KR20240171889A - Device for preventing submarine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a submarine prevention device that physically structures the forward movement of a passenger's lower body in the event of a vehicle collision. In the present invention, a submarine prevention device is introduced that includes a supporter that extends upward from the lower portion of a seat cushion toward the upper portion of the seat cushion and protrudes between the passenger's legs; and an operating means that provides an operating force in the direction in which the supporter moves upward.

Description

{Device for preventing submarine}

The present invention relates to a submarine prevention device that physically structures the lower body of a passenger from moving forward when a vehicle collides.

The introduction of autonomous vehicles is expected to bring about significant changes in vehicle interiors.

For example, it will have seat arrangements such as face-to-face mode, relaxation mode, long slide mode, and swivel mode to implement various seating positions of passengers.

Among these, when the passenger sits in a relaxed position through the seat arrangement in the relax mode, the passenger lies down at an angle and the passenger's feet rise from the floor of the car. In particular, in the case of short passengers, the passenger's seated state is maintained with the soles of the passengers' feet floating above the floor of the car.

In this state, if a front or rear collision occurs, the submarine phenomenon occurs in which passengers are not supported by the lap belt and slip under the lap belt, greatly increasing the risk of injury to passengers.

Accordingly, in order to prevent the submarine phenomenon in a relaxed seating situation, the passenger's lower body needs to be stably supported in addition to upper body restraint using an airbag.

The matters described as background technology above are only intended to enhance understanding of the background of the present invention, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment that they correspond to prior art already known to those skilled in the art.

JP 2022-178228 A US 2015-0074969 A

The present invention has been made to solve the problems described above, and provides a submarine prevention device that physically structures the lower body of a passenger from moving forward when a vehicle collides.

The configuration of the present invention to achieve the above purpose may be characterized by including: a supporter that extends upward from the lower part of the seat cushion toward the upper part of the seat cushion and protrudes between the legs of the passenger; and an operating means that provides an operating force in the direction in which the supporter moves upward.

The above supporter can be extended upwards through the seat cushion.

It may include a fixed frame fixed to the bottom of the seat cushion and having a guide formed in an up-down direction; a moving part fixed to the supporter and moving up-down along the guide part.

The above guide part is formed in a bar shape on the side of the supporter; the above moving part is inserted in a shape that surrounds the guide part and can be guided by the guide part.

The above operating means may be a spring that provides elastic force in the direction in which the supporter is extended upward.

One end of the spring is supported on the moving part; the other end of the spring is supported on a fixed frame facing the moving part in the vertical direction, so that the spring can be expanded along with the vertical movement of the moving part.

The above support may further include a restoring means for providing an operating force in the direction of downward movement.

The above restoration means may include: a motor providing a rotational driving force; a pinion coupled to a shaft of the motor; and a rack gear formed along the vertical direction of the moving part and meshed with the pinion.

It may include an operating unit formed at the bottom of the moving unit; a switch provided on a path along which the operating unit moves upward and switched by the operating unit; and a stopper mechanism that protrudes in a direction that catches the moving unit when the switch is operated and restricts the movement of the moving unit that has moved upward.

The present invention may further include a controller that operates the stopper mechanism in a direction in which the supporter is caught by the moving part while positioned downward to restrict the movement of the moving part, and operates the stopper mechanism in a direction in which the supporter is released from the moving part when a collision accident occurs to allow the movement of the moving part.

Through the above-described problem solving means, the present invention prevents the submarine phenomenon by having the supporter protrude between the passenger's legs in the event of a collision accident to support the passenger's lower body from sliding forward, thereby reducing the risk of injury to the passenger and safely protecting the passenger.

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a shape in which a supporter protrudes between a passenger's legs according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a drawing showing the shape of Figure 1 viewed from the front.
FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating the shape of the inside of a seat cushion with a supporter installed according to the present invention.
FIGS. 4 and 5 are drawings for explaining a structure for moving a supporter upward and downward according to the present invention.
Figures 6 and 7 are drawings showing a state in which a supporter is protruded upward according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing symbols, identical or similar components will be given the same reference numerals and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The suffixes "module" and "part" used for components in the following description are given or used interchangeably only for the convenience of writing the specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles in themselves.

In describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

When it is said that a component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is said that a component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In this specification, it should be understood that the terms “comprises” or “has” and the like are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

In addition, the controller may include a communication device that communicates with other controllers or sensors to control the functions it is responsible for, a memory that stores operating systems or logic commands and input/output information, and one or more processors that perform judgments, calculations, decisions, etc. necessary for controlling the functions it is responsible for.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to the attached drawings as follows.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the submarine prevention device of the present invention is configured to include a supporter (100) that extends upward from the lower portion of the seat cushion (10) toward the upper portion of the seat cushion (10) and protrudes between the legs of the passenger; an operating means that provides an operating force in the direction in which the supporter (100) moves upward.

Specifically, the supporter (100) is a rigid structure that is formed long in the vertical direction.

The supporter (100) is installed at the bottom of the seat cushion (10) and moves upward toward the top of the seat cushion (10) by the operation of the operating means.

The operating means serves to provide force to move the supporter (100) upward.

That is, if a frontal collision occurs in a seat arrangement with the seatback of the seat where the passenger is sitting in the relaxed mode and is tilted back, the operating means is activated.

Accordingly, by providing operating force by the operating means to the supporter (100), the supporter (100) moves upwards so that the upper end of the supporter (100) protrudes above the seat cushion (10).

At this time, the supporter (100) is positioned in front of the front-rear center line of the seat cushion (10).

Accordingly, the supporter (100) protrudes between the passenger's legs to support the passenger's lower body from sliding forward, thereby preventing the submarine phenomenon, thereby reducing the risk of injury to the passenger and safely protecting the passenger.

In addition, the supporter (100) can be extended upward through the seat cushion (10).

For this purpose, a through hole through which a supporter (100) penetrates may be formed in the foam built into the seat cushion (10).

Therefore, when the supporter (100) moves upward, the supporter (100) may move upward while passing through the through hole, and then may penetrate the covering covering the seat cushion (10) and protrude between the passenger's thighs on both sides.

Continuing, the present invention is configured to include a fixed frame (200) that is fixed to the bottom surface of a seat cushion (10) and has a guide portion (210) formed in an up-down direction; a moving portion (110) that is fixed to the supporter (100) and moves up-down along the guide portion (210).

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, a rigid seat cushion frame (11) is provided within a seat cushion (10), and a fixed frame (200) is fixed to the bottom surface of the seat cushion frame (11).

The above fixed frame (200) is formed long in the vertical length direction and is provided on the left and right sides of the supporter (100), and a guide part (210) is formed along the vertical length direction on the left and right fixed frames (200).

And, a moving part (110) is fixed to both sides of the supporter (100), and the moving part (110) is provided with a structure that allows it to move along the guide part (210), so that the supporter (100) moves up and down along the guide part (210) together with the moving part (110).

For reference, a hole through which the supporter (100) passes is formed in the seat cushion frame (11) located above the supporter (100), so that the supporter (100) can pass through the seat cushion frame (11) and move upward.

According to this configuration, the supporter (100) moves upward along a set path and protrudes between the passenger's legs, thereby supporting the passenger's lower body.

As a preferred example of the above guide part (210) and moving part (110), the guide part (210) is formed in a bar shape on the side of the supporter (100); and the moving part (110) is inserted in a shape that surrounds the guide part (210) and can be guided by the guide part (210).

That is, a guide part (210) formed in the shape of a cylindrical bar in a vertical straight direction is fixed to the center of the fixed frame (200).

And, a moving part (110) is fixed on both sides of the supporter (100), and a guide hole (110a) is formed in the vertical longitudinal direction in the moving part (110).

The above guide hole (110a) is formed to have an inner diameter corresponding to the diameter of the guide part (210), so that the guide part (210) is inserted into the guide hole (110a).

Accordingly, the moving part (110) can be guided up and down along the guide part (210).

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the operating means of the present invention may be a spring (300) that provides elasticity in the direction in which the supporter (100) is extended upward.

The above spring (300) is a compression spring and can be supported between the moving part (110) and the fixed frame (200).

Specifically, one end of the spring (300) is supported on the moving part (110); the other end of the spring (300) is supported on a fixed frame (200) facing the moving part (110) in the vertical direction, so that the spring (300) can be expanded along with the vertical movement of the moving part (110).

Preferably, the spring (300) may be provided in one of the guide parts (210) on both sides, and may be inserted in a shape that surrounds the guide part (210).

Accordingly, the upper end of the spring (300) can be supported on the lower end of the one-sided moving part (110), and the lower end of the spring (300) can be supported on the bottom surface of the fixed frame (200) to which the lower end of the one-sided guide part (210) is fixed.

Accordingly, as the supporter (100) moves downward, the spring (300) is compressed to generate elastic force, and when the elastic force of the compressed spring (300) is provided to the supporter (100), the supporter (100) can move upward.

For reference, although not shown in the drawing, as another embodiment of the operating means for moving the supporter (100) upward, an actuator that provides operating force in a linear direction may be used.

In this embodiment, the actuator is fixed to the fixed frame (200), and the load of the actuator is coupled to the supporter (100) or the moving part (110), but is coupled in a direction that pushes the supporter (100) or the moving part (110) upward, so that the supporter (100) can be moved upward by the operating force of the actuator.

Meanwhile, the present invention may further include a restoring means for providing an operating force in the direction in which the support moves downward.

As a preferred embodiment of the above restoration means, the supporter (100) that has been moved upward can be restored downward using a motor (400) and a rack and pinion structure.

Referring to the drawing, the restoration means is configured to include a motor (400) that provides a rotational driving force; a pinion (410) coupled to the shaft of the motor (400); and a rack gear (120) formed along the vertical direction of the moving part (110) and meshed with the pinion (410).

Specifically, the moving part (110) on the other side is formed long in the vertical longitudinal direction, and a rack gear (120) is formed along the vertical longitudinal direction on the side of the moving part (110).

And, a motor (400) is installed in the fixed frame (200) on the other side, and a pinion (410) is coupled to the shaft of the motor (400), so that the pinion (410) rotates according to the operation of the motor (400).

In particular, since the pinion (410) is meshed with the rack gear (120), the rack gear (120) moves linearly in the up-and-down direction according to the rotation of the pinion (410).

That is, when the motor (400) is driven in one direction to rotate the pinion (410) while the supporter (100) is moved upward, the moving part (110) moves downward together with the rack gear (120) engaged with the pinion (410), and thus the supporter (100) moves downward.

Accordingly, since the supporter (100) can be moved upward and then restored, the supporter (100) can be easily reused.

For reference, although not illustrated in the drawing, an actuator that provides operating force in a linear direction may be used as another embodiment of the above restoration means.

In this embodiment, the actuator is fixed to the fixed frame (200), and the load of the actuator is coupled to the supporter (100) or the moving part (110), but is coupled in a direction that pushes the supporter (100) or the moving part (110) downward, so that the supporter (100) can be restored and moved downward by the operating force of the actuator.

Meanwhile, the present invention comprises: an operating unit (130) formed at the lower end of the moving unit (110); a switch (500) provided on a path along which the operating unit (130) moves upward and switched by the operating unit (130); and a stopper mechanism (600) that protrudes in a direction that catches the moving unit (110) when the switch (500) is operated to limit the movement of the moving unit (110) that has moved upward.

For example, the operating part (130) is formed in a shape that protrudes laterally and expands at the bottom of the moving part (110), and the operating part (130) moves up and down together with the moving part (110).

And, a switch (500) is installed on the side of the fixed frame (200) toward the moving part (110), and the switch (500) is installed on the path along which the operating part (130) moves upward, so that the switch (500) is operated by the operating part (130) during the process in which the operating part (130) moves upward.

In addition, a stopper mechanism (600) is installed at the bottom of the switch (500), and the end of the stopper mechanism (600) protrudes toward the moving part (110) according to the operation of the switch (500).

At this time, the end of the stopper mechanism (600) protrudes toward the operating part (130) from below the operating part (130) that has moved upward, so that the protruding stopper mechanism (600) supports the operating part (130) from below.

Accordingly, by supporting the bottom of the operating part (130) through the stopper mechanism (600) while the supporter (100) is moved upward, the supporter (100) can stably support the passenger without being pushed downward when the passenger is supported by the supporter (100).

In addition, the controller (700) may further be included to control the movement of the moving part (110) by protruding and operating the stopper mechanism (600) in the direction of being caught by the moving part (110) while the supporter (100) is positioned downward, thereby restricting the movement of the moving part (110), and operating the stopper mechanism (600) in the direction of being released from the moving part (110) in the event of a collision accident, thereby allowing the movement of the moving part (110).

That is, the stopper mechanism (600) may be protruded and restored by operating the switch (500) as the controller (700) directly applies an operation command to the stopper mechanism (600) or applies an operation command to the switch (500).

For example, when the supporter (100) moves downward and the spring (300) is compressed, the stopper mechanism (600) is operated to protrude toward the moving part (110), so that the end of the stopper mechanism (600) can be caught on the rack gear (120) formed on the side of the moving part (110).

Accordingly, it is possible to limit the movement of the supporter (100) that is trying to move upward due to the elastic force of the spring (300).

However, the supporter (100) may be maintained in a downward position by using the force provided by the motor (400) without using the stopper mechanism (600).

In addition, when a collision signal is input to the controller (700), a restoration operation command is applied to the stopper mechanism (600) to restore the protruding end of the stopper mechanism (600), and as a result, the end of the stopper mechanism (600) caught on the rack gear (120) is released from the rack gear (120).

Accordingly, the supporter (100) moves upward due to the elastic force of the spring (300) and protrudes between the passenger's legs.

And, when the operating part (130) operates the switch (500) in the process of the supporter (100) moving upward, as described above, the end of the stopper mechanism (600) protrudes toward the operating part (130) from below the operating part (130) that has moved upward, so that the protruding stopper mechanism (600) supports the operating part (130) from below.

In this way, in the event of a collision, the present invention prevents the lower body of the passenger from sliding forward by protruding the supporter (100) between the legs of the passenger. Accordingly, the submarine phenomenon in which the lower body of the passenger slides under the lap belt is prevented, thereby reducing the risk of injury to the passenger and safely protecting the passenger.

Meanwhile, although the present invention has been described in detail only with respect to the above-mentioned specific examples, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations are possible within the technical scope of the present invention, and it is natural that such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the appended claims.

10: Seat cushion
11: Seat cushion frame
100 : Supporter
110 : Moving Department
110a : Guide hole
120 : Rack Gear
130 : Control panel
200 : Fixed Frame
210 : Guide Department
300 : Spring
400 : Motor
410 : Pinion
500 : Switch
600 : Stopper mechanism
700 : Controller

Claims (10)

A supporter that extends upward from the lower part of the seat cushion toward the upper part of the seat cushion and protrudes between the passenger's legs;
A submarine prevention device comprising an operating means for providing an operating force in the direction in which the supporter moves upward. In claim 1,
An anti-submarine device characterized in that the supporter extends upward through the seat cushion. In claim 1,
A fixed frame that is fixed to the bottom of the seat cushion and has guide sections formed in the upper and lower directions;
A submarine prevention device characterized by including a moving part fixed to the supporter and moving up and down along the guide part. In claim 3,
The above guide portion is formed in a bar shape on the side of the supporter;
A submarine prevention device characterized in that the moving part is inserted in a shape that surrounds the guide part and is guided by the guide part. In claim 1,
A submarine prevention device characterized in that the above operating means is a spring that provides elasticity in the direction in which the supporter is extended upward. In claim 3,
One end of the spring is supported on the above moving part;
A submarine prevention device characterized in that the other end of the spring is supported on a fixed frame facing the moving part in the vertical direction, and the spring is expanded along with the vertical movement of the moving part. In claim 3,
A submarine prevention device characterized by further comprising a restoring means for providing an operating force in the direction in which the support moves downward. In claim 7,
The above restoration means,
A motor that provides rotational driving force;
A pinion coupled to the shaft of the above motor;
A submarine prevention device characterized by including a rack gear formed in the vertical direction of the above moving part and meshed with the pinion. In claim 3,
An operating section formed at the bottom of the above moving section;
A switch provided on a path along which the above operating unit moves upward and switched by the operating unit;
A submarine prevention device characterized by including a stopper mechanism that protrudes in the direction of being caught by the moving part and restricts the movement of the moving part moved upward when the above switch is operated. In claim 9,
A submarine prevention device characterized by further including a controller that operates the stopper mechanism so as to protrude and operate in the direction in which the supporter is caught by the moving part while positioned downward to restrict the movement of the moving part, and operates the stopper mechanism in the direction in which the supporter is released from the moving part in the event of a collision accident to allow the movement of the moving part.

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