Occupant protecting device for vehicle

An occupant protecting device for a vehicle has a knee airbag that is disposed at a seat front side of a vehicle seat, and that, at a time of a front collision of a vehicle, deploys, and restrains leg portions of a vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat. A foot airbag is disposed at the seat front side of the vehicle seat. At a time of a front collision of the vehicle, when a seat front-rear direction position of the vehicle seat is disposed further toward a rear side than a predetermined position, the foot airbag deploys between the knee airbag and the leg portions of the vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat, and restrains the leg portions of the vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-202672 filed on Oct. 29, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an occupant protecting device for a vehicle.

Related Art

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2005-306359 discloses an occupant protecting device for a vehicle that has a floor airbag and a knee airbag that expand at the front side of a vehicle seat (the driver's seat or the front passenger's seat). The floor airbag is provided at the toeboard that is at the rear of the engine room, and the knee airbag is provided beneath the instrument panel. At the time when the vehicle is involved in a full-overlap collision, the knee airbag is deployed while restricting the expansion of the floor airbag. At the time when the vehicle is involved in an offset collision, the floor airbag is deployed while restricting the expansion of the knee airbag. Due thereto, at the time of a collision of the vehicle, the leg portions of the vehicle occupant not being able to move freely is suppressed, and the respective effects of the floor airbag and the knee airbag not being able to be exhibited sufficiently is suppressed.

SUMMARY

In a state in which a vehicle occupant who is seated in a vehicle seat has slid the vehicle seat toward the seat rear side in order to assume a comfortable posture for example, the space at the periphery of the leg portions of the vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat becomes large. Namely, the space between the leg portions of the vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat and the portion where the airbag (the knee airbag or the like) is provided becomes large.

Therefore, it is thought that, at the time of a front collision of the vehicle, it will be difficult for the leg portions of the vehicle occupant who is seated in the vehicle seat to be restrained by the airbag (the knee airbag or the like). However, such a case is not considered in the structure disclosed in above-described JP-A No. 2005-306359.

In view of the above-described circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an occupant protecting device for a vehicle that can restrain the leg portions of a vehicle occupant who is seated in a vehicle seat, in a state in which the vehicle seat has been slid toward the seat rear side.

An occupant protecting device for a vehicle of a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: a vehicle seat that is supported so as to be slidable in a seat front-rear direction; a first airbag that is disposed at a seat front side of the vehicle seat, and that, at a time of a front collision of a vehicle, deploys, and restrains leg portions of a vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat; and a second airbag that is disposed at the seat front side of the vehicle seat, and that, at a time of a front collision of the vehicle, in a case in which a seat front-rear direction position of the vehicle seat is disposed further toward a rear side than a predetermined position, deploys between the first airbag and the leg portions of the vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat, and restrains the leg portions of the vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat.

In accordance with the occupant protecting device for a vehicle of the first aspect, the first airbag deploys when the vehicle is involved in a front collision in a state in which the seat front-rear direction position of the vehicle seat is disposed further toward the front side than a predetermined position. Due thereto, the leg portions of the vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat are restrained by the first airbag. Further, the first airbag deploys when the vehicle is involved in a front collision in a state in which the seat longitudinal direction position of the vehicle seat is disposed further toward the rear side than the predetermined position. In addition, the second airbag deploys between the first airbag and the leg portions of the vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat. Due thereto, the leg portions of the vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat are restrained by the second airbag. In this way, in the disclosure of the first aspect, the leg portions of the vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat can be restrained in a state in which the vehicle seat has been slid toward the seat rear side.

In an occupant protecting device for a vehicle of a second aspect, in the occupant protecting device for a vehicle of the first aspect, sides, which are opposite the leg portions of the vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat, of the first airbag and the second airbag expand along inner surfaces of a cabin.

In accordance with the occupant protecting device for a vehicle of the second aspect, the sides, which are opposite the leg portions of the vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat, of the first airbag and the second airbag expand along inner surfaces of the cabin. Due thereto, load, which is inputted from the leg portions of the vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat to the first airbag and the second airbag, can be received by inner surfaces of the cabin.

In an occupant protecting device for a vehicle of a third aspect, in the disclosure of the first aspect or the second aspect, a portion, which faces the first airbag, of the second airbag that is in an deployed state is depressed toward a side opposite the first airbag.

In accordance with the occupant protecting device for a vehicle of the third aspect, due to the portion, which faces the first airbag, of the second airbag being depressed toward the side opposite the first airbag, interference between the second airbag and the first airbag can be suppressed. Due thereto, the behavior at the time when the second airbag deploys can be stabilized.

In an occupant protecting device for a vehicle of a fourth aspect, in the occupant protecting device for a vehicle of any one of the first aspect through the third aspect, the vehicle seat is a driver's seat at which a steering wheel and pedals are disposed at a seat front side of the vehicle seat, and a portion, which faces the pedals, of the second airbag that is in an deployed state is depressed toward a side opposite the pedals.

In accordance with the occupant protecting device for a vehicle of the fourth aspect, due to the portion, which faces the pedals, of the second airbag being depressed toward the side opposite the pedals, interference between the second airbag and the pedals can be suppressed.

Due thereto, the behavior at the time when the second airbag deploys can be stabilized.

In an occupant protecting device for a vehicle of a fifth aspect, in the occupant protecting device for a vehicle of any one of the first aspect through the fourth aspect, the vehicle seat has a leg placement portion that supports, from a seat lower side, the leg portions of the vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat, and the second airbag deploys from the leg placement portion.

In accordance with the occupant protecting device for a vehicle of the fifth aspect, due to the structure in which the second airbag deploys from the leg placement portion, the leg portions of the vehicle occupant that are placed on the leg placement portion can be restrained by the second airbag.

In an occupant protecting device for a vehicle of a sixth aspect, in the occupant protecting device for a vehicle of the fifth aspect, the first airbag deploys before the second airbag.

In accordance with the occupant protecting device for a vehicle of the sixth aspect, the first airbag deploys before the second airbag. Due thereto, the leg portions of the vehicle occupant that are apart from the leg placement portion are moved by the first airbag toward the leg placement portion side, and thereafter, the second airbag can be disposed between the first airbag and the leg portions of the vehicle occupant that are placed on the leg placement portion.

An occupant protecting device for a vehicle of a seventh aspect includes: a vehicle seat that is supported so as to be slidable in a seat front-rear direction; a leg placement portion that is provided at the vehicle seat and that supports, from a seat lower side, leg portions of a vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat; a foot airbag that is provided at the leg placement portion, and that, at a time of a front collision of a vehicle, in a case in which a seat front-rear direction position of the vehicle seat is disposed further toward a rear side than a predetermined position, deploys, and restrains the leg portions of the vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat; and a restricting member that is connected to the foot airbag and that restricts movement, toward a seat upper side, of the foot airbag that is in an deployed state.

In accordance with the occupant protecting device for a vehicle of the seventh aspect, the foot airbag deploys when the vehicle is involved in a front collision in a state in which the seat front-rear direction position of the vehicle seat is disposed further toward the rear side than a predetermined position. Further, movement, toward the seat upper side, of the foot airbag that is in an deployed state is restricted by the restricting member. Due thereto, at the time when the leg portions of the vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat push the foot airbag, the foot airbag moving toward the seat upper side can be suppressed. As a result, in a state in which the vehicle seat has been slid toward the seat rear side, the leg portions of the vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat can be restrained.

In an occupant protecting device for a vehicle of an eighth aspect, in the occupant protecting device for a vehicle of the seventh aspect, an opening portion is formed in a portion, which faces toes of the vehicle occupant that are placed on the leg placement portion, of the foot airbag.

In accordance with the occupant protecting device for a vehicle of the eighth aspect, due to the opening portion being formed in the portion of the foot airbag which portion faces the toes of the vehicle occupant that are placed on the leg placement portion, the foot airbag, and the portion that is further toward the side of the knees than the toes of the vehicle occupant that are placed on the leg placement portion, can be fit more closely together.

In an occupant protecting device for a vehicle of a ninth aspect, in the occupant protecting device for a vehicle of the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, a side, which is opposite to a side connected to the foot airbag, of the restricting member is supported so as to be movable in the seat front-rear direction, and in a case in which the foot airbag deploys, the side, which is opposite to the side connected to the foot airbag, of the restricting member moves toward a seat rear side.

In accordance with the occupant protecting device for a vehicle of the ninth aspect, at the time when the foot airbag deploys, the side, which is opposite to the side connected to the foot airbag, of the restricting member moves toward the seat rear side. Due thereto, at the time when the foot airbag deploys, as compared with a structure in which the side, which is opposite to the side connected to the foot airbag, of the restricting member does not move toward the seat rear side, the foot airbag moving toward the seat upper side at the time when the leg portions of the vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat push the foot airbag can be suppressed.

An occupant protecting device for a vehicle of a tenth aspect further has, in the occupant protecting device for a vehicle of any one of the first aspect through the ninth aspect, a sensor that detects a physique of the vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat, wherein, in a case in which the physique of the vehicle occupant detected by the sensor is smaller than a predetermined physique, the second airbag or the foot airbag deploys in a state in which a position of the vehicle seat in the seat front-rear direction is further toward a front side than in a case in which the physique of the vehicle occupant is larger than the predetermined physique.

In accordance with the occupant protecting device for a vehicle of the tenth aspect, the second airbag or the foot airbag can be deployed more suitably in accordance with the physique of the vehicle occupant.

The occupant protecting device for a vehicle relating to the present disclosure has the effect of being able to restrain the leg portions of a vehicle occupant who is seated in a vehicle seat, in a state in which the vehicle seat has been slid toward a seat rear side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

First Embodiment

An occupant protecting device10for a vehicle relating to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is described by usingFIG. 1throughFIG. 3. Note that, in the following explanation, when description is given by using front-rear, left-right and vertical directions, they refer to the front-rear, the left-right and the vertical directions as seen from a vehicle occupant who is seated in a vehicle seat12, unless otherwise specified. Further, arrow FR that is shown appropriately in the respective drawings indicates the seat frontward direction, arrow UP indicates the seat upward direction, arrow RH indicates the seat rightward direction, and arrow LH indicates the seat leftward direction, respectively. Further, the seat frontward direction, the seat upward direction, the seat rightward direction and the seat leftward direction respectively coincide with the frontward direction of the vehicle, the upward direction of the vehicle, the rightward direction of the vehicle and the leftward direction of the vehicle.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the occupant protecting device10for a vehicle of the present embodiment has the vehicle seat12that is used as a driver's seat. This occupant protecting device10for a vehicle has a knee airbag18that serves as a first airbag and a foot airbag20that serves as a second airbag, which expand in a cabin16at the time of a front collision of a vehicle14. Note that front collision means a full-overlap collision, an offset collision, a small overlap collision, and an oblique collision.

The vehicle seat12has a seat cushion22that supports the buttocks of a vehicle occupant P, a seatback24that supports the upper body of the vehicle occupant P, and a headrest26that supports the head portion of the vehicle occupant P. The seat cushion22is supported, so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, at a floor (floor panel40) of the cabin16via unillustrated seat sliding rails.

Here, the vehicle seat12is provided in the cabin16of the vehicle14that is a self-driving vehicle. Therefore, the vehicle seat12can be slid in the front-rear direction from a position at which the vehicle occupant P who is seated in that vehicle seat12can operate a steering wheel28and pedals30and the like, to a rearward position at which the vehicle occupant P cannot operate these. Note thatFIG. 1illustrates a state in which the vehicle seat12is disposed at a position at which the vehicle occupant P who is seated in the vehicle seat12can operate the steering wheel28, the pedals30and the like. Further,FIG. 2illustrates a state in which the vehicle seat12has been moved toward the rear side to the rearward position at which the vehicle occupant P who is seated in the vehicle seat12cannot operate the steering wheel28, the pedals30and the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, an unillustrated position sensor that detects the position of the vehicle seat12in the seat front-rear direction, and a physique detecting sensor32that serves as a sensor that detects the physique (e.g., the body weight) of the vehicle occupant P seated in the vehicle seat12, are provided.

The steering wheel28is provided at the front side of the vehicle seat12. An instrument panel34and a dashboard36are provided at the front side of the steering wheel28. The pedals30are the accelerator pedal, the brake pedal and the like that are disposed at the lower side of the instrument panel34, and are operated by a foot P1of the vehicle occupant P. Note that, in the present embodiment, an airbag38, which is for restraining the upper body of the vehicle occupant who is seated in the front passenger's seat at the time of a front collision of the vehicle14, deploys from the instrument panel34.

The knee airbag18is provided within the instrument panel34at the front side of the vehicle seat12. Further, at the time of a front collision to vehicle, gas is supplied from an unillustrated inflator to the interior of the knee airbag18, and the knee airbag18inflates. Due thereto, the knee airbag18deploys toward the lower side of the instrument panel34. Here, in the state in which the knee airbag18has deployed, a surface18A, which is at the side opposite leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P who is seated in the vehicle seat12, of the knee airbag18is disposed along a lower surface34A of the instrument panel34that structures one of the inner surfaces of the cabin16.

The foot airbag20is provided at the upper portion of a dash panel41at the front end portion of the floor panel40that is at the front side of the vehicle seat12. Further, as shown inFIG. 2, at the time of a front collision of the vehicle, gas is supplied into the foot airbag20from an inflator21, and the foot airbag20is inflated. Due thereto, the foot airbag20deploys between the knee airbag18and the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P who is seated in the vehicle seat12. Here, in the state in which the foot airbag20has deployed, a front surface20A, which is at the side opposite the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P seated in the vehicle seat12, of the foot airbag20is disposed so as to run along a rear surface41A that is at the upper portion of the dash panel41at the front end portion of the floor panel40and that structures one of the inner surfaces of the cabin16. Further, in the state in which the foot airbag20has deployed, front-rear direction central portion20B of the foot airbag20is disposed at the lower side of the knee airbag18, and rear end portion20C of the foot airbag20is disposed at the rear side of the knee airbag18. Further, at the foot airbag20of the present embodiment, portion20D, which faces the knee airbag18in the vertical direction in the state after expansion, is recessed toward the lower side. Moreover, at the foot airbag20of the present embodiment, portion20E, which faces the pedals30in the vertical direction in the state after expansion, is recessed toward the upper side.

As shown inFIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the foot airbag20does not deploy unless there is a state in which the seat front-rear direction position of the vehicle seat12is disposed further toward the rear side than a predetermined position H. Concretely, the foot airbag20does not deploy in a state in which the vehicle seat12is disposed at a position at which the seated vehicle occupant P can operate the steering wheel28, the pedals30and the like (a state in which the vehicle seat12is disposed in range H1in which the posture at which the vehicle occupant P carries out the driving operations is adjusted in accordance with the physique of the vehicle occupant P). In contrast, the foot airbag20deploys in a state in which the vehicle seat12is disposed at a position at which the vehicle occupant P can sit without operating the steering wheel28, the pedals30and the like (a state in which the vehicle seat12is disposed in a range H2at which the vehicle occupant P does not carry out driving operations). Note that the above-described position H, which is the threshold value for judging whether or not the foot airbag20is to be deployed, is determined in consideration of standard physiques and the like of the vehicle occupants P of the country in which the vehicle14is sold. Further, as shown inFIG. 3, it is good to provide a range in which the vehicle seat12is not locked, between the range H1, in which the posture at which the vehicle occupant P carries out the driving operations is adjusted in accordance with the physique of the vehicle occupant P, and the range H2in which the vehicle occupant P does not carry out driving operations.

Operation and Effects of Present Embodiment

Operation and effects of the present embodiment are described next.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 3, in the state in which the vehicle seat12is disposed at a position at which the seated vehicle occupant P can operate the steering wheel28, the pedals30and the like, if the vehicle14is involved in a front collision, the knee airbag18deploys toward the lower side of the instrument panel34. Due thereto, the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P seated in the vehicles seat12can be restrained by the knee airbag18. As a result, the occurrence of a phenomenon in which the vehicle occupant P seated in the vehicle seat12slides toward the seat front side along the seat cushion22(the so-called “submarine phenomenon”) can be effectively suppressed.

Further, as shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, in a state in which the vehicle seat12is disposed at a rearward position at which the vehicle occupant P can sit without operating the steering wheel28, the pedals30and the like, if the vehicle14is involved in a front collision, the knee airbag18deploys toward the lower side of the instrument panel34, and the foot airbag20deploys between the knee airbag18and the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P who is seated in the vehicle seat12. Due thereto, the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P seated in the vehicle seat12can be restrained by the knee airbag18and the foot airbag20. In this way, in the present embodiment, in the state in which the vehicle seat12is slid toward the seat rear side, the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P who is seated in the vehicle seat12can be restrained. Due thereto, the occurrence of the submarine phenomenon can be effectively suppressed also in a state in which the vehicle seat12has been slid toward the seat rear side.

Further, in the present embodiment, at the knee airbag18that has been deployed, the surface18A, which is at the side opposite the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P who is seated in the vehicle seat12, is disposed along the lower surface34A of the instrument panel34. In addition, at the foot airbag20that has been deployed, the front surface20A, which is at the side opposite the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P who is seated in the vehicle seat12, is disposed along the rear surface41A of the upper portion of the dash panel41at the front end portion of the floor panel40. Due thereto, some of the load, which is inputted from the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P to the foot airbag20, can, via the knee airbag18, be received by the lower surface34A of the instrument panel34. Another portion of the load, which is inputted from the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P to the foot airbag20, can be received by the rear surface41A at the upper portion of the dash panel41at the front end portion of the floor panel40.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, at the foot airbag20that has been deployed, the portion20D that faces the knee airbag18in the vertical direction is recessed toward the lower side. Further, at the foot airbag20that has been deployed, the portion20E that faces the pedals30in the vertical direction is recessed toward the upper side. Due thereto, at the time when the foot airbag20deploys, the foot airbag20interfering with the knee airbag18and the pedals30can be suppressed. As a result, the behavior at the time when the foot airbag20deploys can be stabilized.

Second Embodiment

An occupant protecting device42for a vehicle relating to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is described by usingFIG. 4throughFIG. 6. Note that, at the occupant protecting device42for a vehicle of the present embodiment, members and portions that correspond to those of the occupant protecting device10for a vehicle of the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as the corresponding members and portions of the occupant protecting device10for a vehicle, and there are cases in which description thereof is omitted.

As shown inFIG. 4, the occupant protecting device42for a vehicle of the present embodiment has an ottoman device44that serves as a leg placement portion, and has the feature that the foot airbag20is provided at a footrest portion48that structures a portion of the ottoman device44.

The ottoman device44has an ottoman main body portion46that unfolds toward the front side from the distal end portion of the seat cushion22and supports, from the rear side and the lower side, calves P3of the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P who is seated in the vehicle seat12. Further, the ottoman device44has the footrest portion48that is mounted to the front end portion of the ottoman main body portion46and supports, from the rear side and the lower side, the feet P1of the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P who is seated in the vehicle seat12. Further, in the present embodiment, the foot airbag20deploys from the front end portion (the upper end portion) of the footrest portion48. In the present embodiment, the knee airbag18deploys before the foot airbag20.

In accordance with the above-described present embodiment, when the vehicle14is involved in a front collision in the state in which the vehicle seat12is disposed at the rearward position at which the vehicle occupant P can sit without operating the steering wheel28and the pedals30and the like, and in the state in which the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P are supported by the ottoman main body portion46and the footrest portion48of the ottoman device44, the knee airbag18deploys toward the lower side of the instrument panel34, and the foot airbag20deploys from the footrest portion48. Due thereto, the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P who is seated in the vehicle seat12can be restrained by the foot airbag20.

Here, in the present embodiment, the knee airbag18deploys before the foot airbag20. Due thereto, the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P that are apart from the ottoman main body portion46as shown by the solid line inFIG. 5are moved by the knee airbag18toward the ottoman main body portion46side as shown by the dashed line, and a gap is formed between the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P and the knee airbag18. Thereafter, as shown inFIG. 6, the foot airbag20can be disposed between the knee airbag18and the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P that are placed on the ottoman main body portion46and the footrest portion48.

Third Embodiment

An occupant protecting device50for a vehicle relating to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is described by usingFIG. 7throughFIG. 10. Note that, at the occupant protecting device50for a vehicle of the present embodiment, members and portions that correspond to those of the occupant protecting device42for a vehicle of the above-described second embodiment and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals as the corresponding members and portions of the occupant protecting device42for a vehicle, and there are cases in which description thereof is omitted.

As shown inFIG. 7, the occupant protecting device50for a vehicle of the present embodiment has the feature of having a pair of left and right straps52that serve as restricting members that restrict movement, toward the upper side, of the foot airbag20that is in an deployed state. Note that the occupant protecting device50for a vehicle of the present embodiment does not have the knee airbag18(seeFIG. 4).

The straps52are formed in the shapes of belts by using a material that is similar to that of the foot airbag20. One side end portion52A of one of the straps52is connected to the lower end portion of the left side of the footrest portion48, and another side end portion52B of the one strap52is connected to the rear end side at the left side of the foot airbag20that is in an deployed state. Further, although not illustrated, the one side end portion52A of the another strap52is connected to the lower end portion of the right side of the footrest portion48, and the another side end portion52B of the another strap52is connected to the rear end side at the right side of the foot airbag20that is in an deployed state.

In the above-described present embodiment, when the vehicle14is involved in a front collision in the state in which the vehicle seat12is disposed at the rearward position at which the vehicle occupant P can sit without operating the steering wheel28and the pedals30and the like, and in the state in which the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P are supported by the ottoman main body portion46and the footrest portion48of the ottoman device44, the foot airbag20deploys from the footrest portion48.

Here, in the present embodiment, the pair of left and right straps52are provided. Therefore, as shown inFIG. 8,FIG. 9andFIG. 10, the foot airbag20can be expanded while swaying of the portions, to which the straps52are connected, of the foot airbag20is suppressed.

Further, as shown inFIG. 7andFIG. 10, movement of the deployed foot airbag20toward the upper side is restricted by the straps52. Therefore, at the time when the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P who is seated in the vehicle seat12push the foot airbag20, the foot airbag20moving toward the seat upper side can be suppressed. As a result, the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P who is seated in the vehicle seat12can be restrained in the state in which the vehicle seat12has been slid toward the seat rear side.

Fourth Embodiment

An occupant protecting device54for a vehicle relating to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is described by usingFIG. 11. Note that, at the occupant protecting device54for a vehicle of the present embodiment, members and portions that correspond to those of the occupant protecting device50for a vehicle of the above-described third embodiment and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals as the corresponding members and portions of the occupant protecting device50for a vehicle, and there are cases in which description thereof is omitted.

As shown inFIG. 11, the occupant protecting device54for a vehicle relating to the present embodiment has the feature that an opening portion56is formed in the foot airbag20that has been deployed, in the portion thereof that faces toes P4(seeFIG. 7) at leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P that are placed on the footrest portion48.

In the above-described present embodiment, at the time when the foot airbag20deploys, the toes P4(seeFIG. 7) of the vehicle occupant P that are placed on the footrest portion48can be disposed within the opening portion56that is formed in the foot airbag20. Namely, the foot airbag20can be deployed so as to avoid the toes P4of the vehicle occupant P that are placed on the footrest portion48. Due thereto, at the time when the foot airbag20deploys, a rear side20F, which is a portion that is further toward the rear side than the region where the opening portion56is formed, at the foot airbag20can be made to fit closely to portions (shins P6(seeFIG. 7)) that are further toward the side of the knees P5than the toes P4at the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P.

Fifth Embodiment

An occupant protecting device58for a vehicle relating to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure is described by usingFIG. 12. Note that, at the occupant protecting device58for a vehicle of the present embodiment, members and portions that correspond to those of the occupant protecting device50for a vehicle of the above-described third embodiment and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals as the corresponding members and portions of the occupant protecting device50for a vehicle, and there are cases in which description thereof is omitted.

As shown inFIG. 12, the occupant protecting device58for a vehicle of the present embodiment has the feature that the one side end portions52A of the straps52are connected to rails60that are fixed to the ottoman device44or the like. Further, at the time when the foot airbag20deploys, the one side end portions52A of the straps52move toward the rear side along the rails60. Here, unillustrated one-way clutch mechanisms are provided at the rails60. Due thereto, the one side end portions52A of the straps52, which have moved toward the rear side along the rails60, do not return to the front side along the rails60. Further, in the present embodiment, in the state in which the foot airbag20has deployed, the one side end portions52A of the straps52are disposed further toward the rear side than the other side end portions52B.

In the above-described present embodiment, at the time when the foot airbag20deploys, as compared with a structure in which the one side end portions52A of the straps52do not move toward the rear side, the foot airbag20moving toward the seat upper side at the time when the leg portions P2of the vehicle occupant P seated in the vehicle seat12push the foot airbag20can be suppressed.

The structures of the above-described respective embodiments can also be applied to the front side of the vehicle seat12that is used as the front passenger's seat.

Further, the above-described respective embodiments describe examples in which the position H (seeFIG. 3) of the vehicle seat12, that is the threshold value for judging whether or not the foot airbag20is to be deployed, is made to be the fixed position. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, as shown inFIG. 13, the present disclosure may be structured such that, in a case in which it is judged that the physique of the vehicle occupant P detected by the physique detecting sensor32(seeFIG. 1) is smaller than a predetermined physique (shown by dashed line L1inFIG. 13), the foot airbag20is deployed in a state in which the front-rear position of the vehicle seat12is located further toward the front side than in a case of a vehicle occupant of a build larger than the predetermined physique (shown by solid line L2inFIG. 13). In this structure, the foot airbag20can be deployed more suitably in accordance with the physique of the vehicle occupant P. Note that reference numeral H3is a range in which the posture of carrying out the driving operations is adjusted in accordance with the physique of the vehicle occupant P of a small build, and reference numeral H4is a range in which the vehicle occupant P of a small build does not carry out driving operations.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above, and, of course, can be implemented by being modified in various ways other than the above within a scope that does not depart from the gist thereof.