JP2017019425A - Occupant protection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an occupant protection device capable of preventing interference with an occupant and a ceiling part when an air bag stored in a headrest is inflated.SOLUTION: An occupant protection device comprises: an air bag 30 configured as an integrated bag body for covering a head H of an occupant D including a front deployment part 36 stored in a headrest 18 of a vehicle seat, and inflated with a gas supplied, and further deployed forward of the seat with respect to the head part H of the occupant D, and a pair of right and left lateral deployment parts 38 connected to the front deployment part 36, and inflated at the side of the seat with respect to the head H of the occupant D; and a control part for moving at least a part of the headrest 18 to above the seat when vehicle collision is predicted or the vehicle collision is determined to be unavoidable according to a signal from a collision prediction sensor, and after displacement, inflating the air bag 30 forward of the seat.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an occupant protection device.

  In the event of a collision, an airbag device is known in which inflator gas is supplied to a bag attached to the gas supply pipe through a gas supply pipe fixed to the seat back, and the bag is inflated so as to cover the front and sides of the occupant. (See Patent Document 1). In addition, the head airbag expands forward from the left and right ends of the headrest of the seat and joins to each other on the front surface of the occupant's head, while the auxiliary airbag for the head extends from the center of the seat headrest. An airbag device that bulges forward and joins a pair of head airbags is known (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2000-344044 A JP2013-018378A

  In the configuration of Patent Document 1, since the gas supply pipe is provided on the seat back, it does not look good. On the other hand, in the configuration of Patent Document 2, it is possible to secure the bonding strength between a pair of head airbags that are bonded to each other after inflating and deploying, and the bonding strength of the head auxiliary airbag to the pair of head airbags. Is difficult.

  As a countermeasure against this, it is conceivable to adopt a configuration in which an airbag is housed in a headrest of a vehicle seat and the airbag is inflated and deployed so as to cover the occupant's head from the front and both sides of the seat. Here, when the airbag is deployed obliquely upward from the headrest toward the front of the seat in order to deploy the airbag beyond the head of the occupant, the airbag in the inflating and deploying process strongly interferes with the vehicle ceiling. there's a possibility that. For this reason, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of suppressing the airbag in the inflating and deploying process from strongly interfering with the occupant's head and ceiling.

  In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to provide an occupant protection device capable of suppressing strong interference with the occupant's head and ceiling when the airbag housed in the headrest is inflated and deployed.

  The occupant protection device according to the present invention as set forth in claim 1 is housed in a headrest of a vehicle seat, inflated and deployed by receiving gas supply, and deployed in front of the occupant's head in front of the seat, An airbag configured as an integral bag body covering the occupant's head, including a pair of left and right laterally deployed portions connected to the front deployment portion and inflated and deployed on the side of the seat with respect to the occupant's head; When a vehicle collision is predicted based on a signal from a collision prediction sensor or when it is determined that a vehicle collision cannot be avoided, at least a part of the headrest is moved above the seat, and the airbag is moved after the movement. And a control unit that expands and deploys forward of the seat.

  In the occupant protection device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the airbag is housed in the headrest of the vehicle seat. The airbag is inflated and deployed from the headrest upon receiving gas supply. Further, since the airbag is configured as an integral bag body that covers the head of the occupant including the front deployment portion and the pair of left and right lateral deployment portions, the occupant moves with the airbag for various types of collisions. Is restricted (restraining the occupant) to protect the occupant.

  In addition, when a vehicle collision is predicted based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor or when it is determined that the vehicle collision cannot be avoided, at least a part of the headrest including the airbag is moved above the seat by the control unit. Is done. Then, after the headrest moves, the airbag is inflated and deployed from the headrest to the front of the seat. For this reason, the airbag can be inflated and deployed from above the seat, and the airbag in the inflating and deploying process can be prevented from strongly interfering with the occupant's head. Compared with the configuration in which the airbag is inflated and deployed without moving the headrest, it is not necessary to inflate and deploy the airbag to the upper side of the seat, so that the airbag in the inflation and deployment process strongly interferes with the ceiling portion. Can be suppressed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the occupant protection device according to the present invention includes a headrest stay that connects the headrest and the seat back in the seat vertical direction in the configuration of the first aspect, and a moving mechanism provided in the seat back. By moving the headrest stay above the seat, the entire headrest is moved upward.

  In the occupant protection device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the entire headrest including the airbag is moved above the seat by moving the headrest stay above the seat by the moving mechanism provided in the seat back. Thereby, the whole headrest can be moved above the seat without changing the structure of the headrest.

  The occupant protection device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the occupant protection device according to the first aspect, wherein the headrest is disposed on a headrest main body capable of supporting the head of the occupant and a seat rear side of the headrest main body, A module case in which an airbag is housed, and when a vehicle collision is predicted based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor or when a vehicle collision is determined to be unavoidable, The module case is moved above the seat with respect to the headrest body.

  In the occupant protection device according to the third aspect of the present invention, only the module case is moved above the seat. For example, when the occupant's head moves to the headrest side due to a collision, Can be supported.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the occupant protection device according to the present invention is the configuration of the first aspect, wherein the headrest includes a headrest body that supports the head of the occupant, and a module case that is disposed on the seat rear side of the headrest body. And an airbag retainer that is accommodated in the module case and holds the airbag, and when a vehicle collision is predicted based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor or the vehicle When it is determined that the collision cannot be avoided, the airbag holder is moved upward with respect to the module case.

  In the occupant protection device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the airbag holder constituting the module case is moved above the seat. Thereby, compared with the case where the whole headrest is moved or the case where the whole module case is moved, a movement object becomes compact.

  An occupant protection device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the occupant protection device according to the third aspect of the present invention, further comprising an inflator provided in the seat back and supplying gas to the airbag by being ignited. The module case is moved upward by the propulsive force of the time.

  In the occupant protection device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the module case is moved above the seat by using the propulsive force when the inflator is ignited, and therefore it is necessary to provide a dedicated moving mechanism for moving the module case. There is no.

  An occupant protection device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the occupant protection device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, further comprising an inflator that is provided in the module case and supplies gas to the airbag by being ignited. The airbag holder is moved upward by the propulsive force at the time of ignition.

  In the occupant protection device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in order to move the airbag holder to the upper side of the seat using the propulsive force at the time of ignition of the inflator, a dedicated movement for moving the airbag holder There is no need to provide a mechanism.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the occupant protection device according to the present invention, in the configuration of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the control unit predicts a vehicle collision based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor. The airbag is moved when at least a part of the headrest is moved upwards of the seat and a vehicle collision is determined to be unavoidable based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor or when a vehicle collision is detected. Inflate and deploy.

  In the occupant protection device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that the collision of the vehicle is unavoidable by moving at least a part of the headrest above the seat when the collision of the vehicle is predicted, or When a vehicle collision is detected, the airbag can be inflated and deployed at an early stage.

  An occupant protection device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the configuration according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising a lifter mechanism that raises and lowers the vehicle seat, and the control unit includes at least the headrest. The vehicle seat is lowered by the lifter mechanism before a part of the seat is moved upward.

  In the occupant protection device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the gap between the headrest and the ceiling of the vehicle can be widened by lowering the vehicle seat by the lifter mechanism.

  As described above, according to the occupant protection device of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress strong interference with the occupant's head and ceiling when the airbag housed in the headrest is inflated and deployed. There is an excellent effect of being able to.

  According to the occupant protection device of the second aspect of the present invention, there is an excellent effect that the existing headrest in which the airbag is housed can be moved above the seat.

  According to the occupant protection device of the third aspect of the present invention, there is an excellent effect that the head of the occupant can be supported by the headrest at the time of a vehicle collision or the like.

  According to the occupant protection device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is an excellent effect that the airbag can be moved above the seat without requiring a large moving mechanism.

  According to the occupant protection device of the present invention described in claims 5 and 6, there is an excellent effect that the number of parts required for the configuration for moving the headrest above the seat can be reduced.

  According to the occupant protection device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the airbag can be inflated and deployed at an early stage as compared with the structure in which the headrest is moved after it is determined that the vehicle collision cannot be avoided. Excellent effect.

  According to the occupant protection device of the present invention as set forth in claim 8, even when the gap between the ceiling of the vehicle and the headrest is narrow in a state before the collision of the vehicle is predicted, the headrest is placed above the seat. There is an excellent effect that a gap necessary for the movement can be ensured.

It is a side view showing typically a protection mode of a seated person by a crew member protection device concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a front view showing typically a protection mode of a seated person by a crew member protection device concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the expansion | deployment deployment state of the multidirectional airbag which comprises the passenger | crew protection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment, Comprising: (A) is sectional drawing along the 3A-3A line of FIG. 1, (B) is FIG. It is sectional drawing along line 3B-3B. It is a figure which expands and shows the principal part of the passenger | crew protection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and is the partially broken side view which shows the state before an actuator act | operates. It is a figure corresponding to Drawing 4 in the process in which the crew protection device concerning a 1st embodiment operates, (A) is a side view showing the state where an actuator operated, and (B) is the state where the air bag was inflated and deployed. FIG. FIG. 5 is a partially broken side view corresponding to FIG. 4 and showing a modification of the occupant protection device according to the first embodiment. It is the partially broken side view corresponding to FIG. 4 which shows the state before the airbag module of the passenger | crew protection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment moves. It is the partially broken side view corresponding to Drawing 4 showing the state where the air bag module of the crew member protection device concerning a 2nd embodiment moved. It is the partially broken side view corresponding to FIG. 4 which shows the state which the airbag case of the passenger | crew protection apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment moved. It is the partially broken side view corresponding to FIG. 4 which shows the state before the headrest of the passenger | crew protection apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment moves. It is the partially broken side view corresponding to Drawing 4 showing the state after the headrest of the crew member protection device concerning a 4th embodiment moved. It is a side view corresponding to Drawing 1 showing typically a protection mode of a seated person by a crew member protection device concerning a 5th embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
An occupant protection device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. An arrow FR and an arrow UP that are appropriately described in each figure indicate the forward direction (direction toward the seated person) and the upward direction of the vehicle seat 12, respectively. Hereinafter, when simply using the front / rear, up / down, left / right directions, unless otherwise specified, the front / rear direction of the seat, the up / down direction of the seat / up / down direction, and the left / right direction of the front / rear direction of the seat are shown. And Note that an arrow IN appropriately described in each drawing indicates the vehicle center side in the vehicle width direction of an automobile as a vehicle on which the vehicle seat 12 is mounted.

(Overall configuration of occupant protection device)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the occupant protection device 10 of the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle seat 12. The vehicle seat 12 is arranged to be offset to the left or right (left side in the present embodiment) with respect to the center in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body (not shown). In the present embodiment, the vehicle seat 12 has the front-rear direction of the seat matched with the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the seat width direction matched with the vehicle width direction. The vehicle seat 12 includes a seat cushion 14, a seat back 16 having a lower end connected to the rear end of the seat cushion 14, and a headrest 18 provided at the upper end of the seat back 16.

  In each figure, a dummy (doll) D for a collision test is seated on a seat cushion 14 of a vehicle seat 12 as a model of an occupant to be protected. The dummy D is, for example, AM50 (50th percentile of an American adult male) of WorldSID (World Side Impact Dummy). The dummy D is seated in a standard seating posture determined by the collision test method, and the vehicle seat 12 is located at a reference setting position corresponding to the seating posture. Hereinafter, the dummy D is referred to as a “seating person D” for easy understanding.

  The occupant protection device 10 includes a multi-directional airbag device 20, a side airbag device 22, a seat belt device 24, an actuator 64 as a moving mechanism, and a control unit for protecting the occupant D from various types of collisions. And an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 60. Hereinafter, schematic configurations of the seatbelt device 24, the side airbag device 22, and the multidirectional airbag device 20 will be described, and then the moving mechanism of the headrest 18 including the actuator 64 and the ECU 60 will be described.

  The seat belt device 24 is a three-point seat belt device, and the other end of a belt (webbing) 28, one end of which is wound around a retractor (not shown), is fixed to the anchor 24A. A tongue plate 24T is slidably provided on the belt 28, and the belt 28 is attached to the seated person D by locking the tongue plate 24T to the buckle 24B. The belt 28 is attached to the seated person D, and the shoulder belt 28S from the retractor 26 to the tongue plate 24T is mounted on the upper body of the seated person D, and the belt 28 is connected to the anchor 24A from the tongue plate 24T. The lap belt 28L is configured to be worn on the waist P of the seated person D.

  In the present embodiment, the seat belt device 24 is a so-called seat belt device with a seat in which a retractor, an anchor 24A, and a buckle 24B (not shown) are provided in the vehicle seat 12. In the present embodiment, the retractor has a pretensioner function that forcibly winds up the belt 28 when operated. The pretensioner function of the retractor is actuated by an ECU 60 described later. Further, in the present embodiment, when a vehicle collision is predicted by a collision prediction sensor 62 described later, a so-called pre-crash seat belt is used that increases the tension of the belt 28 that restrains the seated person D by a motor (not shown). Yes.

  The side airbag device 22 includes an inflator 22A and a side airbag 22B. The side airbag device 22 is housed in a side portion of the seat back 16 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction when the side airbag 22B is folded. When the inflator 22A is operated, the inflator 22A generates gas in the side airbag 22B. The side airbag 22B is projected forward from the side portion of the seat back 16 by this gas and is inflated and deployed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the seated person D. In the present embodiment, the side airbag 22B is configured to be inflated and deployed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the waist P, the abdomen A, the chest B, and the shoulder S of the seated person D.

(Configuration of multi-directional airbag device)
As shown in FIG. 1, the multidirectional airbag device 20 includes a multidirectional airbag 30 as an airbag, an inflator 32, and a module case 34 that constitutes the headrest 18. The multidirectional airbag 30 is folded in a state where the inflator 32 is connected so as to be able to supply gas, and is stored in the module case 34. The multi-directional airbag device 20 modularized in this way is provided on the headrest 18 on the seat back 16. This will be specifically described below.

(Multidirectional airbag)
As shown in FIG. 3A in a cross-sectional view, the multidirectional airbag 30 is configured to place the head H of the seated person D (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “head H”) from the front and both left and right sides. It is configured as an integral bag body that is inflated and deployed so as to cover it. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the multidirectional airbag 30 is deployed on the front deployment portion 36 deployed in front of the head H and on the left and right sides of the head H. It is comprised including a pair of horizontal expansion | deployment part 38. FIG.

  The front deployment part 36 includes a mesh part 40 as a visible structure that is deployed in front of the head H, and a front expansion part 42 that is inflated and deployed around the mesh part 40 in front view. The mesh portion 40 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and the front expansion portion 42 has a rectangular frame shape in which the inner peripheral edge is joined to the mesh portion 40. The front inflating portion 42 is inflated and deployed upon receiving gas supply.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the front inflating portion 42 that mainly surrounds the mesh portion 40 above the seat back 16 is a first inflating portion 42 </ b> A that is inflated and deployed in front of the head H. Further, a portion of the front inflating portion 42 that is located below the first inflating portion 42A (wrapped on the seat back 16 in a front view) is inflated and deployed in front of the chest B and shoulder S of the seated person D. It is set as the 2nd expansion part 42B as a body restraint part. The gas is supplied to the second inflating part 42B through the first inflating part 42A. In the present embodiment, the portion of the first inflating portion 42A located below the mesh portion 40 is partitioned from the other portions of the first inflating portion 42A by the seam 42S, and the gas is passed through the second inflating portion 42B. Is to be supplied.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the lateral expansion section 38 is divided into a lateral expansion section 44 that is inflated and deployed on the side of the head H upon receiving gas supply, and a lateral expansion section 44 that extends in the vertical direction and is divided forward and backward. And a seam portion 46 as a non-inflatable portion. The lateral expansion portion 44 has a size (area) that wraps over the entire head H in a side view, and the seam portion 46 is a portion that wraps with the head H in the lateral expansion portion 44. 44 is divided forward and backward.

  Each of the left and right lateral expansion portions 44 is connected in communication with the lower end of the first expansion portion 42A corresponding to the left and right of the front expansion portion 42 (near the boundary with the second expansion portion 42B). Accordingly, the gas from the inflator 32 is supplied to the left and right lateral expansion portions 44 via the front expansion portion 42. On the other hand, between the first inflating part 42A and the lateral inflating part 44 of the front inflating part 42, the upper part of the communicating part is partitioned by a seam part 47 as a non-inflating part.

  The left and right lateral deployment portions 38 are configured such that the lower end 44L of each lateral inflation portion 44 contacts the shoulder S of the seated person D when the multidirectional airbag 30 is inflated and deployed. The vertical position of the inflated and deployed multidirectional airbag 30 with respect to the seated person (head H thereof) is determined by the contact of the lower end 44L of the lateral inflatable part 44 with the shoulder S.

  In this positioning state, the multi-directional airbag 30 has a front deployment portion 36, left and right lateral deployment portions 38, and an upper deployment portion 48, which will be described later, with respect to a seated person D taking a normal seating posture. It is set as the structure which does not contact (a clearance gap is formed).

  The multidirectional airbag 30 has an upper deployment portion 48 that is deployed above the head H of the seated person D by connecting the upper edges of the front deployment portion 36 and the left and right lateral deployment portions 38. The upper expansion part 48 is mainly configured by an upper expansion part 50 that is inflated and deployed by receiving gas supply. The upper inflating portion 50 includes a central inflating portion 50C that is inflated and deployed above the head H, and a pair of upper duct portions 50D as duct portions that extend along the front-rear direction on the left and right of the central inflating portion 50C. Has been.

  The multidirectional airbag 30 has a rear deployment portion 52 that is deployed behind the upper deployment portion 48. The rear deployment part 52 includes a rear duct part 54 that is an expansion part and a non-expansion part 56. The rear duct portion 54 is separated into left and right, and the upper ends of the rear duct portion 54 are connected in communication with the upper duct portion 50D corresponding to the left and right. The left and right rear duct portions 54 are connected to each other by a non-expandable portion 56 whose front edge is joined to the rear edge of the central expansion portion 50C.

  Further, the left and right rear duct portions 54 merge with each other below the non-expandable portion 56 to form a gas introduction portion (not shown). And this gas introduction part is connected so that the gas from the inflator 32 can be supplied through the diffuser which comprises T shape. In addition, not only the structure using a diffuser, For example, you may insert the part including the gas ejection opening in the vertically installed inflator 32 into a gas introduction part. Further, the gas introduction part may be configured to be bent in an L shape, and a part including the gas ejection port in the horizontally placed inflator 32 may be inserted into the gas introduction part.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the multi-directional airbag 30 in an unconstrained inflated and deployed state that does not restrain the seated person D is viewed from the side airbag 22B in the inflated and deployed state that does not restrain the seated person D. It does not overlap (does not wrap). In other words, the multidirectional airbag 30 and the side airbag 22B are configured so as not to mutually have inflated and deployed portions that wrap in at least a side view in an unconstrained inflated and deployed state. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the unconstrained inflated and deployed multidirectional airbag 30 is configured not to overlap the unrestrained inflated and deployed side airbag 22B that does not restrain the seated person D in a front view. ing.

  As described above, the multidirectional airbag 30 that is inflated and deployed has a deployed shape (flat pattern) before being folded. The developed multi-directional airbag 30 is formed as an integral bag body by OPW (abbreviation for One Piece Woven). Note that the multidirectional airbag 30 may be formed as an integral bag body by a method (Cut & See) of stitching the peripheral edges of two fabrics.

(Inflator)
The inflator 32 employs a combustion type or a cold gas type, and supplies gas generated by being operated into the multidirectional airbag 30. In the present embodiment, the inflator 32 is a cylinder-type inflator, and is disposed in the module case 34 with the sheet width direction as a longitudinal direction. The operation of the inflator 32 is controlled by an ECU 60 as a control device described later.

(Module case)
As shown in FIG. 1, the headrest 18 includes a headrest main body 19 and a module case 34 arranged on the seat rear side of the headrest main body 19. The headrest body 19 constitutes a front portion of the headrest 18 and is disposed on the seat rear side of the head H of the seated person D.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the headrest body 19 is attached to the seat back 16 via a headrest stay 18 </ b> S. The headrest stay 18S connects the headrest main body 19 and the seat back 16 in the seat vertical direction, and the upper portion 18SU is positioned forward with respect to the lower portion 18SL supported by the seat back 16. Further, the headrest stay 18S is configured by connecting the lower portion 18SL and the upper portion 18SU at an inclined intermediate portion 18SC. Further, the lower portion 18SL is connected to an actuator 64, which will be described later, disposed inside the seat back 16.

  On the other hand, the module case 34 disposed on the seat rear side of the headrest main body 19 is a backboard constituting the headrest 18 (rear design). Therefore, the multidirectional airbag 30 is housed in the rear portion of the headrest 18.

  The module case 34 protrudes above the upper end of the headrest body 19 in a front view, and projects from both sides of the headrest body 19 in the seat width direction. That is, the module case 34 covers the headrest body 19 from the rear. In the present embodiment, the module case 34 covers the rear portion of the headrest body 19 from above and from both the left and right sides, and constitutes the rear design of the headrest 18 as described above.

  More specifically, the module case 34 includes a base part 34B, a main wall 34M as a rear wall, and a pair of left and right side walls 34S as main parts. The base portion 34 </ b> B is in contact with the upper end of the seat back 16.

  The main wall 34M extends upward from the rear end of the base portion 34B, is inclined forward so that the upper end is positioned forward with respect to the lower end, and has a curved shape that protrudes rearward and upward in a side view. ing. Further, the main wall 34M protrudes above the upper end of the headrest body 19 in a front view, and projects from both sides of the headrest body 19 in the seat width direction.

  A space for accommodating the folded multidirectional airbag 30 is formed between the main wall 34 </ b> M and the headrest body 19. Further, the upper end of the main wall 34 </ b> M reaches the top of the headrest 18. A multi-directional airbag 30 in the inflating and deploying process passes between the upper end portion of the main wall 34M and the headrest 18. In the inflated and deployed multidirectional airbag 30, the rear deployment part 52 passes between the upper end of the main wall 34 </ b> M and the headrest 18.

  The pair of side walls 34S extends forward from both ends of the main wall 34M in the seat width direction, and covers the rear part of the headrest body 19 in a side view. Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, between the pair of side walls 34S and the headrest body 19, a laterally deployed portion 38 (in the vicinity of the boundary with the rear deployed portion 52) of the multidirectional airbag 30 in the inflated and deployed state. Part)).

  The module case 34 described above accommodates the folded multidirectional airbag 30 between the headrest body 19 and the module case 34. The inflator 32 is fastened to the seat back frame by stud bolts together with the multidirectional airbag 30 and the base portion 34B of the module case 34.

  Here, the multidirectional airbag 30 is folded in an outer roll and stored in the module case 34. The outer roll folding is a roll-like folding mode from the front end side to the upper side and the rear side so as to fold the unfolding process in the opposite direction. In other words, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 5B, the outer roll fold is such that the roll fold portion 30R is on the outer side (the side opposite to the head H side) in the process of deploying the multidirectional airbag 30. The folding mode is set. As described above, the multi-directional airbag 30 in which the lateral deployment portion 38 is sewn to the upper deployment portion 48 and the rear deployment portion 52 has the lateral deployment portion 38 at a stage where the front deployment portion 36 and the upper deployment portion 48 are folded outwardly. Is folded into the roll.

  Further, in the module case 34, a deployment guide cloth (not shown) is folded and stored together with the multidirectional airbag 30. The deployment guide cloth is led out of the module case 34 as the multidirectional airbag 30 is inflated and deployed (roll fold cancellation), and precedes the multidirectional airbag 30 and the multidirectional airbag 30 and the ceiling portion 66. To be deployed between. Further, the deployment guide cloth has a smaller coefficient of friction with respect to the multidirectional airbag 30 than the ceiling material of an automobile to which the occupant protection device 10 is applied. In this embodiment, the surface of the deployment guide cloth on the ceiling side of the passenger compartment is silicon coated, and the contact surface of the deployment guide cloth with the multidirectional airbag 30 is a low friction surface that is not coated with silicon. .

  Here, the module case 34 and the headrest body 19 are closed by an air bag door (not shown). The airbag door is configured to allow inflation and deployment of the multidirectional airbag 30 forward by being cleaved by a tear line that is a fragile portion by the deployment pressure of the multidirectional airbag 30. .

(Actuator)
As shown in FIG. 4, the actuator 64 is provided in the seat back 16. The actuator 64 is connected to the lower portion 18SL of the headrest stay 18S. Here, in the present embodiment, an electric cylinder is used as an example of the actuator 64, and a lower portion 18SL of the headrest stay 18S is connected to a rod (not shown) constituting the actuator 64. For this reason, when the actuator 64 is operated, the rod is extended by a servo motor or a pulse motor (not shown), and the headrest stay 18S is mechanically moved upward of the seat.

(Configuration of ECU)
As shown in FIG. 1, the multidirectional airbag device 20, the side airbag device 22, and the actuator 64 that constitute the occupant protection device 10 are controlled by an ECU 60 as a control device. Specifically, the inflator 32 of the multidirectional airbag device 20, the inflator 22A of the side airbag device 22, and the actuator 64 are electrically connected to the ECU 60, respectively. The ECU 60 is electrically connected to a retractor (not shown) constituting the seat belt device 24. Further, the ECU 60 is electrically connected to a collision prediction sensor 62 such as a pre-crash sensor and a collision sensor 63 (or sensor group).

  Based on the signal from the collision prediction sensor 62, the ECU 60 can detect or predict various types of frontal collision (occurrence or unavoidable) with respect to the applied vehicle for each collision mode described later. Further, the ECU 60 can detect or predict a side collision (occurrence or inevitable) with respect to the applied vehicle based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor 62.

  When a vehicle collision is predicted based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor 62, the ECU 60 operates the actuator 64 to push the headrest stay 18S upward. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5A, the headrest 18 is moved upward of the seat.

  Subsequently, when it is determined that the frontal collision cannot be avoided based on the signal from the collision prediction sensor 62 or when the frontal collision is detected based on the signal from the collision sensor 63, the ECU 60 (FIG. 5B). As shown, the retractor pretensioner mechanism (not shown) is operated and the inflator 32 is operated. Thereby, the multidirectional airbag 30 is inflated and deployed forward of the seat. The form of frontal collision in which the ECU 60 operates the retractor and the inflator 32 is a full-wrapped frontal collision, an offset frontal collision, or the like.

  Further, the ECU 60 determines that a frontal collision to a position offset by a predetermined value or more to one side in the vehicle width direction among frontal collisions is based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor 62, or from the collision sensor 63. When a frontal collision is detected based on the signal, the retractor pretensioner mechanism (not shown) is activated and the inflator 22A and the inflator 32 are activated. Accordingly, the multi-directional airbag 30 is inflated and deployed forward of the seat, and the side airbag 22B is inflated and deployed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the seated person D (see FIG. 2). A frontal collision to a position offset by a predetermined value or more includes an oblique collision, a minute lap collision, and the like.

  Here, the oblique collision (MDB oblique collision, oblique collision) is, for example, a collision from an oblique front defined by NHTSA (for example, a relative angle of 15 ° with the collision partner and a lap amount of about 35% in the vehicle width direction) Clash). In this embodiment, an oblique collision at a relative speed of 90 km / hr is assumed as an example. In addition, the minute lap collision is a collision in which the lap amount in the vehicle width direction with the collision partner specified by IIHS is 25% or less among the frontal collision of the automobile. For example, a collision to the outside in the vehicle width direction with respect to a front side member that is a vehicle body skeleton corresponds to a minute lap collision. In the present embodiment, as an example, a minute lap collision at a relative speed of 64 km / hr is assumed.

(Function and effect)
Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, before the ECU 60 inflates and deploys the multidirectional airbag 30, the headrest 18 including the multidirectional airbag 30 is moved upward by actuating the actuator 64. Thereby, compared with the structure which inflates and deploys the multidirectional airbag 30 without moving the headrest 18, the multidirectional airbag 30 can be inflated and deployed from above the seat. As a result, strong interference between the multidirectional airbag 30 in the inflating and deploying process and the head H of the seated person D can be suppressed, and the multidirectional airbag 30 can be smoothly deployed beyond the head H. .

  Further, in the present embodiment, the multidirectional airbag 30 is inflated and deployed from the headrest 18 to the front of the seat, so that the multidirectional airbag 30 in the inflating and deploying process is compared with a configuration in which the multidirectional airbag 30 is deployed obliquely upward. Can be prevented from strongly interfering with the ceiling 66. In this way, strong interference between the multidirectional airbag 30 and the head H and the ceiling 66 of the seated person D can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the headrest stay 18S is moved above the seat by the actuator 64 provided in the seat back 16, so that the entire headrest 18 including the multidirectional airbag 30 is moved above the seat. ing. This eliminates the need to provide an actuator or the like inside the headrest 18. That is, the existing headrest 18 can be used without changing the structure of the headrest 18.

  In this embodiment, the actuator 64 is operated by the ECU 60 when a vehicle collision is predicted based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor 62. As a result, the multidirectional airbag 30 is compared with a configuration in which the actuator 64 is activated when it is determined that a vehicle collision cannot be avoided or when a vehicle collision is detected based on a signal from the collision sensor 63. It can be inflated and deployed at an early stage. Moreover, when the collision of a vehicle is avoided, it can suppress that the multidirectional airbag 30 is not deployed and the view of the seated person D is blocked.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the multidirectional airbag 30 accommodated in the headrest 18 is inflated and deployed to effectively protect the seated person D against side collisions, frontal collisions, and oblique collisions (collisions from a plurality of directions). be able to. The multidirectional airbag 30 is configured as an integral bag body that is deployed so that the front deployment part 36 and the lateral deployment part 38 cover (enclose) the head H with the upper deployment part 48 and the rear deployment part 52. ing. For this reason, in the multidirectional airbag 30, each deployment portion is firmly connected, and a load (reaction force) for restraining the head H, the chest B, and the shoulder S is supported by the vehicle seat 12. . Therefore, the multidirectional airbag 30 can restrain the occupant with a greater restraining force compared to a configuration in which a plurality of airbags (inflatable portions) are joined when the occupant is restrained. Below, the effect | action of the multidirectional airbag 30 at the time of the collision of various forms is demonstrated.

(In case of side collision)
When the ECU 60 detects or predicts a side collision based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor 62, the ECU 60 activates the inflators 22A and 32. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the side airbag 22B of the side airbag device 22 is inflated and deployed outside in the vehicle width direction with respect to the seated person D, and the multidirectional airbag device 20 is multidirectional. The airbag 30 is inflated and deployed so as to cover (enclose) the head H of the seated person D.

(Near side collision)
When the side collision occurs on the vehicle seat 12 installation side in the vehicle width direction, the seated person D is restricted from moving to the side door side of the upper body by the side airbag 22B, and at the side of the vehicle width direction outside. The movement of the head H to the side window glass side is restricted by the developing portion 38. That is, the seated person D is protected against a side collision by restraining the upper body and the head H by the side airbag 22B and the lateral deployment part 38 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

  That is, the movement of the head H to the collision side can be restricted. In addition, since the lateral expansion part 38 includes the lateral expansion part 44, energy is absorbed by deformation of the lateral expansion part 44 in the restraining process of the head H. For example, even when the head H moves to the side window glass, the peak of the load input to the head H can be kept small.

  Further, when swinging back after protection of the seated person D by the side airbag 22B and the laterally deployed part 38 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, the head H of the seated person D is placed on the laterally deployed part on the center side in the vehicle width direction. The movement to the anti-collision side is restricted at 38. Thereby, for example, interference between the head H of the seated person D and the seat back of the adjacent seat or the adjacent seat occupant is suppressed.

(Far side collision)
On the other hand, when the side collision occurs on the side opposite to the installation side of the vehicle seat 12 in the vehicle width direction, the seat occupant D is caused to collide with the head H on the collision side (vehicle width Movement to the center of the direction) is restricted. That is, the seated person D is protected against a side collision by restraining the head H by the laterally extending portion 38 on the center side in the vehicle width direction.

  That is, the movement of the head H to the collision side can be restricted. In addition, since the lateral expansion part 38 includes the lateral expansion part 44, energy is absorbed by deformation of the lateral expansion part 44 in the restraining process of the head H. For example, even when the head H moves to a region where the head H can interfere with the seat back of the adjacent seat or the adjacent seat occupant, the peak of the load input to the head H can be kept small.

  Further, when swinging back after the protection of the head H of the seated person D by the laterally deployed part 38 at the center in the vehicle width direction, the seated person D has the laterally deployed part 38 and the side airbag on the outside in the vehicle width direction. The movement to the anti-collision side is restricted at 22B. Thereby, for example, interference between the head H of the seated person D and the side window glass is suppressed.

(Full wrap or offset frontal collision)
When the ECU 60 predicts a full-lap frontal collision based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor 62, the ECU 60 operates the retractor. As a result, the belt 28 of the seat belt device 24 is forcibly wound up by the retractor. Thereafter, when it is determined that the full-lap frontal collision cannot be avoided based on the signal from the collision prediction sensor 62 or when the full-lap frontal collision is detected based on the signal from the collision sensor 63, the multidirectional airbag device 20. The multi-directional airbag 30 is inflated and deployed so as to cover (enclose) the head H of the seated person D.

  In the case of a full-wrap frontal collision, the seated person D moves straight forward due to inertia. The forward movement of the seated person D to which the belt 28 of the seat belt device 24 is attached is a form in which the upper body of the seated person D tilts forward with the waist P as the center. The seated person D is restrained by the shoulder belt 28S (resisting resistance to forward movement), and the head H comes into contact with the front deployment part 36 of the multidirectional airbag 30. Is restricted from moving forward. In addition, the second inflating part 42B of the front inflating part 42 contacts the chest B and shoulder S of the seated person D from the front, and the upper body (head) of the seated person D by the second inflating part 42B of the front inflating part 42. H) forward movement is restricted.

  In this manner, the seated person D is protected against the full-wrap frontal collision by restraining the head H and the upper body by the front deployment part 36. That is, the forward movement of the head H and the upper body of the seated person D can be restricted. In addition, since the front deployment part 36 includes the front expansion part 42, energy is absorbed by deformation of the front expansion part 42 in the process of restraining the head H, chest B, and shoulder S. Thereby, for example, even when the head H moves to a region where it can interfere with the vehicle components (steering wheel or instrument panel), the peak of the load input to the head H can be kept small.

  In the above, the case of a full lap frontal collision has been described. For example, the operation in the case of an offset frontal collision in which the lap amount with the counterpart vehicle in the vehicle width direction is about 50% is substantially the same as the case of the full wrap frontal collision described above. .

(Oblique collision or micro lap collision)
When the ECU 60 detects or predicts an oblique collision based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor 62, the ECU 60 activates the inflators 22A and 32 and the retractor. As a result, the belt 28 of the seat belt device 24 is forcibly taken up by the retractor, and the multi-directional airbag 30 of the multi-directional airbag device 20 is inflated and deployed so as to cover the head H of the seated person D. Further, the side airbag 22B of the side airbag device 22 is inflated and deployed on the outside of the seat occupant D in the vehicle width direction. Hereinafter, although the case of the diagonal collision will be further described, the protection mode of the seat occupant D by the occupant protection device 10 in the case of the minute lap collision is almost the same as the protection mode of the occupant D by the occupant protection device 10 in the case of the diagonal collision. It is the same.

(Near side oblique collision)
When the oblique collision is an oblique collision to the installation side of the vehicle seat 12 in the vehicle width direction, the seated person D moves forward as shown by an arrow X in FIG. The vehicle moves outward in the vehicle width direction, which is the collision side in the vehicle width direction. Also in this case, the forward movement of the occupant D wearing the three-point seat belt device is inclined forward about the waist P.

  In this case, the occupant D can move to the diagonally forward collision side (front pillar side) by the front deployment portion 36 and the lateral deployment portion 38 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction that constitute the side airbag 22B and the multidirectional airbag 30. Limited. That is, the occupant D is restrained against an oblique collision by the head H and the upper body being restrained by the front airbag 36 and the lateral deployment section 38 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction that constitute the side airbag 22B and the multidirectional airbag 30. Protected.

  That is, the movement of the head H to the oblique front collision side can be restricted. Moreover, the front deployment portion 36 and the lateral deployment portion 38 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction include a first expansion portion 42 </ b> A and a lateral expansion portion 44 that are disposed with the seam portion 47 interposed therebetween. For this reason, the energy absorption by the deformation | transformation of at least one of the 1st expansion part 42A and the lateral expansion part 44 is achieved in the restraining process of the head H or the like. Thereby, for example, even when the head H moves to the front pillar, the peak of the load input to the head H can be suppressed small.

(Far side oblique collision or micro lap collision)
When the oblique collision is an oblique collision to the side opposite to the installation side of the vehicle seat 12 in the vehicle width direction, the seated person D moves forward as indicated by an arrow Y in FIG. However, it moves to the vehicle width direction center side which is the collision side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the vehicle body. Also in this case, the forward movement of the seated person D to which the three-point seat belt device 24 is attached is inclined forward about the waist P.

  In this case, the seated person D is restricted from moving toward the oblique front collision side (center cluster side) by the front deployment part 36 and the lateral deployment part 38 on the center side in the vehicle width direction that constitute the multidirectional airbag 30. That is, the seated person D is protected from the oblique collision by restraining the head H and the upper body by the front deployment part 36 and the lateral deployment part 38 on the center side in the vehicle width direction.

  That is, the movement of the head H to the oblique front collision side can be restricted. Moreover, the front deployment portion 36 and the lateral deployment portion 38 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction include a first expansion portion 42 </ b> A and a lateral expansion portion 44 that are disposed with the seam portion 47 interposed therebetween. For this reason, the energy absorption by the deformation | transformation of at least one of the 1st expansion part 42A and the lateral expansion part 44 is achieved in the restraining process of the head H or the like. Thereby, for example, even when the head H moves to in-vehicle components such as an instrument panel and a center cluster, the peak of the load input to the head H can be kept small.

(Other effects)
In the occupant protection device 10, the multidirectional airbag 30 is accommodated in a module case 34 constituting the headrest 18. For this reason, the occupant protection device 10 ensures occupant protection equal to or higher than that of a configuration in which, for example, a gas supply pipe arranged so as to surround the occupant's head from above is always protruded into the passenger compartment. However, the appearance before operation is good. Further, the occupant protection device 10 (mainly the multidirectional airbag device 20) does not interfere with the front-rear position adjustment, height adjustment, reclining operation, and the like of the vehicle seat 12.

  Further, in the occupant protection device 10, the multidirectional airbag 30 and the side airbag 22B do not overlap in a side view in an inflated and deployed state without mutual restraint. For this reason, in the collision mode in which the multidirectional airbag 30 and the side airbag 22B are both inflated and deployed, they are properly inflated and deployed without strongly interfering with each other. Therefore, the head H of the seated person D can be restrained by the multidirectional airbag 30, and the range from the shoulder S to the waist P of the seated person D can be restrained from the side by the side airbag 22B.

  Further, in the multidirectional airbag device 20 constituting the occupant protection device 10, the lower end 44 </ b> L of the lateral inflating portion 44 constituting the lateral deployment portion 38 of the multidirectional airbag 30 is in contact with the shoulder S of the seated person D. Thus, the vertical position of the multidirectional airbag 30 with respect to the seated person D is determined. Thereby, for example, the multidirectional airbag 30 can be inflated and deployed at an appropriate vertical position regardless of individual differences in the physique of the seated person D and the seating posture in an appropriate range. Thereby, the occupant restraint (movement restriction) performance by the multidirectional airbag 30 is improved.

  Furthermore, the multidirectional airbag 30 includes a lateral inflating portion 44 partitioned by a seam portion 46, and a front inflating portion 42 partitioned by the lateral inflating portion 44 and the seam portion 47. It is configured as an integral bag covering the portion H. In the inflating and deploying process of the multidirectional airbag 30, the front inflating portion 42 (first inflating portion 42A) is inflated and deployed in advance, and then the lateral inflating portion 44 is inflated and deployed.

  For this reason, in the multidirectional airbag 30, the front inflating portion 42 is first inflated and deployed to approach the head H from the front, and then the left and right lateral inflating portions 44 are inflated and deployed to the left and right sides of the head H. Approach from. In other words, in the multi-directional airbag 30, the front inflating portion 42 and the lateral inflating portion 44 gradually approach the head due to the inflating and deploying of the inflating portions 42 and 44 during the inflating and deploying process. Will be). Thereby, the multidirectional airbag 30 is restrained from strong interference with the head H in the inflating and deploying process, and approaches the head H after completion of the inflating and deploying. (Movement restriction) Performance is improved.

  In the multidirectional airbag 30, gas is supplied to the front inflating portion 42 through the duct portion 50 </ b> D that is inflated and deployed above the head H of the seated person D, and gas is supplied to the lateral inflating portion 44 through the front inflating portion 42. Supplied. Thereby, the structure by which the front expansion part 42 is inflated and deployed prior to the lateral expansion part 44 can be obtained with a simple structure.

  Furthermore, the multidirectional airbag 30 is accommodated in the module case 34 in a state where the outer roll is folded. For this reason, the portion of the multidirectional airbag 30 that is unfolded during the inflating and deploying process is located above the upper duct portion 50D. For this reason, the multidirectional airbag 30 is deployed forward with the gas flow to the upper duct portion 50D as compared with the configuration in which the portion to be unfolded is located below, that is, on the head H side of the seated person D. However, it is easy to be deployed in a manner exceeding the head H of the seated person D.

  Further, in the multidirectional airbag device 20, the module case 34 protrudes above the headrest 18 and on both sides in the seat width direction. For this reason, the multidirectional airbag 30 can be deployed forward from the portion of the module case 34 that protrudes from the headrest 18 when viewed from the front (the gap between the headrest 18). Thereby, compared with the structure provided with the multi-directional airbag that moves around the headrest 18 only from the back side and is deployed forward, the inflation and deployment of the multi-directional airbag 30 can be completed in a short time.

  The module case 34 has a main wall 34M that supports the multidirectional airbag 30 in the inflating and deploying process from the rear. For this reason, the multidirectional airbag 30 is supported by a reaction force from the rear by the main wall 34M as it is inflated and deployed, and is inflated and deployed forward without going backward. Thereby, the multidirectional airbag 30 can be inflated and deployed in an appropriate manner (position and shape) as compared with the configuration in which the main wall does not have (the function of) the main wall in the module case 34.

  Further, in the multidirectional airbag device 20 constituting the occupant protection device 10, a mesh portion 40 as a visible structure is provided in front of the head H of the seated person D in the front deployment portion 36 of the multidirectional airbag 30. . For this reason, the seated person D is in the inflated and deployed state of the multi-directional airbag 30 (after protection when the multi-directional airbag 30 is protected), through the mesh portion 40, the front side portion (the passenger compartment or the outside of the vehicle). ). That is, it is possible to secure a forward view for the seated person D.

(Modification)
In the present embodiment, the actuator 64 is used as the moving mechanism that moves the headrest stay 18S upward, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in the modification shown in FIG. 6, a rack and pinion mechanism 67 may be employed as the moving mechanism.

  The rack and pinion mechanism 67 includes a rack portion 18SR, a pinion gear 68, and a motor 70. The rack portion 18SR is formed in the lower portion 18SL of the headrest stay 18S. The rack portion 18SR is formed at an end portion of the lower portion 18SL, and includes a plurality of grooves on the front side of the seat. Further, a pinion gear 68 is provided so as to mesh with the rack portion 18SR, and a motor 70 is connected to the pinion gear 68. Therefore, by driving the motor 70, the pinion gear 68 rotates and moves the headrest stay 18S in the seat vertical direction.

  Here, the motor 70 is electrically connected to the ECU 60 shown in FIG. 1, and mechanically moves the headrest stay 18S upward of the seat based on a signal from the ECU 60. Thereby, the effect similar to 1st Embodiment provided with the actuator 64 can be acquired.

Second Embodiment
Next, an occupant protection device 71 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably. Further, the side airbag device 22, the seat belt device 24, and the ECU 60 that constitute the occupant protection device 71 have the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and thus illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the multidirectional airbag device 72 constituting the occupant protection device 71 of the present embodiment includes a multidirectional airbag 30 as an airbag, an inflator 32, and a module case 78. Has been. The multidirectional airbag 30 is folded in a state where the inflator 32 is connected so as to be able to supply gas, and is housed in a module case 78 constituting a headrest 74.

  The headrest 74 includes a headrest body 76 and a module case 78. The headrest body 76 constitutes a front portion of the headrest 74 and is disposed on the seat rear side of the head H of the seated person D.

  The module case 78 is disposed on the seat rear side of the headrest body 76, and a headrest stay 76 </ b> S is provided between the headrest body 76 and the module case 78. The module case 78 includes a base part 78B, a front main wall 78MF, a rear main wall 78MB, and a pair of left and right side walls 78S as main parts.

  The base portion 78 </ b> B constitutes the bottom portion of the module case 78 and is in contact with the upper end of the seat back 16. The front main wall 78MF extends upward from the front end of the base portion 78B, is inclined forward so that the upper end is located forward with respect to the lower end, and has a curved shape that protrudes rearward upward in a side view. ing. On the other hand, the rear main wall 78MB extends upward from the rear end of the base portion 78B, and has a curved shape that protrudes rearward and upward in a side view, like the front main wall 78MF.

  Between the front main wall 78MF and the rear main wall 78MB, a space for storing the folded multidirectional airbag 30 that is folded outward is formed. Further, the upper end of the front main wall 78MF and the upper end of the rear main wall 78MB reach the upper side of the headrest 74.

  The pair of side walls 78S connects the both ends of the front main wall 78MF in the sheet width direction and the both ends of the rear main wall 78MB in the sheet width direction. Therefore, the module case 78 is formed in a substantially box shape in which the upper side of the seat is opened by the base portion 78B, the front main wall 78MF, the rear main wall 78MB, and the pair of left and right side walls 78S.

  The opening at the upper end of the module case 78 is closed by a lid (not shown). The lid is formed integrally with the front main wall 78MF and the rear main wall 78MB, and is a fragile portion at the boundary between the lid and the front main wall 78MF or at the boundary between the lid and the rear main wall. A tier line is set. For this reason, when the multidirectional airbag 30 is inflated and deployed, the tear line is cleaved by the inflation pressure, the upper end portion of the module case 78 is opened, and the multidirectional airbag 30 is inflated and deployed.

  A headrest stay 76 </ b> S is provided between the headrest body 76 and the module case 78 in the headrest 74. A pair of headrest stays 76S are provided at intervals in the seat width direction, and extend in the seat vertical direction. Further, the lower part 76SL of the headrest stay 76S is fixed in the seat back 16, and the upper part 76SU of the headrest stay 76S is tilted forward so as to be positioned forward with respect to the lower part 76SL, and is viewed from the side along the front main wall 78MF. It has a curved shape that is convex upward.

  Here, the pair of headrest stays 76S are guide rails that are in contact with the front main wall 78MF of the module case 78, and the module case 78 can be moved along the headrest stay 76S above the seat and forward of the seat. ing. In addition, a moving mechanism (not shown) for moving the module case 78 is provided. As the moving mechanism, in this embodiment, a moving body (not shown) that moves along the headrest stay 76S is disposed between the pair of headrest stays 76S, and the front main wall 78MF of the module case 78 is fixed to the moving body. As a result, the module case 78 is moved. Further, the ECU 60 that is the same as that of the first embodiment is electrically connected to the moving body. For this reason, when a vehicle collision is predicted based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor 62, the module case 78 is moved above the seat with respect to the headrest body 76 as shown in FIG. And move it forward of the seat.

(Function and effect)
Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, when a vehicle collision is predicted based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor 62, the module case 78 is moved upward and forward of the seat with respect to the headrest body 76. When the collision of the vehicle is determined to be unavoidable based on the signal from the collision prediction sensor 62 or when the collision of the vehicle is detected based on the signal from the collision sensor 63, the front of the seat from the module case 78 is detected. The multidirectional airbag 30 is inflated and deployed. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the multidirectional airbag 30 in the inflating and deploying process from strongly interfering with the head H of the seated person D, and to deploy the multidirectional airbag 30 beyond the head H.

  Further, since the multi-directional airbag 30 is inflated and deployed from the module case 78 to the front of the seat, the multi-directional airbag 30 is configured to be seated as compared with the configuration in which the multi-directional airbag 30 is inflated and deployed without moving the module case 78. Since it is not necessary to inflate and deploy upward, it is possible to suppress strong interference between the multidirectional airbag 30 in the inflating and deploying process and the ceiling portion 66. In this way, it is possible to suppress the multidirectional airbag 30 from strongly interfering with the seated person D and the ceiling portion 66.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since only the module case 78 that constitutes the headrest 74 is moved upward and forward of the seat, the headrest body 76 does not move. Thereby, for example, when the head H of the seated person D moves to the headrest 74 side due to the collision of the vehicle, the headrest H can be supported by the headrest main body 76. Further, since the module case 78 is also moved in front of the seat, the multi-directional airbag 30 can be inflated and deployed from the front of the seat, compared to a configuration in which only the upper portion of the seat is moved. Interference can be suppressed. Other operations are the same as in the first embodiment.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, an occupant protection device 80 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably. Further, the side airbag device 22, the seat belt device 24, and the ECU 60 that constitute the occupant protection device 80 have the same configurations as those in the first embodiment, and thus illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, an airbag holder 82 is accommodated in a module case 78 constituting the multidirectional airbag device 81 of this embodiment, and the multidirectional airbag is held by the airbag holder 82. 30 is held. Specifically, the airbag retainer 82 is configured to include a bottom wall portion 82B, a main wall portion 82M, and an upper wall portion 82U, and the reaction force at the time of inflating and deploying the multidirectional airbag 30 can be increased. It is made of a material that can be supported.

  The bottom wall portion 82 </ b> B extends in the seat width direction with the seat vertical direction as the thickness direction, and constitutes the bottom portion of the airbag holder 82. The main wall portion 82M extends upward from the rear end of the bottom wall portion 82B, and has a curved shape along the rear main wall 78MB of the module case 78. The upper wall portion 82U extends from the upper end of the main wall portion 82M to the front side of the seat, and serves as a guide when the multidirectional airbag 30 is inflated and deployed.

  The multidirectional airbag 30 is held by the airbag holder 82 configured as described above. The multidirectional airbag 30 is disposed in a space between the main wall portion 82M of the airbag holder 82 and the front main wall 78MF of the module case 78 and is folded outward. Further, the gas introduction part of the multidirectional airbag 30 extends downward from the space between the bottom wall part 82B of the airbag holder 82 and the front main wall 78MF of the module case 78, and is connected to the inflator via a diffuser (not shown). The gas from 32 is connected so that supply is possible.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the airbag holder 82 is configured so as to be movable above the seat and forward of the seat with respect to the module case 78. Specifically, the airbag holder 82 is configured to be moved by the propulsive force when the inflator 32 is ignited. Further, the module case 78 is provided with a movement restriction mechanism for preventing the airbag holder 82 from moving above the seat from a predetermined position and a return prevention mechanism for preventing the airbag holder 82 from returning (falling). ing. As the movement restriction mechanism, for example, a mechanism that forms a protrusion on the inner surface of the front main wall 78MF of the module case 78 and locks the bottom wall portion 82B of the airbag holder 82 can be employed. Further, as the return prevention mechanism, for example, a mechanism that prevents the return of the airbag holder 82 by forming a return prevention claw on the inner surface of the rear main wall 78MB or the side wall 78S of the module case 78 can be employed. In this case, after the bottom wall portion 82B of the airbag holder 82 has moved over the return prevention claw and moved above the seat, the airbag holder 82 is returned by supporting the bottom wall portion 82B with the return prevention claw. To prevent.

  Further, the front main wall 78MF of the module case 78 is fixed to the headrest stay 76S, and no moving mechanism for moving the module case 78 relative to the headrest body 76 is provided.

(Function and effect)
Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, when a vehicle collision is predicted based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor 62 or when it is determined that a vehicle collision cannot be avoided, the inflator 32 is operated by the ECU 60 and ignition of the inflator 32 is performed. The airbag holder 82 is moved from the module case 78 to the upper side of the seat and the front side of the seat by the propulsive force at the time. Then, the multidirectional airbag 30 is inflated and deployed from the airbag holder 82 to the front of the seat. Thereby, the air bag holder 82 can be moved above the seat without providing a dedicated moving mechanism. Other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, an occupant protection device 90 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably. Further, the side airbag device 22, the seat belt device 24, and the ECU 60 that constitute the occupant protection device 90 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment, and thus illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the multidirectional airbag device 91 of this embodiment includes a multidirectional airbag 30, an inflator 98, and a module case 96. The module case 96 is disposed on the seat rear side of the headrest main body 94, and the headrest 92 is configured by including the headrest main body 94 and the module case 96.

  The multidirectional airbag 30 is folded in a state where the inflator 98 is connected so as to be able to supply gas, and is stored in the module case 96. In addition, the gas introduction part of the multidirectional airbag 30 is connected via a diffuser 97 so that gas from an inflator 98 disposed in the seat back 16 can be supplied. Specifically, the inflator 98 is arranged vertically on the upper portion of the seat back 16, and a gas ejection port (not shown) is provided at the upper end of the inflator 98. And this upper end part is inserted in the diffuser 97, and gas can be supplied to the multi-directional airbag 30.

  The module case 96 includes a base portion 96B, a main wall 96M, and a pair of left and right side walls 96S as main portions. The base portion 96 </ b> B constitutes the bottom portion of the module case 96 and is in contact with the upper end of the seat back 16. The main wall 96M extends upward from the front end of the base portion 96B, is inclined forward so that the upper end is located forward with respect to the lower end, and has a curved shape that protrudes rearward and upward in a side view. Yes. The pair of side walls 96S extends forward from both ends of the main wall 96M in the seat width direction, and covers the rear part of the headrest body 94 in a side view.

  Here, a space is formed between the main wall 96M of the module case 96 and the headrest main body 94, and the multidirectional airbag 30 is folded and accommodated in this space. A headrest stay 92S is provided at the rear end of the headrest body 94. The headrest stay 92S connects the headrest main body 94 and the seat back 16 in the seat vertical direction, and the upper portion 92SU is positioned in front of the lower portion 92SL fixed to the seat back 16. Further, the headrest stay 92S is configured by connecting the lower portion 92SL and the upper portion 92SU at an inclined middle portion 92SC. The headrest main body 94 and the module case 96 are divided with the headrest stay 92S as a boundary.

  Here, the headrest body 94 and the module case 96 are joined (adhered). When the inflator 98 is ignited, the joining state (adhered state) between the module case 96 and the headrest body 94 is released by the propulsive force at the time of ignition. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the module case 96 moves to the upper side of the seat and the front side of the seat with respect to the headrest body 94. Further, after the module case 96 is moved, the multidirectional airbag 30 is inflated and deployed from the module case 96 to the front of the seat.

(Function and effect)
Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, when a vehicle collision is predicted based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor 62 or when it is determined that the vehicle collision cannot be avoided, the inflator 98 is operated by the ECU 60 and ignition of the inflator 98 is performed. The module case 96 is moved to the upper side of the seat and the front side of the seat by the driving force of the time. Then, after movement, the multidirectional airbag 30 is inflated and deployed from the module case 96 to the front of the seat. As a result, the module case 96 can be moved upward and forward of the seat without providing a dedicated moving mechanism. Other operations are the same as in the first embodiment.

<Fifth Embodiment>
Next, an occupant protection device 100 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  The occupant protection device 100 of the present embodiment includes a multidirectional airbag device 20, a side airbag device 22, a seat belt device 24, and an actuator 64 as a moving mechanism for protecting the occupant D from various forms of collision. And an ECU 60 and a lifter mechanism 102.

  A lifter mechanism 102 that raises and lowers the vehicle seat 12 is provided below the seat cushion 14. The lifter mechanism 102 includes a front side link 104, a rear side link 106, and a motor 108. A pair of the front links 104 are provided at intervals in the seat width direction, and connect the front portion of the seat cushion 14 and the front portion of the upper rail 110. More specifically, one end portion 104 </ b> A of the front link 104 is rotatably connected to a front portion of a seat cushion frame (not shown) constituting the seat cushion 14. The other end 104B of the front link 104 is rotatably connected to the front of the upper rail 110 via a bracket or the like.

  Here, the upper rail 110 is slidably mounted above a lower rail (not shown) fixed to the vehicle floor, and constitutes a slide mechanism together with the lower rail. The position of the vehicle seat 12 in the vehicle longitudinal direction can be adjusted by sliding the upper rail 110 in the seat longitudinal direction with respect to the lower rail. Note that the slide mechanism is normally locked, and the upper rail 110 can be slid relative to the lower rail by being unlocked by an occupant's operation.

  A rear link 106 is provided behind the front link 104 in the seat. A pair of the rear links 106 are provided at intervals in the seat width direction, and connect the rear portion of the seat cushion 14 and the rear portion of the upper rail 110. More specifically, one end portion 106A of the rear link 106 is rotatably connected to the rear portion of the seat cushion frame. The other end portion 106B of the rear link 106 is rotatably connected to the rear portion of the upper rail 110 via a bracket or the like. In this way, the pair of front links 104 and the pair of rear links 106 form a four-bar link.

  Here, a gear (not shown) is provided on the other end portion 106 </ b> B side of the rear link 106, and the rotation shaft of this gear is connected to the motor 108. For this reason, the driving force is transmitted to the rear link 106 by driving the motor 108. Then, the front link 104 and the rear link 106 constituting the four-bar link rotate, and the height of the seat cushion 14 (vehicle seat 12) with respect to the vehicle floor can be adjusted. The motor 108 is electrically connected to the ECU 60. Then, when a vehicle collision is predicted based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor 62 or when it is determined that the vehicle collision cannot be avoided, the motor 108 is driven by the ECU 60 and the vehicle seat 12 is lowered. . Thereafter, the actuator 60 is actuated by the ECU 60, and the headrest stay 18S is mechanically pushed upward. Thereby, the headrest 18 is moved upward of the seat.

(Function and effect)
Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the clearance between the headrest 18 and the ceiling of the vehicle can be widened by lowering the vehicle seat 12 by the lifter mechanism 102. As a result, the headrest 18 can be moved further up to the seat. Other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

(Other examples)
As mentioned above, although 1st Embodiment-5th Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to said structure, In the range which does not deviate from the main point, it becomes various besides said structure. Of course, it can be implemented in any manner. For example, in the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the fifth embodiment, when a vehicle collision is predicted based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor 62, the headrest 18 or the module case 78 is moved above the seat. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a vehicle collision is predicted based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor 62, the headrest 18 or the module case 78 is not moved, and when it is determined that the vehicle collision cannot be avoided, the headrest 18 or The module case 78 may be moved.

  In the third embodiment, the airbag holder 82 is moved upward and forward of the seat using the propulsive force when the inflator 98 is ignited. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a moving mechanism for moving the airbag holder 82 may be provided. In this case, compared with the configuration in which the entire module case 78 is moved, the moving object becomes compact, so that a large moving mechanism is not required.

  In the fifth embodiment, the motor 108 is connected to the rear link 106 of the lifter mechanism 102, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the motor 108 may be connected to the front link 104, and the motor 108 may be connected to both the front link 104 and the rear link 106. Furthermore, it is not limited to the structure which raises / lowers the vehicle seat 12 by the four-bar link, but an actuator may be provided on the front side and the rear side of the seat cushion 14 so that the front side and the rear side can be raised and lowered independently.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the passenger | crew protection apparatus showed the example provided with the side airbag apparatus 22, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the occupant protection device may not include the side airbag device 22. Further, the configuration in which the occupant protection device includes the side airbag device 22 is not limited to the configuration in which the side airbag device 22 is provided in the vehicle seat 12. For example, an occupant protection device may be configured by including a side airbag device provided in a side door or the like. Furthermore, in this embodiment, although the passenger | crew protection apparatus showed the example provided with the side airbag apparatus 22 of the vehicle width direction outer side, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the occupant protection device may be configured to include a side airbag device arranged on the center side in the vehicle width direction instead of or in addition to the side airbag device 22 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the passenger | crew protection device showed the example provided with the seatbelt apparatus 24, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the occupant protection device may not include the seat belt device 24. Further, the configuration in which the occupant protection device includes the seat belt device 24 is not limited to the configuration in which the seat belt device 24 is provided in the vehicle seat 12. For example, a configuration in which a retractor, an anchor, a buckle, and the like are provided on the vehicle body side may be employed. Furthermore, the configuration in which the occupant protection device includes the seat belt device 24 is not limited to the three-point seat belt device, and may be a four-point or two-point seat belt device.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the vehicle seat 12 showed the example matched with the vehicle width direction of the seat width direction, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the vehicle seat 12 may be disposed obliquely with respect to the vehicle body, and may be configured such that the orientation with respect to the vehicle body can be changed (rotated about the vertical axis). In such a configuration, the configuration including the multidirectional airbag 30 that is inflated and deployed around the head H of the seated person D can contribute to good protection of the head H. In addition, since the multidirectional airbag 30 before being inflated and deployed is housed in the headrest, it is difficult to interfere with the interior surface of the vehicle interior or the vehicle components, and hinders the operation of changing the direction of the vehicle seat 12 relative to the vehicle body. Or prevented.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the multidirectional airbag 30 is housed in the headrest has been described. The azimuth airbag 30 may be stored. In this case, the portion of the vehicle seat that supports the occupant's head corresponds to the “headrest” of the present invention.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the multidirectional airbag 30 showed the example comprised including the upper deployment part 48 and the rear deployment part 52, this invention is not limited to this. It is sufficient that the multi-directional airbag includes at least a front deployment part and left and right lateral deployment parts. For this reason, it is good also as a structure by which the gas from an inflator is supplied to the front expansion part of a front expansion part via the horizontal expansion part of one or both horizontal expansion parts, for example. Therefore, the multidirectional airbag 30 is not limited to a configuration in which the upper deployment portion includes the upper inflation portion 50 (upper duct portion 50D) in the configuration including the upper deployment portion. Further, in the configuration in which the multidirectional airbag has a duct portion, the duct is not limited to a configuration in which the duct is a pair of left and right. For example, the duct portion may be formed only in the center of the sheet width method, The duct portion may be formed to the full width.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the example has been shown in which the front deployment portion 36 and the lateral deployment portion 38 that constitute the multidirectional airbag 30 include the front inflation portion 42 and the lateral inflation portion 44, respectively, but the present invention is limited to this. Not. For example, it is good also as a structure by which an expansion | swelling part is not provided in either a front expansion | swelling part or a horizontal expansion part on either side. Therefore, the multidirectional airbag is not limited to a configuration in which the front inflating portion is inflated and deployed before the lateral inflating portion. Moreover, the 2nd expansion part 42B of the front expansion part 42 is not restricted to the structure which restrains both the shoulder part S and the chest B of the seated person D, It is the structure which restrains either the shoulder part S or the chest part B. There may be.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the multidirectional airbag 30 showed the example containing the seam parts 46 and 47 as a non-inflatable part, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the front deployment part and the left and right lateral development parts may be configured as an integral bag body that does not include a non-inflatable part. For example, the multidirectional airbag may be configured such that there is no clear boundary between the front deployment part (front inflation part) and the lateral deployment part (lateral inflation part). Also from this viewpoint, it can be said that the multidirectional airbag is not limited to the configuration in which the front inflating portion is inflated and deployed before the lateral inflating portion.

  Furthermore, although the front deployment part which comprises the multidirectional airbag 30 showed the example containing the mesh part 40 in the said embodiment, this invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be a configuration in which a transparent sheet as a visible structure is provided instead of the mesh portion 40, or a configuration not including the visible structure.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the multidirectional airbag 30 showed the example by which outer roll folding was carried out, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the multidirectional airbag 30 may be accommodated in the headrest, the seat back 16 or the like in another folding manner such as bellows folding.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Crew protection device 12 Vehicle seat 16 Seat back 18 Headrest 18S Headrest stay 30 Multi-directional airbag (airbag)
32 Inflator 36 Front deployment part 38 Lateral deployment part 60 ECU (control part)
62 Collision prediction sensor 64 Actuator (movement mechanism)
67 Rack and pinion mechanism (movement mechanism)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 71 Crew protection device 74 Headrest 76 Headrest main body 78 Module case 80 Crew protection device 82 Air bag holder 90 Crew protection device 92 Headrest 94 Headrest main body 96 Module case 98 Inflator 100 Crew protection device 102 Lifter mechanism

Claims (8)

A front deployment part that is housed in a headrest of a vehicle seat, is inflated and deployed upon receiving a gas supply, and is deployed in front of the seat with respect to the occupant's head, and a seat that is connected to the front deployment part and is seated on the occupant's head An airbag configured as an integral bag body that covers a head of an occupant including a pair of left and right laterally deployed portions that are inflated and deployed laterally;
When a vehicle collision is predicted based on a signal from a collision prediction sensor or when it is determined that a vehicle collision cannot be avoided, at least a part of the headrest is moved above the seat, and the airbag is moved after the movement. A control unit that expands and deploys forward of the seat;
An occupant protection device. A headrest stay for connecting the headrest and the seat back in the seat vertical direction;
The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the headrest stay is moved above the seat by a moving mechanism provided in the seatback to move the entire headrest upward. The headrest is configured to include a headrest main body that can support the head of an occupant, a module case that is disposed on the seat rear side of the headrest main body and in which the airbag is housed,
2. The module case is moved upward with respect to the headrest body when a vehicle collision is predicted based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor or when it is determined that a vehicle collision cannot be avoided. The occupant protection device described in 1. The headrest includes a headrest body that supports the head of an occupant, a module case disposed on a seat rear side of the headrest body, and an airbag holder that is housed in the module case and holds the airbag. Comprising
The airbag holder is moved above the seat with respect to the module case when a vehicle collision is predicted based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor or when it is determined that a vehicle collision cannot be avoided. Item 10. The occupant protection device according to item 1. An inflator that is provided in the seat back and supplies gas to the airbag by being ignited;
The occupant protection device according to claim 3, wherein the module case is moved upward by a propulsive force when the inflator is ignited. An inflator that is provided in the module case and supplies gas to the airbag by being ignited;
The occupant protection device according to claim 4, wherein the airbag retainer is moved upward by a propulsive force when the inflator is ignited.   The control unit moves at least a part of the headrest above the seat when a vehicle collision is predicted based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor, and detects a vehicle collision based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor. The occupant protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the airbag is inflated and deployed when it is determined that the vehicle cannot be avoided or when a vehicle collision is detected. A lifter mechanism for raising and lowering the vehicle seat;
The occupant protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit lowers the vehicle seat by the lifter mechanism before at least a part of the headrest is moved upward of the seat.

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