JP2008056092A - Occupant crash protector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an occupant crash protector capable of reliably inclining an occupant to a side backing away from an impact when the impact is applied to a vehicle from its side. <P>SOLUTION: The occupant crash protector has a rear airbag which is built in a rear part in a seat 15 of a vehicle seat 14 in a non-inflated state, and inflated by gas to raise a corresponding part. The rear airbag 31 comprises a first inflation part 32 which is arranged at a rear end in the seat 15 and at least at a center in the width direction of the seat 15, and a second inflation part 34 which is arranged at least on one side in the width direction in the seat 15 and inflated together with the first inflation part 32 by the gas. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an occupant protection device that inflates and deploys an airbag to protect an occupant when an impact is applied to a vehicle.

  A side airbag device is known as a device (occupant protection device) that protects an occupant or the like from a side impact or the like when a side impact is applied to the vehicle. In this device, when a side impact is applied to the body side portion of the vehicle, gas is blown out and supplied from the inflator into the airbag, and the airbag is placed between the occupant and the body side portion from the backrest portion of the vehicle seat. It is inflated and deployed with its space facing forward. The inflated airbag is interposed between the occupant and the body side portion that enters the vehicle interior, so that the impact from the side is transmitted in the order of the body side portion, the airbag, and the occupant. In the middle of this transmission, part of the impact is absorbed by the airbag, and the impact transmitted to the occupant is reduced.

In relation to this, for example, Patent Document 1 describes an occupant protection device in which a seat moving mechanism (airbag device) is incorporated at a position biased toward the body side portion in the seat portion of the seat. According to this occupant protection device, the seat moving mechanism operates in response to an impact from the side. By this seat moving mechanism, a portion near the body side portion on the seat surface is pushed up from below and is inclined so as to become higher toward the body side portion side. By this inclination, the occupant is forcibly inclined toward the vehicle interior side. The direction in which the occupant is tilted is a direction away from the body side portion, that is, a direction to escape from an impact. Therefore, the impact from the side is transmitted to the occupant moving in the escape direction as described above, and the impact transmitted to the occupant is smaller than when the seed moving mechanism is not provided.
JP 2003-261000 A

  However, in the configuration of the side airbag device described in Patent Document 1, when the seat moving mechanism is operated in response to an impact from the side, the body side portion side portion is pressed upward at the occupant's buttocks. There are times when it is not done until the crew is tilted. In other words, the upward pressing only by the seat moving mechanism may not be sufficient to tilt the occupant. Therefore, further ingenuity is required to tilt the occupant toward the passenger compartment as intended.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to protect an occupant that can reliably tilt the occupant to the side away from the impact when the vehicle is subjected to an impact from the side. To provide an apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a rear airbag that is incorporated in a rear portion in a seat portion of a vehicle seat in a non-inflated state and inflates with a gas to raise a corresponding portion. An occupant protection device comprising: the rear airbag is a rear end portion in the seat portion and a first inflatable portion disposed at least in a center portion in the width direction of the seat portion; and the rear airbag portion in the seat portion. The gist of the present invention is to include a second inflating portion that is disposed on at least one side in the width direction and inflates together with the first inflating portion by the gas.

  According to said structure, in the state which the passenger | crew seated on the vehicle seat, the passenger | crew's buttocks and thigh are supported from the lower side by the seat part. Of the rear airbag, a first inflatable portion, which is the rear end portion in the seat portion and is disposed at least in the center portion in the width direction of the seat portion, is located in the vicinity of the lower portion of the occupant's buttocks. Further, in the rear airbag, the second inflatable portion disposed at least on one side also in the width direction in the seat is near the lower part of the thigh of the occupant and from the thigh in the width direction of the seat. Is also located outside.

  When the first inflating part is inflated by the gas supply, the upper part of the seat part above the first inflating part is raised accordingly, and the occupant's buttocks are pressed upward. Further, when the second inflating part is inflated by the gas supply, the upper part of the seat part above the second inflating part is raised accordingly, and the thigh of the occupant is pressed inward and upward in the width direction. The By these presses, the occupant is tilted toward the inner side (center side) in the width direction of the seat while the whole body is lifted. The occupant can be reliably tilted as compared with the case without the first inflating portion.

  Accordingly, when an impact is applied to the vehicle from the side in which the second inflating portion is disposed in the seat portion in the vehicle width direction (side), the occupant is transmitted with the impact by the expansion of the rear airbag. It is tilted forward in the direction, that is, in a direction to escape from the impact. Therefore, the impact from the side is transmitted to the occupant tilted in the direction of escape as described above. Compared with the case where the rear airbag is not provided in the seat, the impact transmitted to the occupant is reduced.

  Here, when the vehicle seat satisfies the following conditions (i) and (ii), the one side portion where the second inflating portion is arranged in the width direction in the seat portion is the following two modes: There is. One is the body side part side, and the other is the center part side in the vehicle width direction.

  Condition (i): As seen in a general multi-seater vehicle, in the vehicle interior between a pair of left and right body side portions, the vehicle is located at a location deviated from the center in the vehicle width direction to one body side portion. Sheets for use are placed.

Condition (ii): Arranged in a state in which the front-rear direction of the seat matches the front-rear direction of the vehicle.
For this reason, when the second inflating part is disposed on the side of the body side close to the vehicle seat and an impact is applied to the vehicle from the side of the body side, the occupant is in the vehicle width direction due to the inflation of the rear airbag. Toward the side (the body side portion side far from the vehicle seat). As a result, the impact transmitted to the occupant is reduced.

  Further, when the second inflating part is disposed on the body side part side that is far from the vehicle seat, that is, on the center part side in the vehicle width direction, when an impact is applied to the vehicle from the body side part side, the occupant is The airbag is tilted outward in the vehicle width direction (on the side of the body side close to the vehicle seat) due to the inflation of the airbag. As a result, the impact transmitted to the occupant is reduced.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the rear airbag is formed such that the second inflatable portion is higher than the first inflatable portion when inflated. The gist.

  According to the above configuration, when the rear airbag is inflated by the gas supply, the second inflating portion is higher than the first inflating portion. Therefore, the seat can be raised higher than when the second inflated portion is in a state of being inflated and at the same height as the first inflating portion or lower than the first inflating portion. The occupant's thigh can be strongly pressed inward and upward in the width direction of the seat, and the occupant's body can be reliably tilted inward in the width direction of the seat.

The gist of the invention according to claim 3 is that, in the invention according to claim 1, the second inflating part is inflated with a pressure higher than that of the first inflating part.
According to said structure, a 2nd expansion | swelling part expand | swells with a pressure higher than a 1st expansion | swelling part by gas supply. Therefore, the seat portion can be raised higher than when the second inflating portion is inflated with a pressure comparable to that of the first inflating portion, or when the second inflating portion is inflated with a lower pressure than the first inflating portion. The occupant's thigh can be strongly pressed inward and upward in the width direction of the seat, and the occupant's body can be reliably tilted inward in the width direction of the seat.

  Here, the supply of gas to the rear airbag (the first inflating portion and the second inflating portion) is performed in response to a side collision with the vehicle, for example, according to the invention of claim 4. Alternatively, it may be performed in response to a pre-crash signal that predicts a side collision with the vehicle. In either case, the occupant is tilted inward in the width direction of the seat while the entire body is lifted.

  In particular, in the latter case, gas is supplied to the rear airbag at an earlier timing than in the former case, that is, immediately before an impact is applied to the vehicle from the side. The start of each expansion of the first inflatable part and the second inflatable part is quickened, and the start of tilting inward in the width direction of the seat part while the whole body of the occupant is lifted. The occupant can be tilted more greatly, and the impact transmitted to the occupant can be further reduced.

  Moreover, the said rear airbag provided with a 1st expansion part and a 2nd expansion part is applicable to a passenger | crew protection apparatus provided with a side airbag like the invention of Claim 5. FIG. The side airbag is provided in the vehicle interior, outside the second inflating portion in the width direction of the seat portion, and is provided on the side of the seat portion by gas supplied in response to an impact from the side of the vehicle. It expands and develops in the direction. In this occupant protection device, when an impact is applied to the vehicle from the side, gas is supplied to the side airbag in response to the impact. With this supplied gas, the side airbag is inflated and deployed on the side of the seat. The impact applied from the side to the vehicle is transmitted to the occupant through the inflated and deployed side airbag. In the middle of this transmission, part of the impact is absorbed by the side airbag, and the impact transmitted to the occupant is reduced.

  On the other hand, when the first inflating part and the second inflating part are inflated by the gas supply, the occupant is tilted inward in the width direction of the seat while the whole body is lifted. The tilted direction is a direction away from the side airbag in the width direction of the seat portion.

  Therefore, when an impact is applied to the vehicle from the side, a part of the impact is absorbed by the side airbag that is inflated and deployed. Further, the occupant is inclined to escape from the impact by the expansion of the first and second inflating portions in the rear airbag. Therefore, the impact transmitted to the occupant is effectively reduced.

  In particular, when the gas supply to the rear airbag is performed according to the pre-crash signal for predicting the impact from the side of the vehicle, the gas to the side airbag is provided. Prior to the supply of gas, gas is supplied to the first and second inflating parts. Before the side airbag is inflated and deployed, both inflatable portions are inflated, and the entire body of the occupant is lifted and tilted to the side of escaping from the impact. Thus, the side airbag is inflated and deployed while the occupant's body is tilted in a direction to escape from the impact, and the impact transmitted to the occupant is further reduced.

  Further, when the occupant is tilted prior to the inflation and deployment of the side airbag, the deployment space of the side airbag in the width direction of the seat portion is expanded. The side airbag is inflated and deployed in such an expanded deployment space. Therefore, the side airbag becomes easier to inflate and deploy than when the deployment space is not enlarged.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first inflating portion extends in a width direction of the seat portion, and the second inflating portion at an end thereof. The gist is that it is connected to the part in a communicating state.

  According to said structure, since the 1st expansion part and the 2nd expansion part are connected, if gas is supplied to one of them, the gas will be guide | induced to the other through a communication part, and both expansion parts will be Both expand. Therefore, when the first inflating part and the second inflating part are independent (separated) from each other, two gas supply paths are required to supply gas to each inflating part. In the described invention, only one gas supply path is required, and the structure of the occupant protection device can be simplified accordingly.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first inflating portion extends in a width direction of the seat portion, and the second inflating portion has a seat. Are provided at two positions on both sides in the width direction, respectively, spaced apart from the first inflating part. When the rear airbag is inflated, gas is supplied to the first inflating part, The gist is that the gas is selectively supplied only to the second inflating portion of the second inflating portion at a location corresponding to the direction of the impact applied to the vehicle from the side.

  According to the above configuration, the rear airbag is provided in the first inflating portion extending in the width direction of the seat portion and in the width direction both side portions in the seat portion, each being separated from the first inflating portion. It consists of two 2nd expansion parts. Since these 1st expansion parts and both the 2nd expansion parts are mutually spaced apart, it is possible to expand by supplying gas separately.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, gas is supplied to the first inflating portion when the rear airbag is inflated. In addition to this, gas is selectively supplied only to one of the second inflating portions, here, only the second inflating portion at a location corresponding to the direction of impact applied to the vehicle from the side. While the first inflating part is inflated by these gas supplies, the second inflating part at a location corresponding to the direction of impact is inflated. The second inflating portion at a location that does not correspond to the direction of impact does not expand.

  Therefore, when the vehicle seat satisfies both the above conditions (i) and (ii) and an impact is applied to the vehicle from the side of the body side close to the vehicle seat, the first inflating portion and The second inflating part on the body side part side inflates. These expansions cause the occupant to tilt away from the impact. As a result, the impact transmitted to the passenger is reduced.

  Further, the vehicle seat satisfies both the above conditions (i) and (ii), and an impact is applied to the vehicle from the side of the body side that is far from the vehicle seat. When the impact is transmitted, the first expansion portion and the second expansion portion on the body side portion side expand. These expansions cause the occupant to tilt away from the impact. As a result, the impact transmitted to the passenger is reduced.

  Thus, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, even when an impact is applied to the vehicle from the body side portion close to the vehicle seat, an impact is applied to the vehicle from the far body side portion side. Also, it becomes possible to respond.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the seat is a front portion in the seat portion, and is in a non-inflated state at a position spaced forward from the rear airbag. The gist of the present invention is to further include a front airbag that is incorporated and inflated by a gas supplied in response to an impact from the front of the vehicle to raise the front portion.

  According to the above configuration, the front airbag is incorporated in the front portion in the seat portion in a non-inflated state, but the front airbag is separated from the rear airbag. Therefore, the front airbag can be inflated by supplying gas separately from the rear airbag.

  And if gas is supplied to a front airbag according to the impact from the front with respect to a vehicle, the front airbag will inflate and will raise the front part of a seat part. By this bulge, the rear side vicinity of the knee is pressed upward in the occupant's thigh, and the forward movement of the waist is restricted. As a result, a phenomenon (submarine phenomenon) in which the occupant's lower back portion restrained by the vehicle seat by the seat belt device moves away from the lap belt portion of the webbing is suppressed.

  In this case, gas may be supplied from a common gas generation source (inflator) to the rear airbag and the front airbag. In this case, the rear airbag and the front airbag are used by a small number of gas generation sources. Each of the bags can be inflated. It is possible to reduce the number of parts of the occupant protection device and the number of assembly steps.

  According to the occupant protection device of the present invention, when an impact is applied to the vehicle from the side, the occupant can be reliably tilted to the side away from the impact.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment embodying an occupant protection device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the forward direction (forward direction) of the vehicle is the front and the reverse direction is the rear. Further, description will be made assuming that the height direction of the vehicle is the vertical direction and the width direction (vehicle width direction) of the vehicle when viewed from the rear is the left-right direction.

  As shown in at least one of FIGS. 2 and 3, the left and right side portions (only the right side portion is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) of the vehicle compartment 12 of the vehicle 11 are respectively constituted by body side portions 13. Here, the body side portion 13 refers to a member disposed on the side portion of the vehicle 11, and mainly includes a door, a pillar, and the like. For example, the body side part 13 corresponding to the front seat is a front door, a center pillar (B pillar), or the like. The body side portion 13 corresponding to the rear seat is a rear portion of a side door (rear door), a C pillar, a front portion of a tire house, a rear quarter, and the like.

  A pair of left and right vehicle seats 14 (shown on the right side only) are arranged in the vehicle compartment 12 in a state of being arranged in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, each vehicle seat 14 is disposed in a position deviated from the center in the vehicle width direction toward the one body side portion 13 in the vehicle interior 12. With such an arrangement, each vehicle seat 14 approaches the one body side portion 13 and is largely separated from the other body side portion 13. Each vehicle seat 14 is arranged in a state in which the front-rear direction thereof matches the front-rear direction of the vehicle 11. In addition, in order to distinguish the site | part of each vehicle seat 14, the side part close | similar to the adjacent body side part 13 is called "the outer side part about a vehicle width direction", and the side part near the center part in the vehicle interior 12 is set. Sometimes referred to as “inner side in the vehicle width direction”.

  Each vehicle seat 14 includes a seat 15 that supports the occupant Ph and thigh Pt of the occupant P from below, a backrest 16 (seat back) disposed at the rear end of the seat 15, and a backrest. 16 and a headrest 17 disposed at the upper end of the head 16.

  In order to protect the occupant P seated on each vehicle seat 14 from the impact from the side, an occupant protection device is provided for each vehicle seat 14. Since the occupant protection device for each vehicle seat basically has the same configuration, only the occupant protection device provided on one (right) vehicle seat 14 will be described in this embodiment. .

As shown in FIG. 1, a side airbag 21 and an inflator 22 as a gas generation source are incorporated in the right side portion (outer side portion in the vehicle width direction) of the backrest portion 16.
The side airbag 21 has a high strength, is flexible, and can be folded easily, for example, a base fabric made of a woven fabric, etc. It is formed in a bag shape by sewing the peripheral part of the part. The side airbag 21 may be formed by sewing a pair of base fabrics into a bag shape. When the side airbag 21 is inflated and deployed, the side airbag 21 has a size and shape that can cover a wide area from the waist Pw to the chest Pc of the occupant P seated on the vehicle seat 14 (see FIG. 6).

  In the side airbag 21 in the deployed state, a side-shaped substantially U-shaped seam 23 is formed at the center of the side airbag 21 in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction, and the front and back portions of the base fabric are sewn. It is formed by sewing. The seam 23 forms an upper compartment 24 and a lower compartment 25 inside the side airbag 21, and an intermediate compartment 26 that opens toward the rear side between the upper and lower compartments 24, 25. ing. Further, a gas passage 27 is formed in front of the seam 23 in the side airbag 21. Through the gas passage 27, the upper compartment 24 and the lower compartment 25 are communicated with each other at the front portion in the side airbag 21, and gas flows from the lower compartment 25 to the upper compartment 24 through the gas passage 27. Is possible. Instead of the seam 23, a tether made of woven fabric or the like may be provided in the side airbag 21. The tethers are sewn to both front and back portions of the side airbag 21 at both side edges, and are laid between the front and back portions.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the side airbag 21 is configured such that the widths of the upper compartment 24 and the lower compartment 25 are larger than the width of the intermediate compartment 26 during deployment. This is a state in which a space is formed between the intermediate compartment 26 and the chest Pc of the occupant P, and the shoulder Ps and the waist Pw of the occupant P are connected to the vehicle compartment 12 in the upper compartment 24 and the lower compartment 25. This is to protect it by pushing it inward.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the inflator 22 has a substantially cylindrical shape elongated in the vertical direction, and a gas generating agent (not shown) is accommodated therein. In this type of inflator 22, gas is generated by the combustion reaction of the gas generating agent. At the lower end portion of the inflator 22, a gas ejection portion 28 for ejecting a gas generated by the gas generating agent is provided. The inflator 22 is arranged behind the seam 23 in the side airbag 21 and at a substantially intermediate portion in the vertical direction in the side airbag 21. The gas ejection part 28 is located in the lower compartment 25.

  As the inflator 22, a type in which a partition of a high-pressure gas cylinder filled with a high-pressure gas is broken using an explosive or the like to eject gas may be used instead of the type using the gas generating agent.

  And the said side airbag 21 is folded and made into the compact form, and is accommodated in the right side part (outer part about a vehicle width direction) of the backrest part 16. As shown in FIG. The inflator 22 is fastened to a frame (not shown) in the backrest 16 together with the rear end portion of the side airbag 21.

  As shown in at least one of FIGS. 2 and 6, the side airbag 21 includes the vehicle seat 14 and an occupant seated on the vehicle seat 14 when an impact is applied to the right body side portion 13 from the right side. It expands and develops in a narrow space between P and the body side portion 13. In the inflated and deployed side airbag 21, the upper compartment 24 is located on the right side of the shoulder Ps and the chest Pc of the occupant P, and the lower compartment 25 is located on the right side of the waist Pw. A wide area from Ps to the waist part Pw is protected from the body side part 13 entering the vehicle compartment 12.

  As shown in at least one of FIGS. 4 and 6, a rear airbag 31 and an inflator 35 as a gas generation source are incorporated in the rear portion in the seat portion 15. Similar to the side airbag 21 described above, the rear airbag 31 is formed into a bag shape by stitching a base fabric made of woven fabric or the like. The rear airbag 31 is functionally provided with a first inflatable portion 32 and a second inflatable portion 34.

  The first inflatable portion 32 is a rear end portion in the seat portion 15 and needs to be disposed at least in the center portion in the width direction of the seat portion 15. In the first embodiment, the first inflatable portion 32 is in the seat portion 15. It arrange | positions at a rear-end part and has comprised the elongate shape to the width direction (vehicle width direction) of the seat part 15. As shown in FIG. The location where the first inflatable portion 32 is disposed is a location that is biased toward the backrest portion 16 side (rear side) in the seat portion 15, and a location that corresponds to the vicinity of the lower portion of the heel portion Ph of the occupant P.

  The second inflating part 34 is arranged on at least one side part in the width direction in the seat part 15. This location is a location that is biased toward the right-side body side portion 13 in the seat portion 15, in the vicinity of the lower side of the right thigh portion Pt of the occupant P and in the width direction of the seat portion 15. It is a location corresponding to the outside (right side) of Pt.

  In the first embodiment, a position near the right body side portion 13 in the width direction in the seat portion 15 is the one side portion. The first inflating part 32 is connected in communication with the second inflating part 34 at the end (right end) on the body side part 13 side, and between the first inflating part 32 and the second inflating part 34. Gas distribution is possible. In addition, the 2nd expansion | swelling part is not provided in the other side part (left end part) about the width direction in the seat part 15. FIG.

  Unlike the side airbag 21, the rear airbag 31 is not folded and is accommodated in the seat portion 15 in a non-inflated state. The inflator 35 has the same configuration as the inflator 22 in the side airbag 21 and includes a gas ejection part 36 at one end. The inflator 35 is disposed in the rear airbag 31 (in the first inflating portion 32). The inflator 35 is fastened to a frame (not shown) in the seat portion 15 together with the lower end portion of the rear airbag 31.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the height of the first inflating portion 32 when inflated is H1, and the height of the second inflating portion 34 when inflating is H2, the rear airbag 31 is H2 > H1 is satisfied. In the first embodiment, the height H <b> 2 is constant at any location in the front-rear direction of the second expansion portion 34. On the other hand, the height H1 of the first inflating portion 32 is set to be maximum at the connection portion with the second inflating portion 34, and is gradually lowered as the distance from the second inflating portion 34 increases.

  The occupant protection device includes an impact sensor 41 and a control device 42 as shown in FIG. 4 in addition to the above-described side airbag 21, inflator 22, rear airbag 31, and inflator 35. Both inflators 22 and 35 and the impact sensor 41 are electrically connected to the control device 42. The impact sensor 41 is composed of an acceleration sensor or the like, and is provided on the body side portion 13 of the vehicle 11 and detects an impact applied to the body side portion 13 from the right side. The control device 42 controls the operation of the inflators 22 and 35 based on the detection signal from the impact sensor 41.

  The occupant protection device according to the first embodiment is configured as described above. In a state where the occupant P is seated on the vehicle seat 14, the heel part Ph and the left and right thigh parts Pt of the occupant P are supported by the seat part 15 from below. The first inflatable part 32 of the rear airbag 31 is located in the vicinity of the lower part of the heel part Ph of the occupant P. Further, the second inflating portion 34 of the rear airbag 31 is located near the lower side of the thigh Pt on the right side of the occupant P and on the outer side (right side) of the thigh Pt in the width direction of the seat portion 15. Yes. Further, the side airbag 21 is located near the right rear of the occupant P.

  In the occupant protection device, an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied from the right side to the body side portion 13 of the vehicle 11 due to a side collision or the like, and when this is detected by the impact sensor 41, the control device 42 is based on the detection signal. Drive current is output to each inflator 22, 35. Here, the direction in which the impact is applied to the vehicle 11 is the vehicle width direction (side), which is the side where the second expansion portion 34 in the seat portion 15 is disposed. By heating based on this driving current, gas is generated from the gas generating agent in each inflator 22, 35, and the gas is ejected from the gas ejection portions 28, 36.

  Due to the heating based on the drive current to the inflator 35 in the rear airbag 31, the gas generating agent in the inflator 35 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas. This gas is jetted and supplied from the gas jetting part 36 into the rear airbag 31, more specifically into the first inflating part 32. Since the second inflating portion 34 communicates with the right end portion of the first inflating portion 32, the gas can flow between the first inflating portion 32 and the second inflating portion 34. Therefore, the gas ejected from the inflator 35 into the first inflating portion 32 is guided to the second inflating portion 34 through the connecting portion (communication portion) between the inflating portions 32 and 34. By supplying these gases, the first inflating part 32 and the second inflating part 34 are both inflated as shown in FIG.

  When the first inflating portion 32 is inflated by the gas supply, the upper portion of the first inflating portion 32 is raised in the seat portion 15 and the occupant Ph of the occupant P is pressed upward. Further, when the second inflating portion 34 is inflated by the gas supply, the upper portion of the second inflating portion 34 is raised in the seat portion 15, and the right thigh Pt of the occupant P is inward in the width direction. And pressed upward. By these pressings, the seat surface of the seat portion 15 is inclined so that the portions corresponding to the thigh Pt and the buttocks Ph become higher toward the body side portion 13 side. The seat 15 is tilted inward in the width direction (right side in FIG. 6). The occupant P is tilted more reliably than when the first inflatable portion 32 is not provided and the entire body is not lifted. The direction in which the occupant P is inclined is the front in the direction in which the impact is transmitted, that is, the direction to escape from the impact.

  In particular, in the first embodiment, when the first expansion portion 32 and the second expansion portion 34 are expanded by gas supply, the second expansion portion 34 is higher than the first expansion portion 32. Therefore, the seat portion 15 is raised higher than when the second inflating portion 34 is in the inflated state and has the same height as the first inflating portion 32 or lower than the first inflating portion 32. The thigh Pt of the occupant P is strongly pressed inward and upward in the width direction of the seat 15, and the body of the occupant P is reliably tilted inward in the width direction of the seat 15. Along with this, the space between the right body side portion 13 and the occupant P expands inward in the vehicle width direction.

  On the other hand, by the heating based on the drive current to the inflator 22 in the side airbag 21, the gas generating agent in the inflator 22 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas. This gas is jetted and supplied from the gas jetting portion 28 to the lower compartment 25 in the side airbag 21. This gas is introduced into the upper compartment 24 along the outer periphery of the seam 23 and the gas passage 27 as shown by arrows in FIG. 1, and thereafter, the intermediate compartment is formed so as to bypass the upper edge of the seam 23. 26. By this gas introduction, the side airbag 21 is inflated while eliminating the folded state, and the planned breakage portion (not shown) in the backrest portion 16 is broken. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6, the side airbag 21 includes a lower compartment 25 corresponding to the waist Pw and an upper compartment 24 corresponding to the shoulder Ps of the occupant P in the space between the body side portion 13 and the occupant P. Are inflated and deployed toward the front. Thereafter, the intermediate compartment 26 corresponding to the chest Pc is inflated and deployed.

  The impact applied from the side to the vehicle 11 is transmitted to the occupant P through the inflated and deployed side airbag 21. Part of the impact is absorbed by the side airbag 21 during the transmission, and the impact transmitted to the occupant P is reduced.

  On the other hand, the passenger P is tilted inward in the width direction of the seat 15 while the whole body is lifted by the expansion of the rear airbag 31 described above. The tilted direction is a direction away from the side airbag 21 in the width direction of the seat portion 15.

  Therefore, when an impact is applied to the vehicle 11 from the side, a part of the impact is absorbed by the side airbag 21 that is inflated and deployed. Further, due to the expansion of the first inflatable portion 32 and the second inflatable portion 34 in the rear airbag 31, the occupant P is tilted to escape from the impact. Therefore, the impact transmitted to the occupant P is effectively reduced.

  When the side airbag 21 is deployed and inflated, the width of the intermediate compartment 26 is smaller than the widths of the upper compartment 24 and the lower compartment 25 as shown in FIG. Therefore, a space is formed between the intermediate compartment 26 and the chest Pc of the occupant P. In this state, the shoulder Ps and the waist Pw of the occupant P are brought into contact with the upper compartment 24 and the lower compartment 25. It is pushed inside the vehicle compartment 12. The occupant P is further moved to the inside of the passenger compartment 12, and the impact caused by the side collision is reduced while the chest Pc is protected. When the side airbag 21 is deployed and inflated, the chest Pc is protected, and the shoulder Ps and the waist Pw that are highly resistant to external impact are pushed, and the posture of the occupant P is tilted. Is further enhanced.

According to the first embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The rear airbag 31 is incorporated in a non-inflated state in the rear portion of the seat portion 15 of the vehicle seat 14. Then, the rear airbag 31 is a rear end portion in the seat portion 15 and is disposed at least in the central portion in the width direction of the seat portion 15, and in the width direction in the seat portion 15. And a second inflating part 34 that inflates with the first inflating part 32 by gas. Therefore, when an impact is applied to the vehicle 11 from the right side due to a side collision or the like, the rear airbag 31 can be inflated to raise the upper surface of the seat portion 15. By this bulging, the entire body of the occupant P is lifted and tilted toward the inner side (center side) in the width direction of the seat 15, which is a direction to escape from the impact, so that the impact transmitted to the occupant P can be reduced. it can.

  (2) The rear airbag 31 is formed so that the inflated second inflatable portion 34 is higher than the inflated first inflatable portion 32. For this reason, the upper surface of the seat 15 can be raised to a higher position, and the body of the occupant P can be reliably tilted inward in the width direction of the seat 15.

  (3) The rear airbag 31 is applied to the vehicle 11 on which the side airbag 21 is mounted. Therefore, when an impact is applied to the vehicle 11 from the right side, the side airbag 21 is inflated and deployed to alleviate the impact transmitted to the occupant P, and the rear airbag 31 is inflated to occupy the passenger P. Can be tilted in a direction to escape from the impact, and the impact transmitted to the passenger P can be further reduced.

  (4) By connecting the first inflating part 32 to the second inflating part 34 at the right end thereof in a communicating state, the gas can flow between the first inflating part 32 and the second inflating part 34. . Therefore, when the first inflating part 32 and the second inflating part 34 are independent (separated) from each other, two gas supply paths are required to supply gas to the inflating parts 32 and 34, respectively. In the first embodiment, only one gas supply path is required, and accordingly, the structure of the occupant protection device can be simplified.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment embodying the present invention will be described.
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the inflator 35 of the rear airbag 31 is operated based on the pre-crash signal. More specifically, the vehicle 11 is provided with a pre-crash control device 46 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4, and this is electrically connected to the control device 42. When the pre-crash control device 46 recognizes another vehicle 11 or the like approaching the vehicle 11 from the right side based on a detection signal such as a millimeter wave radar, the pre-crash control device 46 calculates a relative speed, a distance, and the like of both the vehicles 11. When the pre-crash control device 46 determines that a side collision is inevitable based on this calculation result, that is, when a side collision is predicted, the pre-crash control device 46 outputs the information as a pre-crash signal.

  Based on this pre-crash signal, the control device 42 outputs a drive current to the inflator 35 in the rear airbag 31. By heating based on this driving current, gas is first generated from the gas generating agent in the inflator 35, and the gas is ejected from the gas ejection part 36. Both the first inflatable portion 32 and the second inflatable portion 34 of the rear airbag 31 are inflated, and the portion above the rear airbag 31 is raised in the seat portion 15. The occupant P is inclined toward the inner side (center side) in the width direction of the seat 15 while the whole body is lifted. The direction in which the occupant P is inclined is the front in the direction in which the impact is transmitted, that is, the direction to escape from the impact.

  If no side collision or the like has occurred at this time and the body side portion 13 has not entered the passenger compartment 12, the occupant P is inclined as described above, so that the space between the body side portion 13 and the occupant P is increased. Space expands inward in the vehicle width direction. Further, at this time, no gas is generated from the inflator 22, and the side airbag 21 is kept in the right side portion of the backrest portion 16.

  A little later than the input of the pre-crash signal, an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the body side portion 13 of the vehicle 11 from the right side due to a side collision or the like, and when this is detected by the impact sensor 41, the detection signal Based on this, a drive current is output from the control device 42 to the inflator 22 in the side airbag 21.

  By heating based on this driving current, the gas generating agent in the inflator 22 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas. When the gas is ejected from the gas ejection portion 28, the side airbag 21 is inflated while eliminating the folded state, and the fracture planned portion (not shown) in the backrest portion 16 is broken. Subsequently, in the side airbag 21, in the space between the body side portion 13 and the occupant P, a lower compartment 25 corresponding to the waist Pw and an upper compartment 24 corresponding to the shoulder Ps of the occupant P are directed forward. Expanded. Thereafter, the intermediate compartment 26 corresponding to the chest Pc is inflated and deployed.

  At this time, as described above, the occupant P is tilted, and the space between the body side portion 13 and the occupant P expands inward in the vehicle width direction. This space is a space in which the side airbag 21 in the width direction of the seat portion 15 is deployed. Therefore, the side airbag 21 is easily inflated and deployed as compared with the case where the space is not enlarged.

  The impact applied to the vehicle 11 from the right side is transmitted to the occupant P via the inflated and deployed side airbag 21. Part of the impact is absorbed by the side airbag 21 during the transmission, and the impact transmitted to the occupant P is reduced.

  Here, as described above, before the side airbag 21 is inflated and deployed, the inflatable portions 32 and 34 are inflated, and the entire body of the occupant P is tilted toward the side of escaping from the impact while being lifted. Therefore, the side airbag 21 is inflated and deployed while the body of the occupant P is tilted in a direction to escape from the impact, and the impact from the right side transmitted to the occupant P is further reduced.

Therefore, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the same effects as (1) to (4) in the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(5) The inflator 35 is operated in accordance with a pre-crash signal that predicts a collision from the right side with respect to the vehicle 11, and gas is supplied to the rear airbag 31. Therefore, the supply start timing of the gas to the rear airbag 31 can be advanced compared to the case where the gas is supplied after an impact is actually applied to the vehicle 11 from the side. Along with this, the start of each expansion of the first inflatable portion 32 and the second inflatable portion 34 can be accelerated, and the timing at which the entire body of the occupant P is tilted inward in the width direction of the seat portion 15 can be accelerated. By inclining the occupant P in a direction to escape from the impact prior to inflating and deploying the side airbag 21, the impact transmitted to the occupant P via the inflated and deployed side airbag 21 can be more effectively reduced. .

  (6) Further, prior to inflating and deploying the side airbag 21, the rear airbag 31 is inflated and the occupant P is tilted to expand the space in which the side airbag 21 is deployed inward in the width direction of the seat portion 15. Can do. Smooth inflation and deployment of the side airbag 21 can be realized.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the second inflating portion 34 in the rear airbag 31 is inflated with a pressure higher than that of the first inflating portion 32.

  Therefore, the rear airbag 31 employs a configuration in which the entire second inflatable portion 34 is disposed in the first inflatable portion 32. More specifically, the first inflating portion 32 includes a main body portion 32a and an extending portion 32b. The main body portion 32a is disposed at the rear end portion in the seat portion 15 and has an elongated shape in the width direction of the seat portion 15 (vehicle width direction). This location is a location that is biased toward the backrest portion 16 in the seat portion 15, and is a location that corresponds to the lower vicinity of the heel portion Ph of the occupant P. The extending part 32b is disposed on the front side of the end part on the body side part 13 side of the main body part 32a. This location is a location that is biased toward the right-side body side portion 13 in the seat portion 15, in the vicinity of the lower side of the right thigh portion Pt of the occupant P and in the width direction of the seat portion 15. It is a location corresponding to the right outer side than Pt. The extension part 32b is connected in communication with the right end part of the main body part 32a, and gas can be circulated between the main body part 32a and the extension part 32b.

  The second inflating part 34 has a long and narrow bag shape in the front-rear direction, and the whole is disposed inside the first inflating part 32. Many parts of the second inflating part 34 are arranged in the extension part 32b, and a part (rear part) is arranged in the right end part of the main body part 32a.

  The inflator 35 has a long shape, and is arranged at a lower end portion in the deployed rear airbag 31 so as to be substantially parallel to the vehicle width direction, that is, to extend in the vehicle width direction. In the third embodiment, as the inflator 35, one having two gas ejection portions 36a and 36b having different gas ejection amounts at two different locations (both left and right end portions) in the axial direction is used. In the inflator 35, the amount of gas generated per unit time is set such that more gas is ejected from the right gas ejection part 36b than from the left gas ejection part 36a. Such setting can be realized by adopting the following configuration, for example.

(I) When a single type of gas generating agent is used In this case, storage chambers 37a and 37b are provided in the left and right sides of the inflator 22, respectively, and the right storage chamber 37b is more than the left storage chamber 37a. Accommodates many gas generants. The gas generating agent in the left and right storage chambers 37a and 37b is burned with a common ignition agent to generate gas.

(Ii) When two types of gas generating agents having different gas generation amounts per unit time are used In this case, a gas generating agent having a large gas generation amount is stored in the right storage chamber 37b, and the gas generation amount is small. The gas generating agent is accommodated in the left storage chamber 37a. The gas generating agent in the left and right storage chambers 37a and 37b is burned with a common ignition agent to generate gas.

  In the inflator 35 having the above-described configuration, the right gas ejection portion 36 b is inserted into the second expansion portion 34 through the opening 34 a provided in the second expansion portion 34. The second inflating part 34 is fastened and fixed to the inflator 35 by a fastener (not shown) in the vicinity of the opening 34a. By this tightening and fixing, the gas in the second inflating portion 34 is restricted from leaking into the first inflating portion 32 through the opening 34a. The left gas ejection portion 36 a is disposed inside the main body portion 32 a of the first expansion portion 32 and outside the second expansion portion 34.

  Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the occupant protection device according to the third embodiment having the above configuration, an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the body side portion 13 of the vehicle 11 from the right side due to a side collision or the like, and this is detected by the impact sensor 41. Then, a drive current is output from the control device 42 to the inflator 35 based on the detection signal. By heating based on this drive current, each gas generating agent in each accommodation chamber 37a, 37b of the inflator 35 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas. Gas is ejected from the left gas ejection part 36 a into the first expansion part 32 and to the outside of the second expansion part 34. Further, more gas is ejected from the right gas ejection portion 36b into the second expansion portion 34 than from the left gas ejection portion 36a. The first expansion portion 32 expands due to the ejection of these gases, and the second expansion portion 34 expands with an internal pressure higher than that of the first expansion portion 32.

  When the first inflating portion 32 is inflated by the gas supply, the upper portion of the seat portion 15 above the first inflating portion 32 is raised, and the heel portion Ph of the occupant P is pressed upward. Further, when the second inflating part 34 is inflated by the gas supply, the upper part of the seat part 15 above the second inflating part 34 is raised accordingly, and the thigh Pt of the occupant P is inward in the width direction. And pressed upward. By these pressings, the seat surface of the seat portion 15 is inclined so that the portions corresponding to the thigh Pt and the buttocks Ph become higher toward the body side portion 13 side. The seat 15 is inclined toward the inner side (center side) in the width direction. The direction in which the occupant P is inclined is the front in the direction in which the impact is transmitted, that is, the direction to escape from the impact.

  In particular, in the third embodiment, when the rear airbag 31 is inflated, the internal pressure of the second inflatable portion 34 becomes higher than the internal pressure of the first inflatable portion 32. Therefore, the seat portion 15 is raised higher than when the second inflating portion 34 is inflated with a pressure comparable to that of the first inflating portion 32 or when the second inflating portion 34 is inflated with a lower pressure than the first inflating portion 32. The thigh Pt of the occupant P is strongly pressed inward and upward in the width direction of the seat 15, and the body of the occupant P is reliably tilted inward in the width direction of the seat 15.

Therefore, according to the third embodiment, the same effect as (1), (3), (4) in the first embodiment can be obtained, and the following effect (7) corresponding to (2) can be obtained. It is done.
(7) In the rear airbag 31, the second inflating part 34 is inflated with an internal pressure higher than that of the first inflating part 32. For this reason, the upper surface of the seat 15 can be raised to a higher position, and the body of the occupant P can be reliably tilted inward in the width direction of the seat 15.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the fourth embodiment, the second inflating part is inflated with a pressure higher than that of the first inflating part 32 by a configuration different from that of the third embodiment.

  Therefore, in the rear airbag 31, the first inflating part 32 and the second inflating part 34 are divided. The first inflatable portion 32 is disposed at the rear end portion in the seat portion 15 and has a bag shape elongated in the width direction of the seat portion 15 (vehicle width direction). This location is a location that is biased toward the backrest portion 16 in the seat portion 15, and is a location that corresponds to the lower vicinity of the heel portion Ph of the occupant P. The second inflating part 34 is arranged in the vicinity of the side of the end part of the first inflating part 32 on the body side part 13 side, and has a slender bag shape forward. This location is a location that is biased toward the right side body side portion 13 in the seat portion 15, near the lower portion of the thigh Pt of the occupant P, and in the width direction of the seat portion 15, rather than the thigh portion Pt. It is a part corresponding to the outside. The second expansion part 34 is not communicated with the first expansion part 32. Therefore, gas cannot flow between the first inflating part 32 and the second inflating part 34.

  The inflator 35 has a long shape, and is arranged at a lower end portion in the deployed rear airbag 31 so as to be substantially parallel to the vehicle width direction, that is, to extend in the vehicle width direction. In the fourth embodiment, the inflator 35 has two gas ejection portions 36a and 36b having different gas ejection amounts at two different locations (both left and right end portions) in the axial direction, as in the third embodiment. Is used. In the inflator 35, the amount of gas generated per unit time is set such that more gas is ejected from the right gas ejection part 36b than from the left gas ejection part 36a.

  In the inflator 35 having the above-described configuration, the left gas ejection portion 36 a is inserted into the first expansion portion 32 through the opening 32 c provided in the first expansion portion 32. The first inflating portion 32 is fastened and fixed to the inflator 35 by a fastener (not shown) in the vicinity of the opening 32c. Similarly, the right gas ejection part 36 b is inserted into the second expansion part 34 through an opening 34 a provided in the second expansion part 34. The second inflating part 34 is fastened and fixed to the inflator 35 by a fastener (not shown) in the vicinity of the opening 34a. By these tightening and fixing, the gas in the first inflatable portion 32 is restricted from leaking out of the first inflatable portion 32 through the opening 32c, and the gas in the second inflatable portion 34 is second inflated through the opening 34a. Leakage to the outside of the portion 34 is restricted.

  The configuration other than the above is the same as that of the third embodiment. In the occupant protection device according to the fourth embodiment having the above-described configuration, an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied from the right side to the body side portion 13 of the vehicle 11 due to a side collision or the like, and this is detected by the impact sensor 41. Based on the detection signal, a drive current is output from the control device 42 to the inflator 35. By heating based on this driving current, each gas generating agent in each of the left and right accommodation chambers 37a, 37b of the inflator 35 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas. Gas is jetted and supplied from the left gas jetting part 36 a into the first expansion part 32. Further, more gas is ejected from the right gas ejection portion 36b into the second expansion portion 34 than from the left gas ejection portion 36a. The first expansion portion 32 expands due to the ejection of these gases, and the second expansion portion 34 expands with an internal pressure higher than that of the first expansion portion 32. Therefore, the seat portion 15 is raised higher than when the second inflating portion 34 is inflated with a pressure comparable to that of the first inflating portion 32 or when the second inflating portion 34 is inflated with a lower pressure than the first inflating portion 32. The thigh Pt of the occupant P is strongly pressed inward and upward in the width direction of the seat 15, and the body of the occupant P is reliably tilted inward in the width direction of the seat 15.

Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment, the same effects as (1), (3), (4), and (7) in the third embodiment can be obtained.
(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In 5th Embodiment, the position of the 2nd expansion part in the seat part 15 differs from 1st Embodiment. The 2nd expansion part 33 in 5th Embodiment is the front side of the 1st expansion part 32, Comprising: It arrange | positions only inside the vehicle width direction. The first inflating portion 32 is connected in communication with the second inflating portion 33 at the inner end in the vehicle width direction, so that gas can flow between the first inflating portion 32 and the second inflating portion 33. Has been. The first embodiment is that the rear airbag 31 is formed so that the second inflating part 33 is higher than the first inflating part 32 when both the first inflating part 32 and the second inflating part 33 are inflated. It is the same as the form.

  Moreover, in 5th Embodiment, it replaces with the said side airbag 21 and the inflator 22, and the gas is injected to the side airbag 51 and one edge part in the left side part (inner side part about a vehicle width direction) of the seat part 15. An inflator 52 having a portion 53 is incorporated. The side airbag 51 has the same configuration as the side airbag 21 described above, but here, in order to simplify the description, a type in which the internal space is not partitioned is illustrated. When the side airbag 51 is inflated and deployed, the side airbag 51 has a size and shape that can cover a wide area from the waist Pw to the chest Pc of the occupant P seated on the vehicle seat 14. The inflator 52 has the same configuration as that of the inflator 22 in the side airbag 21 and is arranged at the lower end of the deployed side airbag 51.

  As described above, the side airbag 51 having the inflator 52 at the lower end is made compact by being folded and accommodated in the left side portion (inner side in the vehicle width direction) of the seat portion 15. The inflator 52 is fastened to a frame (not shown) in the seat portion 15 together with the lower end portion of the side airbag 51.

  Further, instead of the impact sensor 41, the left body side portion (not shown) includes an acceleration sensor or the like, and an impact sensor 43 for detecting an impact applied from the left side to the body side portion is provided. Yes. The impact sensor 43 and both inflators 35 and 52 are electrically connected to the control device 42. The control device 42 controls the operation of the inflators 35 and 52 based on the detection signal from the impact sensor 43.

  The occupant protection device of the fifth embodiment is configured as described above. As shown in FIG. 11, in a state where the occupant P is seated on the vehicle seat 14, the second inflating portion 33 of the rear airbag 31 is in the vicinity below the left thigh Pt of the occupant P and the seat portion 15. Is located on the inner side (left side) of the thigh Pt in the width direction.

  In the occupant protection device, an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied from the left side to the left body side portion of the vehicle 11 due to a side collision or the like, and when this is detected by the impact sensor 43, control is performed based on the detection signal. A drive current is output from the device 42 to each of the inflators 35 and 52. The direction in which an impact is applied to the vehicle 11 here is the vehicle width direction (side) and the side (left side) where the second expansion portion 33 in the seat portion 15 is disposed.

  Due to the heating based on the drive current to the inflator 35 in the rear airbag 31, the gas generating agent in the inflator 35 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas. This gas is jetted and supplied from the gas jetting part 36 into the rear airbag 31 so that the first inflating part 32 and the second inflating part 33 are inflated together.

  If the 1st expansion part 32 expand | swells, the part above the 1st expansion part 32 will be raised in the seat part 15 in connection with it, and the passenger | crew's P collar part Ph will be pressed upwards. Further, when the second inflating portion 33 is inflated, the upper portion of the seat portion 15 above the second inflating portion 33 is raised, and the left thigh Pt of the occupant P is outward in the vehicle width direction. And pressed upward. By these presses, the part corresponding to the thigh part Pt and the heel part Ph in the seating surface of the seat part 15 is inclined so as to become higher toward the center side in the vehicle width direction. The seat portion 15 is inclined toward the outside in the width direction (the body side portion 13 side). The occupant P is tilted more reliably than when the first inflatable portion 32 is not provided and the entire body is not lifted. The direction in which the occupant P is inclined is the front in the direction in which the impact is transmitted, that is, the direction to escape from the impact.

  Further, by heating based on the drive current to the inflator 52 in the side airbag 51, the gas generating agent in the inflator 52 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas. By this gas, the side airbag 51 is inflated while canceling the folded state, and the planned breakage portion (not shown) in the seat portion 15 is broken. Subsequently, the side airbag 51 is inflated and deployed upward from the seat portion 15 to the vehicle seat 14 on the left side.

  Therefore, an impact is applied to the left body side part from the left side, and accordingly, the passenger (passenger) seated in the next (left side) vehicle seat (passenger seat) is transferred to the right side vehicle seat 14 (driver's seat). ) Is moved by the side airbag 51 inflated and deployed. At that time, the impact applied to the side airbag 51 from the passenger is transmitted to the occupant P. A part of the impact is absorbed by the side airbag 51 during the transmission, and the impact transmitted to the occupant P is reduced.

  At this time, as described above, the occupant P tilts inward in the width direction of the seat portion 15 (in the direction away from the side airbag 51 in the width direction of the seat portion 15) while the entire body is lifted by the expansion of the rear airbag 31. It has been. Therefore, the impact transmitted to the passenger P via the side airbag 51 is effectively reduced.

  According to the fifth embodiment, although the position of the second inflating portion 33 in the rear airbag 31 and the position of the side airbag 51 in the vehicle seat 14 are changed, the rear airbag 31 allows the occupant P to escape from the impact. The point of tilting in the direction is the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, even when an impact is applied from the center side in the vehicle width direction, the same effects as (1) to (4) in the first embodiment are obtained.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the seat belt device 56 will be described. Although not described in the first embodiment, the vehicle 11 is equipped with a three-point seat belt device 56 for restraining the occupant P seated on the vehicle seat 14. The seat belt device 56 is disposed in the vicinity of one side of the belt-like webbing 57, the tongue 58 attached to the webbing 57 so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, and one of the vehicle seats 14 (inward in the vehicle width direction). And a buckle 59 to which the tongue 58 is detachably attached. One end portion of the webbing 57 is fixed to the other side surface of the vehicle seat 14 (closer to the right side body side portion 13), and the other end portion is fixed to a belt winding device (not shown). Yes. The lengths of the shoulder belt portion 61 and the lap belt portion 62 can be changed by sliding the tongue 58 with respect to the webbing 57. Here, the shoulder belt portion 61 is bridged from the shoulder portion Ps of the occupant P to the side of the waist portion Pw obliquely from the shoulder portion Ps of the occupant P between the tongue 58 and the belt winding device. This is a place where the shoulder portion Ps of the occupant P is restrained. Further, the lap belt portion 62 is bridged from one side of the waist portion Pw of the occupant P in the webbing 57 to the other side in front of the waist portion Pw in the vehicle width direction, and ends of the tongue 58 and the webbing 57. It is the location which restrains the passenger | crew's P waist | hip | lumbar part Pw in between.

  In the vehicle 11 equipped with the seat belt device 56 as described above, in the sixth embodiment, the front airbag 66 and the inflator 67 are incorporated in the front portion of the seat portion 15. The front airbag 66 is incorporated in a non-inflated state at a location in the seat portion 15 and spaced forward from the rear airbag 31. This portion is substantially below the knee portion Pk of the occupant P when the occupant P is seated on the vehicle seat 14. The front airbag 66 has an elongated shape in the vehicle width direction. The inflator 67 has a substantially cylindrical shape elongated in the vehicle width direction, has a gas ejection portion 68 at one end, and is disposed in the front airbag 66. The front airbag 66 is made compact in the front-rear direction by being folded and accommodated in the front portion of the seat portion 15. The inflator 67 is fastened to a frame (not shown) in the seat portion 15 together with the lower end portion of the front airbag 66.

  In addition to the impact sensor 41, an impact sensor 44 that includes an acceleration sensor or the like and detects an impact applied to the vehicle 11 from the front due to a front collision or the like is provided at the front of the vehicle 11. The impact sensors 41, 44 and the inflators 22, 35, 67 are electrically connected to the control device 42, respectively. The control device 42 controls the operation of each inflator 22, 35, 67 based on the detection signal from each impact sensor 41, 44.

  Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the passenger protection device of the sixth embodiment having such a configuration, when an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the vehicle 11 from the front due to a front collision or the like, and this is detected by the impact sensor 44, control is performed based on the detection signal. A drive current is output from the device 42 to the inflator 67. Due to the heating based on this driving current, the gas generating agent in the inflator 67 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas, and the gas is jetted and supplied from the gas jetting portion 68 into the front airbag 66.

  By this gas, the front airbag 66 is expanded in the seat portion 15 while the folded state is eliminated. Along with this, a portion above the front airbag 66 is raised at the front portion of the seat portion 15, and a portion near the back side of the thigh portion Pt of the occupant P is pushed up from the knee portion Pk. By this push-up, movement of the occupant P to the front of the waist Pw is restricted.

Therefore, according to the sixth embodiment, in addition to the same effects as (1) to (4) in the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(8) A front airbag 66 is incorporated in the front portion of the seat portion 15 in a non-inflated state, and gas is injected and supplied from the inflator 67 into the front airbag 66 in response to an impact from the front on the vehicle 11. 66 is inflated to raise the front. Therefore, when a forward impact is applied to the vehicle 11 due to a frontal collision or the like, the forward movement of the waist Pw of the occupant P is restricted, and the waist Pw comes out of the lap belt 62 of the seat belt device 56 and moves forward. (Submarine phenomenon) can be suppressed.

(Seventh embodiment)
Next, a seventh embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.

  The seventh embodiment is significantly different from the sixth embodiment in that gas is selectively ejected and supplied from a common inflator 71 to the rear airbag 31 and the front airbag 66 to be inflated. .

  The inflator 71 is disposed outside each of the rear airbag 31 and the front airbag 66. In the seventh embodiment, the inflator 71 is disposed in the seat portion 15 and between the rear airbag 31 and the front airbag 66. A gas supply path 73 is connected to the gas ejection portion 72 of the inflator 71. The gas supply path 73 is formed with a branch path 74 that branches in opposite directions (up and down directions in FIG. 16). One end (the upper end in the figure) of this branch path 74 is closed. A front airbag 66 is connected to a position above the gas supply path 73 in the branch path 74 via a first communication path 75. As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 16A, the gas supply path 73, the branch path 74, and the first communication path 75 communicate the gas ejection portion 72 of the inflator 71 and the front airbag 66 to each other. A first supply path 76 for supplying the gas ejected from 71 to the front airbag 66 is configured.

  The rear airbag 31 is connected to a position below the gas supply path 73 in the branch path 74 via a second communication path 77 that is a different path from the first communication path 75. As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 16B, the gas supply path 73, the branch path 74, and the second communication path 77 communicate the gas ejection part 72 of the inflator 71 and the rear airbag 31 with each other. A second supply path 78 for supplying the gas ejected from 71 to the rear airbag 31 is configured.

  A micro gas generator (hereinafter referred to as MGG) 79 is connected to the opening at the lower end of the branch path 74 that constitutes a part of each of the first supply path 76 and the second supply path 78. The MGG 79 is a device that ignites and generates gas when a predetermined signal is input, and the gas generated from the MGG 79 is ejected to the branch path 74 side. A piston 80 that moves in the branch path 74 using a gas generated from the MGG 79 as a drive source is disposed in the branch path 74 on the upper end surface of the MGG 79.

  As shown in FIG. 16A, in a state where the MGG 79 is not ignited and no gas is generated, the piston 80 is positioned on the upper end surface of the MGG 79, and the opening on the branch path 74 side of the second communication path 77. Is closed. Therefore, in a state where the MGG 79 is not ignited and no gas is generated, the gas supply path 73 and the first communication path 75 communicate with each other via the branch path 74, while the gas supply path 73 and the second communication path 75 The communication passage 77 is not in communication. That is, the inflator 71 communicates with the front airbag 66 via the first supply path 76, while the inflator 71 and the rear airbag 31 are not communicated.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16B, when the MGG 79 is ignited and gas is generated, the piston 80 moves upward in the branch path 74 using gas as a drive source and is fixed to the upper side in the branch path 74. It has come to be. At this time, the piston 80 closes the opening of the first communication path 75 on the branch path 74 side. Therefore, in a state where the MGG 79 is ignited and gas is generated, the gas supply path 73 and the first communication path 75 are not in communication with each other, while the gas supply path 73 and the second communication path 77 pass through the branch path 74. Communicated through. That is, the inflator 71 communicates with the rear airbag 31 via the second supply path 78, while the inflator 71 and the front airbag 66 are not in communication.

  As described above, the piston 80 moves in the branch path 74 using the gas generated from the MGG 79 as a drive source, and connects the supply path communicating with the inflator 71 between the first supply path 76 and the second supply path 78. It has a function to switch to either. The branch path 74, the first communication path 75, the second communication path 77, the MGG 79, and the piston 80 switch the supply destination of the gas generated from the inflator 71 to one of the front airbag 66 and the rear airbag 31. First switching means 81 is configured.

  The first switching means 81 normally (in the initial setting state of the occupant protection device and in a state where the MGG 79 is not ignited) opens the first supply path 76 and uses the front airbag 66 as the gas supply destination. . The first switching means 81 switches the gas supply destination from the front airbag 66 to the rear airbag 31 by the movement of the piston 80 when the MGG 79 is ignited.

  The common inflator 71 and the MGG 79 in the first switching means 81 are electrically connected to the control device 42. The control device 42 controls the operation of the inflators 22 and 71 and the operation of the MGG 79 based on the detection signals from the impact sensors 41 and 44. In controlling the operation of the MGG 79, when the information related to the front collision is input by the impact sensor 44, the control device 42 determines that the gas supply destination is the front airbag 66 and does not ignite the MGG 79. Further, when the information related to the side collision is input by the impact sensor 41, the control device 42 determines that the gas supply destination is the rear airbag 31, and ignites the MGG 79. As described above, the control device 42 controls the MGG 79 based on the information related to the collision (front collision or side collision), and controls the first switching means 81.

  Other configurations are the same as those in the sixth embodiment. In the occupant protection device of the seventh embodiment having such a configuration, when a shock of a predetermined value or more is applied from the front to the vehicle 11 due to a front collision or the like, and when this is detected by the impact sensor 44, in the control device 42, It is determined that the gas supply destination is the front airbag 66. A drive current is output from the control device 42 to the inflator 71. By heating based on this drive current, the gas generating agent in the inflator 71 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas.

  Further, a command signal for igniting this is not output from the control device 42 to the MGG 79, and the MGG 79 is not ignited. In the first switching means 81, as shown in FIG. 16A, the piston 80 does not move, the gas supply destination is not switched, and the first supply path 76 is maintained open. . Therefore, the gas generated from the inflator 71 is supplied into the front airbag 66 through the first supply path 76. The front airbag 66 is inflated by this gas, and accordingly, a portion above the front airbag 66 is raised at the front portion of the seat portion 15, and behind the knee portion Pk in the thigh portion Pt of the occupant P. The part near the side is pushed up. By this push-up, movement of the occupant P to the front of the waist Pw is restricted.

At this time, no gas is supplied from the inflator 22 to the rear airbag 31, and the rear airbag 31 does not expand.
On the other hand, when a shock of a predetermined value or more is applied from the right side to the body side portion 13 on the right side of the vehicle 11 due to a side collision or the like, and this is detected by the impact sensor 41, the control device 42 supplies gas. It is determined that the tip is the rear airbag 31. A command signal for igniting this is output from the control device 42 to the MGG 79. In response to this command signal, ignition is performed by the MGG 79. In the first switching means 81, as shown in FIG. 16B, the piston 80 is moved by the gas generated from the MGG 79, and the gas supply destination is changed from the first supply path 76 to the second supply path 78. Can be switched.

  Further, a drive current is output from the control device 42 to the inflator 71 with a slight delay from the ignition of the MGG 79. By heating based on this drive current, the gas generating agent in the inflator 71 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas. This gas is supplied into the rear airbag 31 through the second supply path 78. The rear airbag 31 is inflated by this gas, and the upper portion of the seat portion 15 above the rear airbag 31 is raised upward. Accordingly, the occupant P is tilted toward the inside (center side) in the vehicle width direction of the seat 15 while the whole body is lifted. At this time, no gas is supplied from the inflator 71 to the front airbag 66, and the front airbag 66 does not expand.

  At this time, a drive current is output from the control device 42 to the inflator 22 based on the detection signal from the impact sensor 41. Due to the heating based on this driving current, the gas generating agent in the inflator 22 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas, and the gas is jetted and supplied from the gas jetting portion 28 into the side airbag 21. With this gas, the side airbag 21 is inflated and deployed forward between the occupant P and the right body side portion 13.

Therefore, according to the seventh embodiment, in addition to the same effects as (1) to (4) and (8) in the sixth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(9) The rear airbag 31 and the front airbag 66 are respectively connected to the gas ejection portion 72 of the inflator 71, and the first switching means 81 is provided in the gas flow path. Then, based on the detection signals from the impact sensors 41 and 44, the MGG 79 in the first switching means 81 is controlled so that the gas generated from the inflator 71 is supplied to only one of the rear airbag 31 and the front airbag 66. I am trying to supply. Therefore, only the necessary airbags 31 and 66 can be selectively inflated according to the direction of impact applied to the vehicle 11.

  Further, the rear airbag 31 and the front airbag 66 can be inflated only by using one inflator 71. Therefore, the number of parts and the number of assembling steps of the occupant protection device can be reduced and the weight can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which the rear airbag 31 and the front airbag 66 each require an inflator. it can.

(Eighth embodiment)
Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The eighth embodiment differs from the sixth embodiment in that the second inflating portion 33, the side airbag 51, and the inflator 52 thereof in the rear airbag 31 are provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. .

  Specifically, the second inflating portion 33 is disposed only inside the seat portion 15 and in the vehicle width direction. The first inflating portion 32 is connected in communication with the second inflating portion 33 at the inner end in the vehicle width direction, so that gas can flow between the first inflating portion 32 and the second inflating portion 33. Has been. Similar to the first embodiment, the rear airbag 31 is formed so that the second inflation portion 33 is higher than the first inflation portion 32 when the rear airbag 31 is inflated.

  Further, the side airbag 51 and the inflator 52 are incorporated in the left side portion (inner side portion in the vehicle width direction) of the seat portion 15. The side airbag 51 has a size and a shape that can cover a wide region from the waist Pw to the chest Pc of the occupant P seated on the vehicle seat 14 when inflated and deployed. The side airbag 21 and the inflator 22 are not incorporated in the right side portion (the outer side portion in the vehicle width direction) of the seat portion 15.

  The side airbag 51 covering the inflator 52 is made compact by being folded, and is accommodated in the left side portion (inner side portion in the vehicle width direction) of the seat portion 15. The inflator 52 is fastened to a frame (not shown) in the seat portion 15 together with the lower end portion of the side airbag 51.

  Further, instead of the impact sensor 41, the left body side portion includes an acceleration sensor or the like, and is provided with an impact sensor 43 that detects an impact applied to the body side portion from the left side. The impact sensors 43 and 44 and the inflators 35, 52 and 67 are electrically connected to the control device 42. The control device 42 controls the operation of each inflator 35, 52, 67 based on the detection signals from the impact sensors 43, 44.

  Other configurations are the same as those in the sixth embodiment. In the occupant protection device according to the eighth embodiment having such a configuration, an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied from the left side to the left side body portion of the vehicle 11 due to a side collision or the like, and this is detected by the impact sensor 43. Then, a drive current is output from the control device 42 to each of the inflators 35 and 52 based on the detection signal. The direction in which the impact is applied to the vehicle 11 here is the vehicle width direction (side), which is the side where the second inflating portion 33 in the seat portion 15 is disposed.

  Due to the heating based on the drive current to the inflator 35 in the rear airbag 31, the gas generating agent in the inflator 35 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas. This gas is jetted and supplied from the gas jetting part 36 into the rear airbag 31, and the first inflating part 32 and the second inflating part 33 are both inflated. Due to these expansions, the upper portion of the seat portion 15 above the rear airbag 31 is raised, and the occupant P faces the outside of the seat portion 15 in the width direction (the body side portion 13 side) while the whole body is lifted. Tilted.

  Further, due to heating based on the drive current to the inflator 52 in the side airbag 51, the gas generating agent in the inflator 52 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas. By this gas, the side airbag 51 is inflated while eliminating the folded state, and breaks a portion to be broken (not shown) in the seat portion 15. Subsequently, the side airbag 51 is inflated and deployed upward from the seat portion 15.

  Therefore, an impact is applied to the left body side part from the outside, and accordingly, the passenger sitting on the left vehicle seat (passenger seat) faces the right vehicle seat 14 (driver's seat) side. When it moves, it is received by the inflated and deployed side airbag 51. At that time, the impact applied to the side airbag 51 from the passenger is transmitted to the occupant P. A part of the impact is absorbed by the side airbag 51 during the transmission, and the impact transmitted to the occupant P is reduced.

  At this time, as described above, the occupant P tilts inward in the width direction of the seat portion 15 (in the direction away from the side airbag 51 in the width direction of the seat portion 15) while the entire body is lifted by the expansion of the rear airbag 31. It has been. Therefore, the impact transmitted to the passenger P via the side airbag 51 is effectively reduced.

  On the other hand, when an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the vehicle 11 from the front due to a front collision or the like, and this is detected by the impact sensor 44, a driving current is supplied from the control device 42 to each inflator 67 based on the detection signal. Is output. Due to the heating based on the driving current, the gas generating agent in the inflator 67 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas, and the gas is jetted and supplied from the gas jetting portion 68 into the front airbag 66.

  By this gas, the front airbag 66 is expanded in the seat portion 15 while the folded state is eliminated. Along with this, a portion above the front airbag 66 is raised at the front portion of the seat portion 15, and a rear vicinity portion is pushed up from the knee portion Pk in the thigh Pt of the occupant P. By this push-up, movement of the occupant P to the front of the waist Pw is restricted.

Therefore, according to the eighth embodiment, the effect obtained by combining the fifth and sixth embodiments described above, that is, the same effect as the above (1) to (4), (8) can be obtained.
As shown in FIG. 18, as in the seventh embodiment, gas is selectively ejected from the common inflator 71 by the first switching means 81 to the rear airbag 31 and the front airbag 66. And may be inflated. In this case, the same effect as (9) in the seventh embodiment can be obtained.

(Ninth embodiment)
Next, a ninth embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the ninth embodiment, a side airbag 21 and an inflator 22 for injecting and supplying gas into the side airbag 21 are incorporated in the right side portion (the outer side in the vehicle width direction) of the backrest portion 16. . In addition, a side airbag 51 and an inflator 52 for injecting and supplying gas into the side airbag 51 are incorporated in the left side portion (inner side in the vehicle width direction) of the seat portion 15.

  Further, an impact sensor 41 for detecting an impact applied to the body side portion 13 from the right side is provided on the right body side portion 13 of the vehicle 11. Similarly, an impact sensor 43 for detecting an impact applied to the body side portion from the left side is provided on the left body side portion.

Both the inflators 22 and 52 and the both impact sensors 41 and 43 are electrically connected to a control device 42.
The rear airbag 31 includes a first inflating portion 32 and two second inflating portions 33 and 34. The first expansion portion 32 is a rear end portion in the seat portion 15 and extends in the width direction of the seat portion 15. Both the second inflating portions 33 and 34 are provided at two portions in the width direction inside the seat portion 15 and spaced apart from the first inflating portion 32 to the side. Both the second inflating portions 33 and 34 extend forward from the first inflating portion 32. The inflator 35 that supplies gas to the rear airbag 31 is disposed in the seat portion 15 at a location different from the first inflatable portion 32 and the second inflatable portions 33 and 34. In this structure, since the 1st expansion part 32 and both the 2nd expansion parts 33 and 34 are mutually spaced apart, it is possible to supply and expand separately.

  In order to eject and supply gas from one inflator 35 to the first inflating portion 32 and selectively eject and supply gas to one of the second inflating portions 33 and 34, the following configuration is adopted.

  A gas supply path 83 is connected to the gas ejection portion 36 of the inflator 35. The first expansion portion 32 is connected to the gas supply path 83 via the third communication path 84. 20A, the gas supply path 83 and the third communication path 84 communicate with the gas ejection part 36 of the inflator 35 and the first expansion part 32 and are ejected from the inflator 35. The third supply path 85 is configured to supply the gas to the first expansion portion 32.

  Further, a branch path 86 that branches in directions opposite to each other (vertical direction in FIG. 20) is formed on the downstream side of the third communication path 84 of the gas supply path 83. One end (the upper end in FIG. 20) of this branch path 86 is closed. The left second inflating portion 33 is connected to a position above the gas supply path 83 in the branch path 86 via a fourth communication path 87. As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 20A, the gas supply path 83, the branch path 86, and the fourth communication path 87 communicate the gas ejection part 36 of the inflator 35 with the second expansion part 33 on the left side. And the 4th supply path 88 which supplies the gas injected from the inflator 35 to the said 2nd expansion part 33 is comprised.

  In the branch path 86, the second expansion section 34 on the right side is connected to a position below the gas supply path 83 via a fifth communication path 89 that is a different path from the fourth communication path 87. . As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 20B, the gas supply path 83, the branch path 86, and the fifth communication path 89 communicate the gas ejection part 36 of the inflator 35 with the second expansion part 34 on the right side. In addition, a fifth supply path 90 for supplying the gas ejected from the inflator 35 to the second inflating portion 34 is configured.

  The opening at the lower end of the branch path 86 constituting each part of the fourth supply path 88 and the fifth supply path 90 has the same configuration as the MGG 79, and gas is supplied to the branch path 86 side. A jetting micro gas generator (hereinafter referred to as MGG) 91 is connected. A piston 92 that moves in the branch path 86 using a gas generated from the MGG 91 as a drive source is disposed in the branch path 86 on the upper end surface of the MGG 91.

  As shown in FIG. 20 (a), when the MGG 91 is not ignited and no gas is generated, the piston 92 is positioned on the upper end surface of the MGG 91, and the opening on the branch path 86 side of the fifth communication path 89. Is closed. Therefore, in a state where the MGG 91 is not ignited and no gas is generated, the gas supply path 83 and the fourth communication path 87 communicate with each other via the branch path 86, while the gas supply path 83 and the fifth communication path 87 The communication passage 89 is not in communication. In other words, the inflator 35 communicates with the left second inflatable portion 33 via the fourth supply path 88, while the inflator 35 and the right second inflatable portion 34 do not communicate with each other.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 20B, when the MGG 91 is ignited and gas is generated, the piston 92 moves upward in the branch path 86 using gas as a drive source and is fixed to the upper side in the branch path 86. It has come to be. At this time, the piston 92 closes the opening on the branch path 86 side of the fourth communication path 87. Therefore, in a state where the MGG 91 is ignited and gas is generated, the gas supply path 83 and the fourth communication path 87 are not in communication with each other, while the gas supply path 83 and the fifth communication path 89 pass through the branch path 86. Communicated through. That is, the inflator 35 communicates with the right second inflatable portion 34 via the fifth supply path 90, while the inflator 35 and the left second inflatable portion 33 are not in communication.

  As described above, the piston 92 moves in the branch path 86 using the gas generated from the MGG 91 as a drive source, and connects the supply path communicating with the inflator 35 to the fourth supply path 88 and the fifth supply path 90. It has a function to switch to either. The branch path 86, the fourth communication path 87, the fifth communication path 89, the MGG 91, and the piston 92 are supplied to the right second expansion section 34 and the left second expansion section with respect to the supply destination of the gas generated from the inflator 35. The second switching means 93 for switching to any one of 33 is configured.

  The second switching means 93 is normally (in the initial setting state of the occupant protection device and the MGG 91 is not ignited) by opening the fourth supply path 88 and setting the gas supply destination to the left second expansion section. 33. When the MGG 91 is ignited, the second switching means 93 switches the gas supply destination from the left second expansion section 33 to the right second expansion section 34 by the movement of the piston 92. .

  The impact sensors 41 and 43, the inflators 22, 35 and 52, and the MGG 91 are electrically connected to the control device 42. The control device 42 controls the operation of each inflator 22, 35, 52 based on the detection signal from each impact sensor 41, 43 and also controls the operation of the MGG 91 in the second switching means 93. When controlling the operation of the MGG 91, when the control device 42 inputs information related to a side collision from the left side of the vehicle 11 by the impact sensor 43, the control device 42 determines the gas supply destination as the first expansion unit 32 and the left side. It determines with the 2nd expansion part 33, and does not ignite MGG91. In addition, when the control device 42 inputs information related to a side collision from the right side with respect to the vehicle 11 by the impact sensor 41, the control device 42 sets the gas supply destination to the first expansion unit 32 and the second expansion unit 34 on the right side. And MGG91 is ignited. As described above, the control device 42 controls the MGG 91 based on the side collision and the information related to the direction, and controls the operation of the second switching means 93.

  The configuration other than the above is the same as that of the first and fifth embodiments. In the occupant protection device of the ninth embodiment having such a configuration, an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied from the left side to the left body side portion of the vehicle 11 due to a side collision or the like, and this is detected by the impact sensor 43. Then, the control device 42 determines that the gas supply destination is the first expansion unit 32 and the second expansion unit 33 on the left side. A drive current is output from the control device 42 to the inflator 35. Due to the heating based on the driving current, the gas generating agent in the inflator 35 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas.

  Further, a command signal for igniting this is not output from the control device 42 to the MGG 91, and the MGG 91 is not ignited. In the second switching means 93, as shown in FIG. 20A, the piston 92 does not move, the gas supply destination is not switched, and the fourth supply path 88 is maintained open. . Therefore, the gas generated in the inflator 35 is supplied to the first inflating part 32 through the third supply path 85 and is supplied into the second inflating part 33 on the left side through the fourth supply path 88. The gas causes the first inflatable portion 32 and the left second inflatable portion 33 of the rear airbag 31 to inflate, and the upper portion of the seat portion 15 above the rear airbag 31 is raised upward. Accordingly, the occupant is tilted toward the outside in the vehicle width direction of the seat portion 15 (the body side portion 13 side) while the entire body is lifted.

  A drive current is output from the control device 42 to the inflator 52 based on the detection signal from the impact sensor 43. Due to the heating based on the driving current, the gas generating agent in the inflator 52 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas, and the gas is ejected and supplied from the gas ejecting portion 53 into the side airbag 51. By this gas, the side airbag 51 is inflated while eliminating the folded state, and breaks a portion to be broken (not shown) in the seat portion 15. Subsequently, the side airbag 51 is inflated and deployed upward between the seat portion 15 and the adjacent vehicle seat.

  On the other hand, when a shock of a predetermined value or more is applied from the right side to the body side portion 13 on the right side of the vehicle 11 due to a side collision or the like, and this is detected by the impact sensor 41, the control device 42 It is determined that the supply destination is the first expansion unit 32 and the second expansion unit 34 on the right side. A command signal for igniting this is output from the control device 42 to the MGG 91. Ignition is performed by the MGG 91 in response to this command signal. In the second switching means 93, as shown in FIG. 20B, the piston 92 is moved by the gas generated from the MGG 91, and the supply destination of the gas is changed from the second expansion section 33 on the left side to the second expansion section on the right side. 34.

  Further, a drive current is output from the control device 42 to the inflator 35 slightly after the ignition of the MGG 91. Due to the heating based on the driving current, the gas generating agent in the inflator 35 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas. This gas is supplied to the first inflatable section 32 through the third supply path 85 and is supplied into the right second inflatable section 34 through the fifth supply path 90. The gas inflates both the first inflatable portion 32 and the second inflatable portion 34 on the right side of the front airbag 66, and causes the upper portion of the seat portion 15 to rise above the first inflatable portion 32 and the second inflatable portion 34. It is done. Accordingly, the occupant P is tilted toward the inside (center side) in the vehicle width direction of the seat 15 while the whole body is lifted.

  In addition, a drive current is output from the control device 42 to the inflator 22 based on the detection signal from the impact sensor 41. Due to the heating based on this driving current, the gas generating agent in the inflator 22 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas, and the gas is jetted and supplied from the gas jetting portion 28 into the side airbag 21. With this gas, the side airbag 21 is inflated and deployed forward between the occupant P and the right body side portion 13.

Therefore, according to the ninth embodiment, in addition to the same effects as (1) to (3) in the first and fifth embodiments, the following effects can be obtained.
(10) The rear airbag 31 is provided at two locations, the first inflatable portion 32 extending in the width direction of the seat portion 15 and the both sides in the width direction in the seat portion 15, each separated from the first inflatable portion 32. The two second inflating portions 33 and 34 are configured. The first expansion section 32 and the second expansion sections 33 and 34 are respectively connected to the gas ejection section 36 of the inflator 35, and the second switching means 93 is provided in the gas flow path. Then, by controlling the operation of the MGG 91 in the second switching means 93, when the rear airbag 31 is inflated, the gas is supplied to the first inflatable portion 32, and among the second inflatable portions 33 and 34, The gas is selectively supplied only to the second inflating portion 33 (or 34) at a location corresponding to the direction of impact applied to the vehicle 11 from the side. Therefore, the first inflating part 32 is inflated by supplying these gases, and only the second inflating part 33 (or 34) at a location corresponding to the direction of the impact among the two inflating parts 33 and 34 can be inflated. In addition, even when an impact is applied to the vehicle 11 from the left side or from the left side, the occupant P can be reliably tilted to the side away from the impact.

  Further, the first inflating portion 32 and one of the left and right second inflating portions 33 and 34 can be inflated only by using one inflator 35. Therefore, the number of parts and assembly man-hours of the occupant protection device can be reduced and the weight can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which the first inflating portion 32 and the left and right second inflating portions 33 and 34 require inflators. Can be reduced in weight.

(10th Embodiment)
Next, a tenth embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the tenth embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the ninth embodiment, a front airbag 66 is incorporated in the front portion in the seat portion 15. Further, an impact sensor 44 for detecting an impact applied from the front to the vehicle 11 due to a front collision or the like is provided at the front portion of the vehicle 11.

  The gas from one inflator 96 is selectively supplied to either the rear airbag 31 or the front airbag 66, and when the rear airbag 31 is inflated, the gas is supplied to the first inflating portion 32, and both In order to selectively supply gas to one of the two expansion portions 33 and 34, the following switching means is employed.

  In this switching means, the first switching means 81 in the seventh embodiment and the second switching means 93 in the ninth embodiment are combined. In this combination, the gas supply path 83 in the second switching means 93 is connected to the second communication path 77 in the first switching means 81, so that both the switching means 81 and 93 are connected to each other. Therefore, in the switching means, portions corresponding to the first switching means 81 and the second switching means 93 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the configuration is omitted.

  The impact sensors 41, 43, 44, the inflators 22, 52, 96, and the MGGs 79, 91 are electrically connected to the control device 42, respectively. The control device 42 controls the operations of the inflators 22, 52, 96 based on the detection signals from the impact sensors 41, 43, 44 and controls the operations of the MGGs 79, 91.

  In the occupant protection device of the tenth embodiment having such a configuration, when a shock of a predetermined value or more is applied from the front to the vehicle 11 due to a front collision or the like, and when this is detected by the impact sensor 44, in the control device 42, It is determined that the gas supply destination is the front airbag 66. A drive current is output from the control device 42 to the inflator 96. By heating based on this driving current, the gas generating agent in the inflator 96 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas.

  Further, a command signal for igniting this is not output from the control device 42 to the MGG 79, and the MGG 79 is not ignited. In the first switching means 81, as shown in FIG. 22, the piston 80 does not move, the gas supply destination is not switched, and the first supply path 76 is kept open. Therefore, the gas generated in the inflator 96 is supplied into the front airbag 66 through the first supply path 76. The front airbag 66 is inflated by this gas, and accordingly, a portion above the front airbag 66 is raised at the front portion of the seat portion 15, and behind the knee portion Pk in the thigh portion Pt of the occupant P. The part near the side is pushed up. By this push-up, movement of the occupant P to the front of the waist Pw is restricted.

  At this time, no gas is supplied from the inflator 96 to the rear airbag 31, and the rear airbag 31 does not expand. Further, no gas is supplied from the inflators 22 and 52 to the side airbags 21 and 51, and the side airbags 21 and 51 are not inflated.

  On the other hand, an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied from the left side (or right side) to the left (or right) body side portion of the vehicle 11 due to a side collision or the like, and this is detected by the impact sensor 43 (or 41). Then, the control device 42 determines that the gas supply destination is the rear airbag 31. A command signal for igniting this is output from the control device 42 to the MGG 79 in the first switching means 81. In response to this command signal, ignition is performed by the MGG 79 and the piston 80 is moved. By this movement, the gas supply destination is switched from the first supply path 76 to the third to fifth supply paths 85, 88 and 90.

  Further, when the impact detected as described above is from the left side with respect to the vehicle 11, in the control device 42, the gas supply destination is the first expansion portion 32 and the left second expansion portion 33. Is determined. A drive current is output from the control device 42 to the inflator 96. By heating based on this driving current, the gas generating agent in the inflator 96 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas.

  Further, a command signal for igniting this is not output from the control device 42 to the MGG 91 in the second switching means 93, and the MGG 91 is not ignited. In the second switching means 93, as shown in FIG. 23, the piston 92 does not move, the gas supply destination is not switched, and the fourth supply path 88 is maintained open. Therefore, the gas generated in the inflator 96 is guided to the gas supply path 83 via the second supply path 78. The gas is supplied to the first inflating part 32 through the third supply path 85 and is supplied into the second inflating part 33 on the left side through the fourth supply path 88. Due to this gas, the first inflatable portion 32 and the left second inflatable portion 33 of the rear airbag 31 are inflated, and the upper portion of the seat portion 15 above the first inflatable portion 32 and the second inflatable portion 33 is raised. Be made. Accordingly, the occupant P is tilted toward the outside of the seat portion 15 in the vehicle width direction (the body side portion 13 side) while the entire body is lifted.

  A drive current is output from the control device 42 to the inflator 52 based on the detection signal from the impact sensor 43. Due to the heating based on the driving current, the gas generating agent in the inflator 52 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas, and the gas is ejected and supplied from the gas ejecting portion 53 into the side airbag 51. By this gas, the side airbag 51 is inflated while eliminating the folded state, and breaks a portion to be broken (not shown) in the seat portion 15. Subsequently, the side airbag 51 is inflated and deployed upward between the seat portion 15 and the adjacent vehicle seat.

  On the other hand, when a shock of a predetermined value or more is applied from the right side to the body side portion 13 on the right side of the vehicle 11 due to a side collision or the like, and this is detected by the impact sensor 41, the control device 42 It is determined that the supply destination is the first expansion unit 32 and the second expansion unit 34 on the right side. A command signal for igniting this is output from the control device 42 to the MGG 79. In response to this command signal, ignition is performed by the MGG 79. In the second switching means 93, as shown in FIG. 24, the piston 92 is moved upward by the gas generated from the MGG 91, and the gas supply destination is changed from the second expansion section 33 on the left side to the second expansion section 34 on the right side. Can be switched to.

  Further, a drive current is output from the control device 42 to the inflator 96 slightly after the ignition of the MGG 91. By heating based on this driving current, the gas generating agent in the inflator 96 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas. The gas generated in the inflator 96 is guided to the gas supply path 83 via the second supply path 78. This gas is supplied to the first inflatable section 32 through the third supply path 85 and is supplied into the right second inflatable section 34 through the fifth supply path 90. This gas causes the first inflatable portion 32 and the right-side second inflatable portion 34 of the front airbag 66 to inflate, and the seat 15 causes the portions above the first inflatable portion 32 and the second inflatable portion 34 to rise. It is done. Accordingly, the occupant P is tilted toward the inside (center side) in the vehicle width direction of the seat 15 while the whole body is lifted.

  In addition, a drive current is output from the control device 42 to the inflator 22 based on the detection signal from the impact sensor 41. Due to the heating based on this driving current, the gas generating agent in the inflator 22 undergoes a combustion reaction to generate gas, and the gas is jetted and supplied from the gas jetting portion 28 into the side airbag 21. With this gas, the side airbag 21 is inflated and deployed forward between the occupant P and the right body side portion 13.

Therefore, according to the tenth embodiment, the same effects as (1) to (5) and (10) in the ninth embodiment can be obtained, and the same effect as (9) in the seventh embodiment can be obtained. .
Note that the present invention can be embodied in another embodiment described below.

The present invention is applicable to an occupant protection device that does not include at least one of the side airbag 21 (or 51) and the front airbag 66.
In the above embodiment, in the case where the side airbags 21 and 51 are provided in addition to the rear airbag 31, output of drive current from the control device 42 to the inflators (22, 52) (35, 71, 96) May be changed to provide a time difference. In this case, the drive current is output to the inflators 35, 71, 96 of the rear airbag 31, and then the drive current is supplied to the inflators 22, 52 of the side airbags 21, 51 after a predetermined time (for example, about several milliseconds). Is output. In this way, the same operation and effect as when the rear airbag 31 is inflated based on the pre-crash signal can be obtained. However, the start timing of the inflation and deployment of the side airbags 21 and 51 is slightly later than that of a normal side airbag device or the like.

-You may provide the side airbag 21 in the location different from the backrest part 16 of the vehicle seat 14, for example, a side door (body side part 13).
-You may provide the side airbag 51 in the location different from the seat part 15 of the vehicle seat 14, for example, the backrest part 16, the ceiling part of a vehicle, etc.

  The first inflatable portion 32 of the rear airbag 31 is a rear end portion in the seat portion 15 and may be disposed at least in the center portion in the width direction of the seat portion 15 and within a range satisfying this condition. The shape, size, etc. may be changed.

  -It is good also as a structure which replaces with MGG79 and 91 and switches a gas supply destination using an electromagnetic valve or an actuator.

1 is a side sectional view of an occupant protection device according to a first embodiment that embodies the present invention. The top view of the passenger protection device in a 1st embodiment. The front sectional view of the crew member protection device in a 1st embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an occupant protection device according to a first embodiment. It is a figure explaining 1st Embodiment, (a) is a plane sectional view which shows the rear airbag of an inflated state, (b) is a front view. FIG. 3 is a front sectional view showing a state of the occupant protection device when the rear airbag and the side airbag are inflated by a side impact on the vehicle in the first embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the rear airbag of the inflated state in 3rd Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the rear airbag of the inflated state in 4th Embodiment. The schematic block diagram of the passenger | crew protection apparatus in 5th Embodiment. A side view of a crew member protection device in a 5th embodiment. In 5th Embodiment, the front sectional view which shows the state of a passenger | crew protection device when a rear airbag and a side airbag expand | swell by the impact from the other side with respect to a vehicle. The schematic block diagram of the passenger | crew protection apparatus in 6th Embodiment. The perspective view explaining the vehicle seat and seatbelt apparatus in 6th Embodiment. A side view of a crew member protection device in a 6th embodiment. The schematic block diagram of the passenger | crew protection apparatus in 7th Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating 7th Embodiment, (a) is explanatory drawing which shows typically the state of the 1st switching means when an impact is added to the vehicle from the front, (b) is a side view to a vehicle. Explanatory drawing which shows typically the state of the 1st switching means when an impact is added from. The schematic block diagram of the passenger | crew protection apparatus in 8th Embodiment. The schematic block diagram of the passenger | crew protection apparatus which concerns on the modification of 8th Embodiment. The schematic block diagram of the passenger | crew protection apparatus in 9th Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating 9th Embodiment, (a) is explanatory drawing which shows typically the state of the 2nd switching means when an impact is added to the vehicle from the left side, (b) is a right side to a vehicle. Explanatory drawing which shows typically the state of the 2nd switching means when an impact is added from the direction. The schematic block diagram of the passenger | crew protection apparatus in 10th Embodiment. In 10th Embodiment, explanatory drawing which shows typically each state of the 1st and 2nd switching means when an impact is added to the vehicle from the front. Explanatory drawing which shows typically each state of the 1st and 2nd switching means when an impact is added to the vehicle from the left side in 10th Embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows typically each state of the 1st and 2nd switching means when an impact is added to the vehicle from the right side in 10th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Vehicle, 12 ... Car compartment, 14 ... Vehicle seat, 15 ... Seat part, 21, 51 ... Side airbag, 31 ... Rear airbag, 32 ... 1st inflatable part, 33, 34 ... 2nd inflatable part, 66 ... Front airbag, H1, H2 ... Height, P ... Crew.

Claims (8)

An occupant protection device including a rear airbag that is incorporated in a non-inflated state in a rear portion in a seat portion of a vehicle seat and inflates with a gas to raise a corresponding portion,
The rear airbag is
A first inflating portion disposed at least in the center portion in the width direction of the seat portion at the rear end portion in the seat portion;
An occupant protection device comprising: a second inflating portion that is disposed on at least one side of the seat portion in the width direction and that inflates with the first inflating portion by the gas. 2. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the rear airbag is formed such that the second inflatable portion is higher than the first inflatable portion when inflated. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the second inflating portion is inflated with a pressure higher than that of the first inflating portion. The gas is supplied to the rear airbag according to a side collision with the vehicle or according to a pre-crash signal for predicting a side collision with the vehicle. The occupant protection device described in 1. A side that is disposed outside the second inflating portion in the width direction of the seat portion and that is inflated and deployed on the side of the seat portion by a gas supplied in response to an impact from the side of the vehicle. The occupant protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an airbag. The occupant protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first inflatable portion extends in a width direction of the seat portion and is connected to the second inflatable portion in an end state thereof in a communicating state. . The first inflating part extends in the width direction of the seat part,
The second inflating part is provided in two places in the seat part in the width direction, each being separated from the first inflating part,
When the rear airbag is inflated, gas is supplied to the first inflatable portion, and only the second inflatable portion of the two inflatable portions corresponding to the direction of the impact applied from the side to the vehicle. The occupant protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein gas is selectively supplied to the vehicle. A front part in the seat part, which is incorporated in a non-inflated state at a position spaced forward from the rear airbag, and is inflated by a gas supplied in response to an impact from the front on the vehicle, and the front part is raised. The occupant protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a front airbag to be operated.

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