OCCUPANT PROTECTION DEVICE

• US 20150061268A1
• Filed: 08/11/2014
• Published: 03/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Subaru Corp.
• Original Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo KK (Subaru Corp.)
• Inventors: NAGASAWA, Isamu
• Granted Patent: US 9,283,916 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0051 Knees
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0053 Legs
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0055 Pelvis
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23107 the bag being integrated in a multi-bag system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23169 specially adapted for knee protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration

Abstract

An occupant protection device protects an occupant who sits in a seat of a vehicle. The occupant protection device includes a kneecap regulation unit that suppresses a forward movement of the kneecaps of the occupant at the time of a collision of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An occupant protection device to protect an occupant who sits in a seat, comprising:

a kneecap regulation unit that suppresses a forward movement of the kneecaps of the occupant at the time of a collision of a vehicle.

2. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a seatbelt that suppresses a forward movement of the lower torso of the occupant.

3. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a behind-the-knee regulation unit that presses behind the knees of the occupant.

4. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a calf regulation unit that presses the calves of the occupant.

5. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the kneecap regulation unit is a knee airbag.

6. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the kneecap regulation unit is a knee guard.

7. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the kneecap regulation unit includes

a first knee airbag provided to the front of the occupant,

a second knee airbag provided to a door trim of the vehicle, and

a third knee airbag provided to the center console of the vehicle.

8. The occupant protection device according to claim 4, wherein the calf regulation unit is a calf airbag that presses the calves.

9. The occupant protection device according to claim 4, wherein the calf regulation unit is a calf regulation member provided on the forward side of the seat so as to be moved separately from the seat.

10. The occupant protection device according to claim 4, wherein the calf regulation unit is a calf regulation member provided on the forward side of the seat so as to be moved integral with the seat.

11. The occupant protection device according to claim 5, wherein the knee airbag presses from the kneecaps to the shins.

12. The occupant protection device according to claim 5, wherein the knee airbag presses from the kneecaps, both sides of the kneecaps and shins, to both sides of the shins.

13. The occupant protection device according to claim 5, wherein the knee airbag is divided into at least two in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and presses from the kneecaps to the shins.

14. The occupant protection device according to claim 5, wherein the knee airbag is divided into at least two in the horizontal direction of the vehicle, and presses the kneecaps and both sides of the kneecaps.

15. The occupant protection device according to claim 8, wherein the calf airbag is provided to the seat.

16. The occupant protection device according to claim 8, wherein the calf airbag is provided to a cross member.

17. The occupant protection device according to claim 8, wherein the calf airbag presses from the calves to both sides of the calves.

18. The occupant protection device according to claim 8, wherein the calf airbag is divided into at least two in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and presses from the calves to both sides of the calves.

19. The occupant protection device according to claim 8, wherein

the calf regulation unit is a calf airbag that presses the calves;

and

the lower end of the knee airbag is equal to or lower than that of the calf airbag in the vertical direction of the vehicle.