JP2022164279A - air bag device - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve the occupant restraint performance in an air bag device in which side cushions that are inflated and developed to both sides of a seat integrally move, for example, at the time of lateral collision of vehicles.SOLUTION: An air bag device 10 comprises: an air bag 11 having a first side cushion 21 which is inflated and developed so as to cover one side part of an occupant 5 of a seat 1, a second side cushion 22 which is inflated and developed so as to cover the other side part of the occupant 5, and a cushion connection part 24 which connects the rear part of the first side cushion 21 with the rear part of the second side cushion 21 in the inflation completion state of each of the side cushions 21, 22; an inflator 12; and a coupling member 25 in which one end 25a thereof is fixed to the first side cushion 21 and the other end 25b thereof is fixed to a portion other than the first side cushion 21. The coupling member 25 extends in the inner region without the first side cushion 21 in the inflation completion state such that a part between the one end 25a and the other end 25b is pulled.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1B

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an airbag device and the like for protecting the sides of an occupant.

Conventionally, there has been known an airbag device for protecting an occupant in the event of a side collision or overturn of a vehicle. In this type of airbag device, the airbag inflates and deploys so as to cover the sides of the passenger seated on the seat.

Patent Literature 1 describes an occupant restraint device that can protect an occupant from both near-side impact and far-side impact as this type of airbag device. This occupant restraint system includes an airbag that protects the occupant against near-side impact, and an upper torso restraint member that protects the occupant against far-side impact. The upper torso restraint member abuts against the shoulder or chest of the occupant from the front side of the vehicle to restrain the occupant in the seat. FIG. 6 of Patent Document 1 describes a mode in which an airbag is used as an upper torso restraint member.

JP 2018-135016 A

By the way, when a vehicle side collision occurs, the occupant moves to the side where the collision occurred due to inertial force at the beginning of the collision, and then moves to the opposite side due to the impact force of the collision. However, in the conventional airbag device, the airbag on the near side and the airbag on the far side are independent of each other, and there is a possibility that it is not possible to effectively restrain the occupant whose movement direction changes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. The purpose is to improve

An airbag device according to the present invention includes a first side cushion that inflates and deploys forward to cover one side of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat, and an airbag device that inflates and deploys forward to cover the other side of the occupant. and a cushion connecting portion connecting the rear portion of the first side cushion and the rear portion of the second side cushion in an inflated state in which the inflation and deployment of the side cushions is completed; An inflator for injecting gas to inflate, and a connecting member having one end fixed to the first side cushion and the other end fixed to a location other than the first side cushion, the connecting member being in an inflated state, It extends in the inner region beyond the first side cushion and is in a state of being pulled between the one end and the other end.

According to the present invention, one end of the connecting member may be fixed to the front portion of the first side cushion in the fully inflated state.

In the present invention, the other end of the connecting member may be fixed to the cushion connecting portion at a height position above the chest of the occupant in the fully inflated state.

According to the present invention, the cushion connecting portion may be used as a duct that connects the first side cushion and the second side cushion.

In the present invention, during inflation and deployment of the airbag, the other end of the connecting member may move away from the one end as the cushion connecting portion through which gas flows is inflated.

In the present invention, the other end of the connecting member may be fixed to the side of the seat on the side of the first side cushion.

According to the present invention, the connecting member may be positioned such that one end is positioned higher than the other end in the fully expanded state.

In the present invention, the first side cushion has a first head cushion portion that inflates and deploys so as to cover one side of the occupant's head, and one end of the connecting member is the first head cushion. It may be fixed to the part.

In the present invention, the second side cushion has a second head cushion portion that inflates and deploys so as to cover the other side of the occupant's head, and the other end of the connecting member is for the second head portion. It may be fixed to the cushion part.

In the present invention, one end of the connecting member is fixed to the upper portion of the first head cushion portion in the fully inflated state, and the other end of the connecting member is fixed to the upper portion of the second head cushion portion in the fully inflated state. It may be fixed.

According to the present invention, one end of the connecting member is fixed to the rear portion of the upper portion of the first head cushion portion in the fully inflated state, and the other end of the connecting member is fixed to the second side cushion at the cushion connecting portion in the fully inflated state. It may be fixed on the side.

In the present invention, a portion between one end and the other end of the connecting member may be pressed against the headrest of the seat in the fully inflated state.

According to the present invention, the first side cushion may be provided on the near side near the door for the seat.

In the present invention, when a vehicle side collision occurs, the side cushions are inflated and deployed on both sides of the occupant. In the fully inflated state, both side cushions are connected via the cushion connecting portion. At the initial stage of a collision, an occupant moving toward the collision side due to inertial force collides with one of the side cushions (one of the first side cushion and the second side cushion) on the side of the collision. One of the side cushions receives the impact load of the occupant and moves outward, but is restrained to some extent by the cushion connecting portion, thereby suppressing the amount of outward movement of the seat. Therefore, the occupant is restrained early on the side where the collision occurred.

Further, as one side cushion moves outward, the other side cushion moves laterally toward the occupant by being pulled laterally via the cushion connecting portion. Both side cushions move laterally together. Therefore, the distance traveled by the occupant moving to the side opposite to the side where the collision occurred due to the impact force of the collision until it collides with the other side cushion is shortened. The occupant is restrained early on the side opposite to the side where the collision occurred.

Furthermore, in the present invention, the area between the one end portion and the other end portion of the connecting member is pulled in the region inside the first side cushion in the fully inflated state. In order to achieve such a state, it is necessary that the tension by the connecting member is acting on the first side cushion before reaching the fully inflated state. Therefore, swinging of the first side cushion during inflation and deployment can be suppressed, and the restraint performance of the first side cushion can be improved.

FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an airbag in a fully inflated state in an airbag device according to an embodiment, and is a diagram of a seat on which an occupant is seated as seen from the front. FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an airbag in a fully inflated state, and is a diagram of a seat with no occupant as viewed from the front. FIG. 1C is a diagram showing an airbag in a fully inflated state, and is a diagram of a seat with no occupant as viewed obliquely from the front on the side of the second side cushion. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the airbag in a flat state in the airbag device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view of the seat showing the stowed state of the airbag according to the embodiment. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an airbag in a fully inflated state in an airbag device according to a first modification of the embodiment, and is a diagram of a seat with no occupant as viewed from the front. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing the airbag in a fully inflated state, and is a diagram of the seat with no occupant seen obliquely forward on the side of the second side cushion. FIG. 5 is a plan view of an airbag in a flat state in an airbag device according to a first modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an airbag in a fully inflated state in an airbag device according to a second modification of the embodiment, and is a diagram of a seat with no occupant as viewed from the front. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the airbag in a fully inflated state, and is a diagram of the seat with no occupant as viewed diagonally from the front on the side of the first side cushion. FIG. 7 is a plan view of an airbag placed flat in an airbag device according to a second modification of the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a plan view of an airbag in a flat state, in which a connecting portion of a connecting member is different from that in FIG. 7 in an airbag device according to a second modification of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the airbag in a flat state; FIG. 9A is a diagram showing an airbag in a fully inflated state in an airbag device according to a third modification of the embodiment, and is a diagram of a seat with no occupant as viewed from the front. FIG. 9B is a diagram showing the airbag in a fully inflated state, and is a diagram of the seat in which no occupant is present, viewed obliquely from the front on the side of the first side cushion. FIG. 10(a) is a plan view of an airbag placed flat in an airbag device according to a third modified example of the embodiment, and FIG. ) is a plan view of the airbag in a flat state. FIG. 11A is a diagram showing an airbag in a fully inflated state in an airbag device according to a fourth modification of the embodiment, and is a diagram of a seat with no occupant as viewed from the front. FIG. 11B is a diagram showing the airbag in a fully inflated state, and is a diagram of the seat with no occupant as viewed obliquely from the front on the side of the second side cushion. FIG. 12(a) is a plan view of an airbag placed flat in an airbag device according to a fourth modified example of the embodiment, and FIG. 12(b) is a cross section taken along the line AA of FIG. 12(a). It is a diagram. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a cross-sectional state of a cushion connecting portion and an attached state of a connecting member in an airbag device according to another modification.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are examples of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

Further, in this specification, the terms “upper” and “upper” refer to the direction of the head of the occupant 5 seated in the normal position of the seat 1, and the terms “lower” and “lower” refer to the direction of the feet of the occupant 5. sometimes. Here, the “normal position” is the center position of the seat cushion 2 in the seat 1 in the left-right direction, and the position where the back of the occupant 5 is in contact with the backrest portion 3 from above and below. In some cases, the terms “front” and “front side” refer to the front direction of the occupant 5 seated in the normal position of the seat 1 , and the terms “rear” and “rear side” refer to the back direction of the occupant 5 . Further, the terms "left" and "left side" may refer to the left side of the occupant 5 seated in the normal position of the seat 1, and the terms "right" and "right side" may refer to the right side of the occupant 5. The occupant 5 is assumed to be World SID (World Side Impact Dummy) AM50 (50th percentile of American adult males).

This embodiment is an airbag device 10 in which a first side cushion 21 and a second side cushion 22 provided on both sides of a vehicle seat 1 are integrated into one airbag 11 . The airbag device 10 includes a connecting member 25 that suppresses swinging of the first side cushion 21 during inflation and deployment. Before describing the airbag device 10, the seat 1 on which the airbag device 10 is mounted will be described below.

[About the general configuration of the seats]
The seat 1 includes a seat cushion 2 and a backrest portion 3, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C. The seat cushion 2 incorporates a seat pan (not shown) forming part of the seat frame, and the backrest portion 3 incorporates a seat back frame 3a forming part of the seat frame (Fig. 3). reference). A headrest 4 is attached to the upper end portion of the backrest portion 3 via a rod-shaped support member 6 . Note that the seat 1 may be one in which the backrest portion 3 and the headrest 4 are integrally formed. Also, hereinafter, the side closer to the door for seat 1 may be called the "near side", and the side farther from the door for seat 1 may be called the "far side".

[Regarding the configuration of the airbag device]
The airbag device 10 includes an airbag 11 and an inflator 12 (see FIG. 1C). The airbag 11 is a fabric bag. The inflator 12 is a device that injects gas for inflating the airbag 11 . Below, the airbag device 10 provided in the driver's seat or the front passenger's seat which is adjacent to each other on the left and right will be described as an example.

[Regarding the fully inflated airbag]
First, the airbag 11 in a state in which inflation and deployment are completed (hereinafter referred to as "inflation completed state") will be described with reference to FIG. In the description of the airbag 11 in the fully inflated state, it is assumed that the occupant 5 is seated in the normal position.

As shown in FIG. 1A , the airbag 11 includes a first side cushion 21 that inflates and deploys forward so as to cover one side of the occupant 5 , and an inflatable and deployable front side that covers the other side of the occupant 5 . and a cushion connecting portion 24 connecting the first side cushion 21 and the second side cushion 22 . The cushion connecting portion 24 functions as a tubular duct through which gas can flow while the airbag 11 is inflated and deployed.

A first side cushion 21 is provided on the far side of the seat 1 . The rear end of the first side cushion 21 is fixed to the far side of the seat 1 . The first side cushion 21 extends forward from a fixed location to the seat 1 (see FIG. 1C). The first side cushion 21 includes a first head cushion portion 31 that inflates and deploys so as to cover one side of the head of the occupant 5, and one side of the torso (shoulder portion) of the occupant 5. and a first trunk cushion portion 41 that inflates and deploys. The first head cushion portion 31 stands obliquely upward in a rearward direction from the front portion of the first trunk cushion portion 41 .

A second side cushion 22 is provided on the near side of the seat 1 . The second side cushion 22 has a rear end portion fixed to the near side of the seat 1 . The second side cushion 22 extends forward from its fixed position to the seat 1 (see FIG. 1C). The second side cushion 22 includes a second head cushion portion 32 that inflates and deploys so as to cover the other side of the head of the occupant 5, and the other side of the torso (from the shoulder to the abdomen) of the occupant 5. and a second trunk cushion portion 42 that inflates and deploys so as to cover the body. The second head cushion portion 32 stands obliquely upward and rearward from the front portion of the second trunk cushion portion 42 .

The cushion connecting portion 24 connects the rear portion of the first side cushion 21 and the rear portion of the second side cushion 22 . The cushion connecting portion 24 extends in the width direction of the seat 1 along the upper end surface of the backrest portion 3, as shown in FIG. 1B. One end of the cushion connecting portion 24 opens into the first side cushion 21 , and the other end of the cushion connecting portion 24 opens into the second side cushion 22 .

Regarding the vertical height position of the cushion connecting portion 24 , the cushion connecting portion 24 is positioned in the height range above the seat 1 . Here, the "height range of the upper portion of the seat 1" refers to the range above the center of the backrest portion 3 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the cushion connecting portion 24 is positioned at the same height as the gap formed between the backrest portion 3 and the headrest 4 . The cushion connecting portion 24 has a thickness sufficient to cover the range from the upper end of the backrest portion 3 to the lower end of the headrest 4 .

As for the position of the cushion connecting portion 24 in the front-rear direction, the cushion connecting portion 24 is positioned in the front region in the gap between the backrest portion 3 and the headrest 4 . Note that the cushion connection portion 24 may be positioned further forward than the position shown in FIG. Alternatively, the support member 6 may be passed through the cushion connecting portion 24 so that the cushion connecting portion 24 extends over the front region and the rear region of the gap. In this case, the through-hole through which the support member 6 passes is separated from the flow path of the duct by sewing the edge of the through-hole.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the airbag 11 includes a connection member 25 having one end 25a fixed to the first side cushion 21 and the other end 25b fixed to a portion of the airbag 11 other than the first side cushion 21. I have more. In this embodiment, the other end portion 25b of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the cushion connecting portion 24. As shown in FIG. The connecting member 25 is a string-like or thin belt-like member (for example, a tether). Note that the connection member 25 can also be made of a base cloth that is continuous with the airbag 11 or a cloth material that is connected to the airbag 11 (the same material as the base cloth). A non-stretchable material, for example, can be suitably used for the connecting member 25, but a stretchable material can also be used.

The connecting member 25 extends in an inner region (a region on the side of the occupant 5 ) beyond the first side cushion 21 . Even if the connecting member 25 is not pushed by the occupant 5 of the seat 1, the tension state between the one end portion 25a and the other end portion 25b (a tension acts on the first side cushion 21 from the one end portion 25a, In addition, tension acts on the cushion connecting portion 24 from the other end portion 25b). A rearward tensile force is applied from the connecting member 25 to the fixing point 21a of the one end portion 25a of the connecting member 25 in the first side cushion 21, and the periphery of the fixing point 21a is slightly recessed (see FIG. 1A, etc.). ). The distance from the location 21a to which the one end portion 25a is fixed to the location 24a to which the other end portion 25b is fixed is shorter than when the connecting member 25 is not provided. This point is the same for each modified example described later. Reference numeral 24a denotes a portion of the cushion connecting portion 24 to which the other end portion 25b of the connecting member 25 is attached.

As described above, the connecting member 25 plays a role of suppressing the rocking motion of the first side cushion 21 during inflation and deployment. In the first side cushion 21, the fixing portion 21a of the one end portion 25a of the connecting member 25 is relatively distant from the connecting portion 24b of the cushion connecting portion 24 of the first side cushion 21 so as to effectively suppress the rocking movement. A point is selected. In this embodiment, the one end portion 25 a is fixed to the front portion (for example, the front end or the vicinity thereof) of the first head cushion portion 31 of the first side cushion 21 . Here, the "front portion" of the first side cushion 21 refers to a portion on the front side of the center of the first side cushion 21 in the front-rear direction. In the first side cushion 21, the fixed portion 21a of the one end portion 25a is located forward of the connecting portion 24b of the cushion connecting portion 24 and above the connecting portion 24b. Note that the one end portion 25 a may be fixed to the front portion (for example, the front end or the vicinity thereof) of the first torso cushion portion 41 instead of the first head cushion portion 31 .

Further, the fixed portion of the other end portion 25b of the connecting member 25 is selected so that the connecting member 25 passes through a region where interference with the occupant 5 is unlikely. In this embodiment, the other end 25b of the connecting member 25 is fixed at a height above the chest of the occupant 5 (above the lower end of the shoulder). Specifically, the other end portion 25b of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the central portion of the cushion connecting portion 24 in the left-right direction. One end portion 25a of the connecting member 25 is positioned higher than the other end portion 25b.

[Regarding airbags placed flat]
Next, the configuration of the airbag 11 in a state in which the uninflated airbag 11 is unfolded and laid flat on a flat surface (hereinafter referred to as "flat state") will be described with reference to FIG.

The airbag 11 is a bag formed by stacking two base fabrics having the same shape and size and sewing them at predetermined locations such as the outer periphery. In FIG. 2, the sewing location is represented by a thick dashed line. As shown in FIG. 2, the airbag 11 has a laterally long substantially rectangular shape. In the airbag 11 in the flat state, the longitudinal direction of the airbag 11 is called the "left-right direction" and the width direction thereof is called the "front-rear direction". The side (the upper side in FIG. 2) is called the "rear side", and the opposite side is called the "front side". The upper side of the airbag 11 in FIG. 2 is the rear side even in the fully inflated state. In addition, in the plan view of the airbag 11, the upper side of the paper surface is called the "front side", and the lower side of the paper surface is called the "back side". Each of the side cushions 21 and 22 is outside when fully inflated on the upper side of the page and inside when fully inflated on the lower side of the page. But on the bottom.

The airbag 11 includes a cushion connecting portion 24 extending in the left-right direction, a first side cushion 21 connected to one end of the cushion connecting portion 24, and a second side cushion 22 connected to the other end of the cushion connecting portion 24. I have. The airbag 11 is also connected to a connecting member 25 arranged on the back side of the airbag 11 in FIG. Most of the connecting member 25 is arranged on the back side of the first head cushion portion 31 to be described later.

The cushion connecting portion 24 has a laterally long substantially rectangular shape. The cushion connecting portion 24 is provided on the rear side of the airbag 11 . The front end of the cushion connecting portion 24 (the position of the horizontal slit 35 in FIG. 2) is positioned rearward from the front ends of the first side cushion 21 and the second side cushion 22 . The dimension (thickness) in the front-rear direction of the cushion connecting portion 24 is half or less than the dimension in the front-rear direction of each of the side cushions 21 and 22 .

The first side cushion 21 has a first torso cushion portion 41 positioned outside the cushion connection portion 24 in the left-right direction, and a first head cushion portion 31 positioned in front of the cushion connection portion 24 . The first trunk cushion portion 41 extends forward beyond the front end of the cushion connection portion 24 . The first head cushion portion 31 extends inward in the left-right direction (to the right in FIG. 2) from a portion of the first trunk cushion portion 41 that extends forward.

The first head cushion portion 31 has a substantially rectangular shape. The first head cushion portion 31 is adjacent to the cushion connection portion 24 via the horizontal slit 35 described above. In addition, the first trunk cushion portion 41 has a substantially rectangular shape that is slightly vertically long. The first torso cushion part 41 is a part for protecting the side part of the shoulder of the occupant 5 . In addition, in this specification, "rectangle" includes a square.

The second side cushion 22 has a second torso cushion portion 42 positioned outside the cushion connection portion 24 in the left-right direction, and a second head cushion portion 32 positioned in front of the cushion connection portion 24 . The second trunk cushion portion 42 extends forward beyond the front end of the cushion connecting portion 24 . The second head cushion portion 32 extends inward in the left-right direction (to the left in FIG. 2) from a portion of the second body cushion portion 42 that extends forward.

The second head cushion portion 32 has a substantially rectangular shape. The second head cushion portion 32 is adjacent to the cushion connection portion 24 via a horizontal slit 35 extending in the left-right direction. In addition, the second trunk cushion portion 42 has a laterally long substantially rectangular shape. Strictly speaking, the second trunk cushion part 42 is an outer portion in the left-right direction, and the dimension in the front-rear direction gradually decreases toward the outer end. A portion of the second torso cushion portion 42 on the side of the cushion connecting portion 24 constitutes an upper cushion portion 42 a for protecting the side portion of the shoulder portion of the occupant 5 . A portion of the second torso cushion portion 42 opposite to the cushion connection portion 24 constitutes a lower cushion portion 42b for protecting the sides of the chest and abdomen of the occupant 5 .

A storage portion 45 for the inflator 12 is formed on the rear side of the second torso cushion portion 42 . A gas guide 18 is provided in the storage portion 45 . The gas guide 18 has a first outlet 18a that opens to the upper cushion portion 42a and a second outlet 18b that opens to the lower cushion portion 42b as outlets for the gas injected from the inflator 12 . In this embodiment, the second torso cushion portion 42, which takes less time to protect the occupant 5 from the collision, can be inflated and deployed ahead of the other cushion portions during a near-side collision.

The tips of the first head cushion part 31 and the second head cushion part 32 are adjacent to each other via a longitudinal slit 36 extending in the front-rear direction. The first head cushion part 31 and the second head cushion part 32 are formed symmetrically with the vertical slit 36 interposed therebetween. The vertical slit 36 is a slit extending in the front-rear direction from the front end of the airbag 11 and connected to the center position of the horizontal slit 35 on the rear side. The horizontal slits 35 extend leftward and rightward from the positions of the rear ends of the vertical slits 36 . Combining the horizontal slit 35 and the vertical slit 36 forms a substantially T-shaped notch. In this embodiment, each of the slits 35 and 36 is a cut with almost no gap, but it may be a cut with a certain amount of gap.

The connecting member 25 extends straight diagonally upward to the right from the front end of the first side cushion 21 to the front end of the cushion connecting portion 24 . One end portion 25a of the connecting member 25 is fixed at a position near the first torso cushion portion 41 at the front end portion of the first head cushion portion 31 by sewing or the like. One end 25a of the connecting member 25 is located at substantially the same position as the left end of the horizontal slit 35 in the left-right direction. The other end portion 25b of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the center portion in the left-right direction at the front end portion of the cushion connecting portion 24 by sewing or the like.

The airbag 11 is provided with a tab 16 as a fixing portion for fixing the airbag 11 to the seatback frame 3 a of the seat 1 . The tab 16 is attached to the rear portion of the outer peripheral portion of the airbag 11 . In this embodiment, the tab 16 is provided at the outer end of the first side cushion 21 (the left end in FIG. 2). It should be noted that the installation position and installation number of the tabs 16 in the airbag 11 are not limited to those of the present embodiment.

[Regarding the storage condition of the airbag in the seat]
Next, the storage state in which the airbag 11 is stored in the seat 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

By folding the airbag 11 so that its dimension in the front-rear direction in the flat state is shortened, the airbag 11 becomes a storage form when it is stored in the seat 1 . The connecting member 25 is folded together with the airbag 11 . As a method of folding the airbag 11, for example, a method of winding it in a roll shape from the front side to the rear side can be adopted. As for the method of folding the airbag 11, other methods such as folding in a bellows shape may be adopted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the stored airbag 11 is stored in the seat 1 while being folded along the seatback frame 3a. The cushion connection part 24 is stored at the upper end of the backrest part 3 , the first side cushion 21 is stored at the far side of the seat 1 , and the second side cushion 22 is stored at the near side of the seat 1 .

The stored airbag 11 stored in the seat 1 is fixed to the seat back frame 3 a of the seat 1 at two points, the tab 16 and the storage portion 45 of the inflator 12 . Specifically, the tab 16 fixes the first torso cushion portion 41 to the seatback frame 3a. Further, an insertion hole for a stud bolt protruding from the inflator 12 is formed in the storage portion 45 (not shown). Since the inflator 12 is fixed to the seatback frame 3a by the stud bolt, the storage portion 45 having the stud bolt passed through the insertion hole is also fixed to the seatback frame 3a.

[Operation of Airbag Device]
Next, the operation of the airbag device 10 will be described.

When the vehicle is impacted by a collision or rollover, the inflator 12 receives a signal from the sensor and injects gas into the second side cushion 22 . Thereby, the second side cushion 22 is inflated and deployed. Also, part of the gas injected to the second side cushion 22 is supplied to the first side cushion 21 through the cushion connecting portion 24 . Thereby, the first side cushion 21 is inflated and deployed. In this embodiment, one inflator 12 completes inflation of both side cushions 21 and 22 .

Here, when a side collision of the vehicle occurs, the occupant 5 moves to the side where the collision occurred due to inertial force at the beginning of the collision, and then moves to the opposite side due to the impact force of the collision. Specifically, in the case of a far-side side collision, the occupant 5 collides with the first side cushion 21 at the beginning of the collision. Along with this collision, the second side cushion 22 connected via the cushion connecting portion 24 moves to the far side together with the first side cushion 21 . After that, when the occupant 5 moves to the side opposite to the initial stage of the collision, the occupant 5 collides with the second side cushion 22 . On the other hand, in the case of a near-side side collision, the occupant 5 collides with the second side cushion 22 at the beginning of the collision, and the second side cushion 22 and the first side cushion 21 move to the near-side. After that, when the occupant 5 moves to the side opposite to the initial stage of the collision, the occupant 5 collides with the first side cushion 21 .

[Effects of this embodiment, etc.]
In the present embodiment, at the initial stage of the collision, one of the side cushions 21 and 22 on the collision side receives the collision load of the occupant 5 and moves outward, but is restrained to some extent by the cushion connecting portion 24, and moves toward the outside of the seat 1. is suppressed. The occupant 5 is restrained early on the collision side. As one side cushion 21 , 22 moves outward, the other side cushion 21 , 22 is laterally pulled through the cushion connecting portion 24 and moves toward the occupant 5 . Therefore, the distance traveled by the occupant 5 moving to the side opposite to the side where the collision occurred until it collides with the other side cushions 21 and 22 is shortened. The occupant 5 is restrained early even on the side opposite to the side where the collision occurred. Thus, the side cushions 21 and 22 exhibit excellent restraint performance against side collisions.

In the present embodiment, the cushion connecting portion 24 is positioned near the height range (shoulder height range) where the occupant 5 collides with the side cushions 21 and 22 at the initial stage of the collision. Therefore, a lateral load is easily transmitted through the cushion connecting portion 24 . Both side cushions 21 and 22 are excellent in integration of behavior, and exhibit excellent restraint performance against a side collision.

When the vehicle rolls over, the occupant 5 moves left and right according to the rotation of the vehicle. Even in this case, the airbag device 10 can quickly restrain the occupant 5 because the side cushions 21 and 22 on both sides behave together.

In the present embodiment, the portion between the one end portion 25a and the other end portion 25b of the connecting member 25 is pulled in the region inside the first side cushion 21 in the fully inflated state. In order to achieve such a state, it is necessary that the tension by the connecting member 25 acts on the first side cushion 21 before reaching the fully inflated state. Also, the length of the connecting member 25 is such that it is pulled by the occupant 5 without being pushed. Therefore, the tension is reliably applied to the first side cushion 21 regardless of the position of the occupant 5 . According to the present embodiment, it is possible to reliably suppress rocking (horizontal rocking and vertical rocking) of the first side cushion 21 during inflation and deployment, thereby improving the restraint performance of the first side cushion 21 . can be done.

One end portion 25a of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the front portion of the first side cushion 21 in the fully inflated state. The fixed portion 21a of the one end portion 25a is separated from the portion where the movement of the airbag 11 is restrained (the connection portion 24b of the cushion connection portion 24, the tab 16, the storage portion 45, etc.). In the airbag 11, if the connection member 25 is not provided, a moment acts and the swing becomes larger at a position farther from the position where the movement of the airbag 11 is restrained. In this embodiment, since the connecting member 25 is connected to the portion where the swinging motion becomes large, the swinging motion of the first side cushion 21 can be effectively suppressed.

Also, in the event of a far-side collision or the like, the first side cushion 21 tends to fall outward due to the collision with the occupant 5, but is pulled inward by the connecting member 25, so the restraint performance can be improved in this respect as well. .

By the way, conventionally, in order to protect the occupant against a side collision, a curtain airbag that protects the head of the occupant in a near-side collision, a near-side airbag that protects the torso of the occupant in the near-side collision, and a near-side airbag in the far-side collision A fur side airbag may be provided to protect the head. On the other hand, in the future, there will be a demand for an airbag device that can cope with automatic driving. In automated driving, it is assumed that the occupant will tilt the backrest of the seat backward to take a comfortable posture, and the occupant will switch the direction of the seat between the front and the rear of the vehicle. However, in order to make the above conventional airbag configuration compatible with automatic driving, it is necessary to expand the protection range of each airbag, which causes problems in terms of cost and design.

In contrast, in the present embodiment, the occupant 5 can be restrained at an early stage, so the side cushions 21 and 22 can be prevented from increasing in size, and the side cushions 21 and 22 can be made to have appropriate sizes. Therefore, the airbag 11 with good design can be configured. In addition, since the second side cushion 22 protects the occupant 5 from the head to the abdomen, the curtain airbag can be omitted. This eliminates the need to mount an airbag on the roof of the vehicle, improving the flexibility of the vehicle layout. Furthermore, it is also possible to reduce cost and weight compared to providing separate side airbags on both sides of the seat 1 .

Further, when the seat belt is stretched over the torso of the occupant 5 obliquely downward from the near side to the far side, the second side cushion 22 is interposed between the seat belt and the occupant 5 in the fully inflated state. . Therefore, the reaction force surface of the side cushion 22 on the near side becomes a seat belt instead of the vehicle trim in the above-described conventional airbag configuration. Therefore, the occupant 5 can be restrained early on the near side.

Further, in this embodiment, the connection member 25 can stabilize the position of the first side cushion 21 in the fully inflated state. Therefore, even if the reclining angle of the seat 1 changes, the protection area for the occupant 5 is unlikely to change, and the occupant 5 can be appropriately restrained even in the comfortable posture described above.

Further, in the present embodiment, the other end portion 25b of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the cushion connection portion 24 at a height position above the chest of the occupant 5 in the inflated state. Here, the connection member 25 is less likely to interfere with the occupant 5 above the shoulder of the occupant 5 . Therefore, by fixing the other end portion 25b at a higher position, interference of the connecting member 25 with the occupant 5 can be suppressed. Furthermore, the connecting member 25 has one end portion 25a positioned higher than the other end portion 25b in the inflated state. In this case, the position of the connecting member 25 on the side of the occupant 5 is higher than in the opposite case, and interference of the connecting member 25 with the occupant 5 can be further suppressed.

The airbag device 10 can be installed on both the front seat and the rear seat of the vehicle, and can also be installed on the seat of a single-seat vehicle. Further, since the airbag device 10 does not depend on the layout of the vehicle, it is possible to modularize part or all of the airbag device 10 so that it can be applied to a plurality of vehicle types.

[First modification of the embodiment]
In this modified example, the fixing points of both end portions 25a and 25b are different from those in the above-described embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, one end portion 25a of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the lower end portion of the front portion (for example, the front end or the vicinity thereof) of the first head cushion portion 31 in the fully inflated state. there is The fixing point of the one end portion 25a of the connecting member 25 is slightly lower than in the above-described embodiment (see FIGS. 2 and 5). Note that the fixing location of the one end portion 25a may be the same as in the above-described embodiment.

The other end 25b of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the side of the seat 1 on the first side cushion 21 side. As shown in FIG. 4B, the other end 25b is fixed to the upper portion of the far-side vertical frame of the seatback frame 3a. The other end portion 25b of the connecting member 25 can be fixed to the seat back frame 3a by fixing the other end portion 25b to the same position as the tab 16 and fastening the other end portion 25b with the tab 16 together. As a result, the number of fixing points to the seat frame 3a can be reduced. In addition, the connecting member 25 has one end portion 25a positioned higher than the other end portion 25b in the expanded state. Also in this modified example, the fixing points of both ends 25a and 25b of the connecting member 25 are selected so that the connecting member 25 passes through a region where interference with the occupant 5 is difficult. This point is the same for each modified example described later.

In the flat airbag 11, as shown in FIG. 5, the connecting member 25 is arranged on the back side of the first head cushion portion 31 near the boundary with the first torso cushion portion 41. As shown in FIG. One end portion 25a of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the front end portion of the first head cushion portion 31, but the other end portion 25b is not fixed. The other end portion 25b is fixed to the vertical frame described above when the airbag 11 is stored in the seat 1 .

In this modified example as well, the connection member 25 is pulled even if it is not pushed by the occupant 5 when the inflation is completed. Therefore, swinging of the first side cushion 21 during inflation and deployment can be suppressed. In addition, the extension direction of the connecting member 25 in the inflated state is close to the deployment direction of the first side cushion 21, so that the connecting member 25 can be smoothly deployed.

[Second Modification of Embodiment]
In this modified example, the fixing points of both end portions 25a and 25b are different from those in the above-described embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A, one end portion 25a of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the rear portion (for example, the rear end or the vicinity thereof) of the upper portion of the first head cushion portion 31 in the fully inflated state. . On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, the other end portion 25b of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the second side cushion 22 side of the cushion connecting portion 24 in the fully inflated state.

In the flat airbag 11 , as shown in FIG. 7 , most of the connecting member 25 overlaps the front side of the cushion connecting portion 24 . One end portion 25 a of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the rear end portion of the first head cushion portion 31 . The other end portion 25 b of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the front end portion of the cushion connecting portion 24 on the side of the second side cushion 22 .

In this modified example as well, the connection member 25 is pulled even if it is not pushed by the occupant 5 when the inflation is completed. Therefore, swinging of the first side cushion 21 (especially swinging of the first head cushion portion 31) during inflation and deployment can be suppressed. In addition, since the extension direction of the connecting member 25 is close to the horizontal direction, it is possible to particularly suppress the rocking movement in the left-right direction. In addition, since the fixed portion of the other end portion 25b of the connecting member 25 is closer to the fixed portion (storage portion 45) with respect to the seat 1, swinging can be effectively suppressed. One end portion 25a of the connecting member 25 may be fixed to the front portion (for example, the front end or the vicinity thereof) of the first head cushion portion 31, as shown in FIG.

[Third modification of the embodiment]
In this modified example, the fixing location of the other end portion 25b of the connecting member 25 is different from that in the above-described second modified example. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the other end portion 25b is fixed to the rear portion (for example, the rear end or its vicinity) of the upper portion of the second head cushion portion 32 . In each of the side cushions 21 and 22, the end portions 25a and 25b are fixed at locations relatively distant from the connection portion 24b of the cushion connection portion 24 (each head cushion) so as to effectively suppress rocking motion. the upper part of the parts 31 and 32) is selected. In addition, both ends 25 a and 25 b of the connecting member 25 are positioned rearward of the front surface of the headrest 4 in the fully inflated state. Therefore, the connecting member 25 is pressed against the front surface of the headrest 4 .

In the flat airbag 11 , as shown in FIG. 10 , most of the connecting member 25 overlaps the front side of the cushion connecting portion 24 . One end portion 25 a of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the rear end portion of the first head cushion portion 31 . The other end portion 25 b of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the rear end portion of the second head cushion portion 32 . At this time, the connecting member 25 may be bent at one point at an acute angle as shown in FIG. 10, or at two points at right angles as shown in FIG.

In this modified example as well, the connection member 25 is pulled even if it is not pushed by the occupant 5 when the inflation is completed. Therefore, swinging of the first head cushion portion 31 during inflation and deployment can be suppressed, and swinging of the second head cushion portion 32 during inflation and deployment can also be suppressed. Moreover, since the extending direction of the connecting member 25 is close to the horizontal direction, it is possible to particularly suppress the rocking movement in the left-right direction. In addition, the connecting member 25 is pressed against the headrest 4 , and lateral movement of the connecting member 25 is prevented by friction with the headrest 4 during inflation and deployment of the airbag 11 . Therefore, swinging of both side cushions 21 and 22 can be effectively suppressed.

[Fourth modification of the embodiment]
In this modified example, the points where the ends 25a and 25b of the connecting member 25 are fixed are different from those in the above-described third modified example. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, one end portion 25a of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the center portion in the front-rear direction of the upper portion (for example, the upper end or the vicinity thereof) of the first head cushion portion 31. ing. The other end portion 25b of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the center portion in the front-rear direction of the upper portion (for example, the upper end or its vicinity) of the second head cushion portion 32 .

In the flat airbag 11 , the connecting member 25 is superimposed on the front side of the airbag 11 as shown in FIG. 12( a ). As shown in FIG. 12(b), the connecting member 25 is folded at a plurality of locations in the length direction, and the ends 25a and 25b are fixed to the head cushion portions 31 and 32, respectively.

In this modified example as well, the connection member 25 is pulled even if it is not pushed by the occupant 5 when the inflation is completed. Therefore, swinging of both side cushions 21 and 22 during inflation and deployment can be suppressed. Since the extending direction of the connecting member 25 is close to the horizontal direction, it is possible to particularly suppress the rocking movement in the horizontal direction.

[Other Modifications]
In the above-described embodiment, when the other end portion 25b of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the cushion connection portion 24, the other end portion 25b is connected to the cushion connection portion 24 through which gas flows while the airbag 11 is inflated and deployed. It may be moved away from the one end 25a as it expands. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the other end portion 25b of the connecting member 25 can be fixed to the lower surface of the cushion connecting portion 24. As shown in FIG. The other end portion 25b can also be fixed to the rear side of the cushion connecting portion 24 (upper side in the flat state). In either case, the other end 25b is pulled by an amount corresponding to the increase in diameter (peripheral length) of the cushion connecting portion 24 due to the expansion, so that the tensile force acting on the side cushions 21 and 22 increases, thereby effecting the above-described rocking motion. can be effectively suppressed. In addition, in FIG. 13, the cushion connection portion 24 is attached to the support member 6 by a non-inflatable attachment portion 24c.

In the above-described embodiment, the cushion connecting portion 24 that connects the first side cushion 21 and the second side cushion 22 is a duct. good. In this case, for example, a second inflator can be attached to the first side cushion 21 .

In the above-described embodiment, except for the modification in which the other end 25b of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the second side cushion 22, the one end 25a of the connecting member 25 is attached to the second side cushion 21 instead of the first side cushion 21. It may be fixed to the cushion 22 .

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is applicable to an airbag device or the like that protects the sides of an occupant.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 seat 5 occupant 10 airbag device 11 airbag 12 inflator 21 first side cushion 22 second side cushion 24 cushion connecting portion 25 connecting member 25a one end 25b other end

Claims (13)

a first side cushion that inflates and deploys forward to cover one side of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat; a second side cushion that inflates and deploys forward to cover the other side of the occupant; an airbag having a cushion connecting portion that connects the rear portion of the first side cushion and the rear portion of the second side cushion in an inflated state in which the inflation and deployment of each side cushion is completed;
an inflator that injects gas for inflating the airbag;
a connecting member having one end fixed to the first side cushion and having the other end fixed to a location other than the first side cushion;
The airbag device, wherein, in the fully inflated state, the connecting member extends in a region inside the first side cushion, and is in a state of being pulled between the one end portion and the other end portion. 2. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein said one end of said connecting member is fixed to a front portion of said first side cushion in said inflated state. 3. The airbag device according to claim 2, wherein said other end of said connecting member is fixed to said cushion connecting portion at a height position above said occupant's chest in said inflated state. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cushion connecting portion is a duct that communicates the first side cushion and the second side cushion. 5. The airbag according to claim 4, wherein during inflation and deployment of the airbag, the other end of the connecting member moves away from the one end as a cushion connecting portion through which gas flows is inflated. Device. 3. The airbag device according to claim 2, wherein said other end of said connecting member is fixed to a side portion of said seat on the side of said first side cushion. 7. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said one end portion of said connecting member is positioned higher than said other end portion in said fully inflated state. The first side cushion has a first head cushion portion that inflates and deploys so as to cover one side of the occupant's head,
2. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein said one end of said connecting member is fixed to said first head cushion portion. The second side cushion has a second head cushion portion that inflates and deploys so as to cover the other side of the occupant's head,
9. The airbag device according to claim 8, wherein said other end of said connecting member is fixed to said second head cushion portion. The one end portion of the connecting member is fixed to the upper portion of the first head cushion portion in the fully inflated state,
10. The airbag device according to claim 9, wherein said other end of said connecting member is fixed to an upper portion of said second head cushion portion in said inflated state. The one end portion of the connecting member is fixed to the rear portion of the upper portion of the first head cushion portion in the fully inflated state,
9. The airbag device according to claim 8, wherein said other end portion of said connecting member is fixed to said second side cushion side of said cushion connection portion in said fully inflated state. 12. The airbag device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein a portion between said one end portion and said other end portion of said connecting member is pressed against a headrest of said seat in said fully inflated state. 13. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first side cushion is provided on a near side near the door for the seat.

Images