JP2006321327A - Side airbag device and folding method of the airbag - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automobile side airbag device capable of ensuring prompt expansion/deployment of the airbag, and a method of folding the airbag. <P>SOLUTION: In front edge side folding portions 21eA, 21eB separated from a front edge 23b of a lower expanding portion 23 and a front edge 25b of a recessed portion 25, a front edge side part 23e is folded. The airbag 21 folding a base end side of the lower expanding portion 23 so as to turn inside out into an upper expanding portion 24 is disposed at a side part of a seat back 1 in a storing state folding in a bellows shape. The front edge side part 23e is separated from the recessed portion 25 and folded into the upper expanding portion 24, thereby preventing interference between both. When the airbag 21 is expanded and deployed with expanding gas jetted from an inflator 11, the lower expanding portion 23 directly bursts out, and the airbag 21 can be expanded and deployed in an early stage with extremely fast deploying speed and a stable bursting-out direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automobile airbag device, and more particularly to a side airbag device that protects a chest and a head of an occupant against an impact from a side, and a method of folding the airbag.

  Conventionally, airbags that are folded and stored on the side of the vehicle outside the seat back are inflated and deployed in response to impacts from the side of a vehicle body, such as a side collision. A side airbag device that protects the chest and head of an occupant by avoiding a direct collision between the side wall and the occupant is known.

  The airbag of the side airbag device is stored in the side surface of the seat back together with the inflator in a folded state, and the airbag 102 is caused to inflate from the inflator 101 as shown in FIG. As shown by a two-dot chain line 102a, the side of the chest Mc and the head Mh of the occupant M seated on the seat 100 is inflated and deployed forward. In FIG. 22, reference numeral 100a denotes a seat back of the seat 100.

  The airbag 102 includes a base portion 103 positioned at the rear of the shoulder portion Ms or the lower heel portion of the occupant M seated on the seat 100, and a front side obliquely from the base portion 103 toward the side of the head Mh of the occupant M in the inflated and deployed state. An upper bulging portion 104 that bulges upward and a lower bulging portion 105 that bulges forward from the base portion 103 toward the side of the chest Mc of the occupant M are provided. A front edge portion 105 is formed in a substantially L shape or a heart shape connected by a recess 106.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the airbag 102 is formed into a bag shape by stitching the outer periphery of the vehicle inner skin 102A and the vehicle outer skin 102B in which one base fabric is folded in two. The outer skin 102B is connected by a belt-like tether 102C. Then, after flattening the airbag 102 so that the inner skin 102A and the outer skin 102B of the airbag 102 are in contact with each other as shown in FIG. 23 (a), as shown in FIG. Is folded into the downward bulging portion 105 so as to be turned over and inserted into the front side of the tether 102C. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 23C, the airbag 102 is provided with a radial fold P centered on the upper position O of the base 103 so that the airbag 102 approaches the base 103 from the upper edge 106 side. It is known that an inner roll that is wound on the inside of the vehicle is folded and folded and stored on the side surface of the seat back together with the inflator (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 24A, the airbag 102 is flatly deployed, and the entire upper bulging portion 104 is turned inside the base 103 and the lower bulging portion 105 as shown in FIG. Fold it so as to push it in, then fold the bellows from the front end side as shown in FIG. 24C, and fold both sides of the airbag 102 folded as shown in FIG. 24D as shown in FIG. An airbag folding method is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2001-171468 A JP 2000-272463 A

  According to Patent Document 1, the airbag 102 is inflated and deployed in response to an impact from the side, and the head portion Mh and the chest portion Mc of the occupant M are directly connected to the side wall of the vehicle body by the upper bulging portion 104 and the lower bulging portion 105. It is possible to protect the occupant M by avoiding collision with the vehicle.

  However, since the airbag is folded into the lower bulging portion 105 so that the entire upper bulging portion 104 is turned upside down, and is folded and stored inside the inner roll that is wound inside the vehicle, the air bag is blown out from the inflator 101. When the airbag is inflated and deployed by the inflating gas, the upper inflatable portion 104 interferes with the constricted concave portion 106 and the inflation from the inside of the lower inflatable portion 105 is prevented, so that the airbag 102 can be rapidly inflated and deployed. Cannot be ensured, and the desired protection by the airbag 102 may not be achieved. In addition, although the patent document 1 includes the tether 102C, there is a concern about the same in an airbag that does not include the tether 102C.

  Also in Patent Document 2, since the entire upper inflating part 104 is turned over and folded into the lower inflating part 105, the upper inflating part is used when the inflating gas is inflated and deployed by the inflating gas ejected from the inflator 101. 104 may interfere with the recess 106 to prevent rapid inflation and deployment, and there is a possibility that the desired head protection by the airbag 102 cannot be achieved as in Patent Document 1.

  Accordingly, a first object of the present invention made in view of such a point is to provide a side airbag device capable of ensuring rapid inflation and deployment of an airbag and protecting a chest and a head of an occupant.

  A second object of the present invention is to provide an airbag folding method that can ensure rapid inflation and deployment of an airbag in a side airbag device.

  The invention of the side airbag device according to claim 1, which achieves the first object, comprises an airbag and an inflator for injecting inflation gas into the airbag, wherein the airbag is a side portion of a seat back. In the side airbag device in which the airbag is inflated and deployed by an inflating gas ejected from the inflator to protect the occupant's chest and head from an impact caused by a side impact, the airbag is inflated. A base portion located at the rear of the shoulder portion or the lower heel portion of the occupant seated on the seat in the unfolded state, a downward bulging portion bulging forward from the base portion toward the chest side, and from the base portion toward the head side portion The airbag has an upwardly bulging portion that bulges upward and obliquely forward, and the lower bulging portion and the front edge portion of the upper bulging portion are continuously formed via a recess recessed backward, and the lower and upper inflation portions of the airbag Club The leading edge side portion of one of the inflating portions is folded back at the leading edge side folding portion that is spaced apart from the leading edge of the inflating portion and the leading edge of the concave portion and along the leading edge of the inflating portion, and the leading edge side portion is folded back. The airbag is disposed on the side portion of the seat back in a folded state in which the airbag is folded from the front end side in a state where at least the base end side of the inflated portion is folded inside the other inflating portion. .

  The invention of the side airbag device according to claim 2 that achieves the first object includes an airbag and an inflator for injecting an inflation gas into the airbag, wherein the airbag is a seat back. In a side airbag device in which the airbag is inflated and deployed by an inflating gas ejected from the inflator to protect the occupant's chest and head in response to an impact from the side disposed on the side, the airbag is A base portion located rearward of the shoulder portion or the lower heel portion of the occupant seated on the seat in the inflated and unfolded state, a downward bulge portion bulging forward from the base portion toward the chest side, and from the base portion to the head side portion An upper bulging portion that bulges obliquely forward and upward, and a lower bulging portion and a front edge portion of the upper bulging portion are continuously formed via a recess recessed backward, Upward expansion The front edge side portion of any one of the inflatable portions is separated from the front edge of the inflatable portion and the front edge of the concave portion, and is folded back at the front edge side folded portion along the front edge of the inflatable portion, and is separated from the rear edge. The rear edge side portion is folded back at the rear edge side folded portion along the rear edge, and at least the base end side of the expanded portion where the front edge side portion and the rear edge portion are folded is folded inside the other expanded portion. In this state, the airbag is placed on the side portion of the seat back in a stored state in which the airbag is folded from the front end side.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the side airbag device according to the first or second aspect, the front edge side portion is folded back so as to be turned over at the front edge side folded portion, and is folded into the inflatable portion. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the side airbag device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the airbag is placed on the side of the seat back in a storage state wound from the front end side instead of the bellows folding. It is characterized by being arranged in the section.

  An invention of an airbag folding method of a side airbag device according to claim 5 that achieves the second object includes an airbag and an inflator that injects an inflating gas into the airbag. An airbag of a side airbag device in which the airbag is inflated and deployed by an inflating gas ejected from the inflator against a side impact disposed on a side portion of the seat back to protect the chest and head of an occupant In the folding method, the airbag has a base portion located behind a shoulder portion or a lower heel portion of an occupant seated on the seat in an inflated and deployed state, and a lower bulge portion bulging forward from the base portion toward the chest side. It has an upper bulging portion that bulges obliquely forward and upward from the base toward the head side, and a lower bulging portion and a front edge portion of the upper bulging portion are continuously formed via a recess recessed backward. The front edge side of the inflating part of either the lower inflating part or the upper inflating part of the airbag is separated from the leading edge of the inflating part and the leading edge of the recess and along the leading edge of the inflating part Folding the airbag in the folded state from the front end side in a folded state with the folded portion folded back so that at least the base end side of the expanded portion folded back at the front edge side portion is turned inside the other expanded portion It is characterized by.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the airbag folding method of the side airbag device according to claim 5, wherein the front edge side portion is folded back so as to be turned over at the front edge side folded portion, and is folded into the inflatable portion. To do.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the airbag folding method of the side airbag device according to the fifth or sixth aspect of the present invention, the airbag is folded into a storage state wound from the front end side instead of the bellows folding.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the front edge side portion of one of the lower inflating portion and the upper inflating portion of the airbag is arranged at the front edge side folded portion spaced from the front edge of the inflating portion and the front edge of the recess. Folded, folded at least the base end side of the inflated part with the leading edge part folded back into the other inflated part, and placed on the side of the seat back in the folded state of the bellows. The front edge side portion of the part is separated from the recessed part and folded into the other inflating part to avoid interference between the one inflating part and the recessed part.

  As a result, when the airbag is inflated and deployed by the inflation gas ejected from the inflator in response to the impact from the side, one of the inflated portions folded by the alligator fold so as to turn inside the other inflating portion directly jumps out as it is. The airbag can be inflated and deployed quickly and reliably between the occupant and the side wall of the vehicle, with a very fast deployment speed and stable pop-out direction.

  According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to claim 1, by folding back the rear edge side portion of one of the inflatable portions, interference between the rear edge side portion of one of the inflatable portions and the base is avoided, the deployment speed is faster, and The air bag can be inflated and deployed more quickly with a stable protruding direction, and the passenger's protection performance by the air bag is enhanced.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the front edge side portion is folded back so as to be turned upside down at the front edge side folded portion, and the front edge portion is folded by the alligator folding that is folded into the expanded portion, whereby the inflation gas ejected from the inflator along the folded portion An inflating gas passage is formed so that the entire folded portion is inflated and deployed at a high speed and the leading edge side portion is pushed out, and the inflating gas is directly passed to the leading end portion of the inflating portion through the inflating gas passage. As a result, the edge of the inflating part expands at a high speed, and the inflating part rapidly deploys in conjunction with this, and the inflating part is positioned quickly.

  The invention according to claim 4 shows the storage state of the airbag, and the airbag is disposed on the side portion of the seat back in the storage state wound from the front end side instead of the bellows folding.

  According to the invention of claim 5, the front edge side portion of one of the lower inflating portion and the upper inflating portion of the airbag is separated from the front edge of the inflating portion and the front edge of the concave portion, and in front of the inflating portion. The airbag was folded at the front edge side folded portion along the edge, and the airbag was folded from the front end side in a state where at least the base end side of the inflated portion where the front edge side portion was folded was folded inside the other inflated portion. By folding in the housed state, the front edge side portion of one expansion part is separated from the recess and folded into the other expansion part, so that interference between the one expansion part and the recess is avoided.

  As a result, when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the deployment speed of one of the inflatable portions folded into the other inflatable portion is very fast, and the protruding direction is stable, so that the airbag can be inflated and deployed quickly.

  According to the invention of claim 6, the front edge side portion is folded back so as to be turned upside down at the front edge side folded portion, and the front edge side portion is folded by the alligator folding that is folded into the expanded portion, whereby the inflation gas ejected from the inflator along the folded portion An inflating gas passage is formed and inflated and deployed at a high speed to push out the leading edge side portion, and the inflating gas is directly led to the leading end side portion of the inflating portion through the inflating gas passage to expand. The entire department develops quickly.

  The invention of claim 7 folds into a housed state wound up from the front end side instead of bellows folding.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a side airbag device disposed on the outside of the seat back 2 of the seat 1, that is, on the side facing the vehicle body side wall such as a door. The side airbag device 10 includes a housing 13 together with the inflator 11 in a state where the airbag 21 formed in a bag shape by stitching the outer peripheral edges of the two woven fabrics, the inner skin 21A and the outer skin 21B, is folded. Is placed inside. When an impact is received from the side at the time of a side collision, the inflation gas is ejected from the inflator 11 for the required time, and the airbag 21 is inflated and expanded forward as indicated by a virtual line 21a. Thus, the head Mh and the chest Mc of the occupant M seated on the seat 1 are prevented from directly colliding with or striking the side wall of the vehicle body to protect the occupant M.

  The airbag 21 is located upstream of the inflating gas ejected from the inflator 11, and is inflated and deployed. From the front, specifically, the lower inflating portion 23 that is one inflating portion that bulges diagonally forward and downward and is disposed on the side of the chest Mc of the occupant M, and bulges diagonally forward and upward from the base portion 22 And an upper inflating part 24 which is the other bulging part arranged on the side of the head Mh.

  The downward inflating portion 23 has a rear edge 23a and a front edge 23b that are disposed in front of the base portion 22 and extend obliquely forward and downward, and a front edge 23c that connects the rear edges 23a and the front edges 23b in a circular arc shape. ing. On the other hand, the upper inflating portion 24 has a rear edge 24a and a front edge 24b that are disposed in front of the base portion 22 and extend obliquely upward, and a front edge 24c that connects the tips of the rear edge 24a and the front edge 24b in an arc shape. is doing.

  The airbag 21 further includes a recess 25 recessed backward so as to separate the lower inflation portion 23 and the upper inflation portion 24 from the front edge side, and the front edge 23b of the lower inflation portion 23 and the front edge 24b of the upper inflation portion 24 are recessed. 25 is continuous through an arcuate front edge 25b formed in 25. The recess 25 is a position corresponding to the vicinity of the shoulder Ms of the occupant M when the airbag 21 is inflated and deployed.

  Next, the manufacturing and folding method of the airbag 21 will be described with reference to the airbag folding procedure explanatory diagram shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the deployed state of the airbag 21, a vehicle inner skin 21 </ b> A that is the vehicle inner side, a vehicle outer skin 21 </ b> B that is the vehicle outer side, and a reinforcing cloth for appropriately reinforcing each part are prepared. In order to simplify the description, reinforcing cloths that are not directly related to the invention are omitted. Further, the vehicle inner skin 21A and the vehicle outer skin 21B are substantially symmetrical. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to the corresponding parts in the vehicle inner skin 21A and the vehicle outer skin 21B, and “A “,” “B” is attached to the portion of the outer skin 21B.

  The vehicle inner skin 21A and the vehicle outer skin 21B are made of a woven fabric such as polyamide or polyester.

  The inner skin 21A has a substantially rectangular base forming part 22A, a rear edge 23aA which is disposed in front of the base forming part 22A and extends diagonally forward and downward, and whose tip gently curves forward, and diagonally forward and downward. A tongue-like downward expansion having a front edge 23bA that extends and has a tip curved downward, and a tip edge 23cA that connects the tips of the rear edge 23aA and the front edge 23bA in an arcuate shape and extends obliquely forward and downward. The portion forming portion 23A, the rear edge 24aA and the front edge 24bA that are arranged in front of the base portion forming portion 22A and extend obliquely forward and the front edge 24cA that connects the tips of the rear edge 24aA and the front edge 24bA in an arc shape. And a tongue-shaped upper expanding portion forming portion 24A extending obliquely forward and upward.

  Furthermore, the front edge side is provided with a recess forming portion 25A that is recessed backward so as to separate the lower expanding portion forming portion 23A and the upper expanding portion forming portion 24A, and the front edge 23bA and the upper expanding portion forming portion 24A of the lower expanding portion forming portion 23A. The front edge 24bA is continuous via an arcuate front edge 25bA formed in the recess forming portion 25A. The base forming portion 22A is formed with a pair of through holes 22hA for attachment and through holes 22rA for lead wires.

  On the other hand, the outer skin 21B is disposed in front of the substantially rectangular base forming portion 22B and the base forming portion 22B in the same manner as the inner skin 21A and extends obliquely forward and downward, and the tip gently curves forward. The rear edge 23aB and the front edge 23bB which extends diagonally forward and downward and the front end is curved downward, and the front edge 23cB which connects the rear edge 23aB and the front edge 23bB in an arc shape extend diagonally forward and downward. The lower inflating portion forming portion 23B that is projected, the rear edge 24aB and the front edge 24bB that are disposed in front of the base portion forming portion 22B and extend obliquely forward and upward, and the tips of the rear edge 24aB and the front edge 24bB are connected in an arc shape. An upper expansion portion forming portion 24B having a front end edge 24cB and extending obliquely forward and upward is provided.

  Further, the front edge side is provided with a recess forming portion 25B that is recessed backward so as to separate the lower expanding portion forming portion 23B and the upper expanding portion forming portion 24B, and the front edge 23bB and the upper expanding portion forming portion of the lower protruding portion forming portion 23B are provided. A front edge 24bB of 24B is continuous via an arcuate front edge 25bB formed in the recess forming portion 25B. The base forming part 22B is formed with a pair of through holes 22hB for attachment and a through hole 22rB for lead wires, and an expansion gas discharge hole 24h is formed in the upper expanding part forming part 24B.

  A linear marking line that extends away from the rear edge 23aB and extends along the rear edge 23aB with a base point a where the rear edge 23aB and the front edge 23cB are continuous is formed in the lower inflating portion forming part 23B of the outer skin 21B. A is attached. In addition, a linear marking line B connecting the point b where the front edge 23bB and the leading edge 23cB are continuous and the vicinity of the point a is attached. Further, starting from the reference point c in the vicinity of the continuous point b of the leading edge 23cB, it is substantially parallel to the front edge 23bB and is separated from the front edge 23bB and the front edge 25bB of the recess forming portion 25B by a predetermined dimension to the front edge 23bB. A linear marking line C is attached that extends along the line and has an acute angle with a fold line D described later. These marking lines A, B, and C serve as reference positions for the trailing edge side folding portions 21aA and 21aB, the leading edge side folding portions 21eA and 21eB, and the leading edge side folding portions 21fA and 21fB when the airbag 21 is folded.

  The vehicle inner skin 21A and the vehicle outer skin 21B formed as described above are arranged on the vehicle outer skin 21A, the lower expansion portion formation portion 23A, and the upper expansion formation portion 24A of the vehicle inner skin 21A as shown in FIG. The base forming part 22B, the lower inflating part forming part 23B, and the upper inflating part forming part 24B of 21B are overlapped.

  Then, the rear edges 23aA and 23aB, the leading edges 23cA and 23cB, the front edges 23bA and 23bB, the front edges 25bA and 25bB of the recess forming parts 25A and 25B, the upper expanding part forming part 24A, 24B front edges 24bA and 24bB, tip edges 24cA and 24cB, and rear edges 24aA and 24aB along the two-dot chain line 27, except for the edges of the base portion forming portions 22A and 22B, The outer skin 21B is sutured.

  As a result, the base portion 22 of the airbag 21 is formed by the base portion forming portions 22A and 22B of the inner skin 21A and the outer skin 21B, and the lower inflating portion 23 is formed by the lower inflating portion forming portions 23A and 23B. A bag-like airbag 21 in which the upper inflating portion 24 is formed by the forming portions 24A and 24B and the edge side of the base portion 22 is opened is configured.

  Further, the rear edges 23aA and 23aB, the front edges 23cA and 23cB, and the front edges 23bA and 23bB of the lower inflatable portion forming portions 23A and 23B that are sewn together are the rear edge 23a and the front edge 23c of the lower inflatable portion 23 of the airbag 21, respectively. The leading edge 23b is formed. Similarly, the front edges 25bA and 25bB stitched together in the recess forming portions 25A and 25B form the front edge 25b of the recess 25, and the front edges 24bA and 24bB stitched in the upper inflating portion forming portions 24A and 24B and the tip edge 24cA. 24cB and the rear edges 24aA and 24aB form the front edge 24b, the front edge 24c, and the rear edge 24a of the upper inflating portion 24, respectively.

  Next, the retainer 12 holding the inflator 11 and projecting the pair of bolts 12a is inserted into the airbag 21 from the opened base 22 side of the airbag 21 formed in the bag shape in this way. Then, as shown in FIG. 4 and a cross section taken along the line II in FIG. 5, the bolts 12a of the retainer 12 are projected from the mounting through holes 22hB formed in the one base forming portion 22B and are used for lead wires. A lead wire (not shown) extending from the inflator 11 is inserted into the through hole 22rB, and the other base forming portion 22B is overlaid on the base forming portion 22A, and the bolts 12a are projected from the mounting through holes 22hA, The lead wire is projected from the lead wire through-hole 22rA.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7 along the line II-II in FIG. 6 and FIG. 6, the rear edge side turn-back portion 21dA and the vehicle inner skin 21A along the marking line A attached to the lower inflating portion forming portion 23B and the vehicle In the rear edge side folding portion 21dB of the outer skin 21B, the rear edge portion 23d of the lower inflating portion 23 is folded so as to overlap the upper surface of the vehicle outer skin 21B. Further, along the marking line C, the front edge side portion 23e of the lower inflating portion 23 overlaps the upper surface of the vehicle outer skin 21B at the front edge side folding portion 21eA of the vehicle inner skin 21A and the front edge side folding portion 21eB of the vehicle outer skin 21B. Wrap.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the rear edge side portion 23d and the front edge side portion 23e are folded back on the outer skin 21B along the marking lines A and C as shown in FIG. The vehicle outer skin 21B and the vehicle inner skin 21A in the vicinity of the upper inflating portion 24 side are turned upside down to the folding line D corresponding to the lower end of the base portion 22, and are folded into the upper inflating portion 24 for storage. . Even if the upper expansion part 24 side vicinity part which becomes the base end side of the lower expansion part 23 by this alligator folding is folded in the upper expansion part 24, the trailing edge side folding parts 21dA and 21bB and the leading edge side folding parts 21eA and 21eB are marked respectively. It is maintained in a substantially straight line along the lines A and C.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 9 and the IV-IV line cross section thereof, the front edge side portion 23e of the lower inflating portion 23 is turned along the front edge side folded portions 21eA and 21eB along the marking line C, and the lower inflating portion 23 is turned over. Fold it in. This is because, for example, as shown in FIG. 11 (a), the front edge side portion 23e of the lower inflating portion 23 is folded on the outer skin 21B along the front edge side folded portions 21eA and 21eB. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower inflated portion forming portion 23A of the vehicle inner surface skin 21A is folded back along the front edge side folded portion 21eA, and the portion folded back in the vicinity of the front edge 23b of the vehicle outer surface skin 21B is pulled out. The front edge side part 23e including the front edge 23b of the lower inflating part 23 along the front edge side turning parts 21eA and 21eB is folded into the lower inflating part 23 along the front edge side turning parts 21eA and 21eB by folding the edge side folding part 21eB over the front side folding part 21eA. Can be folded.

  Thus, by folding the front edge side portion 23e of the lower inflating portion 23 into the lower inflating portion 23 along the front edge side turning portions 21eA and 21eB, the front edge side turning portions 23eA and 23eB are formed by the vehicle inner skin 21A and the vehicle outer skin 21B. Gas passages 28A and 28B for continuous expansion are formed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the VV line cross section is shown in FIG. 13, and the vehicle outer skin 21B protruding from the folding line D and the vicinity of the upper expansion portion 24 side serving as the base end of the vehicle inner skin 21A are shown. Further, the alligators are folded back so as to be reversed and folded into the upper inflatable portion 24 up to the marking line B and stored.

  14 and the VI-VI line cross section shown in FIG. 15, the portion 23f on the front end side from the marking line B of the lower inflating portion 23 protruding from the upper inflating portion 24 folded back is folded along the marking line B. The front end portion 23 f is folded into the upper inflating portion 24.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 16 and the VV line cross-section thereof, as shown in FIG. 17, the distal end side portion 24f on the distal end edge 24c side from the return line E (see FIG. 6) corresponding to the vicinity of the upper end of the base portion 22 in the upper expanding portion 24. Is folded at the front end side folding portions 21fA and 21fB along the folding line E and overlapped on the upper expansion portion 24. Thereby, the airbag 21 is folded into a substantially rectangular shape.

  The airbag 21 in which the lower inflating portion 23 is folded into the upper inflating portion 24 and the distal end portion 24f of the upper inflating portion 24 is folded back by the folding line E is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the base plate 22 is folded from the front end side toward the base 22 side in which the inflator 11 is housed. Then, the airbag 21 folded in a bellows shape as shown in FIG. 20 and its section VII-VII in FIG. 21 can be broken not shown in order to prevent the collapse so that the folding is canceled and the folding is eliminated. The assembly of the airbag device 10 is completed by covering with a wrapping sheet and projecting the bolts 12a of the retainer 12 into the housing 13 (see FIG. 1).

  The assembled airbag device 10 is attached to the side of the seat back 2 of the seat 1 on the vehicle outer side by each bolt 12a. The seat 1 is mounted on the vehicle after the airbag device 10 is attached. When the seat 1 is mounted on a vehicle, a lead wire extending from the inflator 11 is connected to a predetermined airbag operation circuit of the vehicle.

  In this way, after the side airbag device 10 is mounted on the vehicle, if a predetermined signal is input to the inflator 11 via the lead wire, the inflation gas is discharged from the gas discharge port of the inflator 11, and the airbag 21 is The wrapping sheet is broken and expanded and expanded greatly as shown by a two-dot chain line 21a in FIG.

  The side airbag device 10 of the present embodiment is separated from the front edge 23b of the lower inflating portion 23 and the front edge 25b of the recess 25 when the airbag 21 is folded, and the front edge side folded portion 21eA along the front edge 23b. 21eB, the lower inflating portion 23A and the lower inflating portion forming portions 23A and 23B of the outer skin 21B are turned upside down and the front edge side portion 23e is folded into the lower inflating portion 23, whereby the front edge side portion of the lower inflating portion 23 is obtained. 23d is separated from the concave portion 25 and folded into the lower inflating portion 23, and interference between the lower inflating portion 23 and the concave portion 25 is avoided.

  Further, the rear edge side portion 23d of the lower expansion portion 23 is folded back from the rear edge 23a of the lower expansion portion 23 at the rear edge side turn-back portions 21aA and 21aB along the rear edge 23a. It is separated from the edge part and folded into the lower inflating part 23, and interference with the edge part of the base part 22 is avoided.

  Thereby, when the airbag 21 is inflated and deployed by the inflation gas ejected from the inflator 11 against the impact at the time of a side collision, the lower inflating portion 23 pushed by the alligator fold so as to turn inside the upper inflating portion 24 is obliquely Directly jumps out forward and downward, the deployment speed is very fast, and the lower inflating part 23 jumps out along the front edge side turn-up parts 23eA and 23eB, the protruding direction is stable, and the amount of lateral deflection is small. Interference with the vehicle body side wall is also reliably avoided.

  Further, when the lower inflating portion 23 is inflated and expanded, the inflating gas ejected from the inflator 11 enters the inflating gas passages 28A and 28B formed by the front edge side folded portions 23eA and 23eB from the upper inflating portion 24 side, The edge-side folded portions 23eA and 23eB are inflated and deployed at a high speed so that the front edge side portion 23e including the front edge 23b is rapidly pushed out, and the expansion gas is directly expanded downward through the expansion gas passages 28A and 28B. The edge portion of the lower inflating portion 23 is also inflated at a high speed, and the entire lower inflating portion 23 is rapidly deployed in conjunction with the leading end portion 23f of the portion 23, so that the outer shape is secured and the occupant M's The lower inflating portion 24 is positioned directly with respect to the chest Mc, and the lower inflating portion 24 is quickly positioned in the initial stage of the side collision.

  On the other hand, the upper inflating portion 23 is inflated and expanded by the inflating gas ejected from the inflator 11 when receiving an impact at the time of a side collision, and the inflating gas is directly supplied also to the distal end side portion 24f folded back at the folding line E. Thus, the upper inflating portion 24 is rapidly deployed obliquely forward and upward and positioned with respect to the head Mh of the occupant M, and the upper inflating portion 24 is quickly positioned at the initial stage of the side collision.

  That is, the deployment speed of the lower inflating portion 23 and the upper inflating portion 24 of the airbag 21 is very fast and the deployment direction is stable, and the airbag 21 is located between the occupant M and the side wall of the vehicle body at an early stage against an impact caused by a vehicle side collision. Can be quickly inflated and deployed, and the inflated and deployed airbag 21 can prevent the vehicle body side wall and the head Mh and chest Mc of the occupant M from colliding and hitting, and the protection performance of the occupant M by the airbag 21 can be enhanced.

  Further, by forming a recessed portion 25 recessed backward at a position corresponding to the vicinity of the shoulder portion Ms of the occupant M between the front edge 23b of the lower inflating portion 23 of the airbag 21 and the front edge 24b of the upper inflating portion 24. The volume of the airbag 21 can be reduced as much as possible, and the time until the airbag 21 is completely inflated can be shortened. The head Mh can be protected by the chest Mc and the upper inflating part 24 that inflates and expands quickly and obliquely forward.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the airbag 21 in which the lower inflating portion 23 is folded into the upper inflating portion 24 is folded from the front end side by folding the airbag 21. However, instead of the bellows folding, the airbag 21 may be folded from the front end side into a winding state. it can.

  In the above-described embodiment, the front edge portion 23e of the lower inflating portion 23 is folded along the front edge side folded portions 21eA and 21eB, and the lower inflating portion 23 is folded back into the upper inflating portion 24 to fold the airbag 21. Although the case where it folded is demonstrated as an example, the front edge side along the front edge 24b is spaced apart from the front edge 24b of the upper expansion part 24 and the front edge 25b of the recessed part 25 contrary to this embodiment. The airbag 21 can be folded by folding along the folded portion so that the upper inflating portion 24 is turned upside down into the lower inflating portion 23.

It is a figure which shows the use condition of the side airbag apparatus of embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is an airbag folding procedure explanatory drawing. It is an airbag folding procedure explanatory drawing. It is an airbag folding procedure explanatory drawing. It is the II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is an airbag folding procedure explanatory drawing. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is an airbag folding procedure explanatory drawing. It is the IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is an airbag folding procedure explanatory drawing. It is an airbag folding procedure explanatory drawing. It is the VV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is an airbag folding procedure explanatory drawing. It is the VI-VI sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is an airbag folding procedure explanatory drawing. It is the VV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is an airbag folding procedure explanatory drawing. It is the VI-VI sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is an airbag folding procedure explanatory drawing. It is the VII-VII sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the conventional side airbag apparatus. It is a figure which shows the folding method of the conventional airbag. It is a figure which shows the folding method of the conventional airbag.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Seat 2 Seat back 10 Side airbag apparatus 11 Inflator 21 Airbag 22 Base 23 Lower expansion part (one expansion part)
23a trailing edge 23b leading edge 23c leading edge 23d trailing edge side portion 23e leading edge side portion 23f leading edge side portion 24 upper expansion part (the other expansion part)
24a trailing edge 24b leading edge 24c leading edge 24f leading edge portion 25 recess 25b leading edge 21A car inner skin 21dA trailing edge side folding part 21eA leading edge side folding part 21B car outer skin 21dB trailing edge side folding part 21eB leading edge side folding parts 28A, 28B expansion Gas Path M Crew Mc Chest Mh Head Ms Shoulder

Claims (7)

An airbag and an inflator that ejects inflation gas into the airbag, and the airbag is disposed on a side portion of a seat back so that the inflation gas is ejected from the inflator in response to a side impact. In the side airbag device in which the airbag is inflated and deployed to protect the chest and head of the occupant,
The airbag has a base portion located behind a shoulder portion or a lower heel portion of an occupant seated on the seat in an inflated and deployed state, a lower bulge portion that bulges forward from the base toward the chest side, and a head from the base portion. It has an upper bulging portion that bulges obliquely forward and upward toward the side of the portion, and a lower bulging portion and a front edge portion of the upper bulging portion are continuously formed via a recess recessed backward,
The front edge side of the inflating part of either the lower inflating part or the upper inflating part of the airbag is separated from the leading edge of the inflating part and the leading edge of the recess and along the leading edge of the inflating part In the folded state, the seat is folded in the bellows from the front end side in a state where the airbag is folded back so that at least the base end side of the inflated portion where the front edge side portion is folded is turned over into the other inflated portion. A side airbag device, which is disposed on a side portion of a bag. An airbag and an inflator that ejects inflation gas into the airbag, and the airbag is disposed on a side portion of a seat back so that the inflation gas is ejected from the inflator in response to a side impact. In the side airbag device in which the airbag is inflated and deployed to protect the chest and head of the occupant,
The airbag has a base portion located behind a shoulder portion or a lower heel portion of an occupant seated on the seat in an inflated and deployed state, a lower bulge portion that bulges forward from the base toward the chest side, and a head from the base portion. It has an upper bulging portion that bulges obliquely forward and upward toward the side of the portion, and a lower bulging portion and a front edge portion of the upper bulging portion are continuously formed via a recess recessed backward,
The front edge side of the inflating part of either the lower inflating part or the upper inflating part of the airbag is separated from the leading edge of the inflating part and the leading edge of the recess and along the leading edge of the inflating part The folded portion is folded back, and the trailing edge side portion is folded back at the trailing edge side folded portion along the trailing edge apart from the trailing edge, and at least the proximal end side of the inflating portion where the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion are folded is provided. A side airbag device characterized in that the airbag is placed on the side portion of the seat back in a stored state in which the airbag is folded from the front end side in a folded state so as to be reversed inside the other inflatable portion.   The side airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the front edge side portion is folded back so as to be turned over at the front edge side folded portion, and is folded into the inflatable portion.   The side airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an airbag is disposed on a side portion of the seat back in a storage state wound from the front end side instead of the bellows folding. . An airbag and an inflator for injecting inflation gas into the airbag;
A side airbag in which the airbag is inflated and deployed by an inflating gas ejected from the inflator to protect the occupant's chest and head by being disposed on the side of the seat back and in response to an impact from the side. In the airbag folding method of the device,
The airbag has a base portion located behind a shoulder portion or a lower heel portion of an occupant seated on the seat in an inflated and deployed state, a lower bulge portion that bulges forward from the base toward the chest side, and a head from the base portion. It has an upper bulging portion that bulges obliquely forward and upward toward the side of the portion, and a lower bulging portion and a front edge portion of the upper bulging portion are continuously formed via a recess recessed backward,
The front edge side of the inflating part of either the lower inflating part or the upper inflating part of the airbag is separated from the leading edge of the inflating part and the leading edge of the recess and along the leading edge of the inflating part Folding the airbag in the folded state from the front end side in a folded state with the folded portion folded back so that at least the base end side of the expanded portion with the leading edge side portion folded back is turned inside the other inflatable portion A method for folding an airbag of a side airbag device characterized by the above.   6. The airbag folding method for a side airbag device according to claim 5, wherein the front edge side portion is folded back so as to be turned over at the front edge side folded portion. The airbag folding method for a side airbag device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the airbag is folded into a storage state wound from the front end side instead of the bellows folding.

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