JP2003335210A - Side air bag device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a side air bag device for effectively protecting an occupant even when a body side part largely and deformedly protrudes to an indoor side in a side collision. <P>SOLUTION: An air bag 16 forms an upper partition chamber 18 corresponding to the shoulder Ps of the occupant P in an unfolding-inflating state, a lower partition chamber 19 corresponding to the waist Ph, and an intermediate partition chamber 20 corresponding to the chest Pc. The air bag 16 is provided with a seam 17 for promoting unfolding-inflations of the upper and lower partition chambers 18 and 19, and is constituted so that the upper and lower partition chambers 18 and 19 are unfolded and inflated earlier than the intermediate partition chamber 20 by this seam 17 in unfolding-inflating the air bag 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle body side portion and an airbag when the body side portion of the vehicle is impacted with a predetermined value or more due to a side collision of the vehicle (hereinafter, simply referred to as side collision). The present invention relates to a side airbag device adapted to be deployed and inflated with an occupant in a room.
In particular, the present invention relates to an airbag device in which an airbag is laterally deployed to an occupant and vertically expanded and inflated from an occupant's waist to shoulders.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As conventional side airbag devices of this type, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-177527 (first conventional structure), Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-280853 (second conventional structure), and US Pat. A structure as disclosed in No. 5112079 (third conventional structure) has been proposed.

In the first conventional structure, as shown in FIG. 18, a side airbag device 42 is provided on the backrest portion 41a of the seat 41 in the vehicle compartment. A split seam 44 is provided in the airbag 43 of the side airbag device 42.
A first chamber 45 that is inflatable on the side of the rib cage Pc of the occupant P seated on the seat 41 and a second chamber 46 that is inflatable on the side of the waist Ph are partitioned and formed via the.

A front chamber 48 is defined on the peripheral side of a gas generator 47 for expanding and inflating the airbag 43. Pre-chamber 48 and the first and second
First chamber consisting of a plurality of small holes between the chambers 45 and 46
And second inflow openings 49 and 50 are provided, respectively, and the opening area of the first inflow opening 49 is smaller than the opening area of the second inflow opening 50.

When the body side portion receives an impact of a predetermined value or more due to a side collision of the vehicle, after the gas generated from the gas generator 47 is supplied to the front chamber 48,
First and second inflow openings 49 and 50 having different opening areas
Are introduced into the first and second chambers 45 and 46 with different inflow rates. Due to the difference in the gas inflow amount, both chambers 45 and 46 are expanded and inflated so that the internal pressure of the first chamber 45 becomes lower than the internal pressure of the second chamber 46.

In the second conventional structure, as shown in FIG. 19, the airbag 4 of the side airbag device 42 is provided.
3, a partition wall 51 is provided between the first expansion area 52 that is inflatable behind the arm portion Pa of the occupant P and a second expansion area 53 that is inflatable by contacting the arm portion Pa. ing.
Then, at the time of a side collision of the vehicle, the first expansion region 52 is immediately expanded and expanded from the lower side to the upper part by the gas generated from the gas generator 47, and then the second expansion region 53 is delayed and expanded and expanded from the lower side to the upper side. It is supposed to be done.

Further, in the third conventional structure, there has been proposed a side airbag device having an airbag which greatly expands and inflates so as to integrally cover the occupant's waist and head.

[0008]

However, in the first conventional configuration, as described above, the first chamber 45 corresponding to the thoracic region Pc of the occupant P has a lower internal pressure than the second chamber corresponding to the lumbar region Ph. It is designed to be expanded and inflated. For this reason, the chest portion Pc, which is relatively weak against impact, is located at the waist portion Ph.
Softer and more buffered. Therefore, although the side airbag device of the first conventional configuration is configured so that the impact due to the side collision does not act on the rib cage Pc so much, when the body side portion of the vehicle largely deforms and enters the interior side. Includes the first chamber 45 corresponding to the rib cage Pc.
Since the internal pressure of the chest is low, anxiety remains in protecting the rib cage Pc.

Further, in the second conventional structure, as described above, the inside of the airbag 43 is vertically divided into the first and second expansion regions 52 and 53, and the rear first expansion region 52 is expanded. After being inflated, the front second unfolding region 53 is unfolded and inflated. Therefore, in the up-down direction of the airbag 43, the occupant P makes almost uniform contact from the shoulder Ps to the waist Ph and protects the rib cage Pc as in the case of the first conventional configuration. Remain.

Furthermore, in the third conventional structure, the airbag is simply configured to expand and inflate in a wide area to expand the protection area, and the airbag is expanded according to the body part of the occupant. There is no disclosure of changing the morphology. Therefore, the effect of effectively protecting the occupant cannot be expected in consideration of the characteristics of the human body.

The present invention has been made based on the points of interest existing in such conventional techniques. The purpose is to arrange the compartments corresponding to the shoulders and waist of the occupant and the compartments corresponding to the rib cage, and to provide a time difference between the expansion and expansion of the compartments so that the body side portion can be used during a side impact. An object of the present invention is to provide a side airbag device that can effectively protect an occupant even when the vehicle greatly deforms and enters the indoor side.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention as set forth in claim 1 relates to the body part of a vehicle and an occupant in the passenger compartment when an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the body part of the vehicle. In a side airbag device including an airbag that is deployed between the airbag and a gas generation source that deploys and inflates the airbag, the airbag corresponds to a shoulder portion of an occupant seated on a seat in the deployed and inflated state. An upper compartment, a lower compartment corresponding to the occupant's waist, and an intermediate compartment corresponding to the occupant's thorax are provided, and the expansion and inflation of the upper compartment and the lower compartment are intermediate when the airbag is deployed and inflated. It is characterized in that a promoting means is provided to accelerate the expansion and expansion of the compartment.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, at the time of a side collision of a vehicle, when an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the body, gas is generated from the gas generating source and the airbag is deployed. Is inflated. At this time, the upper compartment corresponding to the shoulder of the occupant and the lower compartment corresponding to the waist are deployed and inflated earlier than the intermediate compartment corresponding to the thorax. As a result, the shoulder and waist of the occupant, which is resistant to external impacts, is pushed first, and then the rib cage can be protected. Therefore, even when the body side portion largely deforms and enters the interior side, it is possible to effectively absorb the impact while protecting the entire body of the occupant including the chest portion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a guiding means is provided for guiding the gas supplied from the gas generating source to the upper compartment and the lower compartment at substantially the same time. It is characterized by.

Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the upper compartment and the lower compartment of the airbag are inflated and inflated substantially at the same time, and the shoulder and waist of the occupant are pushed at substantially the same time, so that the occupant can be swiftly moved. It can be restrained and the protective effect can be further enhanced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the facilitating means comprises a seam that joins the base fabrics in the middle portion of the airbag. It is a thing.

Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 3, it is possible to prevent an exclusive part for the facilitating means from being necessary and prevent an increase in the number of parts. As a result, the structure is simplified. Thus, the airbag can be manufactured at a low cost.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the facilitating means is a binding cloth provided around the middle portion of the airbag. It is a thing.

Therefore, according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the binding cloth may be provided around the middle portion of the airbag. Therefore, the number of parts does not increase significantly,
The structure of the facilitating means is simple, and the expansion of the intermediate compartments can be suppressed to surely promote the expansion of the upper and lower compartments.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the airbag is housed in a case having an opening for projecting the bag, and the promoting means is an opening of the case. It is characterized by comprising perforations with different cutting strengths provided in the section.

Therefore, according to the invention of claim 5, perforations having different cutting strengths may be provided in the opening of the case. Therefore, the number of parts does not increase,
The structure of the accelerating means is simple and the expansion of the upper and lower compartments can be surely promoted.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the airbag is housed in a case having an opening for projecting the bag, and the facilitating means is an opening of the case. It is characterized in that it is composed of a sealing member having a different opening strength provided in the section.

Therefore, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is sufficient to provide the opening portions of the case with the sealing members having different opening strengths. Therefore, the number of parts does not increase,
The structure of the accelerating means is simple and the expansion of the upper and lower compartments can be surely promoted.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, the guiding means is a seam that joins between base fabrics of the airbag. It is characterized by.

Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 7, it is possible to prevent an exclusive part for the guiding means and prevent an increase in the number of parts. As a result, the structure is simplified. Thus, the airbag can be manufactured at a low cost.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

1 to 3 show a left front seat 11 arranged in a vehicle compartment.
1 has a stool portion 11a and a backrest portion 11b. A side airbag device 13 is embedded in the case 14 inside a case 14 inside the left side of the backrest portion 11b of the front seat 11 so as to correspond to the door 12 forming a part of the body side portion. Although only the left front seat 11 is shown in the drawing, a similar airbag device is also installed inside the right front seat.

The side airbag device 13 is an inflator 1 fixed in the case 14 as a gas generating source.
5 and a bag-shaped airbag 16 mounted so as to cover the inflator 15. A gas generating agent (not shown) for deploying and inflating the airbag 16 is housed inside the case of the inflator 15, and a gas ejection port 15a as a gas ejection portion for ejecting gas is provided at a lower portion of the case of the inflator 15. Has been formed.

A sensor (not shown) for detecting an impact on the body side portion is electrically connected to the inflator 15. Then, when an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the body side portion due to a side collision of another vehicle with respect to the body side portion, the inflator 15 is driven via a control circuit (not shown) based on a detection signal from the sensor. Current is output. By the ignition based on the drive current, gas is generated from the gas generating agent in the inflator 15, and the gas is jetted and supplied into the airbag 16 from the gas jet port 15a.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the airbag 16 is formed by sewing a pair of base cloths 16a and 16b made of woven cloth or the like so as to form a bag shape as a whole at their peripheral edges. It is normally housed in the case 14 in a folded state.

When the inflator 15 is operated and gas is generated, the airbag 16 is expanded and inflated between the door 12 and the front seat 11 as shown in FIGS. The body of the occupant P seated at 11 is covered from the shoulder Ps to the waist Ph.

A seam 17 having a substantially lateral U-shape is formed at the center of the airbag 16 in the up-down direction. The seams 17 are formed by sewing both base fabrics 16a and 16b together.
7 constitutes the facilitating means and the guiding means of the first embodiment. That is, an upper compartment 18 and a lower compartment 19 are formed inside the airbag 16 by the seam 17. An intermediate compartment 20 as an intermediate portion is formed between the upper and lower compartments 18 and 19 so as to open rearward of the vehicle. Inflator 1
On the side opposite to 5, a gas passage 21 is formed between the peripheral portion of the airbag 16 and the seam 17.

Then, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1, the gas ejected from the gas ejection port 15a of the inflator 15 is
It is introduced into the lower compartment 19, and almost simultaneously with it, is introduced from the lower compartment 19 along the outer periphery of the seam 17 into the upper compartment 18 via the gas passage 21. Then, the gas in the upper compartment 18 is introduced into the intermediate compartment 20 so as to bypass the upper edge of the seam 17. Thereby, as is clear from FIG. 4, first, the lower compartment 19
Is expanded and inflated to correspond to the waist Ph of the occupant P, and at the same time as that, the upper compartment 18 is expanded and inflated to correspond to the shoulder Ps of the occupant P. After that, the intermediate compartment 20 is expanded and inflated with a delay, and the thoracic region P of the occupant P is expanded.
It is arranged corresponding to c. In addition, a part of the airbag 16 is provided with a vent hole (not shown) for discharging the gas inside after inflating. Here, each compartment 18 to 20
After the detection by the sensor, various conditions such as the configuration of the inflator 15 and the position of the seam 17 are set so as to reach a predetermined internal pressure (internal pressure that can function as an airbag) in the following elapsed time zones. . That is, the upper and lower compartments 1
8 and 19 are 5 to 10 mm / sec, the intermediate compartment 2 is 7 to
The conditions are set so that the respective predetermined internal pressures are reached at 12 mm / sec. In this case, the intermediate compartment 20
When the upper and lower compartments 18 and 19 reach the predetermined internal pressure in substantially the same time, the elapsed time until the internal pressure reaches the predetermined internal pressure is preferably delayed by about 20% from the elapsed time. Further, when the upper and lower compartments 18 and 19 have different elapsed time zones until reaching the predetermined internal pressure, it is desirable that the elapsed time zone of the slower compartments 18 and 19 is delayed by about 20%. In addition, the value of the elapsed time period until these compartments 18 to 20 reach a predetermined internal pressure is determined by the so-called static deployment of the airbag 16 under the condition that an external load such as a collision does not act on the airbag 16. It is the value under the conditions.

Further, in this airbag 16, since the seam 17 is formed in a lateral U-shape, the thickness of the intermediate compartment 20 as shown in FIG. 2 when the airbag 16 is deployed and inflated. Is thinner than the upper compartment 18 and the lower compartment 19.

Next, the operation of the side airbag device 13 configured as described above will be described. When an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the body side portion due to a side impact of another vehicle with respect to the body side portion of the vehicle, a sensor (not shown) detects it and gas is generated from the inflator 15 based on the detection. It Then, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1, the gas is jetted and supplied from the gas ejection port 15 a of the inflator 15 to the lower compartment 19 of the airbag 16, and the upper compartment 18 via the gas passage 21.
And then to the intermediate compartment 20. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper compartment 18 corresponding to the shoulder Ps of the occupant P and the lower compartment 1 corresponding to the waist Ph.
9 and 9 are inflated almost at the same time, and thereafter, the intermediate compartment 20 corresponding to the rib cage Pc is inflated with a delay.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the thickness of the intermediate compartment 20 becomes smaller than the thickness of the upper compartment 18 and the lower compartment 19, and the intermediate compartment 20 and the thoracic region Pc of the occupant Pc.
A space S is formed between and. Therefore, the upper compartment 1
The shoulder portion Ps and the waist portion Ph of the occupant P are pushed to the inside by the 8 and the lower compartment 19. As a result, the occupant P is moved to the indoor side, and the impact caused by the side collision is mitigated while protecting the rib cage Pc. Therefore, even when the body side portion largely deforms and enters the interior side, the occupant P is separated from the body side portion prior to the deformation and entering, the occupant P can be protected, and the impact on the rib cage Pc is suppressed.
The rib cage Pc can be effectively protected.

(1) In the side airbag device 13, the upper compartment 18 corresponding to the shoulder Ps of the occupant P and the lower compartment 19 corresponding to the waist Ph when the airbag 16 is deployed and inflated, An intermediate compartment 20 corresponding to the rib cage Pc is formed. When the airbag 16 is deployed and inflated, the deployment of the upper compartment 18 and the lower compartment 19 is promoted more than the deployment and inflation of the intermediate compartment 20, and the upper and lower compartments 18, 19 are faster than the intermediate compartment 20. It is designed to be expanded and inflated.

Therefore, at the time of a side collision of the vehicle, the shoulder portion Ps and the waist portion Ph of the occupant P having resistance to external impacts can be protected after the shoulder portion Ps and the waist portion Ph are pushed first. . Therefore, even when the body side portion largely deforms and enters the interior side, the occupant P can be effectively protected from the impact due to the side collision while sufficiently protecting the rib cage Pc.

(2) In the side airbag device 13, when the airbag 16 is deployed and inflated, the gas supplied from the inflator 15 is introduced into the upper compartment 18 and the lower compartment 19 almost at the same time. . Therefore, the upper compartment 18 and the lower compartment 19 are deployed and inflated substantially at the same time, and the shoulder Ps and the waist Ph of the occupant P are pushed almost at the same time to move the occupant P to the vehicle center side quickly and reliably. be able to. Therefore, the effect of protecting the occupant P can be further enhanced. Incidentally, when only one of the shoulder Ps or the waist Ph of the occupant P is pushed, there is a possibility that the state of the occupant P only tilts and is not moved to the center side.

(3) In this side airbag device 13, the structure for promoting the expansion and inflation and the structure for guiding the gas are
The airbag 16 comprises a seam 17 for sewing and joining the base fabrics 16a and 16b. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide dedicated parts for the promotion structure and the guiding structure, and it is possible to prevent the number of parts from increasing. Therefore, the structure is simplified and the airbag 16 can be manufactured at low cost.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on the points different from the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, two seams 17 are provided on the airbag 16 by stitching the base fabrics 16a and 16b vertically with a predetermined interval, and the seams 17 allow the upper compartment 18 and the lower compartment 18 to be provided inside the airbag 16. Compartment 19 and Intermediate Compartment 20
Are sectioned. Further, in the second embodiment, the seam 17 is formed in a state in which the vertical intermediate portions of the base fabrics 16a and 16b are tensioned, so that when the airbag 16 is deployed and inflated, the intermediate compartment 20 moves upward and downward. It is configured to be thinner than the compartments 18 and 19. A cover 24 is disposed on the peripheral side of the inflator 15, and the cover 24 forms an introduction chamber 25 as a guide means for introducing the gas jetted and supplied from the gas jet port 15a of the inflator 15.

Guide holes 26A, 26B and 26C as facilitating means and guide means are formed in the cover 24 so as to correspond to the respective compartments 18, 19 and 20, and these guide holes 26A to 26C are used to introduce the holes. Gas is introduced from the introduction chamber 25 into each of the compartments 18, 19, 20. The total opening area of each of the guide holes 26A and 26B corresponding to the upper compartment 18 and the lower compartment 19 is
It is formed to be larger than the total opening area of the guide hole 26C corresponding to the intermediate compartment 20. As a result, the upper and lower compartments 18 and 19 are simultaneously expanded and inflated, and then the intermediate compartment 20 is expanded and inflated later than the upper and lower compartments 18 and 19.

Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the same effects as the effects (1) to (3) in the first embodiment can be obtained. (Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on parts different from the first embodiment.

In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the seam 17 of the airbag 16 is formed in a side-view substantially G-shape, and the seam 17 divides and forms an upper compartment 18, a lower compartment 19 and an intermediate compartment 20 in the airbag 16. There is. Also, the inflator 15
Gas outlets 15a are formed at two locations on the upper and lower sides, and gas is ejected from these gas outlets 15a at the same time. In the fourth embodiment, the seam 17 and the gas ejection port 15a are arranged at two locations to form a means for promoting expansion and expansion and a means for guiding gas. That is, the gas is directly introduced into the upper compartment 18 and the lower compartment 19 from the two gas ejection ports 15a, and a small amount is introduced into the intermediate compartment 20 from the opening 20a of the intermediate compartment 20. As a result, after the upper compartment 18 and the lower compartment 19 are expanded almost at the same time,
The intermediate compartment 20 is expanded later.

Therefore, according to the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects described in (1) to (3) in the first embodiment. (4) In the side airbag device 13, the gas guiding structure has an upper compartment 18 and a lower compartment 19.
The upper and lower gas ejection ports 15a are provided on the inflator 15 in correspondence with the above. Therefore, the time difference between the expansion and expansion of the upper compartment 18 and the lower compartment 19 can be reduced.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on parts different from the first embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the intermediate compartment 20 defined by the seam 17 is formed.
The opening 20a is formed to face the front of the vehicle, which is the opposite side of the inflator 15, and the inflow guide portions 20b are formed at the upper and lower peripheral edges of the opening 20a. Further, a vent hole 22 that opens to the outside is formed in one of the base cloths 16a or 16b of the intermediate compartment 20.

Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the following effects are exhibited in addition to the effects of the above-mentioned respective embodiments. (5) In the side airbag device 13, the gas from the inflator 15 flows around the upper and lower compartments 18 and 19 and then flows into the intermediate compartment 20. For this reason,
After the upper and lower compartments 18 and 19 are substantially simultaneously expanded and expanded, the intermediate compartment 20 is expanded and expanded with a delay, and the internal pressures of the upper and lower compartments 18 and 19 can be made higher than the internal pressure of the intermediate compartment 20. it can. Therefore, it is possible to effectively protect the rib cage Pc.

(6) In the side airbag device 13, the inflow guide portion 20b of the intermediate compartment 20 facilitates the inflow of gas into the intermediate compartment 20. Therefore, even if the opening 20a is located on the opposite side of the inflator 15, the expansion and expansion of the intermediate compartment 20 can be prevented from being delayed too much, and the expansion and expansion can be performed at an appropriate timing.

(7) In this side airbag device 13, the gas in the intermediate compartment 20 is suitably discharged from the vent hole 22 and the internal pressure of the intermediate compartment 20 can be prevented from becoming unnecessarily high. It is effective in protecting the portion Pc.

(Fifth Embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on parts different from the first embodiment.

In the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the base fabrics 16a and 16b in the middle portion of the airbag 16 are provided.
A pair of seams 17A extending substantially parallel to each other in the vertical direction,
17B is sewn on. An upper compartment 18, a lower compartment 19 and an intermediate compartment 20 are formed in the airbag 16 by these seams 17A and 17B. That is, the upper and lower portions of the seams 17A and 17B are the upper compartment 18 and the lower compartment 19, respectively, and the portion between the seams 17A and 17B is the intermediate compartment 20. In addition, the seam 17 on the side close to the inflator 15
A is formed so as to extend longer in the up-down direction than the seam 17B on the opposite side, and this seam 17A constitutes a means for promoting expansion and expansion and a means for guiding gas.

The gas ejected from the gas ejection ports 15a provided at the upper and lower portions of the inflator 15 is guided up and down along the seam 17A, and the upper and lower compartments 1
After being supplied to 8 and 19, they are supplied to the intermediate compartment 20. As a result, the upper and lower compartments 18 and 19 are simultaneously expanded and expanded, and then the intermediate compartment 20 is expanded and expanded with a delay.

Therefore, according to the fifth embodiment, the same effects as the effects (1) to (3) in the first embodiment can be obtained. (Sixth Embodiment) Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on the parts different from the first embodiment.

In the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, in the folded state of the airbag 16, a binding cloth 29 made of a flame-retardant non-woven fabric or the like is wound around the outer periphery of the intermediate portion of the airbag 16.
The binding cloth 29 constitutes a means for promoting expansion and expansion. A perforation 30 that can be cut when the airbag 16 is deployed and inflated is formed at the front edge of the binding cloth 29 on the side opposite to the inflator 15.

Then, when gas is supplied from the inflator 15 into the airbag 16, first, as shown by a chain line in FIG. The compartments 18 and 19 are expanded and inflated. After that, the inner fabric of the airbag 16 rises and the binding cloth 2
The perforation 30 of 9 is cut to release the binding of the middle portion of the airbag 16, and the intermediate compartment 20 is expanded and inflated with a delay, as shown by the chain line in the figure.

Therefore, according to the sixth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects described in (1) and (2) in the first embodiment. (8) In the side airbag device 13, the binding cloth 29 may be provided around the intermediate portion of the airbag 16. Therefore, the number of parts does not increase significantly,
The structure for promoting the expansion and expansion is simple, and the expansion and expansion of the intermediate compartment 20 can be suppressed to surely promote the expansion and expansion of the upper and lower compartments 18, 19.

(Seventh Embodiment) Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on the points different from the first embodiment.

In the seventh embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 14, the airbag 16 is projected from the front surface of the case 14 for accommodating the airbag 16 in the folded state, on the side opposite to the inflator 15. Opening 3 for
1 is formed by perforations 32 that can be cut. Then, the perforation 32 constitutes a promoting means, and the cutting strength of the perforation 32 is the airbag 1.
In the portion s1 corresponding to the upper and lower compartments 18 and 19 of 6,
It is configured to be weaker than the portion s2 corresponding to the intermediate compartment 20.

That is, as a construction in which the cutting strength of the perforations 32 is made different, as shown in FIG. 12, the pitch p1 of the perforations 32 of the portion s1 corresponding to the upper and lower compartments 18, 19 is set to the intermediate compartment. There is a method of making it smaller than the pitch p2 of the perforations 32 of the portion s2 corresponding to 20.
As another configuration, as shown in FIG. 13, the width w1 of the perforation 32 of the portion s1 corresponding to the upper and lower compartments 18 and 19 is set to the width of the perforation 32 of the portion s2 corresponding to the intermediate compartment 20. There is a method of making it larger than the width w2. further,
As another configuration, as shown in FIG. 14, the depth d1 of the perforation 32 of the portion s1 corresponding to the upper and lower compartments 18, 19 is set to the depth of the perforation 32 of the portion s2 corresponding to the intermediate compartment 20. There is a method of making it larger than the height d2.

When gas is supplied from the inflator 15 into the airbag 16, the perforation 32 of the portion s1 corresponding to the upper and lower compartments 18 and 19 is cut by the inflation pressure of the airbag 16, As shown by the chain line in FIG. 10, the upper and lower compartments 18 and 19 are expanded and inflated toward the outside of the case 14. After that, the perforation 32 of the portion s2 corresponding to the intermediate compartment 20 is cut, and the intermediate compartment 20 is expanded and expanded with a delay, as shown by the chain line in the figure.

Therefore, according to the seventh embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects described in (1) and (2) in the first embodiment. (9) In the side airbag device 13, the perforations 32 having different cutting strengths may be provided in the opening 31 of the case 14 that accommodates the airbag 16. For this reason,
The number of parts does not increase, the structure for promoting the expansion and expansion is simple, and the expansion and expansion of the upper and lower compartments 18 and 19 can be reliably promoted.

(Eighth Embodiment) Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on parts different from the first embodiment.

In the eighth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, a case 1 for accommodating the airbag 16 is provided.
An openable opening 31 for allowing the airbag 16 to project is formed on the front surface of the No. 4 so as to extend in the vertical direction. A plurality of locking claws 33 and a locking ring 34 as a sealing member are arranged so as to be engageable with each other on both side edges of the opening 31. The opening 31 is sealed by engaging the locking claw 33 with the locking ring 34.

Further, the locking claw 33 and the locking ring 34 constitute a accelerating means, and the opening strength of the opening 31 in the engaged state thereof is such that the upper and lower compartments 1 of the airbag 16 are closed.
The portion s1 corresponding to 8 and 19 is configured to be weaker than the portion s2 corresponding to the intermediate compartment 20.
That is, as shown in FIG. 17, the upper and lower compartments 18, 1
Locking claw 33 and locking ring 3 in the portion s1 corresponding to 9
The arrangement pitch p3 of 4 is larger than the arrangement pitch p4 of the portion s2 corresponding to the intermediate compartment 20.

When gas is supplied from the inflator 15 into the airbag 16, first, due to the inflation pressure of the airbag 16, the retaining claw 33 and the retaining ring of the portion s1 corresponding to the upper and lower compartments 18 and 19 are first formed. The engagement with 34 is disengaged, and the upper and lower compartments 18 and 19 are expanded and inflated toward the outside of the case 14. After that, the engagement between the locking claw 33 and the locking ring 34 of the portion s2 corresponding to the intermediate compartment 20 is released, and the intermediate compartment 20 is expanded and inflated with a delay.

Therefore, according to the eighth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects described in (1) and (2) in the first embodiment. (10) In this side airbag device 13,
The locking claw 33 and the locking ring 34 having different opening strengths may be provided in the opening 31 of the case 14 that accommodates the airbag 16. Therefore, the number of parts does not increase significantly,
The structure of the facilitating means is simple and the upper and lower compartments 1
The expansion and expansion of 8 and 19 can be reliably promoted.

(Modification) This embodiment can be modified and embodied as follows. -In each said embodiment, the airbag 16,16
Forming A and 16B with one woven cloth that is, for example, a bag-weave, without sewing a pair of base cloths 16a and 16b.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the airbag 16 may be formed by using other material such as non-woven fabric and synthetic resin sheet in addition to woven fabric. In the first to fifth embodiments, as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 4, the internal pressure of the intermediate compartment 20 during gas generation is lower than the internal pressure of the upper and lower compartments 18, 19. thing. For this purpose, for example, the intermediate compartment 2
Means such as reducing the cross-sectional area of the gas passage reaching 0 may be taken. And if it does in this way, the external pressure with respect to the chest part Pc of the passenger P can be made low, and it is effective in protection of the passenger P.

In the first and third embodiments, an inflow guide portion similar to that of the fourth embodiment is provided at the opening edge of the intermediate compartment 20. -In the said 1st-3rd and 5th embodiment, the vent hole similar to 4th Embodiment is provided in the part corresponding to the intermediate compartment 20.

In the airbag 16 of the seventh embodiment, the length of the first perforation 32 of the portion s1 corresponding to the upper and lower compartments 18 and 19 is set so that the perforation 32 has different cutting strengths. , The length of the perforation 32 of the portion s2 corresponding to the intermediate compartment 20 should be larger.

In the airbag 16 of the seventh embodiment, two or more of the pitch, the width, the depth, and the length of the perforations 32 are set so that the perforations 32 have different cutting strengths. Use together with the configuration of.

[0074]

As illustrated in the above embodiments, the present invention has an excellent effect that the occupant can be effectively protected even when the body side portion is largely deformed and enters the indoor side at the time of a side collision. Demonstrate.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a side airbag device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing pressure changes during expansion and expansion of each compartment in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a side airbag device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a side airbag device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a side airbag device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing a side airbag device according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a side airbag device according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing a side airbag device according to a seventh embodiment.

11 is a front view of the side airbag device of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged front view showing perforations at the opening of the case.

FIG. 13 is a partial front view showing another configuration of perforations.

FIG. 14 is a partial front view showing still another configuration of perforations.

FIG. 15 is a front view showing a side airbag device according to an eighth embodiment.

16 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 16-16 of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a partially enlarged front view showing the sealing structure of the opening of the case.

FIG. 18 is a side sectional view showing a conventional side airbag device.

FIG. 19 is a side sectional view showing another configuration of the conventional side airbag device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Front seat, 11b ... Backrest part, 12 ... Door which comprises the body side part of a vehicle, 13 ... Side airbag apparatus, 14 ... Case, 15 ... Inflator as a gas generation source, 15a ... Gas ejection port, 16 ... Air Bags, 16a, 16b ... Base cloth, 17, 17A, 17B ... Seams constituting promotion means and guiding means, 18 ... Upper compartment, 19 ... Lower compartment, 20 ... Intermediate compartment, 26-26
C ... Guide holes constituting the promoting means and the guiding means, 29 ... Bundling cloth constituting the promoting means, 31 ... Openings, 32 ... Perforations constituting the promoting means, 33 ... Sealing members constituting the promoting means Locking claw, 34 ... Locking ring as a sealing member that constitutes the promoting means, P ... Occupant, Ps ... Shoulder, Pc ... Thorax, Ph ... Waist.

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takashi Koyama             Aichi Prefecture Kasuga-cho, Nishikasugai-gun Ochiai character Nagahata 1             Address: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 3D054 AA02 AA03 AA07 AA21 CC03                       CC04 CC10 CC15 CC20 CC35                       CC36 CC42 CC47 DD15 DD28

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An airbag that is deployed between the body side portion of a vehicle and an occupant in the vehicle compartment when an impact is applied to the body side portion of the vehicle over a predetermined value, and a gas generation source that deploys and inflates the airbag. In the side airbag device provided with, the airbag corresponds to an upper compartment corresponding to a shoulder of an occupant seated on a seat in an expanded and inflated state, a lower compartment corresponding to a waist of the occupant, and a thoracic portion of the occupant. And an intermediate partition chamber for expanding and inflating the airbag so that the expansion and inflation of the upper and lower partitions are faster than the expansion and inflation of the intermediate partition chamber. Side airbag device that does. 2. The side airbag device according to claim 1, further comprising guide means for guiding the gas supplied from the gas generation source to the upper compartment and the lower compartment at substantially the same time. 3. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the accelerating means includes a seam that joins the base fabrics in the middle portion of the airbag. 4. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the accelerating means is a binding cloth provided around an intermediate portion of the airbag. 5. The air bag is housed in a case having an opening for projecting the bag, and the facilitating means comprises perforations provided in the opening of the case and having different cutting strengths. The side airbag device according to claim 1 or claim 2. 6. The air bag is accommodated in a case having an opening for projecting the bag, and the facilitating means comprises a sealing member provided in the opening of the case and having different opening strength. The side airbag device according to claim 1 or 2. 7. The side airbag apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the guiding means is a seam that joins between base fabrics of the airbag.