JP7396242B2 - worn airbag device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a wearable airbag device that is configured to protect the lower back of a wearer.

Conventionally, wearable airbag devices configured to protect the lower back of the wearer (for example, an elderly person) in the event of a fall have been designed to be worn around the waist and protrude downward when activated. There is a structure in which the waist is covered by an inflated airbag (for example, see Patent Document 1).

International Publication No. 2019/207474

Normally, when an airbag is inflated by allowing inflation gas to flow into the interior thereof, the airbag inflates thickly while curving its outer peripheral surface. Therefore, when the airbag is inflated so as to project downward from the state where it is wrapped around the waist, as in conventional wearable airbag devices, the inflated airbag floats away from the waist. There was a risk that the lower back could not be covered quickly and accurately in the event of a fall or the like.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a wearable airbag device that can stably protect the lower back of a wearer.

A wearable airbag device according to the present invention is a wearable airbag device configured to be able to protect the lower back of a wearer, and includes:
It is configured to be worn by the wearer around the pelvis, and is inflatable by allowing inflation gas to flow into the inside so as to cover the outside of the area to be protected, which consists of the wearer's left and right femoral trochanters. Equipped with an airbag that
The airbag has a fully inflated shape formed by joining together the peripheral edges of an inner wall portion disposed on the wearer side and an outer wall portion disposed on the outer side, and
an attachment side part located on the upstream side of the flow of inflation gas and placed on the side of the pelvis when inflation is completed;
a protection main body portion that is arranged to extend downward from the attachment side region when inflation is completed and covers the outside of the protection target region;
It is assumed that the configuration has
The device is characterized in that it is configured to be able to suppress lifting of the protection main body portion from the wearer when inflation is completed by the lifting suppressing means.

In the wearable airbag device of the present invention, when the airbag is fully inflated, the protection main body portion that covers the outside of the protected area consisting of the trochanteric part of the femur extends downward from the wearing side area located on the side of the pelvis. Even in the configuration where it is arranged so as to extend, the protection main body part is kept in a state in which lifting from the lower back is suppressed by the lifting suppressing means, that is, in a state in which it is close to the protected area (femoral trochanteric part). It will be placed. Therefore, the protection main body portion can quickly and accurately cover the outside of the site to be protected (femoral trochanteric portion).

Therefore, the wearable airbag device of the present invention can stably protect the lower back of the wearer.

Specifically, a tether serving as a lifting suppression means is disposed within the airbag so as to connect the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion near the boundary portion between the mounting side portion and the protection main body portion;
The tether is configured such that, when the airbag is flattened, the inner connecting portion where one edge is connected to the inner wall portion is located above the outer connecting portion where the other end edge is connected to the outer wall portion. It is preferable that the airbag be disposed within the airbag.

If the wearable airbag device has the above configuration, by arranging a tether inside that connects the inner wall and the outer wall near the boundary between the wearing side part and the protective body part, the airbag can be prevented from overflowing. In addition, this tether has an inner joining part that joins one end edge to the inner wall part located above an outside joining part that joins the other end edge to the outside wall part. In other words, the tether is arranged such that, starting from the upper end, the length of the inner wall that constitutes the attachment side portion is shorter than the length of the outer wall. Therefore, when the airbag completes inflation, the airbag can be bent so that the lower end side faces the wearer (inside), and the protection Lifting of the main body from the waist can be accurately suppressed, and the protection main body can accurately cover the outside of the site to be protected (femoral trochanter).

Further, as a lifting suppressing means, a tab portion is formed in the area of the inner wall portion so that the film length on the vertical side of the inner wall portion is shorter than that of the outer wall portion,
The grip portion may be arranged within the region of the mounting side portion.

If the wearable airbag device has such a configuration, by providing a knob on the inner wall side, the film length in the vertical direction of the inner wall from the wearing side part to the protection main body can be adjusted to the outer wall. It can be made shorter than the membrane length in the vertical direction, and the inner wall can be arranged so as to be bent starting from the knob, and the lower end side (lower end side of the protective main body part) when inflation is completed. can be directed toward the wearer (inside). In addition, since this knob is configured to be disposed in the area of the wearer's side, the protective main body can be extended over almost the entire upper and lower areas by the wearer, starting from the upper knob. The protection body can be placed close to the side, and can accurately prevent the protection main body from separating from the protection target area. The outside can be covered accurately.

Furthermore, as a means of suppressing lifting,
A partition wall is disposed within the airbag, which allows inflation gas to flow therethrough and partitions the mounting side portion and the protective main body portion,
The protective main body portion may be configured such that the fully expanded shape is thinner than the attachment side portion.

If the wearable airbag device has such a configuration, at the initial stage of inflation of the airbag, the wearing side part will first inflate by letting the inflation gas flow into the inside, and then the protective body part will inflate by letting the inflation gas flow into the inside. Gas is allowed to flow in to inflate, but since the protective main body part and the mounting side part are separated by a partition wall through which inflation gas can flow, inside the protective main body part, the mounting side part passes through the partition wall. Inflation gas will flow downward from the site. Further, the protective main body portion is configured to expand to be thinner than the mounting side portion. The trochanteric part of the femur, which is the part to be protected, is located outward to the left and right of the pelvis with respect to the horizontal center of the wearer's body. The protective main body part that covers the outside of the bone trochanteric part is thinner than the attachment side part located on the side of the pelvis. Because it is arranged in a concave manner, even if the configuration covers the trochanteric part of the femur (the area to be protected), which is located on the left and right sides of the pelvis, the trochanteric part of the femur may protrude from the pelvis. can be absorbed by the dimensional difference in thickness between the wearing side part and the protective body part, and prevents the protective body part from being disposed in an expanded state so that the lower end side is separated from the wearer. As a result, it is possible to accurately suppress the lifting of the protective main body part from the wearer. As a result, the protection main body portion can accurately cover the outside of the site to be protected (femoral trochanteric portion).

Furthermore, the wearable airbag device may have the following configuration.

A wearable airbag device configured to protect the lower back of a wearer,
It is configured to be worn by the wearer around the pelvis, and is inflatable by allowing inflation gas to flow into the inside so as to cover the outside of the area to be protected, which consists of the wearer's left and right femoral trochanters. airbag,
a gas generator that supplies inflation gas to the airbag;
Prepare,
The airbag has a substantially plate-like shape in which the fully inflated shape is formed by joining together the peripheral edges of an inner wall portion disposed on the wearer side and an outer wall portion disposed on the outer side. Two protective main body parts are attached to the wearer with the edge side as the wrapping site side that is wrapped around the pelvis, and are arranged so as to respectively cover the outside of the protected area when inflation is completed, and a gas generator. It is configured to include a gas supply path section to be connected, and two gas flow path sections that communicate the gas supply path section and each protection main body section,
The gas supply path section is configured to be placed at the rear of the pelvis,
Each gas flow path extends outward and downward in the left-right direction from the gas supply path, and is inverted so that it faces upward at a position below the protection main body, so that the tip side is protected. It is characterized by being communicated with the main body.

In a wearable airbag device having such a configuration, a protective main body portion that covers the outside of the femoral trochanteric region, which is the area to be protected when inflation is completed, is connected to a gas supply path portion located behind the pelvis. The device is configured to inflate by causing inflation gas to flow into the protective main body from below through the flow path, and within the gas flow path, the inflation gas flows away from the center of the wearer. However, since the upper edge of the airbag is wrapped around the pelvis, the inflation gas flowing into the protective body through the gas flow path is reversed and directed toward the center of the wearer. It will flow like this. Therefore, the protection body can be prevented from being placed away from the wearer by the flow of inflation gas into the airbag, and the protection body can precisely cover the outside of the area to be protected. can be covered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wearable airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention being worn by a wearer. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the wearable airbag device of the embodiment in a flattened state. 3 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the wearable airbag device of the embodiment, corresponding to the section III-III in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the airbag used in the wearable airbag device of the embodiment in a flattened state. In the wearable airbag device of the embodiment, it is a schematic diagram of a state in which the airbag is completely inflated while being worn by a wearer. In the wearable airbag device of the embodiment, it is a schematic partial cross-sectional view along the front-rear direction (schematic cross-sectional view on the left side) in a state where the airbag has completed inflation. FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the wearable airbag device of the embodiment in a fitted state, showing a state in which the airbag has completed inflation. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged plan view showing an airbag according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the airbag of FIG. 8 in a worn state, showing an inflated state. FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged plan view showing an airbag according to still another embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the airbag in FIG. 10, corresponding to the section XI-XI in FIG. 10. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag in FIG. 10, corresponding to the section XII-XII in FIG. 10. FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the airbag of FIG. 10 in a worn state, showing an inflated state. It is a top view which shows the airbag which is yet another embodiment of this invention. FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of the airbag of FIG. 14 in a worn state, showing an inflated state. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the flow of inflation gas during deployment and inflation in the airbag of FIG. 14. FIG. FIG. 15 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the airbag of FIG. 14 in a worn state, showing an inflated state.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a wearable airbag device S of a type that is worn so as to be wrapped around the waist MW of a wearer M (specifically, around the pelvis MP) will be taken as an example and explained. In the embodiment, the up-down, front-back, and left-right directions correspond to the up-down, front-back, and left-right directions of the wearer M when the wearer M wears the device, unless otherwise specified.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the wearable airbag device S includes an airbag 10, a gas generator 5 that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 10, and a sensor unit 2 that detects a fall of the wearer M. The airbag 10 is configured to include an operation control device 1 that operates the gas generator 5 and an outer cover portion 25 that covers the outer peripheral side of the airbag 10. In the wearable airbag device S of the embodiment, the airbag 10 is disposed within the outer cover portion 25 in a flattened state, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The operation control device 1 includes a sensor section 2 having an angular velocity sensor capable of detecting angular velocity around three axes (up, down, front, back, left, and right) and an acceleration sensor capable of detecting acceleration in the three axes. The gas generator 5 is configured to operate when a falling motion of the wearer M that is different from the normal motion is detected by the signal. Specifically, if the wearer M has started a falling motion that is different from the normal motion, the actuation control device 1 is equipped with a determining means that can determine from various threshold values, so that the determination of the determining means is performed. Based on this, a fall of the wearer M is detected, and the gas generator 5 is activated. The operation control device 1 has a built-in power source such as a battery (not shown) for operating the sensor section 2 and outputting signals for operating the gas generator 5.

The airbag 10 is formed from a flexible sheet body, and in the case of the embodiment, is formed from a woven fabric made of polyester thread, polyamide thread, or the like. This airbag 10 is configured to be worn by a wearer M so as to be wrapped around the pelvis MP using a belt-like portion 27 of the outer cover portion 25, which will be described later. In the case of the embodiment, the airbag 10 is arranged so as to cover the left and right sides of the waist MW of the wearer M in the installed state (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the airbag 10 has substantially the same external shape, and includes an inner wall portion 10a placed on the wearer M side (inside) when worn, and an outer wall portion 10b placed on the outside. By sewing (bonding) the peripheral edges of the inner wall portion 10a and the outer wall portion 10b to each other, the bag-like shape is formed so that the fully inflated shape is substantially plate-like. In the case of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the airbag 10 includes two bag bodies 13 (13L, 13R) that cover the left and right sides of the waist MW of the wearer M, and a bag body 13 (13L, 13R). The bag main body 13 (13L, 13R) is provided with a gas supply path portion 12 that communicates with each other on the upper end 13a side. The airbag 10 has a symmetrical shape when it is flattened.

The gas supply path portion 12 has a fully expanded shape that is a rod shape that extends substantially in the left-right direction. In the case of the embodiment, although detailed illustration is omitted, this gas supply path section 12 is arranged at a position behind the pelvis MP of the wearer M when the airbag 10 is fully inflated. In the embodiment, a gas generator 5 is connected to the gas supply passage 12 so as to be able to supply inflation gas into the airbag 10 (see FIG. 2). Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the gas generator 5 is arranged near the longitudinal center of the gas supply path section 12, and is configured with compressed gas sealed inside, and does not maintain the sealed state during operation. When released, cold gas can be ejected into the airbag 10. This gas generator 5 is electrically connected to the above-mentioned operation control device 1, and is configured to be activated by inputting an operation signal from the operation control device 1 that detects the fall of the wearer M.

In the case of the embodiment, each bag main body 13 (13L, 13R) includes a mounting side portion 15, a protection main body portion 16 arranged to extend downward from the mounting side portion 15, as shown in FIG. It is equipped with

In the case of the embodiment, the mounting side portion 15 is formed so as to be continuous from the gas supply path portion 12 and extend to the left and right of the gas supply path portion 12 when the airbag 10 is flattened. It is located on the upper end 13a side of the bag body 13, on the upstream side of the flow of the inflation gas G. Furthermore, when worn, the wearing side part 15 is configured to be wrapped around the waist part MW of the wearer M using a belt-like part 27 of the outer cover part 25, which will be described later. It will be placed on the side of the pelvis MP of the wearer M (see FIG. 7). In the case of the embodiment, the mounting side portion 15 is disposed over substantially the entire area on the left and right sides of the upper edge 10c side of the airbag 10 in the flattened state, including the gas supply path portion 12 disposed in between. There is.

The protection main body part 16 is arranged on the lower end 13b side of the bag main body 13 so as to extend downward from the wearing side part 15 when inflation is completed, and is configured to cover the outside of the femoral trochanteric part TP as a protection target part. In the case of the embodiment, the outer shape of the flattened state is slightly wider on the left-right side than on the up-down side, and extends to the lower end 16a side, so that the periphery of the femoral trochanteric part TP can be widely covered. It is configured as a substantially trapezoidal shape with a slightly narrow width. The protection main body portion 16 is configured such that the width dimension in the left-right direction is substantially the same as the width dimension in the left-right direction of the mounting side portion 15. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, this protection main body portion 16 is configured to be able to cover a wide area of the outer side of the femoral trochanteric portion TP from front to back and above and below when inflation is completed.

In the airbag 10 of the embodiment, the mounting side portion 15 and the protective body portion 16 are separated by a tether 18 arranged inside the bag body 13 (13L, 13R). In the case of the embodiment, the tether 18 regulates the separation distance between the inner wall portion 10a and the outer wall portion 10b of the airbag 10, and extends between the attachment side portion 15 and the protection body portion 16 over substantially the entire surface. It is configured to be closable, and has a belt shape whose length is set slightly smaller than the width of the bag main body 13 in the left and right direction.The inner edge 18a is connected to the inner wall 10a, and the inner edge It is disposed within the bag body 13 with an outer edge 18b opposite the edge 18a coupled to the outer wall 10b (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The tether 18 is formed with a plurality of gas flow holes 19 (three in the case of the embodiment) along the longitudinal direction through which the inflation gas that has flowed into the attachment side portion 15 can flow out into the protective main body portion 16. ing. This tether 18 constitutes lifting suppression means, and in the case of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. The coupling portion 22 is disposed within the airbag 10 so as to be located above the outer coupling portion 23 that couples the outer edge 18b to the outer wall portion 10b. That is, in the airbag 10 of the embodiment, the mounting side portion 15 has a film length on the vertical side of the inner wall portion 15a disposed on the wearer M side (film length L1 from the upper edge 10c to the inner joint portion 22). ) is configured to be shorter than the film length (film length L2 from the upper edge 10c to the outer joint portion 23) in the vertical direction of the outer wall portion 15b disposed on the outside (FIG. 3). reference). In the embodiment, both the inner bonding site 22 and the outer bonding site 23 connect the inner end edge 18a and the outer end edge 18b of the tether 18 to the inner wall portion continuously over substantially the entire length using a suture thread. 10a and the outer wall portion 10b (see FIG. 4).

The outer cover portion 25 is formed from a flexible woven fabric that has a better feel than the base fabric constituting the airbag 10, and is configured to cover the entire outer peripheral surface of the airbag 10. . The outer cover part 25 has an inner wall part 25a arranged on the inner side (on the side of the wearer M) when worn, and an outer wall part 25b arranged on the outer side when worn. By joining (sewing) the outer peripheral edges of the airbags to each other, the airbag 10 is shaped like a bag. The airbag 10 is set larger than the airbag 10 in the closed state (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer cover portion 25 has belt-like portions 27, 27 on the upper edge side that protrude outward on the left and right, respectively. This belt-like portion 27 is configured to have attachment means on the tip 27a side. In the embodiment, the attachment means are arranged on the tip 27a side of the belt-like portion 27 so that they can be easily finely adjusted according to the waist size of the wearer M and are easily attached and detached. A pair of planar fasteners 28 are used, each having a hook-shaped side portion 28a and a loop side portion 28b, and capable of connecting the tips 27a of the belt-shaped portion 27 to each other.

The wearable airbag device S of the embodiment connects the tips 27a of the belt-like portion 27 of the outer cover portion 25 to each other using a planar fastener 28 as a mounting means, thereby attaching the wearer M to the lower back MW (pelvis MP). ), and is worn by the wearer M. In the wearable airbag device S of the embodiment, when the sensor unit 2 detects a fall of the wearer M while the wearer M is wearing it, the operation control device 1 outputs an activation signal to the gas generator 5. Then, the inflation gas flows into the inside of the airbag 10, and the airbag 10 completes inflation as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7.

In the wearable airbag device S of the embodiment, in the airbag 10, when the inflation is completed, the protection main body part 16 that covers the outside of the protection target region consisting of the femoral trochanteric part TP is arranged on the side of the pelvis MP. Even if the protection main body portion 16 is configured to extend downward from the wearing side portion 15, the protection main body portion 16 is in a state in which lifting from the waist portion MW is suppressed by the tether 18 as lifting suppressing means, that is, It will be placed in close proximity to the site to be protected (femoral trochanteric region TP) (see FIG. 7). Therefore, the protection main body portion 16 can quickly and accurately cover the outside of the femoral trochanteric portion TP, which is the site to be protected.

Therefore, in the wearable airbag device S of the embodiment, the lower back MW of the wearer M can be stably protected.

In the wearable airbag device S of the embodiment, an inner wall portion 10a and an outer wall portion are provided inside the airbag 10 (bag main body 13) near the boundary region between the mounting side portion 15 and the protection main body portion 16 as a lifting suppression means. 10b, it is possible to prevent the airbag 10 (bag body 13) from inflating too thickly. Further, this tether 18 is configured such that an inner coupling portion 22 that couples the inner edge 18a to the inner wall portion 10a is located above an outer coupling portion 23 that couples the outer edge 18b to the outer wall portion 10b. In other words, the tether 18 is arranged so that the substantial film length L1 of the inner wall portion 15a of the attachment side portion 15 is shorter than the substantial film length L2 of the outer wall portion 15b. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, when the airbag 10 is fully inflated, the airbag 10 (bag main body 13) is moved so that the lower end 16a side of the protective main body part 16 faces the wearer M side (inside). , can be arranged so as to be bent with the inner joint portion 22 as a starting point, and lifting of the protection main body portion 16 from the waist region MW can be accurately suppressed. The outside of the bone trochanteric portion TP) can be accurately covered.

Further, as the airbag 10A, those having the configurations shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 may be used. In the airbag 10A, no tether is disposed inside, and the inner wall 10a of the bag body 13A has a membrane length shorter in the vertical direction than the outer wall 10b as a means for suppressing lifting. A knob portion 35 is provided to allow the user to use the device. The grip portion 35 is formed within the region of the mounting side portion 15A of the inner wall portion 10a, and in the case of the embodiment, specifically, the grip portion 35 is formed in the region of the mounting side portion 15A in the inner wall portion 10a, and specifically, as shown in FIG. A notch 35a is formed along the left-right direction on the side of the gas supply path portion 12A at a position slightly above the lower edge thereof, and the peripheral edges of the notch are connected to each other. A portion 35b is provided, and the portion 35b is formed in an elongated shape substantially along the left-right direction. Before the knob portion is formed, the inner wall portion 10A and the outer wall portion 10b have substantially the same external shape.

In the airbag 10A (bag main body 13A) having such a configuration, by providing the knob portion 35 on the inner wall portion 10a side, the inner wall portion 10a from the mounting side portion 15A to the protection main body portion 16A is provided with the grip portion 35 on the vertical side of the inner wall portion 10a. The film length can be made shorter than the film length on the vertical side of the outer wall part 10b, and the inner wall part 10a can be arranged so as to be bent with the knob part 35 as a starting point (see FIG. 9). , the lower end 13b side (the lower end 16a side of the protective main body portion 16A) when the inflation is completed can be directed toward the wearer M side (inside). In addition, since this knob portion 35 is arranged in the region of the attachment side portion 15A, the protection main body portion 16A is approximately It can be placed close to the wearer M side over the entire area, and it is possible to accurately prevent the protection main body part 16A from separating from the protection target site (femoral trochanteric part TP). As shown in FIG. 9, the protection main body portion 16A can accurately cover the outside of the site to be protected (femoral trochanteric portion TP). Note that in FIG. 9, the outer cover portion is omitted.

Furthermore, the configurations shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 may be used as the airbag 10B. In the airbag 10B, a partition wall 40 is formed inside the bag body 13B to partition the mounting side portion 15B and the protective main body portion 16B, and the protective main body portion 16B has a fully inflated shape that is thinner than the mounting side portion 15B. It is configured so that. Specifically, the partition wall 40 is configured to be able to cover almost the entire surface between the attachment side portion 15B and the protection main body portion 16B, and has a length dimension equal to a width dimension of the bag main body 13B in the left-right direction. It is arranged in the bag main body 13B as a band shape set to be substantially the same as that, with the end edge 40a being joined to the inner wall part 10a, and the end edge 40b opposite to the end edge 40a being joined to the outer wall part 10b. (See Figure 10). The partition wall 40 is configured such that the positions of the inner joint portion 43 and the outer joint portion 44, which connect the end edges 40a and 40b to the inner wall portion 10a and the outer wall portion 10b, respectively, are substantially aligned in the vertical direction. , is arranged. That is, the partition wall 40 is arranged substantially along the horizontal direction when the airbag 10B is fully inflated (see FIG. 13). A plurality of gas flow holes 41 (three in the case of the embodiment) are formed in the partition wall 40 along the longitudinal direction through which the inflation gas that has flowed into the mounting side portion 15B can flow out into the protective main body portion 16B. ing. A seam portion 47 that directly connects the inner wall portion 10a and the outer wall portion 10b is disposed within the area of the protective body portion 16B in order to make the expanded shape of the protective body portion 16B thin. In the case of the embodiment, the seam portions 47 are linear in the vertical direction, and three seam portions 47 are arranged in parallel on the left and right sides when the bag main body 13B is flattened. In the airbag 10B, the partition wall 40 and the seam portion 47 constitute lifting suppressing means.

In the airbag 10B (bag main body 13B) having such a configuration, at the initial stage of inflation of the airbag 10B, the mounting side portion 15B first causes inflation gas to flow into the inside and is inflated, and then the protective main body portion 16B The protective main body part 16B and the mounting side part 15B are partitioned by a partition wall 40 through which the inflation gas can flow, so that the protective main body part 16B Inflation gas G flows downward from the mounting side portion 15B through the gas flow holes 41 formed in the partition wall 40 (see FIG. 13). Furthermore, the protective main body portion 16B is configured to have a width W1 smaller than a width W2 of the mounting side portion 15B when the inflation is completed, so that the protection main body portion 16B inflates to be thinner than the mounting side portion 15B. The trochanteric part of the femur TP, which is the part to be protected, is located on the left and right sides of the pelvis MP with respect to the horizontal center of the body of the wearer M. The protection body part 16B that covers the outside of the trochanteric part TP is made thinner than the attachment side part 15B that is arranged on the side of the pelvis MP. Since the femoral trochanter is arranged so as to be recessed relative to the The protrusion of the part TP from the pelvis MP can be absorbed by the difference in thickness between the wearing side part 15B and the protective body part 16B, and the protective body part 16B separates the lower end 16a side from the wearer M. It is possible to prevent the protection main body portion 16B from being disposed in such an expanded state, and it is possible to accurately suppress the protection main body portion 16B from lifting off from the wearer M. As a result, the protection main body portion 16B can accurately cover the outside of the site to be protected (femoral trochanteric portion TP). In particular, in the embodiment, the airbag 10B is configured such that the wearing side portion 15B can be wrapped around the waist MW of the wearer M using a belt-like portion of the outer cover portion (not shown). Therefore, the protection main body portion 16B extending downward from the wearing side portion 15B tends to lift up from the wearer M, but such lifting can be accurately suppressed by inflating the protective body portion 16B to be thinner than the wearing side portion 15B. be able to.

Furthermore, as the airbag 50, those having the configurations shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 may be used. The airbag 50 has substantially the same external shape and includes an inner wall portion 50a that is placed on the wearer M side (inside) when worn, and an outer wall portion 50b that is placed on the outside. By sewing (combining) the peripheral edges of the outer wall portion 50b and the outer wall portion 50b, a bag-like shape having a substantially plate-like shape after inflation is formed. In the case of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the airbag 50 includes two protection main body parts 52 (52L, 52L, 52R), a gas supply path portion 51 connected to a gas generator (not shown), and two gas flow path portions 53( 53L, 53R). The airbag 50 has a symmetrical shape when it is flattened. This airbag 50, like the above-described wearable airbag device S, has its outer circumferential side covered with an outer cover portion 25 (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 17). A configuration in which the wearer M uses a belt-like part (not shown) of the part 25 to set the part on the gas supply path part 51 side, which is the upper edge 50c side, as the wrapping part side to be wrapped around the pelvis MP. It is.

The gas supply path section 51 is disposed on the upper edge 50c side of the airbag 50 and on the center side in the left-right direction, and has a completed inflation shape of a rod-like shape substantially along the left-right direction, so that the gas supply path section 51 is arranged in the center side in the left-right direction on the upper edge 50c side of the airbag 50. In some cases, it is a region located at the rear of the pelvis MP of the wearer M (see FIGS. 15 and 16). This gas supply passage section 51 is configured to be connected to a gas generator (not shown), similarly to the gas supply passage section 12 in the airbag 10 described above.

The protective main body portions 52 (52L, 52R) are arranged so as to be stepped with respect to the gas supply path portion 51 so that the upper ends thereof are located below the upper edge of the gas supply path portion 51. (See Figure 14). That is, when the airbag 50 is fully inflated, each protection main body section 52 is disposed below the gas supply path section 51 disposed behind the pelvis MP, in other words, below the pelvis MP. (See FIG. 16). The two gas flow path portions 53 (53L, 53R) that connect each of the protection main body portions 52 (52L, 52R) and the gas supply path portion 51 are arranged outward in the left and right direction from the end of the gas supply path portion 51. It extends downward and is inverted upward at a position below the protection main body 52, so that the tip 53a side is connected to the lower end 52a side of the protection main body 52. . Specifically, each gas flow path portion 53 is formed in a substantially J-shape when the airbag 50 is flattened, and the tip 53a is the front lower end of each protection body portion 52 when inflation is completed. It is configured to be connected to the side. Each protection main body part 52 has a substantially rectangular outer shape so as to protrude from the tip 53a of the gas flow path part 53 toward the left and right center when the airbag 50 is flattened. has been done. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, the protection main body portion 52 is configured to be able to cover a wide area of the outer side of the femoral trochanteric portion TP in the front and back and above and below when the inflation is completed.

In the airbag 50 having such a configuration, each protection main body part 52 that covers the outside of the left and right femoral trochanteric parts TP when inflation is completed is connected to a gas supply path part located behind the pelvis MP at the initial stage of inflation. 51 and the gas flow path section 53, the inflation gas is caused to flow into the protection main body section 52 from below to inflate it. The gas G will flow away from the center of the wearer M, but since the upper edge 50c of the airbag 50 is wrapped around the pelvis MP, the gas G will flow away from the center of the wearer M. The inflation gas flowing into the protective main body portion 52 reverses and flows toward the center of the wearer M. Specifically, in the airbag 50 having the above configuration, the tip 53a of the gas flow path portion 53 is connected to the front lower end side of the protection body portion 52 that is away from the gas supply path portion 51, and 52 is inflated by allowing inflation gas to flow into the interior from the front lower end side, but at this time, the inflation gas flows inside the protective main body 52 toward the horizontal center of the body of the wearer M. It will flow like this. Therefore, the protection main body portion 52 can be prevented from being disposed apart from the wearer M by the flow of inflation gas into the airbag 50, and the femoral trochanter region as a region to be protected can be prevented. The outside of the TP can be accurately covered by the protective main body portion 52.

In the wearable airbag device S of the embodiment, the two protection main body parts 16, 16A, 16B, 52 of the airbags 10, 10A, 10B, 50 protect the wearer M near the base of the femur TB (femoral trochanteric part). Since it is possible to stably protect the wearer M's femur TB due to a fall, it is possible to prevent the wearer M from fracturing the femur TB, which requires prolonged treatment, and it can be suitably used for elderly people.

In addition, the wearable airbag device S of the embodiment has two bag bodies 13, 13A, 13B connected by the gas supply path section 12 as the airbags 10, 10A, 10B, and each bag body 13, 13A, 13B, an airbag configured to protect the left and right protection target parts (femoral trochanteric region TP) is used, but the configuration of the airbag is not limited to the embodiment, and can protect the left and right protection target parts respectively. Alternatively, separate airbags and separate gas generators capable of supplying inflation gas to each airbag may be arranged.

In the embodiment, a type of wearable airbag device that has a belt-like part and is worn by being wrapped around the waist is used as an example, but the present invention is applicable to other airbag devices. The wearable airbag device is not limited to the embodiments, but includes, for example, a type of vest or jacket that is worn on the wearer's torso and inflated so that the airbag protrudes from the lower end side when worn. The present invention may be applied to a wearable airbag device. Further, in the embodiment, the airbag is stored inside the outer cover part in a flat expanded state, but of course, the airbag may be stored inside the outer cover part in a folded state.

10, 10A, 10B...Airbag, 10a...Inner wall part, 10b...Outer wall part, 15, 15A, 15B... Mounting side part, 16, 16A, 16B... Protective body part, 16a... Lower end, 18... Tether (lifting) 18a...Inner edge, 18b...Outer edge, 19...Gas flow hole, 22...Inner joint site, 23...Outside joint site, 35...Knob portion (lifting suppressing means), 40...Partition wall (lifting suppressing means) means), 41... Gas distribution hole, 47... Seam part (lifting suppressing means), 50... Air bag, 50a... Inner wall part, 50b... Outer wall part, 51... Gas supply path part, 52 (52L, 52R)... Protective body part, 52a... lower end, 53 (53L, 53R)... gas flow path part, 53a... tip, M... wearer, MW... lumbar region, MP... pelvis, TB... femur, TP... femoral trochanter part, S... Worn airbag device.

Claims (2)

A wearable airbag device configured to protect the lower back of a wearer,
It is configured to be worn on the wearer around the pelvis, and is inflatable by allowing inflation gas to flow into the interior so as to cover the outside of the protected area consisting of the wearer's left and right femoral trochanters. Equipped with an airbag that is said to be
The airbag has a substantially plate-like inflated shape formed by joining the peripheral edges of an inner wall portion disposed on the wearer side and an outer wall portion disposed on the outer side. With,
an attachment side part located on the upstream side of the flow of inflation gas and placed on the side of the pelvis when inflation is completed;
a protection main body portion that is arranged to extend downward from the attachment side region when inflation is completed and covers the outside of the protection target region;
It is assumed that the configuration has
The lifting suppressing means is configured to be capable of suppressing lifting of the protective main body part from the wearer when inflation is completed ,
A tether serving as the lifting suppressing means is disposed in the airbag so as to connect the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion near the boundary portion between the mounting side portion and the protection main body portion,
When the tether is flattened, the inner connecting portion that connects one edge to the inner wall is located above the outer connecting portion that connects the other edge to the outer wall. A wearable airbag device , characterized in that the wearable airbag device is disposed within the airbag in such a manner that the wearable airbag device A wearable airbag device configured to protect the lower back of a wearer,
It is configured to be worn on the wearer around the pelvis, and is inflatable by allowing inflation gas to flow into the interior so as to cover the outside of the protected area consisting of the wearer's left and right femoral trochanters. Equipped with an airbag that is said to be
The airbag has a substantially plate-like inflated shape formed by joining the peripheral edges of an inner wall portion disposed on the wearer side and an outer wall portion disposed on the outer side. With,
an attachment side part located on the upstream side of the flow of inflation gas and placed on the side of the pelvis when inflation is completed;
a protection main body portion that is arranged to extend downward from the attachment side region when inflation is completed and covers the outside of the protection target region;
It is assumed that the configuration has
The lifting suppressing means is configured to be capable of suppressing lifting of the protective main body part from the wearer when inflation is completed ,
As the lifting suppression means,
A partition wall is disposed within the airbag, through which inflation gas can flow, and which partitions the attachment side portion and the protection main body portion,
A wearable airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the protective main body portion is configured such that a fully inflated shape is thinner than the mounting side portion .

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