JP2008094235A - Occupant protective device of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an occupant protective device of a vehicle capable of enhancing the occupant protective performance in a side impact. <P>SOLUTION: The occupant protective device of the vehicle comprises an airbag body 16 for waist (a waist energy absorbing means) for absorbing the shock energy on a waist 14W by restraining the waist 14W of an occupant 14 seated in a vehicular seat 12 in a side impact, and an airbag body 18 for thigh (a thigh energy absorbing means) which has the energy absorption characteristic (for example, the rigidity) different from the airbag body 16 for waist to absorb the shock energy on the thigh 14T by restraining the thigh 14T of the occupant 14. The restraint property to the thigh 14T can be enhanced by setting the rigidity of the airbag body 18 for thigh when restricting the occupant to be higher than the rigidity of the airbag 16 for waist, and the pubic load at the waist 14W can be effectively reduced with a small energy absorption stroke. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle occupant protection device that considers a side collision.

In order to prevent the occupant's chest, shoulders, and head from interfering with the body part, the shock absorbers corresponding to the occupant's waist and abdomen are placed inside the door to move the occupant by the load from the outside of the vehicle. (See Patent Document 1). Further, a configuration is disclosed in which a side airbag disposed on a seat back in a vehicle seat is separated into a chest chamber and a waist chamber, and the internal pressure of the chest chamber is set larger than the internal pressure of the waist chamber (Patent Document). 2). Furthermore, the structure which has arrange | positioned the side airbag in the seat cushion side part in the vehicle seat is disclosed (refer patent document 3).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-44896 JP 2000-177527 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-210181 Japanese Patent No. 3314247 JP 2004-210214 A JP 2005-22466 A JP 2004-276777 A JP 2004-291785 A

  The above-described conventional examples all take into consideration the absorption of impacts on the chest and waist of the occupant during a side collision. However, there is still room for improvement in passenger protection performance at the time of a side collision.

  In view of the above fact, an object of the present invention is to further improve the occupant protection performance at the time of a side collision.

  The invention of claim 1 has a waist energy absorbing means for restraining the waist of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat and absorbing impact energy to the waist during a side collision, and has energy absorption characteristics different from those of the waist energy absorbing means. And thigh energy absorbing means for restraining the thigh of the occupant seated on the vehicle seat and absorbing impact energy to the thigh during a side collision.

  The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein a waist energy absorbing means for absorbing impact energy to the occupant's waist during a side collision and a thigh for absorbing impact energy to the occupant's thigh during a side crash. Since the thigh energy absorbing means has energy absorption characteristics different from the waist energy absorbing means, the side surface compared to the occupant protection device having the same energy absorbing characteristics. The impact energy at the time of a collision can be absorbed more appropriately, thereby improving the occupant protection performance.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle occupant protection device according to the first aspect, the rigidity of the thigh energy absorbing means is set higher than the rigidity of the waist energy absorbing means. .

  In the vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 2, since the rigidity of the thigh energy absorbing means is set higher than the rigidity of the waist energy absorbing means, particularly in the pubic region of the occupant's waist during a side collision. It is possible to effectively reduce the input pubic load with a small energy absorption stroke.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the vehicle occupant protection device according to the second aspect, wherein the waist energy absorbing means and the thigh energy absorbing means are arranged on the vehicle seat or a door on the side of the vehicle seat. An airbag bag body that is deployed at the time of a side collision, and an internal pressure of a region corresponding to the thigh at the time of deployment of the airbag bag body corresponds to the waist portion at the time of deployment of the airbag bag body It is characterized by being set higher than the internal pressure.

  In the vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 3, the waist energy absorbing means and the thigh energy absorbing means are an airbag bag body that is deployed at the time of a side collision, and the thigh part is deployed at the time of deployment of the airbag bag body. Since the internal pressure in the area corresponding to the area is higher than the internal pressure in the area corresponding to the lumbar region, it is possible to further increase the restraint of the thigh at the time of a side collision. Can be effectively reduced.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle occupant protection device according to the third aspect, the airbag bag body includes a waist airbag bag body and a thigh airbag bag body independent from each other. It is characterized by.

  In the vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 4, the airbag bag body includes a waist airbag bag body and a thigh airbag bag body that are independent from each other. The airbag bag body is deployed corresponding to the waist of the occupant and restrains the waist, and the airbag bag body for the thigh is deployed corresponding to the thigh and restrains the thigh. Since the internal pressure of the thigh airbag bag at this time is higher than the internal pressure of the lumbar airbag bag, the thigh restraint can be further enhanced during a side collision, and thereby the pubic bone in the lumbar region The load can be effectively reduced with a small energy absorption stroke.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle occupant protection device according to the third aspect, the airbag bag body is a single airbag bag body having a waist chamber and a thigh chamber. It is a feature.

  In the vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 5, the airbag bag body is configured as a single airbag bag body having a waist chamber and a thigh chamber. The chamber expands corresponding to the occupant's waist and restrains the waist, and the thigh chamber deploys corresponding to the thigh and restrains the thigh. Since the internal pressure of the thigh chamber at this time is higher than the internal pressure of the lumbar chamber, the restraint of the thigh at the time of a side collision can be further enhanced, thereby reducing the pubic load in the lumbar region with less energy absorption. The stroke can be effectively reduced.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle occupant protection device according to the fourth aspect, the interior of the thigh airbag bag is divided into a plurality of areas along the vehicle front-rear direction and is deployed. The thigh airbag bag body is characterized in that a difference in rigidity is given so that the rigidity becomes higher toward the front of the vehicle.

  7. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 6, wherein the inside of the thigh airbag bag is divided into a plurality of areas along the vehicle front-rear direction, and the thigh airbag is deployed. Since the rigidity difference is given to the bag body so that the rigidity is higher toward the front of the vehicle, the restraint of the thigh on the front portion of the vehicle at the time of a side collision can be further enhanced.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle occupant protection device according to the fifth aspect, the thigh chamber is divided into a plurality of areas along the vehicle front-rear direction, and the thigh is unfolded. The partial chamber is characterized in that a difference in rigidity is given so as to increase the rigidity toward the front of the vehicle.

  In the vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 7, the thigh chamber is divided into a plurality of areas along the vehicle front-rear direction, and the thigh chamber at the time of deployment includes Since the rigidity difference is given so as to increase the rigidity, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the thigh chamber when restraining the occupant and to enhance the restraint, and to restrict the thigh to the front part of the vehicle. Can be increased.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle occupant protection device according to the third aspect, the airbag bag body has a single chamber, and when the airbag bag body is deployed, the airbag bag body has the chamber in the chamber. It is characterized in that the gas for development is supplied from the lower side to the upper side of the region corresponding to the thigh.

  In the vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 8, the airbag bag body has a single chamber, and when the airbag bag body is deployed, the region from the lower side to the upper side corresponds to the thigh in the chamber. Since the gas for deployment is supplied toward the side, the internal pressure in the region corresponding to the thigh of the airbag bag body is higher than the internal pressure in the region corresponding to the waist. For this reason, the restraint property of the thigh at the time of a side collision can be improved more, and, thereby, the pubic load in the waist can be effectively reduced with a small energy absorption stroke.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle occupant protection device according to the third aspect, the airbag bag body has a single chamber, and the vehicle in the chamber is deployed when the airbag bag body is deployed. A feature is that the gas for development is supplied from the rear end toward the front of the vehicle.

  In the vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 9, the airbag bag body has a single chamber, and corresponds to the thigh of the airbag bag body when the airbag bag body is deployed. The gas for development is supplied from the rear end of the vehicle in the chamber toward the front of the vehicle so that the internal pressure of the region becomes higher than the internal pressure of the region corresponding to the waist. For this reason, the restraint property of the thigh at the time of a side collision can be improved more, and, thereby, the pubic load in the waist can be effectively reduced with a small energy absorption stroke.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle occupant protection device according to the second aspect, the waist energy absorbing means is a waist energy absorbing pad or a waist energy absorbing rib disposed on a door on the side of the vehicle seat. The thigh energy absorbing means is a thigh energy absorbing pad or a thigh energy absorbing rib disposed on the door, and the hardness of the thigh energy absorbing pad or the thigh energy absorbing rib. Is characterized by being set higher than the hardness of the waist energy absorbing pad or the waist energy absorbing rib.

  In the vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 10, a waist energy absorbing pad or a waist energy absorbing rib as a waist energy absorbing means and a thigh as a thigh energy absorbing means are provided on a door on the side of the vehicle seat. An energy absorbing pad or a thigh energy absorbing rib is disposed. The hardness of the thigh energy absorption pad or thigh energy absorption rib is set higher than the hardness of the waist energy absorption pad or the waist energy absorption rib. Thus, the pubic load on the lumbar region can be effectively reduced with a small energy absorption stroke.

  An eleventh aspect of the invention is the vehicle occupant protection device according to the second aspect, wherein the waist energy absorbing means is a waist energy absorbing rib disposed on a door on the side of the vehicle seat, and the thigh The energy absorbing means is a thigh energy absorbing rib disposed on the door, and the thickness of the thigh energy absorbing rib is set to be thicker than the thickness of the waist energy absorbing rib. It is a feature.

  In the vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 11, a waist energy absorbing rib and a thigh energy absorbing hand rib as a waist energy absorbing means and a thigh energy absorbing means are disposed on a vehicle seat side door. The thickness of the thigh energy absorbing rib is set to be thicker than the thickness of the waist energy absorbing rib, whereby the rigidity of the thigh energy absorbing rib is set to be higher than that of the waist energy absorbing rib. . For this reason, the restraint property of the thigh at the time of a side collision can be improved more, and, thereby, the pubic load in the waist can be effectively reduced with a small energy absorption stroke.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle occupant protection device according to the first aspect, the restraint timing of the thigh by the thigh energy absorbing means at the time of a side collision is determined by the waist energy absorbing means. It is characterized in that it is set earlier than the restraint timing.

  In the vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 12, since the thigh restraint timing by the thigh energy absorbing means at the time of a side collision is set earlier than the waist restraint timing by the waist energy absorbing means, At the time of a side collision, the thigh can be restrained before the waist, thereby effectively reducing the pubic load at the waist.

  A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle occupant protection device according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, wherein the waist energy absorbing means is disposed on the vehicle seat or a door on the side of the vehicle seat and is disposed on the waist when a side collision occurs. Correspondingly deploying waist airbag bag body, the thigh energy absorbing means is disposed on the vehicle seat or the door and is deployed in correspondence with the thigh at the time of a side collision The thigh airbag bag body is configured to be deployed before the waist airbag bag body at the time of a side collision.

  In the vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 13, a waist airbag bag as a waist energy absorbing means and a thigh as a thigh energy absorbing means are attached to a vehicle seat or a door on the side of the vehicle seat. The airbag part for the upper part is arranged, and the airbag part for the thigh is deployed before the airbag part for the lumbar part at the time of a side collision to quickly restrain the thigh of the occupant. A waist airbag bag restrains the occupant's waist. Thereby, it is possible to effectively reduce the pubic load on the waist.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle occupant protection device according to the twelfth aspect, the waist energy absorbing means is a waist energy disposed between a door inner panel and a door trim in a door on the side of the vehicle seat. The thigh energy absorbing rib is a thigh energy absorbing pad or a thigh energy absorbing rib disposed between the door inner panel and the door trim in the door. The vehicle interior side end of the thigh energy absorption pad or the thigh energy absorption rib protrudes toward the vehicle interior side from the vehicle interior side end of the waist energy absorption pad or the waist energy absorption rib. It is characterized by the fact that it is set at the position.

  15. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 14, wherein a waist energy absorption pad or a waist energy absorption rib as a waist energy absorption means, and a thigh energy absorption pad or a thigh energy absorption as a thigh energy absorption means. The rib is disposed between the door inner panel and the door trim in the door on the side of the vehicle seat, and the vehicle interior side end of the thigh energy absorption pad or the thigh energy absorption rib is the waist energy. Since the absorption pad or the waist energy absorption rib is set at a position protruding from the vehicle interior side end to the vehicle interior side, the thigh energy absorption pad or the thigh energy absorption rib is quickly attached to the occupant at the time of a side collision. Restrain the thigh, followed by a waist energy absorbing pad or a waist energy absorbing rib to restrain the occupant's waistThereby, it is possible to effectively reduce the pubic load on the waist.

  As described above, according to the vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 1 of the present invention, an excellent effect that the occupant protection performance at the time of a side collision can be further improved is obtained.

  According to the vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 2, by setting the rigidity of the thigh energy absorbing means higher than the rigidity of the waist energy absorbing means, the pubic load on the occupant's lumbar region can be reduced in a side collision. Thus, an excellent effect that it can be effectively reduced with a small energy absorption stroke can be obtained.

  According to the vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 3, the airbag bag body is used as the waist energy absorbing means and the thigh energy absorbing means, and the internal pressure in the region corresponding to the thigh when deployed corresponds to the waist. By setting the pressure higher than the internal pressure of the area to be performed, an excellent effect is obtained that the pubic load on the occupant's waist can be effectively reduced with a small energy absorption stroke at the time of a side collision.

  According to the vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 4, as the airbag bag body, a waist airbag bag body and a thigh airbag bag body that are independent from each other are used, and the thigh airbag bag is used. By setting the internal pressure of the body higher than the internal pressure of the waist airbag bag body, an excellent effect that the pubic load at the waist can be effectively reduced with a small energy absorption stroke is obtained.

  According to the vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 5, the airbag bag body is configured as a single airbag bag body having a waist chamber and a thigh chamber, and the thigh chamber By setting the internal pressure higher than the internal pressure of the lumbar chamber, an excellent effect is obtained that the pubic load at the lumbar region can be effectively reduced with a small energy absorption stroke.

  According to the vehicle occupant protection device of the sixth aspect, the rigidity difference is given to the thigh airbag bag so that the rigidity becomes higher toward the front of the vehicle. The excellent effect that the restraint property with respect to the front part of the vehicle can be further improved is obtained.

  According to the vehicle occupant protection device of the seventh aspect, the restraint can be enhanced by suppressing the deformation of the thigh chamber when restraining the occupant, and the restraint of the thigh on the front part of the vehicle is improved. An excellent effect that it can be further increased is obtained.

  According to the vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 8, the gas for deployment is supplied from the lower side to the upper side of the region corresponding to the thigh to the single chamber in the airbag bag body. Thus, an excellent effect is obtained that the pubic load on the lumbar region can be effectively reduced with a small energy absorption stroke.

  According to the vehicle occupant protection device of the ninth aspect, by supplying the gas for deployment from the vehicle rear end toward the vehicle front to the single chamber in the airbag bag body, An excellent effect is obtained that the pubic load can be effectively reduced with a small energy absorption stroke.

  According to the vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 10, the hardness of the thigh energy absorbing pad or the thigh energy absorbing rib as the thigh energy absorbing means is used as the waist energy absorbing pad as the waist energy absorbing means. Alternatively, by setting it higher than the hardness of the waist energy absorbing rib, an excellent effect is obtained that the pubic load at the waist can be effectively reduced with a small energy absorbing stroke.

  According to the vehicle occupant protection device of the eleventh aspect, the thickness of the thigh energy absorbing rib as the thigh energy absorbing means is thicker than the thickness of the waist energy absorbing rib as the waist energy absorbing means. By setting, the superior effect that the pubic load in the waist can be effectively reduced with a small energy absorption stroke can be obtained.

  According to the vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 12, by making the thigh restraint timing by the thigh energy absorbing means at the time of a side collision earlier than the restraint timing of the waist by the waist energy absorbing means, An excellent effect is obtained that the pubic load on the waist can be effectively reduced.

  According to the vehicle occupant protection device of the thirteenth aspect, at the time of a side collision, the thigh airbag bag body is deployed earlier than the waist airbag bag body to quickly restrain the thigh of the occupant. Thus, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that the pubic load in the lumbar region can be effectively reduced.

  According to the vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 14, the thigh energy absorption pad or the thigh energy absorption rib quickly restrains the occupant's thigh at the time of a side collision, thereby reducing the pubic load on the waist. The excellent effect that it can reduce effectively is acquired.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
In FIG. 1, a vehicle occupant protection device 10 according to the present embodiment is a device for protecting an occupant 14 seated on a vehicle seat 12 in a side collision, and is an example of a waist energy absorbing means. It has a lumbar airbag bag 16 and a thigh airbag bag 18 as an example of a thigh energy absorbing means. The waist airbag bag body 16 and the thigh airbag bag body 18 are configured as bags that are deployed independently of each other.

  The vehicle seat 12 is configured by providing, on a base frame 26, a seat cushion 22 on which an occupant 14 can be seated and a seat back 24 that serves as a backrest of the occupant 14 when seated on the seat cushion 22. A headrest 28 corresponding to the head 14 </ b> H of the occupant 14 is disposed on the upper portion of the vehicle.

  The seat cushion 22 has, for example, a seat cushion frame (not shown) in which a net-like spring is stretched on a substantially rectangular frame-like body as a skeleton, and the seat cushion frame is a cushion material molded into a predetermined shape. (Not shown), and the cushion material is further covered with a seat skin (not shown).

  The seat back 24 has a seat back frame (not shown) in which, for example, a net-like spring is stretched as a skeleton, and the seat back frame is covered with a cushion material (not shown) molded into a predetermined shape. The cushion material is further covered with a seat skin (not shown).

  The waist airbag bag 16 is a bag body that restrains the waist 14W of the occupant 14 seated on the vehicle seat 12 and absorbs impact energy to the waist 14W during a side collision. The frame 26 is folded and housed in a module case 34 disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

  The thigh airbag 18 has energy absorption characteristics different from those of the lumbar airbag 16, and restrains the thigh 14T of the occupant 14 seated on the vehicle seat 12 at the time of a side collision. A bag body that absorbs impact energy to the thigh 14T, and in normal use, for example, in a module case 34 disposed on the outer side of the base frame 26 in the vehicle width direction, the waist airbag bag 16 It is folded and stored together. Here, the energy absorption characteristics of the lumbar airbag bag body 16 and the thigh airbag bag body 18 refer to the energy absorption load at the time of restraining the occupant 14, that is, the rigidity. The rigidity of the thigh airbag bag 18 at the time of deployment is set higher than the rigidity of the waist airbag bag body 16.

  In the module case 34, for example, one inflator 32 that supplies a gas for deployment to the waist airbag bag 16 and the thigh airbag bag 18 is housed. When an airbag ECU (not shown) receives a signal from a side collision sensor or the like (not shown) and determines a side collision of the vehicle, an operating current flows to the inflator 32 through a wire harness (not shown). The inflator 32 is operated by the operating current, and is configured to supply a large amount of gas to the waist airbag bag body 16 and the thigh airbag bag body 18 via the diffuser 52. . Note that the inflator 32 is not limited to the use of only one inflator 32, and one inflator 32 may be used for each of the waist airbag bag 16 and the thigh airbag bag 18.

  In the vehicle occupant protection device 10, the thigh airbag bag 18 at the time of deployment is used in order to make the rigidity of the thigh airbag bag 18 higher than the rigidity of the waist airbag bag 16 when restraining the occupant. The internal pressure of 18 is set to be higher than the internal pressure of the waist airbag bag body 16. Specifically, the amount of gas supplied from the inflator 32 is adjusted or the total opening area of the vent hole is adjusted according to the volume of the waist airbag bag 16 and the thigh airbag bag 18. Thus, the inner pressure of the thigh airbag bag 18 at the time of deployment is configured to be higher than the inner pressure of the waist airbag bag body 16.

  For example, when the capacities of the lumbar airbag bag body 16 and the thigh airbag bag body 18 are equal, the amount of gas supplied to the thigh airbag bag body 18 is set to the lumbar airbag bag body. The opening area of the vent hole provided in the lumbar airbag bag body 16 is set larger than the opening area of the vent hole provided in the thigh airbag bag body 18. By doing so, the internal pressure of the thigh airbag bag body 18 can be made higher than the internal pressure of the waist airbag bag body 16. When one inflator is used for each of the waist airbag bag body 16 and the thigh airbag bag body 18, the internal pressure of the thigh airbag bag body 18 can be reduced by using inflators with different outputs. It is possible to make it higher.

  As described above, the vehicle occupant protection device 10 is configured to provide a rigidity difference between the waist airbag bag body 16 and the thigh airbag bag body 18 when the occupant is restrained. Specifically, the rigidity of the thigh airbag bag 18 when restrained by the occupant is configured to be higher than the rigidity of the waist airbag bag body 16. The rigidity ratio of the thigh airbag bag 18 and the waist airbag bag 16 is set to 2: 1, for example. For example, in consideration of sensitivity to the pubic load in a EuroSID dummy (European side collision dummy) (not shown), a difference in rigidity between the thigh airbag bag 18 and the waist airbag bag 16 is further increased. It may be.

(Function)
This embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. In the vehicle occupant protection device 10, when the airbag ECU determines a side collision of the vehicle upon receiving a signal from a side collision sensor (not shown), an operating current flows from the airbag ECU to the inflator 32 through the wire harness. . An igniter (not shown) built in the end of the inflator 32 is actuated by this operating current, whereby gas is generated in the inflator 32 and ejected from a gas ejection part (not shown). This gas is supplied in the direction of arrow A through the diffuser 52 to the lumbar airbag bag body 16 folded and housed in the module case 34, and also in the direction of arrow B to the thigh airbag bag body 18. The waist airbag bag body 16 and the thigh airbag bag body 18 start to be deployed.

  At this time, the supply of gas according to the capacity of the lumbar airbag bag body 16 and the thigh airbag bag body 18, exhaust from the vent hole, and the like are appropriately performed, thereby the thigh airbag bag. The internal pressure of the body 18 is higher than the internal pressure of the lumbar airbag bag body 16, and the rigidity of the thigh airbag bag body 18 when the passenger is restrained is higher than the rigidity of the lumbar airbag bag body 16. It becomes. By restraining the thigh 14T of the occupant 14 with the relatively rigid thigh airbag bag 18, the restraint on the thigh 14T can be further enhanced. The waist airbag bag 16 with relatively low rigidity restrains the waist 14W of the occupant 14.

  Here, considering the sensitivity to the pubic load when a load is input to each part of the EuroSID dummy (not shown), the influence of the load input to the thigh 14T on the pubic load is when the load is input to the waist 14W. Therefore, even if the energy absorption stroke of the waist airbag bag 16 relative to the waist 14W is small by increasing the restraint of the thigh 14T by the thigh airbag bag 18, the pubic bone in the waist 14W It is possible to effectively reduce the load. In other words, according to the vehicle occupant protection device 10, it is possible to more appropriately absorb impact energy at the time of a side collision, thereby further improving occupant protection performance.

  In the present embodiment, the place where the waist airbag bag body 16 and the thigh airbag bag body 18 are disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the base frame 26, but is not limited thereto. For example, it may be inside a door trim (not shown) of a door located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the seat cushion 22 or on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle seat 12.

[Second Embodiment]
2, in the vehicle occupant protection device 20 according to the present embodiment, an airbag bag body 42 as an example of a waist energy absorbing means and a thigh energy absorbing means includes a waist chamber 36 and a thigh chamber 38. Are configured as a single airbag bag body.

  As shown in the drawing, the lumbar chamber 36 and the thigh chamber 38 are formed by partitioning the inside of the airbag bag body 42 with a partition wall 44, and the thigh chamber 38 of the occupant 14 is deployed during deployment. The thigh 14T is restrained, and the waist chamber 36 is configured to restrain the waist 14W of the occupant 14. The inflator 32 is disposed, for example, in the thigh chamber 38, and the communication wall 46 for distributing the gas once supplied into the thigh chamber 38 to the lumbar chamber 36 is provided in the partition wall 44. Is provided. The airbag bag body 42 is folded and housed in a module case 34 provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the base frame 26 during normal use. Note that the number of inflators 32 is not limited to one, and one inflator 32 may be used for each of the lumbar chamber 36 and the thigh chamber 38.

  In the vehicle occupant protection device 20, when the occupant is restrained by the deployed airbag bag body 42, the rigidity of the region of the thigh chamber 38 in the airbag bag body 42 is set higher than the rigidity of the region of the waist chamber 36. In order to increase the pressure, the internal pressure of the thigh chamber 38 is set to be higher than the internal pressure of the waist chamber 36. Means for increasing the internal pressure of the thigh chamber 38 and the ratio of rigidity between the region of the thigh chamber 38 and the region of the waist chamber 36 in the airbag bag body 42 are the same as those in the first embodiment. It is the same.

  Since other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof is omitted.

(Function)
This embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. In FIG. 2, in the vehicle occupant protection device 20, when the airbag ECU determines a side collision of the vehicle upon receiving a signal from a not-shown side collision sensor or the like, the inflator 32 is operated by an operating current flowing from the airbag ECU. Is activated, and a large amount of gas is ejected from a gas ejection portion (not shown). When this gas is supplied to the airbag bag body 42 folded and stored in the module case 34, the airbag bag body 42 starts to expand.

  Specifically, the gas ejected from the inflator 32 is first supplied to the thigh chamber 38 in the direction of arrow A, and the communication hole 46 of the partition wall 44 increases as the internal pressure of the thigh chamber 38 increases. Through this, gas is distributed also to the waist chamber 36 in the direction of arrow B, so that the airbag bag body 42 is developed as a whole.

  At this time, the internal pressure of the thigh chamber 38 is appropriately supplied by supplying gas according to the volume of the lumbar chamber 36 and the thigh chamber 38 or exhausting from a vent hole (not shown). However, the inner pressure of the lumbar chamber 36 is higher, and the rigidity of the region of the thigh chamber 38 when the occupant is restrained by the airbag bag body 42 is higher than the rigidity of the region of the lumbar chamber 36.

  The thigh 14T of the occupant 14 is constrained by the region of the thigh chamber 38 having a relatively high rigidity in the airbag bag body 42, and the lumbar region of the occupant 14 by the region of the lumbar chamber 36 having a relatively low rigidity. By restraining 14W, restraint property with respect to the thigh 14T can be further enhanced. By increasing the restraint of the thigh 14T by the region of the thigh chamber 38, the pubic load on the waist 14W can be effectively reduced with a small energy absorption stroke. That is, the vehicle occupant protection device 10 can more appropriately absorb impact energy at the time of a side collision, thereby further improving occupant protection performance.

  In the present embodiment, the location of the airbag bag body 42 is the side portion on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the base frame 26, but is not limited to this, for example, the side portion on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the seat cushion 22. Or in the door trim (not shown) in the door located in the vehicle width direction outer side of the vehicle seat 12.

[Third Embodiment]
3, in the vehicle occupant protection device 30 according to the present embodiment, the thigh chamber 38 in the airbag bag body 42 is divided into a plurality of areas 48 along the vehicle front-rear direction and deployed. In the thigh chamber 38 at that time, a rigidity difference is given so that the rigidity becomes higher toward the front of the vehicle.

  Each area 48 of the thigh chamber 38 is open on the vehicle lower side, and the gas from the inflator 32 flows from the lower side to the upper side in the direction of the arrow A when a side collision occurs. It has become. As a means for giving a difference in rigidity to the thigh chamber 38 at the time of deployment, for example, a vent hole (not shown) is provided in each area 48 and the opening area of the vent hole is set larger in the area 48 at the rear of the vehicle. By doing so, it can be considered that the internal pressure of the thigh chamber 38 increases toward the front of the vehicle. As another means, the gas supply amount to each area 48 is regulated using a diffuser (not shown) for the gas from the inflator 32, or the gas is preferentially supplied to the area 48 on the front side of the vehicle. It is possible.

  Means for increasing the internal pressure of the thigh chamber 38 and the ratio of rigidity between the region of the thigh chamber 38 and the region of the waist chamber 36 in the airbag bag body 42 are the same as those in the first embodiment. It is the same. Since other parts are also the same as those in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof is omitted.

(Function)
This embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. In the vehicle occupant protection device 30, when the airbag ECU determines a side collision of the vehicle upon receiving a signal from a side collision sensor (not shown), the inflator 32 is activated by the operating current flowing from the airbag ECU. A large amount of gas is ejected from a gas ejection part (not shown). When this gas is supplied to the airbag bag body 42 folded and stored in the module case 34, the airbag bag body 42 starts to expand.

  Specifically, the gas ejected from the inflator 32 is first supplied to the thigh chamber 38 in the direction of arrow A from the lower side to the upper side to inflate and deploy each area 48. Further, as the internal pressure of the thigh chamber 38 increases, gas is supplied to the lumbar chamber 36 in the direction of arrow B through the communication hole 46 of the partition wall 44, so that the entire airbag bag body 42 is deployed. Go.

  At this time, the internal pressure of the thigh chamber 38 is higher than the internal pressure of the lumbar chamber 36, as in the second embodiment, and the region of the thigh chamber 38 when the occupant is restrained by the airbag bag body 42. Also, the rigidity is higher than the rigidity of the region of the lumbar chamber 36. Therefore, in the deployed airbag bag body 42, the thigh 14T of the occupant 14 is constrained by the region of the thigh chamber 38 having a relatively high rigidity, and the region of the lumbar chamber 36 having a relatively low rigidity. By restraining the waist 14W of the occupant 14, the restraint on the thigh 14T can be further enhanced.

  In particular, in the vehicle occupant protection device 30, the thigh chamber 38 is divided into a plurality of areas 48 along the vehicle front-rear direction, so the airbag bag body 42 restrains the thigh 14T of the occupant 14. At this time, the gas in the thigh chamber 38 is difficult to move, and deformation of the thigh chamber 38 can be suppressed. Further, since the rigidity difference is given to the thigh chamber 38 at the time of deployment so that the rigidity becomes higher toward the front of the vehicle, the restraint property of the thigh 14T with respect to the front portion of the vehicle becomes higher. As described above, in the vehicle occupant protection device 30, it is possible to further enhance the restraint of the thigh 14T by the region of the thigh chamber 38 in the airbag bag body 42, and thereby, in the waist 14W. It is possible to effectively reduce the pubic load with a small energy absorption stroke and further improve the occupant protection performance.

[Fourth Embodiment]
4, in the vehicle occupant protection device 40 according to the present embodiment, an airbag bag body 54 as an example of a waist energy absorbing means and a thigh energy absorbing means has a single chamber 56. When the airbag bag body 54 is deployed, a deployment gas is supplied from the lower side to the upper side of the region corresponding to the thigh 14T in the chamber 56.

  Specifically, the airbag bag body 54 has a capacity capable of accommodating from the waist 14W to the thigh 14T of the occupant 14 seated on the vehicle seat 12 in the deployed state, and is folded during normal use. It is housed in the module case 34 together with the inflator 32. The module case 34 is disposed near the front of the vehicle, for example, on the outer side of the base frame 26 in the vehicle width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the inflator 32 in the module case 34 is disposed, for example, below a substantially central portion of the thigh 14T of the occupant 14 in a side view of the vehicle. It is offset forward of the vehicle compared to the embodiment. The inflator 32 is attached with a diffuser 52 that restricts the gas ejected from the inflator 32 to flow upward of the vehicle. The inflator 32 is arranged in this manner because, in the process of deploying the airbag bag body 54, the internal pressure in the region corresponding to the thigh 14T in the airbag bag body 54 is greater than the internal pressure in the region corresponding to the waist 14W. This is to make it even higher.

  Since other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof is omitted.

(Function)
This embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. In FIG. 4, in the vehicle occupant protection device 40, when the airbag ECU determines a side collision of the vehicle upon receiving a signal from a side collision sensor or the like (not shown), the inflator 32 is operated by an operating current that flows from the airbag ECU. Is activated, and a large amount of gas is ejected from a gas ejection portion (not shown). When this gas is supplied to the airbag bag body 54 folded and stored in the module case 34, the airbag bag body 54 starts to expand.

  At this time, the gas ejected from the inflator 32 is regulated by the diffuser 52 and supplied in the direction of arrow A from the lower side to the upper side of the region corresponding to the thigh 14T in the chamber 56. Begins to expand from the region corresponding to the thigh 14T in the chamber 56, and subsequently expands the region corresponding to the waist 14W. That is, in the vehicle occupant protection device 40, while the chamber 56 of the airbag bag body 54 is single, in the deployment process, the internal pressure in the region corresponding to the thigh 14T in the chamber 56 is set in the region corresponding to the waist 14W. It can be temporarily raised above the internal pressure.

  In the vehicle occupant protection device 40, in this way, by further increasing the internal pressure of the region corresponding to the thigh 14T in the chamber 56, the restraint of the thigh 14T at the time of a side collision can be further increased. The pubic load on the waist 14W can be effectively reduced with a small energy absorption stroke, and the protection performance of the occupant 14 can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the airbag bag body 54 is disposed on the outer side of the base frame 26 in the vehicle width direction. 54 may be provided, for example, in a side portion of the seat cushion 22 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction or in a door trim (not shown) in a door located on the outer side of the vehicle seat 12 in the vehicle width direction.

[Fifth Embodiment]
5, in the vehicle occupant protection device 50 according to the present embodiment, an airbag bag body 58 as an example of a waist energy absorbing means and a thigh energy absorbing means has a single chamber 62. When the airbag bag body 58 is deployed, a gas for deployment is supplied from the rear end of the vehicle in the chamber 62 toward the front of the vehicle.

  Specifically, the airbag bag body 54 has a capacity capable of accommodating from the waist 14W to the thigh 14T of the occupant 14 seated on the vehicle seat 12 in the deployed state, and is folded during normal use. It is housed in the module case 34 together with the inflator 32. The module case 34 is disposed, for example, on the outer side of the seat back 24 in the vehicle width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the inflator 32 in the module case 34 is disposed at the height positions of the waist 14 </ b> W and the thigh 14 </ b> T of the occupant 14 at the vehicle rear end of the chamber 62. The inflator 32 is attached with a diffuser 52 that restricts the gas ejected from the inflator 32 to flow forward of the vehicle. A gas flow path 64 that guides the gas that has passed through the diffuser 52 to the vicinity of the vehicle front end portion of the chamber 62 is provided in the airbag bag body 58. The gas flow path 64 is provided in this manner so that gas is supplied toward the vicinity of the front end of the vehicle in the chamber 62 in the process of deploying the airbag bag body 58. This is because the internal pressure in the region corresponding to the thigh 14T is higher than the internal pressure in the region corresponding to the waist 14W.

  Since other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof is omitted.

(Function)
This embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. In the vehicle occupant protection device 50, when the airbag ECU determines a side collision of the vehicle in response to a signal from a side collision sensor or the like (not shown), the inflator 32 is actuated by the actuation current flowing from the airbag ECU. A large amount of gas is ejected from a gas ejection part (not shown). In FIG. 5, this gas is supplied from the rear end of the vehicle toward the front of the vehicle to the chamber 62 of the airbag bag 58 folded and stored in the module case 34, so that the airbag bag 58 is Start to expand.

  Specifically, the gas ejected from the inflator 32 located at the rear end of the vehicle in the chamber 62 is regulated by the diffuser 52 and flows forward of the vehicle, and further passes through the gas flow path 64 to the vicinity of the front end of the vehicle in the chamber 62. Since the airbag bag 58 is supplied in the direction of arrow F, the airbag bag body 58 starts to be deployed from the region corresponding to the thigh 14T in the chamber 62, and subsequently the region corresponding to the waist 14W is deployed. That is, in the vehicle occupant protection device 50, while the chamber 62 of the airbag bag body 58 is single, in the deployment process, the internal pressure in the region corresponding to the thigh 14T in the chamber 62 is set in the region corresponding to the waist 14W. It can be temporarily raised above the internal pressure.

  In the vehicle occupant protection device 50, in this way, by increasing the internal pressure in the region corresponding to the thigh 14T in the chamber 62, the restraint of the thigh 14T at the time of a side collision can be further increased. The pubic load on the waist 14W can be effectively reduced with a small energy absorption stroke, and the protection performance of the occupant 14 can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the airbag bag body 58 is disposed on the side portion on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the seat back 24, but is not limited thereto, and the vehicle seat is not limited thereto. You may make it provide in the door trim (not shown) in the door located in 12 vehicle width direction outer sides.

[Sixth Embodiment]
6, in the vehicle occupant protection device 60 according to the present embodiment, a lumbar energy absorbing pad 66 as an example of a lumbar energy absorbing means and a thigh energy absorbing pad 68 as an example of a thigh energy absorbing means. The thigh energy absorption pad 68 is disposed at the side door 72 on the side of the vehicle seat 12 and the hardness of the thigh energy absorption pad 68 is set higher than the hardness of the waist energy absorption pad 66.

  Specifically, the waist energy absorption pad 66 and the thigh energy absorption pad 68 are disposed, for example, between a door outer panel 74 and a door inner panel 82 constituting the door 72, and the door inner panel 82 It is disposed between the door trim 84. Further, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the waist energy absorption pad 66 is disposed at a position corresponding to the waist 14W of the occupant 14, and the thigh energy absorption pad 68 is disposed at a position corresponding to the thigh 14T of the occupant 14. Yes.

  When the vehicle seat 12 is configured to be slidable in the vehicle front-rear direction, the sliding range is taken into consideration when determining the installation ranges of the waist energy absorption pad 66 and the thigh energy absorption pad 68. That is, the installation range of the waist energy absorption pad 66 and the thigh energy absorption pad 68 is to restrain the waist 14W by the waist energy absorption pad 66 at the time of a side collision, regardless of the position of the vehicle seat 12 within the slide range. The thigh energy absorbing pad 68 is set so that the thigh 14T can be restrained.

  The lumbar energy absorbing pad 66 and the thigh energy absorbing pad 68 are each made of, for example, foam resin having shock absorption, and the hardness ratio between the thigh energy absorbing pad 68 and the lumbar energy absorbing pad 66 is as follows. For example, 2: 1 is set by changing the foaming rate.

  The arrangement of the waist energy absorption pad 66 and the thigh energy absorption pad 68 is not limited to the illustrated example, and may be provided only between the door inner panel 82 and the door trim 84. The absorption pad 66 and the thigh energy absorption pad 68 may be configured integrally with the door trim 84.

  Since other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof is omitted.

(Function)
This embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. In FIG. 6, in the vehicle occupant protection device 60, the thigh 14 </ b> T of the occupant 14 seated on the vehicle seat 12 is restrained by the thigh energy absorption pad 68 provided on the door 72 at the time of a side collision. At the same time, the waist 14W of the occupant 14 can be restrained by the waist energy absorption pad 66 similarly provided on the door 72.

  Here, in the vehicle occupant protection device 60, since the hardness of the thigh energy absorption pad 68 is set higher than the hardness of the waist energy absorption pad 66, the restraint property of the thigh 14T at the time of a side collision is increased. Thus, the pubic load on the waist 14W can be effectively reduced with a small energy absorption stroke. That is, in the vehicle occupant protection device 60, by using the waist energy absorption pad 66 and the thigh energy absorption pad 68 having different hardnesses, it is possible to more appropriately absorb impact energy at the time of a side collision, thereby protecting the occupant. The performance can be further improved.

[Seventh Embodiment]
7, in the vehicle occupant protection device 70 according to the present embodiment, a lumbar energy absorbing rib 76 as an example of a lumbar energy absorbing means and a thigh energy absorbing rib 78 as an example of a thigh energy absorbing means. The thickness of the thigh energy absorbing ribs 78 is set to be greater than the thickness of the waist energy absorbing ribs 76, which are disposed on the side doors 72 of the vehicle seat 12.

  Specifically, the waist energy absorption rib 76 and the thigh energy absorption rib 78 are disposed between, for example, the door outer panel 74 and the door inner panel 82 constituting the door 72, and the door inner panel 82 It is disposed between the door trim 84. Further, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the waist energy absorbing rib 76 is disposed at a position corresponding to the waist 14W of the occupant 14, and the thigh energy absorbing rib 78 is disposed at a position corresponding to the thigh 14T of the occupant 14. Yes.

  When the vehicle seat 12 is configured to be slidable in the vehicle front-rear direction, the sliding range is taken into account when determining the installation ranges of the waist energy absorbing ribs 76 and the thigh energy absorbing ribs 78. That is, the installation range of the waist energy absorbing rib 76 and the thigh energy absorbing rib 78 is such that the waist energy absorbing rib 76 restrains the waist 14W at the time of a side collision regardless of the position of the vehicle seat 12 within the slide range. The thigh energy absorbing rib 78 is set so that the thigh 14T can be restrained.

  The waist energy absorbing ribs 76 and the thigh energy absorbing ribs 78 are each provided with a plurality of ribs 76A and ribs 78A made of, for example, foamed resin having shock absorption properties, standing from the base portions 76B and 78B in the vehicle width direction. For example, they are arranged in a grid pattern when viewed from the side of the vehicle. When the number of the ribs 76A and 78A is the same, the ratio of the thickness of the ribs 78A and the ribs 76A is set to 2: 1, for example, and the rigidity of the thigh energy absorbing ribs 78 is equal to that of the waist energy absorbing ribs 76. It is set to be higher than the rigidity.

  The means for producing a difference in rigidity between the waist energy absorbing rib 76 and the thigh energy absorbing rib 78 is not limited to the setting of the thickness of the ribs 76A and 78A. For example, the ribs 76A and 78A have the same thickness. Thus, the lattice density of the thigh energy absorbing ribs 78 may be further increased. Further, a difference in stiffness may be obtained by changing the hardness by changing the foaming rate of the material. Further, it may be made of a hard resin so as to have a difference in hardness, or may be made of a resin having a different hardness.

  The arrangement of the waist energy absorbing ribs 76 and the thigh energy absorbing ribs 78 is not limited to the illustrated example, and may be provided, for example, only between the door inner panel 82 and the door trim 84. The absorption rib 76 and the thigh energy absorption rib 78 may be configured integrally with the door trim 84.

  Since other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment or the sixth embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

(Function)
This embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. In FIG. 7, in the vehicle occupant protection device 70, the thigh 14 </ b> T of the occupant 14 seated on the vehicle seat 12 is restrained by a thigh energy absorption rib 78 provided on the door 72 at the time of a side collision. At the same time, the waist 14 </ b> W of the occupant 14 can be restrained by the waist energy absorption ribs 76 provided on the door 72.

  Here, in the vehicle occupant protection device 70, the plate thickness of the rib 78A in the thigh energy absorption rib 78 is set to be thicker than the plate thickness of the rib 76A in the waist energy absorption rib 76, thereby the thigh energy. Since the hardness of the absorption rib 78 is set higher than the hardness of the waist energy absorption rib 76, the restraint property of the thigh 14T at the time of a side collision can be further increased, thereby reducing the pubic load on the waist 14W. It is possible to effectively reduce the energy absorption stroke. That is, in the vehicle occupant protection device 70, by using the waist energy absorption ribs 76 and the thigh energy absorption ribs 78 having different hardnesses, impact energy at the time of a side collision can be absorbed more appropriately. The performance can be further improved.

[Eighth Embodiment]
8, in the vehicle occupant protection device 80 according to the present embodiment, a lumbar airbag bag 16 as an example of a lumbar energy absorbing means and a thigh airbag bag as an example of a thigh energy absorbing means. The body 18 and the two inflators 32 and 33 provided in the module case 34 are provided so that the thigh airbag bag 18 comes before the waist airbag bag 16 at the time of a side collision. Configured to deploy.

  The inflator 32 is configured to operate by an operating current from an airbag ECU (not shown) and supply a large amount of gas to the thigh airbag bag 18 through the diffuser 52. The inflator 33 is configured to operate by an operating current from an airbag ECU (not shown) and supply a large amount of gas to the lumbar airbag bag body 16 via the diffuser 53.

  There is a difference in the operation timing of the inflators 32 and 33 controlled by the airbag ECU, and the inflator 32 is set to operate faster than the inflator 33. Thereby, at the time of a side collision, the thigh airbag bag 18 can be deployed at an earlier timing than the waist airbag bag 16.

  The use of the inflator is not limited to two. For example, the amount of gas supplied to the thigh airbag body 18 using one inflator and a diffuser (not shown) can be used for the lumbar region. By increasing the amount of gas supplied to the airbag bag body 16, the thigh airbag bag body 18 may be deployed at a timing earlier than the waist airbag bag body 16.

  Moreover, you may comprise the airbag part 16 for waist parts, and the airbag part 18 for thigh parts as a single airbag bag body like 2nd Embodiment. In this case, for example, with respect to the deployment thickness of the airbag bag body in the vehicle width direction, the region corresponding to the thigh 14T is thickened, and the deformed bag in which the region corresponding to the waist 14W is relatively thin is used. At the time of a side collision, gas is first supplied to the chamber corresponding to the thigh 14T (see the thigh chamber 38 in FIG. 2), and then the chamber corresponding to the waist 14W (see the lumbar chamber 36 in FIG. 2). ) To be supplied with gas.

  Since other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof is omitted.

(Function)
This embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. In FIG. 8, in the vehicle occupant protection device 80, when the airbag ECU determines a side collision of the vehicle upon receiving a signal from a side collision sensor or the like (not shown), an operating current is first supplied from the airbag ECU to the inflator 32. Then, an operating current is supplied to the inflator 33. As a result, the inflator 32 operates at a timing earlier than that of the inflator 33, and a large amount of gas is ejected from the gas ejection part (not shown) of the inflator 32, and then from the gas ejection part (not shown) of the inflator 33. A large amount of gas spouts. The gas ejected from the inflator 32 is supplied to the thigh airbag bag 18 through the diffuser 52 in the direction of arrow A, and the gas ejected from the inflator 33 is fed through the diffuser 53 to the lumbar airbag bag body 16. Is supplied in the direction of arrow B. As a result, the thigh airbag body 18 starts to be deployed at an earlier timing than the waist airbag body 16.

  In the vehicle occupant protection device 80, the inflator 32 operates at an earlier timing than the inflator 33 in this manner, so that the thigh airbag bag 18 is earlier than the waist airbag bag 16, that is, earlier. Since it is deployed at the timing, the thigh 14T of the occupant 14 can be quickly restrained by the thigh airbag bag 18. On the other hand, the waist airbag bag 16 is deployed following the thigh airbag bag 18 to restrain the waist 14W of the occupant 14. Thereby, in the vehicle occupant protection device 80, at the time of a side collision, the pubic load at the waist 14W can be effectively reduced with a small energy absorption stroke, thereby more appropriately absorbing the impact energy at the time of the side collision, It is possible to further improve the protection performance of the occupant 14.

[Ninth Embodiment]
In the vehicle occupant protection device 90 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a lumbar energy absorbing pad 96 as an example of a lumbar energy absorbing means and a thigh energy absorbing pad 98 as an example of a thigh energy absorbing means. The vehicle interior side end 98A of the thigh energy absorption pad 98 is disposed on the vehicle interior side of the vehicle interior side end 96A of the waist energy absorption pad 96. The protruding position is set.

  Specifically, the waist energy absorption pad 96 and the thigh energy absorption pad 98 are disposed, for example, between the door outer panel 74 and the door inner panel 82 constituting the door 72, and the door inner panel 82. It is disposed between the door trim 84. In the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the waist energy absorption pad 96 is disposed at a position corresponding to the waist 14W of the occupant 14, and the thigh energy absorption pad 98 is disposed at a position corresponding to the thigh 14T of the occupant 14. Yes.

  When the vehicle seat 12 is configured to be slidable in the vehicle front-rear direction, the sliding range is taken into account when determining the installation ranges of the waist energy absorption pad 96 and the thigh energy absorption pad 98. That is, the installation range of the waist energy absorption pad 96 and the thigh energy absorption pad 98 is to restrain the waist 14W by the waist energy absorption pad 96 at the time of a side collision, regardless of the position of the vehicle seat 12 within the slide range. The thigh energy absorbing pad 98 is set so that the thigh 14T can be restrained.

  The waist energy absorption pad 96 and the thigh energy absorption pad 98 are each made of, for example, foam resin having shock absorption. Since the space between the door 72 and the occupant 14 is generally limited, the amount of protrusion of the vehicle interior side end 98A of the thigh energy absorption pad 98 relative to the vehicle interior side end 96A of the waist energy absorption pad 96 is For example, it is set to 50 to 100 mm. As described above, in the present embodiment, in the limited space, by providing a difference in the amount of protrusion of the vehicle interior side end portions 96A, 98A into the vehicle interior side, the thigh energy absorption pad 98 is used at the time of a side collision. The restraint timing of the thigh 14T can be made earlier than the restraint timing of the waist 14W by the waist energy absorption pad 96.

  The arrangement of the waist energy absorption pad 96 and the thigh energy absorption pad 98 is not limited to the illustrated example, and may be provided only between the door inner panel 82 and the door trim 84. The absorption pad 96 and the thigh energy absorption pad 98 may be configured integrally with the door trim 84.

  Since other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment or the sixth embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

(Function)
This embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. In FIG. 9, in the vehicle occupant protection device 90, the thigh 14 </ b> T of the occupant 14 seated on the vehicle seat 12 is restrained by the thigh energy absorption pad 98 provided on the door 72 during a side collision. At the same time, the waist 14W of the occupant 14 can be restrained by the waist energy absorbing pad 96 that is also provided on the door 72.

  Here, in the vehicle occupant protection device 90, the vehicle interior side end portion 98 </ b> A of the thigh energy absorption pad 98 protrudes to the vehicle interior side from the vehicle interior side end portion 96 </ b> A of the waist energy absorption pad 96. Therefore, the thigh 14 </ b> T of the occupant 14 can be quickly restrained by the thigh energy absorption pad 98, and then the lumbar 14 </ b> W of the occupant 14 can be restrained by the waist energy absorption pad 96. Can be effectively reduced with a small energy absorption stroke. That is, in the vehicle occupant protection device 90, by using the waist energy absorption pad 96 and the thigh energy absorption pad 98 in which the restraint timing of the occupant 14 is different, the impact energy at the time of a side collision can be absorbed more appropriately. Thereby, a passenger | crew protection performance can be improved more.

  In the above embodiments, the airbag bag body, the energy absorption pad, and the energy absorption rib exemplified as the waist energy absorption means and the thigh energy absorption means can be used in any combination. Accordingly, for example, an energy absorbing pad can be used as the waist energy absorbing means, and an airbag bag can be used as the thigh energy absorbing means. Further, not only each energy absorbing means is used alone, but also at the time of a side collision, for example, an airbag bag body can be overlapped and deployed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the energy absorbing pad or the energy absorbing rib.

  The waist energy absorbing means and the thigh energy absorbing means are not limited to the airbag bag body, the energy absorbing pad and the energy absorbing rib, and any means can be used as long as it can absorb the impact energy at the side collision. May be.

It is a fragmentary sectional view showing the operation state of the occupant protection device for vehicles concerning a 1st embodiment in vehicles side view. It is a fragmentary sectional view showing the operation state of the occupant protection device for vehicles concerning a 2nd embodiment in vehicles side view. It is a fragmentary sectional view showing the operation state of the crew protection device for vehicles concerning a 3rd embodiment in the vehicle side view. In vehicle side view, it is a fragmentary sectional view showing an operation state of a vehicle occupant protection device concerning a 4th embodiment. In vehicle side view, it is a fragmentary sectional view showing an operation state of a vehicle occupant protection device concerning a 5th embodiment. It is a fragmentary sectional view showing a crew member protection device for vehicles concerning a 6th embodiment in vehicles plane view. It is a fragmentary sectional view showing a crew protection device for vehicles concerning a 7th embodiment in vehicles plane view. It is a fragmentary sectional view showing the operation state of the occupant protection device for vehicles concerning an 8th embodiment in the vehicle side view. It is a fragmentary sectional view showing a crew member protection device for vehicles concerning a 9th embodiment in vehicles plane view.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle occupant protection device 12 Vehicle seat 14 Crew 14T Thigh 14W Waist 16 Lumbar airbag bag (lumbar energy absorbing means)
18 thigh air bag body (thigh energy absorbing means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Vehicle occupant protection apparatus 30 Vehicle occupant protection apparatus 36 Lumbar chamber 38 Thigh chamber 40 Vehicle occupant protection apparatus 42 Airbag bag body (waist energy absorption means, thigh energy absorption means)
48 area 50 vehicle occupant protection device 54 airbag bag body (waist energy absorbing means, thigh energy absorbing means)
56 chamber 58 airbag bag body (waist energy absorbing means, thigh energy absorbing means)
60 Vehicle Occupant Protection Device 62 Chamber 66 Lumbar Energy Absorption Pad (Lumbar Energy Absorption Means)
68 Thigh energy absorption pad (thigh energy absorption means)
70 Vehicle Occupant Protection Device 72 Door 76 Lumbar Energy Absorption Rib (Lumbar Energy Absorption Means)
78 Thigh energy absorbing rib (thigh energy absorbing means)
80 Vehicle Occupant Protection Device 90 Vehicle Occupant Protection Device 96 Lumbar Energy Absorption Pad (Lumbar Energy Absorption Means)
96A Car interior side end 98 Thigh energy absorption pad (thigh energy absorption means)
98A Car interior side edge

Claims (14)

Waist energy absorbing means for restraining the waist of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat and absorbing impact energy to the waist during a side collision;
Thigh energy absorption that has energy absorption characteristics different from those of the waist energy absorption means, and restrains the thigh of the occupant seated on the vehicle seat and absorbs impact energy to the thigh in a side collision Means,
A vehicle occupant protection device comprising:   2. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein rigidity of the thigh energy absorbing means is set higher than rigidity of the waist energy absorbing means. The waist energy absorbing means and the thigh energy absorbing means are airbag bags that are arranged on the vehicle seat or a door on the side of the vehicle seat and are deployed at the time of a side collision,
An internal pressure of a region corresponding to the thigh at the time of deployment of the airbag bag body is set higher than an internal pressure of a region corresponding to the waist at the time of deployment of the airbag bag body. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 2.   4. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 3, wherein the airbag bag body includes a waist airbag bag body and a thigh airbag bag body independent of each other.   4. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 3, wherein the airbag bag body is a single airbag bag body having a waist chamber and a thigh chamber.   The inside of the thigh airbag bag is divided into a plurality of areas along the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the thigh airbag bag at the time of deployment has higher rigidity toward the front of the vehicle. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 4, wherein a rigidity difference is given so as to become.   The thigh chamber is divided into a plurality of areas along the vehicle front-rear direction, and the thigh chamber at the time of deployment is given a rigidity difference so that the rigidity increases toward the front of the vehicle. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 5. The airbag bag body has a single chamber,
4. The configuration according to claim 3, wherein when the airbag bag body is deployed, a gas for deployment is supplied from below to above the region corresponding to the thigh in the chamber. Vehicle occupant protection device. The airbag bag body has a single chamber,
4. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 3, wherein when the airbag bag body is deployed, a gas for deployment is supplied from a vehicle rear end portion in the chamber toward the vehicle front side. . The waist energy absorbing means is a waist energy absorbing pad or a waist energy absorbing rib disposed on a door on the side of the vehicle seat,
The thigh energy absorbing means is a thigh energy absorbing pad or a thigh energy absorbing rib disposed on the door,
The hardness of the thigh energy absorption pad or the thigh energy absorption rib is set to be higher than the hardness of the waist energy absorption pad or the waist energy absorption rib. Vehicle occupant protection device. The waist energy absorbing means is a waist energy absorbing rib disposed on a door on the side of the vehicle seat,
The thigh energy absorbing means is a thigh energy absorbing rib disposed on the door,
The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 2, wherein a thickness of the thigh energy absorbing rib is set to be greater than a thickness of the waist energy absorbing rib.   The thigh restraint timing by the thigh energy absorbing means at the time of a side collision is set earlier than the restraint timing of the waist by the waist energy absorbing means. The vehicle occupant protection device described in 1. The waist energy absorbing means is a waist airbag bag that is disposed on the vehicle seat or a door on the side of the vehicle seat and is deployed corresponding to the waist during a side collision,
The thigh energy absorbing means is a thigh airbag bag that is disposed on the vehicle seat or the door and expands corresponding to the thigh during a side collision,
13. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 12, wherein the thigh airbag bag body is deployed before the waist airbag bag body in a side collision. The waist energy absorbing means is a waist energy absorbing pad or a waist energy absorbing rib disposed between a door inner panel and a door trim in a vehicle seat side door,
The thigh energy absorbing means is a thigh energy absorbing pad or a thigh energy absorbing rib disposed between the door inner panel and the door trim in the door,
The vehicle interior side end of the thigh energy absorption pad or the thigh energy absorption rib is located at a position protruding toward the vehicle interior side from the vehicle interior side end of the waist energy absorption pad or the waist energy absorption rib. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 12, wherein the vehicle occupant protection device is set.

Images