JP7380520B2 - Vehicle side airbag devices and occupant protection devices - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a side airbag device for a vehicle and an occupant protection device equipped with the device.

In the vehicle side airbag device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, an inflator and an inner tube (duct) are installed in a side airbag that has a head protection inflation section (head chamber) and a waist protection inflation section (waist chamber). It is accommodated. In the event of a side collision of a vehicle, gas generated from the inflator is supplied to the head chamber and lumbar chamber through the duct. As a result, the head chamber inflates and deploys to the side of the occupant's head, and the waist chamber inflates and deploys to the side of the occupant's waist. A similar technique is also disclosed in Patent Document 2 below.

In the vehicle side airbag device disclosed in Patent Document 3 below, an inflator and an inner tube (duct) are housed in a side airbag that can protect an occupant from the shoulders to the waist. When a vehicle is involved in a side collision, gas generated from the inflator is supplied to the upper and lower compartments of the side airbag through the duct. As a result, the upper compartment inflates and deploys to the sides of the occupant's shoulders and chest, and the lower compartment inflates and deploys to the sides of the occupant's abdomen and waist.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-105107 International Publication No. 2011/016107 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-225351

In each of the above-mentioned prior arts, a cylinder type inflator is housed in a cylindrical duct. These inflators and ducts are supported by the side frames of the seat back. In such a configuration, the inflator and the duct are arranged in a downwardly inclined position due to the structure of the vehicle seat. Gas is ejected diagonally downward and in front of the vehicle from the lower ejection port of this duct. Due to the ejection force of this gas, the waist chamber is displaced toward the front side of the vehicle with respect to the waist. As a result, the lumbar region cannot be properly restrained by the lumbar chamber, and the efficiency of absorption of collision energy is reduced.

In consideration of the above facts, the present invention provides a side airbag for a vehicle that is capable of preventing or suppressing a decrease in energy absorption efficiency caused by displacement of the lumbar chamber toward the front of the vehicle with respect to the lumbar region due to the force of gas from the inflator. The purpose is to obtain equipment and occupant protection equipment.

A vehicular side airbag device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a vehicular side airbag device that is mounted on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the seat back of a vehicle seat, and is configured to prevent gas from being released during a side collision of the vehicle. an inflator that receives gas supply from the inflator to inflate and deploy from the side to the side of the occupant, and has a head chamber that protects the head of the occupant and a waist chamber that protects the waist of the occupant. a side airbag extending in the vertical direction of the side airbag within the side airbag, and directing gas from the inflator into the head chamber and the lumbar chamber from an upper spout and a lower spout, respectively; The device includes a duct for ejecting gas, and a fastening portion that fastens the waist chamber to the side of the waist region in a state in which gas is jetted from the lower spout into the waist chamber.

The "side of the waist" described in the first aspect is, for example, a region that overlaps with the waist of the occupant when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

In a first aspect, a vehicle side airbag device is mounted on a side portion of a seat back of a vehicle seat on the outside in the vehicle width direction. In this vehicle side airbag device, gas is generated from the inflator during a side collision of the vehicle, and the gas is supplied to the side airbag. As a result, the side airbag inflates and deploys from the side portion of the seat back to the side of the occupant. This side airbag has a head chamber that protects the occupant's head and a lumbar chamber that protects the occupant's waist. Gas is ejected into the head chamber and the waist chamber from an upper ejection port and a lower ejection port of a duct extending in the vertical direction of the side airbag within the side airbag, respectively. In a state in which gas is ejected from the lower spout into the waist chamber, the waist chamber is held to the side of the waist by the fastening portion. Thereby, it is possible to prevent or suppress a decrease in the absorption efficiency of collision energy by the waist chamber.

In the vehicle side airbag device according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the fastening portion has a shape that extends toward the rear side of the vehicle as it goes toward the lower side of the vehicle when the side airbag is inflated and deployed. The waist chamber includes a front edge formed in an inclined shape.

According to the second aspect, when the side airbag is inflated and deployed, the front edge of the lumbar chamber is inclined toward the rear of the vehicle as it goes toward the lower side of the vehicle. In other words, the shape of the lumbar chamber is set in advance so that it is positioned toward the rear of the vehicle when the side airbag is inflated and deployed. Therefore, even if the lumbar chamber is displaced toward the front of the vehicle, the lumbar chamber can be kept within the region to the side of the lumbar region due to the force of the gas ejected from the lower outlet of the duct. .

In the vehicle side airbag device according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect or the second aspect, the fastening portion generates a flow of gas diagonally downward toward the rear of the vehicle within the waist chamber. A gas flow generator is included.

According to the third aspect, when gas is ejected into the waist chamber from the lower spout of the duct, a gas flow is generated in the waist chamber diagonally downward to the rear of the vehicle. This gas flow allows the lumbar chamber to remain lateral to the lumbar region.

In the vehicle side airbag device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the gas flow forming portion includes the duct that opens diagonally downward to the rear of the vehicle when the side airbag is inflated and deployed. The lower spout is included.

According to the fourth aspect, when the side airbag is inflated and deployed, the lower outlet of the duct opens diagonally downward to the rear of the vehicle. As a result, the gas ejected from the lower ejection port flows diagonally downward to the rear of the vehicle.

In the vehicle side airbag device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect or the fourth aspect, the gas flow generating section includes a gas flow generating section that is configured to have a gas flow direction toward the rear side of the vehicle when the side airbag is inflated and deployed. A bent portion is formed at the lower end of the duct so as to be curved, and the lower spout is formed at the lower end of the bent portion.

According to the fifth aspect, when the side airbag is inflated and deployed, the bent portion formed at the lower end of the duct bends toward the rear of the vehicle. As a result, the gas ejected from the lower ejection port formed at the lower end of the bent portion flows diagonally downward to the rear of the vehicle.

In the vehicle side airbag device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the vehicle seat is provided with a three-point seat belt for the occupant. is restrained, and the head chamber expands and deploys toward the head of the occupant relative to the shoulder belt of the seat belt.

In the sixth aspect, the head chamber of the side airbag inflates and deploys toward the occupant's head side (that is, inside in the vehicle width direction) with respect to the shoulder belt of the three-point seat belt. This allows the inflation and deployment position of the head chamber to be brought closer to the head of the occupant, thereby improving the initial restraint performance of the head. Furthermore, since the head chamber can be held down by the shoulder belt, it is possible to further suppress displacement of the waist chamber toward the front of the vehicle due to gas ejection from the lower ejection port.

In a vehicle side airbag device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the inflator is fixed to the side frame of the seat back, and the airbag is connected to the duct. The extended connecting portion is connected to the gas ejection portion of the inflator, and when the side airbag is inflated and deployed, the duct extends in the height direction of the seat back on the vehicle front side from the inflator.

According to the seventh aspect, the inflator is fixed to the side frame of the seat back. A connecting portion extending from the duct is connected to the gas ejection portion of the inflator. This allows gas from the inflator to be introduced into the duct. This duct extends in the height direction of the seat back at the front side of the vehicle from the inflator when the side airbag is inflated and deployed. This duct has a relatively high pressure inside the side airbag due to the gas introduced from the inflator. Since this high-pressure duct extends as described above, for example, the rear part of the occupant's ribs can be effectively restrained by the duct.

In the vehicle side airbag device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect, the inflator is of a cylinder type and is arranged with an axial direction along the height direction of the seat back, The gas ejection part is provided at the lower end of the inflator, and the connection part of the duct extends from the lower end of the duct.

In the eighth aspect, the connecting portion extending from the lower end side of the duct is connected to the gas jetting portion provided at the lower end of the inflator. Thereby, gas from the inflator is quickly supplied into the waist chamber through the duct. As a result, the waist chamber can be inflated and deployed earlier than the head chamber, making it easier to quickly inflate and deploy the waist chamber into the narrow gap between the occupant's waist and the side of the vehicle body.

An occupant protection device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention includes: a vehicle seat having a seat cushion and a seat back; a vehicle seat belt device having a three-point seat belt for restraining an occupant on the vehicle seat; The vehicle side airbag device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects is mounted on the outer side of the seat back in the vehicle width direction.

According to the ninth aspect, an occupant is restrained by a three-point seat belt of a vehicle seat belt device on a vehicle seat having a seat cushion and a seat back. A vehicle side airbag device is mounted on the outer side of the seat back in the vehicle width direction. Since this side airbag device for a vehicle is of any one of the first to eighth aspects, the above-described operations and effects can be obtained.

As explained above, in the vehicle side airbag device and occupant protection device according to the present invention, the energy absorption efficiency decreases due to the lumbar chamber being displaced toward the front of the vehicle with respect to the lumbar region due to the force of gas from the inflator. can be prevented or suppressed.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state in which a side airbag is inflated and deployed in the occupant protection device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which a side airbag is inflated and deployed in the occupant protection device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a side airbag in a stored state. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a side airbag in a stored state. FIG. 2 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 1 for explaining the displacement of the waist chamber due to the force of gas from the inflator. FIG. 6 is a plan cross-sectional view taken along the line F6-F6 in FIG. 5, and is a diagram showing the situation at the time of a side collision with a pole. FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state in which a side airbag is inflated and deployed in the occupant protection device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state in which a side airbag is inflated and deployed in an occupant protection device according to a third embodiment.

<First embodiment>
Hereinafter, an occupant protection device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. Note that the arrow FR shown as appropriate in each figure indicates the front of the vehicle, the arrow UP indicates the upward direction of the vehicle, and the arrow LH (OUT) indicates the left side of the vehicle (outward in the vehicle width direction). . In the following, when explanations are simply made using front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions, unless otherwise specified, this refers to the front and rear of the vehicle, the left and right of the vehicle's left-right direction (vehicle width direction), and the top and bottom of the vehicle's up-and-down direction, unless otherwise specified. .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the occupant protection device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a vehicle seat 12, a vehicle seat belt device 30, and a vehicle side airbag device 40. The vehicle seat 12 is, for example, a driver's seat in a left-hand drive vehicle or a passenger seat in a right-hand drive vehicle, and is arranged on the left side of the vehicle interior. The front-rear direction, left-right direction (width direction), and up-down direction of this vehicle seat 12 coincide with the front-rear direction, left-right direction (width direction), and up-down direction of the vehicle. When the vehicle seat 12 is placed on the right side of the vehicle interior, the configuration is symmetrical to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the configurations of the vehicle seat 12, the vehicle seat belt device 30, and the vehicle side airbag device 40 will be sequentially explained, and then the main parts of the present embodiment will be explained.

(Configuration of vehicle seat)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle seat 12 is connected to a seat cushion 14 that supports the buttocks and thighs of an occupant P seated on the vehicle seat 12, and to the rear end of the seat cushion 14. The seatback 16 has a seatback 16 that supports the back of the occupant P, and a headrest 22 that is connected to the upper end of the seatback 16 and supports the head H of the occupant P.

Note that in FIGS. 1 and 2, a dummy P for collision testing is seated on the vehicle seat 12 instead of an actual occupant. This dummy P is AM50 (50th percentile of American adult males) of the International Side Impact Dummy (WorldSID). This dummy P is seated on the vehicle seat 12 using a seating method specified in the side impact test method. The longitudinal position of the vehicle seat 12 with respect to the vehicle and the inclination angle of the seat back 16 with respect to the seat cushion 14 are adjusted to standard setting positions corresponding to the above-mentioned seating method. In this state, the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom directions of the seat back 16 match the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom directions of the vehicle.

The body of the dummy P is provided with six ribs R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6. These ribs R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are "shoulder rib R1," "upper chest rib R2," "middle chest rib R3," "lower chest rib R4," and "upper abdominal rib," in order from the top. R5" and "lower abdominal rib R6." The shoulder rib R1 is provided on the shoulder S of the dummy P, the upper chest rib R2, the mid-chest rib R3, and the lower chest rib R4 are provided on the chest C of the dummy P, and the upper chest rib R5 and the lower abdomen The rib R6 is provided on the abdomen B of the dummy P. Hereinafter, the dummy P may be referred to as "occupant P".

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the seat back 16 includes a seat back frame 18 that is a skeleton member, a seat back pad (not shown) that covers the seat back frame 18, and a seat back pad that covers the seat back pad. A seat back skin 20 is provided. The seat back frame 18 is made of metal or resin, for example, and the seat back pad is made of foam such as urethane foam. The seat back skin 20 is constructed by sewing together a plurality of skin pieces made of, for example, cloth material (woven fabric), knitted material (knitted fabric), synthetic leather, leather, or the like.

The seat back frame 18 has an outer side frame 18A that extends in the vehicle vertical direction within the outer side portion 16A of the seat back 16 in the vehicle width direction, and an outer side frame 18A that extends in the vehicle vertical direction within the vehicle width direction outer side portion 16B of the seat back 16, and a vehicle vertical and an inner side frame 18B extending in the direction. The seat back frame 18 also includes an upper frame 18C that connects the upper ends of the outer side frame 18A and the inner side frame 18B, and a lower frame that connects the lower ends of the outer side frame 18A and the inner side frame 18B in the seat width direction. It is equipped with a frame 18D. The above-mentioned side portion 16A is a portion of the seat back 16 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction including a side support portion on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The upper surface 16A1 of this side portion 16A constitutes a part of the upper surface of the seat back 16. This side portion 16A corresponds to the "outer side portion of the seat back in the vehicle width direction" in the present invention, and the above-mentioned outer side frame 18A corresponds to the "side frame" in the present invention. In the following description, the above-mentioned side portion 16A will be referred to as an "outside side portion 16A."

(Configuration of vehicle seat belt device)
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle seat belt device 30 includes a three-point seat belt (webbing) 32 for restraining an occupant. Note that in FIG. 1, only the shoulder belt 32A, which is a part of the seat belt 32, is shown.

One end (not shown) of the seat belt 32 in the longitudinal direction is secured to an anchor plate (not shown) fixed to the vehicle floor or the like on the outside in the vehicle width direction (here, on the left side) with respect to the vehicle seat 12. The other end (not shown) of the seat belt 32 is locked to a winding shaft of a retractor (webbing winding device) (not shown) disposed at the bottom of the B-pillar of the vehicle. The middle portion of the seat belt 32 is inserted through a shoulder anchor (not shown) disposed at the top of the B-pillar, etc., and then folded back. A tongue plate (not shown) is slidably attached to a portion of the seat belt 32 between the shoulder anchor and the anchor plate. This tongue plate is connected to a buckle device (not shown) attached to the lower end of the vehicle seat 12 on the inside (here, on the right side) in the vehicle width direction with respect to the vehicle seat 12 . This causes the occupant P to wear the seat belt 32. In this seat belt wearing state, the chest C and abdomen B of the occupant P are restrained by the shoulder belt 32A, which is a portion of the seat belt 32 between the shoulder anchor and the tongue plate. In addition, in this seatbelt wearing state, the waist W of the occupant P is restrained by a lap belt (not shown) that is a portion of the seatbelt 32 between the tongue plate and the anchor plate.

(Configuration of vehicle side airbag device)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle side airbag device 40 includes an inflator 44, a side airbag 46, and a duct 48. The inflator 44 generates gas when activated, and the side airbag 46 receives gas supply from the inflator 44 and inflates and deploys on the side of the occupant P (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). The duct 48 is housed inside the side airbag 46 and distributes gas generated from the inflator 44 to the upper and lower parts of the side airbag 46.

The inflator 44, the side airbag 46, and the duct 48 normally form the side airbag module 42 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and are housed in the outer side portion 16A of the seat back 16. In the following description, the longitudinal and vertical directions described with respect to the side airbag 46 indicate the directions when the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed, and are directions that substantially match the longitudinal and vertical directions of the seatback 16. be.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inflator 44 is a so-called cylinder type inflator, and is formed in a cylindrical shape. The inflator 44 is disposed on the outer side of the outer side frame 18A in the vehicle width direction so that the axial direction of the inflator 44 is along the height direction of the seat back 16, that is, the inflator 44 is tilted forward and downward. This inflator 44 is arranged at a height near the abdomen B of the occupant P, for example. A pair of upper and lower stud bolts (not shown) protrude from the outer peripheral portion of the inflator 44 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. These stud bolts penetrate the outer side frame 18A. Each of these stud bolts is threaded with a nut (not shown). Thereby, the inflator 44 is attached to the outer side frame 18A. Note that even if a stud bolt protruding from the outer periphery of the inflator 44 toward the rear of the vehicle passes through a bracket or the like fixed to the outer side frame 18A from the front of the vehicle and is screwed into a nut (so-called back tightening). good.

A spout portion 44A is provided at the upper end or lower end (lower end in this case) of the inflator 44. For example, a plurality of gas ejection ports arranged in the circumferential direction of the inflator 44 are formed in the ejection portion 44A, and when the inflator 44 is started (operated), gas is ejected radially from the plurality of gas ejection ports. Ru. As shown in FIG. 1, the inflator 44 is electrically connected to a side collision ECU 60 mounted on the vehicle. A side collision sensor 62 that detects a side collision is electrically connected to the side collision ECU 60. The side collision ECU 60 is configured to activate the inflator 44 when (an unavoidable) side collision is detected based on a signal from the side collision sensor 62. Note that if a collision prediction sensor (pre-crash sensor) that predicts (predicts) a side collision is electrically connected to the side collision ECU 60, the side collision ECU 60 predicts a side collision based on the signal from the collision prediction sensor. It may be configured such that the inflator 44 is activated when it is predicted.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the side airbag 46 receives gas from the inflator 44 and is placed between the occupant P and the side of the vehicle body (the side door SD shown in FIG. 6 and the B-pillar not shown). Expand and expand. The side airbag 46 is formed into a bag shape by overlapping two base fabrics cut out from, for example, nylon or polyester fabric and sewing the outer periphery. Note that the method of manufacturing the side airbag 46 is not limited to the above method and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the side airbag 46 may be manufactured by folding a piece of base fabric in half and sewing its outer peripheral edge. Further, for example, the side airbag 46 may be manufactured by a bag weaving method (so-called OPW method) using an automatic loom.

This side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed in a long shape whose length is in the height direction of the seat back 16. This side airbag 46 is formed in a size that can restrain the occupant P from the head H to the waist W. This side airbag 46 includes a head chamber (head protection inflatable part) 46A that restrains the head H of the occupant P, and a chest chamber (chest protection inflatable part) that restrains the occupant P from the shoulders S to the abdomen B. 46C, a connection chamber 46B that connects the head chamber 46A and the chest chamber 46C, and a waist chamber (lumbar region protection expansion section) 46D that restrains the waist region W of the occupant P.

In the side airbag 46, portions corresponding to the chest chamber 46C and the lumbar chamber 46D are inflated and deployed in a substantially elliptical shape whose length is the height direction of the seat back 16 when viewed from the vehicle width direction. When the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed, the front edge of the chest chamber 46C is inclined downward toward the front. By sliding the front edge of the chest chamber 46C and the upper arm A of the occupant P, the upper arm A is pushed upward around the shoulder S. This prevents the upper arm A from being caught between the chest C and abdomen B and the chest chamber 46C.

An inflator connection portion 46E extends toward the rear of the vehicle from the lower part of the rear edge of the side airbag 46 (here, the height portion where the waist W and abdomen B of the occupant P are located). An insertion port for the inflator 44 is formed at the upper end of the inflator connection portion 46E, and the lower end of the inflator 44 is inserted into the inflator connection portion 46E from the insertion port.

The head chamber 46A of the side airbag 46 inflates and deploys into a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the vehicle width direction. The head chamber 46A is inflated and deployed mainly on the side of the head H of the occupant P (inner side in the vehicle width direction) than the shoulder belt 32A of the seat belt 32. In the present embodiment, the inflated and deployed head chamber 46A faces or contacts the head H of the occupant P from the outside in the vehicle width direction. The head chamber 46A in the inflated and deployed state is arranged so as to overlap substantially the lower half of the head H and the neck N of the occupant P when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

The upper end of the connection chamber 46B is integrally connected to substantially the upper half of the rear edge of the head chamber 46A. The connection chamber 46B is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape. The lower end of the connection chamber 46B is integrally connected to the upper end of the chest chamber 46C. The interior of the chest chamber 46C and the interior of the head chamber 46A are communicated through the interior of the connection chamber 46B. The connection chamber 46B inflates and deploys while tilting toward the inside in the vehicle width direction as it goes toward the top of the vehicle when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle. This connection chamber 46B expands and deploys toward the lower side of the vehicle with respect to the shoulder belt 32A of the seat belt 32.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the duct 48 is housed inside the side airbag 46. This duct 48 has the function of guiding gas from the inflator 44 into the waist chamber 46D and the head chamber 46A. The duct 48 includes a cylindrical duct main body 48A and an inflator connection part 48B extending from the lower end of the duct main body 48A toward the rear of the vehicle. The duct main body portion 48A is housed in the rear side of the side airbag 46 with its axial direction along the vertical direction of the side airbag 46. This duct body portion 48A extends from the upper end to the lower end within the side airbag 46. An upper spout 50, which is an upper opening, is formed at the upper end of the duct main body 48A, and a lower spout 52, which is a lower opening, is formed at the lower end of the duct main body 48A. has been done. The upper spout 50 opens at the rear end inside the head chamber 46A, that is, near the connection between the head chamber 46A and the connection chamber 46B. Lower spout 52 opens within waist chamber 46D.

The inflator connection part 48B corresponds to the "connection part" in the present invention. This inflator connection part 48B is accommodated within the inflator connection part 46E of the side airbag 46, and overlaps with the inside of the inflator connection part 46E. An insertion port for the inflator 44 is formed at the upper end of the inflator connection portion 48B. This insertion port is arranged inside an insertion port formed at the upper end of the inflator connection portion 46E, and the lower end of the inflator 44 is inserted into the inflator connection portion 48B from the insertion port.

As described above, the above-mentioned inflator 44, side airbag 46, and duct 48 are normally configured as the side airbag module 42 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and are housed in the outer side portion 16A. In this side airbag module 42, a side airbag 46 and a duct 48 are folded into a long shape in a predetermined folding manner. In the side airbag 46 in the stored state, a portion including the head chamber 46A extends from the shoulder opening 16S of the seat back 16 (numerals omitted except in FIGS. 3 and 4) toward the headrest 22 side. Specifically, the side airbag 46 in the stowed state has a longitudinally extending portion 42A extending in the height direction of the seatback 16 on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the outer side frame 18A, and a longitudinally extending portion 42A extending in the height direction of the seat back 16 on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the outer side frame 18A, and a longitudinally extending portion 42A extending in the vehicle rear side of the upper frame 18C. The horizontally extending portion 42B extends in the width direction, and is bent at the height of the shoulder 16S of the seat back 16. The longitudinally extending portion 42A is comprised of a portion of the side airbag 46 that mainly corresponds to the chest chamber 46C and the waist chamber 46D. It is composed of a portion corresponding to the connection chamber 46B. As shown in FIG. 4, the end of the transversely extending portion 42B on the inner side in the vehicle width direction is arranged on the inner side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the shoulder belt 32A. Note that in FIGS. 3 and 4, illustration of the inflator 44 is omitted.

In the vehicle side airbag device 40 configured as described above, when the inflator 44 is activated, gas ejected from the ejection portion 44A of the inflator 44 flows into the duct main body portion 48A from the inflator connection portion 48B. The gas that has flowed into the duct main body 48A is ejected from the lower spout 52 and the upper spout 50 of the duct main body 48A into the waist chamber 46D and the head chamber 46A, respectively. A portion of the gas ejected into the lumbar chamber 46D and into the head chamber 46A flows into the thoracic chamber 46C. As a result, the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed to the side of the occupant P.

During this inflation and deployment, the tear line portion ( The burst line portion (scheduled cleavage portion) is cleaved. As a result, the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed to the outside of the outer side portion 16A. At this time, the lumbar chamber 46D inflates and deploys from the lower part of the outer side part 16A to the side of the lumbar part W, and the thoracic chamber 46C expands from the vertical middle part of the outer side part 16A to the shoulder part S, the chest C, and the abdomen B. It expands laterally. In addition, at this time, the head chamber 46A expands and deploys from the upper surface 16A1 of the outer side part 16A to the sides of the head H and the neck part N, and the connection chamber 46B connects the vehicle from the upper end of the outer side part 16A to the shoulder S. Inflate and deploy backward and diagonally upward.

When the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed, the duct main body 48A extends in the vertical direction of the side airbag 46 within the side airbag 46. When the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed, as shown in FIG. (See FIG. 2; reference numeral omitted in FIG. 1). On the vehicle upper side than these bent portions 46B1 and 48A1, the connection chamber 46B and the duct main body 48A are inclined inward in the vehicle width direction, and the head chamber 46A is arranged inward in the vehicle width direction than the chest chamber 46C and the waist chamber 46D. It is now possible to do so. Further, in the duct main body portion 48A, the cross-sectional area of a portion on the upper end side of the bent portion 48A1 is set to be smaller than the cross-sectional area of a portion on the lower end side.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper spout 50 formed at the upper end of the duct main body 48A allows the occupant P's head to rest against the shoulder belt 32A of the seat belt 32 when the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed. It is set to open on the H side and within the head chamber 46A. Specifically, when the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed, the upper spout 50 is located in the space between the outer side surface 22S in the vehicle width direction of the headrest 22, the shoulder belt 32A, and the upper end of the outer side portion 16A. It is set to open. When the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed, the upper spout 50 is arranged adjacent to the stay 22A of the headrest 22 (see FIG. 2; not shown in FIG. 1) on the front side of the vehicle and on the outside in the vehicle width direction. . As shown in FIG. 1, the upper blowout port 50 is formed to open obliquely upward and forward of the vehicle when the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed. Further, when the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed, the upper spout 50 is disposed on the upper side of the vehicle relative to the shoulder belt 32A when viewed from the vehicle width direction, or on the inside of the shoulder belt 32A in the vehicle width direction at a height that overlaps with the shoulder belt 32A. is set to be Gas is ejected from the upper ejection port 50 into the head chamber 46A diagonally upward and forward of the vehicle.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower spout 52 formed at the lower end of the duct main body 48A opens in the waist chamber 46D when the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed, and opens at the waist W of the occupant P. It is set so that its entirety is located on the side of the The lower spout 52 is formed to open toward the bottom of the vehicle (in this case, below the vehicle and slightly in front of the vehicle) when the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed. Gas is ejected from the lower ejection port 52 into the waist chamber 46D toward the lower side of the vehicle.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, an inflator connecting portion 48B extending from the lower end of the duct main body 48A is connected to the lower end of the inflator 44. As a result, when the inflator 44 is activated (started), the gas ejected from the ejection part 44A provided at the lower end of the inflator 44 is transferred to the lower ejection port 52 formed at the lower end of the duct main body 48A. The structure is such that the liquid is ejected into the waist chamber 46D at an early stage. Moreover, the gas ejected from the ejection part 44A also flows into the upper end side of the duct main body part 48A, and is ejected from the upper ejection port 50 of the duct main body part 48A into the head chamber 46A. Thereby, when the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed, the duct main body 48A is configured to extend in the height direction of the seatback 16 (that is, in the vertical direction of the side airbag 46) on the vehicle front side from the inflator 44. There is. This duct 48 becomes relatively high pressure inside the side airbag 46 due to the gas introduced from the inflator 44 . By this high-pressure duct 48, approximately the rear half of the chest C of the occupant P is restrained from the side.

Here, in this embodiment, the displacement (bending) of the waist chamber 46D toward the front side of the vehicle due to the gas being ejected from the lower spout 52 of the duct main body 48A into the waist chamber 46D as described above is taken into consideration. Accordingly, the shape of the waist chamber 46D is set. That is, the lumbar chamber 46D of the side airbag 46 is bent toward the rear of the vehicle relative to the chest chamber 46C so as to be inflated and deployed toward the rear of the vehicle. The front edge portion 46D1 of the waist chamber 46D is formed in a shape such that when the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed, the front edge portion 46D1 slopes toward the rear of the vehicle as it goes toward the lower side of the vehicle. The front edge portion 46D1 has an inclination angle with respect to the vertical direction (vertical direction) of the vehicle, for example, within a range of 10 degrees to 30 degrees. The lumbar chamber 46D, which is formed with the front edge 46D1 inclined in this way, is configured such that the lumbar chamber 46D is connected to the lumbar chamber 46D in a state where gas is ejected from the lower spout 52 of the duct main body 48A into the lumbar chamber 46D. It constitutes a fastening part that fastens to the side of W. This "lateral side of the waist W" refers to an area that overlaps the waist W of the occupant P when viewed from the vehicle width direction. Note that the straight line L1 shown in FIG. 1 is a virtual straight line along the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the straight line L2 shown in FIG. 1 is a virtual straight line passing through the front end FE and lower end LE of the side airbag 46. . In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, the front end FE and lower end LE of the side airbag 46 are marked with white circles. In FIG. 1, the angle θ between the straight line L1 and the straight line L2 is 30 degrees.

<Action and effect>
Next, the functions and effects of this embodiment will be explained.

In this embodiment, when the side collision ECU 52 detects a side collision based on a signal from the side collision sensor 62, the inflator 44 is activated by the side collision ECU 52. As a result, gas generated from the inflator 44 flows into the duct main body 48A of the duct 48 through the inflator connection part 48B of the duct 48, and flows from the upper spout 50 and the lower spout 52 into the head chamber 46A and into the waist. It is ejected into chamber 46D. As a result, the side airbag 46 inflates and deploys from the outer side portion 16A of the seat back 16 to the side of the occupant P. In this side airbag 46, the head chamber 46A inflates and deploys to the side of the occupant's P's head H, and the waist chamber 46D inflates and deploys to the side of the occupant's P's waist W.

When the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed, the front edge 46D1 of the waist chamber 46D is inclined toward the rear of the vehicle as it moves toward the lower side of the vehicle. The shape of the waist chamber 46D is set in advance so that it is positioned toward the rear of the vehicle when the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, even if the waist chamber 46D is displaced toward the front side of the vehicle due to the jet force of the gas jetted out from the lower jet port 52 of the duct 48, the waist chamber 46D is moved to the side of the waist W. can be kept within the range of In FIG. 5, the state in which the lumbar chamber 46D is displaced toward the front of the vehicle as described above is shown by a solid line, and the state in which the lumbar chamber 46D is inflated and deployed according to a preset shape is shown by a two-dot chain line. It is shown. In other words, the waist chamber 46D whose front edge 46D1 is inclined as described above moves the waist chamber 46D to the side of the waist W in a state where gas is jetted from the lower outlet 52 of the duct 48 into the waist chamber 46D. It functions as a clasp to hold it in place. Thereby, it is possible to prevent or suppress a decrease in the absorption efficiency of collision energy by the waist chamber 46D.

In particular, in the pole side collision test, when the waist chamber 46D is displaced (bended) toward the front of the vehicle as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 6, the pole PL intruding in the direction of the arrow IN in FIG. The waist chamber 46D is displaced toward the front of the vehicle with respect to the conductor L3, and energy cannot be absorbed at the targeted position. In this regard, in this embodiment, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 6, it is possible to appropriately fasten the waist chamber 46D on the intrusion conductor L3 of the pole PL. As a result, collision energy can be efficiently absorbed by the waist chamber 46D. In addition, the above effects can be obtained with a slight design change such as forming the front edge portion 46D1 of the waist chamber 46D into the above shape, so that the configuration can be simplified.

Further, in this embodiment, the occupant P is restrained in the vehicle seat 12 using a three-point seat belt 32, and the head chamber 46A of the side airbag 46 is connected to the shoulder belt 32A of the seat belt 32. It is inflated and deployed toward the head H side of the occupant P (that is, toward the inside in the vehicle width direction). Thereby, the inflation and deployment position of the head chamber 46A can be brought closer to the head H of the occupant P, so that the initial restraint performance of the head H can be improved. Moreover, since the head chamber 46A can be held down by the shoulder belt 32A, it is possible to further suppress the displacement of the waist chamber 46D toward the front of the vehicle due to the gas ejection from the lower ejection port 52. Further, according to the present embodiment, when the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed, the above-mentioned upper blowout port 50 is placed on the upper side of the vehicle with respect to the shoulder belt 32A when viewed from the vehicle width direction or at a height that overlaps with the shoulder belt 32A. 32A in the vehicle width direction. The head chamber 46A expands and expands due to the gas ejected from the upper ejection port 50. This makes it easier to prevent the head chamber 46A from expanding and deploying to the side of the head H through the lower side of the vehicle and the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the shoulder belt 32A.

Further, in the present embodiment, an inflator connecting portion 48B extending from the duct main body portion 48A is connected to the ejection portion 44A of the inflator 44 fixed to the outer side frame 18A of the seat back 16. This allows gas from the inflator 44 to be introduced into the duct 48. This duct 48 extends in the height direction of the seat back 16 on the vehicle front side from the inflator 44 when the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed. This duct 48 becomes relatively high pressure inside the side airbag 46 due to the gas introduced from the inflator 44 . Since this high-pressure duct 48 extends as described above, for example, the rear part of the ribs of the occupant P can be effectively restrained by the duct 48.

Further, in this embodiment, an inflator connecting portion 48B extending from the lower end side of the duct main body portion 48A is connected to a gas jetting portion 44A provided at the lower end portion of the inflator 44. Thereby, the gas from the inflator 44 is ejected from the lower ejection port 52 of the duct main body 48A into the waist chamber 46D at an early stage. As a result, the waist chamber 46D can be inflated and deployed earlier than the head chamber 46A, making it easier to quickly inflate and deploy the waist chamber 46D into the narrow gap between the waist W of the occupant P and the side of the vehicle body. . Thereby, the initial occupant restraint performance of the side airbag 46 can be improved.

Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that configurations and operations that are basically the same as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

<Second embodiment>
FIG. 7 shows, in a side view, a state in which the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed in the occupant protection device 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the lower outlet 52S of the side airbag 46 is formed to open diagonally downward and rearward of the vehicle when the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed. Gas is ejected from this lower ejection port 52S toward the rear of the vehicle and diagonally downward. The lower ejection port 52S constitutes a gas flow generating section that generates a gas flow diagonally downward to the rear of the vehicle with respect to the vertical direction of the vehicle when the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed. This gas flow generating portion constitutes a fastening portion that holds the waist chamber 46D to the side of the waist W while gas is being jetted from the lower spout 52S into the waist chamber 46D. Note that the arrow G shown in FIG. 7 indicates the direction in which gas is ejected from the lower ejection port 52S.

In this embodiment, the configuration other than the above is similar to that of the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment as well, basically the same functions and effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the gas ejected from the lower outlet 52S that opens diagonally downward to the rear of the vehicle as described above flows diagonally downward to the rear of the vehicle. This gas ejection force can suppress displacement of the waist chamber 46D toward the front of the vehicle. This improves the effect of keeping the waist chamber 46D on the side of the waist W. Furthermore, the above effect can be obtained by a slight design change such as forming the lower ejection port 52S as described above (cutting it diagonally), so the configuration can be simplified.

<Third embodiment>
FIG. 8 shows, in a side view, a state in which the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed in the occupant protection device 10 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a bent portion 48C is provided at the lower end of the side airbag 46 so as to bend toward the rear of the vehicle when the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed. This bent portion 48C is set to bend toward the rear of the vehicle with respect to the vertical direction of the vehicle. A lower spout 52 is formed at the lower end of this bent portion 48C. Gas is ejected from this lower ejection port 52 toward the rear of the vehicle and diagonally downward. The bent portion 48C constitutes a gas flow generating portion that generates a gas flow diagonally downward toward the rear of the vehicle with respect to the vertical direction of the vehicle when the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed. This gas flow generating portion constitutes a fastening portion that holds the waist chamber 46D to the side of the waist W while gas is being ejected from the lower spout 52 into the waist chamber 46D. Note that the arrow G shown in FIG. 8 indicates the direction in which gas is ejected from the lower ejection port 52.

In this embodiment, the configuration other than the above is similar to that of the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment as well, basically the same functions and effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed, the bent portion 48C formed at the lower end of the duct 48 bends toward the rear of the vehicle. Thereby, the gas ejected from the lower ejection port 52 formed at the lower end of the bent portion 48C can be directed diagonally downward to the rear of the vehicle. As a result, displacement of the waist chamber 46D toward the front of the vehicle due to the force of the gas ejected from the lower ejection port 52 can be suppressed. This improves the effect of keeping the waist chamber 46D on the side of the waist W. Moreover, the above effect can be obtained by a slight design change such as setting the bent portion 48C as described above at the lower end of the duct 48, so that the configuration can be simplified.

<Supplementary explanation of the embodiment>
In the second and third embodiments described above, the front edge 46D1 of the lumbar chamber 46D is configured to be inclined toward the rear of the vehicle as it goes toward the lower side of the vehicle when the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed. However, it is not limited to this. For example, in the second and third embodiments described above, the front edge of the lumbar chamber 46D may be configured to extend along the vertical direction of the vehicle when the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed.

Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the configuration is such that the jetting part 44A is provided at the lower end of the inflator 44, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be adopted in which the gas jetting part is provided at the upper end of the inflator 44. In that case, for example, the inflator connecting portion 48B of the duct 48 is configured to extend from the vertically intermediate portion of the duct main body portion 48A.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, when the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed, the duct 48 is configured to extend in the vertical direction of the seat back 16 on the front side of the vehicle from the inflator 44, but the present invention is not limited to this. The entire inflator may be housed inside the duct.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the head chamber 46A is inflated and deployed toward the head H side of the occupant P with respect to the shoulder belt 32A of the three-point seat belt 32, but the present invention is not limited to this. The head chamber 46A may be configured to expand and expand toward the side opposite to the head H with respect to the shoulder belt 32A, that is, toward the outside in the vehicle width direction.

In addition, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the gist thereof. Moreover, it goes without saying that the scope of the rights of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

10 Occupant protection device 12 Vehicle seat 14 Seat cushion 16 Seat back 16A Outer side part (outer side part in vehicle width direction)
18A Outer side frame (side frame)
30 Vehicle seatbelt device 32 Three-point seatbelt 32A Shoulder belt 40 Vehicle side airbag device 44 Inflator 44A Gas ejection part 46 Side airbag 46A Head chamber 46D Waist chamber (fastening part)
46D1 Front edge 48 Duct 48B Inflator connection part (connection part)
48C Bend part (gas flow generation part; fastening part)
50 Upper spout 52 Lower spout 52S Lower spout (gas flow generation part; fastening part)
P Occupant H Head W Waist region

Claims (6)

A vehicle side airbag device mounted on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the seatback of a vehicle seat,
an inflator that generates gas during a side collision of a vehicle;
a side airbag that receives gas supply from the inflator and inflates and deploys from the side portion to the side of the occupant, and has a head chamber that protects the occupant's head and a lumbar chamber that protects the occupant's waist;
a duct extending in the vertical direction of the side airbag within the side airbag and jetting gas from the inflator into the head chamber and the waist chamber from an upper jet port and a lower jet port, respectively;
When the side airbag is inflated and deployed and gas is ejected from the lower outlet into the lumbar chamber, the lumbar chamber is prevented from bending toward the front of the vehicle, and the lumbar chamber is moved toward the lumbar chamber. A fastening part that fastens on the side;
Equipped with
The fastening portion includes a gas flow generation portion that generates a gas flow diagonally downward toward the rear of the vehicle within the waist chamber;
The gas flow generation portion includes a bent portion formed at the lower end of the duct so as to bend toward the rear of the vehicle when the side airbag is inflated and deployed, and the lower end of the bent portion includes the bent portion. A vehicle side airbag device in which a lower air outlet is formed . A vehicle side airbag device mounted on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the seatback of a vehicle seat,
an inflator that generates gas during a side collision of a vehicle;
a side airbag that receives gas supply from the inflator and inflates and deploys from the side portion to the side of the occupant, and has a head chamber that protects the occupant's head and a lumbar chamber that protects the occupant's waist;
a duct extending in the vertical direction of the side airbag within the side airbag and jetting gas from the inflator into the head chamber and the waist chamber from an upper jet port and a lower jet port, respectively;
When the side airbag is inflated and deployed and gas is ejected from the lower outlet into the lumbar chamber, the lumbar chamber is prevented from bending toward the front of the vehicle, and the lumbar chamber is moved toward the lumbar chamber. A fastening part that fastens on the side;
Equipped with
the inflator is fixed to a side frame of the seat back,
A connecting portion extending from the duct toward the rear of the vehicle is connected to a gas jetting portion of the inflator;
A side airbag device for a vehicle, wherein when the side airbag is inflated and deployed, the duct extends in the height direction of the seat back on the front side of the vehicle from the inflator. A vehicle side airbag device mounted on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the seatback of a vehicle seat,
an inflator that generates gas during a side collision of a vehicle;
a side airbag that receives gas supply from the inflator and inflates and deploys from the side portion to the side of the occupant, and has a head chamber that protects the occupant's head and a lumbar chamber that protects the occupant's waist;
a duct extending in the vertical direction of the side airbag within the side airbag and jetting gas from the inflator into the head chamber and the waist chamber from an upper jet port and a lower jet port, respectively;
When the side airbag is inflated and deployed and gas is ejected from the lower outlet into the lumbar chamber, the lumbar chamber is prevented from bending toward the front of the vehicle, and the lumbar chamber is moved toward the lumbar chamber. A fastening part that fastens on the side;
Equipped with
the inflator is fixed to a side frame of the seat back,
A connecting portion extending from the duct toward the rear of the vehicle is connected to a gas jetting portion of the inflator;
When the side airbag is inflated and deployed, the duct extends in the height direction of the seat back on the vehicle front side from the inflator,
The inflator is of a cylinder type, and is arranged with an axial direction along the height direction of the seat back,
The gas ejection part is provided at the lower end of the inflator,
In the vehicle side airbag device , the connecting portion of the duct extends from a lower end side of the duct . A vehicle side airbag device mounted on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the seatback of a vehicle seat,
an inflator that generates gas during a side collision of a vehicle;
a side airbag that receives gas supply from the inflator and inflates and deploys from the side portion to the side of the occupant, and has a head chamber that protects the occupant's head and a lumbar chamber that protects the occupant's waist;
a duct extending in the vertical direction of the side airbag within the side airbag and jetting gas from the inflator into the head chamber and the waist chamber from an upper jet port and a lower jet port, respectively;
When the side airbag is inflated and deployed and gas is ejected from the lower outlet into the lumbar chamber, the lumbar chamber is prevented from bending toward the front of the vehicle, and the lumbar chamber is moved toward the lumbar chamber. A fastening part that fastens on the side;
Equipped with
An occupant is restrained in the vehicle seat using a three-point seat belt,
The head chamber inflates and deploys toward the head side of the occupant with respect to the shoulder belt of the seat belt,
The side airbag in the stowed state includes a longitudinally extending portion extending in the height direction of the seatback on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the outer side frame of the seatback, and a longitudinally extending portion extending in the height direction of the seatback on the vehicle rear side of the upper frame of the seatback. and a transversely extending part extending in the width direction, and is bent at the height of the shoulder opening of the seat back, and a portion including the head chamber extends from the shoulder opening of the seat back to the headrest of the vehicle seat. A vehicle side airbag device that extends toward the side . A vehicle side airbag device mounted on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the seatback of a vehicle seat,
an inflator that generates gas during a side collision of a vehicle;
a side airbag that receives gas supply from the inflator and inflates and deploys from the side portion to the side of the occupant, and has a head chamber that protects the occupant's head and a lumbar chamber that protects the occupant's waist;
a duct that extends in the vertical direction of the side airbag within the side airbag and jets gas from the inflator into the head chamber and the waist chamber from an upper jet port and a lower jet port, respectively;
When the side airbag is inflated and deployed and gas is ejected from the lower outlet into the lumbar chamber, the lumbar chamber is prevented from bending toward the front of the vehicle, and the lumbar chamber is moved toward the lumbar chamber. A fastening part that fastens on the side;
Equipped with
An occupant is restrained in the vehicle seat using a three-point seat belt,
the inflator is fixed to a side frame of the seat back,
a connecting portion extending from the duct is connected to a gas ejection portion of the inflator;
When the side airbag is inflated and deployed, the duct extends in the height direction of the seat back on the front side of the vehicle from the inflator,
When the side airbag is inflated and deployed, the upper spout is configured to connect to the outer side surface in the vehicle width direction of the headrest of the vehicle seat, the shoulder belt of the three-point seat belt, and the outer side surface of the seat back in the vehicle width direction. A side airbag device for a vehicle that is set to open in the space between the upper end of the side part . A vehicle seat having a seat cushion and a seat back;
The vehicle side airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is mounted on an outer side portion of the seat back in the vehicle width direction;
Occupant protection system equipped with