Vehicle occupant restraint device

A vehicle occupant restraint device, including: a driver's seat and a front passenger seat; a recognition device to recognize whether or not an occupant is seated at the front passenger seat; a center airbag; a regulating member provided at the interior of the center airbag to regulate a thickness of the center airbag to a thickness that is suitable at a time at which an occupant is seated at the front passenger seat; and a release device provided at the interior of the center airbag to release regulation by the regulating member, at a time at which a side-on collision of the vehicle is detected or at a time at which a side-on collision of the vehicle is predicted, in a case in which the recognition device has recognized that an occupant is not seated at the front passenger seat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-027798, filed on Feb. 24, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle occupant restraint device.

Related Art

A far side airbag device that is installed at a side portion at a vehicle width direction inner side (central side) of a driver's seat, and that inflates and deploys an airbag with inflation gas between the driver's seat and an adjacent front passenger seat is conventionally known (refer to, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2022-032932).

It should be noted that, at a time at which there is only one occupant, who is seated at the driver's seat, in order to ensure restraining performance of a center airbag (far side airbag) in a case in which a side door at the front passenger seat side has a side-on collision, for example, it is preferable that the thickness (length along the seat width direction) of the center airbag upon completion of inflation and deployment be set thicker. Namely, in a case of one occupant, it is effective to apply reaction force earlier to the upper body of the occupant who is moving toward the vehicle width direction inner side due to inertia force, and in order to do so, it is advantageous that the thickness of the center airbag at the time of completion of inflation and deployment is thicker.

On the other hand, in a case in which there are two occupants due to there also being an occupant at the front passenger seat, at a time of a side-on collision of a side door at the driver's seat side, for example, a center airbag upon completion of inflation and deployment is sandwiched between the occupant of the driver's seat and the occupant of the front passenger seat. Therefore, in a case in which the thickness of the center airbag at the time of completion of inflation and deployment is thicker, an external force that is opposite in direction from an external force toward an entry direction (vehicle width direction inner side) of the side door is input to the occupant of the driver's seat by the center airbag, and the deflection amounts (injury values) of the chest region and the abdomen region of the occupant of the driver's seat are increased.

Further, in a case in which there are two occupants, a reaction force of the center airbag in order to avoid a collision between the head of the occupant that is seated at the driver's seat and the head of the occupant that is seated at the front passenger seat is not required to an amount of a reaction force of the center airbag in the case of there being one occupant. Therefore, in order to suppress the deflection amounts (injury values) of the chest region and the abdomen region of the occupant of the driver's seat to low amounts/values in a case in which there are two occupants, it is preferable that the thickness of the center airbag be set to be thin. In this manner, there is a difference between a case in which there is one occupant and a case in which there are two occupants in terms of the thickness of the center airbag to effectively restrain the occupant(s).

SUMMARY

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle occupant restraint device that enables an occupant to be effectively restrained by a center airbag at a time at which a vehicle side-on collision of a vehicle is detected or a side-on collision of a vehicle is predicted, whether in a case in which there is only one occupant, who is seated at the driver's seat, or in a case in which there are two occupants who are seated at the driver's seat and the front passenger seat.

In order to achieve the above-described object, a vehicle occupant restraint device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: a driver's seat and a front passenger seat which are provided at a vehicle interior of a vehicle; a recognition device that recognizes whether or not an occupant is seated at the front passenger seat; a center airbag that is provided at a side portion at a vehicle width direction inner side of a seatback of the driver's seat, and that inflates and deploys toward a vehicle width direction inner side of an occupant seated at the driver's seat due to gas ejected from an inflator being supplied to an interior of the center airbag; a regulating member that is provided at the interior of the center airbag, and that regulates a thickness of the center airbag to a thickness that is suitable at a time at which an occupant is seated at the front passenger seat; and a release device that is provided at the interior of the center airbag, and that, at a time at which a side-on collision of the vehicle is detected or at a time at which a side-on collision of the vehicle is predicted, releases regulation by the regulating member in a case in which the recognition device has recognized that an occupant is not seated at the front passenger seat.

According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the inflator is actuated at a time at which a side-on collision of the vehicle is detected or at a time at which a side-on collision of the vehicle is predicted, and gas ejected from the inflator is supplied to the interior of the center airbag. Therefore, the center airbag is inflated and deployed toward the vehicle width direction inner side of an occupant that is seated at the driver's seat.

It should be noted that the thickness of the center airbag is regulated to a thickness that is suitable at a time at which an occupant is seated at the front passenger seat, by the regulating member that is provided at the interior of the center airbag. Therefore, in a case in which there are two occupants due to there also being an occupant seated at the front passenger seat, the occupant that is seated at the driver's seat and the occupant that is seated at the front passenger seat are effectively restrained by the center airbag.

On the other hand, in a case in which it is recognized by the recognition device that an occupant is not seated at the front passenger seat, regulation by the regulating member is released by the release device. As a result, the thickness of the center airbag is increased, such that an occupant that is seated at the driver's seat is effectively restrained by the center airbag. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, whether in a case in which there is only one occupant, who is seated at the driver's seat, or in a case in which there are two occupants who are seated at the driver's seat and the front passenger seat, an occupant is effectively restrained by the center airbag at a time at which a side-on collision of the vehicle is detected or at a time at which a side-on collision of the vehicle is predicted.

A vehicle occupant restraint device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the first aspect, wherein: the regulating member is a tether that connects a seat width direction outer side base cloth of the center airbag and a seat width direction inner side base cloth of the center airbag; and the release device includes a cutter that is configured to cut the tether.

According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the regulating member is a tether that connects the seat width direction outer side base cloth of the center airbag and the seat width direction inner side base cloth of the center airbag, and the release device includes a cutter that is configured to cut the tether. Therefore, in a case in which it is recognized by the recognition device that an occupant is not seated at the front passenger seat, the thickness of the center airbag is increased earlier.

A vehicle occupant restraint device according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the first aspect, wherein: the regulating member is a tether that connects a seat width direction outer side base cloth of the center airbag and a seat width direction inner side base cloth of the center airbag, one end portion side of the tether and another end portion side of the tether being connected by a thread-like member, in a state in which an intermediate portion of the tether is slack; and the release device includes a cutter that is configured to cut the thread-like member.

According to the third aspect of the present disclosure, the regulating member is a tether that connects the seat width direction outer side base cloth of the center airbag and the seat width direction inner side base cloth of the center airbag, one end portion side of the tether and another end portion side of the tether being connected by the thread-like member, in a state in which the intermediate portion of the tether is slack, and the release device includes a cutter that is configured to cut the thread-like member. Therefore, in a case in which it is recognized by the recognition device that an occupant is not seated at the front passenger seat, the thickness of the center airbag is increased earlier. In addition, even if the thickness of the center airbag is increased, the seat width direction outer side base cloth of the center airbag and the seat width direction inner side base cloth of the center airbag remain connected by the tether, such that the thickness of the center airbag is also appropriately set.

A vehicle occupant restraint device according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the first aspect, wherein: the regulating member is a tether that connects a seat width direction outer side base cloth of the center airbag and a seat width direction inner side base cloth of the center airbag, the tether being taken up against an urging force that urges one end portion side of the tether in a counter-winding direction; and the release device is configured by an actuator that is configured to lock and to unlock the tether that has been taken up.

According to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the regulating member is a tether that connects the seat width direction outer side base cloth of the center airbag and the seat width direction inner side base cloth of the center airbag, the tether being taken up against the urging force that urges one end portion side of the tether in a counter-winding direction, and the release device is configured by an actuator that is configured to lock and to unlock the tether that has been taken up. Therefore, in a case in which it is recognized by the recognition device that an occupant is not seated at the front passenger seat, the thickness of the center airbag is increased earlier. In addition, even if the thickness of the center airbag is increased, the seat width direction outer side base cloth of the center airbag and the seat width direction inner side base cloth of the center airbag remain connected by the tether, such that the thickness of the center airbag is also appropriately set.

As described above, whether in a case in which there is only one occupant, who is seated at the driver's seat, or in a case in which there are two occupants who are seated at the driver's seat and the front passenger seat, the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present disclosure enables an occupant to be effectively restrained by the center airbag at a time at which a side-on collision of the vehicle is detected or at a time at which a side-on collision of the vehicle is predicted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed explanation follows regarding exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, based on the drawings. It should be noted that for convenience of explanation, in the respective drawings, as appropriate, the arrow UP indicates an upward direction of a vehicle and a vehicle seat, the arrow FR indicates a frontward direction of the vehicle and the vehicle seat, and the arrow RH indicates a rightward direction of the vehicle and the vehicle seat. Therefore, in the following explanation, in cases in which up-down, front-rear, and left-right directions are described without any particular notation to the contrary, these indicate up and down, front and rear, and left and right with respect to the vehicle and the vehicle seat. Further, the left-right direction is the same as a vehicle width direction and a seat width direction.

Further, as an example, a vehicle seat12illustrated inFIG.1toFIG.3is a front seat provided at a vehicle interior of a left hand drive vehicle. Therefore, in the following explanation, there are cases in which the vehicle seat12at the driver's seat side (the left side) is referred to as the “driver's seat12L” and the vehicle seat12at the front passenger seat side (the right side) is referred to as the “front passenger seat12R”. Further, when each portion of the driver's seat12L is described, there are cases in which the alphabetic character “L” is appended to a reference numeral.

Further, as an example, an “occupant P” illustrated inFIG.1toFIG.3is an occupant corresponding to an AM50 (50th percentile American adult males) World Side Impact Dummy (World SID). In addition, in the following explanation, there are cases in which an occupant P, serving as a driver that is seated at the driver's seat12L, is referred to as “occupant P1”, and an occupant P that is seated at the front passenger seat12R is referred to as “occupant P2”.

First Exemplary Embodiment

First, a first exemplary embodiment will be explained. As illustrated inFIG.1toFIG.3, the vehicle seat12configuring the vehicle occupant restraint device10according to the first exemplary embodiment includes a seat cushion14at which the occupant P is seated (the seat cushion14supporting the buttocks and thighs of the occupant P), a seatback16that supports a back of the occupant P, and a headrest18that supports a head Ph of the occupant P.

In a side view viewed from a vehicle width direction (seat width direction), the seat cushion14extends in the front-rear direction, and the seatback16is coupled to a rear end portion of the seat cushion14so as to be rotatable with the seat width direction as an axial direction, and extends in the up-down direction. The headrest18is provided so as to be capable of moving up and down at a seat width direction central portion of an upper end portion of the seatback16. The occupant P is restrained at the vehicle seat12by a non-illustrated seatbelt device.

As illustrated inFIG.1andFIG.2, a console box22is provided at a vehicle width direction central portion (between the driver's seat12L and the front passenger seat12R) of the floor20of the vehicle interior. The console box22is a rectangular hollow box with a length direction of the console box22being in the front-rear direction in plan view, and an upper portion of the console box22is open and is configured to be opened and closed by a lid portion24having a predetermined thickness. It should be noted that the height to the upper face of the lid portion24of the console box22is such that the occupant P can place an elbow portion (not illustrated in the drawings) thereon without having to adopt an uncomfortable posture.

As illustrated inFIG.1andFIG.2, a seating sensor26is provided at a lower side of the front passenger seat12R. The seating sensor26is electrically connected to a recognition device28that is provided at the vehicle. Namely, the configuration is such that the recognition device28recognizes whether or not the occupant P2is seated at the front passenger seat12R by receiving or not receiving a detection signal from the seating sensor26. It should be noted that that the recognition device28includes a built-in control device27that controls each component provided in the vehicle.

A center airbag device30is provided at a right side portion (hereafter referred to as “right side portion16S”), which is a side portion at a vehicle width direction inner side of the seatback16L of the driver's seat12L. As illustrated inFIG.3, the center airbag device30includes an inflator32that is embedded at the right side portion16S of the seatback16L, and a center airbag34(far side airbag) into which gas ejected from an inflator32is supplied.

The inflator32is a cylinder-type gas generating device that is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and an axial direction of the inflator32is a direction (substantially the up-down direction) along a side frame (not illustrated in the drawings) that configures a frame at both the left and right side portions of the seatback16L. The inflator32is actuated at a time at which a vehicle side-on collision has been detected or predicted (hereinafter referred to as “at a time of a side-on collision”), and is capable of instantaneously supplying gas to an interior of the center airbag34. Therefore, the center airbag34is configured to be quickly inflated and deployed.

The center airbag34is folded and embedded at the right side portion16S of the seatback16L, and by gas that is ejected from the inflator32being supplied to the interior of the center airbag34, the epidermis, which extends from a lower end portion to an upper end portion of a front wall of the right side portion16S, is broken, and the center airbag34is inflated and deployed toward at least a vehicle width direction inner side of a waist region Pw, an abdomen region Pt, a chest region Pc, a shoulder region Ps, and the head Ph of the occupant P1that is seated at the driver's seat12L.

Specifically, in side view, the center airbag34that has been inflated and deployed (after inflation and deployment has been completed) is disposed from the vicinity of an upper end portion of the headrest18L to the vicinity of a lower end portion of the seatback16L (further toward the lower side than the lid portion24of the console box22). An upper portion34U of the center airbag34is formed in a substantially elliptical shape that bulges further toward a front side than a lower portion34D side that restrains the abdomen region Pt and the waist region Pw of the occupant P1, so as to be capable of restraining the head Ph of the occupant P1(seeFIG.3). It should be noted that the center airbag34is formed in a single bag shape by sewing together an outer peripheral edge portion of a seat width direction outer side base cloth34A and an outer peripheral edge portion of a seat width direction inner side base cloth34B (seeFIG.1andFIG.2).

Further, as illustrated inFIG.1, at the interior of the lower portion34D side of the center airbag34, a tether36, serving as a regulating member that regulates the thickness (length along the seat width direction) of the lower portion34D side of the center airbag34to a thickness that is suitable at a time at which the occupant P2is seated at the front passenger seat12R, is provided.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIG.3,FIG.4A, andFIG.4B, the tether36is formed in a belt shape having a predetermined width, and connects the vehicle width direction outer side base cloth34A and the vehicle width direction inner side base cloth34B of the center airbag34. Namely, one end portion36A of the tether36is attached to the seat width direction outer side base cloth34A by a sewn portion35having a substantially rectangular frame shape with a length direction of the sewn portion35being in the front-rear direction. Similarly, another end portion36B of the tether36is attached to the seat width direction inner side base cloth34B by a sewn portion35having a substantially rectangular frame shape with a length direction of the sewn portion35being in the front-rear direction.

Further, a release device40, which releases regulation by the tether36under control of the control device27when the occupant P2is recognized as not being seated at the front passenger seat12R by the recognition device28at a time of a vehicle side-on collision, is provided at the interior of the lower portion34D side of the center airbag34.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIG.3,FIG.4A, andFIG.4B, the release device40includes a cutter42that cuts an intermediate portion of the tether36, and an actuator44that supports the cutter42so as to be capable of moving in the front-rear direction. The actuator44includes a cylindrical main body portion44A, and a rod portion44B, which has a rectangular cross-section and is supported by the main body portion44A so as to be capable of moving in the front-rear direction, and the cutter42is integrally attached to a leading end of the rod portion44B.

The main body portion44A is electrically connected to the control device27, and is installed at a left-right direction central portion of a rear end portion of an upper face of a rectangular flat plate-shaped pedestal46that is supported by a side frame or the like of the seatback16L. The rod portion44B is configured to move in the front-rear direction by the main body portion44A being driven under control of the control device27. For example, a rack gear (not illustrated in the drawings) is formed at a base side (a side opposite from the leading end) of the rod portion44B, and a pinion gear (not illustrated in the drawings) that meshes with the rack gear is provided at the main body portion44A. In such a configuration, the rod portion44B is moved by rotating the pinion gear of the main body portion44A under the control of the control device27.

Further, cylindrical hooking members48, which each have an up-down direction as an axial direction, are respectively provided protruding from a left side and a right side of a front end portion of the upper face of the pedestal46so as to be separated in the left-right direction, and the intermediate portion of the tether36is hooked from a rear side to each hooking member48. Therefore, the configuration is such that, at the interior of the center airbag34after inflation and deployment has been completed, a portion of the tether36that is hooked on the respective hooking members48, and to which a predetermined tension has been applied due to the internal pressure of the center airbag34, can be cut by the cutter42that advances.

As illustrated inFIG.4A, at the interior of the center airbag34after inflation and deployment has been completed, the thickness of the lower portion34D side of the center airbag34is limited by the tether36to which a predetermined tension has been applied due to the internal pressure of the center airbag34. This thickness is set as the thickness of the center airbag34that effectively restrains the occupant P1of the driver's seat and the occupant P2of the front passenger seat at a time at which there are two occupants due to there also being the occupant P2that is seated at the front passenger seat12R.

Next, operation of the vehicle occupant restraint device10according to the first exemplary embodiment configured as described above will be explained.

At a time of a vehicle side-on collision, the inflator32is actuated, and gas ejected from the inflator32is supplied to the interior of the center airbag34. When this occurs, the epidermis, which extends from the lower end portion to the upper end portion of the front wall of the right side portion16S of the seatback16L of the driver's seat12L, is broken due to internal pressure (inflation pressure) of the center airbag34that has started to inflate due to the supply of gas.

Namely, the center airbag34is inflated and deployed toward the right side surfaces (vehicle width direction inner sides) of the waist region Pw, the abdomen region Pt, the chest region Pc, the shoulder region Ps, and the head Ph of the occupant P1that is seated at the driver's seat12L. Therefore, the right side surfaces from the waist region Pw to the head Ph of the occupant P1are covered from the right side by the center airbag34. This enables the right side surfaces from the head Ph to the waist region Pw of the occupant P1, which move toward the vehicle width direction inner side under inertia force, to be restrained by the center airbag34at a time of a vehicle side-on collision.

It should be noted that the thickness of the center airbag34is regulated to a thickness that is suitable at a time at which the occupant P2is seated at the front passenger seat12R, by the tether36provided at the interior of the lower portion34D side. Therefore, as illustrated inFIG.1, in a case in which there are two occupants due to there also being the occupant P2who is seated at the front passenger seat12R, the occupant P1that is seated at the driver's seat12L and the occupant P2that is seated at the front passenger seat12R can be effectively restrained by the center airbag34.

Namely, at a time of a side-on collision of a side door (not illustrated in the drawings) at a driver's seat side, for example, in a case in which there are two occupants due to there also being the occupant P2that is seated at the front passenger seat12R, the center airbag34at the time of completion of inflation and deployment is sandwiched between the occupant P1of the driver's seat and the occupant P2of the front passenger seat. However, particularly in a case in which the thickness at the lower portion34D side of the center airbag34at the time of completion of inflation and deployment of the center airbag34is thicker, an external force that is opposite in direction from an external force toward an entry direction (vehicle width direction inner side) of the side door is input to the occupant P1of the driver's seat by the center airbag34, and the deflection amounts (injury values) of the chest region Pc and the abdomen region Pt of the occupant P1of the driver's seat are increased.

Further, in a case in which there are two occupants, a reaction force of the center airbag34in order to avoid a collision between the head Ph of the occupant P1that is seated at the driver's seat and the head Ph of the occupant P2that is seated at the front passenger seat is not required to an amount of a reaction force of the center airbag34in the case of there being one occupant. Therefore, in the first exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the center airbag34, particularly at the lower portion34D side, is set thinner by the tether36in a case in which there are two occupants. This enables the deflection amounts (injury values) of the chest region Pc and the abdomen region Pt of the occupant P1of the driver's seat to be suppressed to low amounts/values.

On the other hand, as illustrated inFIG.2, when it is recognized by the recognition device28that the occupant P2is not seated at the front passenger seat12R (in a case in which there is only one occupant, who is seated at the driver's seat), regulation by the tether36is released by the release device40. Namely, under the control of the control device27, the main body portion44A of the actuator44is driven and the rod portion44B advances, and the intermediate portion of the tether36is cut by the cutter42attached to the leading end of the rod portion44B.

Therefore, as illustrated inFIG.2andFIG.4B, the thickness at the lower portion34D side of the center airbag34is thicker than in a case in which there are two occupants, thereby enabling the occupant P1that is seated at the driver's seat12L to be effectively restrained by the center airbag34. Namely, in order to restrain the upper body (the chest region Pc and the abdomen region Pt) of the occupant P1that is seated at the driver's seat12L (to suppress movement toward the vehicle width direction inner side) at a time at which, for example, there is a side-on collision at a side door (not illustrated in the drawings) at the front passenger seat side, it is effective to apply a reaction force to the upper body of the occupant P1earlier, and it is advantageous that the thickness of the center airbag34, particularly at the lower portion34D side, at the time of completion of inflation and deployment, is thicker.

In the first exemplary embodiment, as described above, the tether36is cut, and the thickness at the lower portion34D side of the center airbag34at the time of completion of inflation and deployment is set thicker than in a case in which there are two occupants, thereby enabling sufficient restraint performance by the center airbag34to be ensured. Therefore, according to the first exemplary embodiment, whether in a case in which there is only one occupant, who is seated at the driver's seat, or in a case in which there are two occupants who are seated at the driver's seat and the front passenger seat, the occupants P1and P2can be effectively restrained by the center airbag34at a time of a vehicle side-on collision (restraint performance with respect to the occupants P1and P2can be ensured).

In addition, in the first exemplary embodiment, the regulating member is a tether36that connects the seat width direction outer side base cloth34A and the seat width direction inner side base cloth34B of the center airbag34, and the release device40includes the cutter42that cuts the tether36. This enables the thickness of the lower portion34D side of the center airbag34to be increased earlier when the recognition device28recognizes that the occupant P2is not seated at the front passenger seat12R.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

Next, a second exemplary embodiment will be explained. Note that portions that are the same as those in the above-described first exemplary embodiment are appended with the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof is appropriately omitted.

As illustrated inFIG.5AandFIG.5B, in the second exemplary embodiment, only the configuration of the regulating member is different from that in the above-described first exemplary embodiment. Namely, the regulating member is a tether36that connects the seat width direction outer side base cloth34A and the seat width direction inner side base cloth34B of the center airbag34, one end portion36A side of the tether36and another end portion36B side of the tether36being connected together by a thread-like member38, in a state in which an intermediate portion of the tether36is slack. Further, the cutter42is configured to cut the thread-like member38.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIG.5AandFIG.5B, one end portion38A of the thread-like member38is sewn and attached to the one end portion36A side of the tether36, and another end portion38B of the thread-like member38is sewn and attached to the other end portion36B side of the tether36. Further, one end portion38A side and another end portion38B side of the thread-like member38are hooked on each hooking member48from the rear side.

Namely, the intermediate portion of the tether36is configured to be disposed in a state in which it is slack further toward the front side than the respective hooking members48. Further, a configuration is such that, at the interior of the center airbag34after inflation and deployment has been completed, between the portions of the thread-like member38which are hooked on the respective hooking members48, can be cut by the cutter42that advances, wherein a predetermined tension has been applied to the thread-like member38due to the internal pressure of the center airbag34.

Next, operation of the vehicle occupant restraint device10according to the second exemplary embodiment configured as described above will be explained. It should be noted that explanation of operations that are common to those in the above-described first exemplary embodiment is appropriately omitted.

At a time of a vehicle side-on collision, the center airbag34is inflated and deployed toward the right side surfaces of the waist region Pw, the abdomen region Pt, the chest region Pc, the shoulder region Ps, and the head Ph of the occupant P1that is seated at the driver's seat12L. It should be noted that the thickness of the center airbag34is regulated to a thickness that is suitable at a time at which the occupant P2is seated at the front passenger seat12R, by the tether36provided at the interior of the lower portion34D side.

Therefore, as illustrated inFIG.1, in a case in which there are two occupants due to there also being the occupant P2that is seated at the front passenger seat12R, the occupant P1that is seated at the driver's seat12L and the occupant P2that is seated at the front passenger seat12R can be effectively restrained by the center airbag34.

On the other hand, as illustrated inFIG.2, when it is recognized by the recognition device28that the occupant P2is not seated at the front passenger seat12R (in a case in which there is only one occupant, who is seated at the driver's seat), regulation by the tether36(the thread-like member38) is released by the release device40. Namely, under the control of the control device27, the main body portion44A of the actuator44is driven and the rod portion44B advances, and the intermediate portion of the thread-like member38is cut by the cutter42attached to the leading end of the rod portion44B.

Therefore, as illustrated inFIG.2andFIG.5B, the thickness at the lower portion34D side of the center airbag34is thicker than in a case in which there are two occupants, thereby enabling the occupant P1that is seated at the driver's seat12L to be effectively restrained by the center airbag34. In this manner, according to the second exemplary embodiment, whether in a case in which there is only one occupant, who is seated at the driver's seat, or in a case in which there are two occupants who are seated at the driver's seat and the front passenger seat, the occupants P1and P2can be effectively restrained by the center airbag34at a time of a vehicle side-on collision (restraint performance with respect to the occupants P1and P2can be ensured).

In addition, in the second exemplary embodiment, the regulating member is a tether36that connects the seat width direction outer side base cloth34A and the seat width direction inner side base cloth34B of the center airbag34, the one end portion36A side of the tether36and the other end portion36B side of the tether36being connected together by the thread-like member38, in a state in which the intermediate portion of the tether36is slack, and the release device40includes the cutter42that cuts the thread-like member38. This enables the thickness of the lower portion34D side of the center airbag34to be increased earlier when the recognition device28recognizes that the occupant P2is not seated at the front passenger seat12R.

Further, in the second exemplary embodiment, even if the thickness of the lower portion34D side of the center airbag34is increased, the seat width direction outer side base cloth34A and the seat width direction inner side base cloth34B remain connected by the tether36. This enables the thickness of the center airbag34at the lower portion34D side to be appropriately set in a case in which there is only one occupant, who is seated at the driver's seat.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

Lastly, a third exemplary embodiment will be explained. It should be noted that portions that are the same as those in the above-described first exemplary embodiment are appended with the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof is appropriately omitted.

As illustrated inFIG.6AandFIG.6B, in the third exemplary embodiment, the configuration of the regulating member and the configuration of the release device40are different from those in the above-described first exemplary embodiment. Namely, the regulating member is a tether36that connects the seat width direction outer side base cloth34A and the seat width direction inner side base cloth34B of the center airbag34, the tether36being taken up against an urging force by which one end portion36A side of the tether36is urged in a counter-winding direction (an unwinding direction, which is a direction toward the seat width direction outer side). Further, the release device40is configured with an actuator50that is capable of locking and unlocking the tether36that has been taken up.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIG.6AandFIG.6B, a pedestal (not illustrated in the drawings) is provided at the interior of the center airbag34, and a take-up shaft39that has an up-down direction as an axial direction is provided projecting from an upper face of the pedestal. A spiral spring37that urges the tether36in the counter-winding direction is attached to the take-up shaft39, and another end portion36B side of the tether36is taken up by the spiral spring37against the urging force of the spiral spring37. Further, an intermediate portion of the tether36in the taken-up state is locked so as not to non-movable by the actuator50.

The actuator50is an air cylinder or the like that is electrically connected to the control device27(seeFIG.1andFIG.2), and is configured with a main body portion52that is disposed at the upper face of the pedestal, a rod portion54that is configured so as to be capable of entering and exiting the main body portion52, and a pressing portion56that is attached to a leading end of the rod portion54. Further, a pressed portion58for sandwiching the intermediate portion of the tether36with the pressing portion56is projectingly provided and fixed to the pedestal.

Therefore, under the control of the control device27, the rod portion54projects out from the main body portion52, and the intermediate portion of the tether36is sandwiched at a predetermined pressure by the pressing portion56and the pressed portion58that is fixed to the pedestal, such that the tether36is locked so as to be non-movable. Further, a configuration is such that the tether36is unlocked so as to be capable of moving due to the urging force of the spiral spring37, by the rod portion54retracting into the main body portion52and moving away from the intermediate portion of the tether36, under control of the control device27.

Next, operation of the vehicle occupant restraint device10according to the third exemplary embodiment configured as described above will be explained. It should be noted that explanation of operations that are common to those in the first exemplary embodiment is appropriately omitted.

At a time of a vehicle side-on collision, the center airbag34is inflated and deployed toward the right side surfaces of the waist region Pw, the abdomen region Pt, the chest region Pc, the shoulder region Ps, and the head Ph of the occupant P1that is seated at the driver's seat12L. It should be noted that the thickness of the center airbag34is regulated to a thickness that is suitable at a time at which the occupant P2is seated at the front passenger seat12R, by the tether36provided at the interior of the lower portion34D side.

Therefore, as illustrated inFIG.1, in a case in which there are two occupants due to there also being the occupant P2who is seated at the front passenger seat12R, the occupant P1that is seated at the driver's seat12L and the occupant P2that is seated at the front passenger seat12R can be effectively restrained by the center airbag34.

On the other hand, as illustrated inFIG.2, when it is recognized by the recognition device28that the occupant P2is not seated at the front passenger seat12R (in a case in which there is only one occupant, who is seated at the driver's seat), regulation by the tether36is released by the release device40. Namely, under the control of the control device27, the main body portion52of the actuator50is driven and the rod portion54retracts inside the main body portion52, and the pressing portion56, which has sandwiched the intermediate portion of the tether36with the pressed portion58at a predetermined pressure, is separated from the tether36. When this occurs, the tether36is unwound in the counter-winding direction due to the urging force of the spiral spring37and the internal pressure of the center airbag34.

Therefore, as illustrated inFIG.2andFIG.6B, the thickness at the lower portion34D side of the center airbag34is thicker than in a case in which there are two occupants, thereby enabling the occupant P1that is seated at the driver's seat12L to be effectively restrained by the center airbag34. Therefore, according to the third exemplary embodiment, whether in a case in which there is only one occupant, who is seated at the driver's seat, or in a case in which there are two occupants who are seated at the driver's seat and the front passenger seat, the occupants P1and P2can be effectively restrained by the center airbag34at a time of a vehicle side-on collision (restraint performance with respect to the occupants P1and P2can be ensured).

In addition, in the third exemplary embodiment, the regulating member is a tether36that connects the seat width direction outer side base cloth34A and the seat width direction inner side base cloth34B of the center airbag34, the tether36being taken up against the urging force by which the one end portion36A side of the tether36is urged in the counter-winding direction, and the release device40is configured with the actuator50that is capable of locking and unlocking the tether36that has been taken up. This enables the thickness of the lower portion34D side of the center airbag34to be increased earlier when the recognition device28recognizes that the occupant P2is not seated at the front passenger seat12R.

Further, in the third exemplary embodiment, even if the thickness of the lower portion34D side of the center airbag34is increased, the seat width direction outer side base cloth34A and the seat width direction inner side base cloth34B remain connected by the tether36. This enables the thickness of the center airbag34at the lower portion34D side to be appropriately set in a case in which there is only one occupant, who is seated at the driver's seat.

Although the vehicle occupant restraint device10according to the present exemplary embodiments has been explained above based on the drawings, the vehicle occupant restraint device10according to the present exemplary embodiments is not limited to that which is illustrated in the drawings, and appropriate design modifications can be implemented within a range that does not depart from the gist of the present disclosure. For example, the recognition device28that recognizes whether the occupant P2is seated at the front passenger seat12R may be a camera (not illustrated in the drawings) or the like that is electrically connected to the control device27. Further, the regulating member and the release device40are not limited to those of the illustrated configuration.