JP2010120411A - Occupant protection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an occupant protection device capable of effectively restraining movement of a seated occupant inward in the vehicle widthwise direction in side collision. <P>SOLUTION: A supporting member 20 of a far side airbag device 10 is provided between a driver's seat 12 and a front passenger seat 14, can take a storing posture positioned along an upper wall 16B of a center console 16 and a supporting posture to match the thickness direction with the vehicle widthwise direction above the center console 16, and is transferred to the supporting posture by energizing force of a torsion coil spring 28 as an actuator 32 releases a locked state in the storing posture by a lock 26 when the side collision of a vehicle is detected or predicted. The supporting member 20 is configured to support a far side airbag 40 to be expanded and deployed to the side of the seated occupant in the side collision from the inside in the vehicle widthwise direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an occupant protection device.

A technique is known in which an airbag is deployed between occupants sitting next to each other in the vehicle width direction to prevent contact between these occupants during a side collision (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). ).
JP 2004-217109 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-121156

  However, in the conventional technology as described above, for example, when an occupant is seated only in one of the seats adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction, the movement of the occupant in the vehicle width direction is restricted only by the airbag. There is room for improvement.

  In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain an occupant protection device that can effectively prevent a seated occupant from moving inward in the vehicle width direction during a side collision.

  The occupant protection device according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the vehicle seat, and is retracted with respect to the retracted posture positioned along the surface of the vehicle interior member and the vehicle interior member. A support member capable of taking a support posture in which the thickness direction coincides with the vehicle width direction, drive means for driving the support member from the retracted posture to the support posture when a side collision of the vehicle is detected or predicted, and the support posture And a buffer member for restricting movement of the seated occupant inward in the vehicle width direction while being deformed on the vehicle seat side with respect to the support member.

  In the occupant protection device according to the first aspect, when the side collision to the applied vehicle is detected or predicted, the attitude of the support member is switched from the retracted attitude to the supported attitude by the driving means. For this reason, when the seated occupant of the vehicle seat tries to move inward in the vehicle width direction, the occupant inward in the vehicle width direction via the buffer member positioned on the vehicle seat side with respect to the support member taking the support posture. Movement (load) is supported by the support member. That is, in this occupant protection device, since the support member supports the reaction force of the buffer member to which a load is input from the seat occupant, the support reaction force is not insufficient as in the configuration in which the buffer member is self-supporting. Can be effectively suppressed from moving inwardly in the vehicle width direction.

  Thus, in the occupant protection device according to the first aspect, it is possible to effectively suppress the seated occupant from moving inward in the vehicle width direction at the time of a side collision. In addition, since the support member normally takes the retracted posture, the above-described effect can be obtained with a configuration in which the amount of space in the vehicle interior space is small. It should be noted that “positioned along the surface of the vehicle interior member” in claim 1 includes a form superimposed on the surface of the vehicle interior member, a form constituting the surface of the vehicle interior member, and a surface of the vehicle interior member. The form accommodated inside the member to perform shall be included.

  The occupant protection device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the occupant protection device according to the first aspect, wherein the cushioning member is an airbag that is deployed by receiving gas supply when the support member assumes a support posture. .

  In the occupant protection device according to claim 2, the airbag receives gas supply when the driving means switches the support member to the support posture or after switching, and the airbag is inflated between the support member in the support posture and the vehicle seat. ,Be expanded. Thereby, in this passenger | crew protection device, it can suppress effectively that this passenger | crew moves inward of a vehicle width direction, relieving the load which acts on a passenger | crew. Moreover, since the airbag is normally folded, the occupation amount of the passenger compartment space at the normal time can be further reduced.

  The occupant protection device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the occupant protection device according to the second aspect, wherein the airbag is built in the support member, receives gas supply, and receives the gas from the support member and the vehicle seat. It is configured to be deployed in between.

  In the occupant protection device according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the airbag is built in the support member that normally takes the retracted posture, the occupied amount of the passenger compartment space at the normal time can be further reduced.

  The occupant protection device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the occupant protection device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the support member is stored in the vehicle width direction inner side with respect to the vehicle seat. At least a part of the lid member that opens and closes the opening portion that opens upward in the portion is configured.

  In the occupant protection device according to the fourth aspect, since at least a part of the lid member of the storage portion is raised to restrict the movement of the occupant in the vehicle width direction, the vehicle interior space during normal use is more widely utilized. It becomes possible.

  As described above, the occupant protection device according to the present invention has an excellent effect that the seated occupant can be effectively prevented from moving inward in the vehicle width direction at the time of a side collision.

  A far side airbag device 10 as an occupant protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, arrow FR, arrow UP, arrow RH, and arrow LH which are appropriately described in each figure are the front direction (traveling direction), upward direction, and front side of the vehicle A to which the far-side airbag device 10 is applied, respectively. The right side and the left side (one in the vehicle width direction and the other) are shown. First, the outline | summary of the structure used as the premise of the application of the far side airbag apparatus 10 in the motor vehicle A is demonstrated, and suppose that the far side airbag apparatus 10 is demonstrated.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the front portion in the compartment C of the automobile A when the far-side airbag device 10 is in an inoperative state. As shown in this figure, a driver's seat 12 as a vehicle seat is arranged on the right side in the front part in the passenger compartment C, and a passenger seat as a vehicle seat is on the left side in the front part in the passenger compartment C. 14 is arranged. A center console 16 as a vehicle interior member is disposed between the driver's seat 12 and the passenger seat 14. The center console 16 extends along the vehicle front-rear direction, and is configured as a storage portion in which at least a part of the front-rear direction is a storage space 16A. Note that the driver seat 12 and the passenger seat 14 may be arranged in the opposite direction.

  Further, side airbag devices 18 are provided on the outer sides in the vehicle width direction of the seat backs 12A and 14A constituting the driver seat 12 and the passenger seat 14, respectively. When the side airbag device 18 detects or predicts a side collision, an inflator (not shown) is actuated so that the side airbag 18A that has received the gas supply from the inflator is replaced with a driver's seat as shown in FIG. 12, It is comprised so that it may expand | swell and expand in the vehicle width direction outer side of the seated passenger | crew P of the passenger seat 14. Therefore, the side airbag device 18 suppresses the movement of the seated occupant of the driver seat 12 and the passenger seat 14 to the outside in the vehicle width direction.

  The far-side airbag device 10 is applied to the automobile A and is provided so as to suppress the movement of the seated occupant P of the driver seat 12 and the passenger seat 14 in the vehicle width direction. This will be specifically described below.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the far-side airbag device 10 is provided on an upper wall (top plate portion) 16B as a surface of a vehicle interior member that covers the storage space 16A in the center console 16, and the upper wall 16B A support member 20 configured to be able to appear and retract is provided. In this embodiment, a pair of left and right support members 20 are provided. Each support member 20 is configured to have a retracted attitude stored in the upper wall 16B as shown in FIG. 2 and an upright attitude as a support attitude that protrudes from the upper wall 16B as shown in FIG. Yes. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3A, each support member 20 is supported in such a manner that an end 20A on the outer side in the vehicle width direction in the retracted position is rotatable about a rotation shaft 22 along the vehicle longitudinal direction. It is configured to turn around the turning shaft 22 and shift from the retracted posture to the standing posture. As shown in FIG. 3B, the standing posture of each support member 20 is a posture in which the rotation shaft 22 is positioned at the lower end thereof.

  A striker 24 is provided at the end 20B of each support member 20 on the opposite side to the rotation shaft 22 so as to protrude downward in the vehicle vertical direction in the retracted position. Further, the far-side airbag device 10 includes a lock 26 that is detachably attached to each support member 20. As shown in FIG. 3A, in a state where the lock 26 is engaged with each striker 24, each support member 20 is held in the respective storage position.

  Furthermore, the far-side airbag device 10 includes a torsion coil spring 28 as an urging member that urges each support member 20 to the respective standing position side (see arrow R). The torsion coil spring 28 is disposed around the rotation shaft 22 of the corresponding support member 20, one end is locked to the corresponding support member 20, and the other end is locked to the center console 16 (vehicle body side member). As a result, the corresponding support members 20 are urged toward the standing posture. As shown in FIG. 3B, the support member 20 is engaged with a stopper 30 provided on the center console 16 so as to prevent the support member 20 from rotating in the arrow R direction beyond the standing posture. It has become. The stopper 30 (function) may be configured so that a standing posture locking mechanism 34 described later also serves as the stopper 30.

  As described above, in the far-side airbag device 10, when the engagement between the lock 26 and the striker 24 of each support member 20 is released, each support member 20 stands up from the retracted position by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 28. Transition to posture. Then, as shown in FIG. 3C, the far-side airbag device 10 has an actuator 32 for driving from an engagement position where the lock 26 engages each striker 24 to a release position where the engagement is released. It has. The actuator 32 is configured as a solenoid, for example, and operates to rotate the lock 26 around the support pin 26A to drive from the engagement position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3C to the release position indicated by the imaginary line. It is supposed to be configured. The operation of the actuator 32 is controlled by an ECU 46 described later. In this embodiment, the striker 24, the lock 26, the torsion coil spring 28, the stopper 30, the actuator 32, and the ECU 46 correspond to drive means in the present invention.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the far-side airbag device 10 is a standing posture locking mechanism 34 for maintaining each supporting member 20 that has been shifted to the standing posture in the standing posture. It has. The standing posture locking mechanism 34 includes a concave engaged portion 35 formed at the end portion 20A on the rotating shaft 22 side of each support member 20, a lock member 36 that can be engaged with the engaged portion, And a lock spring 38 that biases the member 36 toward the end 20 </ b> A of the support member 20. The locking member 36 is guided (supported) by a guide portion (not shown) provided on the center console 16 side so as to be relatively displaceable only in a predetermined linear direction with respect to the center console 16.

  In the standing posture locking mechanism 34, in the retracted posture of the support member 20, the lock member 36 is pressed against the outer peripheral portion of the end portion 20A of the support member 20 by the urging force of the lock spring 38, and the support member 20 reaches the standing posture. The lock member 36 is inserted into the engaged portion 35 by the urging force of the lock spring 38. The support member 20 is locked in the standing position by inserting the lock member 36 into the engaged portion 35 of the support member 20 (engagement in the rotation direction around the rotation shaft 22).

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A, the far side airbag device 10 includes a pair of left and right far side airbags 40 as airbags built in the respective support members 20. Each far-side airbag 40 is inflated and deployed outward in the vehicle width direction from the support member 20 taking a standing posture as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3B by receiving gas supply from the inflator 42. It has become so. For this reason, a tear portion 44A (see FIG. 3A) that is broken (cleaved) by the inflation pressure of the far-side airbag 40 is formed on the skin 44 that forms the design surface of the upper wall 16B in the retracted posture of the support member 20. ) Is formed. In this embodiment, the inflator 42 is built in the corresponding support member 20 together with the corresponding far side airbag 40.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the far-side airbag device 10 includes an ECU 46 as a control device that controls the operation thereof. The ECU 46 is electrically connected to the actuator 32 and the left and right inflators 42, respectively, and controls their operation (timing). The ECU 46 is electrically connected to a side collision sensor 48 for detecting or predicting a side collision with the automobile A.

  The ECU 46 activates the actuator 32 and activates each inflator 42 when a side collision is detected or predicted based on a signal from the side collision sensor 48. The ECU 46 may be configured to operate the inflator 42 on condition that a seated passenger is present in the driver seat 12 and the passenger seat 14, for example. In this case, for example, a seating presence signal from the seating sensor of the passenger seat 14, a buckle coupling signal from the buckle sensor of the seat belt device, or the like can be used as the operating condition of the inflator 42. In this embodiment, the ECU 46 also has a function of controlling the operation of the side airbag device 18 and can be regarded as a control device for handling a side collision.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  In the far-side airbag device 10 having the above-described configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, the left and right support members 20 that normally take the storage posture are stored in the upper wall 16 </ b> B of the center console 16. When a side collision of the collision object I to the automobile A is detected or predicted based on a signal from the side collision sensor 48, the ECU 46 activates the side airbag device 18 and activates the actuator 32 and the inflator 42.

  Then, in the side airbag device 18, the side airbag 18 </ b> A inflated and deployed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the seated occupant of the driver seats 12 and 14 suppresses the movement of the seated occupant toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the passengers seated in the driver's seats 12 and 14 are prevented from directly interfering with the inner surface member (side door or the like) of the passenger compartment C, and are protected against side collisions.

  On the other hand, in the far side airbag device 10, the engagement of the lock 26 with respect to each striker 24 is released by the operation of the actuator 32, and each support member 20 shifts from the retracted position to the standing posture by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 28. . Along with this transition, the lock member 36 of the standing posture locking mechanism 34 is inserted into the engaged portion 35 of the support member 20, and the support member 20 is locked in the standing posture.

  Further, when the inflator 42 is operated, the gas generated by the inflator 42 is supplied to the far side airbag 40. In response to this gas supply, the far-side airbag 40 is inflated and breaks the skin 44 of the support member 20 at the tier portion 44A, and is inflated and deployed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the seated occupant of the driver seat 12 and the passenger seat 14. . Accordingly, the far-side airbag 40 on the passenger seat side suppresses the movement of the anti-collision side (seat occupant of the passenger seat 14 in the example of FIG. 2) inward in the vehicle width direction (driver seat 12 side). In addition, it is possible that the seated occupant of the driver's seat 12 protected by the side airbag 18A of the side airbag device 18 is swung back and moved inward in the vehicle width direction (passenger seat 14 side) at the initial stage of the side collision. It is suppressed by the far-side airbag 40 on the side.

  Here, the far-side airbag device 10 has a structure in which the support member 20 taking a standing posture is positioned on the inner side in the vehicle width direction (opposite side) with respect to the far-side airbag 40. The reaction force at the time of supporting can be supported by the support member 20. In particular, since the far-side airbag device 10 includes the standing posture locking mechanism 34 that locks the supporting member 20 in the standing posture, the support reaction force of the far side airbag 40 can be firmly supported by the supporting member 20. .

  For this reason, in the far side airbag device 10, the movement of the seated occupant to the vehicle width direction inner side (next seat side) can be effectively suppressed while the far side airbag 40 is firmly supported by the support member 20. Further, since the far-side airbag device 10 has a structure that supports the support reaction force of the far-side airbag 40 without depending on the presence of the passenger in the adjacent seat, only the driver's seat 12 or the passenger's seat 14 has the structure. Even when the passenger is seated, the movement of the seated occupant toward the vehicle width direction inner side (next seat side) can be effectively suppressed (a large movement as indicated by an imaginary line in FIG. 1 can be prevented).

  Further, in the far-side airbag device 10, the far-side airbag 40 is inflated and deployed to effectively restrain the seated occupant from moving inward in the vehicle width direction (next seat side). However, the movement of the seated occupant to the vehicle width direction inner side (next seat side) can be effectively suppressed. That is, the passenger protection performance is good.

  Moreover, in the far side airbag device 10, the support member 20 that is normally stored in the upper wall 16 </ b> B of the center console 16 is used as a reaction force support member of the far side airbag 40. This contributes to the wide use of the limited vehicle interior space during normal times, while effectively preventing the vehicle from moving inward in the vehicle width direction (next seat side). In other words, the movement of the far side airbag 40 can be suppressed and the occupant protection performance can be improved without reducing the vehicle interior space. In particular, since the far-side airbag device 10 has a configuration in which the far-side airbag 40 (and the inflator 42) is built in the support member 20, the entire device can be configured more compactly, and is limited in normal times. Contributes to the wider use of vehicle interior space.

  Further, in the far-side airbag device 10, since the support member 20 rotates outward in the vehicle width direction around the rotation shaft 22 and shifts to a standing posture, for example, when the center console 16 is used as an armrest. The far side airbag 40 can be deployed after the arm of the seated occupant P in the driver's seat 12 and the passenger seat 14 is favorably pushed sideways.

(Modification of arrangement of support member)
In the first embodiment described above, the far side airbag device 10 is provided on the upper wall 16B of the center console 16. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, FIG. ) And FIG. 4B, the support member 20 may serve as a lid member that opens and closes the upward opening 16C of the storage space 16A. For example, instead of the upper wall 16B of the center console 16, As shown in FIG. 5, the far-side airbag device 10 (the support member 20 incorporating the far-side airbag 40 and the like) is provided on the lid member 50 as the surface of the vehicle interior member that opens and closes the upward opening 16C of the storage space 16A. It is good also as a structure.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that parts and portions that are basically the same as those in the first embodiment or the previous configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment or the previous configuration, and description thereof is omitted.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6A shows a far-side airbag device 60 according to the second embodiment in a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3A, and FIG. The bag device 60 is shown in a sectional view corresponding to FIG. As shown in these drawings, the far-side airbag device 60 is configured to stand up the support member 20 from the retracted posture instead of the striker 24, the lock 26, the torsion coil spring 28, the stopper 30, the actuator 32, and the standing posture locking mechanism 34. The far side airbag apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment is different from the far side airbag apparatus 10 in that a support member erecting mechanism 62 is provided as a driving means for driving the posture.

  Specifically, the support member erecting mechanism 62 includes a pair of left and right links 64 that are rotatably connected to positions at which one end 64A is spaced from the rotation shaft 22 of the corresponding support member 20. The other end 64 </ b> B of each link 64 is slidably and rotatably inserted (guided) into a long hole 66 </ b> A formed in a support plate 66 fixed to the center console 16. The left and right elongated holes 66A are elongated in the vehicle width direction, and the other end 64B of the link 64 connected to the right support member 20 is inserted into the elongated hole 66A located on the left side. The other end 64B of the linked link 64 is inserted into a long hole 66A located on the left side. For this reason, the pair of links 64 are arranged so as to cross each other at the center in the longitudinal direction when viewed from the front.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, when the support member 20 is in the retracted position, the other end 64B of the link 64 is located at the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the long hole 66A, and is shown in FIG. Thus, when the support member 20 takes the standing posture, the other end 64B of the link 64 is configured to be positioned at the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the long hole 66A. Therefore, in this embodiment, the stopper that restricts the support member 20 from rotating in the arrow R direction beyond the standing posture at the other end 64B of the link 64 and the inner edge in the vehicle width direction of the long hole 66A in the support plate 66. Can be seen as being configured.

  Further, the support member erecting mechanism 62 includes a pair of cables 68 each having one end connected to the other end 64B of the corresponding link 64, and a cable take-up actuator 70 to which each other end of the pair of cables 68 is connected. I have. The cable take-up actuator 70 is actuated to take up the pair of cables 68 together. In this embodiment, an intermediate portion of each cable 68 is wound around a cable guide 72 disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction from the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the long hole 66A. As a result, when the cable winding actuator 70 is actuated and the pair of cables 68 are wound around the cable winding actuator 70, each support member 20 is moved from the retracted position shown in FIG. 6 (A) to FIG. 6 (B). It is the structure which transfers to the standing posture shown.

  The cable take-up actuator 70 has a built-in rotation lock mechanism or a speed reduction mechanism in which self-locking works, and is configured to resist the tension of the cable 68 in a state where each support member 20 takes a standing posture. ing. Therefore, also in the far side airbag device 60, the standing posture of each support member 20 is maintained.

  Although illustration is omitted, the cable winding actuator 70 is electrically connected to the ECU 46 together with each inflator 42. The ECU 46 operates the cable take-up actuator 70 and each inflator 42 when a side collision with the vehicle A is detected or predicted based on a signal from the side collision sensor 48. Other configurations of the far-side airbag device 60 are the same as the corresponding configurations of the far-side airbag device 10 including portions not shown.

  Therefore, also by the far side airbag device 60 according to the second embodiment, the same effect can be obtained basically by the same operation as the far side airbag device 10 according to the first embodiment. Further, the far-side airbag device 60 can eliminate the need for the striker 24, the lock 26, the torsion coil spring 28, the stopper 30, the actuator 32, and the standing posture locking mechanism 34 by providing the support member raising mechanism 62. Is simplified. In the far-side airbag device 60, the support member 20 is used as an opening / closing member for the storage space 16A as in the modification of FIG. 4, or the far-side airbag device 60 is incorporated in the lid member 50 as in the modification of FIG. You may do it.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 7A shows a far-side shock absorber 80 according to the third embodiment in a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3A, and FIG. 80 is shown in a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. As shown in these drawings, the far-side shock absorber 80 is different from the far-side airbag 40 and the inflator 42 in that an energy absorbing member 82 is provided on the support member 20. Different from the airbag device 10.

  The energy absorbing member 82 is, for example, a foam such as polyurethane foam, and is configured to be subjected to compressive deformation while generating a reaction force against a required compressive load. Other configurations of the far-side shock absorber 80 are the same as the corresponding configurations of the far-side airbag device 10 including portions not shown.

  Therefore, also by the far side shock absorber 80 according to the third embodiment, except for the operational effect by suppressing the movement of the seated occupant in the vehicle width direction (next seat side) by the deployed far side airbag 40, A similar effect can be obtained basically by the same operation as that of the far-side airbag device 10 according to the first embodiment. In the far-side shock absorber 80, the movement of the seated occupant in the vehicle width direction can be effectively suppressed while compressing and deforming the energy absorbing member 82 supported by the support member 20 with the reaction force.

  Thus, the structure which suppresses a passenger | crew's movement to the vehicle width direction inner side, without deploying the far side airbag 40, for example to the motor vehicle A (compact car etc.) with the short distance of the support member 20 which takes a standing posture, and a passenger | crew It is preferably applied. In the far-side shock absorber 80, the support member 20 is used as an opening / closing member for the storage space 16A as in the modification of FIG. 4, or the far-side shock absorber 80 is incorporated in the lid member 50 as in the modification of FIG. Also good.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the example in which the left and right support members 20 shift from the retracted posture to the standing posture by the operation of the common actuator 32 and the cable winding actuator 70 has been described. For example, the left and right support members 20 may be individually driven by the actuator.

  In the first and third embodiments described above, the example in which the standing posture locking mechanism 34 is provided to insert the lock member 36 into the engaged portion 35 of the support member 20 is shown, but the present invention is limited to this. Any lock mechanism may be employed as long as the structure can hold the support member 20 in a standing posture against the load from the seated occupant.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 8A shows a far-side airbag device 90 according to the fourth embodiment in a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3A, and FIG. The bag device 90 is shown in a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. As shown in these drawings, the far-side airbag device 90 is moved along the side wall 16D of the center console 16 in place of the support member 20 that is rotated around the rotation shaft 22 and is shifted from the retracted posture to the standing posture. The far-side airbag devices 10 and 60 according to the first to third embodiments and the far-side buffer are provided with a support member (slider) 92 that is shifted from the retracted posture to the standing (protruding) posture by sliding. Different from the device 80.

  Specifically, storage recesses 94 that open upward are formed between the storage space 16A and the side walls 16D on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the center console 16. The support member 92 can take a storage posture stored in the storage recess 94 and a standing posture in which a portion excluding a lower portion in the vehicle vertical direction protrudes above the upper wall 16B of the center console 16.

  In this embodiment, the support member 92 is shifted from the retracted posture to the standing posture while being guided by the concave walls (the side walls 16D and the side walls of the storage space 16A) of the storage recess 94. Further, the support member 92 taking the storage posture closes the opening of the storage recess 94. In this state, a cover or a door member that covers the upper end of the support member 92 may be provided. In this embodiment, the upward opening 16C of the storage space 16A is opened and closed by the lid member 95.

  The support member 92 incorporates a far side airbag 40 and an inflator 42 with the same structure as the support member 20. Although the skin 44 does not constitute the design surface of the center console 16, a tear portion 44 </ b> A serving as a fracture starting point is formed as in the case of the support member 20. The support member 92 is configured to be able to support the support reaction force of the far side airbag 40 by inserting the lower portion into the storage recess 94 in the standing posture as described above. In other words, the support member 92 is set such that the lower portion thereof is inserted (overlapped) into the storage recess 94 so that the support reaction force of the far-side airbag 40 can be supported.

  Further, the far-side airbag device 90 includes a support member erecting mechanism 96 as drive means for driving the support member 92 from the retracted position to the standing position. The support member standing mechanism 96 is provided for each of the left and right support members 92. Since these are basically symmetrical, only one support member standing mechanism 96 will be described (in the singular form). . The support member erecting mechanism 96 has one end connected to the lower portion of the support member 92 and a cable 68 wound around the roller 98 near the upper wall 16B and folded, and a cable winding to which the other end of the cable 68 is connected. A take-off actuator 70. The cable take-up actuator 70 is actuated to take up the cable 68 together. Accordingly, when the cable winding actuator 70 is operated and the cable 68 is wound around the cable winding actuator 70, the support member 92 is raised from the retracted position shown in FIG. 8A to the standing position shown in FIG. 8B. It is the structure which shifts to.

  The cable take-up actuator 70 incorporates a rotation lock mechanism or uses a speed reduction mechanism in which self-locking works, and is configured to withstand the tension of the cable 68 in a state where each support member 92 is in a standing posture. ing. Therefore, also in the far side airbag device 90, the standing posture of each support member 92 is maintained.

  Further, the cable winding actuator 70 is electrically connected to the ECU 46 together with each inflator 42. The ECU 46 operates the cable take-up actuator 70 and each inflator 42 when a side collision with the vehicle A is detected or predicted based on a signal from the side collision sensor 48. Other configurations of the far-side airbag device 90 are the same as the corresponding configurations of the far-side airbag device 10 including portions not shown.

  Therefore, also by the far side airbag device 90 according to the fourth embodiment, the same effect can be obtained basically by the same operation as the far side airbag device 10 according to the first embodiment. Further, in the far-side airbag device 90, by providing the support member erecting mechanism 62, the striker 24, the lock 26, the torsion coil spring 28, the stopper 30, the actuator 32, and the standing posture locking mechanism 34 can be eliminated. Is simplified.

  Further, in the far side airbag device 90, since the support member 92 having a vertically sliding structure is provided along the side wall 16 </ b> D of the center console 16, the far side airbag 40 and the inflator 42 are not built in the lid member 95. Therefore, the lid member lid member 95 can be configured to be lightweight. Therefore, the support reaction force of the far side airbag 40 can be firmly supported by the support member 92 while ensuring the usability of the center console 16 (the storage space 16A).

  In the fourth embodiment, the support member 92 is stored in the storage recess 94. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the support member 92 is the side wall 16D of the center console 16 ( A configuration in which the skin 44 forms a design surface) is also possible.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which the support member 20 shifts to a standing posture and restricts the movement of the occupant in the vehicle width direction at the time of a side collision with the automobile A is shown. For example, the far-side airbag devices 10 and 60 and the far-side cushioning device 80 may be operated when the automobile A rolls over in addition to the side collision.

  Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which the pair of left and right support members 20 and 92 support the reaction force of the far side airbag 40 and the energy absorbing member 82 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the left and right far side airbags 40 and the energy absorbing member 82 may be supported by the left and right common support members.

It is a front view showing typically the operation state of the far side airbag device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view showing typically the non-operating state of the far side airbag device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which expands and shows the far side airbag apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is a front sectional view at the time of non-operation, (B) is a front sectional view at the time of operation, (C ) Is an enlarged front view showing the lock and the actuator. It is a figure which shows the 1st modification of the far side airbag apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is a front sectional view at the time of non-operation, (B) is a front sectional view at the time of operation. is there. It is a side view which shows the 2nd modification of the far side airbag apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which expands and shows the far side airbag apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is a front sectional view at the time of non-operation, (B) is a front sectional view at the time of operation. It is a figure which expands and shows the far side shock absorber which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is a front sectional view at the time of non-operation, (B) is a front sectional view at the time of operation. It is a figure which expands and shows the far side airbag apparatus which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is a front sectional view at the time of non-operation, (B) is a front sectional view at the time of operation.

Explanation of symbols

10 Far-side airbag device (occupant protection device)
12 Driver's seat (vehicle seat)
14 Passenger seat (vehicle seat)
16 Center console (vehicle interior member)
16A storage space (storage section)
16C opening 16B upper wall (surface of vehicle interior member)
20 support member 24 striker (drive means)
26 Lock (drive means)
28 Torsion coil spring 30 Stopper (drive means)
32 Actuator (drive means)
40 Far-side airbag (buffer member, airbag)
46 ECU (drive means)
50 Lid member (surface of vehicle interior member)
60 Far-side airbag device (occupant protection device)
62 Support member standing mechanism (drive means)
80 Far side shock absorber (driving means)
82 Energy absorbing member (buffer member)
90 Far-side airbag device (occupant protection device)
92 Support Member 96 Support Member Standing Mechanism (Drive Unit)

Claims (4)

A retracted posture that is provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the vehicle seat and is positioned along the surface of the vehicle interior member, and a support posture that protrudes from the vehicle interior member and matches the thickness direction with the vehicle width direction. A support member that can be taken;
Drive means for driving the support member from a retracted position to a supported position when a side collision of the vehicle is detected or predicted;
A buffer member for regulating the movement of the seated occupant inward in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle seat relative to the support member taking the support posture while being deformed;
An occupant protection device.   The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the buffer member is an airbag that is deployed by receiving gas supply when the support member assumes a support posture.   The occupant protection device according to claim 2, wherein the airbag is built in the support member, and is configured to be deployed between the support member and the vehicle seat upon receiving gas supply.   The said supporting member comprises at least one part of the cover member which opens and closes the opening part opened upwards in the accommodating part located in the vehicle width direction inner side with respect to the said vehicle seat. The occupant protection device according to item 1.

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