passenger seat 12R (when there is only one occupant, with only the driver in the seat), the release device 40 releases the restriction by the tether 36. That is, under the control of the control device 27, the main body 52 of the actuator 50 is driven so that the rod portion 54 is retracted into the main body 52, and the pressing portion 56, which had been gripping the middle portion of the tether 36 with a predetermined pressure together with the pressed portion 58, separates from the tether 36. Then, the tether 36 is unwound in the opposite direction due to the biasing force of the spiral spring 37 and the internal pressure of the center airbag 34.

[0068] As a result, as shown in Figures 2 and 6(B), the thickness of the lower part 34D of the center airbag 34 increases compared to when there are two occupants, so that the occupant P1 seated in the driver's seat 12L can be effectively restrained by the center airbag 34. Thus, according to the third embodiment, whether there is one occupant in the driver's seat or two occupants in the driver's seat and passenger seat, the occupants P1 and P2 can be effectively restrained by the center airbag 34 during a side collision of the vehicle (restraint performance for occupants P1 and P2 can be ensured).

[0069] Furthermore, in this third embodiment, the regulating member is a tether 36 that connects the base fabric 34A on the outside in the seat width direction and the base fabric 34B on the inside in the seat width direction of the center airbag 34, and whose one end 36A is wound up against a biasing force biased in the opposite winding direction, and the release device 40 is composed of an actuator 50 that can lock and unlock the wound-up tether 36.Therefore, when the recognition device 28 recognizes that an occupant P2 is not seated in the passenger seat 12R, the thickness of the lower 34D side of the center airbag 34 can be increased early.

[0070] Furthermore, in this third embodiment, even if the thickness of the lower part 34D of the center airbag 34 is increased, the base fabric 34A on the outer side in the seat width direction and the base fabric 34B on the inner side in the seat width direction remain connected by the tether 36. Therefore, the thickness of the lower part 34D of the center airbag 34 can also be appropriately set when there is only one occupant, such as the driver's seat.

[0071] The vehicle occupant restraint device 10 according to this embodiment has been described above based on the drawings. However, the vehicle occupant restraint device 10 according to this embodiment is not limited to the illustrated version, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the recognition device 28 that recognizes whether or not an occupant P2 is seated in the passenger seat 12R may be a camera (not shown) electrically connected to the control device 27. Furthermore, the restricting member and the release device 40 are not limited to the configuration shown. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 10. Vehicle occupant restraint devices 12L Driver's Seat 12R Passenger Seat 16L driver's seat back 28 Recognition device 32 Inflator 34 Center airbag 34A Outer base fabric 34B Inner base fabric 36. Tether (regulating member) 38. Thread-like member 40 Release device 42 Cutter 50 Actuators P1 Driver's side occupant P2 Passenger-side occupant

Claims

1. The driver's seat and passenger seat installed in the vehicle's passenger compartment, A recognition device that recognizes whether or not an occupant is seated in the passenger seat, A center airbag is provided on the inner side of the seat back of the driver's seat in the vehicle width direction, and when gas ejected from an inflator is supplied to the interior, it inflates and deploys toward the inward side in the vehicle width direction of the occupant seated in the driver's seat, A regulating member provided inside the center airbag, which regulates the thickness of the center airbag to a thickness suitable when an occupant is seated in the passenger seat, A release device is provided inside the center airbag and, when a side collision is detected or predicted by the vehicle, the recognition device recognizes that no occupant is seated in the passenger seat and releases the restriction by the restricting member. Equipped with, The regulating member connects the base fabric on the outer side in the seat width direction and the base fabric on the inner side in the seat width direction of the center airbag, and is a tether in which one end and the other end are connected by a thread-like member, with the intermediate portion being bent. A vehicle occupant restraint device comprising a release device that includes a cutter for cutting the thread-like member.

2. A driver's seat and a passenger seat provided in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, A recognition device that recognizes whether or not an occupant is seated in the passenger seat, A center airbag is provided on the inner side of the seat back of the driver's seat in the vehicle width direction, and when gas ejected from an inflator is supplied to the interior, it inflates and deploys toward the inward side in the vehicle width direction of the occupant seated in the driver's seat, A regulating member provided inside the center airbag, which regulates the thickness of the center airbag to a thickness suitable when an occupant is seated in the passenger seat, A release device is provided inside the center airbag and, when a side collision is detected or predicted by the vehicle, the recognition device recognizes that no occupant is seated in the passenger seat and releases the restriction by the restricting member. Equipped with, The regulating member is a tether that connects the base fabric on the outside in the seat width direction and the base fabric on the inside in the seat width direction of the center airbag, and is wound up against a biasing force that biases one end in the opposite direction to the winding direction. A vehicle occupant restraint device comprising an actuator capable of locking and unlocking the retracted tether.

Images