JP7404151B2 - side airbag device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a side airbag device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a side airbag device that is inflated and deployed on the side of an occupant during a collision of a vehicle such as an automobile.

BACKGROUND ART Side airbag devices are known that prevent an occupant from moving inward in the vehicle width direction and coming into contact with an occupant seated next to him during a vehicle collision (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 3).

FIG. 9 of Patent Document 1 discloses an airbag device including a three-dimensionally formed airbag 1 having an inflatable portion on a central console 32. The airbag 1 is inflated and deployed by gas being introduced into the side chambers 9 from the gas expansion section 6 and then flowing into the central chamber 8 and other side chambers 9.

A side airbag device is attached to a vehicle member such as a seat back (backrest portion) of a vehicle seat with the airbag in a folded state, and various methods of folding the airbag have been studied. For example, Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose an airbag device including an airbag formed in a plane by sewing together the outer edges of a pair of overlapping panels. A method is disclosed in which the lower portion is folded and then folded toward the rear of the vehicle by roll folding or bellows folding.

International Publication No. 2019/228898 International Publication No. 2015/166774 International Publication No. 2016/035746

In the side airbag device, the airbag is stored in a folded state, and when a vehicle crashes, the side airbag device is unfolded and inflated and deployed by gas. When the three-dimensionally formed airbag as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is folded as disclosed in Patent Documents 2 or 3, the side chamber 9 in which the gas expansion part 6 is arranged expands in the vehicle width direction. After that, gas flows into the adjacent central chamber 8, which may impair the deployment speed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle or the vertical direction of the vehicle.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned current situation, and includes an airbag having an inflatable protrusion on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of a main body portion that protects an occupant, and which increases the inflation and deployment speed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle or the vertical direction of the vehicle. It is an object of the present invention to provide a side airbag device that is difficult to damage.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objects, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a seat back that is attached to the side of a seat back of a vehicle seat, that is attached to the side of an occupant seated on the vehicle seat, and that In a side airbag device that inflates and deploys above a console box provided on the inside of the seat in the vehicle width direction, an inflator is attached to the side of the seat back and generates gas, and the airbag is inflated and deployed by the gas generated from the inflator. a bag-shaped airbag that inflates and deploys from the side of the seat bag to the side of the seated occupant to protect the seated occupant; a gas inflow portion into which the gas flows; and an expansion protrusion that is located inside the gas inflow portion in the vehicle width direction and expands and expands above the console box. If the shape of the airbag is defined and the region including the gas inflow portion is defined as a non-folding region, then when the airbag is partially unfolded and unfolded flat, the inflatable protrusion will be located along the folding line. The side airbag device is folded along the main body portion, and the folding line does not overlap with the non-folding region.

According to the present invention, there is provided a side airbag device that includes an airbag having an inflatable protrusion on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of a main body that protects an occupant, and that does not easily impair the inflation and deployment speed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle or the vertical direction of the vehicle. be able to.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the side airbag device of Embodiment 1 when an occupant is restrained by the airbag when viewed from the front of the vehicle. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the side airbag device of Embodiment 1 when the airbag restrains an occupant when viewed from the side of the vehicle. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the three-dimensional shape of the side airbag device according to the first embodiment when it is inflated and deployed. 1 is a schematic diagram of a state in which the side airbag device of Embodiment 1 is mounted on a vehicle seat, as viewed from the side of the vehicle. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the side airbag device in the installed state shown in FIG. 4 when viewed from the passenger side. FIG. 3 is a first diagram illustrating a folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a second diagram illustrating a folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. 7A is a sectional view taken along the line X1-X2 shown in FIG. 7A. FIG. 7A is a sectional view taken along the line Y1-Y2 shown in FIG. 7A. FIG. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Z1-Z2 shown in FIG. 7A. FIG. 3 is a third diagram illustrating a folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. 8A is a sectional view taken along the line A1-A2 shown in FIG. 8A. FIG. FIG. 4 is a fourth diagram illustrating a folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a fifth diagram illustrating a folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sixth diagram illustrating a folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a seventh diagram illustrating a folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is an eighth diagram illustrating a folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B1-B2 shown in FIG. 13A. FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram showing a modification example 1 of the folding method of the inflatable protrusion shown in FIG. 7A. FIG. 14A is a sectional view taken along the line X1-X2 shown in FIG. 14A. FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Y1-Y2 shown in FIG. 14A. FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Z1-Z2 shown in FIG. 14A. FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram showing a second modification of the folding method of the inflatable protrusion shown in FIG. 7A. FIG. 15A is a sectional view taken along the line X1-X2 shown in FIG. 15A. FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Y1-Y2 shown in FIG. 15A. FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Z1-Z2 shown in FIG. 15A. 7A is a schematic diagram showing a third modification of the folding method of the inflatable protrusion shown in FIG. 7A. FIG. FIG. 16A is a sectional view taken along the line X1-X2 shown in FIG. 16A. FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Y1-Y2 shown in FIG. 16A. FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Z1-Z2 shown in FIG. 16A. FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram showing a fourth modification of the folding method of the inflatable protrusion shown in FIG. 7A. FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X1-X2 shown in FIG. 17A. FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Y1-Y2 shown in FIG. 17A. FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Z1-Z2 shown in FIG. 17A. FIG. 3 is a first diagram illustrating a process in which the side airbag device according to the first embodiment inflates and deploys. FIG. 3 is a second diagram illustrating a process in which the side airbag device according to the first embodiment inflates and deploys. FIG. 7 is a third diagram illustrating a process in which the side airbag device according to the first embodiment inflates and deploys. FIG. 4 is a fourth diagram illustrating a process in which the side airbag device according to the first embodiment inflates and deploys. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side airbag device according to a second embodiment when an occupant is restrained by the airbag when viewed from the front of the vehicle. FIG. 7 is a first diagram illustrating a folding process of an airbag according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a second diagram illustrating a folding process of the airbag according to the second embodiment. 21A is a sectional view taken along the line X1-X2 shown in FIG. 21A. FIG. 21A is a sectional view taken along the line Y1-Y2 shown in FIG. 21A. FIG. FIG. 7 is a third diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a fourth diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the second embodiment. FIG. 23A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C1-C2 shown in FIG. 23A. FIG. 5 is a fifth diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the second embodiment. 24A is a sectional view taken along the line D1-D2 shown in FIG. 24A. FIG. 24A is a sectional view taken along the line E1-E2 shown in FIG. 24A. FIG.

Descriptions regarding directions in this specification are based on the vehicle unless otherwise specified. For example, "front" indicates the front direction of the vehicle, "rear" indicates the rear direction of the vehicle, and "upward" indicates the vehicle direction. indicates the upward direction of the vehicle, "downward" indicates the downward direction of the vehicle, and "side" indicates the inner direction in the vehicle width direction. Further, arrow FR shown as appropriate in each figure indicates the front direction of the vehicle, arrow RE indicates the rear direction of the vehicle, arrow UP indicates the upward direction of the vehicle, arrow DOWN indicates the downward direction of the vehicle, and arrow IN indicates the vehicle width. The arrow OUT indicates the inner direction in the vehicle width direction, and the arrow OUT indicates the outer direction in the vehicle width direction. Note that the members disposed inside the vehicle seat are illustrated in a state where the vehicle seat is seen through.

[Embodiment 1]
A side airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the side airbag device of Embodiment 1 when the airbag restrains an occupant when viewed from the front of the vehicle. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the side airbag device of Embodiment 1 when the airbag restrains an occupant when viewed from the side of the vehicle. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the three-dimensional shape of the side airbag device according to the first embodiment when it is inflated and deployed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the side airbag device 1 of Embodiment 1 is installed on the side of an occupant 40 seated on a vehicle seat (vehicle seat) 50 and on the inside of the vehicle seat 50 in the vehicle width direction. It is inflated and deployed above the provided console box 60. The side airbag device 1 of Embodiment 1 includes an inflator 3 and an airbag 2, and is attached to a side part (inner side part in the vehicle width direction) of a seat back (backrest part) 51 of a vehicle seat 50. . As the vehicle seat 50, for example, a driver's seat, a passenger's seat, etc. of a vehicle are assumed.

When the vehicle collides with an obstacle (for example, another vehicle) and the inflator 3 is activated, gas is generated from the inflator 3. Examples of the collision include a side collision in which the vehicle collides with an obstacle from the side, a diagonal collision in which the vehicle collides with the obstacle from diagonally forward, and the like. Specifically, the above-mentioned side collision occurs when the vehicle side wall 70 shown in FIG. (part) collides with an obstacle.

Gas generated from the inflator 3 is introduced into the airbag 2, and the airbag 2 is inflated while being unfolded. When the skin of the seat back 51 is torn by the force applied from the inflated airbag 2, the airbag 2 is placed on the side of the occupant 40 seated in the vehicle seat 50 and in the console box, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It inflates and deploys above 60 to protect the side of the occupant 40. The airbag 2 that is inflated and deployed in this manner is also called a far side airbag.

In the drawings used to describe the embodiments of the present invention, a World Side Impact Dummy (World-SID) 40 is seated on a vehicle seat 50. The seating position of the internationally unified side collision dummy 40 is currently determined by the side collision test method (ECE R95) adopted in Japan and Europe, or the side collision test method (FMVSS214) adopted in the United States. It is. The position and size of the airbag 2 when it is inflated and deployed (hereinafter also simply referred to as when it is inflated and deployed) are as shown in FIG. 44, shoulder portion 45, and the like. The internationally standardized side collision dummy 40 is referred to as a "crew 40."

The airbag 2 is a bag-shaped airbag that is inflated and deployed by gas from an inflator 3. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the airbag 2 includes a main body portion 20, a gas inflow portion (inflator attachment portion 10), and an inflation protrusion portion 21. The main body portion 20 is inflated and deployed from the side of the seat bag 51 to the side of the seated occupant 40 to protect the seated occupant 40 . The gas inflow portion is a portion into which gas generated from the inflator 3 flows, and is provided in the main body portion 20 . The inflator 3 may be placed entirely inside the airbag 2 or outside the airbag 2. When the entire inflator 3 is placed inside the airbag 2, the gas inflow section refers to the part inside the airbag 2 where the inflator 3 is attached (the inflator attachment part 10), as shown in FIG. , when the inflator 3 is disposed outside the airbag 2, refers to a portion where the gas ejection holes 11 of the inflator 3 communicate with the airbag 2.

Preferably, the main body portion 20 communicates with the expansion protrusion 21 . The airbag 2 may be a single undivided air chamber, and the main body 20 and the inflation protrusion 21 may each be part of the single air chamber. It is preferable that at least a portion of the main body part 20 and the inflation protrusion 21 communicate with each other. For example, the interior of a single bag-shaped airbag is divided into a plurality of different air chambers, The protrusions 21 may include different air chambers. Moreover, the airbag 2 may include a plurality of bag-shaped airbags.

In the following, a case will be exemplified in which the airbag 2 has a single undivided air chamber therein, and the main body 20 and the inflation protrusion 21 are each part of the single air chamber. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a gas inflow section (inflator attachment section 10) is arranged in the main body section 20. The main body portion 20 may include a first inflatable portion 20 a that is inflated and deployed on the side of the body 41 of the occupant 40 and a second inflatable portion 20 b that is inflated and deployed on the side of the head 43 of the occupant 40 . The gas inflow portion may be provided in the first expansion portion 20a, which is the lower portion of the main body portion 20. By disposing the gas inflow section in the first inflation section 20a, the airbag 2 starts inflating and deploying from the first inflation section 20a. It is preferable that at least a portion of the second inflatable part 20b communicates with the first inflatable part 20a, and the second inflatable part 20b is inflated and deployed on the side of the head 43 of the occupant 40 by the gas flowing from the first inflatable part 20a. It is preferable that the second expansion portion 20b receives the head 43 of the occupant 40. The head 43 of the occupant 40 may be received by the flat surface of the second inflatable portion 20b, or the head 43 of the occupant 40 may be received by the upper end of the second inflatable portion 20b.

The inflation protrusion 21 is a part that is located inside in the vehicle width direction with respect to the gas inflow part (inflator attachment part 10 ) of the main body part 20 and is inflated and deployed above the console box 60 . The expansion protrusion 21 is also a protrusion that expands toward the center in the vehicle width direction on the opposite side of the occupant 40. As shown in FIG. 1, the inflatable protrusion 21 is inflated and deployed above the console box 60 and comes into contact with the upper surface of the console box 60. It is preferable that the inflatable protrusion 21 inflates and deploys along the upper surface of the console box 60 from the passenger 40 side toward the center in the vehicle width direction while contacting the upper surface of the console box 60. When observed from the front of the vehicle, the inflatable protrusion 21 is preferably inflated and deployed beyond the console box 60 to the center in the vehicle width direction. The inflation protrusion 21 only needs to overlap the top surface of the console box 60 to the extent that the airbag 2 can be supported on the top surface of the console box 60 during inflation and deployment, but it is preferable to cover the console box 60 in the vehicle width direction. . The inflation protrusion 21 may be arranged at a position facing the inflator attachment part 10 in the vehicle width direction.

The airbag 2 includes, for example, an occupant-side panel 23 disposed on the occupant 40 side when inflated and deployed, a center panel 24 disposed opposite the occupant-side panel 23, and an outer peripheral edge of the occupant-side panel 23 and a center side. It has a connecting panel 25 that connects the outer peripheral edge of the panel 24. The center panel 24 is disposed on the inside in the vehicle width direction when inflated and deployed. When inflated and deployed, an air chamber surrounded by the passenger side panel 23, the center side panel 24, and the connection panel 25 is formed. The connecting panel 25 may be a single strip-shaped panel, or may be a plurality of panels connected together.

The width of the connecting panel 25 located below the airbag 2 when inflated and deployed is preferably wider than the width of the connecting panel 25 located above the airbag 2 when inflated and deployed. During inflation and deployment, the width of the inflatable protrusion 21 in the vehicle width direction can be made wider than the width of the second inflatable part 20b, which is the upper portion of the main body 20, in the vehicle width direction.

A portion of the passenger side panel 23 and a portion of the center side panel 24 may be sewn together by a seam portion 26. By providing the seam portion 26, the thickness of the airbag 2 when inflated and deployed in the vehicle width direction can be adjusted. The passenger-side panel 23 may be provided with an inflator attachment hole 22 to which the inflator 3 is attached, or a notch 28 for inserting the inflator into the airbag.

The inflator 3 is attached to the side of the seat back 51 and generates gas. The inflator 3 is activated in the event of a vehicle collision. Specifically, first, when a collision detection sensor mounted on a vehicle detects a vehicle collision, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) calculates a signal sent from the collision detection sensor to determine the level of the collision. If the determined collision level corresponds to the case where the airbag 2 is inflated, the inflator 3 is ignited and gas is generated by a chemical reaction caused by combustion. As a result, the gas generated from the inflator 3 is introduced into the airbag 2 through the gas ejection holes 11.

The inflator 3 is, for example, a cylinder-shaped (column-shaped) gas generator, and is arranged along the extending direction (height direction) of the seat back 51. A pair of bolts 12 protrude from the upper and lower parts of the inflator 3, and the pair of bolts 12 are inserted into the sides of the seat back 51 (for example, the side frame 52) through the inflator mounting holes 22 provided in the airbag 2. Fixed.

The type of inflator 3 is not particularly limited, and includes, for example, a pyro-type inflator that uses gas generated by burning a gas generating agent, a stored-type inflator that uses compressed gas, and a gas generated by burning a gas generating agent. Examples include hybrid inflators that use a mixture of gas and compressed gas.

The console box 60 is provided inside the vehicle seat 50 in the vehicle width direction. For example, the console box 60 is provided between the driver's seat and the passenger's seat in the center of the vehicle interior in the vehicle width direction. The console box 60 may function as an armrest that supports the arm 44 of the occupant 40 on the inside in the vehicle width direction.

The vehicle side wall 70 is not particularly limited as long as it is a part of the vehicle body located on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the occupant 40 seated in the vehicle seat 50 (on the opposite side from the console box 60), and may include a side door, a pillar, a side window, etc. collectively referred to as

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the side airbag device of Embodiment 1 mounted on a vehicle seat, as viewed from the side of the vehicle. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the side airbag device in the installed state shown in FIG. 4, viewed from the passenger side. As shown in FIG. 4, the airbag 2 is fixed to the side part of the seatback 51 (for example, the side frame 52) in a folded state (completed folding state) before being inflated and deployed, and is attached to the seatback 51 together with the cushion pad. It is covered and stored in the epidermis. The region that defines the shape of the airbag in the fully folded state and includes the gas inflow portion (inflator attachment portion 10) is referred to as a non-folded region 29.

A method for folding the airbag 2 in the airbag device of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 13B. 6, FIG. 7A, FIG. 8A, FIGS. 9 to 12, and FIG. 13A, the front side of each figure is the inside in the vehicle width direction with the side airbag device 1 attached to the side of the seat back 51. , an airbag 2 is arranged.

First, the connecting panel 25 is folded so as to protrude outward beyond the outer peripheral edges of the passenger side panel 23 and the center side panel 24. A connecting panel 25 may be inserted between the passenger side panel 23 and the center side panel 24. FIG. 6 is a first diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 6, the airbag 2 is arranged so that the center panel 24, which is disposed on the inside in the vehicle width direction when inflated and deployed, is the front side, and the passenger side panel 23, which is disposed on the passenger 40 side when inflated and deployed, is the back side. There is. The first inflation section 20a of the airbag 2 is located downward DOWN, and the second inflation section 20b is located upward UP. The portion of the connecting panel 25 that constitutes the expansion protrusion 21 is not inserted between the passenger side panel 23 and the center side panel 24, but is folded in the next step.

Next, the expansion protrusion 21 is folded. FIG. 7A is a second diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7A shows a state in which the airbag 2 is partially unfolded and unfolded onto a flat surface. In FIG. 7A, a region corresponding to the non-folding region 29 in the fully folded state of the airbag 2 shown in FIG. 5 is represented by a shaded area. 7B, FIG. 7C, and FIG. 7D are cross-sectional views taken along the X1-X2 line, the Y1-Y2 line, and the Z1-Z2 line shown in FIG. 7A, respectively. The dotted line L is a folding line when the inflatable protrusion 21 is folded flat, and as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, the inflatable protrusion 21 is folded over the main body 20 along the folding line L. There is. As shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, the expansion protrusion 21 and the main body 20 are separated by a folding line L. When gas flows in from the gas inflow part arranged in the main body part 20, the gas flows into the expansion protrusion part 21 from the folding line L. Since the non-folding region 29 is a region that includes a gas inflow portion in the fully folded state, at the initial stage of inflation and deployment when the airbag 2 starts to inflate, the non-folding region 29 is first filled with gas, and then the airbag 2 is filled with gas. It is unfolded and inflated and deployed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle or the vertical direction of the vehicle. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7D, since the folding line L does not overlap with the non-folding region 29, it is difficult for gas to flow into the inflation protrusion 21 at the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag 2. The inflation and deployment speed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle or the vertical direction of the vehicle can be increased.

When the airbag is partially unfolded and unfolded on a flat surface, the folding line L does not need to overlap the non-folding area 29, and the inflation protrusion 21 can be aligned with the vehicle as shown in FIG. 7A, for example. It may be folded toward the front FR, or may be folded toward the upper UP of the vehicle. Further, the inflation protrusion 21 may be folded toward the front FR and upward UP of the vehicle, that is, diagonally toward the front of the vehicle when the airbag 2 is partially unfolded and spread out on a flat surface. .

After the inflation protrusion 21 is folded, the airbag 2 may be folded in the vertical direction of the vehicle and then in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, or it may be folded in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and then folded in the vertical direction of the vehicle. . Regardless of the folding method, when the airbag 2 is fully folded, the airbag 2 should be further folded from the front FR of the vehicle toward the rear RE of the vehicle, with the inflation protrusion 21 and the main body 20 overlapping each other. is preferred. Since the folding line L does not overlap with the non-folding area 29, when the folding line L is folded in the vertical direction of the vehicle and then folded in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the inflation and deployment speed of the main body 20 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle can be increased. When the main body portion 20 is folded in the vehicle vertical direction after being folded in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the inflation and deployment speed in the vehicle vertical direction can be increased.

An example of a method of folding the vehicle vertically and then folding the vehicle longitudinally will be described below. FIG. 8A is a third diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8B is a sectional view taken along line A1-A2 shown in FIG. 8A. As shown in FIG. 8A, the main body portion 20 is folded from the upper side of the vehicle toward the lower side DOWN on the side of the center panel 24 disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction when inflated and deployed. The second inflatable part 20b, which is the upper part of the main body part 20, is folded over the inflatable protrusion 21 so that it is disposed on the front side in FIG. 8A, that is, on the inside in the vehicle width direction. By folding the airbag 2 in this way, when the airbag 2 is in the fully folded state, the main body 20 is folded over the inflation protrusion 21 so that it is disposed on the inside of the inflation protrusion 21 in the vehicle width direction. It will be done. Preferably, the main body portion 20 overlaps at least a portion of the inflatable protrusion 21 . As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the length of the airbag 2 in the vertical direction of the vehicle in the fully folded state may be adjusted by folding up the lower part of the main body 20 upward. . The folding line where the lower part of the main body part 20 is folded upward may be the lower end (the lower end of the vehicle) of the non-folding region 29, as shown in FIG. 7A.

When the inflator attachment part 10 is arranged in the first inflatable part 20a which is the lower part of the main body, the first inflatable part 20a inflates before the second inflatable part 20b during inflation and deployment. By folding the second inflatable part 20b overlapping the first inflatable part 20a, the first inflatable part 20a inflates and deploys while pushing up the overlapping second inflatable part 20b toward the top of the vehicle. 20b can be inflated and deployed toward the top of the vehicle. In addition, since the first inflatable part 20a and the second inflatable part 20b are folded on the inside in the vehicle width direction with respect to the occupant 40, in other words, on the opposite side of the occupant 40, the airbag 2 is 40 and the console box 60. Further, since gas starts to flow into the inflation protrusion 21 after the main body 20 starts to expand and deploy, the deployment speed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is less likely to be impaired. The expansion protrusion 21 expands and expands along the top surface of the console box 60 so as to be in contact with the top surface of the console box 60 .

It is preferable that the airbag 2 has a first folding line 30 that folds back the second inflation section 20b downward DOWN of the vehicle so as to overlap the first inflation section 20a. The second inflation section 20b is folded over the first inflation section 20a along the first folding line 30. Note that the boundary between the first inflatable portion 20a and the second inflatable portion 20b and the first folding line 30 do not need to coincide. The first folding line 30 may be the upper end (the end on the upper side of the vehicle) of the non-folding region 29, as shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 9 is a fourth diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the side airbag device 1 moves from the front FR of the vehicle to the rear RE of the vehicle in a state in which the main body 20 and the inflatable protrusion 21 overlap each other when the airbag 2 is fully folded. Preferably, it is further folded towards the end. That is, it is preferable that the airbag 2 has a second folding line 31a that folds back the main body portion 20 and the inflation protrusion 21 from the front FR of the vehicle toward the rear RE of the vehicle. Thereby, the number of folding operations from the front FR of the vehicle to the rear RE of the vehicle can be reduced. The main body portion 20 and the expansion protrusion portion 21 only need to overlap each other at least partially.

10, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, and FIG. 13A are fifth to eighth diagrams respectively illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B1-B2 shown in FIG. 13A. The airbag 2 only needs to be folded at least once along the second folding line 31a from the front FR of the vehicle toward the rear RE of the vehicle. As shown in 13A, the main body portion 20 and the expansion protrusion portion 21 may be folded back multiple times from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle. In FIGS. 10 to 13A, the case where the vehicle is folded back from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle is illustrated by a second folding line 31b, a second folding line 31c, a second folding line 31d, and a second folding line 31e. The method of folding after folding back at the second folding line 31a is not particularly limited, and the number of folds may be different, or the folding may be performed by bellows folding from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle, or the method shown in FIG. 13B It may be folded in a roll from the front of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle.

13A and 13B show the airbag 2 in a completely folded state. The airbag 2 is attached to the side of the seat bag 51 in the fully folded state shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B. The inflation protrusion 21 is included in the roll-folded portion of FIG. 13B, and when the side airbag device 1 is installed, the airbag 2 has a structure in which the inflation protrusion 21 does not overlap the gas inflow part (inflator attachment part 10). Alternatively, the expansion protrusion 21 may be included in the roll-folded portion and overlapped with the gas inflow portion.

The method of folding the inflatable protrusion 21 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 7A. 14A, 15A, 16A, and 17A are schematic diagrams showing variations 1 to 4 of the folding method of the inflatable protrusion shown in FIG. 7A, respectively. 14A, FIG. 15A, FIG. 16A, and FIG. 17A show the airbag 2 partially unfolded and unfolded onto a flat surface. In FIGS. 14A, 15A, 16A, and 17A, the center panel 24 located on the inside in the vehicle width direction when inflated and deployed is the front side, and the passenger side panel 23 located on the passenger 40 side when inflated and deployed is the back side. An airbag 2 is placed in the airbag 2 . 14B, FIG. 14C, and FIG. 14D are cross-sectional views taken along the X1-X2 line, the Y1-Y2 line, and the Z1-Z2 line shown in FIG. 14A, respectively. 15B, FIG. 15C, and FIG. 15D are cross-sectional views taken along the X1-X2 line, the Y1-Y2 line, and the Z1-Z2 line shown in FIG. 15A. 16B, FIG. 16C, and FIG. 16D are cross-sectional views taken along the X1-X2 line, the Y1-Y2 line, and the Z1-Z2 line shown in FIG. 16A. 17B, FIG. 17C, and FIG. 17D are cross-sectional views taken along the lines X1-X2, Y1-Y2, and Z1-Z2 shown in FIG. 17A.

As in Modification 1 shown in FIGS. 14A to 14D, the expansion protrusion 21 may be folded flat. As in Modification 2 shown in FIGS. 15A to 15D, after the inflatable protrusion 21 is folded upward, a part of the folded-up inflatable protrusion 21 may be folded back downward. As in Modified Example 3 shown in FIGS. 16A to 16D, it may be rolled upward so as to involve the expansion protrusion 21. As in Modification 4 shown in FIGS. 17A to 17D, after the inflatable protrusion 21 is folded flat as shown in FIG. 7A, the lower side of the inflatable protrusion 21 may be folded so as to overlap upward. As shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C, FIGS. 15A to 15C, FIGS. 16A to 16C, and FIGS. 17A to 17C, in any of Modifications 1 to 4, the expansion protrusion 21 extends along the folding line L. It is folded over the main body part 20. Further, as shown in FIGS. 14A, 14D, 15A, 15D, 16A, 16D, 17A, and 17D, in any of Modifications 1 to 4, the folding line L is in the non-folding area. Does not overlap with 29.

The first folding line 30 is preferably provided below the shoulder 45 of the occupant 40 (the center of the shoulder 45 of the occupant 40 (the center of rotation of the shoulder of the internationally standardized side collision dummy)). By providing the first folding line 30 below the center of the shoulder portion 45 of the occupant 40, the first inflatable portion 20a inflates and deploys along the lower side of the arm portion 44 of the occupant 40. The second inflatable part 20b rebounds against the first inflatable part 20a and is inflated and deployed so as to be pushed upward. Therefore, while the second inflatable part 20b is pressed against the occupant 40 side, Inflate and deploy along the sides of the section 45.

It is preferable that the first folding line 30 is provided above the upper surface of the console box 60. By providing the first folding line 30 above the upper surface of the console box 60, when the airbag 2 is inflated and deployed, it can be made difficult to be caught between the occupant 40 and the console box 60.

The process of inflating and deploying the side airbag device 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 18A to 18D and FIG. 1. 18A to 18D are first to fourth diagrams illustrating the process of inflating and deploying the side airbag device according to the first embodiment. When the vehicle collides with an obstacle and the inflator 3 is activated, gas generated from the inflator 3 is introduced into the main body 20 from the gas inlet to which the inflator 3 is attached, and the non-folding area shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B is generated. 29 is filled with gas. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7D, the folding line L where the inflation protrusion 21 is folded does not overlap with the non-folding region 29, so gas does not flow into the inflation protrusion 21 but into the main body 20. . When gas is introduced into the main body part 20, the roll-folded part shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B is unfolded, and the gas flows into the main body part 20 (first expansion part 20a) in the part where the roll-folded part is undone. and begins to expand. The force applied from the inflated airbag 2 tears the skin of the seatback 51, and then, as shown in FIG. 18A, the airbag 2 starts to inflate and deploy toward the front of the vehicle from the unfolded portion.

As shown in FIG. 18B, the first inflatable portion 20a is inflated and deployed on the side of the body 41 of the occupant 40. As shown in FIG. In the fully folded state, the first inflatable part 20a inflates and deploys while pushing up the second inflatable part 20b that overlaps with the first inflatable part 20a. When the main body portion 20 begins to expand and expand, gas flows into the expansion protrusion 21 from the folding line L shown in FIG. Since the folding line L does not overlap with the non-folding region 29, the main body 20 is inflated and deployed before the inflatable protrusion 21, so that the speed of inflation and deployment of the main body 20 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle can be increased. Furthermore, since the folding line L and the inflation protrusion 21 are included in the roll folding portion, the inflation protrusion 21 is difficult to inflate, and the speed of inflation and deployment of the main body 20 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle can be further increased. can.

As shown in FIG. 18C, the second inflation section 20b is expanded and expanded next to the first inflation section 20a by the gas flowing from the first inflation section 20a. When the inflatable protrusion 21 comes into contact with the upper surface of the console box 60, the second inflatable part 20b rebounds against the first inflatable part 20a supported by the console box 60, and inflates and deploys upward in the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 18D, the second inflatable part 20b is pushed against the occupant 40 by repulsion from the first inflatable part 20a supported by the console box 60, and the second inflatable part 20b is pressed against the arm 44 and shoulder 45 of the occupant 40. It further expands and deploys above the vehicle. Since the second inflation portion 20b inflates and deploys from the inside in the vehicle width direction so as to avoid the arm portion 44 and shoulder portion 45 of the occupant 40, the airbag 2 is prevented from being flipped up by the arm portion 44 of the occupant 40. Can be done.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 1, the airbag 2 receives the side portion of the torso 41 of the occupant 40 with the first inflatable portion 20a, and receives the head 43 of the occupant 40 with the second inflatable portion 20b. Since the inflation protrusion 21 is in contact with the upper surface of the console box 60, the airbag 2 is unlikely to deviate in the downward direction of the vehicle or inward in the vehicle width direction. In addition, since the second inflatable portion 20b restrains the arm portion 44 of the occupant 40, the occupant 40 can be sufficiently restrained.

[Embodiment 2]
In the side airbag device of the second embodiment, the airbag includes a plurality of bag-shaped airbags. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing the side airbag device according to the second embodiment when the airbag restrains an occupant when viewed from the front of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 19, in the airbag device of Embodiment 2, the airbag 2 includes a first inflation section 20a and a second inflation section 20b. These are different bag-shaped airbags. A gas inflow portion (inflator attachment portion 10) is arranged in the first inflation portion 20a, which is a lower portion of the main body portion 20, and the inflation protrusion 21 is located on the inside in the vehicle width direction with respect to the first inflation portion 20a. As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 21B described later, the first expansion section 20a and the second expansion section 20b communicate with each other through the gas flow hole 27. During inflation and deployment, the first inflation section 20a is inflated and deployed by the gas generated from the inflator 3, and gas flows into the second inflation section 20b through the gas flow hole 27, so that the second inflation section 20b is inflated and deployed.

The first inflatable portion 20a may include a passenger-side panel 23, a center-side panel 24, and a connection panel 25, as in the first embodiment. The second inflatable portion 20b may include an occupant side panel 123 disposed on the occupant 40 side when inflated and deployed, and a center side panel 124 disposed opposite the occupant side panel 23.

A method for folding the airbag 2 in the airbag device of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 20 to 24C. In the second embodiment, an example of a method of folding in the vehicle longitudinal direction and then folding in the vehicle vertical direction will be described. 20 to 24C are first to fifth diagrams illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the second embodiment. 20, FIG. 21A, FIG. 22, FIG. 23A, and FIG. 24A, the airbag is placed so that the front side in each figure is the inside in the vehicle width direction when the side airbag device 1 is attached to the side of the seat back 51. 2 is placed.

In the second embodiment, a bag-shaped airbag constituting the first inflatable portion 20a and a bag-shaped airbag constituting the second inflatable portion 20b are overlapped and sewn together. As shown in FIG. 20, when the first inflatable part 20a is placed on the front side, the second inflatable part 20b located on the back side is folded up from the bottom to the top.

Next, the expansion protrusion 21 is folded. As shown in FIGS. 21A to 21C, a portion 21 of the first inflatable portion 20a may be folded flat. The folding methods shown in FIGS. 21A to 21C correspond to the first modification of the first embodiment. 21B and 21C are cross-sectional views taken along the X1-X2 line and the Y1-Y2 line shown in FIG. 21A, respectively. The inflatable protrusion 21 is folded over the main body 20 along the folding line L, and the folding line L does not overlap with the non-folding region 29.

Before folding the airbag 2 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, as shown in FIG. You can also fold it up.

As shown in FIG. 23A, the main body part 20 and the expansion protrusion part 21 are folded from the front FR of the vehicle toward the rear RE of the vehicle in a state where they overlap each other. FIG. 23B is a sectional view taken along the line C1-C2 shown in FIG. 23A. The method of folding is not particularly limited, and may be roll folding or bellows folding as shown in FIG. 23B.

Next, the airbag 2 is folded up and down. FIG. 24B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D1-D2 shown in FIG. 24A. FIG. 24C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E1-E2 shown in FIG. 24A. In FIGS. 24A and 24B, the second inflation portion 20b, which is the upper portion of the airbag 2, is folded from the vehicle upper side UP toward the lower side DOWN, and then further folded from the vehicle lower side DOWN toward the upper side UP. The airbag 2 is attached to the side of the seat bag 51 in the fully folded state shown in FIGS. 24A to 24C. The inflation protrusion 21 is folded over the main body 20, and as shown in FIGS. 24A and 24C, when the side airbag device 1 is installed, the airbag 2 has the inflation protrusion 21 rolled and folded. The inflation protrusion 21 may be included in the roll-folded part and folded so that the inflation protrusion 21 does not overlap the gas inflow part (inflator attachment part 10), or the inflation protrusion 21 may be included in the roll-folded part and folded so that the inflation protrusion 21 does not overlap the gas inflow part (inflator attachment part 10). They may be superimposed. Therefore, when gas is generated from the inflator 3, the first inflatable part 20a inflates and deploys before the inflatable protrusion 21, and the airbag 2 inflates and deploys while unfolding in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The inflation and deployment speed in the vertical direction can be increased.

1: Side airbag device 2: Airbag 3: Inflator 10: Inflator attachment part 11: Gas jet hole 12: Bolt 20: Main body part 20a: First inflation part 20b: Second inflation part 21: Inflation protrusion 22: Inflator Attachment holes 23, 123: Passenger side panels 24, 124: Center side panel 25: Connection panel 26: Seam portion 27; Gas inflow hole 28: Notch 29: Non-folding area 30: First folding line 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d , 31e: Second turning line 40: Occupant (international side collision dummy)
41: Body 42: Waist 43: Head 44: Arm 45: Shoulder 50: Vehicle seat 51: Seat back (backrest)
52: Side frame 60: Console box 70: Vehicle side wall L: Folding line

Claims (4)

A side airbag that is attached to a side of a seat back of a vehicle seat and inflates and deploys above a console box provided on the side of an occupant seated on the vehicle seat and on the inside of the vehicle seat in the width direction of the vehicle. In the device,
an inflator that is attached to the side of the seat back and generates gas;
a bag-shaped airbag that is inflated and deployed by gas generated from the inflator;
The airbag includes a main body that inflates and deploys from the side of the seat back to the side of the seated occupant to protect the seated occupant, and a gas inflow section provided in the main body and into which the gas flows. , an inflatable protrusion located on the inside in the vehicle width direction with respect to the gas inflow part and inflated and deployed above the console box;
Defining the shape of the airbag in a fully folded state, and defining a region including the gas inflow portion as a non-folding region,
In a state where the airbag is partially unfolded and spread out on a flat surface, the inflatable protrusion is folded over the main body along a folding line,
A side airbag device, wherein the folding line does not overlap with the non-folding area. The side airbag device according to claim 1,
A side airbag device, wherein the inflation protrusion is folded toward the front of the vehicle when the airbag is partially unfolded and spread out on a flat surface. The side airbag device according to claim 1 or 2,
A side airbag device characterized in that when the airbag is partially unfolded and spread out on a flat surface, the inflation protrusion is folded upwardly of the vehicle. The side airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
In the side airbag device, when the airbag is fully folded, the airbag is further folded from the front to the rear of the vehicle by overlapping the inflation protrusion and the main body. .

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