Patent Description:
Vehicles are equipped with airbags as safety devices that are activated in the event of a collision or other emergency. For example, the driver seat airbag is installed in the center of the steering wheel, and the passenger seat airbag is installed in the instrument panel in the vehicle.

Patent Document <NUM> discloses a vehicle seat that can suppress the movement of an occupant in the vehicle width direction by deploying a tension Patent Document <NUM> (<CIT>) discloses a vehicle seat with cloth provided in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle seat in the event of a collision. airbags on both sides of the seat whereby the venting of the airbags is adapted according to the direction of the impact.

[Patent Document <NUM>]: <CIT> [Patent Document <NUM>]: <CIT>.

In recent years, the development of autonomous driving technologies have been progressing, and it is conceivable that the seats in the vehicle can be moved or rotated during autonomous driving according to the passenger's preference. However, when the position of the seat is changed, the direction of the seated occupant changes, which may result in insufficient restraint of the occupant by the airbag during a collision.

In light of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device capable of improving the restraining performance of an occupant by an airbag during a collision.

The airbag device of the present invention is defined by claim <NUM>.

According to the present invention, the restraining performance of the occupant can be improved.

An embodiment of the present invention is described below based on the drawings. <FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a seating arrangement of a vehicle. A driver seat <NUM>, a passenger seat <NUM>, and rear seats <NUM> are arranged as seats in a vehicle <NUM>, and a steering wheel <NUM> is arranged in front of the driver seat <NUM>. While the so-called left-hand drive is illustrated in <FIG>, right-hand drive may also be used. The driver seat <NUM> is provided with a seatback <NUM>, a headrest <NUM>, a storing part <NUM> for storing an airbag cushion part on one side of the driver seat <NUM>, and a storing part <NUM> for storing an airbag cushion part on the other side of the driver seat <NUM>. The passenger seat <NUM> is provided with a seatback <NUM>, a headrest <NUM>, a storing part <NUM> for storing an airbag cushion part on one of the right or left sides of the passenger seat <NUM>, and a storing part <NUM> for storing an airbag cushion part on the other of the right or left sides of the passenger seat <NUM>. The rear seats <NUM> are provided with seatbacks <NUM> and headrests <NUM>. The driver seat <NUM>, the passenger seat <NUM>, and the rear seats <NUM> are also referred to herein collectively as seats.

The positions of the driver seat <NUM> and the passenger seat <NUM> (orientation of the seated occupant) in <FIG> indicate their normal positions. In other words, the airbag cushion part on one side of the driver seat <NUM> (in the diagram, the airbag cushion part stored in the storing part <NUM>) is located closer to a body <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>, and the airbag cushion part on the other side of the driver seat <NUM> in the lateral direction (in the diagram, the airbag cushion part stored in the storing part <NUM>) is located far from the body <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>. The same applies to the left and right airbag cushion parts of the passenger seat <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> is capable of driving under autonomous driving control (for example, at a level that does not require operation by the driver), and the driver seat <NUM> and the passenger seat <NUM> are installed so that they can rotate <NUM> degrees.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the airbag device of the present embodiment. The airbag device is provided with an electronic control unit (ECU) <NUM> as a controller, a first airbag cushion part <NUM> and a second airbag cushion part <NUM> installed in the driver seat <NUM>, a first active vent <NUM> provided in the first airbag cushion part <NUM> and a second active vent <NUM> provided in the second airbag cushion part <NUM>, and an inflator (gas generating device) <NUM> provided in each of the first airbag cushion part <NUM> and the second airbag cushion part <NUM>. The airbag device also includes a first airbag cushion part <NUM> and a second airbag cushion part <NUM> installed in the passenger seat <NUM>, a first active vent <NUM> provided in the first airbag cushion part <NUM>, a second active vent <NUM> provided in the second airbag cushion part <NUM>, and an inflator (gas generating device) <NUM> provided in each of the first airbag cushion part <NUM> and the second airbag cushion part <NUM>. A sensor <NUM> for detecting a collision of the vehicle <NUM>, a driver seat rotational position sensing part <NUM> for detecting the rotation position of the driver seat <NUM>, and a passenger seat rotational position sensing part <NUM> for detecting the rotation position of the passenger seat <NUM> are connected to the ECU <NUM>. In <FIG>, the first airbag cushion part <NUM>, the second airbag cushion part <NUM>, the first airbag cushion part <NUM>, and the second airbag cushion part <NUM> are illustrated in dashed lines as expanded and deployed for convenience.

In the event of a vehicle collision, the ECU <NUM> activates the inflators <NUM> and <NUM> based on a signal output by the sensor <NUM>. The inflator <NUM> is, for example, filled with compressed gas and supplies gas into the first airbag cushion part <NUM> and the second airbag cushion part <NUM> based on an activation signal output by the ECU <NUM> to cause the first airbag cushion part <NUM> and the second airbag cushion part <NUM> to expand and deploy. Similarly, the inflator <NUM> is filled with compressed gas, for example, and supplies gas into the first airbag cushion part <NUM> and the second airbag cushion part <NUM> based on an activation signal output by the ECU <NUM> to expand and deploy the first airbag cushion part <NUM> and the second airbag cushion part <NUM>.

The ECU <NUM> controls one of the first active vent <NUM> and the second active vent <NUM> to open and the other to close based on the signal output by the driver seat rotational position sensing part <NUM>. The ECU <NUM> controls one of the first active vent <NUM> and the second active vent <NUM> to open and the other to close based on the signal output by the passenger seat rotational position sensing part <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the state of the airbag cushion part in the event of a collision in the case of the first arrangement example of the driver seat <NUM> and passenger seat <NUM>. The first arrangement example is a case in which the driver seat <NUM> and the passenger seat <NUM> are facing forward, which is a normal condition and in which the occupants seated in the driver seat <NUM> and the passenger seat <NUM> are facing forward. In the diagram, the active vent is open is illustrated with an arrow that schematically shows the gas being released, while the active vent in the closed state is not marked with an arrow.

The ECU <NUM> controls one of the first active vent and the second active vent to open and controls the other to close when the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part expand and deploy, such as during a vehicle collision.

When the active vent in the airbag cushion part is opened, an occupant can be restrained while the pressure in the airbag cushion part is automatically released at the beginning of the expansion and deployment of the airbag cushion part or at the initial stage of the expansion and deployment. This allows the occupant to be restrained while releasing pressure on the airbag cushion part, such as when the occupant is in a position close to the expanding and deploying airbag cushion part (not a normal position).

On the other hand, when the active vent provided in the airbag cushion part is closed, the occupant can be restrained while maintaining the pressure in the airbag cushion part during expansion and deployment of the airbag cushion part. This allows the pressure of the airbag cushion part to be maintained to restrain the occupant, such as when the occupant is in a normal position relative to the expanding and deploying airbag cushion part.

With the above-described configuration, either one of the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part installed on both sides of the driver seat <NUM> and the passenger seat <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> can restrain the occupant while automatically releasing the pressure in the airbag cushion part, and the other can restrain the occupant while maintaining the pressure in the airbag cushion part, thereby improving the performance of restraining the occupant.

More specifically, the ECU <NUM> controls the active vents <NUM> and <NUM> provided in the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> of the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part closer to the body <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> to open according to the rotational positions of the driver seat <NUM> and the passenger seat <NUM>, and provides control closing the active vents <NUM> and <NUM> provided in the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> of that that is farther from the body <NUM>.

The airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> closer to the body <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> should restrain the occupant while automatically releasing the pressure in the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM>, as the position of the occupant tends to be closer to the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> during expansion and deployment. The airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> farther from the body <NUM> tend to see the occupant in a normal position relative to the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> during expansion and deployment, so it is desirable to maintain the pressure in the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> to restrain the occupant.

Therefore, by controlling the active vents <NUM> and <NUM> provided in the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> closer to the body <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> to open, and controlling the active vents <NUM> and <NUM> provided in the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> farther from the body <NUM> to close, the restraining performance of the occupant can be improved.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the state of the airbag cushion part in the event of a collision in the case of the second arrangement example of the driver seat <NUM> and passenger seat <NUM>. The second arrangement example is a case in which the driver seat <NUM> and passenger seat <NUM> are facing rearward, for example, during autonomous driving and the occupants seated in the driver seat <NUM> and the passenger seat <NUM> are facing rearward. In the diagram, the active vent is open is illustrated with an arrow that schematically shows the gas being released, while the active vent in the closed state is not marked with an arrow. In the example of <FIG>, both the driver seat <NUM> and the passenger seat <NUM> face rearward. However, only one of either the driver seat <NUM> or passenger seat <NUM> may be facing rearward.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the ECU <NUM> controls the active vents <NUM> and <NUM> provided in the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> of the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part that is closer to the body <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> to open according to the rotational positions of the driver seat <NUM> and the passenger seat <NUM>, and provides control closing the active vents <NUM> and <NUM> provided in the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> of that that is farther from the body <NUM>.

The airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> closer to the body <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> should restrain the occupant while automatically releasing the pressure in the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM>, as the position of the occupant tends to be closer to the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> during expansion and deployment. The airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> farther from the body <NUM> tend to see the occupant in a normal position relative to the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> during expansion and deployment, so it is desirable to maintain pressure in the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> to restrain the occupant.

Therefore, by controlling the active vents <NUM> and <NUM> provided in the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> closer to the body <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> to open, and controlling the active vents <NUM> and <NUM> provided in the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> farther from the body <NUM> to close, the restraining performance of the occupant can be improved even if the driver seat <NUM> or the passenger seat <NUM> in the vehicle <NUM> are rotated.

In the example of <FIG>, the driver seat <NUM> and the passenger seat <NUM> are installed to be rotatable, but the movement of the seats is not limited to rotational movement, and may also move linearly. In other words, the ECU <NUM> can control one of the first active vent and the second active vent to open and the other to close according to the movement positions of the driver seat <NUM> and the passenger seat <NUM> that are movable in the vehicle <NUM>. Movable includes, for example, rotational movement, linear movement, and the like. A change in the movement position of the seat can change the position of the occupant relative to the expanding and deploying airbag cushion part from a normal position (or a more normal position) to a non-normal position (or a less normal position) on one side of the seat width direction (vehicle width direction) to the other.

Therefore, by controlling either one of the first active vent and the second active vent to open and the other to close according to the movement position of the seat, the occupant restraining performance can be improved even when the seat is moved in the vehicle.

Next, specific examples of active venting of the airbag cushion part will be explained.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a first example of an active vent configuration. Illustrated below is the airbag cushion part <NUM> in an expanded and deployed state. Although the airbag cushion part <NUM> will be described, the same applies to the other airbag cushion parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the airbag cushion part <NUM> is provided with an inflator <NUM>, a tether retaining part <NUM>, a tether <NUM>, and an active vent <NUM>, and a vent <NUM> is formed in the airbag cushion part <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, the active vent <NUM> is folded over the outside of the airbag cushion part <NUM>, a first end of the tether <NUM> is connected to the tether retaining part <NUM>, and a second end of the tether <NUM> is connected to the active vent <NUM> through the vent <NUM>. The tether retaining part <NUM> can comprise, for example, an actuator or the like, and retains or does not retain the tether <NUM> based on a control signal output by the ECU <NUM>. The tether <NUM> can be formed of a hard and strong material such as, for example, a nylon woven fabric, and is in the form of a string or band.

When the ECU <NUM> outputs a control signal to close the active vent, the tether retaining part <NUM> ceases to retain the first end of the tether <NUM>. The tether <NUM> is relaxed and the active vent <NUM> plugs the vent <NUM>. As a result, the airbag cushion part <NUM> expands and deploys in a closed state.

On the other hand, when the ECU <NUM> outputs a control signal to open the active vent, the tether retaining part <NUM> retains one end of the tether <NUM>. The tether <NUM> is then pulled. As the airbag cushion part <NUM> expands and deploys, for example, at the beginning or initial stages of expansion and deployment, the tether <NUM> operates to unfold the folded active vent <NUM>, causing a portion of the active vent <NUM> to separate from the vent <NUM> and the vent <NUM> to open. As a result, the airbag cushion part <NUM> opens, expanding and deploying.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a second example of an active vent configuration. In the example of <FIG>, the active vent <NUM> is tacked around the vent <NUM> of the airbag cushion part <NUM>. One end of the tether <NUM> is connected to the tether retaining part <NUM> and the other end of the tether <NUM> is tied to the active vent <NUM>.

On the other hand, when the ECU <NUM> outputs a control signal to open the active vent, the tether retaining part <NUM> retains one end of the tether <NUM>. The tether <NUM> is then pulled. As the airbag cushion part <NUM> expands and deploys, for example, at the initial or early stages of expansion and deployment, the tether <NUM> operates to unfold the active vent <NUM>, causing a portion of the active vent <NUM> to separate from the vent <NUM> and the vent <NUM> to open. As a result, the airbag cushion part <NUM> opens, expanding and deploying.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a third example of an active vent configuration. In the example of <FIG>, the active vent <NUM> is a bundle of base material around the vent of the airbag cushion part <NUM> and tied down by the tether <NUM>. In this state, the vent is in a closed state.

When the ECU <NUM> outputs a control signal to close the active vent, the tether retaining part <NUM> retains the first end of the tether <NUM>. The tether <NUM> is then pulled. The tether <NUM> keeps the base material around the vent tied off, and the airbag cushion part <NUM> expands and deploys while remaining closed.

On the other hand, when the ECU <NUM> outputs a control signal to open the active vent, the tether retaining part <NUM> ceases to retain the first end of the tether <NUM>. The tether <NUM> is then relaxed. As the airbag cushion part <NUM> expands and deploys, the pressure within the airbag cushion part <NUM> operates to undo the tether <NUM> that binds the base material around the vent, causing the vent to be released. As a result, the airbag cushion part <NUM> opens, expanding and deploying.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a fourth example of an active vent configuration. In the example of <FIG>, a patch <NUM> is provided. The patch <NUM> can be formed, for example, of a base material or other suitable fabric, and the shape of the patch <NUM> can be rectangular, circular, triangular, or any other shape, as long as the shape allows the vent <NUM> to open and close. The patch <NUM> is stitched or glued around the vent <NUM> so as to plug the vent <NUM>.

When the ECU <NUM> outputs a control signal to close the active vent, the tether retaining part <NUM> ceases to retain the first end of the tether <NUM>. The tether <NUM> is then relaxed. The patch <NUM> remains sewn or glued around the vent <NUM> and the airbag cushion part <NUM> expands and deploys while remaining closed.

On the other hand, when the ECU <NUM> outputs a control signal to open the active vent, the tether retaining part <NUM> retains one end of the tether <NUM>. The tether <NUM> is then pulled. As the airbag cushion part <NUM> expands and deploys, the patch <NUM> is pulled by the tether <NUM>, causing some of the portions sewn or glued around the vent <NUM> to open. As a result, the airbag cushion part <NUM> opens, expanding and deploying.

As described above, the active vent is provided with a patch <NUM> that opens or closes a vent <NUM> in the airbag cushion part <NUM>. The same is true for the active vents in each of the airbag cushion parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The patch <NUM> can be formed, for example, of a base material or other suitable fabric, and the shape can be rectangular, circular, triangular, or other suitable shape, as long as the shape is capable of keeping the vent <NUM> open or closed.

The airbag cushion part <NUM> has the tether <NUM> that is connected at the first end to the patch <NUM> and at the second end to the tether retaining part <NUM>. The same applies to the airbag cushion parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The tether <NUM> can be formed of a hard and strong material such as, for example, a nylon woven fabric, and is in the form of a string or band. The tether retaining part <NUM> can comprise, for example, an actuator or the like, and can retain or cease to retain the second end of the tether <NUM> based on a control signal output by the ECU <NUM>.

The tether retaining part <NUM> retains or ceases to retain the tether <NUM>, which allows the patch <NUM> to open or close the vent <NUM>. For example, in retaining the tether <NUM>, the tether retaining part <NUM> may retain the tether <NUM> in a taut state within the expanding and deploying airbag cushion part <NUM>, thereby releasing the patch <NUM> from the vent <NUM> and causing the vent <NUM> to open, as illustrated in <FIG>, or the patch <NUM> may be adhered to the vent <NUM> (not shown) to close the vent <NUM>. Furthermore, the tether retaining part <NUM> can cease to retain the tether <NUM>, thereby relaxing the tether <NUM> in the expanding and deploying airbag cushion part <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, and the patch <NUM> may be adhered to the vent <NUM> to close the vent <NUM>, and the patch <NUM> may be detached from the vent <NUM> (not shown) to open the vent <NUM>. This enables individually and independently opening or closing each of the airbag cushion parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> according to the control signal output by the ECU <NUM>.

<FIG> are schematic diagrams illustrating a fifth example of an active vent configuration. <FIG> illustrates a schematic diagram of the fourth example of <FIG>, described above, from a different angle. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the airbag cushion part <NUM> is closed, the tether <NUM> is relaxed and the patch <NUM> is sewn or adhered around the vent <NUM> with the vent <NUM> plugged. On the other hand, when the airbag cushion part <NUM> is open, the tether <NUM> become pulled and the patches <NUM> are pulled by the tether <NUM>, dislodging some of the portions sewn or glued around the vent <NUM>, leaving the vent <NUM> open.

<FIG> shows a fifth example when viewed from the same direction as <FIG>. In <FIG>, if the direction in which the tether <NUM> is pulled is hypothetically the X-axis direction, instead of the configuration (<FIG>) in which the position of the vent <NUM> is at or near the X-axis, the vent <NUM> is provided at a position displaced in the Y-axis direction from the position of the tether <NUM>. By using the configuration of <FIG>, when the airbag cushion part <NUM> expands and deploys and the tether <NUM> is pulled, a portion of the patch <NUM> does not immediately disengage from the vent <NUM>, and the vent <NUM> remains plugged for a short period, thus allowing a faster speed of the airbag cushion part <NUM> expanding and deploying in the Y-direction.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a sixth example of an active vent configuration. In the example of <FIG>, the airbag cushion part <NUM> is provided with a baffle <NUM>. The baffle <NUM> can be formed, for example, of the necessary base material, and a vent <NUM> can be formed in the plate-shaped base material, which can be folded to plug the vent <NUM> and deployed to open the vent <NUM>. By tightening the baffle <NUM> using the tether <NUM>, the baffle <NUM> can be folded, and by loosening the tether <NUM>, the baffle <NUM> can be made deployable and the vent <NUM> can be opened.

When the ECU <NUM> outputs a control signal to close the active vent, the tether retaining part <NUM> retains the first end of the tether <NUM>. The tether <NUM> is then pulled. The baffle <NUM> will remain tightened by the tether <NUM> and the vent <NUM> will remain blocked. The airbag cushion part <NUM> expands and deploys in a closed state.

On the other hand, when the ECU <NUM> outputs a control signal to open the active vent, the tether retaining part <NUM> ceases to retain the first end of the tether <NUM>. The tether <NUM> is then relaxed. The baffle <NUM> is deployed, opening the vent <NUM>. As a result, the airbag cushion part <NUM> opens, expanding and deploying.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a seventh example of an active vent configuration. In the example of <FIG>, the airbag cushion part <NUM> has a belt-shaped patch <NUM> with a vent 181a formed, and a guide <NUM> with a vent 182a slidably holding the patch <NUM> inserted inside. As the relative positions of the patch <NUM> and the guide <NUM> change, the vent is open when the position of the vent 181a and the position of the vent 182a overlap in whole or in part, and the vent is closed when the position of the vent 181a and the position of the vent 182a are completely offset (do not overlap at all).

When the ECU <NUM> outputs a control signal to close the active vent, the tether retaining part <NUM> ceases to retain the first end of the tether <NUM>. The tether <NUM> is then relaxed. The relative positions of the patch <NUM> and the guide <NUM> are maintained, and the position of the vent 181a is completely offset from the position of the vent 182a. The airbag cushion part <NUM> expands and deploys in a closed state.

On the other hand, when the ECU <NUM> outputs a control signal to open the active vent, the tether retaining part <NUM> retains one end of the tether <NUM>. The tether <NUM> is then pulled. As the airbag cushion part <NUM> expands and deploys, the relative positions of the patch <NUM> and the guide <NUM> change, and the position of the vent 181a and the position of the vent 182a overlap in whole or in part, opening the vent. As a result, the airbag cushion part <NUM> opens, expanding and deploying.

Next, the head cushion part for occupant head protection is described.

A head cushion part <NUM> for protecting the head of an occupant is provided in the airbag cushion part <NUM>. Similarly, the airbag cushion parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are also provided with a head cushion part. For example, when the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> expand and deploy, one of either the head cushion part provided in the airbag cushion part <NUM> or the head cushion part provided in the airbag cushion part <NUM> can be expanded and deployed. Similarly, when the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> expand and deploy, one of either the head cushion part provided in the airbag cushion part <NUM> or the head cushion part provided in the airbag cushion part <NUM> can be expanded and deployed. The other head cushion part is not be expanded and deployed, for example, by remaining stored inside the airbag cushion part.

With the configuration described above, the head cushion part installed in either one of the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part installed on both sides of the seat can restrain the occupant while automatically releasing internal pressure, and the head cushion part installed in the other can restrain the occupant while maintaining pressure, thereby improving the performance of restraining the occupant.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a first example of the state of the head cushion part during a collision. In the following, the airbag cushion part <NUM> will be explained, but the same applies to other airbag cushion parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the airbag cushion part <NUM> is controlled to close, the head cushion part <NUM> provided in the airbag cushion part <NUM> is expanded and deployed. When the airbag cushion part <NUM> is controlled to open, the head cushion part <NUM> provided in the airbag cushion part <NUM> is not deployed. In other words, when either the first airbag cushion part or the second airbag cushion part is controlled to close, the head cushion part provided in the airbag cushion part controlled to close is expanded and deployed. When the airbag cushion part is closed, the position of the occupant is normal (not near) to the airbag cushion part, so the head cushion part is expanded and deployed to protect the head of the occupant. This improves the restraining performance of the occupant.

More specifically, all or part of the head cushion part <NUM> is stored inside the airbag cushion part <NUM>. For example, all or part of the head cushion part <NUM> is folded toward the inside of the airbag cushion part <NUM>. The folded portion is also referred to as the tucked-in portion. The same is true for the other airbag cushion parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the gas inside the airbag cushion part <NUM> controlled to close expands and deploys the head cushion part <NUM> stored inside the airbag cushion part <NUM>. By controlling the airbag cushion part <NUM> to close, when the pressure inside the airbag cushion part <NUM> at the time of expansion and deployment becomes higher than a certain level, the gas inside the airbag cushion part <NUM> flows into the head cushion part <NUM>, and the head cushion part <NUM>, which is stored inside the airbag cushion part <NUM>, can expand (push out) toward the outside of the airbag cushion part <NUM>, and the head cushion part <NUM> can be expanded and deployed. In this case, the tether retaining part <NUM> retains the tether <NUM>, and the active vent <NUM> closes the vent <NUM>.

The tether retaining part <NUM> ceases to retain the tether <NUM>, and the active vent <NUM> opens the vent <NUM>. By controlling the airbag cushion part <NUM> to open, the pressure inside the airbag cushion part <NUM> does not increase during expansion and deployment, and the head cushion part <NUM> remains stored inside the airbag cushion part <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a second example of the state of the head cushion part during a collision. In the second example, as in the first example, all or part of the head cushion part <NUM> is stored inside the airbag cushion part <NUM>. For example, all or part of the head cushion part <NUM> is folded toward the inside of the airbag cushion part <NUM>. In the second example, the first end of the tether <NUM> is connected to the tether retaining part <NUM>, and the second end of the tether <NUM> is connected to the required position of the head cushion part <NUM>.

In the closed state illustrated in <FIG>, the head cushion part <NUM> is expanded and deployed. For example, the head cushion part <NUM> can be expanded and deployed by gas supplied by the inflator <NUM>. Specifically, the head cushion part <NUM> can be expanded and deployed by the tether retaining part <NUM> ceasing to retain the tether <NUM>. In this case, the pressure inside the airbag cushion part <NUM> does not increases past a prescribed value because the head cushion part <NUM> expands and deploys, and the active vent <NUM> keeps the vent <NUM> closed enabling keeping the airbag cushion part <NUM> in a closed state.

In the open state illustrated in <FIG>, the head cushion part <NUM> remains stored inside the airbag cushion part <NUM>. Specifically, the tether retaining part <NUM> retains the tether <NUM>, thereby allowing the head cushion part <NUM> to remain stored within the airbag cushion part <NUM>. In this case, the pressure inside the airbag cushion part <NUM> increases past a prescribed value because the head cushion part <NUM> is not deployed, and said pressure causes the active vent <NUM> to open the vent <NUM> so that the airbag cushion part <NUM> can be opened.

In the above-described embodiment, the airbag cushion part <NUM> and the airbag cushion part <NUM> can be the same bag shape (same shape) in a non expanded-deployed state. The non expanded-deployed state can be a state in which the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> are assembled (fabricated), for example, unfolded on a flat surface. Similarly, the airbag cushion part <NUM> and the airbag cushion part <NUM> can be the same bag shape in a non expanded-deployed state.

As a result, the occupant can be restrained while automatically releasing the pressure in the same manner in both the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part installed on both sides of the seat, and the occupant can be restrained while maintaining the pressure in the same manner in both the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part in the same manner.

In the embodiments described above, each of the airbag cushion parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can have an active vent opposite an opening portion that supplies gas into the airbag cushion part in an expanded and deployed state. Here, the opening portion may be, for example, a gas feed port of the inflator <NUM> and <NUM>, or, in the case where the airbag is provided with a bulkhead covering the inflator <NUM> and <NUM> inside the airbag cushion parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the opening may be a gas feed port provided in the bulkhead.

This suppresses the gas supplied from the opening portion from being immediately released from the active vent when the airbag cushion part is expanded and deployed by supplying gas from the opening portion into the airbag cushion part at the time of a collision or the like, so that the airbag cushion part can be expanded and deployed in a required state (for example, in the required shape or the required internal pressure).

Next, the arrangement of the seats in the vehicle <NUM> will be described.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the state of the airbag cushion part in the event of a collision in the case of the third arrangement example of the driver seat <NUM> and passenger seat <NUM>. The third arrangement is a case where the driver seat <NUM> and the passenger seat <NUM> are facing each other, for example, during autonomous driving, and the occupants seated in the driver seat <NUM> and the passenger seat <NUM> are facing each other. The relative positions of the driver seat <NUM> and the passenger seat <NUM> in the vehicle length direction can be shifted appropriately. In the diagram, the open active vent is illustrated with an arrow that schematically shows the gas being released, while the active vent in the closed state is not marked with an arrow.

The airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> closer to the body <NUM> or instrument panel of the vehicle <NUM> should restrain the occupant while automatically releasing the pressure in the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM>, because the position of the occupant tends to be closer to the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> during expansion and deployment. The airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> on the far side or interior side of the vehicle from the body <NUM> should maintain the pressure in the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> to restrain the occupant, since the occupant tends to be in a normal position relative to the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> during expansion and deployment.

Therefore, by controlling the active vents <NUM> and <NUM> provided in the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> closer to the body <NUM> or the instrument panel of the vehicle <NUM> to open, and controlling the active vents <NUM> and <NUM> provided in the airbag cushion parts <NUM> and <NUM> farther from the body <NUM> or on the interior side of the vehicle to close, the restraining performance of the occupant can be improved even if the driver seat <NUM> or the passenger seat <NUM> in the vehicle <NUM> are rotated.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the state of the airbag cushion part in the event of a collision in the case of the fourth arrangement example of the driver seat <NUM> and passenger seat <NUM>. The fourth arrangement is when the driver seat <NUM> and the passenger seat <NUM> are facing backward and facing each other, for example, during autonomous driving, and the occupants seated in the driver seat <NUM> and the passenger seat <NUM> are facing backward and each other. In the case of the fourth arrangement example, the same control can be performed as in the case of the second arrangement example, so the explanation is omitted.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the state of the airbag cushion part in the event of a collision in the case of the fifth arrangement example of the driver seat <NUM> and passenger seat <NUM>. The fifth arrangement shows an example of a case where, in addition to the driver seat <NUM> and the passenger seat <NUM>, the rear seat <NUM> can also be separated and moved, for example, during autonomous driving. Since the arrangement example of the driver seat <NUM> and the passenger seat <NUM> is the same as the third arrangement example in <FIG>, the same control as in the third arrangement example can be performed.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the rear seat <NUM> can be separated into a first rear seat 30a and a second rear seat 30b, wherein the first rear seat 30a and the second rear seat 30b are facing each other, and the occupants seated in the first rear seat 30a and the second rear seat 30b are also facing each other. In this case, as in the case of the driver seat <NUM> and the passenger seat <NUM>, the rear seats can be provided with a rear seat rotational position sensing part capable of detecting separation or movement of the rear seats <NUM>.

The airbag cushion parts 321a, 321b closer to the body <NUM> on the rear side of the vehicle <NUM> should restrain the occupant while automatically releasing the pressure in the airbag cushion parts 321a, 321b because the occupant's position tends to be closer to the airbag cushion parts 321a, 321b during expansion and deployment. This is desirable. The airbag cushion parts 311a and 311b on the far side or interior side of the vehicle from the body <NUM> of the rear should maintain the pressure in the airbag cushion parts 311a and 311b to restrain the occupant, since the occupant tends to be in a normal position relative to the airbag cushion parts 311a and 311b during expansion and deployment.

Therefore, by controlling the active vents 322a and 322b provided in the airbag cushion parts 321a and 321b closer to the rear side of the body <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> to open, and controlling the active vents 312a and 312b provided in the airbag cushion parts 311a and 311b farther or on the vehicle interior side of the rear side of the body <NUM>, the restraining performance of the occupant can be improved even if the rear seats <NUM> are moved inside the vehicle <NUM>.

The airbag device of the present embodiment includes a first airbag cushion part and a second airbag cushion part installed on each side of a seat of a vehicle, a first active vent provided in the first airbag cushion part and a second active vent provided in the second airbag cushion part, and a controller that controls the first active vent or the second active vent to open and the other to close when the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part are expanded and deployed.

A first airbag cushion part and a second airbag cushion part are installed on both sides of a seat of a vehicle, wherein a first active vent is provided in the first airbag cushion part and a second active vent is provided in the second airbag cushion part. The controller controls one of the first active vent and the second active vent to open and controls the other to close when the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part expand and deploy, such as during a vehicle collision.

The airbag cushion part provided with active vents is expanded and deployed by gas supplied by an inflator (gas generating device) in the event of a vehicle collision. When the active vent in the airbag cushion part is opened, an occupant can be restrained while the pressure in the airbag cushion part is automatically released at the beginning of the expansion and deployment of the airbag cushion part or at the initial stage of the expansion and deployment. This allows the occupant to be restrained while releasing pressure on the airbag cushion part, such as when the occupant is in a position close to the expanding and deploying airbag cushion part (not a normal position).

With the configuration described above, either one of the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part installed on both sides of the seat of the vehicle can restrain the occupant while automatically releasing the pressure in the airbag cushion part, and the other can restrain the occupant while maintaining the pressure in the airbag cushion part, thereby improving restraining performance of the occupant.

Regarding the airbag device according to the present embodiment, the controller can control one of the first active vent and the second active vent to be open and the other to be closed according to the movement positions of the seats that are movable in the vehicle.

The controller can control one of the first active vent and the second active vent to open and the other to close according to the movement positions of the seat that are movable in the vehicle. Movable includes, for example, rotational movement, linear movement, and the like. A change in the movement position of the seat can change the position of the occupant relative to the expanding and deploying airbag cushion part from a normal position (or a more normal position) to a non-normal position (or a less normal position) on one side of the seat width direction (vehicle width direction) to the other.

Therefore, by controlling one of the first active vent and the second active vent to open and the other to close according to the movement position of the seat, the restraining performance of the occupant can be improved even when the seat is moved in the vehicle.

Regarding the airbag device according the present embodiment, the controller controls the active vent provided in the airbag cushion part among the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part closer to the body of the vehicle to open according to the rotational position of the seat, and controls the active vent provided in the airbag cushion part farther from the body to close.

The controller controls the active vent provided in the airbag cushion part among the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part closer to the body of the vehicle to open according to the rotational position of the seat, and controls the active vent provided in the airbag cushion part farther from the body to close.

The rotational position of the seat includes, for example, a normal position in which the occupant is facing forward of the vehicle and a reversed position in which the occupant is facing rearward of the vehicle. Regardless of the rotational position of the seat, the airbag cushion part closer to the body of the vehicle should restrain the occupant while automatically releasing the pressure in the airbag cushion part, since the occupant tends to be positioned closer to the airbag cushion part during expansion and deployment. The airbag cushion part farther from the body should maintain the pressure in the airbag cushion part to restrain the occupant, as the occupant tends to be in a normal position relative to the airbag cushion part during expansion and deployment.

Therefore, by controlling the active vent provided in the airbag cushion part closer to the body of the vehicle to open and controlling the active vent provided in the airbag cushion part farther from the body to close, the restraining performance of the occupant can be improved even when the seat is rotated in the vehicle.

Regarding the airbag device according to the present invention, a first head cushion part for protecting the head of an occupant is provided in the first airbag cushion part and a second head cushion part for protecting the head of an occupant is provided in the second airbag cushion part, such that either one of the first head cushion part or the second head cushion part is expanded and deployed when the first airbag cushion part or the second airbag cushion part is expanded and deployed.

The first head cushion part for protecting the head of an occupant is provided in the first airbag cushion part, and the second head cushion part is provided in the second airbag cushion part. When the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part expand and deploy, either the first head cushion part or the second head cushion part is expanded and deployed. The other head cushion part is not be expanded and deployed, for example, by remaining stored inside the airbag cushion part.

With the configuration described above, the head cushion part installed in either one of the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part installed on both sides of the vehicle seat can restrain the occupant while automatically releasing the internal pressure, and the head cushion part installed in the other can restrain the occupant while maintaining the pressure, thereby improving occupant restraining performance.

Regarding the airbag device according to the present embodiment, when either one of the first airbag cushion part or the second airbag cushion part is controlled to close, the head cushion part of the airbag cushion part controlled to close is expanded and deployed.

When either the first airbag cushion part or the second airbag cushion part is controlled to close, the head cushion part provided in the airbag cushion part controlled to close is expanded and deployed. When the airbag cushion part is closed, the position of the occupant is normal (not near) to the airbag cushion part, so the head cushion part is expanded and deployed to protect the head of the occupant. This improves the restraining performance of the occupant.

Regarding the airbag device according to the present embodiment, all or a part of the first head cushion part is stored inside the first airbag cushion part and all or a part of the second head cushion part is stored inside the second airbag cushion part, such that the head cushion part stored inside the airbag cushion part is expanded and deployed by the gas inside the airbag cushion part controlled to be closed.

All or part of the first head cushion part is stored inside the first airbag cushion part. For example, all or part of the first head cushion part is folded toward the inside of the first airbag cushion part. The folded portion is also referred to as the tucked-in portion. All or part of the second head cushion part is stored inside the second airbag cushion part. For example, all or part of the second head cushion part is folded toward the inside of the second airbag cushion part.

The gas inside the airbag cushion part controlled to close expands and deploys the head cushion part stored inside the airbag cushion part. By controlling the airbag cushion part to close, when the pressure inside the airbag cushion part at the time of expansion and deployment becomes higher than a certain level, the gas inside the airbag cushion part flows into the head cushion part, and the head cushion part, which is stored inside the airbag cushion part, can expand (push out) toward the outside of the airbag cushion part, and the head cushion part can be expanded and deployed.

Regarding the airbag device according to the present embodiment, all or part of the first head cushion part is stored inside the first airbag cushion part, and all or part of the second head cushion part is stored inside the second airbag cushion part, such that by expanding and deploying either one of the first head cushion part or the second head cushion part, the expanding and deploying head cushion part closes off the airbag cushion part it was stored in.

Either the first head cushion part or the second head cushion part is expanded and deployed. For example, either the first head cushion part or the second head cushion part can be expanded and deployed by gas supplied by an inflator (gas generating device). As the head cushion part expands and deploys, the pressure inside the airbag cushion part storing the head cushion part does not increase, and the active vent can remain in a closed state, allowing the airbag cushion part to remain in a closed state.

In the airbag device of the present embodiment, the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part have the same bag shape in a non expanded-deployed state.

The first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part have the same bag shape in the non expanded-deployed state. As a result, the occupant can be restrained while automatically releasing the pressure in the same manner in either the first airbag cushion part or the second airbag cushion part installed on both sides of the vehicle seat, and the occupant can be restrained while maintaining the pressure in the same manner in either the first airbag cushion part or the second airbag cushion part.

Regarding the airbag device according to the present embodiment, the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part are respectively arranged with the first active vent and the second active vent arranged so as to face the opening portion for supplying gas inside the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part in the expanded and deployed state.

The first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part are respectively arranged with the first active vent and the second active vent facing the opening portion for supplying gas inside the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part in the expanded and deployed.

This prevents the gas supplied from the opening portion from being immediately released from the active vent when the airbag cushion part is expanded and deployed by supplying gas from the opening portion into the airbag cushion part at the time of a collision or the like, so that the airbag cushion part can be expanded and deployed in a required state.

Regarding the airbag device according to the present embodiment, wherein the first active vent and the second active vent are respectively provided with a patch that can open or close a vent provided on the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part, the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part each have a tether connected at one end to the patch and connected at the other end to a tether retaining part provided, which either retains or ceases to retain the tether, where the patch either opens or closes the vent by the tether retaining part either retaining or ceasing to retain the tether.

The first active vent is provided with a patch that opens or closes a vent in the first airbag cushion part, and the second active vent is provided with a patch that opens or closes a vent in the second airbag cushion part. The patch can be formed, for example, of a base material or other suitable fabric, and the shape can be rectangular, circular, triangular, or any other shape, as long as the shape allows the vent to open and close.

Each of the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part is provided with a tether that is connected at a first end to the patch and at a second end to a tether retaining part. The tether can be formed of a hard, strong material, such as a nylon weave, for example, and is in the form of a string or band. The tether retaining part can be made up of, for example, an actuator or the like, and can retain or cease to retain the second end of the tether based on an external control signal.

Claim 1:
An airbag device, comprising:
a first airbag cushion part (<NUM>,<NUM>) and a second airbag cushion part (<NUM>,<NUM>) installed on each side of a seat of a vehicle (<NUM>);
a first active vent (<NUM>,<NUM>) provided in the first airbag cushion part (<NUM>,<NUM>) and a second active vent (<NUM>,<NUM>) provided in the second airbag cushion part (<NUM>,<NUM>);
and a controller that controls the first active vent (<NUM>,<NUM>) or the second active vent (<NUM>,<NUM>) to open and the other to close when the first airbag cushion part (<NUM>,<NUM>) and the second airbag cushion (<NUM>,<NUM>) part are expanded and deployed, characterized by
a first head cushion part for protecting the head of an occupant is provided in the first airbag cushion part (<NUM>,<NUM>), and a second head cushion part for protecting the head of an occupant is provided in the second airbag cushion part (<NUM>,<NUM>), such that either one of the first head cushion part or the second head cushion part is expanded and deployed when the first airbag cushion part (<NUM>,<NUM>) or the second airbag cushion part (<NUM>,<NUM>) is expanded and deployed.