JP2009119897A - Waist restraining device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure to contribute to cost reduction of the whole device allowing the use of a compact inflator such as a micro gas generator (MGG). <P>SOLUTION: This waist retraining device includes a gas supply means for supplying inflation gas at the occurrence of impact; an inflating means stored in a compressed state at a lower part of a seating part (hereinafter called "seat cushion") of a seat and inflated and deployed upward with the inflation gas; and a frame member arranged at the lower part of the seat cushion and pushing the seat cushion by the deployment of the inflating means. The frame member is formed in approximately U-shaped cross section using an aluminum or iron plate material. The forward movement of an occupant is restrained by the rise of the frame member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an occupant restraint device that restrains an occupant's waist when an impact such as a vehicle collision occurs.

When the vehicle collides forward, the occupant tries to move forward due to inertia. When the occupant is wearing the seat belt, the forward movement of the occupant can be suppressed to some extent by the restraining action of the shoulder belt and the waist belt of the seat belt device. In order to make this even more reliable, a waist restraint device that applies technology to limit the forward movement of the occupant by instantly raising the front end of the seat cushion when the vehicle suddenly decelerates due to a forward collision is proposed. Has been. For example, in a waist restraint device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, a metal bag is inflated and deployed by a gas generated in an inflator. The inflated and deployed metal bag pushes up the front end portion of the seat cushion, thereby restraining the forward movement of the occupant's waist (pelvis).
JP 2005-297580 A

  However, the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires an air bag with a large capacity (explosive amount) in order to restrain an occupant with a metal bag itself, which increases the cost. In addition, the large-capacity air bag increases the size of the device itself, and there is a problem in the capacity of accommodation in a limited space below the seat.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and an object thereof is to provide a structure that enables the use of a small inflator such as a micro gas generator (MGG) and contributes to the cost reduction of the entire apparatus. And

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure that contributes to downsizing of the waist restraint device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a waist restraint device for restraining a waist part of an occupant seated on a seat in a vehicle, a gas supply means for supplying an expansion gas when an impact occurs; An inflating means accommodated in a compressed state in the lower part and inflated and expanded upward by the inflating gas; disposed at the lower part of the seat cushion; And a frame member to be pushed up. Here, the frame member is made of an aluminum or iron plate-like material, and the cross section thereof is formed into a substantially U-shape. And it is characterized by restraining a passenger | crew's forward movement by the raise of the said frame member.

  A metal bellows can be adopted as the expansion means. Moreover, as a gas supply means, MGG (micro gas generator) etc. which are known small inflators can be used.

  The frame member is formed in a “U-shape” with the open portion facing the front side of the vehicle, but may be “U-shaped”. The front (vehicle traveling direction) of the frame is open, the opposite side is closed, and the portion corresponding to the closed side receives pressure from the pelvis of the occupant to absorb it.

  As described above, the “U” shape includes a U shape and an arc shape, and basically means a shape in which one end frame is bent to form two end portions. However, it is also possible to adopt a structure in which the side of the open portion of the “U” is a closed rectangle and the closed side is the rotation axis. In this case, the side serving as the rotation axis does not directly absorb the load and pressure from the occupant.

As described above, in the present invention, the frame member formed in a U-shape is raised by the expansion of the expansion means to restrain the vicinity of the pelvis of the occupant. It is possible to use a small one (for example, one having a small amount of explosives) as the gas supply means for supplying the expansion gas to the expansion means. Further, since the side opposite to the open part of the frame member is configured to be located in the vicinity of the occupant's pelvis, when the part corresponding to the closed side receives pressure from the occupant's pelvis, the frame The member itself is deformed and can absorb an impact.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail using embodiments. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a structure of a waist restraint device 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention and an arrangement in a lower part of a vehicle seat (seat cushion omitted). FIG. 2 is a side view showing the structure of the waist restraint device 21 according to the embodiment and the arrangement inside the vehicle seat, and shows a normal state (when the device is not operating). FIG. 3 is a side view showing the structure of the waist restraint device 21 according to the embodiment and the arrangement inside the vehicle seat, and shows a state when the impact is generated (when the device is operating).

  A waist restraint device 21 according to the present embodiment restrains the waist of an occupant M seated on a seat in a vehicle, an inflator (MGG) 27 as a gas supply means for supplying an inflation gas when an impact occurs, a seat A metal bag (metal bellows) 24 which is accommodated in a compressed state in a lower portion of the seating portion 17 (hereinafter referred to as “seat cushion”) and which is inflated and expanded upward by the inflation gas released from the inflator 27; A frame member 22 which is disposed in the lower part and moves upward by inflating and deploying the metal bag 24 to push up the seat cushion 17 and restrains the vicinity of the pelvis of the occupant M, and also an inflator (MGG) 27 as a gas expansion means. Holds the metal bag (metal bellows) 24 that expands and expands upward and the frame member 22 that restrains the vicinity of the pelvis of the occupant M The holding member (the rotating shaft 29 and the lower bracket 25) is provided. In this figure, the holding member (rotating shaft 29 and lower bracket 25) is divided, but there is no problem even if it is configured integrally. Here, the frame member 22 is formed in a U shape with an open portion facing the front side of the vehicle, and a side opposite to the open portion is positioned near the pelvis of the occupant M.

  The metal bag (metal bellows) 24 is formed into an ellipse, an ellipse, or a cylindrical shape, and is compressed into a bellows shape when housed. This metal ellipse, ellipse, or cylindrical bag is generally called a metal bellows, and the metal bellows 24 is formed of a metal material, a metal plate, or the like used for a normal metal bellows. The metal bag (metal bellows) 24 in the case of the present invention is made of stainless steel having an outer dimension of 40 to 100 mm and a length of 100 to 150 mm when inflated and deployed, and the plate thickness is in the range of 0.2 to 0.4 mm. Is found to be optimal. It has also been found that the internal pressure of the metal bellows 24 during the expansion and expansion is 2.0 MPa or more.

  The frame member 22 has a structure that absorbs an impact on the occupant M by being deformed by an external force in front of the vehicle. For example, an aluminum or iron plate-like member that is easily plastically deformed is used as a material, and the cross-section thereof is It can be formed into a generally U shape by pressing.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the seat pan 15 is attached to the right seat frame 12 and the left seat frame 13. Further, the bottom of the seat cushion 17 is instructed entirely by the seat pan 15. The waist restraint device 21 according to the present embodiment is disposed on the front side (the vehicle front side) of the seat frames 12 and 13. The left and right seat frames 12 and 13 have a mechanism for adjusting the height of the seat pan 15 up and down in the front, a rotary shaft 29 for a height adjuster mechanism (not shown), or a front frame member (front cross member) (not shown) Are connected to a rear frame member (rear cross member) 14.

  When the holding member (rotating shaft 29 and lower bracket 25) of the present embodiment is divided, the waist restraint device 21 has a notch portion or a recessed portion (metal bag (metal bellows) formed at the front end portion of the seat pan 15. ) 24 is arranged at a position where a notch is required) and operates without interfering with the seat pan 15. In other words, the notched part (recessed part) or the recessed part (the part of the metal bag (metal bellows) 24 requires a notch) in the seat pan 15 has a size that does not affect the operation of the waist restraining device 21. And processed into a shape. In the waist restraint device 21, the frame member 22 holds an inflator (MGG) 27 and a metal bag (metal bellows) 24 as gas supply means on the rotary shaft 29 for the height adjuster mechanism in front of the seat pan 15. In a state of being incorporated in the lower bracket 25, it is arranged so as to straddle the seat frames 12, 13 and is directly fixed to the upper part or the rear part of the seat frames 12, 13. Further, the waist restraining device 21 when the holding member (not shown) (the rotation shaft 29 and the lower bracket 25) is integrated is disposed so as to straddle the seat frames 12 and 13 in front of the seat pan 15, and the seat frame 12 , 13 is directly fixed to the upper part or the rear part.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet pan 15 is a plate-like member made of metal and having a predetermined thickness, for example, integrally processed into a concave shape. Further, in order to improve the strength, a plurality of protrusions that are partially uneven are provided, and the seat cushion 17 for seating surface is arranged to cover from below. The seat pan 15 is fixed to the seat frames 12 and 13 with bolts or the like, and the seat cushion 17 for the seating surface is hooked into the bent shape of the seat pan 15 or is hooked on a part thereof. The parts are sewn and the hooked parts are hooked and fixed to the seat pan 15 in accordance with the holed portions. The seat cushion 17 for the seat surface fixed to the upper surface side of the seat pan 15 is deformed according to the weight of the occupant M and is bent so as to be convex downward as a whole, thereby improving the comfort of the occupant (improving the sitting comfort). ing.

  In the waist restraint device 21 according to the present embodiment, the metal bag 24 is inflated and deployed obliquely upward by the high-temperature inflation gas released from the inflator 27, and the frame member 22 rotates (swings) about the rotation shaft 29 as a fulcrum. ). As shown in FIG. 2, the metal bag 24 is accommodated in a lower portion of the seat cushion 17 in a state before being inflated and deployed. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, when the metal bag 24 is inflated and deployed by the operation of the inflator 27, the frame member 22 rises and the seat cushion 17 rises and restrains the waist (pelvis) of the occupant M.

  FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the waist restraint device 21 according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the structure of the main part of the waist restraint device 21 according to the embodiment, and shows a normal state (when the device is not operating). FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a structure of a main part of the waist restraint device 21 according to the embodiment, and shows a state at the time of occurrence of an impact (at the time of operation of the device). FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the structure of the main part of the waist restraint device 21 according to the embodiment, and the operation from the normal state (when the device is not operating) to the state when the impact is generated (when the device is operating) is continuously performed. Shown in

  In FIG. 4, the lower bracket 25 is fixed to the seat frames 12 and 13 by fixing bolts 33 at the lateral sides. In FIG. 4, the left part of the lower bracket 25 is shown in an exploded state, and the right part is shown in an assembled state. Since the metal bag 24 is accommodated in a substantially central portion of the upper surface of the lower bracket 25, a recess 25b is provided as a whole. A through hole 25c for incorporating a cylindrical inflator case 26 for holding the inflator 27 is formed at the center of the recess 25b. As shown in FIG. 5, the inflator case 26 that houses the inflator 27 is screwed into the bottom surface of the metal bag 24 and fixed by a cap 28.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a top plate 23 b is provided on the upper part of the metal bag 24, and the two fixing bolts 35 are provided from the rear via the frame member 22 and the left and right fixing bolts. 34 is fastened and fixed to the slide shaft 31 from each side via the frame member 22 and the foot 30. A bellows tray 23 c is integrally provided on the top plate 23 b corresponding to the upper part of the metal bag 24.

  The foot 30 has an L-shaped end along the rotation axis 29 of the frame member 22 bent into an L shape, and is fitted into the slide shaft 31 through the foot hole 25a provided in the lower bracket 25. Are fixed. That is, it is possible to prevent the metal bag 24 from jumping out of the bellows tray 23c by restricting the amount of rotational movement of the frame member 22 about the rotation shaft 29 upward.

  The top plate 23b of the fixing portion is provided with a long hole in the front-rear direction shown in 23d of FIG. This is the long hole 23d for absorbing the shock to the occupant M by deforming the frame member 22 without being suppressed by the top plate 23b when the frame member 22 is deformed by an external force forward of the vehicle.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the upper part of the metal bag 24 has a convex hemispherical shape 24a, and the bellows tray 23c is in a normal state with a certain gap between the concave hemispherical shape 23b on the lower side ( (When the device is not in operation).

  FIG. 6 shows a state (at the time of operation of the apparatus) at the time of occurrence of an impact in which the metal bag 24 is inflated and deployed by the flow 27a of the inflation gas in the inflator 27.

  FIG. 7 shows that the transitional convex semispherical shape 24a of FIGS. 5 to 6 and the locus 24f of the metal bag contact point of the bellows tray 23c are in contact with the rotating shaft 29 on the outside. Move from the normal state (when the device is not operating) to the state when the impact is generated (when the device is operating). That is, the moment of the inflator 27 with respect to the rotating shaft 29 that is to be inflated and deployed by the inflating gas can be efficiently transmitted to the frame member 22 because the outer side contacts and moves. In addition, a convex semispherical shape 24a on the upper side of the metal bag 24 protrudes from the end of the concave hemispherical shape 23b on the lower side of the bellows tray 23c in consideration of the locus 24f of the metal bag contact point. In order to prevent this, an inwardly bent flange is provided on the entire circumference. By doing in this way, the metal bag 24 can be inflated and deployed linearly,

  The convex semispherical shape 24a at the top of the metal bag 24 can also be prevented from jumping out from the concave semispherical shape 23b of the bellows receiving tray 23c.

  FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are perspective views showing the assembly of the main part of the waist restraint device 21 according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the main part of the waist restraint device 21 according to the embodiment.

  In FIG. 8, the frame member 22 is fixed to two left and right frame member fixing portions 29 a provided on the rotating shaft 29, with the end portion formed in a U shape with the open portion facing the front side of the vehicle. . As shown in FIG. 10, the frame member notch dimension 22e matched to the outer dimension of the rotary shaft 29 and the cross section matched to the outer dimension of the frame member fixing part 29a are substantially On both sides pressed into a letter shape, elongated holes are provided in accordance with the outer dimensions of the spring pins 32 and further in accordance with the rotation angle of the frame member 22.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the end of one of the frame members 22 (shown on the left side in FIG. 8) is aligned with the frame member fixing portion 29a, and the assembly operation 22a to the assembly operation 22b are performed. Next, the end of the other frame member 22 (shown on the right side in FIG. 8) is aligned with the frame member fixing portion 29a, and the assembling operation 22c (this operation is performed by utilizing the elastic deformation of the frame member 22). The assembly operation 22d and the assembly operation are performed.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9, the spring pin 32 is inserted and fixed in accordance with the aforementioned long hole and the through hole formed in the frame member fixing portion 29a. At this time, since the through hole formed in the spring pin 32 and the frame member fixing portion 29a has a size to be press-fitted, the spring pin 32 is not detached by an external force after insertion.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the spring pin 32 is fixed, and the frame member 22 rotates in the range of the aforementioned long hole. That is, since the frame member 22 rotates within the range of the frame member notch position (normal state) 22f to the frame member notch position (expanded and deployed state) 22g, the spring pin 32 and the end face of the above-described elongated hole are forcibly forced. The range of rotation caused by the interference can be controlled in the same manner as the purpose of installing the foot 30.

  When a frontal collision of the vehicle occurs, an abnormal situation is detected by a well-known sensor (not shown), and the inflator 27 is activated. When the high-pressure gas generated by the operation of the inflator 27 is released into the metal bag 24, the state shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 is changed to the state shown in FIGS. That is, the metal bag 24 is inflated and deployed obliquely upward by the deployment inflation gas. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the frame member 22 connected to the metal bag 24 by the top plate 23 rotates (rotates, swings) with the two rotation shafts 29 at the left and right as fulcrums and rises. As a result, the front portion of the seat cushion 17 rises and restrains the occupant M from moving forward. At this time, a load from the pelvis Ma of the occupant M is applied to the rear side of the frame member 22, and the shock to the occupant M is absorbed or reduced by deformation.

  In the above-described embodiment, the frame member 22 has a shape in which a corner portion and a front end portion are bent. However, the frame member 22 may have a U-shape like a frame member 122 shown in FIG. Moreover, it can also be set as the shape where the corner | angular part and the front-end part bent like the frame members 222 and 322 shown in FIG.12 and FIG.13. That is, there is no problem if the side opposite to the open portion of the frame member 22 can be installed near the pelvis of the occupant M. Depending on the way of expression and the degree of bending of the corners, it can be said to be U-shaped.

As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these Examples at all, It can change in the category of the technical idea shown by the claim.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a structure of a waist restraint device according to an embodiment of the present invention and an arrangement in a lower part of a vehicle seat (seat cushion omitted). FIG. 2 is a side view showing the structure of the waist restraint device according to the embodiment and the arrangement inside the vehicle seat, and shows a normal state (when the device is not operating). FIG. 3 is a side view showing the structure of the waist restraint device and the arrangement inside the vehicle seat according to the embodiment, and shows a state when the impact is generated (when the device is operating). FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the structure of the waist restraint device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5: is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the structure of the principal part of the waist restraint apparatus based on an Example, and shows a normal state (at the time of apparatus non-operation). FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the structure of the main part of the waist restraint device according to the embodiment, and shows when an impact occurs (when the device is in operation). FIG. 7: is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the structure of the principal part of the waist | hip | lumbar part restraint apparatus which concerns on an Example, and shows the time of an impact generation (at the time of apparatus operation | movement). FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of the main part of the waist restraint device according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of the main part of the waist restraint device according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a main part of the waist restraint device according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another example of a frame member that can be employed in the waist restraint device according to the present invention. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing another example of a frame member that can be employed in the waist restraint device according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another example of a frame member that can be employed in the waist restraint device according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

21 Lumbar restraint device 22, 122, 222, 322 Frame member 22c, 222c Notch 23 Top plate 24 Metal bellows 27 Inflator (MGG)
29 Rotating shaft

Claims (3)

In a waist restraint device that restrains the waist of an occupant seated on a seat in a vehicle,
Gas supply means for supplying an expanding gas when an impact occurs;
Expansion means accommodated in a compressed state in a lower portion of a seating portion (hereinafter referred to as “seat cushion”) of the seat and inflated and expanded upward by the inflation gas;
A frame member disposed at a lower portion of the seat cushion and pushing up the seat cushion by the expansion of the inflating means;
The frame member is made of a plate-like material made of aluminum or iron, and its cross-section is formed into a substantially U-shape,
A waist restraint device that restrains the forward movement of an occupant by raising the frame member. The frame member is formed into a “U” shape with an open portion facing the vehicle front side,
A rotating shaft connected to two end portions on the open part side of the frame member is provided;
The waist restraint device according to claim 1, wherein the frame member has a structure in which a side opposite to the open portion rises with a connecting portion with the rotating shaft as a fulcrum. The rotating shaft has a stepped shape portion in which an outer dimension of a connecting portion with the frame member is increased,
The connecting portion of the frame member has a C-shaped end portion that engages with a stepped shape portion of the rotating shaft,
The waist restraint device according to claim 2, wherein the stepped shape portion and the C-shaped end portion are coupled using a spring pin.

Images