Crew restraint device

Abstract

To achieve a crew member restraint device which restrains not only knees of the crew member who are trying to move, but also wider area containing a thigh part speedily when impact is applied to a vehicle.SOLUTION: An airbag cushion 11 of a crew member restraint device 10 comprises a main chamber 12 which inflates and spreads in front of knee part 5na of a crew member 5 seating on a seat 1 and an extension chamber 13 which inflates and spreads in lateral side of the thigh part 5fa of the crew member 5 seating on the seat 1 by extending from the main chamber 12 toward a vehicle rearward direction. The airbag cushion 11 is configured so that at least one part of the extension chamber 13 inflates and spreads in position where it overlaps with at least one part of the thigh part 5fa of the crew member 5 when viewing from the lateral side of the vehicle transparently in such a condition that inflation and spread is completed. Kinetic energy of the crew member 5 who is trying to move is attenuated sufficiently by restraining wide area containing the thighs 5fa, 5fb close to center of gravity in a body of a human speedily.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an occupant restraint device capable of restraining the thighs of an occupant sitting on a vehicle seat.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a knee airbag device for protecting the knees of an occupant when an impact is applied to a vehicle, such as during a vehicle collision, is known. As an example of this type of device, Patent Document 1 describes a knee airbag device 100 mounted at the lower part of an instrument panel 8 and configured to inflate and deploy an airbag 101 in front of the knees 5na, 5nb of an occupant 5 when the vehicle receives an impact, as shown in FIG. 14.

[0003] Specifically, the airbag 101 described in Patent Document 1 is composed of an inboard chamber 102 that protects the knee 5na on the center console side of the vehicle and an outboard chamber 103 that protects the knee 5nb on the door side. In this device, the two chambers constituting the airbag 101 basically inflate and deploy evenly in front of the knees 5na, 5nb of the occupant 5 to protect the front parts of the knees 5na, 5nb. However, when the vehicle is impacted obliquely from the front, the chamber closer to the impact location inflates and deploys at a higher pressure than the chamber farther from the impact location. For example, in the case of a collision from the left front obliquely, inflation gas flows into the inboard chamber 102 at a higher pressure than the outboard chamber 103. As a result, the inflated inboard chamber 102 has a shape that slightly protrudes outside the knee 5na, as shown in FIG. 14.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, airbag systems that provide protection against side collisions, such as side airbag systems and curtain airbag systems (hereinafter referred to as "side airbag systems, etc."), have been used for a long time. In recent years, due to increasing spatial constraints caused by the constraints of vehicle interior structure and the stricter requirements for side collision evaluation tests, there has been a demand for even higher performance from side airbag systems, etc., and the development environment for them has become increasingly challenging.

[0006] Under these circumstances, the inventors of the present invention conducted extensive research and found that it is effective to improve upon conventional knee airbag devices (see Patent Document 1), which were solely intended to protect the knees, by adding a configuration that restrains a wider area, including the thighs, in addition to the knees, when an impact is applied to the vehicle, such as during a vehicle collision.

[0007] The inventors of this invention have come up with a novel idea that quickly restrains the occupant's thighs during a vehicle collision, thereby improving occupant restraint performance. This idea also contributes to supporting the protective performance against side collisions provided by side airbag systems and the like.

[0008] This invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and aims to realize an occupant restraint device that, when an impact is applied to a vehicle, quickly restrains not only the knees of an occupant attempting to move, but also a wider area including the thighs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The crew restraint device of the present invention is An occupant restraint device comprising an airbag cushion stored in front of the occupant's knees and inflating and deploying toward the knees, and an inflator that sprays gas to inflate the airbag cushion, The airbag cushion has a main chamber that inflates and deploys in front of the knees of the seated occupant, and an extension chamber that extends from the main chamber toward the rear of the vehicle and inflates and deploys to the sides of the seated occupant's thighs. The airbag cushion is configured such that, when viewed from the side of the vehicle after inflation and deployment is complete, at least a portion of the extension chamber inflates and deploys in a position that overlaps with at least a portion of the occupant's thigh.

[0010] In the present invention, the extension chamber may be configured to consist of a first extension chamber that expands and unfolds toward the center in the vehicle width direction of the occupant seated in the seat, and a second extension chamber that expands and unfolds toward the outside in the vehicle width direction of the occupant seated in the seat.

[0011] In this invention, the extension chamber may be configured to expand and unfold above the seat cushion of the seat.

[0012] In this invention, at least a portion of the extension chamber may be configured to expand and unfold laterally to the seat cushion of the seat.

[0013] In this invention, the extension chamber may be configured to expand and unfold so that its rear end reaches the base of the occupant's thigh.

[0014] In the present invention, the airbag cushion is provided with a partition wall that separates the main chamber and the extension chamber, and the partition wall may be configured to have ventilation holes.

[0015] In the present invention, the first extension chamber and the second extension chamber may be configured to extend from both ends of the main chamber in the vehicle width direction toward the rear of the vehicle and expand and unfold laterally to the thighs of an occupant seated in a seat.

[0016] In this invention, the extension chamber may be configured to expand and unfold only towards either the center side or the outer side in the vehicle width direction relative to the seated occupant.

[0017] In this invention, the inflated and deployed airbag cushion may be configured such that the upper end surface of the intermediate portion in the vehicle width direction of the main chamber is lower than the upper end surface of the extension chamber. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The airbag cushion of the occupant restraint device of the present invention includes a main chamber that inflates and deploys in front of the knees of an occupant sitting on a seat, and an extension chamber that extends from the main chamber toward the rear of the vehicle and inflates and deploys on the side of the thighs of the occupant sitting on the seat.

[0019] In the present invention, the airbag cushion is configured such that at least a part of the extension chamber inflates and deploys at a position overlapping at least a part of the thighs of the occupant when viewed transparently from the side of the vehicle in a state where the inflation and deployment are completed.

[0020] In the present invention, when an impact is applied to the vehicle, such as during a side collision of the vehicle, the main chamber restrains the knees, and the extension chamber restrains the thighs of the occupant. In the present invention, it is possible to quickly restrain a wider range including the thighs and sufficiently attenuate the kinetic energy of the occupant trying to move.

[0021] According to the present invention, by quickly restraining the thighs during a vehicle collision and sufficiently attenuating the kinetic energy of the occupant, the restraint performance for the occupant is improved. The present invention also contributes to supporting the protection performance against side collisions by a side airbag device or the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which an occupant restraint device according to an embodiment is attached to a vehicle. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is an enlarged schematic configuration diagram of the occupant restraint device of FIG. 1A. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the occupant restraint device according to the embodiment as viewed from the opening side. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which an airbag cushion has inflated and deployed on the side of the thighs of a seated occupant of the occupant restraint device according to the embodiment, as viewed transparently from the side of the vehicle. [Figure 4A]Figure 4A is a plan view of the airbag cushion in a horizontal position, according to the occupant restraint device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4B] Figure 4B is a perspective view of the occupant restraint device according to the embodiment, showing the airbag cushion in an inflated and deployed state, viewed from an oblique direction. [Figure 4C] Figure 4C is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view showing the occupant restraint device according to the embodiment, in a state where the airbag cushion has been fully inflated and deployed. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the state in which the airbag cushion has been fully inflated and deployed in the occupant restraint device according to the embodiment, and is a view of the seat in which the occupant is seated, as seen from the side of the vehicle. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the state in which the airbag cushion has been inflated and deployed in the occupant restraint device according to the embodiment, and is a view of the seat in which the occupant is seated, as seen from above the vehicle. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the extension chamber has been fully expanded and deployed in the occupant restraint device according to the embodiment, and is a view of the seat in which the occupant is seated, as seen from the front of the vehicle. [Figure 8A] Figure 8A is a plan view of the airbag cushion in a horizontal position in the occupant restraint device according to the first modified embodiment. [Figure 8B] Figure 8B is a perspective view from an oblique direction of the occupant restraint device according to the first modified embodiment, showing the airbag cushion in an inflated and deployed state. [Figure 8C] Figure 8C is a diagram showing the state in which the airbag cushion has been fully inflated and deployed in the occupant restraint device according to the first modified embodiment, and is a schematic view of the seat in which the occupant is seated, viewed from an oblique direction. [Figure 9A] Figure 9A is a plan view of the airbag cushion in a horizontal position in the occupant restraint device according to a second modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 9B] Figure 9B is a perspective view from an oblique direction of the occupant restraint device according to a second modified embodiment, showing the airbag cushion in an inflated and deployed state. [Figure 9C]Figure 9C is a diagram showing the state in which the airbag cushion has been inflated and deployed in the occupant restraint device according to the second modified embodiment, and is a schematic view of the seat in which the occupant is seated, viewed from an oblique direction. [Figure 10A] Figure 10A is a plan view of the airbag cushion in a horizontal position in an occupant restraint device according to a third modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 10B] Figure 10B is a perspective view from an oblique direction of the occupant restraint device according to a third modified embodiment, showing the airbag cushion in an inflated and deployed state. [Figure 10C] Figure 10C is a diagram showing the state in which the airbag cushion has been inflated and deployed in the occupant restraint device according to the third modified embodiment, and is a schematic view of the seat in which the occupant is seated, viewed from an oblique direction. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the occupant restraint device according to the fourth modified embodiment installed in a vehicle. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of an occupant restraint device according to a fourth modified embodiment, showing the state in which the airbag cushion has inflated and deployed to the side of the thigh of a seated occupant, viewed from the side of the vehicle in perspective. [Figure 13A] Figure 13A is a plan view of the airbag cushion in a horizontal position in an occupant restraint device according to a fourth modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 13B] Figure 13B is a perspective view from an oblique direction of the occupant restraint device according to the fourth modified embodiment, showing the airbag cushion in an inflated and deployed state. [Figure 13C] Figure 13C is a diagram showing the state in which the airbag cushion has been inflated and deployed in the occupant restraint device according to the fourth modified embodiment, and is a schematic view of the seat in which the occupant is seated, viewed from an oblique direction. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional knee airbag system in a state where the airbag has completed inflation and deployment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0024] This embodiment is an occupant restraint device 10 for protecting and restraining the knees 5na and thighs 5fa of an occupant 5 seated in a seat 1 of a vehicle such as an automobile. The occupant restraint device 10 shown in Figure 1A is installed relative to the driver's seat. The occupant restraint device 10 is located within the vehicle's instrument panel 8, and when an impact is applied to the vehicle, such as during a collision, the airbag cushion 11 inflates and deploys toward the occupant 5 to restrain the occupant 5's left and right knees 5na and thighs 5fa.

[0025] In this specification, "upper" and "upper side" may mean the direction of the head of the occupant 5 when seated in the regular position of seat 1, and "down" and "lower side" may mean the direction of the occupant 5's feet. Here, "regular position" refers to the position where the occupant 5's back is in contact with the backrest 3 both vertically and horizontally, at the center of the seat cushion 2 in the left-right direction of seat 1. Furthermore, "front" and "front side" may mean the direction in front of the occupant 5 when seated in the regular position of seat 1, and "rear" and "rear side" may mean the direction in front of the occupant 5. Furthermore, "left" and "left side" may mean the direction to the left of the occupant 5 when seated in the regular position of seat 1, and "right" and "right side" may mean the direction to the right of the occupant 5.

[0026] In this invention, "occupant" refers, for example, to a dummy used for frontal crash testing (Hybrid III AM50 / NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration] standard [49CFR Part 572 Subpart E and O]), who has a physique equivalent to an average American male. The approximate dimensions of the AM50 are a height of 175 cm, a sitting height of 88 cm, and a weight of 78 kg. However, this invention is also applicable to other human dummies.

[0027] [Configuration of the crew restraint device in the stowed state] As shown in Figure 1A, the occupant restraint device 10 of this embodiment is positioned on the back side of the lower panel 8a of the instrument panel 8, which is located in front of or slightly below the shin portion 5sa of the occupant 5. The lower panel 8a extends diagonally downward and forward in cross-sectional view. A first mounting member 9a and a second mounting member 9b protrude forward from the back side of the lower panel 8a. The first mounting member 9a and the second mounting member 9b are formed in a plate shape and extend substantially horizontally. The first mounting member 9a and the second mounting member 9b are spaced apart in the vertical direction. The occupant restraint device 10 is attached to the first mounting member 9a and the second mounting member 9b.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1B, the occupant restraint device 10 is housed in front of the occupant's knee 5na and comprises an airbag cushion 11 that inflates and deploys toward the knee 5na, an inflator 20 that sprays gas to inflate the airbag cushion 11, and a storage case 15 for housing the airbag cushion 11.

[0029] The airbag cushion 11 is a fabric bag constructed by preparing the required number of base fabrics of the desired shape in advance and sewing predetermined areas such as the outer perimeter of these base fabrics. However, the airbag cushion 11 may also be formed using one-piece weaving technology. The airbag cushion 11 can be stored inside the storage case 15 by rolling it up in a roll shape or folding it in an accordion shape when laid flat.

[0030] The inflator 20 is a gas generator formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, with its axial direction aligned with the width direction of the vehicle. A gas ejection port (not shown) is provided at the longitudinal end of the inflator 20. The inflator 20 is electrically connected to a control unit such as an ECU. When a side collision of the vehicle is detected or predicted based on signals from sensors such as a collision detection sensor that detects a collision or a collision prediction sensor that predicts a collision, the inflator 20 is activated by a signal from the control unit. When the inflator 20 is activated, expansion gas is ejected from the ejection port.

[0031] The storage case 15 is a box-shaped structure with a horizontally elongated opening 16 from which the airbag cushion 11, which inflates and deploys using gas injected from the inflator 20, pops out. The storage case 15 is attached to the back side of the lower panel 8a such that the opening 16 faces the back surface of the lower panel 8a. A weak point 8b is formed on the back surface of the lower panel 8a that is pressed and ruptured by the inflation pressure of the airbag cushion 11. The weak point 8b is weaker in strength than other parts of the lower panel 8a, and can be formed, for example, by a straight groove extending in the left-right direction.

[0032] The storage case 15 is a box-shaped body comprising a top panel 26, a bottom panel 27 facing the top panel 26, a base panel 28 extending between the front end of the top panel 26 and the front end of the bottom panel 27, and a pair of side panels 25 (see Figure 2) extending between the end of the top panel 26 and the end of the bottom panel 27 in the left-right direction. The opening 16 is formed in cross-sectional view between the rear end of the top panel 26 and the rear end of the bottom panel 27.

[0033] The opening 16 of the storage case 15 is fitted with an inner flap 21 that covers the outer surface of the exposed airbag cushion 11, and an outer flap 22 that covers the outer surface of the inner flap 21. The inner flap 21 traverses the opening 16 vertically so as to contact the rear of the airbag cushion 11 when it is stored. The outer flap 22 covers the outer surface of the inner flap 21 so as to traverse the opening 16 vertically across the lateral central portion 11c of the airbag cushion 11. The inner flap 21 and the outer flap 22 are strip-shaped fabric materials having the required length in the width and length directions, respectively, and are made of, for example, a non-stretch material.

[0034] The vertical length of the inner flap 21 is approximately the same as the vertical dimension of the storage case 15. The vertical length of the outer flap 22 may be the same as the inner flap 22, or it may be longer than the inner flap 22. If the outer flap 22 is longer, the outer flap 22 is folded multiple times in the length direction to create an overlapping section 40 where the fabric materials overlap each other, and adjusted to be approximately the same length as the inner flap 21. The folded state of the overlapping section 40 is maintained by stitching 41. The inner flap 21 and the outer flap 22 are provided to cover the opening 16 and maintain the position and shape of the stored airbag cushion 11.

[0035] In the storage case 15, multiple hooks 26a and 27a are provided on the outer surfaces of the top plate 26 and the bottom plate 27, respectively. Each hook 26a and 27a is formed so that its tip faces the bottom plate 28 (see Figure 1A) and is positioned near the outside edge of the opening 16. The storage case 15 is attached to the first mounting member 9a by the multiple hooks 26a on the top plate 26 and to the second mounting member 9b by the multiple hooks 27a on the bottom plate 27. The multiple hooks 26a on the top plate 26 and the multiple hooks 27a on the bottom plate 27 form mounting sections to which the inner flap 21 is attached. One end of the outer flap 22 is also attached to the multiple hooks 26a on the top plate 26, and the other end of the outer flap 22 is also attached to the multiple hooks 27a on the bottom plate 27.

[0036] The inner flap 21 and the outer flap 22 are each provided with a first weak point 31 and a second weak point 32, respectively, which will rupture when pressed by the airbag cushion 11. The first weak point 31 and the second weak point 32 are composed of multiple slits 31a and 32a. Each slit 31a and 32a is an elongated through-hole. The multiple slits 31a and 32a are arranged at a distance from each other in the width direction of the inner flap 21 and the outer flap 22. In the inner flap 21, the strength of the first weak point 31 is weaker than that of other parts, and in the outer flap 22, the strength of the second weak point 32 is weaker than that of other parts. When pressed by the airbag cushion 11, which has begun to inflate and deploy due to gas injected from the inflator 20, the first weak point 31 ruptures first, followed by the two weak points.

[0037] The airbag cushion 11, inflator 20, and rectifier plate 17 are attached to the bottom plate 28 by stud bolts 29. The inflator 20 and rectifier plate 17 are located inside the airbag cushion 11. The inflator 20 is located inside the rectifier plate 17. The rectifier plate 17 is a plate material that rectifies the flow of gas injected from the inflator 20 toward the bag body portion 11a of the airbag cushion 11. The rectifier plate 17 widens toward the bag body portion 11a from the mounting points by the stud bolts 29.

[0038] In its stored state, the airbag cushion 11 comprises a bag body portion 11a positioned on the opening 16 side of the storage case 15, either rolled up or folded, and a bag end portion 11b extending from the bag body portion 11a towards the bottom plate 28. The bag body portion 11a is held in place within the storage case 15 by an inner flap 21 and an outer flap 22. In the airbag cushion 11, the bag end portion 11b is fixed to the bottom plate 28 by stud bolts 29.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the seat 1 on which the occupant 5 is seated comprises a seat cushion 2 that supports the occupant 5's buttocks 5h and thighs 5fa, and a backrest 3 that supports the occupant 5's back 5b. The backrest 3 is tiltably attached to the rear end of the seat cushion 2. A headrest 6 is attached to the upper end of the backrest 3 via a rod-shaped support member 7. The seat 1 may also be formed with the backrest 3 and headrest 6 integrally formed.

[0040] A seat frame (not shown) is provided inside the backrest 3, and a seating frame (not shown) is positioned on the bottom side of the seat cushion 2. The seat frame and seating frame are formed from, for example, metal, and are connected via a reclining mechanism to form the skeleton of the seat 1. In the seat cushion 2, a pad made of, for example, urethane foam is provided on the upper side of the seating frame. In the backrest 3, a pad is provided on the front side of the seat frame. These pads are covered with a surface material. The surface material is made of stretchable fabric or leather.

[0041] [Configuration of the crew restraint device in its expanded and deployed state] As shown in Figure 3, the airbag cushion 11 includes a main chamber 12 that inflates and deploys in front of the knee 5na of the occupant 5 seated in the seat 1, and an extension chamber 13 that extends from the main chamber 12 toward the rear of the vehicle and inflates and deploys laterally to the thigh 5fa of the occupant 5 seated in the seat 1. Here, the thigh 5fa refers to the area between the knee 5na and the waist 5w of the occupant 5.

[0042] The main chamber 12 is a roughly rectangular chamber having the required length in the left-right and up-down directions. The length of the upper side of the main chamber 12 is slightly longer than the length of the lower side (see Figures 4A and 4B). As shown in Figure 5, the main chamber 12 has a length in the up-down and left-right directions that can simultaneously support the front sides of the left and right knees 5na and 5nb of the occupant 5, as well as the left and right shins 5sa and 5sb. As shown in Figure 6, the main chamber 12 extends in a direction that is roughly parallel to the vehicle width direction in a plan view. The length of the main chamber 12 in the vehicle width direction is longer than the distance between the left and right knees 5na and 5nb of the occupant 5. The main chamber 12 expands and unfolds to fill the space between the knees 5na and 5nb of the occupant 5 and the vehicle's instrument panel 8.

[0043] The extension chamber 13 is a horizontally elongated rectangular shape that is long in the front-to-back direction. The extension chamber 13 has a smaller capacity than the main chamber 12. As shown in Figure 4C, the extension chamber 13 consists of a first extension chamber 13a that is connected to the vehicle center side connection part 12a of the main chamber 12 and extends toward the rear of the vehicle, and a second extension chamber 13b that is connected to the vehicle outer side connection part 12b of the main chamber 12 and extends toward the rear of the vehicle. The main chamber 12, the first extension chamber 13a, and the second extension chamber 13b together form a single airbag cushion 11.

[0044] The extension chamber 13 extends in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The longitudinal length of the first extension chamber 13a is equal to the longitudinal length of the second extension chamber 13b. The first extension chamber 13a and the second extension chamber 13b are symmetrical and have vertical and longitudinal lengths, respectively, that can accommodate the movement of the thighs 5fa and 5fb of an occupant 5 seated in the seat 1 in the vehicle width direction. The first extension chamber 13a expands and unfolds to fill the space between the thigh 5fa of the occupant 5 and the vehicle's center console 50. The second extension chamber 13b expands and unfolds to fill the space between the thigh 5fb of the occupant 5 and the vehicle's door 60.

[0045] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, when the airbag cushion 11 is fully inflated and deployed, when viewed transparently from the side perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in a horizontal plane, at least a portion of the extension chamber 13 inflates and deploys to a position where it overlaps with at least a portion of the thigh 5fa of the occupant 5. The deployment position of the first extension chamber 13a is adjusted so that the vertical center of the first extension chamber 13a is at the same height as the center 5naa of the knee 5na. Figures 3 and 5 illustrate the state in which the first extension chamber 13a overlaps with the thigh 5fa of the occupant 5, but the state in which the second extension chamber 13b overlaps with the thigh 5fb of the occupant 5 is similar. Specifically, in this embodiment, when viewed transparently from the side of the vehicle, more than 90% of the extension chamber 13 overlaps with the thighs 5fa and 5fb of the occupant 5.

[0046] The shape and positional relationship of the extension chamber 13 are described in more detail as follows.

[0047] The first extension chamber 13a expands and unfolds toward the center in the vehicle width direction of the occupant 5 seated in seat 1, while the second extension chamber 13b expands and unfolds toward the outside in the vehicle width direction of the occupant 5. Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, when the extension chambers 13 are expanded and unfolded, the inner surface 13ab of the first extension chamber 13a comes into contact with the side of the left thigh 5fa of the occupant 5, and the inner surface 13bb of the second extension chamber 13b comes into contact with the side of the right thigh 5fb of the occupant 5. Furthermore, when the extension chambers 13 are expanded and unfolded, the outer surface 13ae of the first extension chamber 13a comes into contact with the side of the center console 50 equipped with a console box 51, and the outer surface 13be of the second extension chamber 13b comes into contact with the side of the vehicle door 60.

[0048] As shown in Figure 7, the extension chamber 13 is configured to inflate and unfold above the seat cushion 2 of the seat 1. Specifically, when the extension chamber 13 inflates and unfolds, the lower surface 13ac of the first extension chamber 13a is in contact with the upper surface 2aa of the upper part 2a of the seat cushion 2 on the center console 50 side, and the lower surface 13bc of the second extension chamber 13b is in contact with the upper surface 2ab of the upper part 2a of the seat cushion 2 on the door 60 side. The first extension chamber 13a and the second extension chamber 13b extend toward the rear of the vehicle from both ends of the main chamber 12 in the vehicle width direction (vehicle center side connection part 12a, vehicle outer side connection part 12b), and inflate and unfold above the seat cushion 2, to the sides of the thighs 5fa, 5fb of the occupant 5 seated in the seat 1.

[0049] As shown in Figure 7, the extension chamber 13 is configured such that at least a portion of it expands and unfolds laterally to the seat cushion 2 of the seat 1. Here, "at least a portion" means that when the extension chamber 13 is expanded, there is a portion that extends outward beyond the widthwise ends 2ba, 2bb of the seat cushion 2. Specifically, the first extension chamber 13a has a portion that extends toward the center console 50 side beyond the widthwise end 2ba of the seat cushion 2, and the second extension chamber 13b has a portion that extends toward the door 60 side beyond the widthwise end 2bb of the seat cushion 2. The first extension chamber 13a and the second extension chamber 13b extend toward the rear of the vehicle from both ends of the main chamber 12 in the vehicle width direction (vehicle center side connection part 12a, vehicle outer side connection part 12b), and expand and unfold laterally to the thighs 5fa, 5fb of the occupant 5 seated in the seat 1, and laterally to the seat cushion 2.

[0050] As shown in Figure 3, the extension chamber 13 inflates and deploys so that its rear end 13aa reaches the base 5faa of the occupant 5's thigh 5fa. When the first extension chamber 13a is inflated and deployed, its rear end 13aa is to the side of the occupant 5's left thigh 5fa and reaches the base 5faa of the occupant 5's thigh 5fa. Similarly, when the second extension chamber 13b is inflated and deployed, its rear end 13ba reaches the base of the occupant 5's thigh 5fb (see Figure 6).

[0051] As shown in Figure 3, when the inflated and deployed airbag cushion 11 is viewed from the side of the vehicle, the upper end surface 12c of the main chamber 12 is at approximately the same level as or slightly higher than the upper end surface 13ad of the first extension chamber 13a.

[0052] As shown in Figure 7, the interior of the airbag cushion 11 is divided into a main chamber 12 and an extension chamber 13 by a baffle plate 14. The baffle plate 14 corresponds to a partition wall. Fluid communication is established between the main chamber 12 and the first extension chamber 13a, and between the main chamber 12 and the second extension chamber 13b, respectively, by internal vents 14a, so that gas flows evenly from the main chamber 12 to the first extension chamber 13a and the second extension chamber 13b. The internal vents 14a correspond to ventilation holes.

[0053] [Effects of this embodiment, etc.] In this embodiment, the airbag cushion 11 of the occupant restraint device 10 includes a main chamber 12 that inflates and deploys in front of the knees 5na, 5nb of the occupant 5 seated in the seat 1, and extension chambers 13 that extend from the main chamber 12 toward the rear of the vehicle and inflate and deploy laterally to the left and right thighs 5fa, 5fb of the occupant 5 seated in the seat 1. The extension chamber 13 consists of a first extension chamber 13a that is connected to the vehicle center side connection portion 12a of the main chamber 12 and extends toward the rear of the vehicle, and a second extension chamber 13b that is connected to the vehicle outer side connection portion 12b of the main chamber 12 and extends toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0054] The airbag cushion 11 is configured such that, when fully inflated and deployed, when viewed transparently from the side perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in a horizontal plane, at least a portion of the extension chamber 13 overlaps with at least a portion of the occupant's thighs 5fa, 5fb.

[0055] In the occupant restraint device 10, when an impact is applied to the vehicle, such as during a side collision, the main chamber 12 restrains the knees 5na and 5nb of the occupant 5, while the first extension chamber 13a and the second extension chamber 13b restrain the thighs 5fa and 5fb of the occupant 5. As a result, the occupant restraint device 10 can quickly restrain a wide area, including the thighs 5fa and 5fb, which are close to the center of gravity of the human body, and sufficiently dampen the kinetic energy of the occupant 5 attempting to move.

[0056] The occupant restraint device 10 quickly restrains the thighs 5fa and 5fb during a vehicle collision, sufficiently reducing the occupant's kinetic energy and improving the restraint performance of the occupant 5 in the event of an accident. This embodiment also contributes to supporting the protective performance against side collisions provided by side airbag systems, etc.

[0057] In this embodiment, the first extension chamber 13a expands and unfolds toward the center in the vehicle width direction of the occupant 5 seated in the seat 1, while the second extension chamber 13b expands and unfolds toward the outside in the vehicle width direction of the occupant 5. Specifically, when the extension chambers 13 expand and unfold, the inner surface 13ab of the first extension chamber 13a comes into contact with the side of the left thigh 5fa of the occupant 5, and the outer surface 13ae of the first extension chamber 13a comes into contact with the side of the console box 41 of the center console 50. As a result, the first extension chamber 13a receives support from the center console 50, increasing the restraining force on the thigh 5fa of the occupant 5.

[0058] In this embodiment, when the extension chamber 13 is expanded and deployed, the inner surface 13bb of the second extension chamber 13b comes into contact with the side of the right thigh 5fb of the occupant 5, while the outer surface 13be of the second extension chamber 13b comes into contact with the side of the vehicle door 60. As a result, the second extension chamber 13b receives support from the door 60, increasing the restraining force on the thigh 5fb of the occupant 5.

[0059] In this embodiment, the extension chamber 13 is configured to inflate and unfold above the seat cushion 2 of the seat 1. Specifically, when the extension chamber 13 inflates and unfolds, the lower surface 13ac of the first extension chamber 13a is in contact with the upper surface 2aa of the upper part 2a of the seat cushion 2 on the center console 50 side, and the lower surface 13bc of the second extension chamber 13b is in contact with the upper surface 2ab of the upper part 2a of the seat cushion 2 on the door 60 side. This makes it possible to stably deploy the extension chamber 13 to a position suitable for restraining the thighs 5fa, 5fb of the occupant 5.

[0060] In this embodiment, the extension chamber 13 is configured such that at least a portion of it expands and unfolds laterally to the seat cushion 2 of the seat 1. Specifically, the first extension chamber 13a has a portion that extends beyond the widthwise end 2ba of the seat cushion 2 toward the center console 50, and the second extension chamber 13b has a portion that extends beyond the widthwise end 2bb of the seat cushion 2 toward the door 60. This makes it possible to stably deploy the extension chamber 13 to a position suitable for restraining the thighs 5fa, 5fb of the occupant 5.

[0061] In this embodiment, the extension chamber 13 expands and deploys so that its rear end 13aa reaches the base 5faa of the occupant 5's thigh 5fa. Specifically, when the first extension chamber 13a expands and deploys, its rear end 13aa is to the side of the occupant 5's left thigh 5fa and reaches the base 5faa of the occupant 5's thigh 5fa. Similarly, when the second extension chamber 13b expands and deploys, its rear end 13ba reaches the base of the occupant 5's thigh 5fb. This makes it possible for the extension chamber 13 to reliably restrain not only a part of the thigh 5fa, but the entire area of ​​the thigh 5fa, which is the region from the occupant 5's knee 5na to the waist 5w.

[0062] In this embodiment, the interior of the airbag cushion 11 is divided into a main chamber 12 and an extension chamber 13 by a baffle plate 14. Specifically, the main chamber 12 and the first extension chamber 13a, and the main chamber 12 and the second extension chamber 13b are fluidly connected by internal vents 14a, so that gas flows evenly from the main chamber 12 to the first extension chamber 13a and the second extension chamber 13b. This makes it easier to adjust the deployment behavior of the airbag cushion 11 by adjusting the size of the internal vents 14a.

[0063] [First and second modified examples of the embodiment] In these modifications, the extension chamber 13 expands and unfolds only towards either the center side or the outside side in the vehicle width direction of the occupant 5 seated in seat 1.

[0064] Specifically, in the first modified example shown in Figures 8A and 8B, only the first extension chamber 13a, which extends from the main chamber 12 toward the rear of the vehicle and expands laterally to the thigh 5fa of the left leg of the occupant 5 seated in seat 1, is connected to the main chamber 12 which expands and deploys in front of the knees 5na and 5nb of the occupant 5. The first extension chamber 13a is connected to the vehicle center side connection portion 12a of the main chamber 12. During a vehicle collision, as shown in Figure 8C, the first chamber 13a expands and deploys laterally to the thigh 5fa of the left leg of the occupant 5 seated in seat 1, restraining the thigh 5fa.

[0065] Furthermore, in the second modified example shown in Figures 9A and 9B, only the second extension chamber 13b, which extends from the main chamber 12 toward the rear of the vehicle and expands laterally to the right thigh 5fb of the occupant 5 seated in seat 1, is connected to the main chamber 12 which expands and deploys in front of the knees 5na and 5nb of the occupant 5. The second extension chamber 13b is connected to the vehicle exterior connection portion 12b of the main chamber 12. During a vehicle collision, as shown in Figure 8C, the first chamber 13a expands and deploys laterally to the left thigh 5fa of the occupant 5 seated in seat 1, restraining the thigh 5fa.

[0066] In these modified versions as well, the first extension chamber 13a or the second extension chamber 13b can quickly restrain either the left or right thigh 5fa or 5fb of the occupant 5.

[0067] In this modified version, the extension chamber 13 can be efficiently provided only on the side where support is deemed necessary, taking into consideration the performance of the side airbag system and other devices used in combination with the occupant restraint device 10.

[0068] [Third Modification of the Embodiment] In this modified example, the inflated main chamber 12, when viewed from the occupant 5 side, has a U-shape that is slightly flattened laterally with a downward recess in the middle section (see Figures 10A and 10B). Therefore, in this modified example, when the airbag cushion 11 is inflated and deployed, the upper end surface 12c of the middle section of the main chamber 12 in the vehicle width direction is lower than the upper end surfaces 13ad and 13bd of the extension chamber 13. The main chamber 12 has a length in the vertical and horizontal directions that can support the front of the left and right shins 5sa and 5sb of the occupant 5. The main chamber 12 inflates and deploys to fill the space between the occupant 5's shins 5sa and 5sb and the vehicle's instrument panel 8.

[0069] As shown in Figure 10C, the extension chamber 13 consists of a first extension chamber 13a extending toward the rear of the vehicle from the vehicle center side connection portion 12a in the vehicle width direction of the main chamber 12, and a second extension chamber 13b extending toward the rear of the vehicle from the vehicle outer side connection portion 12b in the vehicle width direction. The first extension chamber 13a, which expands and unfolds laterally to the left thigh 5fa of the occupant 5 seated in seat 1, and the second extension chamber 13b, which expands and unfolds laterally to the right thigh 5fb, each have vertical and longitudinal lengths that can withstand the movement of the thighs 5fa and 5fb in the vehicle width direction.

[0070] In this modified example as well, the first extension chamber 13a and the second extension chamber 13b can quickly restrain the left and right thighs 5fa and 5fb of the occupant 5.

[0071] In this modified configuration, the main chamber 12 protects only the shins 5sa and 5sb of the occupant 5, thus reducing the volume of the main chamber 12. This allows the gas in the main chamber 12 to quickly flow into the first extension chamber 13a and the second extension chamber 13b, facilitating the rapid deployment of the first extension chamber 13a and the second extension chamber 13b.

[0072] [Fourth modified example of the embodiment] As shown in Figure 11, the occupant restraint device 10 of this modified example is positioned on the back side of the upper panel 8c of the instrument panel 8, at approximately the same height as the occupant's knee 5na, and located in front of the knee 5na. As shown in Figure 12, the deployment position of the first extension chamber 13a is adjusted so that the vertical center of the first extension chamber 13a is at the same height as the center 5naa of the knee 5na.

[0073] In this modified example, the expanded main chamber 12, when viewed from the front of the vehicle, has a horizontally elongated rectangular shape, with its length in the left-right direction being longer than its length in the up-down direction (see Figures 13A and 13B). The main chamber 12 has both vertical and horizontal lengths that can accommodate the front of the left and right knees 5na, 5nb of the occupant 5. As shown in Figure 13C, the main chamber 12 extends in a direction roughly parallel to the width of the vehicle. The main chamber 12 expands and unfolds to fill the space between the knees 5na, 5nb of the occupant 5 and the instrument panel 8 of the vehicle.

[0074] In this modified example, as shown in Figure 13C, the extension chamber 13 consists of a first extension chamber 13a extending toward the rear of the vehicle from the vehicle center side connection portion 12a in the vehicle width direction of the main chamber 12, and a second extension chamber 13b extending toward the rear of the vehicle from the vehicle outer side connection portion 12b in the vehicle width direction. The first extension chamber 13a, which expands and unfolds laterally to the left thigh 5fa of the occupant 5 seated in seat 1, and the second extension chamber 13b, which expands and unfolds laterally to the right thigh 5fb, each have vertical and longitudinal lengths that can withstand the movement of the thighs 5fa and 5fb in the vehicle width direction.

[0075] In this modified example as well, the first extension chamber 13a and the second extension chamber 13b can quickly restrain the left and right thighs 5fa and 5fb of the occupant 5.

[0076] In this modified configuration, the main chamber 12 protects only the knees 5na and 5nb of the occupant 5, thus reducing the volume of the main chamber 12. This allows the gas in the main chamber 12 to quickly flow into the first extension chamber 13a and the second extension chamber 13b, facilitating the rapid deployment of the first extension chamber 13a and the second extension chamber 13b.

[0077] [Other variations] In the above-described embodiment, the occupant restraint device 10 may be provided for other seats, such as the passenger seat.

[0078] In the above-described embodiment, the first extension chamber 13a and the second extension chamber 13b may have different lengths in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when inflated and deployed. For example, if the first extension chamber 13a may interfere with the console box 51, the first extension chamber 13a can be made slightly shorter.

[0079] In the above-described embodiment, the extension chamber 13 may be configured such that, when viewed from the side of the vehicle, a portion of the inflated extension chamber 13 overlaps with the entirety of the thighs 5fa and 5fb of the occupant 5. Alternatively, the extension chamber 13 may be configured such that, when viewed from the side of the vehicle, the entire inflated extension chamber 13 overlaps with a portion of the thighs 5fa and 5fb of the occupant 5.

[0080] In the above-described embodiment, the extension chamber 13 may be configured to expand and unfold as a whole to the side of the seat cushion 2 of the seat 1. [Industrial applicability]

[0081] The configuration of this invention is not dependent on a specific vehicle type and can be applied to any vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1 seat 2 seat cushions 5 crew members 5na knee 5nb knee area 5fa thigh 5fb thigh 10 Crew restraint devices 11 Airbag cushions 12 Main Chamber 13 Extension Chamber 13a First extension chamber 13b Second extension chamber 14. Baffle plate (partition wall) 14a Internal vents (ventilation holes) 20 Inflators

Claims

1. An occupant restraint device comprising an airbag cushion stored in front of the occupant's knees and inflating and deploying toward the knees, and an inflator that injects gas to inflate the airbag cushion, The airbag cushion has a main chamber that inflates and deploys in front of the knees of the occupant seated in the seat, and an extension chamber that extends from the main chamber toward the rear of the vehicle and inflates and deploys to the side of the occupant's thighs when seated in the seat. The airbag cushion is configured such that, when viewed from the side of the vehicle after inflation and deployment are complete, at least a portion of the extension chamber inflates and deploys to a position that overlaps with at least a portion of the occupant's thigh. The extension chamber is an occupant restraint device that expands and unfolds so that the rear end of the extension chamber reaches the base of the occupant's thigh.

2. The occupant restraint device according to claim 1, wherein the extension chamber comprises a first extension chamber that expands and unfolds toward the center in the vehicle width direction of the occupant seated in the seat, and a second extension chamber that expands and unfolds toward the outside in the vehicle width direction of the occupant seated in the seat.

3. The occupant restraint device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the extension chamber expands and unfolds above the seat cushion of the seat.

4. The occupant restraint device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the extension chamber expands and unfolds laterally to the seat cushion of the seat.

5. The occupant restraint device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the airbag cushion comprises a partition wall separating the main chamber and the extension chamber, and the partition wall is provided with ventilation holes.

6. The occupant restraint device according to claim 2, wherein the first extension chamber and the second extension chamber extend toward the rear of the vehicle from both ends of the main chamber in the vehicle width direction and expand and unfold laterally to the thighs of an occupant seated in the seat.

7. The occupant restraint device according to claim 1, wherein the extension chamber expands and unfolds only towards either the center side or the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the occupant seated in the seat.

8. The occupant restraint device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inflated and deployed airbag cushion has an upper end surface of the intermediate portion in the vehicle width direction of the main chamber that is lower than the upper end surface of the extension chamber.

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