Occupant protection device

Abstract

The present invention provides an occupant protection device which makes it possible to improve protection of an occupant while imparting a degree of freedom of design to an existing configuration such as a center console. Provided is an occupant protection device 1 comprising a first vehicle seat 11 and a second vehicle seat 12 which are provided such that a center console 15 is sandwiched therebetween, said occupant protection device 1 comprising a first airbag 21 which is inflated and deployed in the event of a vehicle collision and which receives an occupant 150 on the first vehicle seat 11 from the center-console-15 side in the vehicle width direction and a second airbag 22 which is provided on the opposite side of the center console 15 from the first airbag 21, wherein, in the event of a vehicle collision, the second airbag 22 is inflated and deployed, and provides a reaction force to the first airbag 21 via or not via the center console 15.

Description

Occupant protection devices

[0001] The present invention relates to an occupant protection device including a first seat and a second seat disposed on either side of a center console.

[0002] A known vehicle occupant protection device, as described in Patent Document 1, prevents an occupant from moving inward in the vehicle width direction during a side collision. This occupant protection device is called a far-side airbag device, and in the event of a side collision, an airbag is inflated and deployed so as to be adjacent to the occupant on the center side of the vehicle. The airbag catches the occupant attempting to move inward in the vehicle width direction, and a portion of the airbag contacts the center console, so that the load on the airbag is supported by the center console.

[0003] Patent Publication No. 2012-81958

[0004] In the above-mentioned passenger protection device, the rigidity of the center console has a significant impact on passenger protection. However, the rigidity of the center console varies depending on the vehicle. Therefore, for example, if the rigidity of the center console is low, the protective performance required of the airbag increases, making the development of the airbag more difficult.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an occupant protection device that can improve occupant protection while providing design freedom to existing structures such as a center console.

[0006] An occupant protection device according to one aspect of the present invention is an occupant protection device comprising a first vehicle seat and a second vehicle seat arranged on either side of a center console, and including a first airbag that inflates and deploys in the event of a vehicle collision to receive an occupant seated in the first vehicle seat from the center console side in the vehicle width direction, and a second airbag that is arranged on the opposite side of the center console from the first airbag, and the second airbag inflates and deploys in the event of a vehicle collision to provide a reaction force to the first airbag with or without the center console.

[0007] According to this aspect, in the event of a vehicle collision, an occupant on the first vehicle seat attempting to move toward the second vehicle seat is received by the first airbag, and the load from the occupant acting on the first airbag is supported by a reaction force provided by the second airbag. This prevents the occupant from moving toward the second vehicle seat, thereby restraining the occupant. By providing the second airbag, which is separate from the first airbag, in association with the first airbag and the center console, it is possible to improve occupant protection while providing design flexibility (e.g., freedom in terms of properties such as position, size, and rigidity) to the existing first airbag and center console.

[0008] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which an occupant protection device according to a first embodiment is mounted on a vehicle, (a) is a front view, and (b) is a perspective view. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing, from the front, a state in which an occupant protection device according to a modified example of the first embodiment is mounted on a vehicle. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the occupant protection device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control method of the occupant protection device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a front view of a state in which an occupant protection device according to a comparative example is mounted on a vehicle. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing, from the front, a state in which an occupant protection device according to a second embodiment is mounted on a vehicle. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the occupant protection device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control method of the occupant protection device according to the second embodiment.

[0009] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, up / down, left / right, and front / rear are defined as follows. When an occupant is seated in a seat (vehicle seat) in a normal posture, the direction the occupant faces is referred to as the forward direction, and the opposite direction is referred to as the rearward direction, and when indicating coordinate axes, these are referred to as the front / rear direction or the vehicle's front / rear direction. Furthermore, when an occupant is seated in a seat in a normal posture, the right side of the occupant is referred to as the right direction, and the left side of the occupant is referred to as the left direction, and when indicating coordinate axes, these are referred to as the left / right direction or the vehicle width direction. Similarly, when an occupant is seated in a normal posture, the direction of the occupant's head is referred to as the upward direction, and the direction of the occupant's waist is referred to as the downward direction, and when indicating coordinate axes, these are referred to as the up / down direction.

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

[0011] 1, an occupant protection device 1 is provided in a passenger compartment 3 of a vehicle 2. The occupant protection device 1 includes a first vehicle seat 11 and a second vehicle seat 12 fixed to the floor of the vehicle 2, and the first vehicle seat 11 and the second vehicle seat 12 are provided on either side of a center console 15. The first vehicle seat 11 is, for example, a driver's seat, and the second vehicle seat 12 is, for example, a passenger seat.

[0012] The center console 15 is an interior material installed in the space between the first vehicle seat 11 and the second vehicle seat 12, and protrudes from the floor of the vehicle 2 into the passenger compartment 3. There is a gap between the center console 15 and the first vehicle seat 11, and there is also a gap between the center console 15 and the second vehicle seat 12. The height and functions of the center console 15 are designed depending on, for example, the type of vehicle 2. For example, in a front-wheel drive vehicle, the height (upper end position) of the center console 15 is generally higher than in a front-wheel drive vehicle. In one example, the height of the center console 15 is located below the waist and elbows of an occupant seated in the first vehicle seat 11. The center console 15 can provide various functions, such as a storage compartment, cup holders, an armrest, and a navigation system controller.

[0013] In the following description, an example will be described in which the occupant protection device 1 according to the first embodiment functions as a far-side airbag device in the event of a vehicle collision for an occupant 150 seated in a normal position in the first vehicle seat 11. Here, "in the event of a vehicle collision" primarily refers to a side collision of the vehicle 2. The following description will be given taking as an example a case in which a side collision of the vehicle occurs from the side of the second vehicle seat 12. The occupant 150 seated in the first vehicle seat 11 is restrained by a seat belt device (not shown) so as not to move forward in the vehicle.

[0014] The occupant protection device 1 includes a first vehicle seat 11, a second vehicle seat 12, a first airbag 21, and a second airbag 22. The occupant protection device 1 also includes a first inflator 21C and a second inflator 22C (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 3, the first airbag 21 and the first inflator 21C form a first airbag module 51, and the second airbag 22 and the first inflator 21C form a second airbag module 52.

[0015] Returning to Figure 1 again, during a vehicle collision (a side collision of the vehicle on the side of the second vehicle seat 12), the impact of the collision acts on the occupant 150 seated in the first vehicle seat 11, causing an inertial force that moves the occupant 150 toward the second vehicle seat 12. In the occupant protection device 1, the first airbag 21 inflates and deploys during a vehicle collision to receive the occupant 150 seated in the first vehicle seat 11 from the center console 15 side in the vehicle width direction. The second airbag 22 is provided on the opposite side of the center console 15 from the first airbag 21, and inflates and deploys during a vehicle collision to provide a reaction force to the first airbag 21 via the center console 15.

[0016] The first vehicle seat 11 has a first seat back 11A and a first seat cushion 11B. Similarly, the second vehicle seat 12 has a second seat back 12A and a second seat cushion 12B. The first seat back 11A supports the back of the occupant, and the first seat cushion 11B supports the buttocks of the occupant. The same applies to the second seat back 12A and the second seat cushion 12B.

[0017] The first airbag 21 is provided in the first vehicle seat 11. For example, the first airbag 21 may be stored inside the first seat back 11A or the first seat cushion 11B, or may be provided below the first seat cushion 11B. In another embodiment, the first airbag 21 may be stored in the center console 15 on the first vehicle seat 11 side.

[0018] For example, the first airbag 21 is provided inside the first seat cushion 11B on the side of the center console 15. Specifically, the first airbag 21 is housed in a space inside a pad that surrounds a seat cushion frame that forms the framework of the first seat cushion 11B. The first airbag 21 is installed on the outer surface of the side frame on the center console 15 side (the surface on the center console 15 side) of the left and right side frames of the seat cushion frame. In this case, the first airbag 21 may be fixed to the outer surface of the side frame together with the first inflator 21C via a stud bolt of the first inflator 21C. A seam is formed in a portion of the skin covering the surface of the pad, and this seam tears when the first airbag 21 inflates and deploys. This tearing causes the first airbag 21 to inflate and deploy to the side of the occupant 150 (between the occupant 150 and the center console 15).

[0019] The second airbag 22 is provided in the second vehicle seat 12. For example, the second airbag 22 may be housed inside the second seat back 12A or the second seat cushion 12B, or may be provided below the second seat cushion 12B. In another embodiment, the second airbag 22 may be housed in the center console 15 on the second vehicle seat 12 side.

[0020] For example, the second airbag 22 is provided inside or outside the second seat cushion 12B, on the side of the second seat cushion 12B on the center console 15 side. Specifically, the second airbag 22 is housed in a space inside a pad that surrounds a seat cushion frame that forms the framework of the second seat cushion 12B, particularly in the space on the center console 15 side. The second airbag 22 is installed on the outer surface of the side frame on the center console 15 side (the surface on the center console 15 side) of the left and right side frames of the seat cushion frame. In this case, the second airbag 22 may be fixed to the outer surface of the side frame together with the second inflator 22C via stud bolts of the second inflator 22C. A seam is formed in a portion of the skin covering the surface of the pad, and this seam tears when the second airbag 22 inflates and deploys. This tearing causes the second airbag 22 to inflate and deploy on the side of the second vehicle seat 12 (between the second vehicle seat 12 and the center console 15).

[0021] The first airbag 21 and the second airbag 22 are formed into a bag shape, for example, by sewing or bonding one or more pieces of base fabric or the like at appropriate positions, or by weaving using OPW (One-Piece Woven). The first airbag 21 and the second airbag 22 are supplied with gas from the first inflator 21C and the second inflator 22C, and are inflated and deployed from a stored state to a deployed state. In the stored state, the first airbag 21 and the second airbag 22 may be folded, and the folding method may be a roll shape, an accordion shape, or a combination thereof.

[0022] The first inflator 21C and the second inflator 22C supply gas for inflation and deployment to the first airbag 21 and the second airbag 22, respectively, during a vehicle collision. The inflators 21C and 22C are electrically connected to an electronic control unit (ECU: e.g., the controller 700 in FIG. 3 ). For example, the inflators 21C and 22C are activated upon receiving a signal from the ECU that detects a vehicle collision situation, and instantly supply gas to the first airbag 21 and the second airbag 22. Various types of inflators, such as those filled with a gas generating agent, compressed gas, or both, can be used as the inflators 21C and 22C. As an example, a micro gas generator can be used as the inflators 21C and 22C. The inflators 21C and 22C are independently built into the first airbag 21 and the second airbag 22, respectively.

[0023] However, in other embodiments, the inflators 21C, 22C may be provided in the first vehicle seat 11 or the second vehicle seat 12 without being built into the first airbag 21 and the second airbag 22. Also, in another embodiment, a single inflator may supply inflation gas to the first airbag 21 and the second airbag 22.

[0024] Next, an example of the first airbag 21 and the second airbag 22 in an inflated and deployed state will be described in detail.

[0025] The first airbag 21 inflates and deploys, for example, on the side of the first seat cushion 11B on the side of the center console 15. When inflated and deployed, the first airbag 21 is partially in contact with the center console 15, but is mostly located above the center console 15. For example, of most of the first airbag 21, an upper end portion of the first airbag 21 is located above the first seatback 11A when inflated and deployed.

[0026] Here, if we divide the chamber area of ​​the first airbag 21 in its inflated and deployed state based on its positional relationship with the center console 15, it can be said that the first airbag 21 has an upper chamber 21A located above the upper end 15a of the center console 15, and a lower chamber 21B located below the upper end 15a of the center console 15.

[0027] The upper chamber 21A receives the occupant 150 moving toward the center of the vehicle 2. The upper chamber 21A is longer in the vertical direction than the lower chamber 21B, and has a surface that widely receives the sides of the upper body (from the head to the waist) of the occupant 150. The lower chamber 21B receives a reaction force from the center console 15. Specifically, the lower chamber 21B inflates and deploys to fill the gap between the first seat cushion 11B and the center console 15, and comes into contact with a portion of the center console 15 on the first vehicle seat 11 side to receive the reaction force.

[0028] The second airbag 22 is inflated and deployed, for example, on the side of the second seat cushion 12B on the side of the center console 15. In this case, the second airbag 22 is inflated and deployed so as to fill the gap between the second seat cushion 12B and the center console 15.

[0029] In an inflated and deployed state, the second airbag 22 is sandwiched between the side portion of the second seat cushion 12B and the center console 15, and presses against the center console 15. As a result, the second airbag 22 provides a reaction force to the lower chamber 21B of the first airbag 21 via the center console 15. The direction in which the second airbag 22 presses against the center console 15 is a direction toward the first vehicle seat 11, which includes a vector component of the direction in which the second airbag 22 provides a reaction force to the lower chamber 21B of the first airbag 21 via the center console 15.

[0030] When the chamber area of ​​the inflated and deployed second airbag 22 is viewed in relation to the second seat cushion 12B and the center console 15, the second airbag 22 has a portion located above the upper surface (sitting surface) of the second seat cushion 12B. The second airbag 22 may also have a portion located above the upper end 15a of the center console 15. This portion does not contact the center console 15, and may have a shape that narrows upward when viewed from the front and width directions of the vehicle.

[0031] The length, size, and deployed shape of the second airbag 22 can be appropriately designed as long as it can provide a reaction force to the first airbag 21 through the center console 15. For example, the vertical length and the vehicle longitudinal length of the second airbag 22 may be longer than the vehicle width length. This ensures a wide surface of the airbag 22 that presses against the center console 15. The vertical length of the second airbag 22 may be equal to or greater than the vertical length (thickness) of the second seat cushion 12B. Similarly, the longitudinal length of the second airbag 22 may be equal to or greater than the longitudinal length of the second seat cushion 12B. The second airbag 22 may have an elliptical shape when viewed from at least one of the front, the top, and the width directions of the vehicle.

[0032] Although the above describes an example in which the second airbag 22 provides a reaction force to the first airbag 21 via the center console 15, in another embodiment, the second airbag 22 may provide a reaction force to the first airbag 21 without via the center console 15. This example will be described with reference to FIG. 2 .

[0033] In Fig. 2, the height of the center console 15 is lower than in Fig. 1. Here, the upper end 15a of the center console 15 is located lower than the seating surfaces of the first seat cushion 11B and the second seat cushion 12B. The configurations and arrangements of the first airbag 21 and the second airbag 22 are the same as in Fig. 1, but the size and deployment behavior of the second airbag 22 are different.

[0034] Specifically, when the second airbag 22 inflates and deploys on the side of the second seat cushion 12B on the center console 15 side, it inflates and deploys toward the first airbag 21, crossing over the upper side of the upper end 15a of the center console 15. In the inflated and deployed state, the second airbag 22 presses against the first airbag 21. As a result, the second airbag 22 provides a reaction force to the lower portion 210B of the first airbag 21 without passing through the center console 15. In the inflated and deployed state, the second airbag 22 presses against the first airbag 21 while being sandwiched between the second seat cushion 12B and the first airbag 21.

[0035] Regarding the size of the second airbag 22, the length in the vehicle width direction is longer than in the case of Figure 1, and the second airbag 22 has a stroke that fills the distance from the second vehicle seat 12 to the first vehicle seat 11.

[0036] In this way, even if the height of the center console 15 is low, by setting the size and deployment behavior of the second airbag 22 as shown in Figure 2, the second airbag 22 can virtually replace the center console 15 and provide a reaction force to the first airbag 21.

[0037] 2 may not come into contact with the center console 15 when inflated and deployed. The portion of the first airbag 21 that the second airbag 22 comes into contact with is not limited to the lower portion 210B, but may also be an upper portion, or may be located above the center of the first airbag 21 in the up-down direction.

[0038] 3 shows the control configuration of the occupant protection device 1. The controller 700 in the occupant protection device 1 is an electronic control unit (ECU) including a CPU 710, a memory 720, and an input / output interface 730, and is configured as, for example, a microcomputer. The CPU 710 executes desired calculations in accordance with a control program and performs various processes and controls. The memory 720 includes, for example, a ROM and a RAM. The ROM stores the control program and control data processed by the CPU 710, and the RAM is mainly used as a work area for various control processes. The input / output interface 730 is electrically connected to an external sensor 750, the first inflator 21C, and the second inflator 22C.

[0039] The sensor 750 is for detecting a vehicle collision, and may be any of various known types, such as an acceleration sensor or a pressure sensor. With this configuration, the controller 700 receives an input signal from the sensor 750 and outputs an activation signal to the first inflator 21C and the second inflator 22C in the event of a vehicle collision.

[0040] The controller 700 can be configured as an airbag ECU capable of communicating with the vehicle-side ECU, and can control the activation of inflators in other airbag devices (for example, a side airbag device, a curtain airbag device, etc.) in addition to the first inflator 21C and the second inflator 22C of the occupant protection device 1. In another embodiment, the vehicle-side ECU may determine whether or not the vehicle has experienced a side collision, and the controller 700 may receive collision information from the vehicle-side ECU and output activation signals to the first inflator 21C and the second inflator 22C.

[0041] 4 is a flowchart showing a control method for the occupant protection device 1. This control method is executed by the controller 700 when a vehicle collision occurs (S11).

[0042] In this control method, the second airbag 22 starts to inflate and deploy before the first airbag 21 starts to inflate and deploy. For example, first, the controller 700 outputs an activation signal to the second inflator 22C to inflate and deploy the second airbag 22 (S12). Next, the controller 700 outputs an activation signal to the first inflator 21C to inflate and deploy the first airbag 21 (S13). By performing this control, the first airbag 21 can receive the occupant 150 after establishing a reaction force source through the inflation of the second airbag 22.

[0043] As described above, the occupant protection device 1 of this embodiment is an occupant protection device 1 equipped with a first vehicle seat 11 and a second vehicle seat 12 arranged on either side of the center console 15, and includes a first airbag 21 that inflates and deploys during a vehicle collision to receive an occupant 150 seated in the first vehicle seat 11 from the center console 15 side in the vehicle width direction, and a second airbag 22 that is arranged on the opposite side of the center console 15 from the first airbag 21, and the second airbag 22 inflates and deploys during a vehicle collision to provide a reaction force to the first airbag 21 with or without the aid of the center console 15.

[0044] According to this aspect, in the event of a vehicle collision, the occupant 150 on the first vehicle seat 11 who attempts to move toward the second vehicle seat 12 is received by the first airbag 21, and the load from the occupant 150 acting on the first airbag 21 is supported by the reaction force provided by the second airbag 22. This prevents the occupant 150 from moving toward the second vehicle seat 12, making it possible to restrain the occupant 150.

[0045] The effect obtained by installing the second airbag 22 will be specifically described using a comparative example. The occupant protection device according to the comparative example shown in Fig. 5 does not include a second airbag. If the center console 15 has low rigidity, during a vehicle collision, the center console 15 cannot withstand the pressure from the occupant 150 via the inflated and deployed first airbag 21, and is deformed so as to collapse toward the second vehicle seat 12.

[0046] In contrast, according to the present embodiment, as described above, the second airbag 22 applies a reaction force to the first airbag 21 via the center console 15 (see FIG. 1 ). This prevents the first airbag 21 from running free and restrains the occupant 150. By providing the second airbag 22, which is separate from the first airbag 21, in association with the first airbag 21 and the center console 15 in this manner, it is possible to improve occupant protection while providing design freedom (for example, freedom regarding properties such as position, size, or rigidity) to the existing configurations of the first airbag 21 and the center console 15.

[0047] In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, the second airbag 22 inflates and deploys on the side of the second seat cushion 12B on the side of the center console 15. As a result, the second airbag 22 inflates and deploys at a position closer to the center console 15 or the first airbag 21, and can provide a reaction force to the first airbag 21 at an earlier stage.

[0048] In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, the second airbag 22 inflates and deploys so as to fill the gap between the second seat cushion 12B and the center console 15. As a result, the inflated and deployed second airbag 22 comes into contact with the center console 15 and can provide a reaction force to the first airbag 21 via the center console 15.

[0049] 6 to 8, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the far side airbag device functions in the event of a vehicle collision for an occupant 150 seated in a normal position in the first vehicle seat 11. In the second embodiment, an example is described in which the far side airbag device also functions in the event of a vehicle collision for an occupant 151 seated in a normal position in the second vehicle seat 12.

[0050] Here, the occupant protection device 100 according to the second embodiment determines whether the vehicle side collision is with the first vehicle seat 11 side or the second vehicle seat 12 side, and selectively operates to restrain the occupants 150, 151 on the non-collision side. In the second embodiment, descriptions of matters common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the differences will be described.

[0051] 6, the occupant protection device 100 includes, in addition to the configuration of the occupant protection device 1 of the first embodiment, a third airbag 23 and a fourth airbag 24 for protecting the occupant 151. The third airbag 23 and the fourth airbag 24 correspond to the configuration of the first airbag 21 and the second airbag 22 for the occupant 150, and have the same configuration as the first airbag 21 and the second airbag 22, and exhibit the same function.

[0052] Therefore, the third airbag 23 inflates and deploys in the event of a vehicle side collision toward the first vehicle seat 11, and receives the second occupant 151 from the center console 15 side in the vehicle width direction. The fourth airbag 24 is provided on the opposite side of the center console 15 from the third airbag 23, and inflates and deploys in the event of a vehicle side collision toward the first vehicle seat 11, and provides a reaction force to the third airbag 23 with or without the intervention of the center console 15. Although not described in detail, as shown in FIG. 7 , the third airbag 23 and the third inflator 23C constitute a third airbag module 53, and the fourth airbag 24 and the fourth inflator 24C constitute a fourth airbag module 54.

[0053] 8 is a flowchart showing a control method for the occupant protection device 100. In this control method, the controller 700 first determines whether the vehicle side collision is occurring on the first vehicle seat 11 side or the second vehicle seat 12 side (S110).

[0054] If it is determined that the vehicle has collided with the first vehicle seat 11, the third airbag 23 and the fourth airbag 24 are inflated and deployed without inflating and deploying the first airbag 21 and the second airbag 22. In this case, the fourth airbag 24 starts to inflate and deploy (S120) before the third airbag 23 starts to inflate and deploy (S130).

[0055] On the other hand, if it is determined that the vehicle has collided with the second vehicle seat 12, the first airbag 21 and the second airbag 22 are inflated and deployed without inflating and deploying the third airbag 23 and the fourth airbag 24. In this case, the second airbag 22 starts to inflate and deploy (S140) before the first airbag 21 starts to inflate and deploy (S150).

[0056] As described above, the occupant protection device 100 according to this embodiment can appropriately restrain the occupant on the non-collision side depending on the type of side collision of the vehicle.

[0057] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The elements of each embodiment, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, etc., are not limited to those illustrated and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, configurations shown in different embodiments can be partially substituted or combined with each other.

[0058] <Additional Considerations Regarding Various Embodiments> [Embodiment 1] An occupant protection device including a first vehicle seat and a second vehicle seat arranged on opposite sides of a center console, the occupant protection device including: a first airbag that inflates and deploys during a vehicle collision to receive an occupant seated in the first vehicle seat from the center console side in the vehicle width direction; and a second airbag that is arranged on the opposite side of the center console from the first airbag, the second airbag inflating and deploying during the vehicle collision to provide a reaction force to the first airbag with or without the center console. [Embodiment 2] The occupant protection device according to embodiment 1, wherein the second vehicle seat has a seat back and a seat cushion, and the second airbag inflates and deploys on a side of the seat cushion facing the center console. [Embodiment 3] The occupant protection device of embodiment 2, wherein the second airbag inflates and deploys to fill a gap between the seat cushion and the center console. [Aspect 4] The occupant protection device of Aspect 3, wherein the first airbag, when inflated and deployed, has an upper chamber located above the upper end of the center console and for receiving the occupant, and a lower chamber located below the upper end of the center console and for receiving a reaction force from the center console, and the second airbag, when inflated and deployed, provides a reaction force to the lower chamber via the center console. [Aspect 5] The occupant protection device of any of Aspects 2 to 4, wherein the second airbag, when inflated and deployed, has a portion located above the upper surface of the seat cushion. [Aspect 6] The occupant protection device of any of Aspects 2 to 4, wherein the second airbag, when inflated and deployed, has a portion located above the upper end of the center console. [Aspect 7] The occupant protection device of any of Aspects 2 to 4, wherein, when inflated and deployed, at least one of the length in the vertical direction and the length in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction is longer than the length in the vehicle width direction.[Embodiment 8] An occupant protection device according to any one of embodiments 2 to 4, wherein the second airbag, when inflated and deployed, has an elliptical shape when viewed from at least one of the front, top, and width directions of the vehicle. [Embodiment 9] An occupant protection device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the second airbag, when inflated and deployed, contacts the center console from the second vehicle seat side and provides a reaction force to the first airbag via the center console. [Embodiment 10] An occupant protection device according to embodiment 9, wherein the second airbag is provided in the seat cushion. [Embodiment 11] An occupant protection device according to embodiment 10, wherein the second airbag is provided in a side portion of the seat cushion on the center console side. [Embodiment 12] An occupant protection device according to embodiment 11, wherein the second airbag, when inflated and deployed, is configured to be sandwiched between the side portion of the seat cushion and the center console. [Embodiment 13] The occupant protection device of any one of embodiments 1 to 12, wherein the second airbag, when inflated and deployed, inflates and deploys toward the first airbag across an upper side of the center console to provide a reaction force to the first airbag. [Embodiment 14] The occupant protection device of any one of embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the second airbag inflates and deploys prior to the first airbag during the vehicle collision.[Embodiment 15] An occupant protection device according to any of embodiments 1 to 14, further comprising: a control unit that determines whether the vehicle side collision is toward the first vehicle seat side or the second vehicle seat side; a third airbag that inflates and deploys in the event of a vehicle side collision toward the first vehicle seat side to receive an occupant seated in the second vehicle seat from the center console side in the vehicle width direction; and a fourth airbag that is provided on the opposite side of the center console from the third airbag and inflates and deploys in the event of a vehicle side collision toward the first vehicle seat side to provide a reaction force to the third airbag with or without the center console being interposed therebetween; wherein the control unit inflates and deploys the third airbag and the fourth airbag without inflating and deploying the first airbag and the second airbag in the event of a vehicle side collision toward the first vehicle seat side, and inflates and deploys the first airbag and the second airbag without inflating and deploying the third airbag and the fourth airbag in the event of a vehicle side collision toward the second vehicle seat side.

[0059] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1... occupant protection device, 2... vehicle, 3... vehicle compartment, 11... first vehicle seat, 11A... first seat back, 11B... first seat cushion, 12... second vehicle seat, 12A... second seat back, 12B... second seat cushion, 15... center console, 15a... upper end, 21... first airbag, 21A... upper chamber, 21B... lower chamber, 21C... first inflator, 22... second airbag, 22C... second inflator , 23...Third airbag, 23C...Third inflator, 24...Fourth airbag, 24C...Fourth inflator, 51...First airbag module, 52...Second airbag module, 53...Third airbag module, 54...Fourth airbag module, 100...Occupant protection device, 150...Occupant, 151...Second occupant, 700...Controller, 710...CPU, 720...Memory, 730...Input / output interface, 750...Sensor

Claims

1. An occupant protection device comprising a first vehicle seat and a second vehicle seat arranged on either side of a center console, the occupant protection device comprising: a first airbag that inflates and deploys during a vehicle collision to receive an occupant seated in the first vehicle seat from the center console side in the vehicle width direction; and a second airbag that is arranged on the opposite side of the center console from the first airbag, the second airbag inflating and deploying during the vehicle collision to provide a reaction force to the first airbag with or without the aid of the center console.

2. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the second vehicle seat has a seat back and a seat cushion, and the second airbag inflates and deploys on a side of the seat cushion that is on the center console side.

3. The passenger protection device according to claim 2, wherein the second airbag inflates and deploys so as to fill a gap between the seat cushion and the center console.

4. An occupant protection device as described in claim 3, wherein the first airbag, when inflated and deployed, has an upper chamber located above the upper end of the center console and for receiving the occupant, and a lower chamber located below the upper end of the center console and for receiving a reaction force from the center console, and the second airbag, when inflated and deployed, provides a reaction force to the lower chamber via the center console.

5. An occupant protection device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second airbag has a portion that is positioned above the upper surface of the seat cushion when inflated and deployed.

6. An occupant protection device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second airbag has a portion that is positioned above the upper end of the center console when inflated and deployed.

7. An occupant protection device as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, when the second airbag is inflated and deployed, at least one of the vertical length and the longitudinal length of the vehicle is longer than the length in the vehicle width direction.

8. An occupant protection device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second airbag, when inflated and deployed, has an elliptical shape when viewed from at least one of the front, top and width directions of the vehicle.

9. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein, when the second airbag is inflated and deployed, it contacts the center console from the side of the second vehicle seat and applies a reaction force to the first airbag via the center console.

10. The occupant protection device according to claim 9, wherein the second vehicle seat has a seat back and a seat cushion, and the second airbag is provided in the seat cushion.

11. The passenger protection device according to claim 10, wherein the second airbag is provided on the side of the seat cushion on the center console side.

12. The occupant protection device according to claim 11, wherein the second airbag is configured to be sandwiched between the side portion of the seat cushion and the center console when inflated and deployed.

13. An occupant protection device as described in claim 1, wherein, when inflated and deployed, the second airbag inflates and deploys toward the first airbag across the upper side of the center console, thereby providing a reaction force to the first airbag.

14. An occupant protection device as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 4 or any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the second airbag inflates and deploys prior to the first airbag during the vehicle collision.

15. An occupant protection device as described in claim 1, further comprising: a control unit that determines whether the vehicle side collision is toward the first vehicle seat side or the second vehicle seat side; a third airbag that inflates and deploys in the event of a vehicle side collision toward the first vehicle seat side to receive an occupant seated in the second vehicle seat from the center console side in the vehicle width direction; and a fourth airbag that is provided on the opposite side of the center console from the third airbag and inflates and deploys in the event of a vehicle side collision toward the first vehicle seat side to provide a reaction force to the third airbag with or without the center console being interposed therebetween; wherein the control unit inflates and deploys the third airbag and the fourth airbag without inflating and deploying the first airbag and the second airbag in the event of a vehicle side collision toward the first vehicle seat side, and inflates and deploys the first airbag and the second airbag without inflating and deploying the third airbag and the fourth airbag in the event of a vehicle side collision toward the second vehicle seat side.

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