Occupant restraint device

An occupant restraint device including: right and left airbags stored inside right and left sides of a seat back of a vehicle seat, respectively; right and left tension cloths connected to outer surfaces of the right and left airbags, respectively; and a lower tension cloth disposed inside a seat cushion of a vehicle seat, the lower tension cloth being continuously connected between lower parts of the right and left tension cloths. The lower tension cloth is movable in right and left directions with respect to an occupant sitting in the vehicle seat. When the right and left airbags are expanded and deployed, the right tension cloth, the left tension cloth, and the lower tension cloth are configured to push the expanded and deployed right and left airbags toward the occupant.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-024146 filed 14 Feb. 2018 which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an occupant restraint device that restrains an occupant sitting in a vehicle seat.

Background Art

In the recent years, an airbag device has become standard equipment for most motor vehicles. The airbag device is a safety device that is activated upon an emergency event such as a vehicle collision, and receives and protects an occupant by the expansion and deployment by a gas pressure. There are various kinds of airbag devices according to installation locations and uses. For instance, in an occupant restraint device described in International Patent Application Publication Number WO 2016/039160, a side airbag that is expanded and deployed directly adjacent to a side of an occupant is provided at each side of a vehicle seat.

In particular, in the occupant restraint device described in International Patent Application Publication Number WO 2016/039160, a tension cloth (tension fabric) is provided at an airbag. Specifically, when tension is given to the tension cloth at the time of the expansion and deployment of the airbag, the tension cloth extends between the airbags and both side surfaces of a seat cushion. As a result, a movement of the airbag can be regulated by the tension cloth. Therefore, it becomes possible to improve an occupant restraint performance by the airbag.

SUMMARY

In the occupant restraint device described in International Patent Application Publication Number WO 2016/039160 described above and also in an occupant restraint device in which side airbags are provided at both sides of a vehicle seat, an internal pressure different between two airbags may be generated. Specifically, for instance, when a collision direction is oblique, an internal pressure of one of the airbags that is positioned in the direction in which an occupant is forced to move (an occupant enters) is increased as compared with an internal pressure of the other of the airbags. As a result, an internal pressure difference being generated between the two airbags becomes excessive and a difference of an occupant restraint performance may occur.

The present invention attempts to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide an occupant restraint device that can decrease an internal pressure difference between two airbags provided at both sides of an occupant at the time of an offset collision and an oblique collision so that the occupant can be surely restrained with a better (internal pressure) balance (in the well-balanced manner).

In order to achieve the above object, an occupant restraint device according to one aspect of the present invention includes right and left airbags, right and left tension cloths, and a lower tension cloth. The right and left airbags are stored inside right and left sides of a seat back of a vehicle seat, respectively. The right and left airbags are expanded and deployed on right and left sides of an occupant sitting in the vehicle seat, respectively. The right and left tension cloths connected to outer surfaces of the right and left airbags, respectively. The lower tension cloth is disposed inside a seat cushion of the vehicle seat. The lower tension cloth is continuously connected between a lower part of the right tension cloth and a lower part of the left tension cloth. The lower tension cloth is movable in right and left directions with respect to the occupant sitting in the vehicle seat. When the right and left airbags are expanded and deployed, the right tension cloth, the left tension cloth, and the lower tension cloth are configured to push the expanded and deployed right and left airbags toward the occupant.

In the above configuration according to one aspect of the present invention, because the lower tension cloth is movable in the right and left direction (crosswise direction) in the seat cushion when the airbags are expanded and deployed, it becomes possible that the right and left tension cloths that are connected to the lower tension cloth are also movable in the crosswise direction. Thus, when the occupant enters into (the occupant is forced to move toward) one of the pair of airbags at the time of an oblique collision, the other of the pair of airbags is pressed and pushed in a direction toward the occupant by a slide movement of the tension cloths. As a result, because the other of the pair of airbags moves in the direction toward the occupant, an internal pressure difference between the pair of airbags can be decreased and the occupant can be restrained with a better (internal pressure) balance (in the well-balanced manner).

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, the right and left tension cloths may be configured with a plurality of right and left tension cloths, respectively. Thus, because the movement of the pair of airbags can be suitably regulated by the plurality of right and left tension cloths, an occupant restraint performance is further improved.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, one of the plurality of right tension cloths may be paired with corresponding one of the plurality of left tension cloths. The lower tension cloth can be continuously connected between the lower parts of the paired right and left tension cloths. As a result, because the plurality of right and left tension cloths are provided, the pair of airbags can be held with a good balance (in the well-balanced manner).

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, the paired right and left tension cloths is configured with a plurality of the paired right and left tension cloths including first and second paired right and left tension cloths. The first paired right and left tension cloths alternate with the second paired right and left tension cloths on the right and left airbags in a vehicle travel direction. Even in the above configuration according to one aspect of the present invention, the same effect as explained above can be obtained.

The occupant restraint device according to one aspect of the present invention further includes a reinforcement pipe disposed inside the seat cushion. The reinforcement pipe extends along a vehicle width direction. The lower tension cloth passes through an inside of the reinforcement pipe. Thus, the lower tension cloth slides and moves inside the reinforcement pipe when the airbags are expanded and deployed. As a result, because the lower tension cloth can more smoothly move, the effect explained above can be enhanced.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, a cross-sectional shape of the reinforcement pipe is preferably flat-shaped. As a result, the torsion, kink, and twist of the tension cloth located inside the reinforcement pipe can be suitably prevented.

The occupant restraint device according to one aspect of the present invention further includes right and left guide members disposed in right and left sides of the seat cushion, respectively. Each of the right and left guide members has an opening. The lower tension cloth is inserted into the openings of the right and left guide members. According to the above configuration, when the airbags are expanded and deployed, the lower tension cloth and the left and right tension cloths being connected to the lower tension cloth, which may pass through the openings of the guide members, can slide and move inside and outside the seat cushion. Therefore, because the lower tension cloth can more smoothly move, the effect explained above can be enhanced.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an occupant restraint device that decreases an internal pressure difference between two airbags located at both side of an occupant at the time of an oblique collision and that restrains an occupant with a better balance (in the well-balanced manner).

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the attached drawings below. The dimensions, materials, other concrete numerical values, and others that are disclosed in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention. Thus, unless otherwise stated, they are not limited the scope of the present invention. Further, in the specification and the drawings, with respect to the elements having substantially the same functions and configurations, redundant explanations are omitted by accompanying the same reference numerals. Further, the elements that are not directly related to the present invention are not shown in the drawings.

Further, in the embodiments of the present invention, when an occupant sits in a vehicle seat in a normal sitting attitude, a direction to which the occupant faces is referred to as “front (forward)” and its opposite direction is referred to as “rear (backward).” Further, when the occupant sits in the vehicle seat in the normal sitting attitude, a right side of the occupant is referred to as “right direction” and a left side of the occupant is referred to as “left direction.” Further, when the occupant sits in the vehicle seat in the normal sitting attitude, a direction above a head of the occupant is referred to as “up (upward)” and a direction below a waist of the occupant is referred to as “down (downward).” Regarding to the drawings that are used for the explanations below, the front/rear, left/right, and up/down directions with respect to the occupant respectively denote Fr, Rr, L, R, Up, and Down as necessary.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a schematic view that shows an occupant restraint device100according to a first embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 2A and 2Bare schematic views that show states in which an occupant P sits in a vehicle seat (seat)110shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 2Ashows a state in which the seat110shown inFIG. 1is observed from a front side of a vehicle.FIG. 2Bshows a state in which the seat110shown inFIG. 1is observed from a right side of the vehicle.

Further, to easily comprehend the embodiment according to the present invention, inFIG. 1, members that are stored (housed) inside the seat110are shown by a broken line.FIG. 1shows a state in which (left and right) airbags130aand130bare not expanded and deployed so that they are in a housed state. On the other hand,FIG. 2shows a state in which the airbags130aand130bare expanded and deployed.

The occupant restraint device100according to the first embodiment restrains the occupant P being seated on the seat110(refer toFIG. 2) of the vehicle (the entirety of the vehicle is not shown). The seat110has a seat back112that supports a bust (the upper half of the body) P2of the occupant P. A headrest114that supports a head P1of the occupant P is positioned in the upward of the seat back112. A seat cushion116on which the occupant P is seated in the downward of the seat back112.

As shown inFIG. 1, the occupant restraint device100according to the first embodiment has the airbags130aand130b, a left tension cloth140a, a right tension cloth140b, and a lower tension cloth140c. A pair of the airbags130aand130b(side airbags) are stored inside left and right sides of the seat back112of the seat110, respectively, and are covered by a cover132. As shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the airbags130aand130bare respectively expanded and deployed toward the left and right sides of the occupant P at the time of an oblique collision and restrain the shoulders P3of the occupant P. As a result, the movement of the bust (the upper half of the body) P2of the occupant P in a longitudinal direction (a vehicle travel direction) and in a crosswise direction (right and left directions of a vehicle width direction) is regulated.

The left tension cloth140a, the right tension cloth140b, and the lower tension cloth140care cloth members. The pair of airbags130aand130brespectively has an inner surface134and an outer surface136. Specifically, at the time of the expansion and the deployment, the inner surface134corresponds to a surface side that contacts with the occupant P. The outer surface136corresponds to an opposite surface of the inner surface134, i.e., a surface side that does not contact with the occupant P. The left tension cloth140aand the right tension cloth140bare connected to the outer surfaces of the pair of airbags130aand130b, respectively.

A pair of the left tension cloth140aand the right tension cloth140bpasses on the opposite sides of the occupant P with respect to the pair of airbags130aand130bbeing stored, and extends over the inside of the seat cushion116from the inside of the seat back112of the seat110so as to be stored inside the seat110. On the other hand, the lower tension cloth140cis stored inside the seat cushion116of the seat110. Further, the lower parts of the pair of left tension cloth140aand right tension cloth140bare continuously connected to both ends of the lower tension cloth140cinside the seat cushion116.

When the airbags130aand130bare expanded and deployed, the pair of left tension cloth140aand right tension cloth140bcleaves the side surfaces of the seat cushion116. Thus, as shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the left tension cloth140aand the right tension cloth140brespectively expand (extend) because the tension is given between the airbags130aand130band both side surfaces of the seat cushion116.

At this time, as a feature of the present embodiment, as shown in the arrows inFIG. 2A, the lower tension cloth140cis movably positioned in the crosswise direction in the inside of the seat cushion116. As a result, when the lower tension cloth140cmoves in a left direction at the time of the expansion and the deployment of the airbags130aand130b, not only the right tension cloth140bbut also the (right) airbag130bto which the right tension cloth140bis connected are energized (pressed and pushed) toward the occupant P. On the other hand, when the lower tension cloth140cmoves in a right direction, not only the left tension cloth140abut also the (left) airbag130ato which the left tension cloth140ais connected are energized (pressed and pushed) toward the occupant P.

As explained above, with respect to the occupant restraint device100according to the first embodiment, when the airbags130aand130bare expanded and deployed, the lower tension cloth140cmoves in the crosswise direction in the inside of the seat cushion116. As a result, it becomes possible that the left tension cloth140aand the right tension cloth140bthat are connected to the lower tension cloth140calso move in the crosswise direction. Therefore, the pair of airbags130aand130bthat are expanded and deployed are pressed and pushed in the direction toward the occupant P from the outer surfaces136of the airbags130aand130bby the left tension cloth140a, the right tension cloth140b, and the lower tension cloth140c.

According to the configuration explained above, when the occupant P enters into (is forced to move toward) one of the pair of airbags130aand130bat the time of an oblique collision, the other of the pair of airbags130aand130bis pressed and pushed in the direction toward the occupant P by the slide movement (sliding and moving) of the left tension cloth140a, the right tension cloth140b, and the lower tension cloth140c. As a result, because the other of the pair of airbags130aand130bmoves so as to approach the occupant P, it becomes possible that the internal pressure difference between the two airbags130aand130bis decreased and the occupant is restrained in the well-balanced manner.

Second Embodiment

FIGS. 3A and 3Bare schematic views for explaining an occupant restraint device200according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In particular, inFIGS. 3A and 3B, an illustration of the entirety of the seat110(refer toFIGS. 1 and 2A-2B) is omitted. Instead, a seat frame150that is disposed inside the seat110is shown.FIG. 3Ais the schematic view that shows the entirety of the seat frame150.FIG. 3Bis a cross-sectional view along the A-A line shown inFIG. 3A. As shown inFIG. 3A, the seat frame150as a framework is disposed inside the seat110.

Further, as shown inFIG. 3A, a reinforcement pipe160that extends in the vehicle width direction is disposed inside the seat cushion116. As a feature of the occupant restraint device200according to the second embodiment, the lower tension cloth140cpasses through the inside of the reinforcement pipe160as shown inFIG. 3B. The pair of the left tension cloth140aand the right tension cloth140bexplained above are connected to the lower tension cloth140cthat passes through the inside of the reinforcement pipe160. Such the connection between the lower tension cloth140cand the pair of the left tension cloth140aand the right tension cloth140bis performed inside the reinforcement pipe160in the present embodiment. However, it is also possible to be performed outside the reinforcement pipe160.

With respect to the above configuration according to the second embodiment, when the airbags130aand130bare expanded and deployed, the lower tension cloth140ccan slide and move inside the reinforcement pipe160. As a result, the lower tension cloth140cbecomes possible to more smoothly move. Therefore, the internal pressure difference being generated between the airbags130aand130bat the both sides of the occupant P at the time of the oblique collision can be more effectively eliminated.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown inFIG. 3B, the reinforcement pipe160in which a cross-sectional shape is flat is adopted. In other words, the reinforcement pipe160is flat-shaped in a cross-sectional view. As a result, the torsion, kink, and twist of the left tension cloth140aand the right tension cloth140bin the reinforcement pipe160can be suitably prevented. Further, the effects explained above can be securely obtained. However, the cross-sectional shape of the reinforcement pipe160shown inFIG. 3Bis just an example and is not limited to this configuration. In addition to the flat shape shown inFIG. 3B, the cross-sectional shape of the reinforcement pipe160can also be in a circular shape or in an elliptical or oval shape.

Third Embodiment

FIGS. 4A and 4Bare schematic views for explaining an occupant restraint device300according to a third embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 4Ais the schematic view that shows the entirety of a seat frame250that is disposed inside the seat110.FIG. 4Bis an enlarged side view of part of a side surface of a lower frame154shown inFIG. 4A. The redundant explanations with respect to the substantially same configurations as the occupant restraint device100according to the first embodiment and the occupant restraint device200according to the second embodiment are omitted, but the same reference numerals are used for labeling below.

In the occupant restraint device300according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 4A, guide members260are provided in the seat frame250instead of the reinforcement pipe160in the seat frame150according to the second embodiment. As shown inFIG. 4B, the guide member260has an insertion hole262into which the lower tension cloth140cis inserted. Further, the guide member260is fixed to the side surface of the lower frame154by bolts266. Thus, the guide member260is provided on each of the right and left side surfaces of the lower frame154. As a result, the two guide members260are disposed at the right and left side surfaces of the seat cushion116(refer toFIG. 1) of the seat110.

With respect to the above configuration according to the third embodiment, the lower tension cloth140cis inserted into the insertion holes262of the guide members260. As a result, when the airbags130aand130bare expanded and deployed, the lower tension cloth140c, and the left tension cloth140aand the right tension cloth140bthat are connected to the lower tension cloth140ccan slide and move inside the seat cushion116by passing through the insertion holes262of the guide members260. Therefore, the occupant restraint device300according to the third embodiment can obtain the above same effects as the occupant restraint device200according to the second embodiment.

Further, treatment for reducing friction resistance such as fluororesin coating (a low-friction coefficient coating) may be applied to the areas in which the left tension cloth140a, the right tension cloth140b, and the lower tension cloth140cexplained above contact with the reinforcement pipe160(the second embodiment) or the guide members260with the insertion holes262(the third embodiment). As a result, because friction coefficients of these tension cloths140a,140b, and140ccan be adjusted, a slide amount of these tension cloths140a,140b, and140ccan be adjusted.

Further, with respect to the occupant restraint devices100,200, and300according to the first, second, and third embodiments explained above, a threshold load can be implemented. The threshold load controls a timing in which the left tension cloth140a, the right tension cloth140b, and the lower tension cloth140cstart to slide. As one of the exemplarily methods for setting the threshold load, a part of any of the above tension cloths140a,140b, and140cis sewn and fixed on a seat cover of the seat cushion16or a cushion material (not shown) provided inside the seat cushion16.

With respect to the configuration explained above, when a predetermined load (the threshold load) is applied to a sewing thread for sewing, the sewing thread is cut (broken). As a result, since the fixed (sewn) part between the seat cushion116and the above part of the tension cloths140a,140b, and140cis released, the tension cloths140a,140b, and140ccan slide and move. Therefore, the slide movement of the tension cloths140a,140b, and140ccan be started at a desired timing.

Fourth Embodiment

FIGS. 5A and 5Bare schematic views for explaining an occupant restraint device400according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 5Ais the schematic view that shows a state in which an occupant P being seated on the seat110shown inFIG. 1is observed from a front side of a vehicle.FIG. 5Bis the schematic view that shows a state in which the occupant P being seated on the seat110shown inFIG. 1is observed from a slanting front side of the vehicle.

As shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B, each of the left tension cloth and the right tension cloth has a plurality of tension cloths in the occupant restraint device400according to the fourth embodiment. Specifically, the occupant restraint device400has two left tension cloths including a first left tension cloth442aand a second left tension cloth442band has two right tension cloths of a first right tension cloth444aand a second right tension cloth444b. These tension cloths442s,442b,444a, and444bare positioned so as to respectively extend on or above the outer surfaces136(refer toFIGS. 2A and 2B) of the airbags130aand130b. Thus, the movement in the crosswise direction of the airbags130aand130bcan be more suitably regulated. As a result, an occupant restraint performance can be further enhanced.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6Care schematic views for explaining variations of tension cloths140(140c,442a,442b,444a, and444b) provided in the occupant restraint device400according to the fourth embodiment.FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6Cshow the seat frame (150or250) that is disposed inside the seat110(refer toFIG. 1) shown inFIGS. 3A and 4A.

A seat frame450ashown inFIG. 6Ahas the reinforcement pipe160of the occupant restraint device200according to the second embodiment. The lower tension cloth140cpasses through the inside of the reinforcement pipe160. The lower parts of the first left tension cloth442a, the second left tension cloth442b, the first right tension cloth444a, and the second right tension cloth444bare connected to the lower tension cloth140cwithin the reinforcement pipe160. As a result, the first left tension cloth442a, the second left tension cloth442b, the first right tension cloth444a, and the second right tension cloth444bbecomes in a continuous state via the lower tension cloth140c.

With respect to a seat frame450bshown inFIG. 6B, the lower tension cloth140cis disposed in a state in which the tension cloth140cpasses through the reinforcement pipe160and extends to the outside of the lower frame154. In the configuration explained above, the lower parts of the first left tension cloth442a, the second left tension cloth442b, the first right tension cloth444a, and the second right tension cloth444bare connected to the lower tension cloth140cat the external side of the reinforcement pipe160(and the external side of the lower frame154).

A seat frame450cshown inFIG. 6Chas the guide members260of the occupant restraint device300according to the third embodiment instead of the reinforcement pipe160of the seat frames450aand450b. The lower tension cloth140cis disposed in a state in which the lower tension cloth140cpasses through (the insertion holes262(refer toFIG. 4B) of) the guide members260and extends to the outside of the lower frame154. The lower parts of the first left tension cloth442a, the second left tension cloth442b, the first right tension cloth444a, and the second right tension cloth444bare connected to the lower tension cloth140cat the external side of the lower frame154.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first left tension cloth442aand the first right tension cloth444abeing positioned at the front side in the vehicle travel direction are paired and the second left tension cloth442band the second right tension cloth444bbeing positioned at the rear side in the vehicle travel direction are paired. However, the present embodiment is not limited to such configuration. For example, with respect to two tension cloths of each of the left and right tension cloths, the first tension cloth and the second tension cloth are alternately positioned in a longitudinal direction in the right and left sides. Specifically, in other words, it is also respectively adopted that the first left tension cloth442aand the second right tension cloth444bare paired and connected to each other to form one loop-shaped tension cloth, and the second left tension cloth442band the first right tension cloth444aare paired and connected to each other to form another loop-shaped tension cloth. Thus, two loop-shaped tension cloths are crossed to each other at the top and bottom areas thereof when viewed in a cross-sectional view from above. These two loop-shaped tension cloths pass through the reinforcement pipe160. Further, in the present embodiment, two pairs of the left and right tension cloths are provided. However, the present embodiment is not limited to such configuration. For example, it is also adopted that three or more pairs of the left and right tension cloths can be provided.

Further, in the present embodiments explained above, the left and right tension cloths are provided for the pair of airbags130aand130b. Further, (the lower parts of) the left and right tension cloths are connected by the lower tension cloth. However, the embodiments are not limited to such configuration. For example, the left tension cloth, the right tension cloth, and the lower tension cloth are formed by one (single) continuously extended cloth member. Such configuration can obtain the same effects as the above embodiments.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the attached drawings, the above-described embodiments are preferred examples of the present invention, and other embodiments can also be carried out in various ways. Unless there is a limited description in the specification, the present invention should not be limited to the detailed shape, size, configuration, and arrangement of parts shown in the attached drawings. Further, the expressions and terms used in the specification are for illustrative purposes, and unless there is a limited description, the same are not limited thereto.

Accordingly, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art to conceive various modifications within the scope of the claims. All such modifications are intended to be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

The present invention can be used for the occupant restraint device that restrains the occupant sitting in the seat of the vehicle.

The occupant restraint device being thus described, it will be apparent that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.