Occupant restraint device

Abstract

Provided is an occupant restraint device capable of enhancing occupant restrainability when a vehicle collision occurs.　The occupant restraint device includes: webbing having a shoulder belt and a lap belt; and an airbag that, when the webbing is worn, can be inflated and deployed between the shoulder belt and the front of an occupant on a vehicle seat. The airbag 50 is provided so as to be slidable with respect to the webbing 14. When a vehicle collision occurs, at least a section of the airbag inflates and deploys between the shoulder belt and the front of the occupant, along the extension direction of the shoulder belt.

Description

Occupant restraint device

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

[0002] Vehicles are provided with a seat belt device that restrains an occupant on a vehicle seat and an airbag that deploys in an emergency of the vehicle to suppress the movement of the occupant.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, an airbag is provided above the outer side of a vehicle seat, and at the time of a collision, the airbag is inflated toward the lower end (tongue) of the shoulder belt of the seat belt, and the airbag is deployed in front of the occupant.

[0004] In Patent Document 2, the tip of the shoulder belt is connected to the lower end of a belt-shaped airbag (air belt), and the air belt is inflated at the time of a collision. The inflated air belt protects the occupant along the shoulder belt at a position on the front side of the vehicle with respect to the shoulder belt.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-182187, Patent No. 3809736

[0006] In the above-described conventional type of seat belt device, at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the inflated airbag can protect the occupant. However, the forward movement of the inflated airbag cannot be sufficiently suppressed, and a higher level of occupant restraint is required.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an occupant restraint device that can enhance the occupant restraint at the time of a vehicle collision.

[0008] An occupant restraint device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a webbing having a shoulder belt and a lap belt, and an airbag that can be inflated and deployed between the front of an occupant on a vehicle seat and the shoulder belt when the webbing is worn. The airbag is provided slidably with respect to the webbing, and at least a part of the airbag is configured to be inflated and deployed along the extending direction of the shoulder belt at the time of a vehicle collision.

[0009] In this embodiment, during a vehicle collision, the airbag inflates and deploys between the occupant's front and the shoulder belt, and the forward movement of the inflated airbag can be suppressed by the webbing acting as a reaction surface. Therefore, during a vehicle collision, the inflated airbag can suppress the occupant's forward movement in cooperation with the webbing while absorbing the impact, and the load on the occupant from the webbing's shoulder belt can also be mitigated. Furthermore, since the airbag is not fixed to the shoulder belt (for example, held only by the sliding member described later), and at least a portion of the airbag inflates and deploys along the extending direction, the position of the inflated and deployed airbag is not restricted by the shoulder belt (i.e., its position relative to the webbing does not need to be fixed), which also contributes to improving occupant restraint.

[0010] Incidentally, when the seat belt is not in use (when the belt is stored), the webbing needs to be retracted by at least the length of the lap belt. Also, when fastening the belt, the webbing needs to be pulled out. When fastening or unfastening the seat belt, the webbing is configured to slide relative to the airbag by at least the length of the lap belt.

[0011] This is a perspective view showing a vehicle seat having an occupant restraint device according to an embodiment. This is a perspective view showing an example of an occupant restraint device according to an embodiment. This is a schematic side view of the occupant restraint device as seen from the direction of arrow A in Figure 2. This is a plan view showing the airbag according to an embodiment in a state unfolded on a plane before folding. This is a plan view showing the airbag according to an embodiment after folding, as seen from the rear of the vehicle seat when the webbing is attached. This is a diagram showing the A-A section of Figure 5 together with the shoulder. This is a diagram showing the B-B section of Figure 5 together with the shoulder. This is a front view of the inside of a vehicle when the airbag according to an embodiment has inflated and deployed during a vehicle collision. This is a perspective view showing an example of the structure around the tongue and inflator according to an embodiment. This is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of the tongue according to another embodiment.

[0012] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0013] In this book, up and down, left and right, and front and back are defined as follows: When an occupant is seated in a normal posture in a seat (vehicle seat), the direction the occupant is facing is called the front, and the opposite direction is called the rear; when indicating the axis of the coordinate system, these are referred to as the front and back directions. Similarly, when an occupant is seated in a normal posture in a vehicle seat, the right side of the occupant is called the right direction, and the left side of the occupant is called the left direction; when indicating the axis of the coordinate system, these are referred to as the left and right directions. Likewise, when an occupant is seated in a normal posture, the direction of the occupant's head is called the up direction, and the direction of the occupant's waist is called the down direction; when indicating the axis of the coordinate system, these are referred to as the up and down directions.

[0014] In this book, "occupant" refers to a dummy used for frontal crash tests (a human body dummy for frontal crash tests as defined by the Hybrid III AM50 / NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration] standards [49CFR Part 572 Subpart E and O]), representing a person with a physique equivalent to an average American male, specifically the Hybrid-III50th dummy. Its approximate dimensions are a height of 175 cm, a sitting height of 88 cm, and a weight of 78 kg.

[0015] In this book, "vehicle collision" primarily refers to a frontal collision. However, it may also include side collisions and oblique collisions.

[0016] [Vehicle Seat] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle seat 100 includes a seat back 110 that supports the occupant's back, a seat cushion 112 on which the occupant sits, and a headrest 114 that supports the occupant's head. The vehicle seat 100 may be a front seat (i.e., the driver's seat or passenger seat) or a rear seat.

[0017] [Occupant Restraint Device] The occupant restraint device 200 has a seat belt device 12 and an airbag 50 and is installed in association with the vehicle seat 100.

[0018] [Seatbelt device] The seatbelt device 12 has a webbing 14 which is a seatbelt that restrains the occupant. The webbing 14 has a shoulder belt 16 which extends from an upper guide loop or anchorage 18 to a tongue 20 and a lap belt 22 which extends from the tongue 20 to an anchorage 24. The tongue 20 may include a loop portion 26 through which the webbing 14 extends. The tongue 20 is configured to be insertable into a buckle 28 for locking and unlocking the seatbelt device 12. The cable 30 of the buckle 28 secures the buckle 28 to a part of the vehicle structure 31 (e.g., the vehicle frame), either directly or in cooperation with other components. When the tongue 20 is inserted into the buckle 28 and fastened, the seatbelt device 12 defines three-point restraint between the anchorage 18, the tongue 20, and the anchorage 24.

[0019] [Retractor] Figure 2 shows an example of an occupant restraint device 200 installed on a vehicle seat different from the vehicle seat 100 in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the seat belt device 12 has a retractor 32. The retractor 32 is configured to extend the webbing 14, so that the effective length of the webbing 14 can be adjusted. Figure 2 shows the webbing 14 extended from the retractor 32. The retractor 32 is positioned within the vehicle seat 100 or structurally coupled to the vehicle body.

[0020] The retractor 32 has a spool 36 rotatably housed in a frame 34. The spool 36 engages with the end of the shoulder belt 16 of the webbing 14 and rotates to wind up or unwind the webbing 14. The spool 36 biases the webbing 14 in the winding direction by means of a spring or an electric motor. Meanwhile, the end of the lap belt 22 of the webbing 14 is fixed to an anchorage 24 (for example, a vehicle seat 100 or another part of the vehicle such as a floor pan).

[0021] The retractor 32 may also have a torsion bar, a locking mechanism, a motor 40, and a pretensioner 42, and known configurations can be adopted for these. For example, the torsion bar constitutes a force limiter and is positioned inside the spool 36, with one end connected to the spool 36 and the other end connected to a locking member of the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism locks the rotation of the spool 36 by restricting the rotation of the locking member (locking the locking member) when the vehicle decelerates at a predetermined rate or when the brakes are applied with a predetermined force, thereby stopping the unwinding of the webbing 14. During normal operation of the vehicle, the retractor 32 allows the unwinding of the webbing 14, giving the occupant a certain degree of freedom of movement, and the webbing 14 may become slack during normal use. The motor 40 rotates the spool 36 in the winding direction when the vehicle decelerates rapidly (for example, when there is a possibility of collision), thereby winding up a certain amount of the shoulder belt 16 of the webbing 14 and lightly restraining the occupant. The pretensioner 42 activates during a vehicle collision, rotating the spool 36 in the winding direction, thereby forcibly and instantaneously winding up the shoulder belt 16 of the webbing 14 and restraining the occupant.

[0022] [Airbag] Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of the occupant restraint device 200 as seen from the direction of arrow A in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the airbag 50 is provided in association with the seat belt device 12. Here, the airbag 50 is provided on the rear side (occupant side) of the shoulder belt 16. The airbag 50 is also positioned along the shoulder belt 16 in its longitudinal direction, and the lower end of the airbag 50 is fixed to the tongue 20.

[0023] The airbag 50 is slidably mounted relative to the webbing 14. Specifically, the airbag 50 is slidably mounted relative to the shoulder belt 16. For example, in some embodiments, sliders 60, 61, and 62 are connected to the airbag 50. There are multiple sliders 60, 61, and 62 (three in this case), and they are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the airbag 50 (which is also the longitudinal direction of the shoulder belt 16). For example, when the occupant is wearing the webbing 14 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "when the webbing is worn"), the sliders 60, 61, and 62 are located near the occupant's shoulders, chest, and waist, respectively (see Figure 6). To explain this in relation to the seat back 110, when the webbing is worn, the sliders 60, 61, and 62 are positioned to face the upper, lower, and intermediate parts of the seat back 110.

[0024] The sliders 60, 61, and 62 are configured to slide on the webbing 14 along the extending direction of the shoulder belt 16. Therefore, the airbag 50 and the webbing 14 are configured to slide relative to each other via the sliders 60, 61, and 62. The direction of sliding is the extending direction of the shoulder belt 16.

[0025] Various configurations can be adopted for the slider parts 60, 61, and 62, as long as they are slidable relative to the shoulder belt 16. For example, the shoulder belt 16 is inserted through the slider parts 60, 61, and 62. The slider parts 60, 61, and 62 may be cylindrical. The shoulder belt 16 inserted through the slider parts 60, 61, and 62 is not fixed to the slider parts 60, 61, and 62, but is slidable relative to the slider parts 60, 61, and 62.

[0026] Furthermore, the sliders 60, 61, and 62 may also be used to position the airbag 50 relative to the shoulder belt 16 in the width direction of the shoulder belt 16. For example, the slider 60 may have opposing side portions 71 and 72 on both sides in the width direction of the shoulder belt 16 (see Figures 2 and 5A), and the relative sliding movement of the airbag 50 and the slider 60 relative to the shoulder belt 16 may be guided by the side portions 71 and 72.

[0027] In the slider section 60, the airbag 50 is connected to one end of the side sections 71 and 72, and a cover section 73 connecting the side sections 71 and 72 may be provided on the other end of the side sections 71 and 72. The cover section 73 is positioned to traverse the front surface of the shoulder belt 16 and faces the front surface of the shoulder belt 16 (the side opposite to the occupant side). The shoulder belt 16 may be inserted into the space enclosed by the side sections 71 and 72, the cover section 73 and the airbag 50 (see Figure 5A). Although the slider section 60 has been described as an example, the same applies to the slider sections 61 and 62.

[0028] The airbag 50 is formed into a bag shape, for example, by sewing or bonding one or more base fabrics at appropriate positions, or by weaving using OPW (One-Piece Woven). The airbag 50 inflates and deploys from a stored state to a deployed state upon receiving gas from the inflator 90. In the stored state, at least a portion of the airbag 50 is folded. The folding method can be a roll shape, an accordion shape, or a combination of these. An example is described below.

[0029] Figure 4 is a plan view showing the airbag 50 before it is folded, i.e., the airbag 50 in a deployed state on a flat surface. The airbag 50 has a wide main inflation section 51 and a narrow secondary inflation section 52, and the main inflation section 51 and the secondary inflation section 52 are in communication with each other internally. The secondary inflation section 52 functions as a passage or gas guide for introducing the gas for inflation and deployment into the main inflation section 51 during a vehicle collision.

[0030] The main inflation section 51 is located at the upper part of the airbag 50 in the longitudinal direction and extends in a direction intersecting this longitudinal direction. The secondary inflation section 52 extends along the longitudinal direction of the airbag 50, and the main inflation section 51 is connected to one side of this longitudinal direction. An inflator 90 is located on the other side of the secondary inflation section 52 in the longitudinal direction, and gas for inflation and deployment is supplied to it. The longitudinal direction of the airbag 50 and secondary inflation section 52 is the same as the longitudinal direction (extension direction) of the shoulder belt 16.

[0031] The main inflation section 51 is not symmetrical with respect to the center line along the longitudinal direction of the airbag 50; one side 51a (the right side in the illustration) extends laterally longer than the other side 51b (the left side in the illustration). This is based on the fact that the shoulder belt 16 is positioned diagonally to the occupant from the shoulder to the waist. When the airbag 50 is retracted, one side 51a and the other side 51b of the main inflation section 51 are folded into a roll shape (see Figures 5A and 5B).

[0032] Slider sections 60 and 61 are connected to the upper and lower ends of the main inflation section 51, respectively. Slider section 62 is connected to the middle of the secondary inflation section 52 in the longitudinal direction. Slider sections 60, 61, and 62 are made of the same material as the webbing 14, such as cloth, rubber, PP, or thermoplastic elastomer. Slider sections 60, 61, and 62 are connected to the airbag 50 by, for example, sewn with suture thread.

[0033] Figures 5, 5A, and 5B show the airbag 50 in its folded state along with the shoulder belt 16. Figure 5 shows one configuration when the webbing is attached, as viewed from the rear of the vehicle seat (as viewed from the occupant's side). In the configuration shown in Figure 5, of the folded airbag 50, the main inflation section 51 is folded over the sub-inflation section 52. The folded airbag 50 is located outside the width of the shoulder belt 16 in the width direction of the shoulder belt 16.

[0034] However, in other embodiments, the folded airbag 50 can be folded so that it is located inside the width of the shoulder strap 16.

[0035] As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the airbag 50 may be housed in a storage body 80. The storage body 80 is made of, for example, a resin package, leather, or a mesh cover. The storage body 80 has a tear portion 81 that rips open when the airbag 50 inflates and deploys. The tear portion 81 is made of, for example, a weak point or tear seam in the storage body 80 and is provided on the side opposite to the shoulder belt 16. When the airbag 50 inflates and deploys inside the storage body 80, the airbag 50 rips open the tear portion 81 and continues to inflate and deploy to the outside of the storage body 80 from there.

[0036] Figure 6 is a front view showing the interior of a vehicle when the airbag 50 inflates and deploys during a vehicle collision. During a vehicle collision, the main inflation section 51 inflates and deploys so as to extend in the width direction of the vehicle seat 100, at least above the seat back 110 of the vehicle seat 100. The upper end of the inflated main inflation section 51 is located above the slider section 60. The main inflation section 51 also has a maximum inflation section 51c that extends laterally in the middle of the main inflation section 51 in the vertical direction when inflation and deployment are complete. The maximum inflation section 51c is the part of the airbag 50 with the longest length in the vehicle's longitudinal direction when inflation and deployment are complete. The sub-inflation section 52 inflates and deploys along the extending direction of the shoulder belt 16. For example, the sub-inflation section 52 inflates and deploys from the lower part of the shoulder belt 16 along the middle part in the vertical direction, over a range approximately the same as the width of the shoulder belt 16.

[0037] In relation to the occupant, during a vehicle collision, the main inflatable section 51 expands laterally relative to the occupant, at least from near the occupant's shoulders to near the occupant's chest. The left and right ends of the expanded main inflatable section 51 fit between the occupant's left and right shoulders. The expanded main inflatable section 51 may also include a portion that expands laterally relative to the occupant between the occupant's shoulders and chin. The maximum inflatable section 51c extends laterally relative to the occupant near the occupant's clavicle (the clavicle or the portion below it). The secondary inflatable section 52 expands diagonally relative to the occupant, from the occupant's chest to one side of the occupant's waist.

[0038] In other embodiments, the airbag 50 may have parts other than the main inflation section 51 and the sub-inflation section 52. For example, the airbag 50 may have a first sub-inflation section that inflates and deploys at one end of the seatback 110 in the width direction and above the seatback 110 during a vehicle collision. The first sub-inflation section inflates and deploys at one end of the seatback 110 in the width direction, on the side opposite to the anchorage 18. In relation to the occupant, the first sub-inflation section inflates and deploys to the side of the occupant's head during a vehicle collision. The airbag 50 may also have a second sub-inflation section positioned so as to be point-symmetric with respect to the occupant with respect to the first sub-inflation section. In relation to the occupant, the second sub-inflation section inflates and deploys downward on one side of the chest in the width direction during a vehicle collision. The first and second sub-inflation sections are internally connected to the main inflation section 51 and inflate and deploy three-dimensionally. The first sub-inflation section and / or the second sub-inflation section prevent the airbag 50, which inflates and deploys during a vehicle collision, from rotating around the shoulder belt 16. In other words, when the airbag 50, which inflates and deploys during a vehicle collision, attempts to rotate around the shoulder belt 16, the first sub-inflation section and / or the second sub-inflation section act as a support, suppressing the rotation.

[0039] In another embodiment, the main inflatable portion 51 of the airbag 50 may inflate and deploy beyond the left and right shoulders of the occupant. In this way, both ends of the main inflatable portion 51 in the width direction have portions that come into contact with the occupant's shoulders or arms from the side, thereby suppressing the occupant's lateral movement.

[0040] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the airbag 50 may inflate and deploy in such a way that, when viewed from the front of the vehicle during a vehicle collision, the portion excluding the sub-inflation section 52 forms a substantially H shape overall. For example, the airbag 50 may have third and fourth sub-inflation sections that inflate and deploy at both ends in the width direction of the seat back 110 and above the seat back 110 during a vehicle collision, and fifth and sixth sub-inflation sections that inflate and deploy downward on both sides in the width direction of the occupant's chest, and these third, fourth, fifth and sixth sub-inflation sections may inflate and deploy three-dimensionally at the four corners of the main inflation section 51 when viewed from the front. The third sub-inflation section inflates and deploys on the opposite side of the anchorage 18, similar to the first sub-inflation section described above, while the fourth sub-inflation section inflates and deploys on the side of the anchorage 18. The fourth sub-inflation section is located on the opposite side of the third sub-inflation section, sandwiching the occupant's head, to prevent the occupant's head from colliding with the interior surface of the vehicle, such as a pillar. The fifth sub-inflation section, similar to the second sub-inflation section described above, prevents the airbag 50 from rotating around the shoulder belt 16. The sixth sub-inflation section is located on the opposite side of the shoulder belt 16 from the fifth sub-inflation section.

[0041] [Inflator] Next, the structure around the inflator 90 will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

[0042] The inflator 90 supplies gas to the inside of the airbag 50 for inflation and deployment during a vehicle collision. The inflator 90 is electrically connected to the electronic control unit. For example, the inflator 90 activates upon receiving a signal from the ECU detecting the situation during a vehicle collision and instantaneously supplies gas to the airbag 50. Various types of inflators can be used, such as those filled with a gas generating agent, compressed gas, or both. For example, a micro gas generator can be used as the inflator 90.

[0043] The inflator 90 is positioned around the buckle 28. The inflator 90 can be connected to the buckle 28 via a pipe section 91, as shown in Figure 6. In other embodiments, the inflator 90 can also be connected directly to the buckle 28, as shown in Figure 7.

[0044] The buckle 28 and the tongue 20 are each provided with gas passages 92 and 93 for guiding the inflation and deployment gas from the inflator 90 to the airbag 50. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the gas passage 93 of the tongue 20 has a convex portion that protrudes toward the buckle 28, while the gas passage 92 of the buckle 28 has a concave portion capable of receiving this convex portion. The inflation and deployment gas from the inflator 90 is guided to the airbag 50 through the buckle 28 and through the tongue 20, either via the pipe portion 91 (see FIG. 6) or without passing through the pipe portion 91.

[0045] In other embodiments, the concave and convex relationships may be reversed. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the gas passage 93 of the tongue 20 may have a concave portion capable of receiving the convex-shaped gas passage of the buckle 28.

[0046] In addition to the above gas passage 93, the tongue 20 has a loop portion 26 through which the webbing 14 is looped, and an insert portion 20a that is inserted into the insertion port 28a within the buckle 28. When the webbing is worn, the insert portion 20a is inserted into the insertion port 28a, and the tongue 20 is attached to the buckle 28. When the gas passage 93 has a convex portion, for example, the direction in which the convex portion protrudes is the same as the direction in which the insert portion 20a protrudes.

[0047] Next, the operation and effects of the occupant restraint device 200 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0048] [Initial state] In an initial state where the seat belt device 12 is not in use, such as when the occupant is not seated on the vehicle seat 100, the webbing 14 is wound around the retractor 32, and the tongue 20 is positioned near the anchor 18. At this time, the airbag 50 fixed to the lower end of the tongue 20 is located between the tongue 20 and the anchor 18. Also, when in such a position, the airbag 50 preferably has a rigidity level such that the portions between the slider parts 60, 61 and between the slider parts 61, 62 do not bend.

[0049] [When extending the webbing for attachment] When an occupant is seated in the vehicle seat 100 and pulls the tongue 20 diagonally downward to attach the webbing 14, at least the length of the lap belt 22 of the webbing 14 begins to extend from the retractor 32. As this extending operation occurs, the webbing 14 slides along the sliders 60, 61, and 62, and the airbag 50, with one end fixed to the tongue 20, moves together with the webbing 14 via the sliders 60, 61, and 62. At this time, the airbag 50 is positioned in the width direction relative to the shoulder belt 16 by the sliders 60, 61, and 62, so that the airbag 50 does not shift in the width direction (lateral direction) relative to the shoulder belt 16.

[0050] [When the webbing is attached] After that, when the tongue 20 is attached to the buckle 28, the webbing is attached. When the webbing is attached, the airbag 50 is positioned between the front of the occupant on the vehicle seat 100 and the shoulder belt 16 so as to be slidable relative to the shoulder belt 16 in the direction of its extension. The airbag 50 and the shoulder belt 16 are able to slide independently in the direction of their extension, and this sliding movement is guided by sliders 60, 61, and 62. The sliders 60, 61, and 62 are positioned at intervals from each other in the direction of the extension of the shoulder belt 16, near the occupant's shoulder, near the chest, and near the waist, respectively. Furthermore, when the tongue 20 is attached to the buckle 28, a gas passage is established between the inflator 90 and the airbag 50 via the buckle 28 and the tongue 20. Although not shown in the diagram, when the inflator 90 is activated with the tongue 20 attached to the buckle 28, the resulting expansion gas causes a piston or other component inside the buckle 29 to puncture a shielding member such as a cover on the tongue 20, allowing it to communicate with a guide member such as a cylinder connected to the airbag 50 on the tongue 20, and the expansion gas to flow into the airbag 50.

[0051] [When winding up for webbing storage] When the tongue 20 is removed from the buckle 28 for webbing 14 storage, at least the length of the lap belt 22 of the webbing 14 begins to be wound onto the retractor 32. As this winding operation occurs, the webbing 14 slides along the sliders 60, 61, and 62, and the airbag 50 moves together with the webbing 14 via the sliders 60, 61, and 62. At this time, the airbag 50 is positioned in the width direction relative to the shoulder belt 16 by the sliders 60, 61, and 62, so that the airbag 50 does not shift in the width direction relative to the shoulder belt 16. When the webbing 14 is wound onto the retractor 32, it returns to the initial state described above.

[0052] [During sudden vehicle deceleration] The vehicle may decelerate suddenly while the webbing is attached. During this sudden vehicle deceleration, the motor 40 of the retractor 32 is driven to rewind the shoulder belt 16 by a certain amount, lightly restraining the occupant. At this time, the shoulder belt 16 moves slightly relative to the airbag 50 and slides the slider parts 60, 61, and 62. In this case as well, the slider parts 60, 61, and 62 prevent the airbag 50 and the shoulder belt 16 from shifting position in the width direction.

[0053] [During a vehicle collision] A vehicle collision may occur while the webbing is attached. In the event of such a vehicle collision, at least a portion of the airbag 50 inflates and deploys between the front of the occupant and the shoulder belt 16 along the direction in which the shoulder belt 16 extends.

[0054] Specifically, during a vehicle collision, the inflator 90 activates and gas is supplied into the airbag 50, causing the main inflator 51 to inflate and deploy following the sub-inflator 52. The sub-inflator 52 inflates and deploys, at least a portion or most of it, along the shoulder belt 16 between the occupant's front and the shoulder belt 16. The main inflator 51 inflates and deploys, at least a portion of it, along the extending direction of the shoulder belt 16 between the occupant's front and the shoulder belt 16, while the main inflator 51 as a whole inflates and deploys laterally and vertically between the occupant's front and the shoulder belt 16 so as to traverse the shoulder belt 16. The main inflator 51 and sub-inflator 52 of the airbag 50 are positioned in the extending direction of the shoulder belt 16 via sliders 60, 61, and 62, and inflate and deploy along the shoulder belt 16. The sliders 60, 61, and 62 may be configured to rupture as needed when the airbag 50 inflates and deploys.

[0055] Here, due to the positional relationship between the airbag 50 and the shoulder belt 16, when the airbag 50 inflates and deploys, it will inflate and deploy using a portion of the shoulder belt 16 as the reaction force surface. Specifically, the airbag 50 inflates and deploys using a portion of the shoulder belt 16 that is located in front of the airbag 50 as the reaction force surface. Therefore, the reaction force characteristics of the airbag 50 are easily obtained by the tension of the shoulder belt 16.

[0056] The inflated and deployed airbag 50 is positioned between the shoulder belt 16 and the occupant. Specifically, the front of a portion of the main inflatable section 51 and the front of the secondary inflatable section 52 of the airbag 50 are in contact with the shoulder belt 16, while the rear surfaces of the main inflatable section 51 and the secondary inflatable section 52 are in contact with the front of the occupant's upper body. The inflated and deployed airbag 50 suppresses the occupant's forward movement while absorbing the impact. At this time, the shoulder belt 16 restrains the occupant to the seat back 110 of the vehicle seat 100 via the airbag 50 while suppressing the forward movement of the inflated and deployed airbag 50.

[0057] In the event of a vehicle collision, the pretensioner 42 of the retractor 32 may be activated to perform emergency retraction of the shoulder belt 16. When emergency retraction occurs, the webbing 14 slides along the sliders 60, 61, and 62. Subsequently, as the collision progresses, the occupant will move forward due to inertia. After emergency retraction, the shoulder belt 16 will be slightly extended by the action of the torsion bar (force limiter) and other components in response to this forward movement of the occupant. Through this series of movements, the occupant may move forward by approximately 5 to 15 cm. The inflated and deployed airbag 50 can slide slightly relative to the shoulder belt 16 via the sliders 60, 61, and 62, and follows the movement of the occupant.

[0058] As described above, the occupant restraint device 200 according to this embodiment includes a webbing 14 having a shoulder belt 16 and a lap belt 22, and an airbag 50 that can be inflated and deployed between the front of the occupant on the vehicle seat 100 and the shoulder belt 16 when the webbing 14 is attached. The airbag 50 is slidably mounted relative to the webbing 14, and in the event of a vehicle collision, at least a portion of the airbag 50 is configured to inflate and deploy between the front of the occupant and the shoulder belt 16 along the extending direction of the shoulder belt 16.

[0059] In this embodiment, when a vehicle collision occurs, the airbag 50 inflates and deploys between the occupant's front and the shoulder belt 16, so the forward movement of the inflated airbag 50 can be suppressed by the webbing 14. Therefore, when a vehicle collision occurs, the inflated airbag 50 can suppress the occupant's forward movement in cooperation with the webbing 14 while absorbing the impact, and the load on the occupant from the shoulder belt 16 of the webbing 14 can also be mitigated. Furthermore, since the airbag 50 inflates and deploys in a way that allows it to slide slightly relative to the webbing 14 along the extending direction of the shoulder belt 16, the inflated and deployed position of the airbag 50 can be given some degree of freedom (i.e., its position relative to the webbing 14 does not need to be fixed), and it can follow the movement of the occupant during a collision, which also contributes to improving occupant restraint.

[0060] The embodiments described above are provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit its interpretation. The elements of the embodiments, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, and sizes, are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate.

[0061] For example, the inflator 90 may be located above the vehicle seat 100 rather than below it, or it may be built into the airbag 50. Depending on the arrangement of the inflator 90, the airbag 50 may slide from the top to the bottom of the shoulder belt 16 as it inflates and deploys while sliding along the extending direction of the shoulder belt 16.

[0062] Incidentally, the inflator 90 can be a hybrid type inflator. At the boundary between the inflator and the airbag section, a tubular structure made of silicone-coated fabric may be provided to protect the airbag.

[0063] For example, the airbag 50 may be composed of an airbag cushion made of OPW (One Piece Woven) with no stitching. Alternatively, the airbag 50 may be formed to have a flat thickness by using a suspension strap or an OPW Woven-in-tether structure. On the other hand, the airbag cushion of the airbag 50 may be composed of multiple base fabrics, with the outer perimeter of the base fabrics stitched, and silicone sealing may be applied to the stitched parts or the surface of the fabric to partially retain internal pressure.

[0064] <Additional Considerations Regarding Various Embodiments> [Embodiment 1] An occupant restraint device comprising: a webbing having a shoulder belt and a lap belt; and an airbag that can be inflated and deployed between the front of an occupant on a vehicle seat and the shoulder belt when the webbing is attached, wherein the airbag is slidably mounted relative to the webbing, and in the event of a vehicle collision, at least a portion of the airbag is configured to inflate and deploy between the front of the occupant and the shoulder belt along the extending direction of the shoulder belt.

[0065] [Embodiment 2] The occupant restraint device of Embodiment 1, further comprising at least one slider portion connected to the airbag and configured to slide relative to the webbing and the airbag.

[0066] [Embodiment 3] The occupant restraint device of Embodiment 2, wherein the shoulder belt is inserted through at least one of the slider portions.

[0067] [Embodiment 4] The occupant restraint device of Embodiment 2 or 3, wherein the at least one slider portion positions the airbag relative to the shoulder belt in the width direction of the shoulder belt.

[0068] [Embodiment 5] The occupant restraint device according to Embodiments 2 to 4, wherein there are multiple sliders, and the multiple sliders are spaced apart from each other in the extending direction of the shoulder belt when the webbing is attached.

[0069] [Embodiment 6] The occupant restraint device of Embodiment 5, wherein the plurality of slider parts are provided near the occupant's shoulder, chest, and waist when the webbing is attached.

[0070] [Embodiment 7] An occupant restraint device according to embodiments 2 to 6, wherein the folded airbag is configured to move together with the webbing via the at least one slider portion when the webbing is extended for attachment or when the webbing is retracted for storage.

[0071] [Embodiment 8] The occupant restraint device of Embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the airbag has a main inflatable portion that inflates and deploys in the width direction of the vehicle seat at least above the seat back of the vehicle seat during a vehicle collision.

[0072] [Embodiment 9] The occupant restraint device of Embodiment 8, wherein the main expansion portion has a maximum expansion portion that extends laterally to the middle portion of the main expansion portion in the vertical direction when expansion and deployment are complete.

[0073] [Embodiment 10] The occupant restraint device according to claim 8, wherein the airbag has a sub-inflation section that inflates and deploys along the extending direction of the shoulder belt in the event of a vehicle collision, the sub-inflation section is in communication with the main inflation section, and introduces gas for inflation and deployment into the main inflation section.

[0074] [Embodiment 11] An occupant restraint device according to Embodiment 10, further comprising an inflator for supplying the gas for inflation and deployment to the inside of the airbag in the event of a vehicle collision, wherein the inflator is located on one side of the sub-inflation portion in the extending direction of the shoulder belt, and the main inflation portion is connected to the other side of the sub-inflation portion in the extending direction of the shoulder belt.

[0075] [Embodiment 12] The occupant restraint device of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein, when viewed from the front of the vehicle seat, the airbag is folded so as to be located inside the width of the shoulder belt in the width direction of the shoulder belt.

[0076] [Embodiment 13] An occupant restraint device according to embodiments 1 to 12, comprising a tongue through which the webbing is threaded, and a buckle into which the tongue is inserted and attached when the webbing is attached, wherein the lower end of the airbag is fixed to the tongue.

[0077] [Embodiment 14] An occupant restraint device of Embodiment 13, further comprising an inflator that supplies gas for inflation and deployment into the airbag during a vehicle collision, wherein the inflator is provided around the buckle, and the tongue and the buckle are provided with gas passages for guiding the gas from the inflator into the airbag.

[0078] [Embodiment 15] An occupant restraint device according to embodiments 1 to 14, comprising a storage body for storing the airbag, wherein the storage body has a tear portion that ruptures when the airbag inflates and deploys.

[0079] 12...Seat belt device, 14...Webbing, 16...Shoulder belt, 18...Anchorage, 20...Tang, 20a...Insert part, 22...Wrap belt, 24...Anchorage, 26...Loop part, 28...Buckle, 28a...Insertion port, 30...Cable, 31...Vehicle structure part, 32...Retractor, 34...Frame, 36...Spool, 40...Motor, 42...Pretensioner, 50...Airbag, 51...Main inflation part, 52...Sub-inflation part, 60, 61, 62...Slider part, 71, 72...Side part, 73...Cover part, 80...Storage part, 81...Tear part, 90...Inflator, 91...Pipe part, 92, 93...Gas passage, 100...Vehicle seat, 110...Seat back, 112...Seat cushion, 114...Headrest, 200...Occupant restraint device

Claims

1. An occupant restraint device comprising: a webbing having a shoulder belt and a lap belt; and an airbag that can be inflated and deployed between the front of an occupant on a vehicle seat and the shoulder belt when the webbing is attached, wherein the airbag is slidably mounted relative to the webbing, and in the event of a vehicle collision, at least a portion of the airbag is configured to inflate and deploy between the front of the occupant and the shoulder belt along the extending direction of the shoulder belt.

2. The occupant restraint device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one slider connected to the airbag and configured to slide relative to the webbing and the airbag.

3. The crew restraint device according to claim 2, wherein the shoulder belt is inserted through at least one of the slider portions.

4. The occupant restraint device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one slider portion positions the airbag relative to the shoulder belt in the width direction of the shoulder belt.

5. The occupant restraint device according to claim 2, wherein there are a plurality of the at least one slider portion, and the plurality of slider portions are spaced apart from each other in the extending direction of the shoulder belt when the webbing is attached.

6. The occupant restraint device according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of slider portions are provided near the occupant's shoulder, chest, and waist when the webbing is attached.

7. The occupant restraint device according to claim 2, wherein the folded airbag is configured to move together with the webbing via the at least one slider portion when the webbing is extended for attachment or when the webbing is retracted for storage.

8. The occupant restraint device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the airbag has a main inflatable portion that inflates and deploys in the width direction of the vehicle seat at least above the seat back of the vehicle seat during a vehicle collision.

9. The occupant restraint device according to claim 8, wherein the main expansion portion has a maximum expansion portion that extends laterally to the upper and lower intermediate portion of the main expansion portion when expansion and deployment are complete.

10. The occupant restraint device according to claim 8, wherein the airbag has a secondary inflation section that inflates and deploys along the extending direction of the shoulder belt in the event of a vehicle collision, the secondary inflation section is in communication with the main inflation section, and introduces gas for inflation and deployment into the main inflation section.

11. The occupant restraint device according to claim 10, further comprising an inflator for supplying the gas for inflation and deployment to the inside of the airbag in the event of a vehicle collision, wherein the inflator is located on one side of the secondary inflation portion in the extending direction of the shoulder belt, and the main inflation portion is connected to the other side of the secondary inflation portion in the extending direction of the shoulder belt.

12. The occupant restraint device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, when viewed from the front of the vehicle seat, the airbag is folded so as to be located within the width of the shoulder belt in the width direction of the shoulder belt.

13. An occupant restraint device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a tongue through which the webbing is threaded, and a buckle into which the tongue is inserted and attached when the webbing is attached, wherein the lower end of the airbag is fixed to the tongue.

14. The occupant restraint device according to claim 13, further comprising an inflator for supplying gas to the inside of the airbag for inflation and deployment in the event of a vehicle collision, wherein the inflator is provided around the buckle, and the tongue and the buckle are provided with gas passages for guiding the gas from the inflator into the inside of the airbag.

15. An occupant restraint device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a storage body for storing the airbag, wherein the storage body has a tear portion that ruptures when the airbag inflates and deploys.

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