JP6426553B2 - Occupant protection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a passenger protection device.

  In the event of a collision, an airbag device is known that supplies inflator gas to a bag attached to the gas supply pipe through a gas supply pipe fixed to a seat back and inflates the bag to surround the occupant's front and sides. (See Patent Document 1). In addition, head airbags expand forward from the left and right ends of the headrest of the seat and are joined to each other at the front of the occupant's head, while the head overhead airbag is from the center of the seat headrest There is known an air bag device which bulges forward and is joined to a pair of head air bags (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2000-344044 A JP, 2013-018378, A

  In the configuration of Patent Document 1, since the gas supply pipe is provided so as to protrude on the seat back, the appearance is bad, and the gas supply pipe becomes an obstacle when operating the vehicle seat. This problem is solved by the structure which accommodates the airbag for heads in a headrest like patent document 2. FIG. In the configuration of Patent Document 2, the joint strength between a pair of head airbags joined to each other after inflation and deployment, and the joint strength of a head subsidiary airbag to a pair of head airbags are secured. difficult.

  As a countermeasure, the airbag configured as an integral bag body and stored in the headrest or seat back is surrounded from the front and both sides in the seat width direction by the front inflating portion and the pair of lateral inflating portions. It is conceivable to adopt a configuration to expand and deploy. In this configuration, a part of the air bag is inflated and deployed passing above the head of the occupant, so there is room for improvement in expanding and deploying the front inflating portion in front of the seat with respect to the head of the occupant. Specifically, it is required to balance the deployability of the air bag for inflating and deploying the front inflating portion in front of the head of the occupant and the restraint of the head of the occupant by the front inflating portion.

  The present invention, in a configuration in which an air bag configured as an integral bag body is housed in a headrest or a seat back, deployability of the air bag for inflating and deploying the front inflating portion in front of the seat relative to the head of the occupant; An object of the present invention is to obtain an occupant protection device capable of achieving both the restraint of the occupant's head by the air bag.

The occupant protection device according to the first aspect includes a front bag and an occupant's head, which is accommodated in a headrest or a seatback, and has a front inflating portion positioned forward of the seat with respect to the occupant's head in a state of being inflated and deployed. An air bag configured as an integral bag body including a pair of lateral bags positioned on both sides in the seat width direction with respect to the seat, and one end side is connected to the rear in the seat longitudinal direction of the air bag, the headrest or the seat back And a tension structure for pulling the front inflating portion rearward by a tension applied as the lateral bag or the front bag inflates and deploys.

  In this occupant protection device, when gas is supplied to the air bag, the front inflating portion of the front bag is inflated and deployed in front of the seat relative to the head of the occupant, and the pair of lateral bags are on both sides in the seat width direction relative to the head of the occupant It is expanded by the Thus, the head of the occupant is covered from the front by the front inflatable portion (front bag), and is covered from both sides in the seat width direction by the pair of lateral bags. That is, the head of the occupant is surrounded from the front and sides (three sides) of the seat by the front inflating portion and the pair of lateral bags.

  Here, tension is applied to the tension structure as the lateral bag or the front bag inflates and deploys (the thickness increases), and the tension structure pulls the front inflating portion rearward. For this reason, as compared with the configuration without the tension structure, in the initial stage of the inflation and deployment of the air bag, the front inflating portion is inflated and deployed away from the seat forward with respect to the occupant's head. It can be brought close to the head of the occupant (moved to the rear of the seat) as the bag is inflated and deployed.

As described above, in the configuration of the first aspect , in the configuration in which the airbag configured as an integral bag body is housed in the headrest or the seat back, the front inflating portion is inflated and deployed in front of the seat relative to the head of the occupant. Both the deployability of the airbag and the restraint of the head of the occupant by the airbag can be achieved.

In the occupant protection device according to the second aspect , in the first aspect , the tension structure has a second end connected to the front inflating portion and is slidably passed between the lateral bag and the front bag. Are disposed inside the airbag, and the other part is disposed outside the airbag.

  In this occupant protection device, the tension structure slidably passed between the lateral bag and the front bag is partially along the outer periphery of one of the lateral bag and the front bag, and the other portion is the lateral bag. And is deployed along the inner periphery of the other of the front bags (hereinafter referred to as "outer bag") to be loaded with tension. That is, by pushing the tension structure toward the inside (the head side of the occupant) of the outer bag, the length of the portion along the inner periphery of the outer bag in the tension structure is increased, and the other end of the tension structure Is pulled toward one end. The other end of the tensioning structure is connected to the front inflation portion, so that the tensioning structure pulls the front inflation portion rearward, that is, toward the head of the occupant. With such a simple structure, it is possible to obtain a tension structure that performs the above-mentioned function.

In the occupant protection device of the third aspect , in the second aspect , the lateral bag or the front bag has a delayed inflating part which receives gas supply and is expanded and deployed after the inflating and deploying of the front inflating part, the tension A structure is disposed inside the delayed expansion.

  In this occupant protection device, the delayed inflating portion receives gas supply and is expanded and deployed after the inflating and deploying of the front inflating portion. Since the delayed inflating portion functions as at least a part of the above-described outer bag, the early inflating portion can be inflated and deployed further away in the forward direction of the seat with respect to the head of the occupant at the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the air bag or The front inflating portion can be brought closer to the head of the occupant.

  As described above, in the occupant protection device according to the present invention, in the configuration in which the airbag configured as an integral bag body is stored in the headrest or the seat back, the front inflating portion is inflated in front of the seat relative to the head of the occupant. This has the excellent effect of being able to achieve both the deployability of the airbag for deployment and the restraint of the occupant's head by the airbag.

It is a side view showing typically the operation state of the crew member protection device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing an operation state of the occupant protection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3A-3A of FIG. 1, showing a state in which the multidirectional airbag constituting the occupant protection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention is inflated and deployed; 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3B-3B of FIG. It is a figure which shows the general | schematic whole structure before the action | operation of the passenger protection device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is a side view, (B) is a front view. FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged side view partially cut away for explaining an inflation and deployment process of a multidirectional airbag that constitutes the occupant protection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the flat pattern of the multidirectional airbag which comprises the passenger protection device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the tension | pulling effect of the front duct by the tether which comprises the passenger protection device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) diagrammatically shows the state of the expansion deployment initial stage of a multidirectional airbag. FIG. 6B is a plan sectional view schematically showing a state in which the multidirectional airbag has been inflated and deployed. It is a flat pattern which shows the modification of the delayed expansion part which comprises the passenger protection device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the tension | pulling effect of the front duct by the tether which comprises the passenger protection device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) diagrammatically shows the state of the expansion deployment initial stage of a multidirectional airbag. FIG. 6B is a plan sectional view schematically showing a state in which the multidirectional airbag has been inflated and deployed. It is a figure which shows typically the modification of the tether which comprises the passenger | crew protection device which concerns on embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) shows the modification corresponding to FIG. 7 (B) which shows the modification of 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing, (B) is a plane sectional view corresponding to Drawing 9 (B) which shows the modification of a 2nd embodiment.

First Embodiment
An occupant protection device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 7. In addition, arrow FR and arrow UP which are suitably described in each figure have each shown the front direction (direction which a seating person faces) of vehicle seat 12, and upward direction. In the following description, when simply using front and back, up and down, and left and right directions, unless otherwise noted, it indicates the front and back in the front and back directions of the seat, up and down in the seat up and down directions, and front and rear in the seat front and rear direction. I assume. In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the seat of the vehicle seat 12 corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the vertical direction of the seat coincides with the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the seat width direction coincides with the vehicle width direction. And arrow IN suitably described in each figure has shown the vehicle center side by the side of the cross direction in the car as a car by which seat 12 for vehicles was carried.

(Schematic overall configuration of occupant protection device)
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the occupant protection device 10 is mounted on a vehicle seat 12. The vehicle seat 12 is disposed 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) of the vehicle. The vehicle seat 12 includes a seat cushion 14, a seat back 16 whose lower end is connected to the rear end of the seat cushion 14, and a head rest 18 provided on the upper end of the seat back 16. .

  As shown in FIG. 5, the headrest 18 is configured to include a headrest main body 19 attached to the seatback 16 and a module case 34 (described later) that functions as a backboard that constitutes a rear design of the headrest 18 There is. The headrest main body 19 is attached to the seat back 16 via a headrest stay 19S. The headrest stay 19S is configured such that the upper portion 19SU is located forward with respect to the lower portion 19SL supported by the seat back 16, and the lower portion 19SL and the upper portion 19SU are connected by the inclined intermediate portion 19SC.

  1, 2, 4, etc. show a state in which a dummy (doll) D for a collision test is seated on the seat cushion 14 of the vehicle seat 12 as a model of an occupant to be protected. The dummy D is, for example, AM50 (50th percentile of American adult male) of WorldSID (International Side 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 will be referred to as "seated person D" in order to make the description easy to understand.

  The occupant protection device 10 is configured to include a multidirectional airbag device 20 for protecting the seated person D from various types of collisions, a side airbag device 22, and a seat belt device 24. Hereinafter, a schematic configuration of the seat belt device 24 and the side airbag device 22 will be described, and then, a detailed configuration of the multidirectional airbag device 20 will be described.

  The seat belt device 24 is a three-point seat belt device, and the other end of a belt (webbing) 28 wound at one end so as to be able to be pulled out by the retractor 26 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 seat occupant D by locking the tongue plate 24T to the buckle 24B. Then, with the belt 28 mounted on the seat occupant D, the shoulder belt 28S from the retractor 26 to the tongue plate 24T of the belt 28 is attached to the upper body of the seat occupant D, and from the tongue plate 24T to the anchor 24A. The lap belt 28L is configured to be attached to the waist P of the seated person D.

  In this embodiment, the seat belt device 24 is a so-called seat belt device with a seat in which the retractor 26, the anchor 24A, and the buckle 24B are provided on the vehicle seat 12. Also, in this embodiment, the retractor 26 has a pretensioner function to forcibly wind the belt 28 when actuated. The pretensioner function of the retractor 26 is operated by an ECU 60 described later.

  The side airbag device 22 is configured to include an inflator 22A and a side airbag 22B, and is stored in the side portion on the vehicle width direction outer side of the seatback 16 in a folded state of the side airbag 22B. The inflator 22A is adapted to generate gas within the side airbag 22B when activated. The side airbag 22B is projected forward from the side portion of the seat back 16 by the gas and configured to inflate and deploy on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the seated person D. In this embodiment, the side airbag 22B is configured to inflate and deploy 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 FIGS. 1 and 4A, the multidirectional airbag device 20 has a multidirectional airbag 30 as an airbag, an inflator 32, and a module case (also referred to as an airbag case) 34. Is configured. The multidirectional airbag 30 is folded in a state in which the inflator 32 is connected so as to be able to supply gas as described later, and is housed in the module case 34. The multi-directional airbag device 20 thus modularized is provided on the seat back 16 on the headrest 18. The details will be described below.

<Multi-directional airbag>
As shown in FIG. 3A in plan view, the multidirectional airbag 30 has a head H of a seated person D (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "head H") from the front and left and right sides. It is configured as an integral bag that is inflated and deployed to surround it. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the multidirectional airbag 30 includes a frame duct 35 inflated and deployed in a duct shape, and a front deployment portion 36 deployed in front of the head H. , And a pair of lateral deployment portions 38 deployed on the left and right sides of the head H.

  The multi-directional airbag 30 is an integral bag in which at least a frame duct 35, a front inflating portion 40 to be described later of the front expanding portion 36, and a lateral expanding portion 44 to be described later of the lateral expansion portion 38 are divided in communication. And is housed in the headrest in a folded state. The multidirectional airbag 30 in this embodiment further includes an upper deployment portion 48 deployed above the head H and a post deployment portion 55 deployed behind the head H.

[Frame duct]
The frame ducts 35 are respectively provided on both sides in the sheet width direction to form a pair, and are configured to be expanded and deployed in a “U” shape opening downward in a side view (viewed from the sheet width direction). is there. Specifically, the frame duct 35 is a side view in the expanded and deployed state, and the rear duct 35R extending vertically along the headrest 18, the upper duct 35U extending forward from the upper end of the rear duct 35R, and the front end of the upper duct 35U. And a front duct 35F suspended from the housing. As shown in a flat pattern in FIG. 6, at the lower end of the rear duct 35R, a supply cylinder 56 forming a gas supply port through which gas is supplied from the inflator 32 is connected as described later.

[Front deployment department]
The front deployment portion 36 includes a front inflation portion 40 including a portion deployed in the front of the head H, and a non-inflation portion 42 that divides the front inflation portion 40 into a plurality of inflation portions. In this embodiment, the front inflating portion 40 includes a pair of upper and lower expanding portions 40A expanded and deployed adjacent to each other in the sheet width direction with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction and a lower expansion located below the pair of upper and lower expanding portions 40A. And 40L. The pair of upper and lower inflation portions 40A are configured to be inflated and deployed in front of the head H (front), and the lower inflation portion 40L is configured to be inflated and deployed in front of the chest B and shoulder S of the seated person D It is done.

  The non-inflatable portion 42 includes a non-inflatable portion 42A that divides the pair of upper and lower inflatable portions 40A in the sheet width direction, and a non-inflatable portion 42B interposed between the respective upper and lower inflatable portions 40A and the front duct 35F of the frame duct 35. Is composed including. In this embodiment, the non-inflatable portion 42A is constituted by a linear seam extending vertically, and the non-inflatable portion 42B is constituted as a portion surrounded by an annular (endless) seam extending vertically. Further, the front inflating portion 40 is in communication with the lower portion of the front duct 35F through the communicating portion 40R (see FIG. 6) at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lower inflating portion 40L. Further, the lower ends of the pair of upper and lower expansion portions 40A communicate with the lower expansion portion 40L as a whole.

[Horizontal Development]
The lateral deployment portion 38 is mainly configured of a lateral inflation portion 44 and a delayed inflation portion 64 which receive gas supply and are inflated and deployed at the side of the head H. In this embodiment, the transversely expanded portion 44 in the expanded and deployed state is aft, upward, by the frame duct 35 connected via the non-inflatable portion 46 which is a U-shaped seam opening downward in a side view. It is surrounded from the front three sides and has a substantially rectangular shape in a side view. The lateral expansion portion 44 is connected to the front expansion portion 40 indirectly via the front duct 35F of the frame duct 35 at the front end side. In addition, the lateral expansion portion 44, that is, the lateral development portion 38 has a size (area) that almost entirely wraps the head H in a side view.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (B), the left and right laterally deployed portions 38 contact the lower end 44B of each lateral inflated portion 44 on the shoulder S of the seated person D in the inflated and deployed state of the multidirectional airbag 30. It is supposed to The contact of the lower end 44B of the lateral expansion portion 44 with the shoulder S determines the vertical position of the multidirectional airbag 30 in the inflated and deployed state with respect to the seated person D (head H). In this positioning state, the multidirectional airbag 30 has the head H with the front deployment portion 36, the left and right lateral deployment portions 38, and the upper deployment portion 48 described later with respect to a seated person D who takes a normal sitting posture. It is set as the structure which does not contact (a clearance gap is formed).

  The delayed expansion portion 64 is configured to be expanded and deployed on the inner side in the seat width direction with respect to the lateral expansion portion 44, that is, on the head H side. In this embodiment, the delayed inflating portion 64 is joined and integrated with the lateral inflating portion 44 by sewing or the like, and receives the gas supply from the lateral inflating portion through the communication hole 66 (see FIGS. 1 and 7) to inflate. It is supposed to be deployed.

  For this reason, the delayed expansion portion 64 is configured to be expanded and deployed with a delay with respect to the front expanded portion 40 and the lateral expanded portion 44 that are expanded and deployed by receiving the gas supply from the frame duct 35. That is, the delayed expansion portion 64 is configured to be expanded and deployed (completed) after the expansion and deployment of the front expansion portion 40. Then, in the multidirectional airbag 30, the opening area (diameter) and the number of the communication holes 66 are determined so that the expansion and deployment of the delayed expansion portion 64 is completed at a required timing.

[Upper deployment unit and post deployment unit]
As shown in FIG. 6, the upper development portion 48 is a cloth-like non-inflatable portion connecting between a pair of front and rear cross expansion portions 48A expanded and developed with the sheet width direction as the longitudinal direction and the front and rear cross expansion portions 48A. And 48B. Further, the upper spread portion 48 is configured to include a cloth-like non-inflated portion 48C that connects the front cross expanded portion 48A and the upper end of the front expanded portion 36 (a pair of upper and lower expanded portions 40A). The rear cross expansion portion 48A is connected to the module case 34 via the rear expansion portion 55 (not shown). In this embodiment, the post deployment portion 55 is a cloth-like non-inflatable portion.

  The front and rear cross expansion portions 48A are supplied with gas from the upper duct 35U of the frame duct 35 as described later, and are expanded and deployed by connecting the pair of upper ducts 35U in the sheet width direction. As a result, the front and rear cross expansion portions 48A are configured to deploy an integral expansion portion continuous with the upper duct 35U above the head portion H. Further, the non-inflatable portion 48B is developed by connecting the upper duct 35U in the sheet width direction between the front and rear cross-expanded portions 48A. On the other hand, the rear deployment portion 55 is configured to be deployed by connecting the rear ducts 35R of the pair of frame ducts 35 in the sheet width direction.

[Flat pattern]
Next, the gas supply path to each part of the multidirectional airbag 30 will be described with reference to the flat pattern shown in FIG. The multidirectional airbag 30 has a deployed shape (flat pattern) as shown in FIG. 6 before a part of the peripheral edge portion is joined and before folding. The multidirectional air bag 30 in the developed shape is formed as an integral bag by OPW (abbreviated as One Piece Woven). For example, the multidirectional airbag 30 may be formed as an integral bag by a method (cut and sew) of stitching the peripheral edges of two sheets of fabric.

  In the multidirectional airbag 30, the upper duct 35U of the frame duct 35 is joined to the side edge 48S of the upper deployment portion 48 by stitching or the like from the state shown in FIG. 6, and the rear duct 35R of the frame duct 35 is a rear deployment portion. It is joined to the side edge 55S of 55 by sewing etc. (illustration omitted). Further, the other end of the pair of front and rear communicating cylinders 54 projected from the upper duct 35U of the frame duct 35 in a state where one end is communicated with the upper duct 35U is the open end of the cross expanded portion 48A in the sheet width direction by stitching or the like. It is joined to the portion 48D in communication. On the other hand, from the lower end of the rear duct 35R of the frame duct 35, a supply cylinder 56 communicated with the rear duct 35R protrudes downward.

  The left and right supply cylinders 56 are disposed so as to sandwich the headrest 18 in the seat width direction in the module case 34, and the gas from the inflator 32 is allowed to pass therethrough. That is, in the multidirectional airbag 30, first, gas is supplied to the frame duct 35 through the left and right supply cylinders 56. Although illustration is omitted, the inflator 32 is connected to the left and right supply cylinders 56 in a communicating state via a flow dividing means such as a diffuser.

  Further, in the multidirectional airbag 30, as described above, the gas is transmitted from the frame duct 35 to the front inflating portion 40 through the communication portions 40R formed at both ends in the seat width direction of the lower inflating portion 40L in the front inflating portion 40. It is supposed to be supplied. In the front inflatable portion 40, the gas supplied to the lower inflatable portion 40L is supplied to the pair of upper and lower inflatable portions 40A.

  Furthermore, in the multidirectional airbag 30, gas is supplied from the frame duct 35 to the lateral expansion portion 44 through the communication portion 44R1 formed under the front lower end of the non-inflatable portion 46. In this embodiment, the gas is also supplied from the frame duct 35 to the lateral expansion portion 44 through the communication portion 44R2 formed below the rear lower end of the non-inflatable portion 46 in the lateral expansion portion 44. The multidirectional airbag 30 may have a configuration in which the communication portion 44R2 is not formed.

  The delayed inflating portion 64 is configured as a bag different from the flat pattern by the OPW, and is joined and integrated with the lateral inflating portion 44 by sewing or the like as described above, and is not expanded in the flat pattern. In this embodiment, the lateral inflation portion 44 and the delayed inflation portion 64 correspond to the lateral bag in the present invention. Further, the front inflating portion 40 corresponds to the front bag in the present invention.

<Others>
As described above, the multidirectional airbag 30 described above is folded in a state where a part of the peripheral edge is joined from the flat pattern, and is stored in the headrest 18 (module case 34). The folding configuration of the multidirectional airbag 30 will be described later together with the configuration of the deployment guiding cloth 58 and the configuration of the module case 34.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the multidirectional airbag 30 in the unconstrained inflated and deployed state which does not restrain the seated person D is viewed from the side of the side airbag 22B in the unconstrained inflated and deployed state which does not restrain the seated person D. And are configured not to overlap (do not wrap). In other words, the multidirectional airbag 30 and the side airbag 22B are configured not to have the inflating / deploying portions that at least wrap in a side view in an unconstrained inflating / deploying state of each other. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the multidirectional airbag 30 in the unconstrained inflated and deployed state is configured not to overlap the side airbag 22B in the unconstrained inflated and deployed state when the seater D is not restrained in a front view. ing.

[Tension structure]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the multidirectional airbag device 20, that is, the occupant protection device 10, is a tension structure that pulls the front inflating portion 40 rearward with the expansion and deployment of the delayed inflating portion 64. A tether 68 is provided. In this embodiment, one tether 68 is provided on both sides in the sheet width direction.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, one end 68A of the tether 68 is sewn to a portion of the non-inflatable portion 46 that divides the rear duct 35R and the lateral inflating portion 44. , Etc., are connected (fixed) from the inside of the multidirectional airbag 30. In FIGS. 7A and 7B, illustration of the module case 34 and the like is omitted. Further, the other end 68B of the tether 68 is connected (fixed) to the non-inflatable portion 42A that divides the pair of upper and lower inflatable portions 40A from the front side in the inflated and deployed state by sewing or the like. That is, the left and right tethers 68 are connected to the front inflating portion 40 via the non-inflating portions 42A, respectively. The intermediate portion of the tether 68 is slidably passed through a slit 70 formed in a portion which divides the front duct 35 F and the lateral expansion portion 44 in the non-inflatable portion 46.

  Thus, a portion of the tether 68 at one end 68A is disposed inside the multidirectional airbag 30, and a portion at the other end 68B is disposed outside the multidirectional airbag 30. The tether 68 is made of a material having a degree of elongation equal to or less than that of the base fabric of the multidirectional airbag 30. In other words, the tether 68 is made of a material that stretches as much as the base fabric of the multidirectional airbag 30 or has a smaller elongation than the base fabric of the multidirectional airbag 30 under the same tension.

  Further, as described above, the tether 68 is configured to function to pull the front inflating portion 40 rearward as the delayed inflating portion 64 inflates and deploys. The tensile action will be described later along with the action of the present embodiment.

[Inflator]
The inflator 32 is of the combustion type or of the cold gas type, and is adapted to supply the gas generated by the operation into the multidirectional airbag 30. In this embodiment, the inflator 32 is a cylinder type inflator, and is disposed in the module case 34 with the sheet width direction as the 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 FIGS. 1 and 5, the module case 34 is disposed on the seat back 16 behind the headrest main body 19. In this embodiment, the module case 34 is a backboard that constitutes (the rear design of) the headrest 18. That is, the module case 34 in the present embodiment is configured to serve as an element of the multidirectional airbag device 20 and an element of the headrest 18. Therefore, the multidirectional airbag 30 is disposed inside (inside) the rear of the headrest 18.

  The module case 34 protrudes above the upper end of the headrest main body 19 in a front view, and protrudes to both sides in the seat width direction with respect to the headrest main body 19. That is, the module case 34 covers the headrest main body 19 from the rear. In this embodiment, the module case 34 covers the rear of the headrest main 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 portion 34B, a main wall 34M as a rear wall, and a pair of side walls 34S opposed in the sheet width direction as main portions. The base portion 34 </ b> B is a fixing portion to 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 fixed on the seat back 16, and back upward in a side view It has a curved shape that is convex. The main wall 34M protrudes above the upper end of the headrest main body 19 in a front view, and protrudes to both sides in the seat width direction with respect to the headrest main body 19.

  A space for storing the multidirectional airbag 30 in a folded state is formed between the main wall 34M and the headrest main body 19. Further, the upper end of the main wall 34M extends to the upper side of the headrest main body 19. Between the upper end portion of the main wall 34M and the headrest main body 19, the multidirectional airbag 30 in the process of inflation and deployment passes.

  The pair of side walls 34S extends forward from both ends in the seat width direction of the main wall 34M, and covers the rear of the headrest main body 19 in a side view. The rear duct 35R mainly passes through the multidirectional airbag 30 in the inflated and deployed state between the pair of side walls 34S and the headrest main body 19.

  The module case 34 described above accommodates the multidirectional airbag 30 in a folded state with the headrest main body 19. The left and right supply cylinders 56 of the multidirectional airbag 30 are disposed in the module case 34 with the headrest main body 19 interposed therebetween in the seat width direction as described above. Then, the inflator 32 connected to the left and right supply cylinders 56 through the flow dividing means such as a diffuser is fastened to the seat back frame in a state where the stud bolts penetrate the base portion 34B of the module case 34.

  Further, the multidirectional airbag 30 is outer-roll folded and stored in the module case 34. In the outer roll folding, as shown in FIG. 5, the developing process of the frame duct 35 is reversed in a side view, and is in a roll-shaped folding mode from the front end side to the upper side and the rear side. In other words, the outer roll folding is a folding mode in which the roll folded portion 30R is located on the side opposite to the head H side in the process of deploying the multidirectional airbag 30, as shown by the phantom line in FIG. Ru. As described above, the multidirectional airbag 30 in which the lateral deployment portion 38 is joined to the upper deployment portion 48 and the rear deployment portion 55 has the lateral deployment portion 38 before the front deployment portion 36 and the frame duct 35 are outer-roll folded. It is folded inside. In FIG. 5, illustration of the tether 68 is omitted.

  At least a part of the multidirectional airbag 30 in the folded state is disposed behind the upper portion 19SU and the middle portion 19SC of the headrest stay 19S of the headrest main body 19. In the headrest main body 19 of this embodiment, a cushioning material (pad) 19C at the rear of the upper portion 19SU and the middle portion 19SC of the headrest stay 19S is thinly formed, and a storage space in a folded state between the cushioning material 19C and the module case 34 Is formed. When receiving the gas supply from the inflator 32, the multidirectional airbag 30 is configured to be inflated and deployed from the space between the cushion material 19C and the module case 34 to the outside of the module case 34 while the outer roll folding is canceled.

  At this time, the main wall 34M of the module case 34 is configured to support the multidirectional airbag 30 in the process of inflation and deployment from the rear (take a reaction force for moving forward). At this time, the main wall 34M of the module case 34 is configured to guide the multidirectional airbag 30 in the inflation and deployment process forward (upward and forward) by the curved shape in the side view described above. Therefore, the main wall 34M in this embodiment functions as a support wall and a guide wall.

  Further, in the module case 34, a deployment guiding cloth 58 as a guiding cloth is folded and stored together with the multidirectional airbag 30. In the module case 34, the deployment induction cloth 58 is disposed on the outer side (the main wall 34M side) of the multidirectional airbag 30 folded outward as described above at the base end side of the inflator 32 or the multidirectional airbag 30. Are connected to the post deployment unit 55 which is a part of On the other hand, the leading end side of the deployment guiding cloth 58 covers the roll folded portion 30R of the multidirectional airbag 30 in the opposite direction (counterclockwise direction) to the roll direction (clockwise in FIG. 5) of the outer roll folded portion 30R. It is arrange | positioned inside (headrest 18 side).

  The deployment guiding cloth 58 is led out of the module case 34 as the multidirectional airbag 30 inflates and deploys (rolls are unfolded) as shown by imaginary lines in FIG. 5 and precedes the multidirectional airbag 30. The multidirectional airbag 30 is deployed between the multidirectional airbag 30 and the cabin ceiling. Further, the coefficient of friction with the multidirectional airbag 30 of the deployment guiding cloth 58 is smaller than that of the ceiling material of the automobile to which the occupant protection device 10 is applied. In this embodiment, the surface on the roof side of the deployment induction cloth 58 is coated with silicone, and the contact surface of the deployment induction cloth 58 with the multidirectional airbag 30 is a low friction surface not coated with silicon. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the air bag door 33 closes between the module case 34 and the headrest main body 19 in a front view. The air bag door 33 is configured to allow forward expansion and development of the multidirectional airbag 30 by being broken by the deployment of the multidirectional airbag 30, triggered by the tear line 33T which is a fragile portion. There is.

(Configuration of ECU)
As shown in FIG. 4A, the multidirectional airbag device 20, the side airbag device 22, and the seat belt device 24 constituting the occupant protection device 10 are controlled by the ECU 60 as a control device. ing. Specifically, the inflator 32 of the multidirectional airbag device 20, the inflator 22A of the side airbag device 22, and the retractor 26 (pretensioner function) of the seat belt device 24 are electrically connected to the ECU 60, respectively. Further, the ECU 60 is electrically connected to the collision sensor 62 (or a sensor group).

  Based on the information from the collision sensor 62, the ECU 60 can detect or predict various types of frontal collisions (occurrence or unavoidable) of the applied vehicle for each collision type described later. Further, the ECU 60 can detect or predict a side collision (occurrence or unavoidable) of the applied vehicle based on the information from the collision sensor 62.

  When the ECU 60 detects or predicts a side collision based on the information from the collision sensor 62, it activates the inflators 22A and 32. Further, when the front collision is detected or predicted based on the information from the collision sensor 62, the ECU 60 operates the inflator 32 and the retractor 26. The form of the frontal collision in which the ECU 60 operates the inflator 32 and the retractor 26 is a full-wrap frontal collision, an offset frontal collision, or the like.

  When the ECU 60 detects or predicts a frontal collision to a position offset by a predetermined value or more to one side in the vehicle width direction based on information from the collision sensor 62, it activates the inflators 22A, 32, and the retractor 26. It is supposed to Such a frontal collision to a position offset by a predetermined value or more on one side in the vehicle width direction includes an oblique collision, a minute lap collision, and the like.

  Here, an oblique collision (MDB oblique collision, oblique collision) is, for example, a collision from the oblique front defined by NHTSA (as an example, a relative angle of 15 ° with the other side of the collision, a wrap amount of about 35% in the vehicle width direction) Clash). In this embodiment, an oblique collision at a relative velocity of 90 km / hr is assumed as an example. Further, the small lap collision is a collision of the vehicle width direction with the collision opponent specified by IIHS, for example, in the frontal collision of the vehicle, which is 25% or less. For example, a collision in the vehicle width direction with respect to a front side member which is a vehicle body frame corresponds to a small lap collision. In this embodiment, a minute wrap collision at a relative velocity of 64 km / hr is assumed as an example.

(Action and effect)
Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. First, the basic action relating to the deployability of the multidirectional airbag 30 and the restraining ability of the head H will be described, and thereafter, the protective function of the seated person against various types of collisions I will explain the effect of

<Description of basic action>
[Effect by frame duct]
When gas is supplied from the inflator 32, the multidirectional airbag 30 is guided by the module case 34 and the deployment guiding cloth 58, and is inflated and deployed forward from the headrest 18 while the outer roll folding is canceled. The effects of the module case 34, the deployment guiding cloth 58, and the outer roll folding will be described later.

  Specifically describing the expansion and deployment of the multidirectional airbag 30, when gas is supplied from the left and right supply cylinders 56 to the left and right frame ducts 35, the multidirectional airbag 30 receives the rear duct 35R, The upper duct 35U and the front duct 35F are expanded and deployed in this order. At this time, the upper duct 35U is inflated and deployed forwardly above the head H in side view, and the front end of the upper duct 35U passes above the head H. The front inflating portion 40 receives the gas supply from the frame duct 35 through the communicating portion 40R and is expanded and deployed in front of the head H. Further, the pair of lateral expansion portions 44 are supplied with gas from the frame duct 35 through the communication portions 44R1 and 44R2, respectively, and are expanded and deployed so as to sandwich the head H in the sheet width direction on the side with respect to the head H. . Thereby, the head H is surrounded from the front and both sides (three sides) in the seat width direction by the front deployment portion 36 including the front inflation portion 40 and the pair of lateral deployment portions 38 including the lateral inflation portions 44 respectively.

  Here, in the multidirectional airbag 30, the upper duct 35U whose front end reaches the front with respect to the head H as viewed in the seat width direction is inflated and deployed prior to the front inflating portion 40 and the lateral inflating portion 44. Then, after the front end of the upper duct 35U passes over the head H in the process of inflating and deploying the multidirectional airbag 30, gas is supplied from the front duct 35F leading to the head H in the frame duct 35 including the upper duct 35U. Is inflated and deployed in front of the head H. Thereby, the front inflating portion 40 can be inflated and deployed with high accuracy in front of the head H. Further, as compared with the configuration without the frame duct 35 contributing to the deployability as described above, the front inflating portion 40 can be inflated and deployed close to the head H.

  As described above, in the occupant protection device 10 according to the first embodiment, the front inflatable portion 40 is located in front of the head H in a configuration in which the multidirectional airbag 30 configured as an integral bag body is stored in the headrest 18. The deployability of the multidirectional airbag 30 for inflating and deploying can be compatible with the restraint of the head H by the multidirectional airbag 30.

[Functional effect by tension structure]
Further, in the case of the comparative embodiment without the tether 68, there is no problem from the viewpoint of the deployability of the multidirectional airbag, but there is a limit to making the front inflatable section 40 closer to the head H at the completion of the inflation deployment. . As a countermeasure, in the case of the comparative embodiment provided with the front inflating portion having a larger volume than the front inflating portion 40, the front inflating portion of the multidirectional airbag is headed in the process of passing over the head H while inflating and deploying. It is easy to interfere with the part H or the roof. When the multidirectional airbag interferes with the head H or the roof during the inflating and deploying process, the inflating and deploying in an appropriate posture or arrangement may be hindered.

  Here, the multidirectional airbag device 20, that is, the occupant protection device 10 is provided with a tether 68 that pulls the front inflating portion 40 rearward as the delayed inflating portion 64 inflates and deploys. As a result, the front inflating portion 40 which is inflated and deployed away from the head H can be brought closer to the head H (moved backward) as the delayed inflating portion 64 is inflated and deployed.

  Specifically, at the initial stage of the inflation and deployment of the multidirectional airbag 30, as shown in FIG. 7A, the frame duct 35 precedes the front inflating portion 40, the lateral inflating portion 44, and the delayed inflating portion 64. Is inflated and deployed. At this time, the lateral expansion portion 44 and the delay expansion portion 64 extend back and forth, so that the upper duct 35U of the frame duct 35 does not block passing over the head H. That is, the front duct 35F of the frame duct 35 is expanded and deployed forward with respect to the head H without being restricted by the lateral expansion portion 44 and the delayed expansion portion 64. For this reason, interference with the head H in the process of inflation and deployment of the multidirectional airbag 30 is effectively suppressed.

  Then, gas is supplied to the front expansion portion 40 and the lateral expansion portion 44 from the frame duct 35 (mainly the front duct 35F) expanded and expanded, and the front expansion portion 40 and the lateral expansion portion 44 are expanded and expanded. Furthermore, when gas is supplied from the expanded and expanded lateral expansion portion 44 to the delayed expansion portion 64 through the communication hole 66, the thickness of the delayed expansion portion 64 in the sheet width direction increases as shown in FIG. 7B. To be expanded and expanded. Then, the tether 68 is pushed inward in the sheet width direction by the delayed expansion portion 64, and the portion along (contacting) the inner periphery of the delayed expansion portion 64 becomes longer.

  Thus, a part of the other end 68 B of the tether 68 is drawn into the inside of the multidirectional airbag 30 through the slit 70. That is, the tension is applied to the tether 68, and the front inflating portion 40 is pulled rearward by this tension and approaches the head H.

  As described above, in the occupant protection device 10, the front portion (the front duct 35F, the front inflating portion 40) of the multidirectional airbag 30 is large relative to the head H at the initial stage of the inflation and deployment of the multidirectional airbag 30. It can be moved forward to ensure the deployability of the multidirectional airbag 30. Then, at the end of the inflation and deployment of the multidirectional airbag 30 (at the completion of the inflation and deployment), the front inflating portion 40 can be brought close to the head H by the tether 68.

  Thus, the occupant protection device 10 deploys the multidirectional airbag 30 closer to the head H while securing the deployability of the multidirectional airbag 30 stored in the headrest 18, The restraint of the head H by the bag 30 can be improved. In other words, the occupant protection device 10 can achieve both the deployability of the multidirectional airbag 30 and the restraint of the head H by the multidirectional airbag 30 at a higher level.

  In addition, since a portion of the tether 68 is disposed inside the multidirectional airbag 30, and the other portion is disposed outside the multidirectional airbag 30, the tether 68 can be The azimuth airbag 30 can be pushed inward. That is, with the simple configuration, by the tether 68 which is loaded with tension along with the expansion and deployment of the delay expansion portion 64, it is possible to obtain a configuration that serves to pull the front expansion portion 40 rearward.

  In particular, in the occupant protection device 10, the tension is applied to the tether 68 by the delayed inflating portion 64 in which the multidirectional airbag 30 is inflated and deployed after the front inflating portion 40 is inflated and deployed. For this reason, compared with a configuration in which tension is applied to the tether 68 by the expansion portions other than the delayed expansion portion 64, the front expansion portion 40 is further placed forward of the head H against the head H at the initial stage of expansion and deployment of the multidirectional airbag 30. It can be expanded and deployed away. Alternatively, the front inflating portion 40 can be brought closer to the head H in a state in which the multidirectional airbag 30 is fully inflated and deployed. That is, the occupant protection device 10 contributes to at least one of the improvement of the deployability of the multidirectional airbag 30 and the restraint of the head H by the multidirectional airbag 30.

[Functional effect by delayed expansion section]
Furthermore, since the multidirectional airbag 30 is configured to include the delayed inflating portion 64, the lateral deployment portion 38 is deployed closer to the head H as compared with the configuration not including the delayed inflating portion 64. . Therefore, the multidirectional airbag 30 can firmly restrain the head H from both sides in the sheet width direction. As a result, the head H of the seated person D can be protected more effectively against side collisions, oblique collisions and minute lap collisions described later.

<In the case of a side collision>
When the ECU 60 detects or predicts a side collision based on the information from the collision sensor 62, it activates the inflators 22A and 32. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the side airbag 22B of the side airbag device 22 is inflated and deployed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the seat occupant D, and the multidirectional airbag device 20 has multiple orientations. The air bag 30 is inflated and deployed so as to surround the head H of the seated person D. The side collision on the near side described below is a side collision on the side of the vehicle closer to the seat occupant D in the vehicle width direction, and the side collision on the far side is on the side farther from the seat occupant D in the vehicle width direction. It is a side collision to the side of the vehicle. Therefore, for example, when the seated person D is the driver's seat occupant, the side collision on the near side is a side collision on the driver side, and the side collision on the far side is a side collision on the passenger side.

[Near-side side collision]
When a side collision occurs on the installation side of the vehicle seat 12 in the vehicle width direction, the seat occupant D is restricted by the side airbag 22B from moving to the side door side of the upper body and the side of the vehicle width direction outside Movement of the head H to the side window glass side is restricted by the unfolding unit 38. That is, the seated person D is restrained in the upper body and the head H by the side airbag 22B and the lateral deployment portion 38 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and is protected against a side collision.

  Thereby, the movement of the head H to the collision side can be limited. In addition, since the lateral expansion portion 38 includes the lateral expansion portion 44 and the delayed expansion portion 64, energy absorption is achieved by the deformation of the lateral expansion portion 44 and the delayed expansion portion 64 in the process of restraining 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.

  Furthermore, in the case of swing back after protection of the seated person D by the side airbag 22B and the laterally deployed portion 38 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, the head H of the seated person D is a laterally deployed portion on the center side in the vehicle width direction. At 38, the movement to the anti-collision side is restricted. Thereby, for example, the interference between the head H of the seated person D and the seat back and the occupant of the adjacent seat is suppressed.

[Far-side 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 seated person D is the collision side of the head H (vehicle width Movement to the center side of the direction is restricted. That is, the head H of the seated person D is restrained by the lateral deployment portion 38 on the center side in the vehicle width direction and protected against a side collision.

  Thereby, the movement of the head H to the collision side can be limited. In addition, since the lateral expansion portion 38 includes the lateral expansion portion 44 and the delayed expansion portion 64, energy absorption is achieved by the deformation of the lateral expansion portion 44 and the delayed expansion portion 64 in the process of restraining the head H. For example, even when the head H moves to an area where it may interfere with the seat back of the next seat or the occupant of the next seat, the peak of the load input to the head H can be reduced.

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

<Full lap or offset frontal collision>
When the ECU 60 detects or predicts a full-wrap frontal collision based on the information from the collision sensor 62, it activates the inflator 32, the retractor 26. Thereby, the belt 28 of the seat belt device 24 is forcibly taken up by the retractor 26, and the multidirectional airbag 30 of the multidirectional airbag device 20 is inflated and deployed so as to surround the head H of the seated person D. .

  In the case of a full-wrap frontal collision, the seater D moves straight forward by inertia. The forward movement of the seated person D to whom the belt 28 of the seat belt device 24 is attached is such that the upper body of the seated person D is inclined forward with the waist P as a center. The seat occupant D is restrained by the shoulder belt 28S (resistance to forward movement), while the head H contacts the front deployment portion 36 of the multidirectional airbag 30. Thus, the head H is restricted from moving forward by the pair of upper and lower expansion portions 40A of the front deployment portion 36. Also, the lower inflating portion 40L of the front inflating portion 40 comes in contact with the chest B and the shoulder S of the seated person D from the front, and the lower inflating portion 40L of the front inflating portion 40 causes the upper body (head H) of the seated person D Forward movement is limited.

  In particular, since the front inflating portion 40 is pulled rearward by the tether 68 with the expansion and deployment of the delayed inflating portion 64 as described above, the lower inflating portion 40L of the front inflating portion 40 is a shoulder S and a chest B of the seated person D. It is pressed. Thus, the upper body of the seat occupant D can be firmly restrained (energy absorption) before the head H moves forward, and the forward movement of the head H is more effectively limited.

  Thus, the seat occupant D is restrained by the pre-deployment portion 36 so that the head H and the upper body are restrained and protected against a full-wrap frontal collision. That is, forward movement of the head H and upper body of the seated person D can be restricted.

  Moreover, since the front inflating portion 40 of the front deploying portion 36 is expanded and deployed in front of the seat occupant D, energy absorption is achieved by the deformation of the front inflating portion 40 in the process of restraining the head H, chest B, and shoulder S. . As a result, for example, even when the head H moves to a region where it can interfere with components in the vehicle compartment (steering wheel, instrument panel, etc.), the peak of the load input to the head H can be reduced.

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

<Diagonal collision or small lap collision>
When the ECU 60 detects or predicts a diagonal collision based on the information from the collision sensor 62, it activates the inflators 22A, 32 and the retractor 26. Thereby, the belt 28 of the seat belt device 24 is forcibly taken up by the retractor 26, and the multidirectional airbag 30 of the multidirectional airbag device 20 is inflated and deployed so as to surround 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 in the vehicle width direction with respect to the seated person D. Hereinafter, although the case of a diagonal collision is further described, the protection mode of the seated person D by the occupant protection device 10 in the case of a small wrap collision is also substantially the same as the protection mode of the seated person D by the occupant protection device 10 in the diagonal collision. It is similar.

[Near-side oblique collision]
If 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 while being moved forward as shown by the arrow X in FIG. It 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 seated person D on which the three-point seat belt device 24 is attached is configured to be inclined forward about the waist P.

  In this case, the seated person D is allowed to move toward the front collision side (front pillar side) by the front deployment portion 36 which constitutes the side airbag 22B and the multidirectional airbag 30, and the lateral deployment portion 38 outside the vehicle width direction. Limited That is, the seated person D is restrained in the upper body and the head H by the front deployment portion 36 and the lateral deployment portion 38 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction which configure the side airbag 22B and the multidirectional airbag 30, Protected.

  This makes it possible to limit the movement of the head H toward the frontal collision side. Moreover, the front deployment portion 36 and the lateral deployment portion 38 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction each include a front inflation portion 40, a lateral inflation portion 44 and a delayed inflation portion 64. For this reason, energy absorption by deformation of at least one of the front inflating portion 40, the lateral inflating portion 44, and the delayed inflating portion 64 is performed in the process of restraining the head H and 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 to a small value.

[Far-side oblique 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 shown by the arrow Y in FIG. 3 (A). While moving to the center side in the vehicle width direction, which is the collision side with respect to the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction. Also in this case, the forward movement of the seated person D on which the three-point seat belt device 24 is attached is configured to be inclined forward about the waist P.

  In this case, the movement of the seat occupant D to the diagonal front collision side (center cluster side) is restricted by the front deployment portion 36 constituting the multidirectional airbag 30 and the transverse deployment portion 38 on the center side in the vehicle width direction. That is, the seated person D is restrained at the head H by the front deployment portion 36 and the lateral deployment portion 38 on the center side in the vehicle width direction, and is protected against an oblique collision.

  This makes it possible to limit the movement of the head H toward the frontal collision side. Moreover, the front deployment portion 36 and the lateral deployment portion 38 on the center side in the vehicle width direction include a front inflation portion 40, a lateral inflation portion 44, and a delayed inflation portion 64, respectively. For this reason, energy absorption by deformation of at least one of the front inflating portion 40, the lateral inflating portion 44, and the delayed inflating portion 64 is performed in the process of restraining the head H and the like. Thus, for example, even when the head H moves to a vehicle interior component such as an instrument panel or a center cluster, the peak of the load input to the head H can be reduced.

<Summary of protection against collisions>
As described above, in the occupant protection device 10 according to the first embodiment, the multidirectional airbag 30 stored in the headrest 18 is inflated and deployed, and front collisions (a plurality of side collisions and oblique collisions) The seat occupant D can be effectively protected against a collision from the direction. The multidirectional airbag 30 is configured as an integral bag in which the front deployment portion 36 and the lateral deployment portion 38 are deployed so as to surround the head H with the upper deployment portion 48 and the like. For this reason, the multidirectional airbag 30 has the respective development portions connected firmly, and the load (reaction force) at the time of restraining the head H, chest B, and shoulder S is supported by the vehicle seat 12 . Therefore, the multidirectional airbag 30 can restrain the occupant with a large restraining force, as compared with a configuration in which the plurality of airbags (inflating parts) are joined at the time of restraining the occupant.

  On the other hand, in the occupant protection device 10, the multidirectional airbag 30 is housed in the headrest 18 (module case 34 provided at the rear of the headrest main body 19). For this reason, the occupant protection device 10, for example, secures the same or more occupant protection as compared to a configuration in which a gas supply pipe arranged to surround the head of the occupant from above is always projected into the vehicle compartment. While it looks good before operation. Further, the occupant protection device 10 (mainly the multidirectional airbag device 20) does not disturb the longitudinal position adjustment, height adjustment, reclining operation, etc. 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 the unfolded and unfolded state of each other. Therefore, 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 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.

<Other effects>
[Improved restraint by proper expansion and deployment]
Further, in the multidirectional airbag device 20 constituting the occupant protection device 10, the lower end 44B of the lateral expansion portion 44 constituting the lateral deployment portion 38 of the multidirectional airbag 30 contacts 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. Therefore, the multidirectional airbag 30 can be inflated and deployed at an appropriate position in the vertical direction regardless of, for example, the physical size of the seated person D and the individual difference in the seating posture in the appropriate range. Thereby, the restraint (movement restriction performance) of the seated person D by the multidirectional airbag 30 is improved.

[Ensuring expansion and expansion by multi-directional airbag itself]
Furthermore, the multidirectional airbag 30 is housed in the headrest 18 in a state of being folded out of the outer roll. For this reason, a roll folded portion 30R, which is a portion to be unfolded in the inflation and deployment process of the multidirectional airbag 30, is located above the frame duct 35. For this reason, the multidirectional airbag 30 is deployed forward along with the gas flow to the frame duct 35 as compared with the configuration in which the part to be unfolded is located downward, that is, on the head H side of the seated person D It is easy to be deployed in a mode beyond the head H of the seated person D.

  In particular, in the multidirectional airbag 30, the front inflating portion 40 is joined to each of the front ducts 35F of the pair of frame ducts 35. Therefore, the front inflating portion 40 (the front expanding portion 36) is expanded after being expanded up and down along with the expansion and expansion of the front duct 35F, and is less likely to interfere with the head H in the expansion and expansion process. Further, in the multidirectional airbag 30, each lateral expansion portion 44 is joined to each of the front duct 35F and the upper duct 35U of the corresponding frame duct 35. For this reason, the lateral expansion portion 44 (lateral expansion portion 38) is expanded after being expanded with the expansion and development of the front duct 35F, and is less likely to interfere with the head H in the expansion and expansion process. Moreover, since the delayed expansion portion 64 is provided, for example, the capacity (deployment thickness) of the lateral expansion portion 44 can be set small, and the lateral expansion portion 44 which is less likely to interfere with the head H in the expansion and expansion process is obtained. It is also possible.

  In addition, the multidirectional airbag 30 has a cross inflating portion 48A that connects the upper ducts 35U of the pair of frame ducts 35 that are inflated and spread apart in the seat width direction. That is, multidirectional airbag 30 configured as an integral bag body in order to form an integral inflatable portion continuous with cross inflatable portion 48A of multidirectional airbag 30 and a pair of upper ducts 35U above head H. It is stable and easy to be expanded and deployed.

[Ensuring the expansion and deployment of multi-directional airbag by deployment induction cloth]
Furthermore, the multidirectional airbag device 20 constituting the occupant protection device 10 is provided with a deployment guiding cloth 58 whose surface on the side in contact with the multidirectional airbag 30 is a low friction surface. The deployment guiding cloth 58 is deployed along the ceiling of the cabin of the automobile prior to the multidirectional airbag 30 as the multidirectional airbag 30 is inflated and deployed. Since this deployment induction cloth 58 has lower friction with respect to the multidirectional airbag 30 than the cabin ceiling material, the multidirectional airbag 30 can be smoothly inflated and deployed as compared with the configuration without the deployment induction cloth 58. It can be done.

  As a result, the deployment guiding cloth 58 prevents the multidirectional airbag 30 in the inflation and deployment process from being caught on the cabin ceiling and the members provided on the ceiling. In other words, the multidirectional airbag 30 can be smoothly inflated and deployed while using the cabin ceiling as a guide (a limiter that restricts upward movement) that inflates and deploys the multidirectional airbag 30 forward. Can.

[Ensuring expansion and expansion of multi-directional airbag by module case]
Furthermore, in the multidirectional airbag device 20 constituting the occupant protection device 10, the module case 34 projects to the upper side of the headrest main body 19 and to both sides in the seat width direction. Therefore, the multidirectional airbag 30 can be developed forward from a portion (a gap portion with the headrest main body 19) projecting in the seat width direction with respect to the headrest main body 19 in the front view of the module case 34. Thus, compared with the configuration provided with the multidirectional airbag in which the headrest main body 19 is deployed forward only from the upper portion, the inflation and deployment of the multidirectional airbag 30 can be completed in a short time.

  Also, the module case 34 accommodates the multidirectional airbag 30 between the headrest main body 19 and the headrest main body 19 at its rear, and the main wall 34M supports the multidirectional airbag 30 in the process of inflation and deployment from the rear Do. Therefore, as the multidirectional airbag 30 is inflated and deployed, the reaction force is supported from the rear by the main wall 34M, and the multidirectional airbag 30 is inflated and deployed forward without going rearward. As a result, the multidirectional airbag 30 can be inflated and deployed in a proper manner (position, shape) as compared with a configuration in which the main wall does not have the support wall (function) in the module case 34.

  Furthermore, the main wall 34M of the module case 34 has a curved shape that is convex rearward and upward in a side view so that the upper end is positioned forward with respect to the lower end. For this reason, the multidirectional airbag 30, which is folded at the rear of the headrest main body 19, faces upward in the module case 34 at the initial stage of the inflation and deployment, and the main wall 34M when being deployed outside the module case 34. It is guided to the upper front by That is, the multidirectional airbag 30 in the inflation and deployment process is deployed forward while being over the head H of the seated person D by being guided to the upper front by the main wall 34M of the module case 34. Thus, the multidirectional airbag 30 can be inflated and deployed in a proper manner (path) as compared with a configuration in which the main wall 34M does not have (the function of) the guide wall.

[Other effects of module case etc.]
Further, in the multidirectional airbag device 20 constituting the occupant protection device 10, the module case 34 in which the multidirectional airbag 30 and the inflator 32 are accommodated is disposed behind the headrest main body 19. For this reason, compared with the structure which accommodates the multidirectional airbag 30 and the inflator 32 in the seat back 16, for example, it is hard to receive restrictions by the structure of the vehicle seat 12. FIG. In other words, the multidirectional airbag device 20 can be provided on the vehicle seat 12 without largely changing the structure of the vehicle seat 12.

  Furthermore, the multidirectional airbag 30 in the folded state is disposed behind the upper portion 19SU and the middle portion 19SC of the headrest stay 19S. Thus, the multidirectional airbag 30 is disposed, for example, in a wide space at the rear of the headrest stay 19S having a crank shape as compared with a configuration in which the headrest stay 19S in the vertical shape is disposed at the rear of the straight shape. Ru. Thereby, the multidirectional airbag 30 can be accommodated in the headrest 18 while the headrest 18 including the module case 34 is configured to be compact as a whole. Furthermore, since the multidirectional airbag 30 in the folded state is disposed near the head H of the seated person D, the multidirectional airbag 30 can be surrounded by the head H of the seated person D in a short time. It can be expanded and deployed.

(Modification of delayed expansion section)
FIG. 8 shows a flat pattern of the multidirectional airbag 30 provided with the delayed inflation portion 72 according to the modification. As shown in this figure, the delayed expansion portion 72 according to the modification is configured to be disposed inside the lateral expansion portion 44 by folding the lateral expansion portion 44. A non-inflatable portion 74 forming a lower end 44 B of the lateral inflating portion 44 is formed between the lateral inflating portion 44 and the delayed inflating portion 72. The non-inflatable portion according to this modification is configured as a portion surrounded by an annular (endless) seam extending in the front and back direction.

  A communication passage 72R through which gas supplied from the lateral expansion portion 44 to the delay expansion portion 72 passes is formed on both sides of the non-inflatable portion 74. The communication passage 72R formed in the non-inflatable portion 74, which is a folded back portion, is closed until the lateral expanded portion 44 is expanded and deployed, and hardly generates a gas flow from the lateral expanded portion 44 to the delayed expanded portion 72. It is assumed. Even with the configuration provided with the delayed expansion portion 72 according to the present modification, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described based on FIG. The same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are given to the configurations and operations basically similar to those in the first embodiment, and the description and illustration thereof may be omitted.

  9 (A) and 9 (B), the occupant protection device 80 according to the second embodiment is shown in a schematic plan sectional view corresponding to FIGS. 7 (A) and 7 (B). It is done. As shown in these figures, the multidirectional airbag device 20 constituting the occupant protection device 80 includes a multidirectional airbag 82 as an airbag instead of the multidirectional airbag 30 in the first embodiment, Instead of the tether 68, a tether 84 as a tension structure is provided.

  The multidirectional air bag 82 is configured such that the lateral deployment portion 38 does not include the delayed inflation portion 64, and the front deployment portion 36 does not include the front inflation portion 40 in the first embodiment and the front inflation portion 86 and the delay. The multidirectional airbag 30 differs from the multidirectional airbag 30 in that it is configured to include the inflating portion 88. In this embodiment, the lateral inflation portion 44 corresponds to the lateral bag in the present invention. The front inflating portion 86 and the delayed inflating portion 88 correspond to the front bag in the present invention.

  The front inflating portion 86 is configured to include three upper and lower inflating portions 86A aligned in the seat width direction and a lower inflating portion (not shown). The lower inflating portion is configured in the same manner as the lower inflating portion 40L of the multidirectional airbag 30. In this embodiment, non-inflatable portions 42A are formed at two places apart in the sheet width direction.

  Further, although not shown, the delayed expansion portion 88 is disposed inside the front expansion portion 86 by folding the lower end of the front expansion portion 86 (lower expansion portion), and Gas is supplied from the front inflating portion 86 through the passage. That is, the delayed expansion portion 88 is configured in the same manner as the delayed expansion portion 72 with respect to the lateral expansion portion 44. As a result, when the front expansion portion 86 is expanded and deployed, the delayed expansion portion 88 is configured such that the communication passage is opened and gas is supplied from the front expansion portion 86 and expanded after expansion and deployment of the front expansion portion 86. ing. In this embodiment, the delayed expansion portion 88 includes a pair of upper and lower expansion portions 88A which extend in the vertical direction and are expanded and deployed side by side in the sheet width direction.

  One end 84 A of the tether 84 is connected (fixed) to the headrest main body 19. Further, the other end 84B of the tether 84 is connected (fixed) to the non-inflatable portion 42A that divides the three upper and lower inflatable portions 86A by sewing or the like from the rear side in the inflated and deployed state. That is, the left and right tethers 84 are connected to the front inflating portion 86 via the non-inflating portions 42A, respectively. The intermediate portion of the tether 84 is slidably passed between the slit 90 formed in the non-inflatable portion 42B and the pair of upper and lower inflatable portions 88A.

  As a result, a part of the tether 84 at one end 84A is disposed outside the multidirectional airbag 82, and a part at the other end 84B is disposed inside the multidirectional airbag 82. The material of the tether 84 is the same as the material of the tether 68.

  The tether 84 is configured to function to pull the front inflating portion 86 rearward as the delayed inflating portion 88 expands and deploys. Hereinafter, this tensile action will be described together with portions different from the action of the first embodiment in the action of the present embodiment.

[Functional effect by tension structure]
The multidirectional airbag device 20 or the occupant protection device 80 includes a tether 84 that pulls the front inflating portion 40 rearward as the delayed inflating portion 88 inflates and deploys. As a result, the front inflating portion 86, which is inflated and deployed away from the head H, can be brought closer to the head H (moved backward) as the delayed inflating portion 88 is inflated and deployed.

  Specifically, at the initial stage of the inflation and deployment of the multidirectional airbag 82, as shown in FIG. 9A, the frame duct 35 precedes the front inflating portion 86, the delayed inflating portion 88, and the lateral inflating portion 44. Is inflated and deployed. At this time, the lateral expansion portion 44 extends back and forth, and does not prevent the upper duct 35U of the frame duct 35 from passing above the head H. That is, the front duct 35F of the frame duct 35 is expanded and deployed forward away from the head H without being restrained by the lateral expansion portion 44. For this reason, interference with the head H in the process of inflation and deployment of the multidirectional airbag 82 is effectively suppressed.

  Then, gas is supplied to the front expansion portion 86 and the lateral expansion portion 44 from the frame duct 35 (mainly the front duct 35F) expanded and expanded, and the front expansion portion 86 and the lateral expansion portion 44 are expanded and expanded. Furthermore, when gas is supplied from the inflated and deployed front inflation portion 86 to the delay expansion portion 88 through the communication passage (not shown), the thickness of the delay expansion portion 88 increases in the front-rear direction, as shown in FIG. To be expanded and expanded. Then, the tether 84 is pushed backward by the delayed inflating portion 88, and the portion along the inner circumference (contact) of the delayed inflating portion 88 becomes longer.

  Thereby, a part of the end 84 A of the tether 84 is drawn into the inside of the multidirectional airbag 82 through the slit 90. That is, tension is applied to the tether 84, and this tension pulls the front inflating portion 86 rearward and approaches the head H.

  As described above, in the occupant protection device 80, the front portion (the front duct 35F, the front expansion portion 86) of the multidirectional airbag 82 is large relative to the head H at the initial stage of the inflation and deployment of the multidirectional airbag 82. It can be moved forward to ensure the deployability of the multidirectional airbag 82. Then, at the end of the inflation and deployment of the multidirectional airbag 82, the front inflating portion 86 can be brought close to the head H by the tether 84.

  Thus, the occupant protection device 80 deploys the multidirectional air bag 82 closer to the head H while securing the deployability of the multidirectional air bag 82 housed in the headrest 18, The restraint of the head H by the bag 82 can be improved. That is, the occupant protection device 80 can achieve both the deployability of the multidirectional airbag 82 and the restraint of the head H by the multidirectional airbag 82 at a high level.

  In addition, since a part of the tether 84 is disposed inside the multidirectional airbag 82 and the other part is disposed outside the multidirectional airbag 82, the tether 84 is expanded by the delayed inflating portion 88 that inflates and deploys. The azimuth airbag 82 can be pushed inward (rearward). That is, with the simple configuration, by the tether 84 to which a tension is applied as the delayed expansion portion 88 expands and deploys, it is possible to obtain a configuration that serves to pull the front expansion portion 86 rearward.

  In particular, in the occupant protection device 80, the tension is applied to the tether 84 by the delayed inflating portion 88 in which the multidirectional airbag 82 is inflated and deployed after the front inflating portion 86 is inflated and deployed. For this reason, compared with a configuration in which tension is applied to the tether 84 by the expansion portions other than the delayed expansion portion 88, the front expansion portion 86 is further placed forward of the head H relative to the head H at the initial stage of expansion and deployment of the multidirectional airbag 82. It can be expanded and deployed away. Alternatively, the front inflating portion 86 can be brought closer to the head H when the multidirectional air bag 82 is fully inflated and deployed. That is, the occupant protection device 80 contributes to the improvement of at least one of the deployability of the multidirectional airbag 82 and the restraint of the head H by the multidirectional airbag 82.

[Functional effect by delayed expansion section]
Furthermore, since the multidirectional airbag 82 is configured to include the delayed inflating portion 88, the front deployment portion 36 is deployed closer to the head H as compared with the configuration not including the delayed inflating portion 88. . Therefore, the multidirectional airbag 30 can firmly restrain the head H from the front. As a result, the head H of the seated person D can be protected more effectively against frontal collision, oblique collision, and small lap collision described later. Moreover, since the delayed expansion portion 88 is provided, for example, the capacity (deployment thickness) of the front expansion portion 86 can be set smaller than that of the front expansion portion 40, and the front expansion portion 86 has a head H in the expansion and expansion process. It is also possible to make the configuration more difficult to interfere with the

[Others]
In addition to the above-described functions and effects, the occupant protection device 80 according to the second embodiment is basically the same as the functions and effects except that the front inflating portion 40 and the delayed inflating portion 64 in the first embodiment are provided. The same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. In the second embodiment, an example is shown in which a part of the end 84A of the tether 84 is disposed outside the lateral expansion portion 44, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a portion of the end 84A of the tether 84 may be disposed inside the lateral expansion portion 44 through a slit formed in a portion of the non-inflatable portion 46 located in front and rear of the lateral expansion portion 44. In this configuration, a part of the tether 84 is disposed outside the front duct 35F and the rear duct 35R. In this configuration, the amount of pulling in of the tether 84 from the outside of the multidirectional airbag 82 by the inward pushing of the tether 84 by the lateral inflating portion 44 is increased, that is, the amount of tension to pull the front inflating portion 40 backward is increased. Is also possible.

(Modification of tension structure)
In each of the above-described embodiments, an example is shown in which the other ends 68B and 84B of the pair of tethers 68 and 84 as tension structures are connected to the front inflating portions 40 and 86 (the non-inflating portions 42A). It is not limited to this. For example, a configuration according to a modification as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B may be adopted.

  A single tether 92 as a tension structure according to the modification shown in FIG. 10A is a portion where one end 92A and the other end 92B separate the rear duct 35R and the lateral expansion portion 44 in the non-expansion portion 46. , And the like are connected (fixed) from the inside of the multidirectional airbag 30. The middle portion of the tether 92 is slidably passed through the two slits 70. Thus, in the tether 92, a part on one end 92A side and a part on the other end 92B side is disposed inside the multidirectional airbag 30, and a middle part is disposed outside the multidirectional airbag 30. An intermediate portion of the tether 92 is not joined to the front inflating portion 40 and the front duct 35F (non-inflating portion 42). The material constituting the tether 92 is similar to the material constituting the tether 68.

  Further, as described above, the tether 92 is configured to perform a function of pulling the front inflating portion 40 rearward as the delayed inflating portion 64 inflates and deploys. That is, with the expansion and deployment of the delayed inflating portion 64, the multidirectional airbag 30 is pushed inward, and the length along the inner periphery of the delayed inflating portion 64 increases, and is positioned outside the front inflating portion 40 or the like. By pulling a part of the intermediate portion into the inside of the multidirectional airbag 30, the front inflating portion 40 is pulled rearward.

  One end 94A and the other end 94B of the single tether 94 as a tension structure according to the modification shown in FIG. 10B are connected (fixed) to the headrest main body 19. The intermediate portion of the tether 94 is slidably passed through two slits 90, a pair of upper and lower expansion portions 88A, and slits 96 formed in the two non-inflatable portions 42A. Thereby, a part of the tether 94 at the one end 94 A side and the other end 94 B side is disposed outside the multidirectional airbag 30. Further, in the tether 94, a part of the middle part is disposed inside the multidirectional airbag 30, and another part (middle part) of the middle part is outside the middle up and down expansion part of the three up and down expansion parts 86A. It is arranged. An intermediate portion of the tether 94 is not joined to the upper and lower expansion portions 86A (non-inflatable portion 42A). The material constituting the tether 94 is similar to the material constituting the tether 68.

  Further, as described above, the tether 94 is configured to perform a function of pulling the front inflating portion 86 rearward as the delayed inflating portion 88 inflates and deploys. That is, with the expansion and deployment of the delayed inflating portion 88, the multidirectional airbag 30 is pushed inward (rearward), and the length of the portion along the inner periphery of the delayed inflating portion 88 increases. The front inflating portion 86 is pulled rearward by pulling a part of the intermediate portion located at the inside of the multidirectional airbag 82 inside.

(Other modifications)
Although the occupant protection device 10 includes the side airbag device 22 in each embodiment described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the occupant protection device 10 may not include the side airbag device 22. Further, the configuration in which the occupant protection device 10 includes the side airbag device is not limited to the configuration in which the side airbag device is provided on the vehicle seat 12. For example, the occupant protection device 10 may be configured with a side airbag device provided at a side door or the like. Furthermore, although the occupant protection device 10 includes the side airbag device 22 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction in each embodiment described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the occupant protection device 10 may be configured to include a side airbag device disposed 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, although the passenger protection device 10 showed the example provided with the seatbelt apparatus 24 in each embodiment mentioned above, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the occupant protection device 10 may not include the seat belt device 24. Further, in the configuration in which the occupant protection device 10 includes the seat belt device, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the seat belt device is provided on the vehicle seat 12. For example, a retractor, an anchor, a buckle or the like may be provided on the vehicle body side. Further, in the configuration in which the occupant protection device 10 includes the seat belt device, the seat belt device is not limited to the three-point type, and may be a four-point or two-point seat belt device.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, an example is shown in which the vehicle seat 12 is disposed with the seat width direction aligned with the vehicle width direction, but the present 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 direction with respect to the vehicle body can be changed (rotation about the vertical axis). In such a configuration, the configuration provided with the multidirectional airbag 30 inflated and deployed around the head H of the seat occupant D can contribute to the good protection of the head H. Further, since the multidirectional airbag 30 and the like before inflation and deployment are accommodated in the headrest 18, they are less likely to interfere with the vehicle interior surface and the components inside the vehicle interior, and inhibit the operation of changing the direction of the vehicle seat 12 with respect to the vehicle body. Is suppressed or prevented.

  Furthermore, although the example in which the multidirectional airbag apparatus 20 was accommodated in the headrest 18 was shown in each above-mentioned embodiment, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the multidirectional airbag apparatus may be stored in the seat back 16, or may be stored in a headrest integrated seat back like a bucket type seat. Furthermore, the multidirectional airbag device 20 may be provided straddling the seat back 16 and the headrest 18. That is, the present invention is not limited to application to the configuration in which the headrest and the seat back are clearly distinguished. Also, for example, in the configuration in which the seat back 16 includes the backboard, the multidirectional airbag device 20 may be housed between the backboard and the seatback main body. Further, in the configuration in which the multidirectional airbag device 20 is provided in the headrest, the configuration is sufficient as long as the function of the headrest can be achieved. For example, even if the multidirectional airbag device 20 is provided between the cushioning material and the surface material of the headrest. good.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the multidirectional airbag 30 is inflated and deployed through the space between the module case 34 and the upper portion and the left and right side portions of the headrest main body 19 in the front view. It is not limited to this. For example, the multidirectional airbags 30 and 82 may be deployed only from above the headrest main body 19.

  Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example is shown in which the multidirectional airbag 30 is configured to include the upper deployment portion 48, but the present invention is not limited to this. A multidirectional airbag may be configured to include a frame duct including at least an upper duct, a front inflating portion, and left and right lateral inflating portions. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the configuration having the front duct 35F, and may be configured to supply gas from the front end of the upper duct 35U to the front inflatable portion 40 as the second bag, for example. Further, the frame ducts are not limited to the configuration in which the left and right pairs are provided like the frame duct 35, and may be configured as one expansion and deployment portion that is inflated and deployed so as to pass above the head portion H, for example.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the lower inflatable portion 40L of the front inflatable portion 40 is inflated and deployed in front of both the shoulder S and the chest B of the seat occupant D, but the present invention is limited thereto I will not. For example, the lower inflation portion 40L may be expanded and deployed in front of either the shoulder S or the chest B.

  Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example is shown in which the multidirectional airbag 30 is folded out of the roll, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the multidirectional airbag 30 may be stored in the headrest 18 or the like in another folding mode such as bellows folding.

  Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which the multidirectional airbag device 20 includes the deployment guiding cloth 58 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the deployment guiding cloth 58 may not be provided. For example, instead of providing the deployment induction cloth 58, the ceiling material of the cabin ceiling may be formed of a low friction material, or the cabin ceiling may be subjected to low friction processing.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the multidirectional airbag 30, 82 is configured to include the delayed inflating portions 64, 88. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the tethers 68 and 92 may be pushed inward of the multidirectional airbag 30 as the lateral inflation portion 44 inflates and deploys, and the front inflation portion 40 may be pulled rearward. For example, the tethers 84 and 94 may be pushed inward of the multidirectional airbag 82 as the front inflating portion 86 inflates and deploys, and the front inflating portion 86 may be pulled rearward.

  Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, one end (the other end) of the tethers 68, 84, 92, 94 is connected to the non-inflatable portion 46 or the headrest main body 19 which is the rear of the multidirectional airbag 30, 82. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, one end (other end) of the tension structure may be connected to the module case 34 and the seat back 16.

  Furthermore, although the example provided with the strip | belt-shaped tether 68, 84, 92, 94 as a tension structure was shown in each embodiment mentioned above, this invention is not limited to this. For example, a string-like strap may be provided as a tension structure. A plurality of such straps may be provided separately in the vertical direction.

  It goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the configurations (elements) of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined or rearranged as appropriate.

10 passenger protection device 16 seat back 18 headrest 30 multi-directional airbag (air bag)
40 Front inflatable section (front bag)
44 Lateral expansion (horizontal bag)
64 Delayed Expansion (Horizontal Bag)
68 Tether (Tension Structure)
72 Delayed Expansion (Horizontal Bag)
80 Passenger Protection Device 82 Multidirectional Airbag (Airbag)
84 · 92 · 94 tether (tension structure)
86 Front inflatable section (front bag)
88 Delayed expansion (front bag)

Claims (3)

The front bag has a front inflating portion located in front of the seat with respect to the head of the occupant in a state of being accommodated in the headrest or seat back, inflated and deployed in a gas supply state, and located on both sides in the seat width direction with respect to the head of the occupant An air bag comprising a pair of transverse bags and configured as an integral bag;
A tension structure connected at one end to the seat back and forth direction of the airbag, the headrest or the seat back, and pulling the front inflating portion rearward by a tension applied as the lateral bag or the front bag is inflated and deployed. The tension structure disposed in a height area that wraps with the head of the occupant in the inflated and deployed state of the airbag ;
Occupant protection device. The front bag has a front inflating portion located in front of the seat with respect to the head of the occupant in a state of being accommodated in the headrest or seat back, inflated and deployed in a gas supply state, and located on both sides in the seat width direction with respect to the head of the occupant An air bag comprising a pair of transverse bags and configured as an integral bag;
One end side is connected to the rear portion in the seat longitudinal direction of the airbag, the headrest or the seat back, the other end is connected to the front inflating portion, and it is slidably passed between the side bag and the front bag One part is disposed inside the air bag, and the other part is disposed outside the air bag, and the front inflating portion is loaded by a tension applied as the lateral bag or the front bag is inflated and deployed. A tension structure that pulls back
Occupant protection device provided with. The lateral bag or the front bag has a delayed inflating portion which receives gas supply and is expanded and deployed after the inflating and deploying of the front inflating portion,
The occupant protection system according to claim 2, wherein the tension structure is disposed inside the delay expansion portion.

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