CN100376434C - Vehicle occupant restraint system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle occupant restraint system is provided with an air bag restraint device including a first deploying portion deploying between a vehicle occupant and a portion in a vehicle, and a second deploying portion deploying related to the first deploying portion. The second deploying portion providing a support for the first deploying portion to receive at least a part of a load acting on the first deploying portion from a head of the vehicle occupant.

Description

Vehicle occupant restraint system and method

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of vehicle occupant restraint system, relate in particular to a kind of vehicle occupant restraint system that comprises seatbelt protective device and air bag.

Background technology

Application number is that the open text of the Japanese Patent of 7-186816 has disclosed a kind of seatbelt protective device, and this device comprises the airbag restraint device, and wherein air bag is stored in the shoulder hamess part of seatbelt.

Summary of the invention

Yet, according to the present inventor's research, in this structure, shoulder hamess partly extends across the occupant's who is seated upper body, air bag is inflated in the process of launching and is extended forward with the direction towards bearing circle, and the bearing circle support air bag makes it to be in a preposition.

Specifically; about increasing volume, keeping some requirements of internal pressure and less inflationtime; guarantee the protection effect of shoulder belt storage type air bag; this shoulder belt storage type air bag and those common bearing circle storage type air bags; face essentially identical situation, all have the restriction of energy absorbing aspect.

One object of the present invention is to provide a kind of vehicle occupant restraint system and method, and wherein by using air bag, automotive occupant obtains at short notice by wider protection, to improve the energy absorbing in the car accident.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a kind of vehicle occupant restraint system and method, the wherein increase of the air bag internal pressure that can produce in the air bag when car accident use to take place and secondary launches, with another part of protection automotive occupant, thereby increase energy absorbing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a kind of vehicle occupant restraint system and method, wherein, accelerates the protection of head-protecting airbag taking place car accident to make head-protecting airbag be subjected to the extruding of leg protection air bag, to increase energy absorbing.

In order to realize the foregoing invention purpose, one aspect of the present invention provides a kind of vehicle occupant restraint system, this system comprises airbag apparatus, this airbag apparatus comprises first deploying portion and second deploying portion, wherein, launch between the part of first deploying portion in automotive occupant partial sum vehicle, second deploying portion and first deploying portion are launched simultaneously, be in the state of contacting with each other, be that first deploying portion provides support thus, act on load on first deploying portion to bear at least a portion from the automotive occupant head, first deploying portion and second deploying portion are vertically arranged, and second deploying portion contacts with the femoral region of automotive occupant during it launches.

In other words, another aspect of the present invention is to provide a kind of vehicle occupant restraint system, this system comprises airbag apparatus, this airbag apparatus comprises that first launches the unit and the second expansion unit, wherein, first launches the unit launches between automotive occupant and vehicles, second launches the unit launches simultaneously with the first expansion unit and is in the state that contacts with each other, be first to launch the unit and provide support whereby, act on first from the automotive occupant head and launch the load effect of unit to bear at least a portion.

In addition, another aspect of the present invention is to provide a kind of vehicle occupant restraint method, wherein, when car accident takes place when, at the part of automotive occupant and the vehicle air bag in the deployment balloon protective device between the two and between the head of automotive occupant and the femoral region, one first deploying portion and one second deploying portion that definition is vertically arranged, come from occupant's head thereby bear, and act on the load of occupant's femoral region with described first deploying portion and described second deploying portion support occupant's head by air bag.

By following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, further feature of the present invention, advantage and benefit will be more apparent.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 shows first embodiment of automobile occupant restraint system of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is presented at the mode of operation of embodiment shown in Figure 1 in the vehicle front shock process;

Fig. 3 is presented in the vehicle front shock process, head the moving and conflict the comparison of moving before traditional chest bladder that is contained in the bearing circle of head before the head-protecting airbag among the embodiment shown in Figure 1 of conflicting;

Fig. 4 shows occupant's head speed and the characteristic curve of time and the traditional characteristic comparison that is contained in the chest bladder in the bearing circle of embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 5 shows second embodiment of vehicle occupant restraint system in the automobile of the present invention;

Fig. 6 shows the 3rd embodiment of vehicle occupant restraint system in the automobile of the present invention;

Fig. 7 shows after the occupant's head conflict head-protecting airbag, the mode of operation of embodiment shown in Figure 6;

Fig. 8 show of the present invention in automobile vehicle occupant restraint system at the 4th embodiment of first starting state;

Fig. 9 shows the embodiment shown in Figure 8 that is in second starting state;

Figure 10 shows according to the present invention, and the 5th embodiment of driver side vehicle occupant restraint system in the vapour vehicle shows the head-protecting airbag that inflation goes out from the shoulder hamess part of seatbelt protective device;

Figure 11 is presented in the vehicle front shock process, the mode of operation of embodiment shown in Figure 10;

Figure 12 shows the 6th embodiment according to the vehicle occupant restraint system of passenger side in the automobile of the present invention;

Figure 13 shows the 7th embodiment according to the vehicle occupant restraint system of passenger side in the automobile of the present invention;

Figure 14 shows the 8th embodiment according to the vehicle occupant restraint system of driver side in the automobile of the present invention;

Figure 15 shows the 9th embodiment according to the vehicle occupant restraint system of driver side in the vapour vehicle of the present invention, shows the head-protecting airbag that inflation goes out from the shoulder hamess part of seatbelt protective device;

Figure 16 shows in the vehicle front shock process, the mode of operation of embodiment shown in Figure 15;

Figure 17 shows the tenth embodiment according to the vehicle occupant restraint system of passenger side in the automobile of the present invention;

Figure 18 shows in the vehicle front shock process, the mode of operation of Figure 17 embodiment;

Figure 19 show embodiment shown in Figure 17 the leg protection air bag internal pressure over time, and the internal pressure of the head-protecting airbag of embodiment shown in Figure 17 is over time;

Figure 20 shows the 11 embodiment according to the vehicle occupant restraint system of passenger side in the automobile of the present invention;

Figure 21 shows the 12 embodiment according to the vehicle occupant restraint system of passenger side in the automobile of the present invention; The leg protection air bag that is presented under the deployed condition is out of shape first;

Figure 22 shows the 13 embodiment according to the vehicle occupant restraint system of passenger side in the automobile of the present invention; Be presented at leg protection air bag second distortion under the deployed condition;

Figure 23 is the 14 embodiment according to the vehicle occupant restraint system of passenger side in the automobile of the present invention; Be presented at leg protection air bag the 3rd distortion under the deployed condition;

Figure 24 is according to the 15 embodiment of the vehicle occupant restraint system of passenger side in the automobile of the present invention; Be presented at leg protection air bag the 4th distortion under the deployed condition;

Figure 25 is according to the 16 embodiment of passenger side vehicle occupant restraint system in the automobile of the present invention; Be presented at leg protection air bag the 5th distortion under the deployed condition.

The specific embodiment

Description of drawings the various example embodiment of vehicle according to the invention occupant restraint (restraint) system and method.In addition, hereinafter, employed identical label is used to refer to phasing parts or part together in each accompanying drawing.Equally, in each embodiment, the virtual human body in corresponding typically 5 percent women to percent, 95 male sex's of automotive occupant the build scope.

(first embodiment)

Fig. 1 demonstration is in the chaufeur that is used for vehicle of starting state or passenger's vehicle occupant restraint system.In Fig. 1,3 seatbelt protective devices of label 10 ordinary representations.This three-point seat belt protective device 10 comprises a wall scroll safety strap.One end of safety strap is installed on the tractor (retractor), and the other end is fixed on the car body 14 of seat 12 or vehicle, or is installed on another tractor.Seatbelt extends through shoulder, passes to be fixed on car body 14 tops, for example the ring 16 on the top of center mast.Seatbelt tongue piece 18 links to each other with the safety strap of centre, safety strap two ends.Tongue piece 18 can be swung and stride across automotive occupant 20 and engage with bracelet 22 on being fixed on seat 12, thereby the pelvic restraint part 24 of safety strap crossed waist and shoulder hamess part 26 crossed upper body and locatees.

Seat 12 can be a front chair, for example driver side seat or passenger-side seat.A gauge panel 28 is arranged in the front of seat 12.Gauge panel 28 is separated passenger carriage 30 and driving engine compartment 32.

In Fig. 1, label 40 general expressions comprise the airbag apparatus in the safety strap that is contained in seatbelt protective device 10.In described embodiment, airbag restraint device 40 is accommodated in waist and shoulder hamess part 24 and 26, and can partly launch from waist and shoulder part safety strap.The safety strap protective device 30 that launches extends between the head 42 of automotive occupant 20 and femoral region 44.At end portion, the airbag restraint device 40 of expansion directly leans against femoral region 44.In the upper part, when head 42 was swung forward in vehicle generation front shock process, the airbag restraint device 40 of expansion was accepted the head 40 of automotive occupant 20.When forwardly colliding directly against the airbag restraint device 40 of the expansion of femoral region 44 at the indirect support vehicle head 42 in femoral region 44 places.By optimizing the transfer function that load that head 42 will act on top or head-protecting airbag 48 is delivered to femoral region 44, the accelerating action that the airbag restraint device 40 of expansion can act on the neck 46 of automotive occupant 20 minimizes.

As previously mentioned, the airbag restraint device 40 of expansion extends to the whole upper body of automotive occupant 20 on vertical direction.Among the embodiment of Fig. 1, the airbag restraint device 40 of expansion is included in a plurality of independently air bags that vertical direction is arranged.These dispositions of gasbag are delivered to femoral region 44 successively for the load that head 42 is applied.

Directly first or top air bag 48 of the head 42 of protection automotive occupant 20 launch from shoulder hamess part 26.Second or the bottom air bag 53 that launches from pelvic restraint part 24 extends to whole femoral region 44, also can cooperate the head 42 that protects automotive occupant 20 by catching up with portion's air bag 48.Directly against the bottom air bag 52 of femoral region 44 at femoral region 44 places indirect supporting head part protection air bag 48, thereby head-protecting airbag 48 is maintained at the desired location near the head 42 of automotive occupant 20.

Air bag 48 and 52 can be made by any material that is suitable as the occupant restraint air bag for example lack air permeability and elastomeric plastic sheeting.Top or head-protecting airbag 48 are through folding and be contained in the zone of the chest 50 of facing automotive occupant 20 in the shoulder hamess part 26.Bottom air bag 50 is folded and is contained in the zone of the belly 54 of facing automotive occupant 20 in the pelvic restraint part 24.The top and the bottom air bag 48 and 52 that launches is preferably in away from equally extending on vertical opposite sense on the plane of vertical bisection automotive occupant 20.

In an illustrated embodiment, top and the bottom air bag 48 and 52 is subjected to coming from the effect of forced gas supply of common gas supply system and inflation.Common gas supply system comprises independent gas generator or aerator 56, is used for first ventilation flue 58 and second ventilation flue 60 who is used for bottom air bag 62 of top or head-protecting airbag 48.A wherein end that extends through first ventilation flue 58 of shoulder hamess part 26 is communicated with top air bag 48 by deploying portion 62.A wherein end that extends through second ventilation flue 60 of pelvic restraint part 24 is communicated with bottom air bag 52 by deploying portion 64.

The internal communication of first ventilation flue's 58 the other end and seatbelt tongue piece 18.The internal communication of second ventilation flue's 60 the other end and seatbelt tongue piece 18.When seatbelt tongue piece 18 inserted bracelet 22 and engages, the inside of seatbelt tongue piece 18 began the internal communication with bracelet 22.The inside of bracelet 22 is communicated with aerator 56.The gas-pressurized that aerator 56 produces is provided for first ventilation flue 58 and second ventilation flue 60 by bracelet 22 and seatbelt tongue piece 18.By first ventilation flue 58 and second ventilation flue 60, gas-pressurized is provided for top and the bottom air bag 48 and 52.

The top and the bottom air bag 48 and 52 of inflation has air extractor vent 66 and 68 respectively owing to the effect of gas-pressurized.The function of air extractor vent 66 is to discharge unnecessary gas, thereby avoids the internal pressure in the top air bag 48 to surpass predetermined force value when airbag deployment and in the process after launching.The function of air extractor vent 68 is to discharge unnecessary gas, thereby avoids internal pressure in the bottom air bag 52 when airbag deployment and in the process after launching, and gas portion surpasses predetermined force value.

The command signal that aerator 56 1 is sent by air bag controlled module 70 triggers and when starting or after just having started, just begins to produce gas-pressurized.In the embodiment shown, air bag controlled module 70 can be judged that vehicle front shock is about to take place and gave an order signal before vehicle front shock is about to take place.Top and the bottom air bag 48 and 52 response command signals and begin inflation, top and the bottom air bag 48 and 52 is finished expansion before vehicle front shock is about to take place or in the time early in the generating process.

According to the method part of illustrated embodiment, a kind of automotive occupant guard method comprises from shoulder belt and waistband portion 26 and 24 and launches top and the bottom air bags 48 and 82, and extends between the head 42 of automotive occupant and femoral region 44; In vehicle front shock, accept the head 42 of automotive occupant 20 with top air bag 48; In vehicle front shock, pass through top and the bottom air bag 48 and 52 heads 42 femoral region 44 support vehicle occupants 20.

In case be about to take place according to the front shock of judging vehicle, air bag controlled module 70 is just given an order signal to start aerator 56 to aerator 56.Aerator 56 is activated the back and produces gas-pressurized.Gas-pressurized is by bracelet 22, and tongue piece 18 and ventilation flue 58 and 60 flow into top and the bottom air bag 48 and 52.

Referring to Fig. 2, arrow is represented power among the figure, is included in the vehicle front shock process to be under the starting state, acts on the force of inertia of the occupant that vehicle occupant restraint system protected 20 among Fig. 1, antagonistic force and gaseous tension.Because seatbelt protective device 10 is limited in the upper body of automotive occupant 20 on the seat 12, the head 42 of automotive occupant 20 is swung forward with top air bag 48 and is conflicted.

Because top and the bottom air bag 48 and 52 launched from shoulder hamess partial sum pelvic restraint part 26 and 24 rapidly in the time of Millisecond, in the time of during front part of vehicle, at occupant 20 head 42 because inertia and forward before the swing, the head 42 that the top air bag 48 of expansion is close to occupant 20 extends.In addition, seatbelt protective device 10 has limited occupant 20, thereby guarantees in the vehicle front shock process, the head 42 that top air bag 48 launches back automotive occupants 20 immediately with its conflict.

Also referring to Fig. 3, label P0 represents the normal position of the head 42 of automotive occupant 20.Label P1 is illustrated in during the vehicle front shock, and head 42 is swung back and traditional position that is contained in the chest bladder conflict in the bearing circle of launching forward.Label P2 is illustrated in during the vehicle front shock, and head 42 is swung back and the top of expansion or the position of head-protecting airbag 48 conflicts forward.As previously mentioned, the top air bag 48 of expansion is than traditional more close head 42 of air bag that is contained in the bearing circle.Fig. 1 embodiment allows head 42 to freely swing, up to contacting with the top air bag 48 of expansion through a segment distance L1.Distance L 1 less than head 42 move freely up to contact with traditional air bag that is contained in the bearing circle the distance L 0 of process.Be appreciated that its advantage is, Fig. 1 embodiment makes the distance that the head 42 of automotive occupant 20 moves freely in the vehicle front shock process reduce.

Referring to Fig. 4, the longitudinal axis is represented the speed of head 42 in the vehicle front shock process of automotive occupant 20, and on behalf of the vehicle front shock process, transverse axis begin the back elapsed time.The moment that on behalf of the vehicle front shock process, TTF begin.V0 represents automotive occupant 20 in TTF starting velocity constantly.Shown block curve representative is according to the embodiment of Fig. 1, and speed over time.Dashed curve representative is according to traditional chest bladder that is contained in the bearing circle, and speed over time.Distance L 1 is less than distance L 0 (see figure 3), head 42 move freely up to contact with the top air bag 48 that launches the elapsed time section T1 of institute less than head 42 move freely up to traditional elapsed time section T0 of air bag conflict institute that is contained in the bearing circle of expansion.Time period T1 can be expressed as L1/T0, and time period T0 can be expressed as L0/V0.Be appreciated that the time that its advantage is that the advantage of Fig. 1 embodiment is to make that the head 42 of automotive occupant 20 moves freely in the vehicle front shock process reduces.

In Fig. 4, according to Fig. 1 embodiment, the deceleration of head 42 starts from T1 constantly.T1 is constantly early than in traditional air bag that is contained in the bearing circle, the moment T0 that head 42 reduces speed now.On behalf of the vehicle front shock process, label Te finish and head speed is kept to for zero the moment.Block curve represents that the deceleration of head 42 starts from T1 constantly, ends at Te constantly.Dashed curve represents that the deceleration of head 42 starts from T0 constantly, ends at Te constantly.Compare with traditional air bag that is contained in the bearing circle, Fig. 1 embodiment provides the longer time for head 42 speed are kept to 0 from V0.In the vehicle front shock process, the deceleration that acts on neck is significantly reduced, and this has also significantly reduced to act on the load of cervical spine.

Because the time period T1-Te that is increased, the embodiment of Fig. 1 increases the interface to some extent for the conflict zone of head 42 and top air bag 48.This has also disperseed to act on the antagonistic force of head 42 better, thereby has reduced the risk of occupant 20 faces injuries in the vehicle front shock process.

As shown in Figure 2, after bottom air bag 52 had leaned against the femoral region 44 of automotive occupant 20, the load W of head 42 acted on top air bag 48.The load W that will act on top air bag 48 by bottom air bag 52 transmits to femoral region 44, and top and the bottom air bag 48 and 52 heads 42 with automotive occupant 20 support by femoral region 44.

In the embodiment in figure 1, top air bag 48 is accepted head 42 immediately after head 42 trend forward swings, and then the femoral region 44 of automotive occupant 20 is born the load W that acts on the top air bag by bottom air bag 52.This has significantly reduced the required time of airbag restraint device 40 protection heads 42.

In the embodiment in figure 1, airbag restraint device 40 under the state of its expansion, is extending protection automotive occupant 20 in the zone of head 42 down to the increase of femoral region 44 of automotive occupant 20.By the protection domain of this increase, the kinetic energy of automotive occupant 20 is absorbed.This has effectively increased the uptake of the kinetic energy of automotive occupant 20, thereby for preventing the automotive occupant 20 injured protections that enhancing is provided.

Return Fig. 2, in the process of vehicle front shock accident, under the unforeseen circumstances that gauge panel 28 moves in passenger carriage 30, the knee of automotive occupant 20 is pushed from the below.The load that acts on knee is reduced by the bottom air bag 52 that leans against femoral region 44.This just provides energy disperser for the injury of protection automotive occupant 20 shanks.

In the embodiment in figure 1, in the vehicle front shock process, the airbag restraint device 40 of conflicting with the head 42 of automotive occupant 20 is from the femoral region 44 of top extruding automotive occupant 20.This moves forward the constraint that breaks away from pelvic restraint part 24 with regard to the waist that has prevented automotive occupant 20.

In the embodiment in figure 1, in the vehicle front shock process, top and the bottom air bag 48 and 52 can keep the constant impulsive force that alleviates automotive occupant 20 heads 42 by the antagonistic force that makes automotive occupant 20 heads 42 because air extractor vent 66 and 68 by discharging that unnecessary gas in the air bag has suppressed since head 42 enter the increase that the top and the bottom air bag 48 and 52 that causes is pressed in separately.This provides enough protection for automotive occupant 20 under the situation that does not increase impulsive force.

In the embodiment in figure 1, airbag restraint device 40 adopts vertically disposed a plurality of independently air bags 48 and 62.Fill the advantage that is provided with of being provided with of a plurality of air bags in zone between head 42 and the femoral region 44, be the air bag that can use volume to reduce than single air bag.Compare single air bag, use the air bag of smaller size smaller, inflationtime is shorter.

In the embodiment in figure 1, last or head-protecting airbag 48 is expanded near automotive occupant 20 heads 42 places, and bottom air bag 52 launches directly to lean against the femoral region 44 of automotive occupant 20 below last or head-protecting airbag 48.The air bag that volume reduces can be used as or head-protecting airbag 48.The air bag that use reduces volume has reduced the injured risk of in expansion process automotive occupant 20, thus with compare from the flared traditional chest bladder of bearing circle, head-protecting airbag is deployable near automotive occupant 20 heads 42 places.Directly lean against the bottom air bag 52 at automotive occupant 20 femoral region 44 places, femoral region 44 supports top or head-protecting airbag 48 indirectly, thereby top or head-protecting airbag 48 are remained on its desired location, promptly near automotive occupant 20 heads 42 places.Last or head-protecting airbag 48 receives the 42 load W (referring to Fig. 2) that are applied to it from the head, and bottom air bag 52 leans on 44 supporting roles of automotive occupant 20 femoral region in the load W of last or air bag 48 indirectly.Just having improved the W that will load effectively is sent to the efficient of femoral region 44 for this, and does not increase the volume of each air bag.

In addition, the embodiment in 1 with reference to the accompanying drawings, because in case according to determining that vehicle front shock is about to take place just to produce command signal, airbag restraint device 40 is when vehicle front shock is about to take place or early the launching constantly of generating process.This make or head-protecting airbag 48 at early moment protection head 42, thereby improved the effect of protection by the impulsive force that minimizing acts on automotive occupant 20.

In Fig. 1 embodiment, top and the bottom air bag 48 and 52 is accommodated in shoulder and pelvic restraint part 26 and 24, and is connected to the different ventilation flues 58 and 60 of common gas supply system by deploying portion 62 and 64 separately.Bottom air bag 52 plays in the vehicle front shock process top or head-protecting airbag 48 is supported in desired location near automotive occupant 20 heads 42.Pelvic restraint part 24 guarantees that bottom air bag 52 launches and directly leans against the femoral region 44 of automotive occupant 20, thereby makes or head-protecting airbag 48 is held in a predetermined position.

Embodiment among Fig. 1 can be simplified as to use and comprise the airbag restraint device that the bottom balloon-shaped is become a component part of top or head-protecting airbag.Owing to be combined with the bottom air bag, the top and the bottom air bag can be accommodated in the shoulder hamess part 26.Pelvic restraint part 24 no longer has the bottom airbag deployment of guaranteeing integration and directly leans against the femoral region 44 of automotive occupant 20 so that go up or head-protecting airbag 48 remains on function near the desired location of automotive occupant 20 heads 42.The bottom air bag of guaranteeing integration launches and directly leans against the femoral region 44 of automotive occupant 20 so that go up or needs that head-protecting airbag 48 remains near the desired location of automotive occupant 20 heads 42 still exist to occupant 20 femoral region 44.Below with reference to accompanying drawing 5 the airbag restraint device that satisfies these needs is described.

(second embodiment)

Fig. 5 is the brief description of a part of the airbag restraint device 40A of another embodiment of vehicle occupant restraint system.This embodiment embodiment with shown in Figure 1 basically is identical; the three-point seat belt protective device 10 that protection automotive occupant 20 is wherein arranged; comprise the top that holds the airbag restraint device or the shoulder hamess part 26 of head-protecting airbag; wherein when supplying with air pressure by deploying portion by gas supply system, top or head-protecting airbag inflation also launch.

But the embodiment of Fig. 5 and Fig. 1 embodiment are different on to time of the air feed of the bottom air bag of airbag restraint device and flow path.In addition, the embodiment of Fig. 5 and Fig. 1 embodiment are different to guarantee on its mode that plays the effect of supporting top or head-protecting airbag at expansion bottom air bag.

In the embodiment in figure 1, bottom air bag 52 and top or head-protecting airbag 48 are inflated at synchronization, and air under pressure directly supplies to bottom air bag 52 by second deploying portion 64 by second ventilation flue 60 of gas supply system.On the contrary; in the embodiment of Fig. 5; bottom air bag 52A on top or head-protecting airbag 48A be inflated and launch back inflation, and air under pressure is not directly to supply to bottom air bag 52A from gas supply system, but supplies with indirectly by top or head-protecting airbag 48A.As shown in Figure 5; a part of gas in top or head-protecting airbag 48A flows into bottom air bag 52A. in Fig. 1 embodiment by the one way stop peturn valve 82 that is arranged on the dividing plate 80 between top and the bottom air bag 48A and the 52A; for guaranteeing to play the effect of supporting top or head-protecting airbag 48, bottom air bag 52 is from the pelvic restraint part 24 outside femoral region of launching to lean against automotive occupant 20 44.The bottom air bag 52 that launches is retained as the femoral region 44 by the occupant 20 of pelvic restraint part 24 constraints.On the contrary, in the embodiment of accompanying drawing 5, for guaranteeing to play the effect of supporting top or head-protecting airbag 48A, bottom air bag 52A from top or head-protecting airbag 48A outwards launch and by thereon towards the femoral region 44 of automotive occupant 20.Dividing plate 80 is held in a predetermined position by top or head-protecting airbag 48A and the expansion of guaranteeing the bottom air bag is towards the femoral region 44 of automotive occupant 20.

Particularly with reference to figure 5, in the vehicle front shock process, airbag restraint device 40A inflation and launching between the head 42 of automotive occupant 20 and femoral region 44.

In the embodiment of Fig. 5, have the top of bottom air bag 52A of integration or head-protecting airbag 48A and sentence the mode identical and outwards launch (see figure 1) with top or head-protecting airbag from the shoulder hamess part 26 of seatbelt protective device 10.In other words, the bottom air bag 52A of top or head-protecting airbag 48A and integration is folded and is contained in the shoulder hamess part 26.

As shown in Figure 5, after inflation, the bottom air bag 48A of upper breast and integration and 52A it seems from the outside and have formed single air bag.Dividing plate 80 is provided for the inside of single air bag is divided into two chambeies, is air bag 48A above, is air bag 52A below.

By deploying portion 62, gas flows into top or head-protecting airbag 48A and with its inflation.When top or head-protecting airbag 48A has been inflated and expansion and bottom air bag 52A when still folding, dividing plate 80 is brought to desired location as shown in Figure 5.In this desired location, dividing plate 80 extends above the femoral region 44 of automotive occupant 20, and folding bottom air bag 52A is between the femoral region 44 of top or head-protecting airbag 48A and automotive occupant 20.In the process that bottom air bag 52A launches subsequently, top of having launched or head-protecting airbag 48A remain on this desired location with dividing plate 80.In case top or head-protecting airbag 48A inflate, and then because the interior pressure of top or head-protecting airbag increases, check valve 82 is opened and is made gas flow into bottom air bag 52A.Bottom air bag 52A is towards the direction inflation and the expansion of the femoral region 44 of automotive occupant 20.The dividing plate 80 that is maintained at described desired location guarantees that bottom air bag 52A is towards femoral region 44 expansion and by thereon.Directly lean against the bottom air bag 52A of femoral region 44, support top or head-protecting airbag 48A indirectly, thereby top or head-protecting airbag 48A are maintained desired location near automotive occupant 20 heads 42 at femoral region 44 places of automotive occupant 20.The mode same with Fig. 1 embodiment; top or head-protecting airbag 48A receive the load W that is applied to it (seeing accompanying drawing 5) from automotive occupant 20 heads 42, and the femoral region 44 that the bottom air bag 52A of integration the is close to automotive occupant 20 load W of supporting role on top or head-protecting airbag indirectly.This has improved the efficient that the W that will load is sent to femoral region 44.

In the embodiment in figure 1, top and the bottom air bag 48 and 52 has air extractor vent 66 and 68 respectively.Be pressed in the expansion process in thereby the unnecessary gas of the function of air extractor vent 66 release is avoided in the top air bag 48 or launch the back and surpass scheduled pressure value.Be pressed in the expansion process in thereby the unnecessary gas of the function of air extractor vent 68 release is avoided in the bottom air bag 52 or launch the back and surpass a scheduled pressure value.On the contrary, in the embodiment of Fig. 5, top or head-protecting airbag 48A are provided with one way stop peturn valve 82, and bottom air bag 52A is provided with air extractor vent 84.In the embodiment of Fig. 5, thus one way stop peturn valve 82 open with discharge unnecessary gas avoid among top or the head airbag 48A in be pressed in the expansion process or launch the back and surpass scheduled pressure value.In this embodiment, one way stop peturn valve 82 plays a part the air extractor vent of top or head-protecting airbag 48A.

In the embodiment in figure 1, bottom air bag 52 is inflated by the gas-pressurized that second ventilation flue 60 who passes the pelvic restraint extension supplies with by deploying portion 64.In the embodiment of Fig. 5, top or head-protecting airbag 48A and one way stop peturn valve 82 play a part to be connected the ventilation flue of gas generator and aerator.In addition, the gas supply system of the embodiment among Fig. 5 is the same substantially with embodiment among Fig. 1.

In a single day get started the generation of gas-pressurized after the startup of the aerator that the command signal of air bag controlled module triggers or the startup.Similar with the embodiment of Fig. 1, the air bag controlled module can be judged that vehicle front shock is about to take place and gave an order signal before vehicle front shock is about to take place.Top or head-protecting airbag 48A response command signal and begin inflation, top and the bottom air bag 48A and 52A just before vehicle front shock is about to take place or a moment early in the generating process finish expansion.

From last description as can be seen, thus the advantage of the embodiment among Fig. 5 is that dividing plate 80 by having one way stop peturn valve is with top or head-protecting airbag 48A and bottom air bag 52A integration simplification air bag and gas supply system.

In the embodiment of Fig. 5, top and the bottom air bag 48A and 52A are contained in the automotive occupant chest 50 shoulder hamess part on every side.Because top and the bottom air bag 48A and 52A partly launch from shoulder hamess, when vehicle generation front shock, after head 42 trends were swung forward, and then same mode was in time accepted head 42 among top or the embodiment of head-protecting airbag 48A with Fig. 1.This has reduced the required time of airbag restraint device 40A protection head 42 significantly.

In the embodiment of Fig. 5, airbag restraint device 40A extends in the scope of increase protection with automotive occupant under its deployed condition, from the head 42 of automotive occupant 20 down to femoral region 44.By the protective range of this increase, the kinetic energy of automotive occupant 20 is absorbed.This has increased the uptake of automotive occupant 20 kinetic energy significantly, thereby has increased the protection to preventing that automotive occupant 20 is injured.

In the process of vehicle generation front shock, under the unforeseen circumstances that gauge panel moves in passenger carriage 30, the knee of automotive occupant 20 is extruded from the below.In the embodiment of Fig. 5, act on the bottom air bag 52A that load on the knee leaned against femoral region 44 and reduce.This provides energy disperser in the mode identical with Fig. 1 embodiment for the injury that prevents automotive occupant 20 shanks.

In the embodiment of Fig. 5, similar with the embodiment of Fig. 1, femoral region 44 is leaned against on the seat from the top extruding by bottom air bag 52A.This moves forward with regard to the waist that prevents automotive occupant 20 and breaks away from the constraint of pelvic restraint part.

In the embodiment of Fig. 1 and Fig. 5, the interior pressure among airbag restraint device 40 or the 40A is adjusted to guarantee the best protection effect to automotive occupant 20.This embodiment can improve than the bottom of the more yielding airbag restraint device of other parts by forming.When on the femoral region 44 that directly leans against automotive occupant 20, this bottom easy deformation, in case thereby when guaranteeing that in the vehicle front shock process head 42 is rocked to upper bond with the airbag restraint device, just and then form optimized buffer effect to automotive occupant 20.Guarantee the airbag restraint device of optimized buffer effect below in conjunction with accompanying drawing 6 explanations.

(the 3rd embodiment)

Fig. 6 is the brief description of the part of another embodiment of vehicle occupant restraint system.This embodiment is identical with embodiment in the accompanying drawing 5 basically, the three-point seat belt protective device 10 that protection automotive occupant 20 is wherein arranged, it comprises the safe shoulder hamess part 26 of holding the airbag restraint device, wherein when supplying with gas-pressurized by deploying portion 62 by gas supply system, the airbag restraint device is inflated between head 42 and femoral region 44 and is launched.

Yet embodiment and the embodiment among Fig. 5 among Fig. 6 are different on the bottom section of airbag restraint device, and this bottom section engages with the femoral region 44 of automotive occupant 20 in expansion process.

In Fig. 6, the airbag restraint device 40B that has comprised single air bag begins to be inflated from the shoulder hamess part 26 of chest 50 peripheral part of automotive occupant 20 and outwards launches, this single air bag double among Fig. 1 top and the bottom air bag 48 and 52 or Fig. 5 in 48A and 52A.Fig. 7 illustrated in the vehicle front shock process, when the head 42 of automotive occupant 20 is swung forward and airbag restraint device 40B after the airbag restraint device 40B upper end of launching engages.Airbag restraint device 40B has the bottom 86 with respect to the upper end.Airbag restraint device 40B is 86 femoral region 44 that directly lean against automotive occupant in the bottom.

The bottom 86 of airbag restraint device 40B is more yielding than the upper end, and therefore when head 42 and upper end joint, the bottom is out of shape as shown in Figure 7 with the load of sorption on the upper end.

On position shown in Figure 6, it is conical that bottom 86 is.In this embodiment, at least a portion of this conical external surface has handling through too high friction surface shown in label 88, thereby guarantees the best firm engagement of this circular cone and femoral region 44.The switching process from Fig. 6 position to Fig. 7 position, the load that acts on the upper end flattens the taper shape of bottom 88, thereby has enlarged the zone that airbag restraint device 40B is close to femoral region 44.

As shown in Figure 7, in the vehicle front shock process, after the head 42 of automotive occupant 20 was swung forward and conflict in the upper part of air bag protective device 40B, the circular cone of end portion 90 was promptly flattened.This has guaranteed behind the upper part of head 42 conflict airbag restraint device 40B one stage early, and kinetic energy is absorbed effectively.

The circular cone of the flattening by end portion 86, airbag restraint device 40B leans against on the femoral region 44.Lean against airbag restraint device 40B on the femoral region 44 the load support of upper part that acts on airbag restraint device 40B on femoral region 44.

High friction surface 88 is handled and has been guaranteed in the airbag restraint device 40B expansion process or afterwards, the circular cone of end portion 86 and femoral region 44 the most firm engaging.

In Fig. 6 embodiment, airbag restraint device 40B is accommodated in the chest 50 shoulder hamess part on every side of automotive occupant 20.Because airbag restraint device 40B partly launches from shoulder hamess, head 42 is accepted in the mode the same with Fig. 1 embodiment after the head 42 trend forward swings in the upper part and then in the vehicle front shock process.This has significantly reduced the required time of airbag restraint device 40B protection head 42.

In the described position of Fig. 7, airbag restraint device 40B, under deployed condition, protection automotive occupant 20 in the scope of an increase, promptly from the head 42 of automotive occupant 20 to femoral region 44.By the protective range of this increase, the kinetic energy of automotive occupant 20 is absorbed.This has effectively increased the kinetic energy uptake of automotive occupant 20, thereby avoids injured enhancing protection for automotive occupant 20 provides.

In the process of vehicle front shock, under the unforeseen circumstances that gauge panel moves in occupant compartment 30, an occupant 20 knee is pressed from the below.Among Fig. 6 embodiment, the bottom air bag that the load that acts on knee is leaned against femoral region 44 reduces.This just provides an energy disperser for protection automotive occupant 20 shanks avoid injury, as Fig. 1 embodiment.

In the described position of Fig. 7, similar to Fig. 1 embodiment, femoral region 44 is pressed towards seat from the top.This moves forward the constraint that breaks away from the pelvic restraint part with regard to the waist of having been avoided automotive occupant 20.

In the explanation of Fig. 6 embodiment in front, cone shape end portion 86 is than upper end easy deformation more.As long as bottom 86 easy deformation under the load effect of air bag upper part, except taper shape, end portion 86 can adopt any suitable shape or setting.If desired, the upper part 86 of airbag restraint device 40B can be than end portion easy deformation more, and does not weaken the protection effect.

(the 4th embodiment)

Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 have shown another embodiment of vehicle occupant restraint device.This embodiment is basic identical with accompanying drawing 1 embodiment.The top and the bottom air bag 48 that the difference of the two is this embodiment is correspondingly inflated according to the requirement of the variation of the different bodily form of automotive occupant 20 with 52.In order to realize this function, be provided with controller 90 and bodily form detector 92 among this embodiment in addition.

Fig. 8 has shown the deployment conditions of the vehicle occupant restraint system that is in first state, and Fig. 9 has shown the deployment conditions of the vehicle occupant restraint system that is in second state.

Among Fig. 8 embodiment, according to coming from installation pressure sensor on the seat---inner observe the signal of camera and be installed in temperature on the shoulder hamess part 26 and/or the signal of pressure detector, through behind the suitable arithmetic operation, the bodily form that bodily form detector 92 can detection vehicle occupant 20.Bodily form detector 92 provides output to controller 90, and controller 90 sends control signal to first and second deploying portion 62 and 64 that are respectively applied for top and the bottom air bag 48 and 52.

In the described stage condition of Fig. 8, automotive occupant 20 is that adult's (typically, from 5 percent women to percent 95 the male sex) and top and the bottom air bag 48 are the same inflating expanded with 52 image patterns, 1 embodiment.At the described state of Fig. 9, automotive occupant 20 is children, is equivalent to the virtual human body of six years old child-sized typically.At this state, the gas-pressurized that offers top air bag 48 is prevented from, and only bottom air bag 52 is inflating expanded.At each state, airbag restraint device 40 is all inflating expanded between head 42 and femoral region 44, and head 44 is supported on femoral region 44.

Among the embodiment of Fig. 8, airbag restraint device 40 can correspondingly be inflated according to the requirement of the different bodily forms of automotive occupant 20.In the explanation of the fwd of present embodiment, according to the control signal of controller 90, the gas that offers top air bag 48 can be allowed to by or stop.If desired, the gas flow that offers airbag restraint device 40 can be regulated.

Among the embodiment of Fig. 8, airbag restraint device 40 is accommodated in the chest 50 shoulder hamess part on every side of automotive occupant 20.Because airbag restraint device 40 partly launches from shoulder hamess, in the process of vehicle front shock, head 42 is accepted in the mode the same with Fig. 1 embodiment immediately in the upper part and then after head 42 trend forward swings.This has significantly reduced the required time of airbag restraint device 40 protection heads 42.

Among the embodiment of Fig. 8, airbag restraint device 40 under deployed condition, extends with protection automotive occupant 20 in the scope of an increase, promptly from the head 42 of automotive occupant 20 to femoral region 44.By the protective range of this increase, the kinetic energy of automotive occupant 20 is absorbed.This has effectively increased the kinetic energy uptake of automotive occupant 20, thereby avoids injured enhancing protection for automotive occupant 20 provides.

In the process of vehicle front shock,, under the unforeseen circumstances that gauge panel 28 moves in occupant compartment 30, the knee of automotive occupant 20 is pressed from the below.Among Fig. 8 embodiment, the bottom air bag that the load that acts on knee is leaned against femoral region 44 reduces.This just provides energy disperser for the injury that avoids of protection automotive occupant 20 shanks, as accompanying drawing 1 embodiment.

Among the embodiment of Fig. 8, similar to Fig. 1 embodiment, femoral region 44 is pressed towards seat from the top.This moves forward the constraint that breaks away from the pelvic restraint part with regard to the waist of being avoided automotive occupant 20.

In each embodiment, described seatbelt protective device 10 is an example with the three-point seat belt device.The seatbelt protective device also can adopt the four point seat belt device.

(the 5th embodiment)

With reference to Figure 10 and Figure 11, another embodiment of vehicle occupant restraint system is described.Figure 10 is the birds-eye view in the diagram, shown airbag restraint device 40C, the gas flow that this airbag restraint device 40C passes through with expression from the shoulder hamess part 26 outside expansion of the three-point seat belt protective device 10 shown in the imaginary line from the ventilation flue 58 of gas supply system.Figure 11 is a lateral plan, has shown the vehicle occupant restraint system that is used for the vehicle driver.

Figure 11 embodiment is equivalent to Fig. 5 embodiment substantially.Vehicle occupant restraint system shown in Figure 11 is different from the system of Fig. 5 representative.In the system that Fig. 5 represents, first or top or head-protecting airbag 48A second or bottom integration air bag 52A after launching, be maintained at the position that it is preset with predetermined direction towards the femoral region 44 of automotive occupant 20.Compare with the system that represents among Fig. 5; launch with predetermined direction towards the femoral region 44 of automotive occupant 20 second or the integration air bag 102 of bottom before, make from shoulder hamess part 26 flared first or top or head-protecting airbag 100 is maintained at preposition.

In Figure 10 and 11, the airbag restraint device of vehicle occupant restraint system is represented with 40C usually.40A is opposite with the airbag restraint device, launches first air bag 100 from pelvic restraint part 26 to the bearing circle 108 from gauge panel 110 projections automobile.First air bag 100 that launches directly against bearing circle 108 to occupy its desired location.During vehicle front shock, head 42 is conflicted with the chest 50 and first air bag 100.After they and first air bag 100 began to conflict, first air bag 100 was got involved between bearing circle 108 and automotive occupant 20 and is compressed, and causes the increase of the internal pressure in first air bag 100.The increase of internal pressure allows the air admission second integration air bag 102.The second integration air bag 102 retrains against seat 12 at the leg of expansion downwards on femoral region 44 directions with automotive occupant 20.

According to the method aspect of Figure 11 embodiment, the vehicle occupant restraint method comprises that outwards launching first air bag 100 from shoulder hamess 26 extends between automotive occupant 20 and bearing circle 108; Thereby after automotive occupant 20 beginning and first air bag 100 are inconsistent, between automotive occupant 20 and bearing circle 108, compress first air bag 100 and cause internal pressure increase in first air bag 100; And because the increase of the internal pressure in first air bag 100 makes second air bag 102 launch the femoral region 44 with restriction automotive occupant 20 downwards.

In Figure 10 and embodiment shown in Figure 11, airbag restraint device 40C is accommodated in the body-restraining seat belt protective device 10.More particularly, first air bag 100 and the second integration air bag 102 are accommodated in the shoulder hamess part 26.

Second air bag 102 is combined into one with first air bag 100 at its downside.Air extractor vent 104 is set to permission and is communicated with between second integral gasbag 102 and first air bag 100.Air extractor vent 104 has a predetermined cross-sectional area.

Check valve 106 is configured to close air extractor vent 104.Because the compression of first air bag 100 between automotive occupant 20 and bearing circle 108, when the internal pressure in first air bag 100 surpassed default force value, check valve 106 was opened to allow gas to enter the second integration air bag 102 through air extractor vent 104.

As shown in figure 11, three-point seat belt device 10 comprises the individual security band.One end of safety strap is installed to tractor, and the other end is fixed to the car body of seat 12 or vehicle or is installed on another tractor.Seatbelt extends through shoulder and passes the top that is fixed to car body 14, as the ring 16 of the last shoulder of centre strut.Seatbelt tongue piece 18 is connected with the safety strap of centre, safe two ends.Tongue piece 18 can swingingly stride across automotive occupant 20 and engage with the bracelet 22 that is fixed on seat 12, thereby makes the shank safety strap part 24 of safety strap stride across shank and make shoulder hamess part 26 stride across upper body and locate.

Be contained in first air bag 100 in the shoulder hamess part 26, be connected with an end of ventilation flue's 58 (see figure 10)s of extending by pelvic restraint part 26.The internal communication of ventilation flue 58 the other end and seatbelt tongue piece 18.

When seatbelt tongue piece 18 inserts bracelet 22 and engages, the internal communication of the inside of seatbelt tongue piece 18 and bracelet 22.The inside of bracelet 22 is communicated with aerator 56.The gas-pressurized that aerator 56 produces is supplied to ventilation flue 58 by bracelet 22 and seatbelt tongue piece 18.By ventilation flue 58, gas-pressurized is supplied to first air bag 100.

When starting or just started, just begin to produce gas-pressurized in case the command signal that aerator 56 is sent by air bag controlled module 70 triggers.In an illustrated embodiment, air bag controlled module 70 can judge that vehicle front shock is about to take place, and produces command signal before vehicle front shock at once.By ventilation flue 58, gas is provided for first air bag 100.

Then, first air bag, 100 beginning inflations.First air bag 100 outwards launches from shoulder hamess part 26, and extends between automotive occupant 20 and bearing circle 108.

As shown in figure 11, during vehicle front shock, the upper body of the automotive occupant of throwing before first air bag 100 of expansion is accepted has stoped possible the contacting between automotive occupant 20 and the bearing circle 108.

First air bag 100 begins and first air bag 100 compresses between automotive occupant 20 and bearing circle 108 after conflicting at automotive occupant.This just causes the increase of internal pressure.Check valve 106 is opened and is allowed gas to flow to the air bag 102 of second integration.The air bag 102 of second integration launches shown in arrow among Figure 11 in a downward direction.

The femoral region 44 of the second integration air bag, the 102 extruding automotive occupants 20 that are unfolded is to limit its motion.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 11, the head 42 and chest 50 of first air bag, the 100 protection automotive occupants 20 of expansion, and the femoral region 44 of second air bag, the 102 restriction automotive occupants 20 that launch.

In the embodiment of Figure 11, thereby airbag restraint device 40C extends under the state of its expansion, and protection automotive occupant 20 in the scope that increases is promptly from the head 42 down to femoral region 44.By the protective range of this increase, the kinetic energy of automotive occupant 20 is absorbed.This significantly increases the kinetic energy uptake to absorption automotive occupant 20, thereby avoids injured enhancing protection for automotive occupant 20 provides.

When internal pressure reached set pressure, check valve 106 was opened discharging unnecessary gas from first air bag 100, thus between automotive occupant 20 and first air bag 100 conflict antagonistic force be suppressed.This has improved first air bag 100 and has accepted the head 42 of automotive occupant 20 and the performance of chest 50.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 11, similar in appearance to embodiment shown in Figure 1, the second integration air bag 102 is to seat 12 extruding femoral region 44.This moves forward with regard to the waist that has prevented automotive occupant 20 and breaks away from pelvic restraint part 24, provides the protection of strengthening to automotive occupant 20.

During first air bag 100 made and conflicts with automotive occupant 20, bearing circle 108 supported first air bag 100.This has improved the ability of head 42 with the chest 50 of first air bag, 100 protection automotive occupants 20.

Because they are accommodated in the shoulder hamess part 26, first air bag 100 and second integral gasbag 102 can be stored in any position of raising that is fit to the expansion of first air bag 100.

(the 6th embodiment)

Figure 12 shows the passenger's who is used for power actuated vehicle vehicle occupant restraint system, and it is substantially corresponding to system shown in Figure 11.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 12, compare with system shown in Figure 11, the passenger is sitting on the front passenger seat 12A in the power actuated vehicle.Compare with system shown in Figure 11, between the part of the gauge panel 110 that the chest 50 of automotive occupant 20 and automotive occupant 20 is faced, get involved and be compressed from the first air bag 100D of pelvic restraint part 24 flared airbag restraint device 40D.Airbag restraint device 40D comprises the second integral gasbag 102D that corresponds to the second integration air bag 102 shown in Figure 11.Attach, be described as having tongue piece 18 among Figure 12, bracelet 22 and dispose symmetrically with respect to paper and seatbelt protective device 10 shown in Figure 11 with the seatbelt protective device 10 of aerator 56.

(the 7th embodiment)

Figure 13 has shown and has been the vehicle occupant restraint system of motor vehicle passenger that it corresponds to the system that Figure 12 shows substantially.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 13, compare with system shown in Figure 12, the 3rd air bag 130 is unfolded to carry out the lifting supporting role to the first air bag 100E of airbag restraint device 40E from gauge panel 110.The 26 flared first air bag 100E get involved between the 3rd air bag 130 and automotive occupant 20 and are compressed from the shoulder hamess part.In gauge panel 110, has the control signal that response air bag controlled module 70 sends and gas generator or the aerator 132 that starts.Be inflated expansion by aerator 132, the three air bags 130.

(the 8th embodiment)

The driver's of Figure 14 display machines motor vehicle vehicle occupant restraint system, it corresponds to system shown in Figure 11 substantially, but does not have the second integration air bag 102.

In the embodiment of Figure 14, compare with system shown in Figure 11, the second air bag 102F that separates from the first air bag 100F of airbag restraint device 40F is contained in the shoulder hamess part 26.One conduit 140 has been shown has extended through shoulder hamess part 26.When the internal pressure in first air bag arrived predetermined value, gas was supplied with the second air bag 102F by conduit 140 from the first air bag 100F.Open to allow gas to be set up by managing 140 check valve.Make the second air bag 102F inflation by conduit 140 gas supplied.The second air bag 102F outwards launches from shoulder hamess part 26 between the femoral region 44 of first air bag 100F that launches and automotive occupant 20.

(the 9th embodiment)

Figure 15 and Figure 16 have shown the driver's of power actuated vehicle vehicle occupant restraint system, and it does not still have check valve 106 and air extractor vent 104 substantially with respect to Figure 10 and system shown in Figure 11.Compare with Figure 10 and system shown in Figure 11, permeable membrane 150 separates the second integral gasbag 102G with the first air bag 100G of airbag restraint device 40G.By permeable membrane 150, when the internal pressure among the first air bag 100G arrived predetermined value, gas was supplied to the second integral gasbag 102G.

At before Figure 10 in the description of embodiment shown in Figure 16, first air bag (100,100D, 100E, 100F, 100G) is got involved between automotive occupant 20 and vehicle side parts and is compressed, wherein, vehicle side parts such as bearing circle 108, gauge panel 110, with between the support of the lifting of gauge panel 110 flared the 3rd air bag 130 forms.In vehicle driving person's the protective system, first air bag is got involved between automotive occupant (driver) 20 and bearing circle 108 and is compressed.With compare for driver's protective system, first air bag can be got involved between automotive occupant (driver) 20 and gauge panel 110 or the 3rd air bag and be compressed, and the 3rd air bag outwards launches from the fixed body of suitably installing in chest 50 fronts of automotive occupant 20.

To Figure 16 among the described embodiment, illustrated seatbelt protective device 10 is an example with the three-point seat belt device at before Figure 10.Seatbelt protective device 10 also can be taked the form of 4 seat safety belt apparatus.

(the tenth embodiment)

Figure 17 shows the vehicle occupant restraint system of motor vehicle passenger to Figure 19, and it corresponds to system shown in Figure 13 substantially.The difference of the system that protective system shown in Figure 17 and Figure 13 show is to have used airbag restraint device 40H rather than airbag restraint device 40E.

Airbag restraint device 40H comprises head-protecting airbag 160 and leg protection air bag 162.Head-protecting airbag 160 is top and the bottom air bag 48 shown in Figure 1 and 52 or 48A shown in Figure 5 and the twice of 52A.Leg protection air bag 162 is accommodated in the gauge panel 110 of the power actuated vehicle with front passenger seat 12A.The gas generator that command signal started or the aerator 132 that have response to send that illustrate from air bag controlled module 70.By aerator 132, leg protection air bag 160 is inflated expansion and launches between the leg of gauge panel 110 and automotive occupant 20.Automotive occupant 20 is restricted on the seat 12A by three-point seat belt protective device 10.Head-protecting airbag 160 is contained in the shoulder hamess part 26.Head-protecting airbag 160 is by gas producer or aerator 56 and inflation.Aerator 56 responds from the command signal of air bag controlled module 70 and starts.Head-protecting airbag 160 outwards launches from shoulder hamess protection part 26 between the head 42 of automotive occupant 20 and femoral region 44.Leg protection air bag 162 is unfolded to contacting with head-protecting airbag 160 extruding that are in expansion process.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 17, air bag controlled module 70 can judge that vehicle front shock is about to take place and produced at once command signal before vehicle front shock.Shank and head-protecting airbag 162 and 160 begin inflation in response to separately command signal, and shank and head-protecting airbag 162 and 160 will be finished its expansion in the moment early in the vehicle front shock process.

According to the method feature of embodiment shown in Figure 17, the vehicle occupant restraint method comprises: during the vehicle front shock at the shank of automotive occupant 20 and gauge panel 110 before the shank and over against launching leg protection air bag 162 between the part of leg; Between the head 42 and femoral region 44 of automotive occupant 20, outwards launch head-protecting airbag 160 from seatbelt protective device 10; And leg protection air bag 162 is contacted with head-protecting airbag 160 extruding.

Leg protection air bag 162 launches on the direction of the back of power actuated vehicle, and head-protecting airbag 160 launches towards the direction in the front of power actuated vehicle.

Leg protection air bag 162 is launching on the knee area of automotive occupant 20 backward with on the direction that head-protecting airbag 160 extruding contacts, with by accelerate the expansion of head-protecting airbag to head-protecting airbag 160 from leg protection air bag 162 transmission power.Particularly, leg protection air bag 162 expands into aft bulkhead on it 164 is contacted with following front wall section 166 extruding of head-protecting airbag 160 in being in expansion process.Leg protection air bag 162 has certain volume and structure; and head-protecting airbag 160 also has certain volume and structure, make to go up aft bulkhead 164 and contacts with the extruding of following antetheca 166 and can produce enough wide interface to be provided at the last enough transmission of 160 power from leg protection air bag 162 to head-protecting airbag of quantity and time.The example of leg protection air bag 162 will be described in conjunction with Figure 21 to 25 below.

Under the situation of vehicle front shock, the command signal that aerator 56 and 132 response air bag controlled modules 70 are sent and starting.By aerator 56 and 132 gases that produce shank and head-protecting airbag 162 and 160 are put on the air.

In common position, the leg of the automotive occupant 20 among the anterior seat 12A is placed on by the base that the lower end limited of gauge panel 110, and knee area is relative with gauge panel 110.During vehicle front shock, automotive occupant 20 is because inertia is in the described position of Figure 17.Shown in the position in, automotive occupant 20 in its leg bending to front curve.According to shown in the position, automotive occupant 20 has the trend that moves forward in power actuated vehicle.

In position shown in Figure 17,110 distance L 1 becomes less than the distance L 2 between head 42 and the femoral region 44 from the leg to the gauge panel, so that leg protection air bag 162 compresses firmlyer than head-protecting airbag 160 during its expansion.Head-protecting airbag 160 extruding during this causes the 162 rapid expansion of leg protection air bag and is in expansion process contact, and before the pressure of head-protecting airbag 160 was set up, the pressure in the leg protection air bag 162 was set up rapidly.

Also with reference to Figure 18, the increase along with its internal pressure launches leg protection air bag 162 owing to the rapid foundation of pressure, and head-protecting airbag 160 is in the expansion process of low internal pressure.The leg protection air bag 162 that launches is by the interface squeeze bulb protection air bag 160 between last aft bulkhead 164 and the following front wall section 166.In the description of Figure 18, the masterpiece that is obtained by the internal pressure P1 of leg protection air bag 162 is used on the head-protecting airbag 160 and resists mutually with antagonistic force that the internal pressure P2 of head-protecting airbag 160 is obtained.Internal pressure P2 is increased to set pressure P0 with the speed that increases with the power that acts on head-protecting airbag 160.This makes the same high moment with scheduled pressure value P0 of internal pressure P2 in advance.During vehicle front shock, head 42 can be accepted and protect to head-protecting airbag 160 in the moment that shifts to an earlier date, so that the kinetic energy of head 42 can be absorbed gradually to alleviate the impact of head.

The internal pressure that Figure 19 shows leg protection air bag 162 begins institute's elapsed time along with moment of the signal of giving an order from air bag controlled module 70 and variation that the variation that takes place and the internal pressure the head-protecting airbag 160 occur in along with elapsed time.In Figure 19, in the moment 0, command signal is provided to aerator 132 that is used for leg protection air bag 162 and the aerator 56 that is used for head-protecting airbag 160.Can think that air bag 162 and 160 is at the moment 0 beginning inflation.After the moment 0, ground expands leg protection air bag 162 so that its internal pressure is in zero level basically without any retraining, and head-protecting airbag 160 without any expanding so that its internal pressure is in zero level basically with retraining.K1 has represented the beginning in the stage of launching constantly, and wherein because the leg of automotive occupant 20 acts on the leg protection air bag 162, the expansion of leg protection air bag 162 is restricted.After entering this stage, internal pressure is as increasing with speed (speed) faster as shown in the variation characteristic curve A.In an example shown; after moment K1 and before moment K2, the expansion of head-protecting airbag 162 is because of restricting with contacting of the femoral region 44 of automotive occupant 20 and the internal pressure of head-protecting airbag 160 begins to increase with the speed (speed) lower than the already added speed of the internal pressure of head-protecting airbag 160 (speed).At moment K2, last aft bulkhead 164 beginnings of leg protection air bag 162 contact so that the internal pressure of leg protection air bag 162 stops to increase above scheduled pressure value P0 with following front wall section 166 extruding of head-protecting airbag 160.At moment K2 or afterwards, the volume of head-protecting airbag 160 is with reducing by the power of interface interaction on head-protecting airbag 160 between last aft bulkhead 164 and the following front wall section 166.This has caused the variation in the speed (speed) of the internal pressure increase of head-protecting airbag 160.At moment K2 or afterwards, the internal pressure of head-protecting airbag 160 such as pressure characteristic B are described to increase than faster rate (speed) before.In very short time, the internal pressure of head-protecting airbag 160 reaches scheduled pressure value P0 and stops further increase behind moment K2.In Figure 19, pressure characteristic B and straight dashed line have defined triangle shade R between it.Straight dashed line illustrates the variation of the internal pressure of the head-protecting airbag 160 that leg protection air bag 162 will not take place when contacting with head-protecting airbag 160 extruding in expansion process.Interface between the last aft bulkhead 164 that the angle of triangle shade R can be by changing leg protection air bag 160 and the following front wall section 164 of head-protecting airbag 160 is regulated.In other words, its advantage is as can be seen, changes the adjusting that moment that internal pressure that the interface causes head-protecting airbag 160 arrives scheduled pressure value P0 shifts to an earlier date and does not have additional supply of to the gas of head-protecting airbag 160 and supply with volume.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 17, head-protecting airbag 160 directly leans against the femoral region 44 of automotive occupant 20 under deployed condition, so that head-protecting airbag 160 is by the femoral region 44 of automotive occupant 20 supporting head part 42 indirectly.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 17; airbag restraint device 40H makes leg protection air bag 162 cooperate with head-protecting airbag 160, with by knee area from the front and femoral region 44 from above the extruding shank move forward the constraint that breaks away from pelvic restraint part 24 with the waist that stops automotive occupant 20.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 17, in case air bag controlled module 70 judges that vehicle front shock is about to take place, leg protection air bag 462 just gets started inflation with head-protecting airbag 160.This makes the expansion of shank and head-protecting airbag 162 and 160 finish constantly further in advance.

(the 11 embodiment)

The vehicle occupant restraint system that Figure 20 shows is with the different of system shown in Figure 17, and the top of airbag restraint device 40I or head-protecting airbag 170 and bottom air bag 172 are contained in shoulder hamess part 26 and the pelvic restraint part 24 by the mode identical with airbag restraint device shown in Figure 1 40 respectively.Leg protection air bag 162 is deployed on the rearward-facing direction at the knee area of whole automotive occupant 20 that 172 extruding contact with the bottom air bag with top or head-protecting airbag 170.Particularly, leg protection air bag 162 launches to make it on aft bulkhead 164 to push with the front wall section of the following front wall section of the head-protecting airbag 170 that is in expansion process and the bottom air bag 172 that is in expansion process to contact.

(the 12 embodiment)

The leg protection air bag 162J of the airbag restraint device 40J that Figure 21 shows can be in the leg protection air bag 162 in replacing the system that Figure 17 or Figure 20 show.

In the present embodiment, as shown in figure 21, leg protection air bag 162J outwards launches from the front 180 of gauge panel 110.Positive 180 is relative with the shank of automotive occupant 20.The wall device that when leg protection air bag 162J inflation, has the chamber and define the chamber.Wall device comprises exterior wall 184 and last aft bulkhead 164.In the chamber, have the limiting device 182 of the shoestring form of making by materials a plurality of toughness and non-telescoping, only shown 182a in the drawings, three of 182b and 182c.As shown in the figure, thus limiting device 182 extend fully with inwardly draw volume that exterior wall 184 stops chambeies in expansion process externally the normal direction of wall 184 increase.But; limiting device 182 allows the volume in chamber to increase on predetermined expansion direction; as shown by arrows, so that go up aft bulkhead 164 beginnings and push with the front wall section (seeing Figure 20) of bottom air bag 172 with the front wall section 166 (seeing Figure 17) of head-protecting airbag 160 or with top or head-protecting airbag 170 and contact.

Each shoestring 182a, 182b and 182c have an end and the other end.The centre portion at shoestring two ends, every shoestring 182a, 182b and 182c are fixed in that gas enters the chamber by it so that near the common fixed body that is provided with the admission port of leg protection air bag 162J inflation.When extending fully, each shoestring 182a, 182b extends to surpass predetermined length separately along two different directions with 182c, represent distance by the length of L representative to a pair of attachment point, this to attachment point between the leg of the front panel 180 of gauge panel 110 and automotive occupant 180, by a plane in the different transversal planes in the space of D representative.

In the embodiment of Figure 21, limiting device 182 can use the shoestring of different numbers and not weaken its function.

(the 13 embodiment)

The leg protection air bag 162K of the airbag restraint device 40K that Figure 22 shows can be used for replacing the leg protection air bag 162 in Figure 17 or the system shown in Figure 20.

In the present embodiment, as shown in figure 22, leg protection air bag 162K launches from the front 180 of gauge panel 110.Positive 180 is relative with the shank of automotive occupant 20.Have chamber and the wall device that defines this chamber during leg protection air bag 162K inflation.Wall device comprises exterior wall 184 and last aft bulkhead 164.In the chamber, have the limiting device of forming by the form of a plurality of rings 190, wherein four rings 190a, 190b, 190c and 190d only are shown.As shown in the figure, the limiting device 190 abundant volumes that extend to stop the chamber externally increase on the normal direction of wall 184 in expansion process.But limiting device 190 allows the volume in chamber along increasing on predetermined expansion direction; as shown by arrows, so that go up aft bulkhead 164 beginnings and push with the front wall section 166 (seeing Figure 17) of head-protecting airbag 160 or with the front wall section (seeing Figure 20) of top or head-protecting airbag 170 and bottom air bag 172 and contact.

Each encircles 190a, 190b, 190c and 190d by toughness but the band that non-telescoping material is made form.Each encircles 190a, 190b, and 190c and 190d are to be attached to band on the exterior wall 184 from the inboard and the interconnective mode in two ends of band is installed on the exterior wall 184.When abundant extension, ring 190a and the 190b space between the leg of the front 180 of gauge panel 110 and automotive occupant 20, and other subtracts circlet 190c by two diameters and 190d places on the knee area of automotive occupant 20.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 22, limiting device 190 can use the ring that is different from four quantity and not reduce its function.

(the 14 embodiment)

The leg protection air bag 162L of airbag restraint device 40L shown in Figure 23 can be used for replacing the leg protection air bag 162 in the system of Figure 17 or Figure 20 representative.

In the present embodiment, as shown in figure 23, leg protection air bag 162L stores door 200 and outwards launches from the front 180 of gauge panel 110 by opening air bag.Positive 180 is relative with the shank of automotive occupant 20.During leg protection air bag 162L inflation, have chamber and the wall device that defines this chamber.Wall device comprises exterior wall 184 and last aft bulkhead 164.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 23, air bag is stored the function that door 200 is carried out limiting device, unless need preparation as limiting device 182 (seeing Figure 21) and this limiting device that separates of 190 (seeing Figure 22).

Air bag is stored door 200 and is set on the front 180 of gauge panel to cover the expansion fixed body 132 in the gauge panel 110.Door 200 comprises switching element 200A and opens and closes element 200B down.Opening and closing element 200A and 200B up and down opens by hinge 202 and 204 up and down.Upper hinge 202 places the top in the front 180 of gauge panel 110, and following hinge 204 places the bottom in the front 180 of gauge panel 110.

When shown in imaginary line among the figure, closing, on open and close element 200A and have rearwardly projecting arcuate structure.When closing shown in imaginary line among the figure, Xiamen parts 200B has rearwardly projecting arcuate structure.

Open and close element 200A and 200B up and down and have enough wide size L3 and L4 respectively, when opening exterior wall 184 is retrained with box lunch.

Open and close element 200A and 200B up and down and fully be opened to the position shown in the solid line by hinge 202 and 204.Last door part 200A further opens near the upper edge region and the prevention in the front 180 of gauge panel 110, has therefore prevented the expansion of leg protection air bag 162 along the normal to a surface direction of exterior wall 184.Open and close element 200B down and dispose to such an extent that open predetermined angle θ, and stop and further open, thereby stop leg protection air bag 162L externally to expand on the normal to a surface direction of wall 184.

In the present embodiment, as shown in figure 23, leg protection air bag 162L opens and closes element 200A up and down and 200B outwards launches from gauge panel 110 by pushing open.The wall device that has the chamber and define the chamber during leg protection air bag 162L inflation.Wall device comprises exterior wall 184 and last aft bulkhead 164.Open and close element 200A and the 200B open position shown in being locked in up and down, thereby the volume that prevents the chamber increases on the normal direction of wall 184 externally in expansion process.But it allows the volume in chamber to increase on predetermined expansion direction; as shown by arrows, so that go up aft bulkhead 164 beginnings and push with the front wall section (seeing Figure 20) of bottom air bag 172 with the front wall section 166 (seeing Figure 17) of head-protecting airbag 160 or with top or head-protecting airbag 170 and contact.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 23, air bag is stored the function that door 200 is carried out limiting device, unless the limiting device that needs preparation to separate.

(the 15 embodiment)

The leg protection air bag 162M of airbag restraint device 40M shown in Figure 24 can be used for replacing the leg protection air bag 162 in Figure 17 and the system shown in Figure 20.

In the present embodiment, as shown in figure 24, leg protection air bag 162M outwards launches from the front 180 of gauge panel 110.Positive 180 is relative with the shank of automotive occupant 20.During leg protection air bag 162M inflation, have chamber and the wall device that defines this chamber.Wall device comprises exterior wall and last aft bulkhead 164.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 24, leg protection air bag 162M is made by toughness and non-telescoping flap.Leg protection air bag 162M is formed with opening in the zone that last aft bulkhead 164 should be set up.This opening is covered and sealing by telescopic flap 210.Comprise that the structure of the leg protection air bag 162M of telescopic flap 210 carries out the function of limiting device.This structure prevents that the volume in chamber from externally increasing on the wall normal direction except telescopic flap 210 coverings and sealed opening in the process of launching.But telescopic flap 210 allows the volume in chamber to increase on predetermined expansion direction; as shown by arrows, so that aft bulkhead 164 beginning is pushed with the front wall section (seeing Figure 20) of bottom air bag 172 with the front wall section 166 (seeing Figure 17) of head-protecting airbag 160 or with top or head-protecting airbag 170 contacts.

(the 16 embodiment)

The leg protection air bag 162N of airbag restraint device 40N shown in Figure 25 can be used for replacing the leg protection air bag 162 in Figure 17 and the system shown in Figure 20.

In the present embodiment, as shown in figure 25, leg protection air bag 162N outwards launches from the front 180 of gauge panel 110.Positive 180 is relative with the shank of automotive occupant 20.During leg protection air bag 162N inflation, tool comprises the wall device of exterior wall and last aft bulkhead 164.Be provided with dividing plate 220, with inside be divided into positive 180 with the shank of automotive occupant 20 between first chamber with approaching on second or guide (leading) chamber of aft bulkhead 164.Dividing plate 220 is provided with check valve 222.Check valve 222 is opened to allow gas unidirectional to flow into first guide cavity.Last aft bulkhead 164 is formed with air extractor vent 224.This air extractor vent 224 is configured to close when contacting with front wall section (the seeing Figure 20) extruding of bottom air bag 172 with front wall section 166 (see figure 7)s of head-protecting airbag 160 or with top, top or head-protecting airbag 170 when last aft bulkhead 164 beginnings.This structure of check valve 222 and air extractor vent 224 is carried out the function of limiting device.

Define in the dividing plate 220 of the first guide cavity after the aft bulkhead 164 and provide check valve 222, thereby leg protection air bag 162N launches on predetermined expansion direction.Air extractor vent 224 pushes in front wall section 166 (see figure 7)s of 164 beginnings of last aft bulkhead and head-protecting airbag 160 or with top or head-protecting airbag 170 and the front wall section (seeing Figure 20) of bottom air bag 172 and closes after contacting.Air extractor vent 224 is closed back internal pressure and increases sharply, and therefore last aft bulkhead 164 pushes rapidly with head-protecting airbag and contacts.

In the description of the embodiment shown in above Figure 17 to 25, illustrated seatbelt protective device 10 all with the three-point seat belt device as an example.Seatbelt protective device 10 also can be taked the form of four point seat belt device.Among each embodiment, leg protection air bag 162 is accommodated in the gauge panel 110 and therefrom outwards launches.Leg protection air bag 162 can be accommodated in any suitable part in shank the place ahead of automotive occupant 20 in the power actuated vehicle.

Here with reference to having quoted all the elements that the spy who submitted on August 9th, 2004 is willing to 2004-232428 number Japanese patent application, the spy who submitted on August 9th, 2004 is willing to all the elements of 2004-232433 number Japanese patent application, and the spy who submitted on September 9th, 2004 is willing to all the elements of 2004-262168 number Japanese patent application.

Although by the invention has been described with reference to above certain embodiments, the invention is not restricted to the embodiments described.Those of skill in the art can prompting according to the present invention carry out various modifications and distortion to embodiment described above.Protection scope of the present invention is determined with reference to appended claim.

Claims (32)

1. a vehicle occupant restraint system is characterized in that, comprising:

Airbag restraint device (40,40A is to 40N) is included in first deploying portion of launching between the part of automotive occupant (20) and vehicle (48,48A, 100,100D, 100E, 100F, 100G, 160,170), with second deploying portion (52 that is associated with first deploying portion and launches, 52A, 102,102D, 102E, 102F, 102G, 160,170,172), provide support, act on load on first deploying portion from head (42) portion of automotive occupant to bear at least a portion thereby second deploying portion is first deploying portion, described first deploying portion and described second deploying portion are vertically arranged, and described second deploying portion contacts with the femoral region of described automotive occupant during it launches.

2. protective system as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described airbag restraint device (40,40A is to 40N) comprise at least one head (42) and automotive occupant (20) at automotive occupant femoral region (44) thus between launch supporting role in the air bag (48 of the load of femoral region, 48A, 52,52A, 100,100D, 100E, 100F, 100G, 102,102D, 102E, 102F, 102G, 160,170,172).

3. protective system as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, (40,40A 40I) comprises in vertical direction a plurality of air bags (48,48A, 52,52A, 170,172) of configuration to described airbag restraint device, in order at this side up transfer charge.

4. protective system as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, (40,40A 40I) comprising described airbag restraint device: be near the top air bag (48,48A, 170) of automotive occupant (20) head (42); And be in bottom air bag (52,52A, 172) between top air bag and the femoral region, in order to will act on load support on the air bag of top on the femoral region (44) of automotive occupant.

5. protective system as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, described bottom air bag (52A) is in aggregates and separated by dividing plate (80) with described top air bag (48A).

6. protective system as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, at least one air bag (40B) has two ends that separate in vertical direction, and (86) in two ends are than another easy deformation more.

7. protective system as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that, controller (70,90) response is controlled described a plurality of air bag (48,48A, 52,52A, 170,172) to the mensuration of vehicle driver's (20) build and launched.

8. protective system as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, in case judge that vehicle front shock is about to take place, described at least one air bag just begins to launch between the femoral region (44) of the head (42) of automotive occupant (20) and automotive occupant.

9. protective system as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, described first deploying portion (100,100D, 100E, 100F, 100G) automotive occupant (20) be arranged in a vehicle automotive occupant fwd part (108,110) launch between, it can be compressed between the two and cause the internal pressure of described first deploying portion to increase, and described second deploying portion (102,102D, 102E, 102F 102G) launches head (42) presumptive area in addition with the extruding automotive occupant with the increase of the internal pressure of described first deploying portion.

10. protective system as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that, the described presumptive area of automotive occupant (20) is femoral region (44).

11. protective system as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that, the described part in the vehicle is bearing circle (108).

12. protective system as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that, the described part in the described vehicle is gauge panel (110).

13. protective system as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that, the described part of vehicle is to described part and outstanding support portion (130), the junction surface of described first deploying portion (100E).

14. protective system as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that, described support is the 3rd air bag (130).

15. protective system as claimed in claim 9, it is characterized in that, described second deploying portion (102F) is separated with described first deploying portion (100F), and described airbag restraint device (40F) comprises the duct element (140) that gas is supplied to described second deploying portion from first deploying portion by it.

16. protective system as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that, described second deploying portion (102G) is in aggregates by film (150) with described first deploying portion (100G), and this film provides gas from described first deploying portion to described second deploying portion.

17. protective system as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that, also comprises:

The seatbelt protective device (10) that comprises shoulder hamess part (26); With

Wherein said first deploying portion (100G) is all outwards launched from described shoulder hamess part with described second deploying portion (102G).

18. protective system as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that, also comprises:

Comprise shoulder hamess part (26) and pelvic restraint seatbelt protective device (10) partly; And

Wherein said first deploying portion (100G) is partly launched with described pelvic restraint from described shoulder hamess part respectively with described second deploying portion (102G).

19. protective system as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described airbag restraint device (40H 40I) also comprises:

At least one air bag (160,170,172) launches between the femoral region (44) of the head (42) of automotive occupant (20) and automotive occupant; With the leg protection air bag (162,162J, 162K, 162L, 162M, 162N), from vehicle, be positioned at an automotive occupant fwd part (110) thus outwards launching to push with at least one air bag contacts supporting role load thereon.

20. protective system as claimed in claim 19, it is characterized in that, described airbag restraint device (40I) comprises the air bag (170,172) that launches and interfere mutually between the femoral region (44) of a plurality of heads in automotive occupant (20) (42) and automotive occupant (20).

21. protective system as claimed in claim 19 is characterized in that, described leg protection air bag (162J; 162K; 162L, 162M 162N) comprises limiting device (182; 190; 200,210), this limiting device retrains the leg protection airbag deployment so that described leg protection air bag and described at least one air bag (160 in the expansion process of described at least one air bag and described leg protection air bag; 170,172) extruding contact.

22. protective system as claimed in claim 21; it is characterized in that described limiting device (182) comprises a plurality of shoestring (182a, 182b; 182c), these a plurality of shoestring retrain the expansion of the part that can not contact with described at least one air bag in the described leg protection air bag.

23. protective system as claimed in claim 22 is characterized in that, described limiting device (190) comprises a plurality of ring (190a; 190b; 190c, 190d), these a plurality of rings are set on the exterior wall of leg protection air bag (162K) and retrain described exterior wall (184) and launch.

24. protective system as claimed in claim 21; it is characterized in that; described limiting device (200) comprises switching element (200A; 200B); this switching element is set on automotive occupant in the vehicle (20) the fwd part and is opened to a predetermined angle by hinge (202,204) in the process that leg protection air bag (162L) launches and launches with the exterior wall (184) of constraint leg protection air bag.

25. protective system as claimed in claim 21; it is characterized in that; described leg protection air bag (162M) is formed with scalable part (210) and non-telescoping part, and wherein scalable part is fitted to each other to form the limiting device (210) in the leg protection airbag deployment process with non-telescoping part.

26. protective system as claimed in claim 21; it is characterized in that; described leg protection air bag (162N) comprising: go up aft bulkhead (164); the first guide cavity that between last aft bulkhead and dividing plate (220), defines; be arranged on the check valve (222) that flows into first guide cavity in the dividing plate with permission gas, be formed on the air extractor vent (224) of aft bulkhead to form described limiting device.

27. protective system as claimed in claim 19 is characterized in that, in case judge that front shock is about to take place, and described leg protection air bag (162,162J, 162K, 162L, 162M 162N) just begins to launch with at least one air bag (160,170,172).

28. a vehicle occupant restraint system is characterized in that, comprising:

Airbag restraint device (40,40A is to 40N) is included in first deploying portion of launching between the part of automotive occupant (20) and vehicle (48,48A, 100,100D, 100E, 100F, 100G, 160,170) be associated with first deploying portion second deploying portion launched (52,52A, 102,102D, 102E, 102F, 102G, 160,170,172), thereby second deploying portion is first deploying portion to provide support, and acts on load on first deploying portion to bear at least a portion from head (42) portion of automotive occupant;

The seatbelt protective device (10) that comprises safety strap part (24,26),

Wherein said first deploying portion (48,48A, 100,100D, 100E, 100F, 100G, 160,170) is outwards launched from described safety strap part.

29. protective system as claimed in claim 28 is characterized in that, described safety strap partly is a shoulder hamess part (26).

30. a vehicle occupant restraint method is characterized in that, comprising:

Under the situation of vehicle front shock, in automotive occupant and vehicle between the part and between the femoral region (44) of the head (42) of automotive occupant (20) and automotive occupant (20) goes up the air bag (48 of deployment balloon protective device (40,40A is to 40N), 48A, 52,52A, 100,100D, 100E, 100F, 100G, 102,102D, 102E, 102F, 102G, 160,170,172), definition is one first deploying portion and one second deploying portion of arrangement vertically, thereby bears the head of automotive occupant; And

Support load on occupant's head acts on automotive occupant by air bag the femoral region with described first deploying portion and described second deploying portion.

31. means of defence as claimed in claim 30, it is characterized in that, described airbag restraint device (40C is to 40G) comprises first deploying portion (100,100D, 100E, 100F, 100G, 160,170), this first deploying portion is positioned between the automotive occupant fwd part (108,110) in automotive occupant (20) and vehicle and launches, between the two, be compressed so that the internal pressure of first deploying portion increases, wherein said airbag restraint device also comprise second deploying portion that the increase with the internal pressure of described first deploying portion launches (102,102D, 102E, 102F, 102G).

32. means of defence as claimed in claim 30; it is characterized in that airbag restraint device (40H is to 40N) comprises the head-protecting airbag (160,170 of protection automotive occupant (20) head (42); 172); and the leg protection air bag of protection driver leg (162,162J, 162K; 162L; 162M, 162N), wherein said leg protection air bag contacts with described head-protecting airbag extruding in the expansion process of described head-protecting airbag and leg protection air bag.

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