JP7411602B2 - air bag device - Google Patents

Description

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

2. Description of the Related Art Airbag devices for protecting occupants in the event of a side collision or rollover of a vehicle have been known. In this type of airbag device, the airbag is inflated and deployed to cover the side of an occupant seated on a seat.

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

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-135016

By the way, when a side collision of a vehicle occurs, at the initial stage of the collision, the occupant moves to the side where the collision occurred due to inertia force, and then moves to the opposite side due to the impact force of the collision. However, in conventional airbag devices, the near-side airbag and the far-side airbag are independent of each other, and there is a risk that the occupant, whose movement direction changes, cannot be effectively restrained.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is intended to improve occupant restraint performance in an airbag device in which side cushions that inflate and deploy on both sides of a seat behave integrally in the event of a side collision of a vehicle. The purpose is to improve

The airbag device according to the present invention includes a first side cushion that inflates and deploys forward to cover one side of an occupant seated in a seat of a vehicle, and a first side cushion that inflates and deploys forward to cover the other side of the occupant. an airbag having a second side cushion that connects the rear part of the first side cushion and the rear part of the second side cushion in an inflated state in which each side cushion has been fully inflated and deployed; An inflator that injects gas to be inflated; and a connecting member having one end fixed to a first side cushion and the other end fixed to a location other than the first side cushion, and the connecting member is in an inflated state, It extends in the inner region than the first side cushion, and is in a stretched state between one end and the other end.

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

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

In the present invention, the cushion connecting portion may be used as a duct that communicates the first side cushion and the second side cushion.

In the present invention, during inflation and deployment of the airbag, the other end of the connecting member may move in a direction away from the one end in accordance with the expansion of the cushion connecting portion through which gas flows.

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

In the present invention, one end of the connecting member may be located higher than the other end in the fully expanded state.

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

In the present invention, the second side cushion has a second head cushion part that expands and deploys to cover the other side of the occupant's head, and the other end of the connecting member has a second head cushion part that is inflated and deployed to cover the other side of the passenger's head. It may be fixed to the cushion part.

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

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

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

In the present invention, the first side cushion may be provided on the near side near the seat door.

In the present invention, when a side collision of a vehicle occurs, the side cushions are inflated and deployed on both sides of the occupant. In the fully inflated state, both side cushions are connected via the cushion connection portion. In the initial stage of a collision, an occupant moving toward the side where the collision occurs due to inertia collides with one side cushion (one of the first side cushion and the second side cushion) on the side where the collision occurs. Although one side cushion moves outward in response to the collision load of the occupant, it is held back to some extent by the cushion connection portion, and the amount of outward movement of the seat is suppressed. Therefore, the occupant is restrained early on the side where the collision occurs.

Furthermore, as one side cushion moves outward, the other side cushion is pulled laterally via the cushion connection portion and moves toward the passenger. Both side cushions move laterally in unison. Therefore, the distance traveled by the occupant who moves to the side opposite to the side where the collision occurred due to the impact force of the collision until the occupant collides with the other side cushion becomes shorter. Occupants are restrained quickly even on the side opposite to the side where the collision occurred.

Further, in the present invention, in the inflated state, in the region inside the first side cushion, the connection member is in a stretched state between one end and the other end. In order to reach such a state, tension by the connecting member must be applied to the first side cushion before the inflation is completed. Therefore, the rocking of the first side cushion during inflation and deployment can be suppressed, and the restraint performance of the first side cushion can be improved.

FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an airbag in a fully inflated state in an airbag device according to an embodiment, and is a diagram of a seat on which an occupant is seated, viewed from the front. FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the airbag in a fully inflated state, and is a diagram of a seat with no occupants seen from the front. FIG. 1C is a diagram illustrating the airbag in a fully inflated state, and is a diagram illustrating a seat with no occupant present as viewed diagonally from the front on the second side cushion side. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the airbag in a flat state in the airbag device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view of the seat showing the stored state of the airbag according to the embodiment. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an airbag in a fully inflated state in an airbag device according to a first modification of the embodiment, and is a diagram of a seat with no occupant present seen from the front. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating the airbag in a fully inflated state, and is a diagram illustrating the seat with no occupant present as viewed diagonally from the front of the second side cushion. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the airbag in a flat state in the airbag device according to the first modification of the embodiment. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an airbag in a fully inflated state in an airbag device according to a second modification of the embodiment, and is a diagram of a seat with no occupant present seen from the front. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating the airbag in a fully inflated state, and is a diagram illustrating the seat with no occupant present as viewed diagonally from the front of the first side cushion. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the airbag in a flat state in the airbag device according to the second modification of the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a plan view of an airbag in a flat state in which the connecting portions of the connecting members are different from those in FIG. 7 in the airbag device according to the second modification of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the airbag in a flat state. FIG. 9A is a diagram showing an airbag in a fully inflated state in an airbag device according to a third modification of the embodiment, and is a diagram of a seat in which no occupant is present, viewed from the front. FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating the airbag in a fully inflated state, and is a diagram illustrating the seat with no occupant present as viewed diagonally from the front on the first side cushion side. FIG. 10(a) is a plan view of the airbag in a flat state in the airbag device according to the third modification of the embodiment, and FIG. 10(b) shows the bending portion of the connecting member in FIG. ) is a plan view of an airbag in a flat state, which is different from the one shown in FIG. FIG. 11A is a diagram showing an airbag in a fully inflated state in an airbag device according to a fourth modification of the embodiment, and is a diagram of a seat in which no occupant is present, viewed from the front. FIG. 11B is a diagram showing the airbag in a fully inflated state, and is a diagram of the seat with no occupant seen from diagonally in front of the second side cushion. FIG. 12(a) is a plan view of an airbag in a horizontally placed state in an airbag device according to a fourth modification of the embodiment, and FIG. 12(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 12(a). It is a diagram. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional state of a cushion connecting portion and an attached state of a connecting member in an airbag device according to another modification.

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

In addition, in this specification, "above" and "upper side" mean the direction of the head of the occupant 5 seated in the normal position of the seat 1, and "bottom" and "lower side" mean the direction of the foot of the occupant 5. There are cases where Here, the "regular position" refers to the center position of the seat cushion 2 in the seat 1 in the left-right direction, and the position where the back of the occupant 5 contacts the backrest 3 vertically. Further, "front" and "front side" may refer to the front direction of the occupant 5 seated in the regular position of the seat 1, and "rear" and "rear side" may refer to the back direction of the occupant 5. Further, "left" and "left side" may refer to the left hand direction of the occupant 5 seated at the regular position of the seat 1, and "right" and "right side" may refer to the right hand direction of the occupant 5. Further, the occupant 5 is assumed to be AM50 (50th percentile of American adult males) of WorldSID (World Side Impact Dummy).

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

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

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

[About fully inflated airbags]
First, the airbag 11 in a state in which inflation and deployment have been completed (hereinafter referred to as "inflated state") will be described with reference to FIG. 1. In the description of the airbag 11 in the fully inflated state, it is assumed that the occupant 5 is seated in a normal position.

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

The first side cushion 21 is provided on the far side of the seat 1. The first side cushion 21 has a rear end portion fixed to the far side of the seat 1. The first side cushion 21 extends forward from the point where it is fixed to the seat 1 (see FIG. 1C). The first side cushion 21 includes a first head cushion part 31 that expands and deploys to cover one side of the head of the occupant 5, and a first side cushion 21 that covers one side of the torso (shoulder) of the occupant 5. The first torso cushion part 41 is inflated and deployed as shown in FIG. The first head cushion part 31 is erected diagonally upward from the front part of the first torso cushion part 41 facing backward.

The second side cushion 22 is provided on the near side of the seat 1. The second side cushion 22 has a rear end portion fixed to the near side of the seat 1. The second side cushion 22 extends forward from the point where it is fixed to the seat 1 (see FIG. 1C). The second side cushion 22 includes a second head cushion part 32 that is inflated and deployed to cover the other side of the head of the occupant 5, and a second side cushion part 32 that expands and deploys to cover the other side of the head of the occupant 5, and the other side of the torso (from the shoulders to the abdomen) of the occupant 5. The second torso cushion part 42 is inflated and deployed to cover the body. The second head cushion section 32 is erected diagonally upward and backward from the front side portion of the second torso cushion section 42 .

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

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

Further, regarding the position of the cushion connecting portion 24 in the front-rear direction, the cushion connecting portion 24 is located in the front region of the gap between the backrest portion 3 and the headrest 4. Note that the cushion connecting portion 24 may be located further forward than the position shown in FIG. 1C, or may be located in the rear region of the gap between the backrest portion 3 and the headrest 4. Alternatively, the support member 6 may be passed through the cushion connection portion 24, and the cushion connection portion 24 may be provided so as to straddle the front region and the rear region of this gap. In this case, the through hole passing through the support member 6 is separated from the flow path of the duct by sewing or the like at its edge.

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

The connecting member 25 extends in a region inside the first side cushion 21 (region on the passenger 5 side). Even if the connecting member 25 is not pushed by the occupant 5 of the seat 1, the connecting member 25 is in a tensile state where the one end 25a and the other end 25b are pulled (tension is applied from the one end 25a to the first side cushion 21, In addition, a state is reached in which tension is applied to the cushion connecting portion 24 from the other end portion 25b. A rearward tensile force is applied from the connecting member 25 to the fixed point 21a of the one end 25a of the connecting member 25 in the first side cushion 21, and the area around the fixed point 21a is slightly depressed (see FIG. 1A, etc.) ). The distance from the location 21a where one end portion 25a is fixed to the location 24a where the other end portion 25b is fixed is shorter than when the connecting member 25 is not provided. This point is the same in each modification described later. In addition, the code|symbol 24a represents the part of the cushion connection part 24 to which the other end part 25b of the connection member 25 was attached.

As described above, the connecting member 25 plays the role of suppressing the swinging of the first side cushion 21 during inflation and deployment. In the first side cushion 21, the fixing point 21a of the one end portion 25a of the connecting member 25 is set relatively far from the connecting point 24b of the cushion connecting portion 24 in the first side cushion 21, so that rocking can be effectively suppressed. The location is selected. In this embodiment, one end portion 25a is fixed to the front portion (for example, at or near the front end) of the first head cushion portion 31 of the first side cushion 21. Here, the "front part" of the first side cushion 21 refers to the part in front of the middle of the first side cushion 21 in the front-rear direction. In the first side cushion 21, the fixing point 21a of the one end portion 25a is located in front of the connecting point 24b of the cushion connecting portion 24 and above the connecting point 24b. Note that the one end portion 25a may be fixed not to the first head cushion portion 31 but to the front portion (for example, at or near the front end) of the first trunk cushion portion 41.

Further, the fixing location of the other end portion 25b of the connecting member 25 is selected such that the connecting member 25 passes through an area where it is unlikely to interfere with the occupant 5. In this embodiment, the other end 25b of the connecting member 25 is fixed at a height position above the chest of the occupant 5 (above the lower end of the shoulder). Specifically, the other end portion 25b of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the center portion of the cushion connecting portion 24 in the left-right direction. One end 25a of the connecting member 25 is located higher than the other end 25b.

[About the airbag when placed flat]
Next, the configuration of the airbag 11 in a state in which the uninflated airbag 11 is expanded and laid flat on a flat surface (hereinafter referred to as "flatly laid state") will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

The airbag 11 is a bag body constructed by overlapping two base fabrics of the same shape and size and sewing them at predetermined locations such as the outer periphery. In FIG. 2, the sewing locations are represented by thick broken lines. As shown in FIG. 2, the airbag 11 has a horizontally long, generally rectangular shape. When the airbag 11 is placed horizontally, the longitudinal direction of the airbag 11 is referred to as the "left-right direction", and the shorter direction is referred to as the "front-back direction", and each side cushion 21, 22 is fixed to the seat 1 in the front-rear direction. The side (upper side in FIG. 2) is called the "rear side", and the opposite side is called the "front side". The upper side of the airbag 11 in FIG. 2 is the rear side even in the fully inflated state. Further, in a plan view of the airbag 11, the upper side of the paper is referred to as the "front side", and the lower side of the paper is referred to as the "back side". In each side cushion 21, 22, the upper side of the paper is the outside when the inflation is completed, and the lower side of the paper is the inside when the inflation is completed. But it will be on the lower side.

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

The cushion connecting portion 24 has a horizontally long substantially rectangular shape. The cushion connecting portion 24 is provided on the rear side of the airbag 11. The front end of the cushion connecting portion 24 (the position of the horizontal slit 35 in FIG. 2) is located on the rear side of the front ends of each of the first side cushion 21 and the second side cushion 22. The longitudinal dimension (thickness) of the cushion connecting portion 24 is less than half the longitudinal dimension of each side cushion 21, 22.

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

The first head cushion portion 31 has a substantially rectangular shape. The first head cushion portion 31 is adjacent to the cushion connecting portion 24 via the above-mentioned horizontal slit 35. Further, the first trunk cushion portion 41 has a slightly elongated substantially rectangular shape. The first torso cushion portion 41 is a portion for protecting the side portions of the shoulders of the occupant 5. Note that in this specification, "rectangle" includes a square.

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

The second head cushion portion 32 has a substantially rectangular shape. The second head cushion portion 32 is adjacent to the cushion connecting portion 24 via a horizontal slit 35 extending in the left-right direction. Further, the second torso cushion portion 42 has a horizontally elongated substantially rectangular shape. Strictly speaking, the second torso cushion part 42 is an outer portion in the left-right direction, and the dimension in the front-rear direction gradually becomes shorter as it approaches the outer end. A portion of the second torso cushion portion 42 on the side of the cushion connection portion 24 constitutes an upper cushion portion 42a for protecting the side portions of the shoulders of the occupant 5. A portion of the second torso cushion portion 42 opposite to the cushion connection portion 24 constitutes a lower cushion portion 42b for protecting the side portions of the chest and abdomen of the occupant 5.

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

The first head cushion part 31 and the second head cushion part 32 have their tips adjacent to each other via a vertical slit 36 extending in the front-rear direction. The first head cushion part 31 and the second head cushion part 32 are formed symmetrically with the vertical slit 36 in between. The vertical slit 36 is a cut extending in the front-rear direction from the front end of the airbag 11, and connects to the center position of the horizontal slit 35 on the rear side. The horizontal slits 35 extend from the rear ends of the vertical slits 36 to the left and right, respectively. When the horizontal slit 35 and the vertical slit 36 are combined, it becomes a substantially T-shaped cut. In this embodiment, each of the slits 35 and 36 is a cut with almost no gap, but it may be a cut with a certain amount of gap.

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

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

[Regarding the storage status of airbags in the seats]
Next, a storage state in which the airbag 11 is stored in the seat 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

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

As shown in FIG. 3, the airbag 11 in the stored form is stored in the seat 1 in a folded state along the seat back frame 3a. The cushion connecting part 24 is stored in the upper end of the backrest part 3, the first side cushion 21 is stored in the far side of the seat 1, and the second side cushion 22 is stored in the near side of the seat 1.

The airbag 11 in the stored state stored in the seat 1 is fixed to the seat back frame 3a of the seat 1 at two locations: the tab 16 and the storage portion 45 of the inflator 12. Specifically, the tab 16 fixes the first torso cushion portion 41 to the seat back frame 3a. Further, the housing portion 45 is formed with an insertion hole for a stud bolt protruding from the inflator 12 (not shown). By fixing the inflator 12 to the seat back frame 3a with the stud bolt, the storage portion 45, through which the stud bolt is passed through the insertion hole, is also fixed to the seat back frame 3a.

[Airbag device operation]
Next, the operation of the airbag device 10 will be explained.

When a shock is applied to the vehicle due to a collision or rollover, the inflator 12 receives a signal from the sensor and injects gas into the second side cushion 22. As a result, the second side cushion 22 is inflated and deployed. Further, a part of the gas injected to the second side cushion 22 is supplied to the first side cushion 21 through the cushion connection part 24. As a result, the first side cushion 21 is inflated and deployed. In this embodiment, both side cushions 21 and 22 are fully inflated by one inflator 12.

Here, when a side collision of the vehicle occurs, the occupant 5 moves toward the side where the collision occurred due to inertia force at the initial stage of the collision, and then moves to the opposite side due to the impact force of the collision. Specifically, in the case of a far side side collision, the occupant 5 collides with the first side cushion 21 at the initial stage of the collision. As a result of this collision, the second side cushion 22 connected via the cushion connecting portion 24 also moves toward the far side together with the first side cushion 21. Thereafter, when the occupant 5 moves to the opposite side from the initial stage of the collision, the occupant 5 collides with the second side cushion 22. On the other hand, in the case of a near side side collision, the occupant 5 collides with the second side cushion 22 at the initial stage of the collision, and the second side cushion 22 and first side cushion 21 move toward the near side. Thereafter, when the occupant 5 moves to the opposite side from the initial stage of the collision, the occupant 5 collides with the first side cushion 21.

[Effects of this embodiment, etc.]
In this embodiment, at the initial stage of a collision, one of the side cushions 21 and 22 on the side where the collision occurred moves outward in response to the collision load of the occupant 5, but is restrained to some extent by the cushion connection part 24, and is moved outward toward the outside of the seat 1. The amount of movement to is suppressed. The occupant 5 is restrained early on the side where the collision occurs. Further, as one side cushion 21, 22 moves outward, the other side cushion 21, 22 is pulled laterally via the cushion connecting portion 24 and moves toward the occupant 5. Therefore, the distance traveled by the occupant 5 moving toward the side opposite to the side where the collision occurs until the occupant 5 collides with the other side cushion 21, 22 becomes shorter. Even on the side opposite to the side where the collision occurred, the occupant 5 is restrained early. In this way, each side cushion 21, 22 exhibits excellent restraint performance against a side collision.

In this embodiment, the cushion connecting portion 24 is located near the height range (shoulder height range) where the occupant 5 collides with the side cushions 21 and 22 at the initial stage of the collision. Therefore, the load in the lateral direction is easily transmitted through the cushion connecting portion 24. The behavior of both side cushions 21 and 22 is excellent in unity, and exhibits excellent restraint performance against side collisions.

Note that when the vehicle rolls over, the occupant 5 moves left and right according to the rotation of the vehicle. Even in this case, in the airbag device 10, the side cushions 21 and 22 on both sides behave integrally, so that the occupant 5 can be restrained at an early stage.

In this embodiment, in the fully inflated state, the area between the one end 25a and the other end 25b of the connecting member 25 is pulled in the region inside the first side cushion 21. In order to reach such a state, the tension by the connecting member 25 must be applied to the first side cushion 21 before the inflation is completed. Further, the length of the connecting member 25 is such that the connecting member 25 is in a pulled state even if it is not pushed by the occupant 5. Therefore, regardless of the position of the occupant 5, tension is reliably applied to the first side cushion 21. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to reliably suppress the rocking (horizontal rocking and vertical rocking) of the first side cushion 21 during inflation and deployment, and improve the restraint performance of the first side cushion 21. Can be done.

Further, one end portion 25a of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the front portion of the first side cushion 21 in the fully inflated state. The fixed portion 21a of the one end portion 25a is separated from the portion where the movement of the airbag 11 is restricted (the connection portion 24b of the cushion connection portion 24, the tab 16, the storage portion 45, etc.). In the case where the airbag 11 does not have the connecting member 25, the moment acts on the airbag 11 and the swinging becomes larger as the position moves away from the location where the movement of the airbag 11 is restricted. In the present embodiment, since the connecting member 25 is connected to a location where the swing becomes large, the swing of the first side cushion 21 can be effectively suppressed.

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

By the way, conventionally, in order to protect occupants in side collisions, curtain airbags protect the occupant's head in a nearside collision, nearside airbags protect the occupant's torso in a nearside collision, and Each vehicle may be equipped with a far side airbag to protect the head. On the other hand, in the future, there will be a need for airbag devices that can support autonomous driving. In autonomous driving, it is envisaged that the occupant will recline the seat back to take a comfortable position, or that the occupant will switch the seat orientation between the front and rear of the vehicle. However, in order to make the above-described conventional airbag configuration compatible with automatic driving, it is necessary to expand the protection range of each airbag, which poses problems in terms of cost and design.

In contrast, in this embodiment, since the occupant 5 can be restrained early, it is possible to suppress the size of each side cushion 21, 22 from increasing, and it is possible to make each side cushion 21, 22 an appropriate size. Therefore, the airbag 11 with good design can be constructed. Furthermore, since the second side cushion 22 protects the area from the head to the abdomen of the occupant 5, a curtain airbag can be omitted. This eliminates the need to mount an airbag on the roof of the vehicle, increasing flexibility in vehicle layout. Furthermore, it is also possible to reduce cost and weight compared to the case where separate side airbags are provided on both sides of the seat 1.

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

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

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

Note that the airbag device 10 can be installed on both the front seat and the rear seat of a vehicle, and can also be installed on the seat of a one-person vehicle. Furthermore, since the airbag device 10 does not depend on the vehicle layout, part or all of the airbag device 10 can be modularized so that it can be applied to multiple vehicle types.

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

The other end 25b of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the side of the seat 1 on the first side cushion 21 side. The other end portion 25b is fixed to the upper part of the far side vertical frame of the seat back frame 3a, as shown in FIG. 4B. Note that the other end 25b of the connecting member 25 can also be fixed to the seat back frame 3a by setting the fixing position of the other end 25b to the same position as the tab 16 and tightening the other end 25b together with the tab 16. This allows the number of fixing points to the seat frame 3a to be reduced. Furthermore, in the fully expanded state of the connecting member 25, one end 25a is located higher than the other end 25b. Also in this modification, the fixing locations of both ends 25a and 25b of the connecting member 25 are selected so that the connecting member 25 passes through an area where it is unlikely to interfere with the occupant 5. This point is the same in each modification described later.

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

In this modification as well, in the fully inflated state, the connecting member 25 is in a pulled state even if it is not pushed by the occupant 5. Therefore, rocking of the first side cushion 21 during inflation and deployment can be suppressed. Moreover, the extending direction of the connecting member 25 in the fully inflated state is close to the expanding direction of the first side cushion 21, so that the connecting member 25 can be smoothly expanded.

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

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

In this modification as well, in the fully inflated state, the connecting member 25 is in a pulled state even if it is not pushed by the occupant 5. Therefore, the rocking of the first side cushion 21 (particularly the rocking of the first head cushion portion 31) during inflation and deployment can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the extending direction of the connecting member 25 is close to the lateral direction, it is possible to particularly suppress swinging in the left-right direction. Moreover, since the fixing location of the other end 25b of the connecting member 25 is close to the fixing part (accommodating part 45) with respect to the seat 1, rocking can be effectively suppressed. Note that, as shown in FIG. 8, one end portion 25a of the connecting member 25 may be fixed to the front portion (for example, at or near the front end) of the first head cushion portion 31.

[Third modification of embodiment]
In this modification, the location where the other end 25b of the connecting member 25 is fixed is different from that in the second modification described above. Specifically, the other end portion 25b is fixed to the rear portion (for example, at or near the rear end) of the upper portion of the second head cushion portion 32, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. In each side cushion 21, 22, in order to effectively suppress rocking, each end portion 25a, 25b is fixed at a location relatively distant from the connection location 24b of the cushion connection portion 24 (each head cushion 31, 32) are selected. Further, in the fully inflated state, both ends 25a and 25b of the connecting member 25 are located behind the front surface of the headrest 4. Therefore, the connecting member 25 is pressed against the front surface of the headrest 4.

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

In this modification as well, in the fully inflated state, the connecting member 25 is in a pulled state even if it is not pushed by the occupant 5. Therefore, the swinging of the first head cushion part 31 during inflation and deployment can be suppressed, and furthermore, the swinging of the second head cushion part 32 during inflation and deployment can also be suppressed. Further, since the extending direction of the connecting member 25 is close to the lateral direction, it is possible to particularly suppress swinging in the left-right direction. Further, the connecting member 25 is in a pressed state, and lateral movement of the connecting member 25 is hindered by friction with the headrest 4 while the airbag 11 is inflated and deployed. Therefore, the rocking of both side cushions 21 and 22 can be effectively suppressed.

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

In the airbag 11 placed flat, the connecting member 25 is stacked on the front side of the airbag 11, as shown in FIG. 12(a). As shown in FIG. 12(b), the connecting member 25 is folded at a plurality of locations in the length direction, and each end portion 25a, 25b is fixed to each head cushion portion 31, 32.

In this modification as well, in the fully inflated state, the connecting member 25 is in a pulled state even if it is not pushed by the occupant 5. Therefore, rocking of both side cushions 21 and 22 during inflation and deployment can be suppressed. Since the extending direction of the connecting member 25 is close to the lateral direction, swinging in the left-right direction can be particularly suppressed.

[Other variations]
In the embodiment described above, when the other end 25b of the connecting member 25 is fixed to the cushion connection part 24, during the inflation and deployment of the airbag 11, the other end 25b is connected to the cushion connection part 24 through which gas flows. It may also be configured to move in a direction away from the one end portion 25a with the expansion of. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the other end 25b of the connecting member 25 can be fixed to the lower surface of the cushion connecting part 24. Further, the other end portion 25b can also be fixed to the rear side of the cushion connecting portion 24 (the upper side in the flat state). In either case, the other end 25b is pulled by the amount that the diameter (periphery) of the cushion connecting portion 24 increases due to expansion, so the tensile force acting on the side cushions 21 and 22 increases, and the above-mentioned rocking is effectively can be suppressed. In addition, in FIG. 13, the cushion connection part 24 is attached to the support member 6 by a non-expandable attachment part 24c.

In the embodiment described above, the cushion connecting portion 24 that connects the first side cushion 21 and the second side cushion 22 is a duct, but the cushion connecting portion 24 may be a member through which gas cannot flow. good. In this case, a second inflator can be attached to the first side cushion 21, for example.

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

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention is applicable to the airbag apparatus etc. which protect a passenger's side part etc.

1 Seat 5 Occupant 10 Airbag device 11 Airbag 12 Inflator 21 First side cushion 22 Second side cushion 24 Cushion connection portion 25 Connection member 25a One end portion 25b Other end portion

Claims (11)

a first side cushion that inflates and deploys forward to cover one side of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat; a second side cushion that inflates and deploys forward to cover the other side of the occupant; an airbag having a cushion connection portion that connects the rear part of the first side cushion and the rear part of the second side cushion in an inflated state where each side cushion has been fully inflated and deployed;
an inflator that injects gas to inflate the airbag;
a connecting member having one end fixed to the first side cushion and the other end fixed to a location other than the first side cushion,
In the fully inflated state, the connecting member extends in an inner region than the first side cushion, and the one end and the other end are in a tensioned state;
The one end portion of the connecting member is fixed to the front portion of the first side cushion in the fully inflated state,
In the airbag device, the other end of the connecting member is fixed to the cushion connecting portion at a height above the chest of the occupant in the fully inflated state. a first side cushion that inflates and deploys forward to cover one side of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat; a second side cushion that inflates and deploys forward to cover the other side of the occupant; an airbag having a cushion connection portion that connects the rear part of the first side cushion and the rear part of the second side cushion in an inflated state where each side cushion has been fully inflated and deployed;
an inflator that injects gas to inflate the airbag;
a connecting member having one end fixed to the first side cushion and the other end fixed to a location other than the first side cushion,
In the fully inflated state, the connecting member extends in an inner region than the first side cushion, and the one end and the other end are in a tensioned state;
In the airbag device, the cushion connecting portion is a duct that connects the first side cushion and the second side cushion. The airbag according to claim 2, wherein during inflation and deployment of the airbag, the other end of the connecting member moves in a direction away from the one end as a cushion connection portion through which gas flows expands. Device. a first side cushion that inflates and deploys forward to cover one side of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat; a second side cushion that inflates and deploys forward to cover the other side of the occupant; an airbag having a cushion connection portion that connects the rear part of the first side cushion and the rear part of the second side cushion in an inflated state where each side cushion has been fully inflated and deployed;
an inflator that injects gas to inflate the airbag;
a connecting member having one end fixed to the first side cushion and the other end fixed to a location other than the first side cushion,
In the fully inflated state, the connecting member extends in an inner region than the first side cushion, and the one end and the other end are in a tensioned state;
The one end portion of the connecting member is fixed to the front portion of the first side cushion in the fully inflated state,
In the airbag device, the other end of the connecting member is fixed to a side of the seat on the first side cushion side. a first side cushion that inflates and deploys forward to cover one side of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat; a second side cushion that inflates and deploys forward to cover the other side of the occupant; an airbag having a cushion connection portion that connects the rear part of the first side cushion and the rear part of the second side cushion in an inflated state where each side cushion has been fully inflated and deployed;
an inflator that injects gas to inflate the airbag;
a connecting member having one end fixed to the first side cushion and the other end fixed to a location other than the first side cushion,
In the fully inflated state, the connecting member extends in an inner region than the first side cushion, and the one end and the other end are in a tensioned state;
In the airbag device, the connecting member has one end located above the other end in the fully inflated state. a first side cushion that inflates and deploys forward to cover one side of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat; a second side cushion that inflates and deploys forward to cover the other side of the occupant; an airbag having a cushion connection portion that connects the rear part of the first side cushion and the rear part of the second side cushion in an inflated state where each side cushion has been fully inflated and deployed;
an inflator that injects gas to inflate the airbag;
a connecting member having one end fixed to the first side cushion and the other end fixed to a location other than the first side cushion,
In the fully inflated state, the connecting member extends in an inner region than the first side cushion, and the one end and the other end are in a tensioned state;
The first side cushion has a first head cushion portion that is inflated and deployed to cover one side of the occupant's head;
The one end portion of the connecting member is fixed to the first head cushion portion. The second side cushion has a second head cushion portion that is inflated and deployed to cover the other side of the occupant's head;
The airbag device according to claim 6, wherein the other end portion of the connecting member is fixed to the second head cushion portion. The one end of the connecting member is fixed to the upper part of the first head cushion part in the fully expanded state,
The airbag device according to claim 7, wherein the other end of the connecting member is fixed to the upper part of the second head cushion part in the fully inflated state. The one end portion of the connecting member is fixed to the rear portion of the upper portion of the first head cushion portion in the fully inflated state;
The airbag device according to claim 6, wherein the other end of the connecting member is fixed to the second side cushion side of the cushion connecting portion in the fully inflated state. The airbag device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein a portion between the one end portion and the other end portion of the connecting member is pressed against the headrest of the seat in the fully inflated state. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first side cushion is provided on a near side near the seat door.

Images