JP2016199123A - Vehicular driver seat airbag device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrain the head of an occupant moving to an oblique front side with an airbag while suppressing an increase in the size of an inflator.SOLUTION: In a driver seat AB device 30, an airbag 32 includes: a main chamber 34; and a pair of sub-chambers 36R and 36L. An inflated and deployed state of the airbag 32 is switched to a first state in which the main chamber 34 is mainly inflated and deployed by the presence or absence of the operation of an actuator 42 and a second state in which the main chamber 34 and the sub-chambers 36R and 36L are inflated and deployed. Accordingly, an increase in the size of the inflator 40 can be suppressed by setting an output of the inflator 40 corresponding to the first state. In a head-on collision during turning, the airbag 32 is inflated and deployed in the second state. At the time, the stroke of the airbag 32 for restraining the head of a driver D is compensated by the sub-chambers 36R and 36L, thereby enabling restraining of the head of the driver D with the airbag 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle driver's seat airbag device.

  In the vehicle driver's seat airbag device described in Patent Document 1 below, the airbag is composed of a first fabric on the steering side and a second fabric on the passenger side, and the outer peripheral portion of the airbag. Is greatly expanded and deployed radially outward from the steering wheel. In other words, the airbag includes a main chamber that is inflated and deployed on the vehicle rear side of the steering and a sub-chamber that is largely inflated and deployed on the radially outer side of the steering. For this reason, for example, the head of an occupant who moves obliquely forward in the event of an oblique vehicle collision can be restrained by the sub-chamber. In addition, as a driver | operator seat airbag apparatus for vehicles, there exists a thing described in the following patent documents 2-patent documents 4. FIG.

JP-A-5-15530 JP 2000-71909 A JP 2006-205830 A JP 2013-47026 A

  However, the above-described vehicle driver's seat airbag device has room for improvement in the following points. That is, in the above-described vehicle driver's seat airbag device, as described above, the capacity of the airbag is increased by the amount that the sub-chamber is greatly inflated and deployed outward in the radial direction of the steering wheel. Thereby, since the output of an inflator is set corresponding to an airbag with a large capacity | capacitance, an inflator enlarges.

  In consideration of the above-described facts, the present invention has an object to provide a vehicle driver's seat airbag device that can restrain an occupant's head that moves obliquely forward while restraining an increase in size of an inflator with an airbag. To do.

  A vehicle driver's seat airbag device according to claim 1 includes an inflator that injects gas by being actuated, a main chamber that is inflated and deployed on the rear side of the steering wheel upon receipt of gas supplied from the inflator, and An airbag having a sub-chamber communicated with the main chamber and inflated and deployed radially outward of the steering wheel with respect to the main chamber, and connected to the sub-chamber and inflated and deployed of the sub-chamber in an inoperative state When it is determined that a frontal collision of the vehicle is unavoidable by the output from the collision prediction sensor and the actuator that allows the subchamber to expand and deploy by operating and the brake operation is not performed by the occupant A controller for operating an emergency brake, and the stearin When the control unit activates the emergency brake in a state where the steering angle of the wheel is less than a predetermined angle, the control unit operates the inflator without operating the actuator, and the steering angle of the steering wheel is predetermined. When the control unit operates the emergency brake in a state of an angle or more, the control unit operates the inflator and the actuator, and the sub chamber is expanded and deployed at least on one side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the main chamber. The

  In the first aspect of the invention, the airbag has a main chamber that is inflated and deployed on the rear side of the steering wheel with respect to the vehicle, and a sub chamber that is inflated and deployed on the radially outer side of the steering wheel with respect to the main chamber. doing. In addition, an actuator is connected to the sub-chamber, and when the actuator is in an inoperative state, the expansion and deployment of the sub-chamber is regulated by the actuator. On the other hand, when the actuator is actuated, the sub-chamber is allowed to expand and deploy. That is, when the inflator is operated in the inoperative state of the actuator, the main chamber is mainly inflated and deployed (hereinafter, the inflated and deployed state in the airbag is referred to as the first state). When the actuator and the inflator are actuated, the main chamber and the sub chamber are Inflated and deployed (hereinafter, the inflated and deployed state of the airbag is referred to as the second state).

  Further, when the control unit determines that the frontal collision of the vehicle cannot be avoided by the output from the collision prediction sensor to the control unit, and the brake operation by the occupant is not performed, the control unit activates the emergency brake. For this reason, when the emergency brake is activated, the occupant (driver) moves to the front side of the vehicle from the seating position due to inertial force.

  Here, when the control unit operates the emergency brake in a state where the steering angle of the steering wheel is less than the predetermined angle, the control unit operates the inflator while the actuator is not operated. That is, in the frontal collision of the vehicle, the airbag is inflated and deployed to the first state. For this reason, the capacity | capacitance of an airbag becomes small compared with the case where an airbag is inflate-deployed to a 2nd state. Thereby, the enlargement of an inflator can be suppressed by setting the output of an inflator corresponding to the 1st state of an airbag.

  Further, when the control unit operates the emergency brake when the steering angle of the steering wheel is equal to or larger than the predetermined angle, the control unit operates the inflator and the actuator, and the sub chamber expands at least one side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the main chamber. Be expanded. In other words, the airbag is inflated and deployed to the second state in a frontal collision when the vehicle is turning. For this reason, when the head of the occupant moves diagonally forward on one side in the vehicle width direction at the time of the frontal collision, the subchamber compensates for the stroke of the airbag for restraining the occupant's head. Can be constrained by a main chamber and a sub-chamber.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle driver's seat airbag device according to the first aspect, wherein the airbag includes a pair of sub-chambers that are inflated and deployed on both sides in the vehicle width direction with respect to the main chamber. The pair of sub-chambers are coupled to the single actuator, and the actuator is operated, so that expansion and deployment in the pair of sub-chambers are allowed at the same time.

  In the invention according to claim 2, since the pair of sub chambers are inflated and deployed with respect to the main chamber in the vehicle width direction outer side and the vehicle width direction central side, the vehicle width direction outer side diagonally forward or the vehicle width direction central side diagonally forward The head of the occupant moving to can be restrained by the airbag.

  In addition, the pair of sub-chambers are connected to a single actuator, and when the actuator operates, expansion and deployment in the pair of sub-chambers are allowed at the same time. For this reason, it is possible to expand and deploy the pair of sub-chambers while suppressing an increase in the number of parts of the actuator.

  A vehicle driver's seat airbag device according to a third aspect is the invention according to the first aspect, wherein the airbag includes a pair of the sub chambers that are inflated and deployed on both sides in the vehicle width direction with respect to the main chamber. The actuator is provided in a pair corresponding to the pair of sub-chambers, and the control unit operates one of the pair of actuators according to the steering direction of the steering wheel, One of the sub-chambers is expanded and deployed.

  In the third aspect of the invention, as in the second aspect of the invention, the head of the occupant who moves diagonally forward in the vehicle width direction or diagonally forward in the vehicle width direction can be restrained by the airbag. .

  In addition, a pair of actuators are provided corresponding to the pair of sub-chambers, and one of the pair of sub-chambers expands and deploys when the control unit operates one of the pair of actuators according to the steering direction of the steering wheel. Is done. For this reason, the airbag can be efficiently inflated and deployed by operating one of the pair of actuators corresponding to the moving direction of the occupant moving diagonally forward when the frontal collision occurs in the turning state of the vehicle.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicular driver's seat airbag device according to the second or third aspect, wherein the airbag is provided on a steering column, and the steering angle of the steering wheel is 0 degree. In the state, the sub-chamber is disposed on the vehicle upper side and the vehicle lower side with respect to the rotation axis of the steering wheel.

  In the invention according to claim 4, when the steering wheel is steered to 90 degrees, the sub-chambers are arranged on both sides in the vehicle width direction with respect to the main chamber. For this reason, for example, in a vehicle in which the predetermined angle is set to be smaller than 90 degrees, the sub-chamber is effectively arranged for an occupant who moves obliquely forward in a frontal collision when the steering wheel is steered to 90 degrees. be able to.

  According to the vehicle driver's seat airbag device of the first aspect, the head of the occupant moving diagonally forward can be restrained by the airbag while suppressing the increase in size of the inflator.

  According to the vehicle driver's seat airbag device of the second aspect, it is possible to inflate and deploy the pair of sub chambers while suppressing an increase in the number of parts of the actuator.

  According to the vehicle driver's seat airbag device of the third aspect, the airbag can be efficiently inflated and deployed.

  According to the vehicle driver's seat airbag device of the fourth aspect, it is possible to effectively dispose the sub-chamber for the occupant that moves obliquely forward at the time of a frontal collision in a turning state of the vehicle.

1 is a plan view showing a state where a driver's seat airbag is inflated and deployed in a front left side portion in a cabin of a vehicle to which a vehicle driver's seat airbag device according to the present embodiment is applied. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the vehicle driver's seat airbag device shown in FIG. 1. (A) is a top view for demonstrating the action | operation of the driver's seat airbag apparatus for vehicles at the time of the frontal collision of a vehicle, (B) is a driver's seat airbag expanded and shown by (A). It is the side view seen from the vehicle left side. (A) is a top view for demonstrating the action | operation of the driver's seat airbag apparatus for vehicles when a vehicle carries out the front collision in the state in which the steering wheel was steered to the vehicle right side more than the predetermined angle, (B) It is the side view which looked at the driver's seat airbag expanded and shown by (A) from the vehicle left side.

  Hereinafter, a vehicle driver's seat airbag device 30 (hereinafter referred to as “driver's seat AB device 30”) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that an arrow FR, an arrow UP, and an arrow LH shown in the drawings respectively indicate the front side, the upper side, and the left side of the vehicle (automobile) V to which the driver's seat AB device 30 is applied. Hereinafter, in the case of simply using the front / rear, up / down, left / right directions, unless otherwise specified, the front / rear direction of the vehicle, the up / down direction of the vehicle up / down direction, and the left / right direction of the vehicle left / right direction when the vehicle V faces forward. It shall be shown.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a left side portion of a front portion in a cabin C of a vehicle V to which the driver's seat AB device 30 is applied. FIG. 1 shows a state where an airbag 32 of a driver's seat AB device 30 described later is inflated and deployed. As shown in this figure, a vehicle seat 10 as a “driver's seat” is disposed on the left side portion of the front portion in the cabin C. The vehicle seat 10 includes a seat cushion 12 on which an occupant D (hereinafter referred to as “driver D”) sits, and a seat back 14 that supports the back of the driver D. Is connected to the rear end of the seat cushion 12.

  The vehicle seat 10 is provided with a seat belt device (not shown) for restraining passengers, and the seat belt device is configured as a so-called three-point seat belt device. For this reason, while the waist part of the driver | operator D is restrained by the lap belt, the upper body of the driver | operator D is restrained by the shoulder belt.

  An instrument panel 16 extending in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction) is provided on the front side of the vehicle seat 10. A steering wheel 18 is disposed on the left side of the instrument panel 16. The steering wheel 18 is supported via a steering column 20 and is arranged on the rear side (vehicle seat 10 side) with respect to the instrument panel 16.

(About the driver's seat AB device 30)
The driver's seat AB device 30 is provided in the steering column 20. The driver's seat AB device 30 includes an airbag 32, an inflator 40 that ejects gas and supplies the gas to the airbag 32, and an actuator that is connected to the subchambers 36R and 36L of the airbag 32 via a tether 44. 42. The driver's seat AB device 30 includes an ECU 46 as a “control unit” that controls the operation of the inflator 40 and the actuator 42. Each configuration will be described below.

(About airbag 32)
As an example, the airbag 32 is configured in a bag shape by sewing the outer peripheral portions of a plurality of base fabrics. Specifically, the airbag 32 is inflated and deployed on the rear side of the steering wheel 18 and a pair of sub-chambers 36R and 36L inflated and deployed on both sides (left and right sides) of the main chamber 34 in the vehicle width direction. And. The inside of the main chamber 34 and the inside of the pair of sub chambers 36R and 36L are communicated with each other. In the inflated and deployed state of the airbag 32, the front portions of the sub chambers 36 </ b> R and 36 </ b> L are located on the radially outer side with respect to the steering wheel 18. In other words, the front portions of the sub-chambers 36R and 36L are set so as to be located on the front side with respect to the main chamber 34, and are configured to contact the instrument panel 16. Although not shown, a tether that connects the main chamber 34 and the sub-chambers 36R and 36L may be provided inside the airbag 32.

(About the inflator 40)
The inflator 40 is built in the base end side of the airbag 32. And the inflator 40 is accommodated in the airbag case which is not shown in figure with the airbag 32 in the state which the airbag 32 was folded. The airbag case is formed in a substantially box shape opened to the rear side (driver D side) and is fixed to the steering column 20. Further, the opening on the rear end side of the airbag case is closed by a steering wheel pad (not shown).

  When the airbag 32 is supplied with gas from the inflator 40, the steering wheel pad is cleaved by the inflation pressure of the airbag 32, and the airbag 32 is inflated and deployed on the front side of the driver D. . Accordingly, the driver D (head) moving to the front side is constrained by the airbag 32.

(About the actuator 42)
The actuator 42 is accommodated in the airbag case. One end of a pair of tethers 44 is coupled to the actuator 42, and the other end of the tether 44 is coupled to the sub-chambers 36R and 36L. That is, the pair of sub-chambers 36R and 36L are connected to the single actuator 42 via the tether 44, respectively. For example, the actuator 42 includes a moving member that moves rearward when the actuator 42 is operated, and one end of a pair of tethers 44 is coupled to the moving member.

  The actuator 42 is in a state (shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B) that restricts (limits) the expansion and deployment of the subchambers 36R and 36L in the airbag 32 when the inflator 40 is operated. The inflated and deployed state of the air bag 32 is referred to as “first state”) and the sub chambers 36R and 36L are allowed to be inflated and deployed (shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B). It functions as a switching mechanism that switches the inflated and deployed state of the bag 32 to the “second state”. Specifically, when the inflator 40 is actuated while the actuator 42 is not activated, the sub-chambers 36R and 36L are pulled forward by the actuator 42 via the tether 44, so that the folded state of the sub-chambers 36R and 36L is maintained. Thus, the expansion and deployment of the sub-chambers 36R and 36L are restricted (restricted) (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). On the other hand, when the actuator 42 and the inflator 40 are operated, the moving member of the actuator 42 moves to the rear side, and the actuator 42 is restrained from pulling the sub chambers 36R and 36L to the front side. Is allowed (see FIGS. 4A and 4B).

(About ECU 46)
The ECU 46 is electrically connected to the collision prediction sensor 50, the steering angle detection sensor 52, the inflator 40 and the actuator 42 described above. The ECU 46 controls the operation of the inflator 40 and the actuator 42. Hereinafter, the operation control of the inflator 40 and the actuator 42 by the ECU 46 will be described while describing the collision prediction sensor 50 and the steering angle detection sensor 52.

  The collision prediction sensor 50 is constituted by a stereo camera, and the stereo camera is provided in the vicinity of the center in the vehicle width direction on the windshield glass of the vehicle V. The stereo camera captures the front side of the vehicle V and detects a collision object with the vehicle V. The stereo camera measures the detected distance to the collision object, the relative speed between the vehicle V and the collision object, and the like, and outputs the measurement data to the ECU 46. The collision prediction sensor 50 may be configured by a millimeter wave radar or the like.

  On the other hand, the ECU 46 includes a collision determination unit 46A. The ECU 46 activates the emergency brake of the vehicle V based on the output signal from the collision prediction sensor 50 to the ECU 46. Specifically, when the collision determination unit 46A determines that the collision between the vehicle V and the collision object cannot be avoided and the driver D does not perform the brake operation, the ECU 46 determines that the emergency braking ( Automatic brake) is activated. For this reason, in this case, the vehicle V decelerates rapidly.

  The steering angle detection sensor 52 detects the steering angle of the steering wheel 18 and outputs the steering angle to the ECU 46.

  The ECU 46 controls the operation of the inflator 40 and the actuator 42 based on output signals from the collision prediction sensor 50 and the steering angle detection sensor 52. Specifically, when the emergency brake is operated in a state where the steering angle of the steering wheel 18 is less than a predetermined angle, the ECU 46 operates the inflator 40 while the actuator 42 is not operated. That is, at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle V, the inflated and deployed state of the airbag 32 becomes the first state (the main chamber 34 is mainly inflated and deployed), and the head of the driver D that moves forward is restrained by the main chamber 34. Is configured to do. Note that the frontal collision in the present invention refers to a form of frontal collision between the vehicle V and a collision object in a state where the steering angle of the steering wheel 18 is less than a predetermined angle. Moreover, the predetermined angle as a threshold value of the steering angle of the steering wheel 18 is set to an angle larger than 0 degree and smaller than 90 degrees as an example.

  On the other hand, when the emergency brake is operated in a state where the steering angle of the steering wheel 18 is a predetermined angle or more, the ECU 46 operates the actuator 42 and the inflator 40. That is, when the vehicle V makes a frontal collision with a relatively large turn to the right or left, the inflated and deployed state of the airbag 32 becomes the second state (the main chamber 34 and the sub chambers 36R and 36L are inflated and deployed). The head of the driver D moving obliquely forward is constrained by the main chamber 34 and the sub chambers 36R and 36L.

  When the steering wheel 18 is steered to the right or left by a predetermined angle, the sub-chambers 36R and 36L are arranged on one side or the other around the rotation axis of the steering wheel 18 with respect to the steering angle of the steering wheel 18 being 0 degrees. Rotate to the side. However, in the present embodiment, even when the steering wheel 18 is steered at a predetermined angle, the sub-chambers 36R and 36L are arranged so that the sub-chambers 36R and 36L are disposed on both sides in the vehicle width direction with respect to the main chamber 34. The vertical dimensions (specifically, the dimensions of the sub-chambers 36R and 36L in the circumferential direction of the steering wheel 18 are set.

  Further, as described above, in the present embodiment, the inflated and deployed state of the airbag 32 is switched between the first state and the second state depending on whether or not the actuator 42 is operated. That is, the capacity of the airbag 32 in the inflated and deployed state is switched depending on whether or not the actuator 42 is activated. The (injection) output of the inflator 40 (gas) described above is set corresponding to the first state in the airbag 32 (that is, the state where the capacity of the airbag 32 is small).

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the emergency brake of the vehicle V is activated, the output of the inflator 40 is set so as to reduce the harm to the driver D of the airbag 32 that is inflated and deployed in the first state. ing. That is, although details will be described later, when the emergency brake of the vehicle V is activated, the body of the driver D moves to the front side from the seating position by inertial force. For this reason, there is a possibility that the head of the driver D enters the inflated and deployed area of the airbag 32. If the head of the driver D temporarily enters the inflated and deployed area of the airbag 32, the airbag 32 in the middle of inflated and deployed hits the head of the driver D. The output of the inflator 40 is set so as to reduce the harm to the driver D. Specifically, the output of the inflator 40 is set so as to reduce the harm to the driver D by performing various collision tests using a dummy doll.

  Next, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 while explaining the operation of the driver's seat AB device 30 at the time of a frontal collision between the vehicle V and a collision object (another vehicle). .

(Frontal collision of vehicle V)
In the operation of the driver's seat AB device 30, first, in step 100, the ECU 46 determines whether or not the steering angle of the steering wheel 18 is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle based on an output signal from the steering angle detection sensor 52 to the ECU 46. Then, when the steering angle of the steering wheel 18 is less than the predetermined angle (that is, when the vehicle V is traveling substantially straight), the routine proceeds to step 102.

  In step 102, the collision determination unit 46A of the ECU 46 determines whether or not a frontal collision between the vehicle V and the collision object can be avoided based on an output signal from the collision prediction sensor 50 to the ECU 46. When the collision determination unit 46A determines that a frontal collision between the vehicle V and the colliding body cannot be avoided (that is, the vehicle V and the colliding body collide head-on), and the brake operation by the driver D is not performed. The ECU 46 proceeds to step 104 while operating the emergency brake of the vehicle V.

  When the emergency brake of the vehicle V is activated while the vehicle V is running substantially straight, the body of the driver D is restrained by the shoulder belt of the seat belt device, and is seated by the inertial force (a dotted line in FIG. 3A). (Refer to the position of the driver D shown in Fig. 1) to the front side. Specifically, the driver D moves to a sudden braking position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

  In step 104, the inflator 40 is operated while the actuator 42 is kept in an inoperative state. Therefore, the inflated and deployed state of the airbag 32 becomes the first state, the inflated and deployed states of the sub-chambers 36R and 36L are restricted, and the main chamber 34 is mainly inflated and deployed on the front side of the driver D (FIG. 3 ( A) and (B)). When the vehicle V collides head-on, the body of the driver D moves further forward than the sudden brake position due to inertial force (see the driver D indicated by a solid line in FIG. 3A). As a result, the head of the driver D that moves forward in a frontal collision between the vehicle V and the collision object is restrained by the main chamber 34.

(Front collision when vehicle V is turning)
Next, the frontal collision in the turning state of the vehicle V will be described. In this frontal collision, for example, a form of frontal collision of the vehicle V when the driver D steers the steering wheel 18 to the right side or the left side and turns the vehicle V in an attempt to avoid the frontal collision with the collision object is conceivable. . In the operation of the driver's seat AB device 30 in the frontal collision, in step 100 described above, the ECU 46 determines whether or not the steering angle of the steering wheel 18 is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle based on the output signal to the ECU 46 of the steering angle detection sensor 52. Judgment. When the ECU 46 determines that the steering angle of the steering wheel 18 is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle based on the output signal of the steering angle detection sensor 52 to the ECU 46, the routine proceeds to step 106.

  In step 106, the collision determination unit 46A of the ECU 46 determines whether or not a frontal collision between the vehicle V and the collision object can be avoided by an output signal from the collision prediction sensor 50 to the ECU 46. Then, the collision determination unit 46A determines that a frontal collision between the vehicle V and the collision object cannot be avoided (that is, the vehicle V and the collision object collide frontward in the turning state of the vehicle V), and a brake operation by the driver D is performed. If not, the ECU 46 proceeds to step 108 while operating the emergency brake of the vehicle V.

  When the emergency brake of the vehicle V is activated in the turning state of the vehicle V, the driver D's body is restrained by the shoulder belt of the seatbelt device, and obliquely forward on the opposite side to the turning direction of the vehicle V by the inertial force. Move to. That is, as shown in FIG. 4 (A), when the emergency brake of the vehicle V is activated with the vehicle V turning right, the body of the driver D is indicated by a dotted line in the seating position (FIG. 4 (A)). Move to the left front side. Specifically, the driver D moves to a sudden braking position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

  In step 108, the actuator 42 and the inflator 40 are operated. For this reason, the moving member of the actuator 42 moves to the rear side, and the expansion and deployment of the sub chambers 36R and 36L is allowed. Thereby, the inflated and deployed state of the airbag 32 becomes the second state, and the main chamber 34 and the sub chambers 36R and 36L are inflated and deployed on the front side of the driver D (see FIGS. 4A and 4B). Specifically, the sub-chambers 36R and 36L are inflated and deployed on both sides in the vehicle width direction with respect to the main chamber 34 (steering wheel 18), and the front portions of the sub-chambers 36R and 36L are disposed on the front side of the main chamber 34. Is done. Then, when the vehicle V collides frontward with the vehicle V turning, the colliding body has a corner on the opposite side of the turning direction at the front of the vehicle V (in the example shown in FIG. 4A, the left corner) ), The body of the driver D moves further forward (in the example shown in FIG. 4A, diagonally left forward) than the sudden braking position due to inertial force (shown by a solid line in FIG. 4A). Driver D). Thus, the head of the driver D is restrained by one of the main chamber 34 and the sub chambers 36R and 36L (in the example shown in FIG. 4A, the sub chamber 36L).

  Thus, according to the driver's seat AB device 30, in the frontal collision of the vehicle V, the inflated and deployed state of the airbag 32 becomes the first state, and the main chamber 34 is mainly inflated and deployed on the front side of the driver D. For this reason, in the frontal collision of the vehicle V, the capacity | capacitance of the airbag 32 becomes small compared with the case where the expansion | deployment state of the airbag 32 will be in a 2nd state. Thereby, the output of the inflator 40 can be set corresponding to the first state of the airbag 32. As a result, an increase in the size of the inflator 40 can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the airbag 32 (main chamber 34) is restrained from being inflated and deployed suddenly as the size of the inflator 40 is restrained, the harm to the driver D who has moved to the sudden brake position is also reduced. be able to.

  This point will be described using a comparative example. In this comparative example, the actuator 42 of the present embodiment is omitted. That is, by the operation of the inflator 40, the airbag 32 is always inflated and deployed in the second state (the main chamber 34 and the sub chambers 36R and 36L are inflated and deployed). And in order to restrain the driver | operator's D head which moves further from a sudden brake position further to the front side at the time of a frontal collision favorably by the airbag 32, it is necessary to ensure the thickness of the main chamber 34 expanded and deployed in the front-rear direction. is there. That is, it is necessary to set the output of the inflator 40 corresponding to the second state of the airbag 32. Since the capacity | capacitance in the 2nd state of the airbag 32 is larger than the capacity | capacitance in the 1st state of the airbag 32 at this time, the output of the inflator 40 becomes high compared with this Embodiment, and the inflator 40 is large sized. Turn into.

  Further, when the output of the inflator 40 is increased, the airbag 32 is inflated and deployed more rapidly. For this reason, when the head of the driver D who has moved to the sudden brake position when the emergency brake is activated enters the inflating and deploying area of the airbag 32, the airbag 32 in the middle of the inflating and deploying has the head of the driver D. It hits. As a result, there is a possibility that the harm to the driver D is deteriorated.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as described above, the output of the inflator 40 is set corresponding to the first state of the airbag 32. For this reason, compared with the said comparative example, while being able to set the output of the inflator 40 small, the inflator 40 can be reduced in size (an enlargement can be suppressed). Further, by setting the output of the inflator 40 to be small, rapid inflation and deployment of the airbag 32 (main chamber 34) is suppressed. For this reason, even if the head of the driver D who has moved to the sudden brake position temporarily enters the inflating and deploying area of the airbag 32 and the airbag 32 in the middle of inflating and deploying hits the head of the driver D, the driver D Harmfulness can be reduced.

  Moreover, since the output of the inflator 40 is set corresponding to the first state of the airbag 32, the dimension L1 in the front-rear direction of the airbag 32 (main chamber 34) that is inflated and deployed in the first state (FIG. 3 ( A) can be ensured. Thereby, since the stroke of the airbag 32 for restraining the driver | operator's D head at the time of the frontal collision of the vehicle V is ensured, the driver | operator's D head is favorably improved by the airbag 32 (main chamber 34). Can be restrained.

  As described above, when the vehicle V collides with the vehicle in a turning state, the airbag 32 is inflated and deployed to the second state. For this reason, the head of the driver | operator D who moves to the diagonally front side at the time of the front collision can be restrained by the main chamber 34 and the sub chambers 36R and 36L. At this time, since the output of the inflator 40 is set corresponding to the first state of the airbag 32, the dimension L2 in the front-rear direction of the main chamber 34 in the second state (see FIG. 4A) is It is thinner (smaller) than the dimension L1 of the main chamber 34 in the front-rear direction in one state (see FIG. 3A).

  However, as shown in FIG. 4A, in the frontal collision of the vehicle V in the turning state, the sub chambers 36R and 36L are inflated and deployed on both sides of the main chamber 34 in the vehicle width direction. That is, the sub-chambers 36R and 36L move toward the front side (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4A) of the driver D moving diagonally forward (leftwardly forward in FIG. 4A) with respect to the main chamber 34. Placed in. For this reason, the dimension L3 of the airbag 32 in the moving direction can be increased by the sub-chambers 36R and 36L. In other words, the sub-chambers 36R and 36L can supplement the stroke of the airbag 32 for restraining the head of the driver D moving diagonally left frontward (or right diagonally forward). Thereby, even if the output of the inflator 40 is set corresponding to the first state of the airbag 32, a stroke for restraining the head of the driver D moving obliquely forward in the airbag 32 is secured. Can do. As a result, the head of the driver D can be favorably restrained by the airbag 32 at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle V in the turning state.

  Thus, according to the driver's seat AB device 30 of the present embodiment, the sub chambers 36R and 36L can be connected to the main chamber only when the head of the driver D moving diagonally forward needs to be restrained by the airbag 32. 34 is inflated and deployed on both sides in the vehicle width direction. For this reason, by setting the output of the inflator 40 corresponding to the first state in which the capacity of the airbag 32 is small, the head of the driver D moving obliquely forward is suppressed while suppressing the increase in size of the inflator 40. It can be restrained by the bag 32.

  In the driver's seat AB device 30, the sub chambers 36R and 36L are inflated and deployed on both sides of the main chamber 34 in the vehicle width direction (specifically, the vehicle width direction outer side and the vehicle width direction center side). For this reason, when the front collision occurs in the right turn state or the left turn state of the vehicle V, the head of the driver D moving from the seating position to the left diagonally forward or right diagonally forward can be restrained by the airbag 32. .

  Further, in the driver's seat AB apparatus 30, a pair of sub-chambers 36 </ b> R and 36 </ b> L are connected to a single actuator 42 via a tether 44. Then, by operating the actuator 42, expansion and deployment in the pair of sub-chambers 36R and 36L are allowed at the same time. Therefore, the pair of sub chambers 36R and 36L can be inflated and deployed while suppressing an increase in the number of parts of the actuator 42.

  In the present embodiment, the airbag 32 includes a main chamber 34 and a pair of sub-chambers 36R and 36L. Instead of this, in the airbag 32, one of the pair of sub-chambers 36R, 36L may be omitted. For example, in a vehicle including a center airbag that is inflated and deployed at the center in the vehicle width direction of the front portion of the cabin C, the head of the driver D that moves diagonally forward in the vehicle width direction is restrained by the center airbag. In this case, the sub-chamber 36R that is inflated and deployed on the center side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the main chamber 34 when steering the steering wheel 18 to the left side may be omitted. Further, for example, in a vehicle including a curtain airbag that is inflated and deployed on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the driver D, the head of the driver D that moves obliquely forward in the vehicle width direction is restrained by the curtain airbag. Alternatively, the sub-chamber 36L that is inflated and deployed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the main chamber 34 when steering the steering wheel 18 to the right may be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, a pair of sub-chambers 36R and 36L are connected to a single actuator 42 via a tether 44. Instead of this, a pair of actuators 42 may be provided corresponding to the pair of sub-chambers 36R and 36L. That is, the driver seat AB device 30 may be configured to include two actuators, that is, the actuator 42 connected to the sub-chamber 36R and the actuator 42 connected to the sub-chamber 36L. In this case, the ECU 46 may control the operation of the pair of actuators 42 as follows. That is, when the steering angle to the right side of the steering wheel 18 is greater than or equal to a predetermined angle, only the actuator 42 connected to the sub chamber 36L is operated so that the left sub chamber 36L is allowed to expand and deploy. Also good. On the other hand, when the steering angle to the left side of the steering wheel 18 is equal to or larger than a predetermined angle, only the actuator 42 connected to the sub chamber 36R is operated so that expansion and deployment of the right sub chamber 36R is allowed. Also good. Thereby, according to the turning direction of the vehicle V, one of the pair of sub-chambers 36R and 36L can be inflated and deployed. Therefore, the airbag 32 can be efficiently inflated and deployed in accordance with the turning state of the vehicle V.

  Further, the positions of the sub chambers 36R and 36L with respect to the main chamber 34 in the present embodiment may be set as follows. For example, when the steering angle of the steering wheel 18 is 0 degree, one of the pair of sub-chambers 36R and 36L is disposed above the rotation axis of the steering wheel 18 and the other of the pair of sub-chambers 36R and 36L is disposed. You may arrange | position below with respect to the rotating shaft line of the steering wheel 18. FIG. In this case, when the steering wheel 18 is steered to 90 degrees, the sub-chambers 36R and 36L are disposed on both sides in the vehicle width direction with respect to the main chamber 34. For this reason, when the steering wheel 18 is steered at 90 degrees, the sub-chambers 36R and 36L can be effectively arranged for the driver D that is moved obliquely forward.

  Further, when the predetermined angle that is the threshold value of the steering angle of the steering wheel 18 is set to a relatively small angle (for example, a range of 30 degrees to 45 degrees), the steering angle of the steering wheel 18 is 0 degrees. The pair of sub chambers 36 </ b> R and 36 </ b> L may be disposed below the rotation axis of the steering wheel 18. In this case, when the steering wheel 18 is steered to the right at a predetermined angle, the left sub-chamber 36L is disposed substantially outside (left side) in the vehicle width direction with respect to the main chamber 34. Further, when the steering wheel 18 is steered to the left by a predetermined angle, the right sub-chamber 36R is disposed substantially on the center side (right side) in the vehicle width direction with respect to the main chamber 34. As a result, even in this case, the sub-chambers 36R and 36L can be effectively arranged with respect to the driver D that is moved obliquely forward at the time of a frontal collision in the turning state of the vehicle V. That is, the pair of sub-chambers 36R and 36L for the main chamber 34 may be set as appropriate in accordance with a predetermined angle that is a threshold of the steering angle of the steering wheel 18.

18 Steering wheel 20 Steering column 30 Vehicle driver airbag device 32 Airbag 34 Main chamber 36R Subchamber 36L Subchamber 40 Inflator 42 Actuator 46 ECU

Claims (4)

An inflator that emits gas when activated,
A main chamber that is inflated and deployed on the vehicle rear side of the steering wheel upon supply of gas from the inflator, and a sub that is communicated with the main chamber and that is inflated and deployed outward in the radial direction of the steering wheel with respect to the main chamber An airbag having a chamber;
An actuator that is coupled to the sub-chamber and regulates expansion / deployment of the sub-chamber in a non-actuated state, and allows expansion / deployment of the sub-chamber by operating;
A controller that determines that a frontal collision of the vehicle cannot be avoided by an output from the collision prediction sensor and activates an emergency brake when a brake operation is not performed by an occupant;
With
When the control unit operates the emergency brake in a state where the steering angle of the steering wheel is less than a predetermined angle, the control unit operates the inflator while keeping the actuator in an inoperative state,
When the control unit operates the emergency brake in a state where the steering angle of the steering wheel is equal to or larger than a predetermined angle, the control unit operates the inflator and the actuator, and the sub-chamber is at least connected to the main chamber. A vehicle driver's seat airbag device that is inflated and deployed on one side in the width direction. The airbag has a pair of sub-chambers that are inflated and deployed on both sides in the vehicle width direction with respect to the main chamber,
A pair of said sub-chambers are connected to a single said actuator;
2. The vehicle driver's seat airbag device according to claim 1, wherein when the actuator is operated, inflation and deployment in the pair of sub-chambers are allowed at the same time. The airbag has a pair of sub-chambers that are inflated and deployed on both sides in the vehicle width direction with respect to the main chamber,
A pair of the actuators are provided corresponding to the pair of sub-chambers,
2. The vehicle driver's seat airbag device according to claim 1, wherein one of the pair of sub-chambers is inflated and deployed when the control unit operates one of the pair of actuators according to a steering direction of the steering wheel. . The airbag is provided in a steering column,
4. The vehicle driving according to claim 2, wherein when the steering angle of the steering wheel is 0 degree, the sub-chamber is disposed on the vehicle upper side and the vehicle lower side with respect to the rotation axis of the steering wheel. Seat airbag device.

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