JP2020152208A - Occupant protection device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an occupant protection device which appropriately expands an airbag according to collision speed, thereby protecting an occupant in accordance with a situation.SOLUTION: An occupant protection device 101 calculates collision speed by detecting collision prediction of a vehicle 1, and determines the size of an upper airbag body 112 at the time of expansion in order to move a seat 10 in accordance with the size at the time of expansion. Further, at this time, a leg lower airbag body 132 is expanded and the legs of an occupant P are lifted in order to decrease frictional force of an underfloor 3 and the occupant P. Then, the upper airbag body 112 is expanded to be large, and additionally a knee airbag body 122 is expanded to a lower part of the upper airbag body 112 in order to assist the upper airbag body 112, and thereby, a large airbag can be expanded according to the collision speed and reaction force of the large airbag can be secured, so that the occupant P is properly protected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to an occupant protection device.

In order to protect occupants from collisions and the like, vehicles such as automobiles are equipped with an airbag device as an occupant protection device.
This airbag device generally includes an impact sensor, an inflator, an airbag, a control device, and the like. When the impact sensor detects an impact due to a frontal collision or the like, the airbag device outputs a detection signal to the control device, the control device sends an operation signal to the inflator, and the inflator generates gas and sends it to the airbag. .. The airbag is then instantly inflated by the gas from the inflator and deployed in front of the occupant. As a result, the airbag receives the body of the occupant moving forward due to the impact due to the internal gas pressure, and contracts while absorbing the kinetic energy. In this way, the sudden forward movement of the occupant due to the impact of the collision in a frontal collision of the automobile is alleviated by the airbag, and the safety of the occupant is ensured.

Further, as such a conventional airbag device, in addition to an impact sensor, an inflator, an airbag, a control device, a weight sensor for detecting the weight of an occupant, and a part of gas generated by the inflator are used. An airbag device equipped with a gas escape opening for discharging to the outside has been proposed. In this airbag device, when an occupant sits in the driver's seat or the passenger's seat, the weight sensor detects the weight of the occupant and outputs a detection signal to the control device, and the control device responds to the detection signal from the weight sensor. , Adjust the size of the gas escape opening of the inflator.

Then, when the automobile encounters a frontal collision or the like, a part of the gas generated at a predetermined pressure by the inflator leaks to the outside through the gas escape opening of the inflator, so that the gas is introduced into the airbag and the airbag is deployed. The unfolding pressure is reduced, and the unfolding pressure of the airbag can be adjusted according to the weight of the occupant (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-014176

However, in the conventional airbag device, the collision speed and the seating position of the occupant are considered to correspond to a fixed speed and position preset by an average value or the like, and various collision speeds other than the set value are considered. And the seating position of the occupants were not always dealt with. In addition, it is impossible to absorb the impact at a predetermined position only by the difference in the internal pressure of the airbag, including the individual difference of the occupant (physical difference, etc.) and the difference in the occupant and the collision situation. For example, if the internal pressure is increased too much, the occupant will receive too much impact when coming into contact with the airbag. On the contrary, if the internal pressure is set too low, the impact of the occupant cannot be sufficiently absorbed. As described above, it has been difficult to deploy the optimum airbag for various collision speeds and the like with the conventional airbag.
Therefore, the applicant considered that the size of the airbag should be changed according to the situation of the collision and the seat should be moved when the size of the airbag is increased. However, even if an attempt is made to move the seat in order to deploy a large airbag, the movement may be hindered because the occupant puts his / her foot on the floor.

The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and provides an occupant protection device capable of deploying an appropriate airbag according to a collision speed and protecting an occupant according to a situation. The task is to do.

The vehicle occupant protection device according to the present invention detects a collision or collision prediction of a vehicle with a main airbag whose size can be changed at the time of deployment, an airbag deployment device for deploying the main airbag, and determines the collision speed. A collision speed detection device for calculation, an occupant position detection device for detecting the position of an occupant seated on a seat, a seat moving means for moving the seat, and a sub-airbag deployed under the legs of the occupant seated on the seat. Based on the detection result of the collision speed detection device, the airbag deployment amount determining means for determining the size of the main airbag at the time of deployment and the main airbag determined for the airbag deployment amount determining means. The amount of movement of the seat is determined based on the size of the occupant when deployed and the position of the occupant detected by the occupant position detection device, and the sub-airbag is deployed to raise the occupant's leg. The seat moving means is provided with a deployment control device for moving the seat together with the occupant and deploying the main airbag.

Further, the vehicle occupant protection device according to the present invention has a moving airbag that moves the seat together with the occupant by deploying the seat moving means, and the deployment control device is the collision speed detecting device. The moving airbag may be deployed based on the detection result of the above.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an occupant protection device capable of deploying an appropriate airbag according to a collision speed and protecting an occupant according to a situation.

It is sectional drawing which shows the outline of a part of the vehicle which provided the occupant protection device in embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the outline of the seat movable device. It is a side view at the time of deployment of an occupant protection device. It is a flowchart which shows the operation outline of the occupant protection device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of a part of a vehicle provided with a occupant protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of a seat movable device that makes the seat seat of the present embodiment movable. Further, FIG. 3 is a side view when the occupant protection device of the present embodiment is activated and the airbag bag body is deployed. 3 (a) is a side view when the under-leg airbag bag body is deployed, and FIG. 3 (b) is a side view when the knee airbag bag body is deployed, and FIG. 3 (c) is a side view. ) Is a side view when the upper airbag bag body is unfolded.

(Structure of vehicle 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 is provided with an underfloor 3 at the lower part and a roof 4 at the upper part. Further, a seat 10 is provided on the underfloor 3.

The seat 10 is seated by the occupant P who is in the vehicle 1. Further, the seat seat 10 includes a seat cushion 11 (seat portion) that supports the thighs from the buttocks of the occupant P, a seat back 12 (backrest portion) that can be reclined, and a headrest 13 that supports the head of the occupant P. (Head part) and.

Further, the seat seat 10 is provided with a seat slide device 20. The seat slide device 20 can adjust the front-rear position of the seat 10 by the operation of the occupant P. The seat slide device 20 may be capable of automatically adjusting the front-rear position of the seat 10 regardless of the operation of the occupant P. As will be described later, the position of the seat 10 determined here is used as the position of the occupant P seated on the seat 10.
Further, the vehicle 1 is provided with an occupant protection device 101.

(Configuration of occupant protection device 101)
The occupant protection device 101 includes a seat belt device 30, an occupant posture correction device 40, a seat movable device 50, an in-vehicle camera 60, an upper body airbag device 110, a knee airbag device 120, and a leg airbag device 130. And a vehicle control device (hereinafter referred to as ECU) 201. The upper body airbag device 110 and the knee airbag device 120 are provided inside the dashboard 5. Further, the under-leg airbag device 130 is provided inside the seat 10.
Further, the ECU 201 also has a function of a collision speed detection device that detects a collision and a collision prediction of the vehicle 1 and calculates a collision speed, and an airbag deployment control unit (hereinafter referred to as ACU) that is a deployment control device. .. That is, the ECU 201 also functions as an airbag deploying device. The collision speed detection device and the ACU may be provided separately from the ECU 201.

(Seat belt device 30)
The seatbelt device 30 includes a webbing 31, a retractor (not shown), a lap anchor, a shoulder anchor, a tongue, and a buckle.
The webbing 31 is a band-shaped belt, one end of which is fixed to a wrap anchor provided at the lower part of the seat back 10, and the other end of the inside of the seat back 12 via a shoulder anchor provided at the upper part of the seat back 12. It is wound up by a retractor installed in.

The tongue is a T-shaped connecting metal fitting for connecting to the buckle. Further, the tongue is provided with an insertion hole, and the webbing 31 is inserted into the tongue so as to be slidable with respect to the webbing 31.
The buckle is a connecting part for attaching and detaching the tongue, and is provided inside the seat cushion 11 of the seat 10 in the vehicle width direction (on the vehicle center side).

Further, in the seatbelt device 30, when the impact is detected, the retractor involves the webbing 31 and pulls the occupant P into the seat seat 10 (seat back 12 side). Further, in the seat belt device 30, the retractor involves the webbing 31 even when the ECU 201 detects a collision prediction.
The seatbelt device 30 may switch the strength with which the retractor involves the webbing 31 according to the collision speed calculated by the ECU 201. Further, the seatbelt device 30 of the present embodiment is integrated with the seat seat 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the lap anchor is fixed to the side wall surface of the side sill, or the shoulder anchor is It may be provided on the side wall of the center pillar, or the retractor may be provided inside the center pillar.

(Passenger posture correction device 40)
The occupant posture correction device 40 changes the angle of the seat back 12 in order to correct the posture of the occupant P to a predetermined posture when the ECU 201 detects a collision prediction. Further, the occupant posture correction device 40 may change the angle of the seat cushion 11 when the ECU 201 detects a collision prediction. Further, the occupant posture correction device 40 may change the angles of both the seat back 12 and the seat cushion 11 when the ECU 201 detects a collision prediction.

Further, the occupant posture correction device 40 is provided with a plurality of airbags in the seat back 12, and when the ECU 201 detects a collision prediction, deploys a predetermined airbag to correct the posture of the occupant P. You may.
Further, the occupant posture correction device 40 is not provided on the seat 10, but a predetermined airbag or the like is deployed from the front or side of the vehicle 1 to correct the posture of the occupant P to a predetermined posture. It may be. The posture correction of the occupant may be other than adjusting the angle of the airbag or the seat.

(Seat movable device 50)
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of the seat movable device. 2 (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a side portion of the seat movable device, and FIG. 2 (b) is a view taken along the line AA of the seat movable device shown in FIG. 2 (a). 2 (c) is a view taken along the line BB of the seat movable device shown in FIG. 2 (a).
As shown in FIG. 2, the seat movable device 50 has a slide rail shape, and includes an outer rail 51, an inner rail 52, and a seat fastener 53.

The outer rail 51 has a groove extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1. Further, the groove of the outer rail 51 has recesses 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d for fixing the seat from the front of the vehicle 1.
Here, the upper body airbag bag 112, which will be described later, of the upper body airbag device 110 is expanded to either the basic expansion amount or the expansion expansion amount. When the upper body airbag bag body 112 is deployed with the basic deployment amount, the seat seat 10 is fixed at the position of the seat fixing recess 51a, and this position is called the basic position. When the upper body airbag bag 112 is deployed by the expanded expansion amount, the seat seat 10 is fixed at any of the seat fixing recesses 51b, 51c, and 51d, and this position is defined as the expanded expansion position. Call. Depending on the initial position of the seat seat 10 (the position set by the seat slide device 20), the seat seat 10 is located at the position of the seat fixing recess 51a even if the upper body airbag bag body 112 is expanded by the expanded expansion amount. It may remain fixed with.

The inner rail 52 is fixed to the lower part of the seat 10. Further, the inner rail 52 is fitted in the groove of the outer rail 51. As a result, the inner rail 52 can slide in the groove of the outer rail 51 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1.
Further, the inner rail 52 has a fastener storage portion 52a for storing the seat fastener 53 at the lower portion.

The seat fastener 53 is housed in the fastener storage portion 52a of the inner rail 52, and in a normal state, the tip portion 53a thereof protrudes from the inner rail 52.
Further, the seat fastener 53 is controlled by the ECU 201 into a completely retracted state and a protruding state. Here, the completely stored state means a state in which the seat fastener 53 is stored in the fastener storage portion 52a of the inner rail 52, and the tip portion 53a does not protrude from the lower surface of the inner rail 52. The protruding state means a state in which the tip portion 53a protrudes from the lower surface of the inner rail 52.

Therefore, when the seat fastener 53 is in a protruding state and is fitted in any of the seat fixing recesses 51a, 51b, 51c, and 51d of the outer rail 51, the seat seat 10 is in a fixed position. (Hereinafter, also referred to as "fixed state"). On the other hand, when the seat fastener 53 is in the completely retracted state, the inner rail 52 can slide in the groove of the outer rail 51, and the seat seat 10 can move in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1 (hereinafter, "movable state"). Also called).
The movement of the seat fastener 53 between the completely retracted state and the protruding state can be controlled by a mechanical configuration. For example, the seat fastener 53 can be projected from the fastener storage portion 52a by a motor, or can be stored in the fastener storage portion 52a. Further, the seat fastener 53 may be moved by magnetic force (electromagnetic force), hydraulic pressure, or the like.

Therefore, when the seat fastener 53 is in the completely stored state, when the knee airbag bag body 122, which will be described later, pushes the occupant P together with the seat seat 10 to the rear of the vehicle 1, the inner rail 52 fixed to the seat seat 10 Will move in the groove of the outer rail 51 toward the rear of the vehicle 1. As a result, the seat 10 is moved to the rear of the vehicle 1. When the seat fastener 53 is in a protruding state while the inner rail 52 is moving through the groove of the outer rail 51 and is fitted into any of the seat fixing recesses 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d of the outer rail 51, The seat 10 is fixed at the position.

In the present embodiment, the seat seat 10 is moved by deploying the knee airbag bag body 122, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the seat movable device 50 may be provided with a mechanism for moving the seat seat 10. Good. For example, the seat movable device 50 may be provided with an inflator or an airbag, and the airbag may be deployed so that the inner rail 52 moves the groove of the outer rail 51. Further, the moving mechanism of the seat 10 may use a motor, magnetic force (electromagnetic force), hydraulic pressure, or the like.
Further, as described above, the seat movable device 50 fixes the seat 10 at either the basic position or the extended deployment position. That is, the seat movable device 50 functions as a seat fixing device.

(In-vehicle camera 60)
The in-vehicle camera 60 detects the seated state of the occupant P seated on the seat 10, for example, the posture of the occupant P. That is, the in-vehicle camera 60 functions as an occupant posture detection device. The occupant posture detection device is not limited to the one using the in-vehicle camera 60, and may be, for example, one that detects the posture of the occupant P by using a pressure sensor on the seat 10.
Further, the in-vehicle camera 60 may detect the position of the occupant P seated on the seat 10, for example, the position of the seat 10. That is, the in-vehicle camera 60 may function as an occupant position detection device.

Further, the in-vehicle camera 60 only takes a picture of the occupant room including the occupant P, outputs the photographed image data to the ECU 201, and detects the posture and the seating position of the occupant P by the ECU 201. You may.
The in-vehicle camera 60 may also be used as a camera such as a drive recorder that captures the surrounding conditions of the vehicle 1 and the interior of the vehicle 1 and uses the images when an impact is applied to the vehicle 1. Good.

(Upper body airbag device 110)
The upper body airbag device 110 is controlled by the ECU 201 (ACU) and mainly protects the head and chest of the occupant P. Further, the upper body airbag device 110 has an upper body inflator 111 and an upper body airbag bag body 112.

(Upper body inflator 111)
The upper body inflator 111 ignites explosives by an operation signal based on collision detection or collision prediction of the vehicle 1 by the ECU 201, and generates gas by a chemical reaction due to combustion. Further, the gas generated in the upper body inflator 111 is press-fitted into the upper body airbag bag body 112.
Further, the upper body inflator 111 may have a plurality of inflators, and the number of inflators to generate gas may be set according to the collision speed calculated by the ECU 201. Further, the upper body inflator 111 can adjust the amount of gas to be generated, and may control the amount of gas to be generated according to the collision speed calculated by the ECU 201.

(Upper airbag bag 112)
The upper body airbag bag body 112 is a bag body into which gas is press-fitted by the upper body inflator 111, and is folded small when not in operation. Further, when gas is press-fitted from the upper body inflator 111, the upper body airbag bag body 112 expands and expands from the dashboard 5 toward the seat seat 10, and the vehicle 1 with respect to the head and chest of the occupant P and the like. It mitigates the impact of a collision.

Further, the upper body airbag bag body 112 can be deployed in a plurality of sizes instead of one size when deployed. That is, the upper body airbag bag body 112 is an airbag whose size when deployed can be changed. For example, in the upper body airbag bag body 112, a plurality of parts are fastened with tethers, and a predetermined tether is cut according to a specified size at the time of deployment, so that the deployment amount changes. There is. The cutting of the tether may be performed by, for example, the upper body inflator 111.
In the present embodiment, the upper body airbag bag 112 can be expanded into four different sizes: a basic expansion amount, a first expansion expansion amount, a second expansion expansion amount, and a maximum expansion expansion amount. In the following, the first expansion expansion amount, the second expansion expansion amount, and the maximum expansion expansion amount other than the basic expansion amount are also collectively referred to as an expansion expansion amount.

(Knee airbag device 120)
The knee airbag device 120 is controlled by the ECU 201 (ACU) to protect the legs of the occupant P. Further, the knee airbag device 120 moves the seat 10 together with the occupant P, as will be described later. Further, the knee airbag device 120 has a knee airbag 121 and a knee airbag bag body 122.
When the occupant protection device 101 is activated, the space between the occupant P and the dashboard 5 (vehicle-mounted device) is filled with the upper airbag bag body 112 and the knee airbag bag body 122. Further, as will be described later, the knee airbag bag body 122 is deployed below the upper body airbag bag body 112 and supports the upper body airbag bag body 112 from below.

(Knee Inflator 121)
The knee inflator 121 ignites explosives by an operation signal based on collision detection or collision prediction of the vehicle 1 by the ECU 201, and generates gas by a chemical reaction due to combustion. Further, the gas generated in the knee inflator 121 is press-fitted into the knee airbag bag body 122.

(Knee airbag bag body 122)
The knee airbag bag body 122 is a bag body into which gas is press-fitted by the knee airbag 121, and is folded small when not in operation. Further, when gas is press-fitted from the knee airbag bag body 122, the knee airbag bag body 122 expands and expands from the dashboard 5 toward the seat seat 10 to mainly protect the knees of the occupant P.

Further, when the knee airbag bag body 122 is deployed, it abuts on the knee portion of the occupant P and is deployed upward to support the upper body airbag bag body 112 deployed above the knee airbag bag body 122 from below. It has become like.
Further, the knee airbag bag body 122 may be deployable to a plurality of sizes according to the size of the upper airbag bag body 112 at the time of deployment.

Further, the knee airbag bag body 122 moves the occupant P seated on the seat 10 to the rear of the vehicle 1 together with the seat 10.
For example, when the seat fastener 53 of the seat movable device 50 is in the completely stored state and the seat seat 10 is in the "movable state", when the knee airbag bag body 122 is deployed, the seat is seated on the seat seat 10. The seat 10 is moved to the rear of the vehicle 1 together with the occupant P by contacting the knees and lower limbs of the occupant P.

(Under-leg airbag device 130)
The under-leg airbag device 130 is controlled by the ECU 201 (ACU) to raise the leg portion of the occupant P. Further, the under-leg airbag device 130 has an under-leg inflator 131 and an under-leg airbag bag body 132.
Further, the under-leg airbag device 130 is provided at the lower part of the seat seat 10 and is moved together with the seat seat 10. The under-leg airbag device 130 may be provided and fixed in the underfloor 3. However, when the under-leg airbag device 130 is moved together with the seat seat 10, it becomes easier to maintain the state of being held between the seat seat 10 and the occupant P. In addition, it becomes easy to maintain the state in which the legs of the occupant P are raised.

(Leg inflator 131)
The leg inflator 131 ignites explosives by an operation signal based on collision detection or collision prediction of the vehicle 1 by the ECU 201 (preferably an operation signal based on collision prediction), and generates gas by a chemical reaction due to combustion. Further, the gas generated in the leg inflator 131 is press-fitted into the leg airbag bag 132.

(Under-legged airbag bag 132)
The under-leg airbag bag 132 is a bag into which gas is press-fitted by the under-leg inflator 131, and is folded into a small size when not in operation. Further, when gas is press-fitted from the leg inflator 131, the leg airbag bag 132 expands between the lower part of the seat 10 and the leg of the occupant P, for example, the calf, and further expands upward from there. It is designed to do.

Therefore, the under-leg airbag bag body 132 raises the leg portion of the occupant P and raises the foot of the occupant P from the underfloor 3 to float it or reduce the frictional force with the underfloor 3. .. As a result, the occupant P and the seat 10 do not become an obstacle when moving, and smooth movement can be performed.
Further, the under-leg airbag bag 132 fills the gap between the leg of the occupant P and the lower part of the seat 10, and also serves as a cushioning material, and the knee airbag bag 122 pushes the leg of the occupant P. When moving the seat 10 together with the occupant P, the seat 10 can be efficiently moved without imposing a burden on the occupant P.

(ECU 201)
The ECU 201 is for controlling the entire vehicle 1. Further, the ECU 201 temporarily stores data in a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a central processing unit, a control program executed by the CPU, a data table, a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing each command and data, and the like. It is equipped with a storage RAM (Random Access Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) composed of a rewritable non-volatile memory, and an input / output interface circuit, and controls the control of the vehicle 1.

Further, the ECU 201 performs collision prediction and collision determination from information from an acceleration sensor (G sensor), a distance sensor, an impact sensor (pressure sensor), and the like, and calculates a collision speed. That is, the ECU 201 functions as a collision speed detection device.
The acceleration sensor, distance sensor, impact sensor, and the like may be externally provided as a device separate from the ECU 201. Further, the information input from these sensors or the like may be acquired based on the image data input from the in-vehicle camera 60.

Further, the ECU 201 inputs the position of the seat 10 from the seat slide device 20 and detects the position of the occupant seated on the seat 10. That is, the ECU 201 functions as an occupant position detecting device.
The ECU 201 may detect the position of the occupant based on the image data input from the in-vehicle camera 60, regardless of the information from the seat slide device 20.

Further, the ECU 201 determines the size of the upper airbag bag 112 when deployed based on the collision speed calculated from the collision prediction and the detection result of the collision determination. That is, the ECU 201 functions as an airbag deployment amount determining means.
For example, when the collision speed is equal to or lower than the predetermined basic deployment speed, the ECU 201 uses the deployment amount of the upper airbag bag 112 as the basic deployment amount, and the collision speed exceeds the basic deployment speed. In this case, the expansion amount of the upper body airbag bag body 112 is defined as the expansion expansion amount.

In the present embodiment, when the collision speed exceeds the basic deployment speed and is equal to or less than the first expansion deployment speed, the expansion amount of the upper airbag bag 112 is set as the first expansion deployment amount. Further, when the collision speed exceeds the first expansion deployment speed and is equal to or less than the second expansion deployment speed, the ECU 201 sets the deployment amount of the upper body airbag bag 112 as the second expansion deployment amount, and the collision speed is the second. When the expansion deployment speed is exceeded, the expansion amount of the upper body airbag bag 112 is set as the maximum expansion expansion amount.

Further, the ECU 201 uses the upper body inflator 111 of the upper body airbag device 110, the knee inflator 121 of the knee airbag device 120, and the leg inflator 131 of the lower leg airbag device 130 based on the collision determination, collision prediction, collision speed, and the like. It is operated to deploy the upper body airbag bag body 112, the knee airbag bag body 122, and the leg airbag bag body 132, respectively. That is, the ECU 201 functions as a deployment control device.

Further, when the ECU 201 detects the collision prediction, if the posture of the occupant P is not a predetermined posture, for example, if the occupant P is not in an upright state, the occupant posture correction device 40 is operated to correct the posture of the occupant P. ..

Further, the ECU 201 determines the movement amount of the seat seat 10 based on the determined size (deployment amount) of the upper body airbag bag body 112 when deployed and the detected position of the seat seat 10. .. Then, the ECU 201 deploys the knee airbag bag body 122, moves the seat seat 10 together with the occupant P, and operates the seat fastener 53 at a predetermined position after the seat seat is moved.
Specifically, the ECU 201 sets the seat fastener 53 protruding from the seat fixing recess 51a as a basic position at one end in the “completely stored state”, and after the inner rail 52 moves, the seat fastener 53 is determined to be an extension. The seat fixing recesses 51b, 51c, and 51d are set to "protruding state" according to the amount of expansion.

That is, the ECU 201 first sets the seat fastener 53 protruding from the seat fixing recess 51a into a "completely stored state" in which the seat fastener 53 is stored in the fastener storage portion 52a of the inner rail 52, and the knee airbag bag body 122. To expand. Next, when the outer rail 51 moves to the rear of the vehicle 1 together with the seat 10 due to the deployment of the knee airbag bag body 122, the ECU 201 has seat fixing recesses 51b, 51c, 51d according to the above-determined expansion deployment amount. At the position of, the seat fastener 53 is projected. That is, the ECU 201 brings the seat fastener 53 into a "protruding state" from the fastener storage portion 52a of the inner rail 52.

(Operation of occupant protection device 101)
Next, the operation of such an occupant protection device 101 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the occupant protection device 101.

In the occupant protection device 101, when the vehicle 1 is activated (determined in step S11), the ECU 201 performs initial information acquisition processing (step S12). In this initial information acquisition process, the ECU 201 acquires the seating position and posture information of the occupant P. That is, the ECU 201 acquires information such as the front-rear position of the seat 10 and whether or not the occupant P is in the upright state.
This initial information acquisition process may be performed all the time, but may be executed only at a predetermined interval or when a predetermined condition is satisfied. For example, the ECU 201 may acquire initial information only when there is a predetermined amount of change.

Next, the ECU 201 performs a collision prediction detection process (step S13). Specifically, the ECU 201 predicts the collision of the vehicle 1 based on the traveling direction of the vehicle 1, the vehicle speed, the acceleration, the external road environment, buildings and obstacles, moving objects (other vehicles, pedestrians, etc.), and the like. ..
Next, the ECU 201 determines whether or not the collision prediction of the vehicle 1 has been detected (step S14). If the ECU 201 does not detect the collision prediction of the vehicle 1, the above process is repeated.

When the ECU 201 detects the collision prediction of the vehicle 1, it calculates the collision speed (step S15). The ECU 201 may calculate the collision speed together with the collision prediction detection process.
Next, the ECU 201 determines the unfolded size of the upper airbag bag 112 based on the calculated collision speed (step S16).

For example, when the collision speed is equal to or lower than the predetermined basic deployment speed, the ECU 201 uses the deployment amount of the upper airbag bag 112 as the basic deployment amount, and the collision speed exceeds the basic deployment speed. In this case, the expansion amount of the upper body airbag bag body 112 is defined as the expansion expansion amount.
Further, when the collision speed exceeds the basic deployment speed and is equal to or lower than the first expansion deployment speed, the ECU 201 sets the deployment amount of the upper airbag bag body 112 as the first expansion deployment amount. Further, when the collision speed exceeds the first expansion deployment speed and is equal to or less than the second expansion deployment speed, the ECU 201 sets the deployment amount of the upper body airbag bag 112 as the second expansion deployment amount, and the collision speed is the second. When the expansion deployment speed is exceeded, the expansion amount of the upper body airbag bag 112 is set as the maximum expansion expansion amount.

Next, the ECU 201 determines the amount of movement of the seat seat 10 based on the determined size of the upper body airbag bag body 112 and the position of the seat seat 10 (step S17).
For example, when the seat seat 10 is set within a predetermined range by the seat slide device 20, the ECU 201 has a first expansion expansion amount corresponding to the determined size of the upper body airbag bag body 112. If there is, the seat fastener 53 is located at the position of the seat fixing recess 51b, at the position of the seat fixing recess 51c for the second expansion expansion amount, and at the position of the seat fixing recess 51d for the maximum expansion expansion amount. Set to move.

On the other hand, when the seat seat 10 is set behind the predetermined range by the seat slide device 20, the ECU 201 sets the fixed position according to the initial position. For example, in the ECU 201, when the seat seat 10 is set one step behind by the seat slide device 20, even if the size of the determined upper body airbag bag 112 is the maximum expansion amount, the seat The position of the fixing recess 51c is set, and when the position is set two steps behind, the seat fastener 53 is set to move to the position of the seat fixing recess 51b.

Next, when the ECU 201 predicts the collision of the vehicle 1, the posture correction process of the occupant P is performed (step S18). Here, when the posture of the occupant P is not a predetermined posture (for example, an upright state), the ECU 201 returns the angle of the seat back 12 to a predetermined position.
It is desirable that the posture detection and determination of the occupant P are performed before the collision prediction determination (initial information acquisition processing, etc.) from the viewpoint of processing speed. However, the attitude of the occupant P may be detected after the collision prediction determination. In this case, the more recent posture of the occupant P can be detected, and an accurate determination can be made. Further, only the attitude determination may be performed after the collision prediction determination.

Further, the ECU 201 restrains the occupant P on the seat 10 with respect to the seat belt device 30 (step S19).
Specifically, when the collision prediction is performed, the ECU 201 outputs a take-up signal to the retractor of the seatbelt device 30. When a take-up signal is input from the ECU 201, the retractor operates to take up the webbing 31. Therefore, when the ECU 201 predicts the collision of the vehicle 1, the webbing 31 of the seatbelt device 30 is wound up, and the occupant P is restrained by the seat seat 10.

Next, the ECU 201 releases the fixing of the seat 10 by the seat movable device 50 (step S20). The fixing by the seat slide device 20 is not released, and the seat 10 is moved by the seat movable device 50 together with the seat slide device 20 as described later.
Specifically, when the ECU 201 detects the collision prediction of the vehicle 1, the seat fastener 53 of the seat movable device 50 is pulled out from the seat fixing recess 51a, and is completely stored in the fastener storage portion 52a of the inner rail 52. Control so that As a result, the seat seat 10 can be moved along the groove of the outer rail 51.

Next, the ECU 201 deploys the under-leg airbag bag body 132 (step S21).
Specifically, the ECU 201 outputs an operation signal to the leg inflator 131 of the leg airbag device 130. When an operation signal is input from the ECU 201, the leg inflator 131 generates gas, and the generated gas is press-fitted into the leg airbag bag 132.

When gas is press-fitted from the under-leg inflator 131, the under-leg airbag bag body 132 projects from the lower part of the seat 10 to the vicinity of the calf of the occupant P. When gas is further press-fitted from the leg inflator 131, the under-leg airbag bag 132 expands and expands upward from the vicinity of the calf of the occupant P due to its shape. Then, the under-leg airbag bag body 132 reaches the back of the knee or the back of the thigh of the occupant P, and pushes up the leg of the occupant P upward.
As a result, the leg portion of the occupant P is raised by the expansion and deployment of the under-leg airbag bag body 132, and the foot of the occupant P is raised from the underfloor 3 to float or reduce the frictional force with the underfloor 3. Can be done.
In addition, the expansion and deployment of the under-leg airbag bag 132 fills the gap between the leg of the occupant P and the lower part of the seat 10, and when the knee airbag bag 122 is pushed from the front, the gap is filled. The legs of the occupant P do not directly hit the seat 10 and can also function as a cushioning material.

Next, the ECU 201 deploys the knee airbag bag body 122 (step S22).
Specifically, the ECU 201 outputs an operation signal to the knee inflator 121 of the knee airbag device 120. When the operation signal is input from the ECU 201, the knee inflator 121 generates a gas, and the generated gas is press-fitted into the knee airbag bag body 122.

When gas is press-fitted from the knee airbag bag body 122, the knee airbag bag body 122 expands and expands from the lower part of the dashboard 5 toward the rear of the vehicle 1 and toward the knee of the occupant P. The knee airbag bag body 122 expands and expands to reach the knees of the occupant P, thereby filling the space between the dashboard 5 (vehicle-mounted device) of the vehicle 1 and the occupant P below. The knee airbag bag body 122 expands and expands to the knee of the occupant P, and also expands upward due to the gas press-fitted from the knee inflator 121 to have a predetermined pressure.

Even if the knee airbag bag body 122 reaches the knee of the occupant P, it further expands and pushes the lower limbs of the occupant P to the rear of the vehicle 1. Here, the seat seat 10 is released from being fixed by the seat fastener 53 of the seat movable device 50, and the inner rail 52 is in a state where it can slide freely in the groove of the outer rail 51, so that the seat seat 10 can move in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1. It has become. Therefore, when the occupant P is pushed backward by the knee airbag bag body 122, the occupant P is moved rearward together with the seat 10.
In the present embodiment, the seat seat 10 is moved by deploying the knee airbag bag body 122. However, as described above, the seat movable device 50 is provided with a mechanism for moving the seat seat 10, and the seat is seated. The sheet 10 may be moved. In this case, it is desirable to perform the moving process of the seat seat 10 before the deploying process of the knee airbag bag body 122.

Next, the ECU 201 fixes the seat 10 in a predetermined position (step S23).
Specifically, the ECU 201 is for seat fixing set by the seat fastener 53 moving together with the seat 10 by the seat fixing recesses 51a to 51d set based on the movement amount of the seat seat 10 determined above. When the positions correspond to the recesses 51a to 51d, the seat fastener 53 is projected from the fastener storage portion 52a to bring it into a protruding state. As a result, the seat fastener 53 is fitted into the set seat fixing recesses 51a to 51d, and the seat seat 10 is fixed.

Next, the ECU 201 expands the upper body airbag bag body 112 to a predetermined size (step S24).
Specifically, the ECU 201 outputs an operation signal to the upper body inflator 111 of the upper body airbag device 110 based on the size of the upper body airbag bag 112 determined above. When the operation signal is input from the ECU 201, the upper body inflator 111 generates gas, and press-fits the generated gas into the upper body airbag bag body 112.

Further, the upper body inflator 111 cuts a predetermined tether with respect to the upper body airbag bag 112 by an operation signal based on the determined size of the upper airbag bag 112, whereby the upper airbag bag 112 Change the amount of expansion of. As described above, the expansion amount may be changed depending on the number of inflators to be operated and have a plurality of inflators, or the expansion amount may be changed by changing the amount of gas output from the upper body inflator 111. It may be the one that makes the change of.

When gas is press-fitted from the upper body inflator 111, the upper body airbag bag body 112 expands and expands from the upper part of the dashboard 5 toward the rear of the vehicle 1 and the upper body (head, chest, etc.) of the occupant P. .. As described above, the deployment amount of the upper body airbag bag 112 is determined by the collision speed, so that the occupant P can be protected by an appropriate deployment amount according to the collision state. For example, when the collision speed is high, the upper airbag bag 112 can be expanded widely to absorb the impact of the occupant P over a long distance, and even if the impact of the collision is large, a sudden impact is given. The occupant P can be safely protected without the need for it.

Further, as described above, since the knee airbag bag body 122 is deployed in the lower part of the upper body airbag bag body 112, the upper body airbag bag body 112 is large, and even if it is deployed for a long time, it falls downward. It is possible to take a firm reaction force without getting stuck or moving in the wrong direction, and it is possible to appropriately protect the occupant P.

In the present embodiment, the upper body airbag bag body 112 is deployed after the seat seat 10 is fixed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper body is not fixed before the seat seat 10 is fixed. The airbag bag body 112 may be deployed.
Further, even during the above series of operations, when a collision is detected, the upper airbag bag body 112 and the knee airbag bag body 122 are immediately deployed.
Further, in the above, the order of moving the seats 10 and deploying the airbags has been described in the basic order. It may be something to expand.

As described above, the occupant protection device according to the present embodiment determines the size of the upper airbag bag 112 at the time of deployment according to the collision speed, moves the seat 10, and at the time of this movement. In addition, the under-leg airbag 132 bag body is deployed to raise the leg portion of the occupant P to reduce the frictional force between the underfloor 3 and the occupant P. As a result, the seat 10 can be easily moved. Since the knee airbag bag body 122 is deployed between the in-vehicle device and the occupant P at the lower part of the upper body airbag bag body 112, appropriate occupant protection is performed according to the situation and the upper body air is provided. Even if the bag bag body 112 is greatly expanded, the reaction force can be surely taken, and the occupant P can be surely protected by the upper body airbag bag body 112.

In addition, in this embodiment, the upper body airbag bag body 112 constitutes the main airbag of the present application. Further, in the present embodiment, the under-leg airbag bag body 132 constitutes the sub-airbag of the present application.
Further, in the present embodiment, the knee airbag device 120 constitutes a seat moving means. Further, in the present embodiment, the knee airbag bag body 122 constitutes the moving airbag of the present application.

1 vehicle, 3 underfloor, 4 roof, 5 dashboard, 10 seat seat, 11 seat cushion, 12 seat back, 13 headrest, 20 seat slide device, 30 seat belt device, 31 webbing, 40 occupant posture correction device, 50 seats Movable device, 51 outer rail, 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d seat fixing recess, 52 inner rail, 52a fastener storage, 53 seat fastener, 53a tip, 60 in-vehicle camera, 101 occupant protection device, 110 upper body Airbag device, 111 upper body airbag device, 112 upper body airbag bag body, 120 knee airbag device, 121 knee airbag device, 122 knee airbag bag body, 130 under leg airbag device, 131 under leg inflator, 132 under leg airbag bag body , 201 ECU

Claims (2)

A main airbag whose size can be changed when deployed, and
An airbag deploying device that deploys the main airbag and
A collision speed detection device that detects a vehicle collision or collision prediction and calculates the collision speed,
An occupant position detection device that detects the position of the occupant sitting on the seat, and
A sheet moving means for moving the sheet and
A sub-airbag that deploys under the legs of the occupant seated on the seat,
An airbag deployment amount determining means for determining the size of the main airbag when deployed based on the detection result of the collision speed detection device, and
The movement amount of the seat is determined based on the size of the main airbag determined by the airbag deployment amount determining means at the time of deployment and the position of the occupant detected by the occupant position detecting device. A deployment control device that deploys the sub-airbag to raise the occupant's legs, moves the seat together with the occupant to the seat moving means, and deploys the main airbag.
A vehicle occupant protection device characterized by being equipped with. The seat moving means has a moving airbag that moves the seat together with the occupant by deploying the seat.
The deployment control device deploys the moving airbag based on the detection result of the collision speed detection device.
The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 1.