JP2007022417A - Occupant crash protection device for passenger seat of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrain a head part of an occupant at an early stage while reducing capacity of a bag member. <P>SOLUTION: The folded bag member 14 and an inflator 13 to be a supply source of gas pressure to the bag member 14 are stored in a front part 1a corresponding to the front of the passenger seat 2 out of an instrument panel 1, and the bag member 14 is expanded and developed to the front of the passenger seat as the inflator 13 is actuated in relation to collision of a vehicle. The bag member 14 is set so that a height position of a lower end when it is expanded and developed and in a state where external force does not work comes to be on the upper side than a roughly lower end position R of a rib part of the occupant J of an average figure seated on the passenger seat 2. It is set so that the height position of the lower end of the bag member 14 when it is expanded and developed and in a state where the external force does not work comes to be 20cm to 35cm above a hip point HP when the hip point HP of the occupant J of the average figure is made a standard. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a passenger protection device for a passenger seat of a vehicle.

  In vehicles (especially automobiles), it is common to provide an air bag device for protecting passengers in the event of a collision (especially during a frontal collision), and this type of air bag device is also widely used for passenger seats. ing. The airbag device for a passenger seat houses a folded bag member and an inflator serving as a gas pressure supply source for the bag member in a portion corresponding to the front of the passenger seat of the instrument panel, so that a vehicle collision occurs. When predicted or when a collision is actually detected, by operating the inflator, the bag member that has received the gas pressure from the inflator is inflated and deployed in front of the passenger seat.

The space between the passenger seat and the instrument panel is quite large. Therefore, when the bag member is inflated and deployed, the size of the bag member in the vertical direction is usually quite large so as to be in the height range of the upper body of the occupant when no external force is applied, as shown in Patent Document 1. (The lower end of the inflated and deployed bag member is positioned near the occupant's knee, and the upper end of the bag member is positioned near the top surface of the head). Thus, if the passenger seat bag member is large (large capacity), the time required to inflate and deploy becomes long. In order to reduce the capacity of the bag member, as shown in Patent Document 2, the size of the bag member when inflated and deployed is directed to the vicinity of the abdomen of the occupant seated in the passenger seat when no external force is applied. What is set as described above is disclosed. More specifically, in the one shown in Patent Document 2, the lower end of the inflated and deployed bag member is set to a height position near the occupant's knee, while the upper end of the bag member is positioned near the occupant's chin. It is said that the height.
JP-A-2-303948 JP-A-8-72655

  However, in the case of reducing the capacity of the bag member as shown in Patent Document 2, the chest and head of the passenger seated in the passenger seat are largely separated from the inflated and deployed bag member in the front-rear direction. From the viewpoint of restraining the head of the occupant by the inflated and deployed bag member after the head of the occupant has moved considerably forward and restraining the head early. There will still be points to be improved.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to protect a passenger's seat for a passenger seat of a vehicle that can restrain a passenger's head at an early stage while reducing the capacity of a bag member. To provide an apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following as a first solution. That is, as described in claim 1 in the claims,
A folded bag member and an inflator serving as a supply source of gas pressure to the bag member are housed in a portion corresponding to the front of the passenger seat in the instrument panel, and the inflator is activated in association with a vehicle collision. In the passenger seat occupant protection device for a vehicle, the bag member being inflated and deployed forward of the passenger seat
When the bag member is inflated and deployed and the external force does not act, the lower end height position is above the substantially lower end position of the rib portion in the average body type occupant seated in the passenger seat. Set,
It is like that. According to the above solution, since the lower end of the bag member when inflated and deployed is in a limited range from the substantially lower end position of the rib portion of the occupant to the upper portion, the bag member has a reduced capacity, This is preferable for restraining the head of the passenger at an early stage. Further, since the bag member is inflated and deployed at a high position, the occupant's head can be reliably restrained.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the second solution as follows. That is, as described in claim 2 in the scope of claims,
A folded bag member and an inflator serving as a supply source of gas pressure to the bag member are housed in a portion corresponding to the front of the passenger seat in the instrument panel, and the inflator is activated in association with a vehicle collision. In the passenger seat occupant protection device for a vehicle, the bag member being inflated and deployed forward of the passenger seat
The bag member is set so that the height position of the lower end when it is inflated and deployed and no external force is applied is 20 cm to 35 cm above the hip point of the average occupant seated in the passenger seat. ing,
It is like that. According to the above solution, the lower end position of the bag member when inflated and deployed can be specified using the hip point as a reference. Similarly to the first solution, the bag member has a lower end when inflated and deployed within a limited range from the substantially lower end position of the rib portion of the occupant to the upper portion. This is preferable in order to restrain the occupant's head at an early stage. Further, since the bag member is inflated and deployed at a high position, the occupant's head can be reliably restrained.

A preferred mode based on the first solution is as set forth in claim 3 and subsequent claims. That is,
A step portion extending in the vehicle width direction is formed in a portion corresponding to the front of the passenger seat in the instrument panel,
In the instrument panel, the bag member and the inflator are accommodated in the upper part of the step located forward and upward with the stepped portion as a boundary,
The lower step part located below the upper part of the step with the step part as a boundary is set in a shape having a rear extension part extending rearward from the rear end of the upper part of the step.
(Corresponding to claim 3). In this case, in a state where the occupant's head is restrained by the inflated bag member, the bag member receives an external force downward from the occupant's head. Therefore, it is preferable for effectively restraining the head of the occupant by preventing or suppressing the bag member from escaping downward.

  The upper surface of the rearward extending portion is substantially horizontal (corresponding to claim 4). In this case, it is preferable to obtain the effect corresponding to claim 3 more reliably.

  The upper surface of the rearward extending portion is a surface that is substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the head of the occupant approaches in a state in which the occupant seated in the passenger seat is in a forward-facing posture while substantially fixing the position of the pelvis. Is set so as to be (corresponding to claim 5). In this case, the external force that the inflated and deployed bag member receives from the head of the occupant is more effectively received by the rearward extending portion, which is preferable for more reliably preventing the bag member from escaping downward. .

  The rear extending portion is set to be positioned below the head of the occupant in a state in which the occupant seated in the passenger seat is in a forward leaning posture while substantially fixing the position of the pelvis, (Corresponding to claim 6). In this case, when the inflated and deployed bag member receives a downward external force from the occupant's head, the external force is effectively received by the rear extending portion, and the occupant's head is reliably restrained by the bag member. This is preferable.

  In the part of the instrument panel that corresponds to the front of the passenger seat, the occupant seated in the passenger seat is positioned under the occupant's head with the pelvis in a forward-facing position while substantially fixing the pelvis position. A rearward extending portion is formed (corresponding to claim 7). In this case, when the inflated and deployed bag member receives a downward external force from the occupant's head, the external force is effectively received by the rear extending portion, and the occupant's head is reliably restrained by the bag member. This is preferable.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a passenger | crew's head can be restrained at an early stage, aiming at size reduction of a bag member.

  1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes an instrument panel extending in the vehicle width direction. In the instrument panel 1, an airbag device E is accommodated in a front portion 1 a corresponding to the front of the passenger seat 2. Yes. The airbag device E has a casing 10, and the casing 10 is fixed to a steering support member 12 as a vehicle body strength member extending in the vehicle width direction via a bracket 11. As shown in FIG. 2, an occupant seated in the passenger seat 2 is indicated by a symbol J, and this occupant J is assumed to have an average figure (average figure in an American adult male), and its hip point is indicated by a sign HP. In addition, the lower end position of the ribs (at the lower end position of the thoracic vertebra—the position of the twelfth thoracic vertebra) is indicated by a symbol R.

  An inflator 13 serving as a gas pressure generation source and a folded bag member 14 are accommodated in the casing 10. The casing 10 is opened substantially upward, and a weakened portion (corresponding to a dashed line in FIG. 2) 15 is formed along the upper opening edge of the casing 10 in the instrument panel 1. When a forward collision of the vehicle is predicted or when a forward collision is actually detected, the inflator 13 is activated (detonation), and the bag member 14 folded by the generated gas pressure is inflated. By the expansion of the bag member 14, the weakened portion 15 formed in the instrument panel 1 is broken, and the bag member 14 is deployed in the vehicle interior.

  The bag member 14 inflated and deployed in the passenger compartment is in a state as shown in FIG. That is, the inflated and deployed bag member 14 has a front end that is in contact with the front window glass 21 in a long range in the vertical direction, and an upper end of the bag member 14 near the upper end of the head of the passenger J seated on the passenger seat 2. The height position is set to be slightly higher than the lower end position R of the ribs of the occupant J. As described above, the lower end position of the bag member 14 inflated and deployed in the vehicle interior is considerably higher than the conventional position, but the lower end position is specified by the height from the hip point HP of the occupant J. Is set at a position 20 cm to 35 cm higher than the hip point HP (the length indicated by the symbol L in FIG. 2 is 20 cm to 35 cm). The upper limit height position of the lower end position of the inflated and deployed bag member 14 is set to be in the vicinity of the occupant J's lower sternum position S from the viewpoint of protecting the occupant J's head and chest. preferable.

  A step portion 1 b extending in the vehicle width direction is formed in a front portion 1 a corresponding to the front of the passenger seat 2 in the instrument panel 1. That is, the instrument panel 1 has a central panel portion 1f at a substantially intermediate portion in the vehicle width direction, but the step portion 1b is provided between the side door 22 (see FIG. 1) on the passenger seat side and the central panel portion 1f. It extends long linearly over almost the entire length. A shift shift operation member 23 is provided at the lower end of the center panel portion 1f, so that the vehicle is a so-called minivan type.

  The front portion 1a of the instrument panel 1 is not provided with a recessed portion recessed on the front side such as a pocket for storing articles, and the upper portion thereof is defined as a step upper portion 1c with the step portion 1b as a boundary. The portion is a step lower portion 1d. The stepped portion 1c extends from the stepped portion 1b abruptly upward and forward, and then extends substantially horizontally toward the front. And the airbag apparatus E and the weakening part 15 are provided in the boundary vicinity of the part extended rapidly upwards, and the substantially horizontal part among the level | step difference upper parts 1c.

  The step lower portion 1d extends downward and rearward from the step portion 1b (the state is closer to the horizontal than the step upper portion 1c in the vicinity of the step portion 1b). Curved so as to go forward. In this way, the step lower portion 1d is set to have a shape having a shelf portion protruding rearward, that is, a shape having a rear extending portion 1e extending rearward from the rear end of the step upper portion 1c. The upper surface of the rearward extending portion 1e can be set in a substantially horizontal state. The length in the front-rear direction of the rear extension 1e is preferably 5 cm or more from the viewpoint of reliably receiving the external force received from the head of the occupant J via the inflated and deployed bag member 14. It is preferable to set it to 15 cm or less from the viewpoint of design and the like. In the embodiment, the height position of the rearward extending portion 1e is set at a position slightly lower than the belt line (a line indicated by reference numeral BL in FIG. 2).

  Here, the front posture of the occupant J who sits in the passenger seat 2 is turned forward while substantially fixing the position of the pelvis is shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 1 (the seat belt is mounted only on the waist of the occupant J). Equivalent to a state where the upper body of the occupant J is in a forward leaning posture due to inertia at the time of a forward collision). In this forward leaning state, the upper body (upper body) of the occupant J swings forward about the hip point HP, and the head of the occupant J approaches the front portion 1a of the instrument panel 1. It becomes. It sets so that the upper surface of the back extension part 1e mentioned above may cross substantially orthogonally with respect to the approach direction of the passenger | crew's J head toward this front part 1a. Of course, the rear extension 1e is positioned below the head of the occupant J who is in the forward leaning state.

  When the head of the occupant J moves forward toward the forward leaning state at the time of a forward collision, the head is restrained by the inflated and deployed bag member 14. The bag member 14 receives an external force forward and downward from the head of the occupant J. This external force is effectively received by the rearward extending portion 1e. By early expansion and deployment due to the reduced capacity of the bag member 14 and the external force from the head of the occupant J by the rear extension 1e (e.g., preventing the bag member 14 from escaping downward) Suppression), the head of the occupant J can be restrained quickly and reliably, and the impact can be reduced.

  FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those of the above-mentioned embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted. In this embodiment, although the instrument panel 1 does not have the step part 1b in the said embodiment, it is set as a shape setting which has the back extension part 1e in the position just behind the airbag apparatus E. FIG. That is, the rear extension 1e is set to be positioned below the head of the occupant J in the front-turned posture and to have a plane substantially perpendicular to the approaching direction of the head. Also in this embodiment, the head of the occupant J at the time of a forward collision can be restrained early and reliably.

  Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and can be appropriately changed within the scope described in the scope of claims. For example, the invention includes the following cases. . In a so-called minivan vehicle, since a shelf corresponding to the rear extension 1e is often set from the viewpoint of improving the appearance of the interior, the existing shelf is used as the rear extension 1e. In this respect, the present invention is suitable for application to a minivan vehicle (of course, the vehicle to which the present invention is applied is not limited to a minivan). The height position of the upper end of the inflated bag member 14 can be set to a position higher than the head (the upper end) of the occupant J within a range where no external force is applied, but it is intended to reduce the capacity as much as possible. From the viewpoint, as shown in the embodiment, it is preferable to keep the height to the vicinity of the head (the upper end) of the passenger J. Of course, the object of the present invention is not limited to what is explicitly stated, but also implicitly includes providing what is substantially preferred or expressed as an advantage.

The perspective view when the instrument panel part of the vehicle to which this invention was applied is seen from the vehicle interior side. The partial cross-section simplified side view of FIG. The 2nd Embodiment of this invention is shown, and the figure corresponding to FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1: Instrument panel 1a: Front part (position corresponding to the front of the passenger seat)
1b: Stepped portion 1c: Stepped upper portion 1d: Stepped lower portion 1e: Rear extending portion 2: Passenger seat 10: Casing 13: Inflator 14: Bag member 15: Weakened portion J: Crew (average body shape)
HP: Hip point R: Crew lower position of occupant S: Cuff lower position of occupant

Claims (7)

A folded bag member and an inflator serving as a supply source of gas pressure to the bag member are housed in a portion corresponding to the front of the passenger seat in the instrument panel, and the inflator is activated in association with a vehicle collision. In the passenger seat occupant protection device for a vehicle, the bag member being inflated and deployed forward of the passenger seat
When the bag member is inflated and deployed and the external force does not act, the lower end height position is above the substantially lower end position of the rib portion in the average body type occupant seated in the passenger seat. Set,
An occupant protection device for a passenger seat of a vehicle. A folded bag member and an inflator serving as a supply source of gas pressure to the bag member are housed in a portion corresponding to the front of the passenger seat in the instrument panel, and the inflator is activated in association with a vehicle collision. In the passenger seat occupant protection device for a vehicle, the bag member being inflated and deployed forward of the passenger seat
The bag member is set so that the height position of the lower end when it is inflated and deployed and no external force is applied is 20 cm to 35 cm above the hip point of the average occupant seated in the passenger seat. ing,
An occupant protection device for a passenger seat of a vehicle. In claim 1,
A step portion extending in the vehicle width direction is formed in a portion corresponding to the front of the passenger seat in the instrument panel,
In the instrument panel, the bag member and the inflator are accommodated in the upper part of the step located forward and upward with the stepped portion as a boundary,
The lower step part located below the upper part of the step with the step part as a boundary is set in a shape having a rear extension part extending rearward from the rear end of the upper part of the step.
An occupant protection device for a passenger seat of a vehicle. In claim 3,
An occupant protection device for a passenger seat of a vehicle, wherein an upper surface of the rear extension portion is substantially horizontal. In claim 3,
The upper surface of the rearward extending portion is a surface that is substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the head of the occupant approaches in a state in which the occupant seated in the passenger seat is in a forward-facing posture while substantially fixing the position of the pelvis. An occupant protection device for a passenger seat of a vehicle, characterized in that In claim 3,
The rear extending portion is set to be positioned below the head of the occupant in a state in which the occupant seated in the passenger seat is in a forward leaning posture while substantially fixing the position of the pelvis, An occupant protection device for a passenger seat of a vehicle. In claim 1 or claim 2,
In the part of the instrument panel that corresponds to the front of the passenger seat, the occupant seated in the passenger seat is positioned below the occupant's head in a state where the pelvis is in a forward-facing posture while substantially fixing its pelvis position. An occupant protection device for a passenger seat of a vehicle, characterized in that a rear extending portion is formed.

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