JP2010115947A - Airbag device between vehicle seats - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an airbag device between vehicle seats capable of effectively suppressing an occupant in a driver seat from moving to a passenger seat side at lateral collision or the like. <P>SOLUTION: A far side airbag device 10 includes a far side airbag 20 provided in a center console 16 arranged between the driver seat 12 and the passenger seat 14. The far side airbag 20 is expanded between the driver seat 12 and the passenger seat 14 so as to fill the space at the passenger seat 14 side with respect to the seated passenger D in the driver seat 12 at the lateral collision when there is the seated passenger P in the passenger seat 14, and is expanded between the driver seat 12 and a side door SD at the passenger seat 14 side so as to fill the space at the passenger seat 14 side with respect to the seated passenger D in the driver seat 12 at the lateral collision when there is no seated passenger P in the passenger seat 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an inter-seat airbag device for a vehicle.

A technique is known in which an airbag is deployed between a driver seat and a passenger seat to prevent contact between these occupants during a side collision (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-217109 A

  However, in the conventional technology as described above, when the passenger is not seated in the passenger seat, the deployed airbag is not supported in the vehicle width direction. It was difficult to suppress movement to the seat side.

  In view of the above facts, the present invention has an object of obtaining an inter-seat airbag device for a vehicle that can effectively suppress a driver's seat occupant from moving to a passenger seat in a side collision or the like. is there.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, an inter-seat airbag device for a vehicle is stored in a center console disposed between a driver's seat and a passenger seat, and gas supply is performed depending on whether or not a passenger in the passenger seat is seated. The air bag having a different deployment shape fills the space on the passenger seat side with respect to the passenger in the driver seat regardless of the presence or absence of the passenger in the passenger seat.

  In the inter-seat airbag apparatus according to the first aspect, for example, when a side collision of the vehicle is detected or predicted, gas is supplied to the airbag, and the airbag is deployed above the center console. Here, in the inter-seat airbag device for a vehicle, the passenger seat for the driver's seat occupant is made different in the deployment shape of the airbag on the passenger's seat side with respect to the driver's seat occupant according to the presence / absence of the passenger in the passenger seat. Fill the side space.

  That is, when an occupant is present in the passenger seat, the air bag can fill the space on the passenger seat side with respect to the driver seat occupant by the shape deployed between the driver seat occupant and the passenger seat occupant. On the other hand, when there is no passenger in the passenger seat, the airbag fills the space on the passenger seat side with respect to the driver seat passenger by, for example, a shape that is deployed between the driver seat passenger and the passenger compartment side of the passenger seat. be able to. For this reason, since the airbag itself is supported in the vehicle width direction regardless of the presence or absence of the passenger in the passenger seat, the movement of the driver seat passenger toward the passenger seat can be effectively suppressed by the airbag.

  Thus, in the inter-seat airbag device according to the first aspect, the driver's seat occupant can be effectively prevented from moving to the passenger seat side in the case of a side collision or the like.

  The inter-seat airbag device for a vehicle according to the second aspect of the present invention is such that the airbag stored in the center console disposed between the driver's seat and the passenger seat has an occupant in the passenger seat. Is developed between the driver's seat and the passenger seat upon receiving gas supply, and when no passenger is present in the passenger seat, the gas supply is received to reach the side door on the passenger seat side from the driver seat. It is set as the structure expanded.

  In the inter-seat airbag device according to claim 2, for example, when a side collision of the vehicle is detected or predicted, gas is supplied to the airbag, and the airbag is deployed above the center console. When there is an occupant in the passenger seat, this airbag is deployed between the driver occupant and the passenger occupant, and when there is no occupant in the passenger seat, from the driver occupant to the side door on the passenger seat side. It will be expanded to all. For this reason, in the inter-seat airbag device for a vehicle, the airbag itself is supported in the vehicle width direction regardless of the presence or absence of the passenger in the passenger seat, so that the driver seat passenger moves toward the passenger seat side by the airbag. Can be effectively suppressed.

  Thus, in the inter-seat airbag device according to the second aspect, the driver's seat occupant can be effectively prevented from moving to the passenger seat side in the case of a side collision or the like.

  The inter-seat airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 3 is the inter-seat airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the airbag is operated by being supplied with gas. A main bag deployed upward from the center console between a seat and a passenger seat, and when no passenger is present in the passenger seat, gas is supplied through the main bag, A secondary bag that is deployed from the main bag toward the side door on the passenger seat side.

  In the inter-seat airbag device according to the third aspect, gas is supplied to the main bag of the airbag when, for example, a side collision of the vehicle is detected or predicted. In the airbag, the main bag is mainly deployed when an occupant is present in the passenger seat, and the main bag and the auxiliary bag are both deployed when no occupant is present in the passenger seat. In this way, it is possible to obtain a deployed state corresponding to the presence or absence of a passenger with a simple structure.

  The inter-seat airbag apparatus for a vehicle according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the inter-seat airbag apparatus for a vehicle according to the third aspect, wherein the auxiliary bag is broken when the internal pressure of the main bag is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. A first output that makes the internal pressure of the main bag less than the predetermined value, and a second output that makes the internal pressure of the main bag more than the predetermined value. An output variable inflator to be obtained, a passenger occupant detector for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant in the passenger seat, and the inflator when the passenger seat occupant detector detects the presence of an occupant in the passenger seat When the gas is supplied to the main bag at the first output from the passenger seat and the passenger seat occupant detector detects that no passenger is present in the passenger seat, the inflator As the gas in the main bag of the output is supplied, and a, and a control unit for controlling the inflator.

  The inter-seat airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 4, for example, when a side collision of the vehicle is detected or predicted, and the presence of a passenger in the passenger seat is detected by a passenger seat occupant detector. Operates the inflator with a first output to supply gas to the main bag of the airbag. In this case, since the internal pressure of the main bag is less than a predetermined value, the sub bag is not deployed. Accordingly, the airbag is deployed between the driver seat passenger and the passenger seat passenger.

  On the other hand, for example, when a side collision of the vehicle is detected or predicted and the passenger seat occupant detector does not detect the passenger seat occupant, the control device activates the inflator with the second output to detect the airbag. Supply gas to the main bag. In this case, since the internal pressure of the main bag becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the tear seam is broken and gas is also supplied from the main bag to the sub bag. For this reason, the sub bag is deployed together with the main bag, and the airbag is deployed as a whole between the driver's seat occupant and the passenger side vehicle interior surface (side door).

  As described above, in the inter-seat airbag device for a vehicle, a configuration is realized in which the deployment shape of the airbag varies depending on the presence or absence of an occupant in the passenger seat by output control of the inflator.

  The inter-seat airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 5 is the inter-seat airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the holding means is configured to hold the sub bag so as not to be deployed with respect to the main bag. Release means for releasing the holding state by the holding means, a passenger seat occupant detector for detecting the presence or absence of the passenger in the passenger seat, and an occupant in the passenger seat from the passenger seat occupant detector Is detected, the holding state by the holding means is maintained, and when the passenger seat occupant detector detects that no passenger is present in the passenger seat, the holding state by the holding means is released. And a control device for controlling the releasing means.

  The inter-seat airbag device according to claim 5, for example, when a side collision of the vehicle is detected or predicted, and when the presence of a passenger in the passenger seat is detected by a passenger seat occupant detector. Does not actuate the release means and supplies gas to the main bag. In this case, since the holding state in which the sub bag cannot be deployed to the main bag by the holding means is maintained, the sub bag is not deployed. Accordingly, the airbag is deployed between the driver seat passenger and the passenger seat passenger.

  On the other hand, for example, when a side collision of the vehicle is detected or predicted and the passenger seat occupant detector does not detect the passenger seat occupant detector, the control device operates the release means and supplies gas to the main bag. . In this case, the state in which the auxiliary bag cannot be deployed to the main bag by the holding means is released, so that the auxiliary bag is deployed, and the airbag as a whole is a vehicle interior surface (side door) on the driver's seat and the passenger side. Expanded between.

  As described above, in the inter-seat airbag device for a vehicle, a configuration is realized in which the deployment shape of the airbag varies depending on the presence or absence of the passenger in the passenger seat by controlling the maintenance or release of the holding state of the holding means. The

  The inter-seat airbag apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 6 is the inter-seat airbag apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the airbag has a vent hole that separates the main bag and the sub bag. A partition is further included.

  In the inter-seat airbag device according to the sixth aspect, when the gas is supplied to the main bag, the main bag is first deployed. In this case, if an occupant is present in the passenger seat, the secondary bag whose deployment timing with respect to the main back is delayed by the partition wall interferes with the passenger occupant and is restricted from being deployed. On the other hand, when no passenger is present in the passenger seat, gas is supplied to the secondary bag through the vent hole in the partition wall, and the secondary bag is deployed. Therefore, the airbag is deployed as a whole between the driver's seat occupant and the passenger side vehicle interior surface (side door).

  As described above, in the inter-seat airbag device for a vehicle, the deployment shape of the airbag can be varied autonomously depending on the presence or absence of a passenger in the passenger seat without depending on control.

  As described above, the inter-seat airbag device for a vehicle according to the present invention has an excellent effect that the driver's seat occupant can be effectively prevented from moving to the passenger seat side in the case of a side collision or the like. .

  A far side airbag apparatus 10 as an inter-seat airbag apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, arrow FR, arrow UP, arrow RH, and arrow LH which are appropriately described in each figure are the front direction (traveling direction), upward direction, and front side of the vehicle A to which the far-side airbag device 10 is applied, respectively. The right side and the left side (one in the vehicle width direction and the other) are shown. First, the outline | summary of the structure used as the premise of the application of the far side airbag apparatus 10 in the motor vehicle A is demonstrated, and suppose that the far side airbag apparatus 10 is demonstrated.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic front view in which the front portion in the passenger compartment C of the automobile A in a non-operating state of the far-side airbag device 10 is partially cut away. As shown in this figure, a driver's seat 12 that is a vehicle seat is arranged on the right side in the front part in the passenger compartment C, and a passenger seat that is a vehicle seat is on the left side in the front part in the passenger compartment C. 14 is arranged. A center console 16 as a vehicle interior member is disposed between the driver's seat 12 and the passenger seat 14, that is, in the center of the vehicle compartment C in the vehicle width direction. The center console 16 extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. For example, the center console 16 is a storage portion for storing small items. Note that the driver seat 12 and the passenger seat 14 may be arranged in the opposite direction.

  Further, side airbag devices 18 are provided on the outer sides in the vehicle width direction of the seat backs 12A and 14A constituting the driver seat 12 and the passenger seat 14, respectively. The side airbag device 18 is shown in FIG. 1 (A) as a side airbag 18A that receives gas supply from the inflator when an inflator (not shown) is activated when a side collision is detected or predicted. As described above, the seating occupant P of the driver seat 12 and the passenger seat 14 is configured to be inflated and deployed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction (side door SD side). Accordingly, each side airbag device 18 is configured to suppress movement of the seated occupant D (driver) of the driver seat 12 and the seated occupant P of the passenger seat 14 to the outside in the vehicle width direction.

  The far-side airbag device 10 is applied to the automobile A and is provided so as to suppress the movement of the seated occupant D (driver) of the driver seat 12 toward the passenger seat 14. Further, when the seated occupant P of the passenger seat 14 is present, the far-side airbag device 10 suppresses the movement of the seated occupant P toward the driver's seat 12. This will be specifically described below.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the far side airbag device 10 includes a far side airbag 20 as an airbag stored in a folded state in an airbag storage portion 16 </ b> B formed at an upper end portion 16 </ b> A of the center console 16. And an inflator 22 for supplying gas to the side airbag 20.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the far-side airbag 20 has an I-shaped deployed shape that is deployed between the driver's seat 12 and the passenger seat 14 and is operated as illustrated in FIG. 1B. It is set as the structure which can take a recumbent T-shaped deployment shape by the front view from the seat 12 to the side door SD on the passenger seat 14 side. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2A, the far-side airbag 20 includes a main bag 24 that is supplied with gas from the inflator 22 and deployed in an I-shape when viewed from the front, and a gas that passes through the main bag 24. When supplied, the main bag 24 has a secondary bag 26 that can be deployed by protruding from the center in the vertical direction toward the passenger seat 14.

  As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 2B, the sub bag 26 is folded inside the main bag 24, and a boundary portion (root portion) with the main bag 24 is sewn by a tear seam 28. The tear seam 28 is configured to be broken when the internal pressure acting on the main bag 24 exceeds a predetermined value.

  Therefore, when the internal pressure of the main bag 24 is less than a predetermined value, the far side airbag 20 is not supplied to the sub bag 26, and the sub bag 26 is deployed as shown in FIG. It is set to not be. On the other hand, in the far side airbag 20, when the internal pressure of the main bag 24 exceeds a predetermined value, the tear seam 28 is broken, so that the sub bag 26 is deployed as shown in FIG. . The auxiliary bag 26 is formed so that the front end 26A in the unfolded state is in contact with or in close proximity to the side door SD on the passenger seat 14 side as shown in FIG.

  The inflator 22 has two ignition parts, and is a dual inflator as an output variable inflator that can switch (switch) between high output and low output according to the number of ignition parts to be operated. In the far-side airbag device 10, when the inflator 22 is operated at a high output, the internal pressure of the main bag 24 is equal to or higher than the predetermined value described above, and when the inflator 22 is operated at a low output, the internal pressure of the main bag 24 is described above. It is set to be less than a predetermined value.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the far-side airbag device 10 includes an ECU 30 as a control device that controls the operation thereof. In addition to the inflator 22, the ECU 30 is electrically connected to a passenger seat occupant sensor 32 for detecting the presence or absence of a seated occupant P in the passenger seat 14 and a side collision sensor 34 for detecting or predicting a side collision of the automobile A. ing. The control by the ECU 30 will be described later together with the operation of this embodiment.

  In this embodiment, the ECU 30 also has a function of controlling the operation of the left and right side airbag devices 18 and can be regarded as a control device for side collision. In this embodiment, the ECU 30 operates the side airbag device 18 for the passenger seat on condition that the seated passenger P of the passenger seat 14 is present based on a signal from the passenger seat occupant sensor 32.

  Next, the effect | action of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated, referring the flowchart of FIG. 5 which shows the control flow of ECU30.

  In the far-side airbag device 10 configured as described above, the ECU 30 determines whether or not a side collision to the automobile A has been detected or predicted based on a signal from the side collision sensor 34 in step S10. When the side collision does not occur in the automobile A, the process returns to step S10 and this determination is repeated. On the other hand, if a side collision with the vehicle A is detected or predicted, the ECU 30 proceeds to step S12 and determines whether or not there is a seated passenger P in the passenger seat 14 based on a signal from the passenger seat occupant sensor 32.

  If there is a seated passenger P in the passenger seat 14, the ECU 30 proceeds to step S14 and operates both the side airbag devices 18 on the driver seat side and the passenger seat side. Next, the ECU 30 proceeds to step S16, and operates the inflator 22 of the far side airbag device 10 at a low output.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 1A, the left and right side airbags 18A are deployed between the seated occupant D of the driver seat 12, the seated occupant P of the passenger seat 14, and the corresponding side door SD, The far side airbag 20 is deployed toward the upper side of the center console 16. In this case, the internal pressure of the main bag 24 becomes less than a predetermined value, the tear seam 28 is not broken, and the sub bag 26 is not deployed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, when the collision body I collides with the driver's seat 12 side, the seated occupant D of the driver's seat 12 is in contact with the inner member of the vehicle compartment C such as the side door SD by the side airbag 18A. Direct interference is prevented and it is protected against side collisions. Further, the passenger P seated in the passenger seat 14 is prevented from moving toward the driver seat 12 (collision side) by the far side airbag 20 (main bag 24) deployed between the driver seat 12 and the passenger seat 14. Is done. At this time, the far side airbag 20 is supported by the seat occupant D of the driver seat 12 by the support reaction force of the seat occupant P of the passenger seat 14.

  Further, when the seated occupant D of the driver's seat 12 is protected and swung back by the side airbag 18A of the side airbag device 18 in the initial stage of the side collision, it is deployed between the driver's seat 12 and the passenger seat 14. Further, the movement toward the passenger seat 14 side (the anti-collision side) is suppressed by the far-side airbag 20 (main bag 24). At this time, the far-side airbag 20 is supported by the seating occupant P of the passenger seat 14 (the side airbag 18A on the passenger seat side) for the support reaction force of the seated occupant D of the driver seat 12.

  The example in the case where the collision body I collides with the driver's seat 12 side has been described above. However, when the collision body I collides with the passenger seat 14 side, it acts symmetrically.

  On the other hand, if the ECU 30 determines in step S12 that there is no seated passenger P in the passenger seat 14, the ECU 30 proceeds to step S18, operates only the side airbag device 18 on the driver's seat 12 side, and then proceeds to step S20. In step S20, the ECU 30 operates the inflator 22 of the far side airbag device 10 with high output.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 1B, the side airbag 18A on the driver's seat side is deployed between the seat occupant D of the driver seat 12 and the side door SD, and the far side airbag 20 is centered. It is expanded toward the upper side of the console 16. In this case, the internal pressure of the main bag 24 becomes a predetermined value or more, the tear seam 28 is broken, and the sub bag 26 is deployed until reaching the side door SD on the passenger seat 14 side.

  For example, when the collision body I collides with the driver's seat 12 side, the seat occupant D of the driver's seat 12 is prevented from directly interfering with the inner surface member of the passenger compartment C such as the side door SD by the side airbag 18A. Protected against side collisions. In addition, the seated occupant D of the driver's seat 12 is deployed between the driver's seat 12 and the side door SD on the passenger's seat 14 side when being swung back by being protected by the side airbag 18A at the beginning of the side collision. Further, the far-side airbag 20 (the main bag 24 and the sub-bag 26) suppresses movement toward the passenger seat 14 side (anti-collision side).

  Further, when the collision body I collides with the passenger seat 14 side, the seated occupant D of the driver seat 12 is deployed between the driver seat 12 and the side door SD on the passenger seat 14 side in the initial stage of the side collision. The far-side airbag 20 (the main bag 24 and the sub bag 26) is restrained from moving toward the passenger seat 14 (collision side).

  Here, in the far side airbag device 10, when the seated occupant P of the passenger seat 14 does not exist, the deployed shape of the far side airbag 20 is changed with respect to the presence, and the far side airbag 20 itself operates. The space between the seated occupant D of the seat 12 and the side door SD on the passenger seat 14 side is filled. For this reason, the support reaction force of the occupant D seated on the driver's seat 12 by the far-side airbag 20 is supported by the side door SD on the passenger seat 14 side. That is, it is suppressed that the far side airbag 20 itself moves to the passenger seat 14 side.

  Accordingly, in the far-side airbag device 10, regardless of the presence or absence of the seated occupant P in the passenger seat 14, the seated occupant D in the driver seat 12 moves toward the passenger seat 14 when a side collision occurs in the automobile A. It can be effectively suppressed. Further, in the far side airbag device 10, when the seated occupant P is present in the passenger seat 14, it is possible to effectively suppress the seated occupant P of the passenger seat 14 from moving toward the driver seat 12. .

  In the far-side airbag device 10, a main bag 24 in which the far-side airbag 20 is deployed almost immediately above the center console 16 and a sub-bag 26 that protrudes from the center in the vertical direction of the main bag 24 are mainly used. Since it is comprised as a part, the expansion | deployment state according to the presence or absence of a passenger | crew can be obtained with a simple structure. Further, the capacity of the far side airbag 20 can be kept relatively small.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that parts and portions that are basically the same as those in the first embodiment or the previous configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment or the previous configuration, and description thereof is omitted.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a deployment process of the far-side airbag 42 constituting the far-side airbag device 40 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 mainly shows a control system of the far side airbag device 40 in a block diagram. As shown in these drawings, the far side airbag 42 constituting the far side airbag device 40 includes a main bag 24, a sub bag 44 folded outside the main bag 24, and a folded state of the sub bag 44. And a strap 46 as a holding means for maintaining the above.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the far-side airbag 42 is folded so that the auxiliary bag 44 is exposed in the airbag storage portion 16B, and when the gas is supplied to the main bag 24, FIG. As shown in FIG. 6B, the main bag 24 is deployed (FIG. 6B shows the deployment process of the main bag 24).

  On the other hand, when the strap 46 is cut by a strap cutter 48 described later, the far-side airbag 42 is released from the restraint of the auxiliary bag 44 by the strap 46. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6C, the air bag 42 is supplied with gas to the sub bag 44, and the main bag 24 and the sub bag 44 are deployed as shown in FIG. 6D. ing. Although not shown, the developed shape of the sub bag 44 is substantially the same as the developed shape of the sub bag 26.

  As schematically shown in FIG. 7, the strap cutter 48 as the releasing means is mainly configured by a cutter 48A for cutting the strap 46 and an actuator 48B for driving the cutter 48A. The cutter 48A is arranged so as not to interfere with the far side airbag 42 (particularly the strap 46) when the far side airbag 42 is deployed, and to be able to cut the strap 46, and the actuator 48B is operated. As a result, the strap 46 is cut.

  The actuator 48B of the strap cutter 48 is, for example, a micro gas generator that can drive the cutter 48A at a high speed, and is configured to be able to cut the strap 46 in a short time after detecting or predicting a side collision. The far-side airbag device 40 includes an inflator 50 that is a single inflator instead of the inflator 22 that is a dual inflator. The inflator 50 has a capacity sufficient to deploy the main bag 24 and the sub bag 44.

  In the far-side airbag device 40, the operation of the strap cutter 48 (actuator 48B) and the inflator 50 is controlled by an ECU 52 as a control device provided in place of the ECU 30.

  Hereinafter, with respect to the operation of the second embodiment, a portion different from the operation of the far-side airbag device 10 will be mainly described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 showing the control flow of the ECU 52.

  If the ECU 52 determines in step S12 that the passenger P seated on the passenger seat 14 is present, the ECU 52 proceeds to step S14 to operate both the side airbag devices 18 on the driver seat side and the passenger seat side. Next, the ECU 52 proceeds to step S22, and operates the inflator 50 of the far side airbag device 40.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 1A (see reference numerals in parentheses), the left and right side airbags 18A correspond to the side occupant D of the driver seat 12 and the side door SD corresponding to the seat occupant P of the passenger seat 14. The far side airbag 42 is deployed toward the upper side of the center console 16. In this case, the holding state of the auxiliary bag 44 by the strap 46 is maintained, and the auxiliary bag 44 is not deployed. The effects of protecting the seated occupant D of the driver's seat 12 and the seated occupant P of the front passenger seat 14 by the farside airbag 42 in which the main bag 24 is mainly deployed in this way are the same as those of the farside airbag device 10. The same.

  On the other hand, if the ECU 52 determines in step S12 that there is no seated passenger P in the passenger seat 14, the ECU 52 proceeds to step S18, operates only the side airbag device 18 on the driver's seat 12 side, and then proceeds to step S24. In step S24, the ECU 52 operates the strap cutter 48 to cut the strap 46. Thereafter, the ECU 52 proceeds to step S22 to operate the inflator 50.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 1B (see reference numerals in parentheses), the side airbag 18A on the driver's seat side is deployed between the seated occupant D of the driver's seat 12 and the side door SD, The far side airbag 42 is deployed toward the upper side of the center console 16. In this case, the auxiliary bag 44 released from being held in the main bag 24 by the strap 46 is deployed until reaching the side door SD on the passenger seat 14 side.

  As described above, the far-side airbag device 40 is different from the far-side airbag device 10 in structure and control for making the deployed shape of the far-side airbag 42 different depending on the presence or absence of the seated passenger P in the passenger seat 14. Only. Therefore, the far-side airbag device 40 according to the second embodiment also basically has the same function as the far-side airbag device 10 according to the first embodiment (with respect to the occupant protection function by the far-side airbag 42). A similar effect can be obtained.

  That is, in the far-side airbag device 40, regardless of the presence or absence of the seated occupant P in the passenger seat 14, the seated occupant D in the driver seat 12 moves to the passenger seat 14 side when a side collision occurs in the automobile A. It can be effectively suppressed. Further, in the far-side airbag device 40, when the seated occupant P is present in the passenger seat 14, the seated occupant P of the passenger seat 14 can be effectively suppressed from moving toward the driver seat 12. .

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing a deployed state of the far side airbag 62 that constitutes the far side airbag apparatus 60 according to the third embodiment. As shown in this figure, the far side airbag 62 includes a sub bag 64 and a strap 66 in place of the sub bag 26.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, the secondary bag 64 is folded outside the main bag 24 and is kept folded by the strap 66. In addition, a partition wall 68 having a vent hole 68A is provided in the vicinity of an end portion on the boundary (root) side of the sub bag 64 with the main bag 24. The auxiliary bag 64 communicates with the main bag 24 only through the vent hole 68A.

  The strap 66 restrains the sub bag 64 in the folded state so as to allow the sub bag 64 to be deployed to the installation position of the partition wall 68. Further, when the sub bag 64 is not restrained, the strap 66 is broken by the developing pressure of the sub bag 64. Note that in the far side airbag 62, only the portion of the auxiliary bag 64 that protrudes toward the passenger seat 14 from the partition wall 68 and is deployed can be regarded as the auxiliary bag in the present invention.

  The far side airbag 62 described above is deployed by gas supply from the inflator 50 (see FIG. 9B). In this embodiment, the inflator 50 is actuated when a side collision is detected or predicted based on a signal from the side collision sensor 34 by an ECU (not shown).

  Hereinafter, with respect to the operation of the third embodiment, portions different from the operation of the far-side airbag device 10 will be mainly described.

  In the far side airbag device 10 configured as described above, when a side collision is detected or predicted based on a signal from the side collision sensor 34, the ECU determines whether the left and right side airbag devices 18 and the far side airbag device 60 The inflator 50 is activated. Then, the gas from the inflator 50 is supplied to the main bag 24 of the far side airbag 62, and the main bag 24 side portion of the main bag 24 and the sub bag 64 with respect to the partition wall 68 is developed.

  When there is a seated occupant P in the passenger seat 14, the far-side airbag 62 has the auxiliary bag 64 deployed up to the installation portion of the partition wall 68 interferes with the seated occupant P as shown in FIG. (Vent hole 68A is blocked at the non-deployed portion). Thereby, the further deployment of the far side airbag 62 is regulated.

  Accordingly, in the far-side airbag device 60, as shown in FIG. 1A (see reference numerals in parentheses), the left and right side airbags 18A are seated occupants D in the driver seat 12 and seated occupants P in the passenger seat 14. And the corresponding side door SD are deployed, and the far side airbag 62 is deployed upward of the center console 16. The effects of protecting the seated occupant D of the driver's seat 12 and the seated occupant P of the front passenger seat 14 by the farside airbag 62 in which the main bag 24 is mainly deployed in this way are the same as those of the farside airbag device 10. The same.

  On the other hand, when the passenger P of the passenger seat 14 is not present, the far-side airbag 62 has the main bag 24 and the secondary bag 64 deployed on the side of the primary bag 24 with respect to the partition wall 68, and then the secondary bag 64. The strap 66 is broken by the deployment pressure, and the secondary bag 64 is deployed as shown in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1B (see reference numerals in parentheses), the side airbag 18A on the driver's seat side is deployed between the seated occupant D of the driver seat 12 and the side door SD, The far side airbag 62 is deployed until it reaches the side door SD on the passenger seat 14 side.

  As described above, the far-side airbag device 60 has a structure (control) for making the deployed shape of the far-side airbag 42 different depending on the presence or absence of the seated occupant P of the passenger seat 14. Is only different. Therefore, the far-side airbag device 40 according to the third embodiment also basically has the same function as the far-side airbag device 10 according to the first embodiment (with respect to the occupant protection function by the far-side airbag 62). A similar effect can be obtained.

  That is, in the far-side airbag device 60, regardless of the presence or absence of the seated occupant P in the passenger seat 14, the seated occupant D in the driver seat 12 moves toward the passenger seat 14 when a side collision occurs in the automobile A. It can be effectively suppressed. Further, in the far-side airbag device 60, when the seated occupant P is present in the passenger seat 14, the seated occupant P of the passenger seat 14 can be effectively suppressed from moving toward the driver seat 12. . Further, the far-side airbag device 60 autonomously adjusts the far-side according to the presence or absence of the seated occupant P in the passenger seat 14 without depending on the output switching of the inflator 22 or the control of the operation of the strap cutter 48 under the control of the ECU. The deployment shape of the airbag 62 can be varied.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, an example is shown in which the side airbag device 18 on the passenger seat 14 side is not operated when the seated passenger P of the passenger seat 14 is not present, but the present invention is not limited to this, for example, The side airbag device 18 on the passenger seat 14 side may be operated when the passenger P sitting on the passenger seat 14 is not present. In this case, the sub-bags 26, 44, 64 may be configured to be deployed up to the deployed side airbag 18A instead of the side door SD on the passenger seat 14 side.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the far side airbags 20, 42, 62 deployed between the driver seat 12 and the passenger seat 14 are based on the technical idea of changing the deployment shape of the airbag according to the presence or absence of a seated passenger in the adjacent seat. However, for example, such a technical idea can be applied to the second and subsequent sheets. In this case, for example, a configuration in which a pair of left and right sub bags 64 is provided in the main bag 24 or a configuration in which a pair of left and right far side airbags 20 and 42 formed symmetrically can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows the far side airbag apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is a front view which shows typically the operating state at the time of a passenger seat passenger | crew presence, (B) is a passenger seat passenger | crew non-passenger. It is a front view which shows typically the operation state at the time of presence. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows the far side airbag which comprises the far side airbag apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is a front sectional view which shows a schematic whole structure, (B) expands the principal part. FIG. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows the far side airbag which comprises the far side airbag apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is a front view which shows the expansion | deployment shape at the time of passenger seat passenger presence, (B) It is a front view which shows the expansion | deployment shape at the time of a passenger's seat passenger absence. 1 is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing a vehicle interior of an automobile to which a far side airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow of ECU which comprises the far side airbag apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the expansion | deployment process of the far side airbag which comprises the far side airbag apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is a perspective view of an expansion | deployment initial stage, (B) is expansion | deployment of the main back | bag. The perspective view which shows a state, (C) is a perspective view which shows the expansion | deployment middle of a subbag, (D) is a perspective view which shows the expansion completion state of a subbag. It is a block diagram which shows the strap cutter and control system which comprise the far side airbag apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow of ECU which comprises the far side airbag apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the far side airbag which comprises the far side airbag apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is a perspective view which shows the deployment shape at the time of a passenger's seat passenger absence, (B) FIG. 4 is a front view showing a developed shape when a passenger in the passenger seat is present.

Explanation of symbols

10 Far Side Airbag Device 12 Driver's Seat 14 Passenger's Seat 16 Center Console 20 Far Side Airbag (Airbag)
22 Inflator (Output variable inflator)
24 main bag 26 sub bag 28 tear seam 30 ECU (control device)
32 Passenger seat occupant sensor (passenger seat occupant detector)
40/60 Far-side airbag device 42/62 Far-side airbag 44/64 Secondary bag 46 Strap (holding means)
48 Strap cutter (release means)
52 ECU (control device)
68 Bulkhead 68A Bent Hall D Seated Crew (Driver Crew)
P seated occupant (passenger in passenger seat)
SD side door

Claims (6)

  The airbag is stored in the center console located between the driver's seat and the passenger seat, and the deployment shape differs depending on whether the passenger in the passenger seat is seated, regardless of the presence or absence of the passenger in the passenger seat. An inter-seat airbag device for a vehicle that fills a space on the passenger seat side with respect to an occupant of the driver seat.   The airbag stored in the center console arranged between the driver seat and the passenger seat receives gas supply between the driver seat and the passenger seat when the passenger is present in the passenger seat. When the passenger is not present in the passenger seat, the vehicle-to-seat airbag device is configured to receive gas supply and extend from the driver seat to the side door on the passenger seat side. . The airbag is
By supplying gas, a main bag that is deployed upward from the center console between the driver seat and the passenger seat;
When there is no occupant in the passenger seat, by supplying gas through the main bag, a sub bag that is deployed from the main bag toward the side door on the passenger seat side,
The inter-seat airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, comprising the vehicle. The secondary bag is partitioned from the main bag by a tear seam that is broken when the internal pressure of the main bag is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.
An output variable inflator capable of switching between a first output that makes the internal pressure of the main bag less than the predetermined value and a second output that makes the internal pressure of the main bag not less than the predetermined value;
A passenger occupant detector for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant in the passenger seat;
When the passenger seat occupant detector detects that an occupant is present in the passenger seat, gas is supplied from the inflator to the main bag at the first output, from the passenger seat occupant detector. A control device that controls the inflator so that gas is supplied from the inflator to the main bag with the second output when it is detected that no passenger is present in the passenger seat;
The inter-seat airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 3, comprising: Holding means for holding the auxiliary bag so as not to be deployed with respect to the main bag;
Release means for releasing the holding state by the holding means;
A passenger occupant detector for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant in the passenger seat;
When the passenger seat occupant detector detects that an occupant is present in the passenger seat, the holding state is maintained by the holding means, and the passenger seat occupant is present in the passenger seat from the passenger seat occupant detector. A control device for controlling the releasing means so that the holding state by the holding means is released when it is detected that
The inter-seat airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 3, comprising:   The inter-seat airbag apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the airbag further includes a partition wall with a vent hole that separates the main bag and the sub bag.

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