WO2023282023A1

WO2023282023A1 - Airbag device

Info

Publication number: WO2023282023A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/024236
Authority: WO
Inventors: 豊中島; 佑香三浦; 優土生
Original assignee: オートリブディベロップメントエービー; 豊中島; 佑香三浦; 優土生
Priority date: 2021-07-09
Filing date: 2022-06-16
Publication date: 2023-01-12
Also published as: JPWO2023282023A1

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an innovative airbag device capable of protecting the head of an occupant from one side of the head to the anterior and even to the other side of the head. [Solution] An airbag device according to the present invention comprises: an airbag that has a head protective cushion for protecting the head of an occupant by deploying from the upper section on either the left or the right of a vehicle seat; and an inflator that supplies an inflating gas to the airbag. The head protective cushion comprises: a first chamber that protects the area around one side of the occupant's head; a second chamber that is connected to the first chamber and protects the anterior of the occupant's head; a third chamber that is connected to the second chamber and deploys from the anterior of the occupant's head across to the other side; and a fourth chamber that is connected to the third chamber and deploys near the other side of the occupant's head. A contact panel is also provided bridging over the occupant sides of the head protective cushion and is composed of a flexible material with which the occupant and the occupant's head make contact.

Description

air bag device

The present invention relates to an airbag device mounted on a vehicle seat. In particular, the present invention relates to an airbag device capable of appropriately protecting the head of an occupant.

It is well known to provide vehicles with one or more airbag devices to protect occupants in the event of a vehicle accident. Airbag devices include, for example, a so-called driver airbag device that deploys from near the center of the steering wheel to protect the driver, and a device that deploys downward inside the window to prevent lateral impacts, overturns, and rollovers of the vehicle. There are various forms such as a curtain airbag device that sometimes protects the occupant, and a side airbag device that deploys on the side of the occupant (side of the seat) to protect the occupant in the event of a lateral impact of the vehicle.

The side airbag device restrains the lateral movement of the occupant by deploying the airbag forward from the side of the seat. In addition to the torso of the body, the head can be protected.

However, in the airbag device described in Patent Document 1, the deployed airbag can restrain one side of the occupant's head (one of the left and right sides), but the front or opposite side of the head is restrained. It is virtually impossible to protect.

JP 2019-137307 A

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an epoch-making airbag device capable of protecting the occupant's head from one side to the front and further to the other side. intended to

In order to solve the above problems, an airbag device according to the present invention provides an airbag having a head protection cushion that protects the head of an occupant by deploying from the upper portion of one of the left and right sides of a vehicle seat; an inflator that supplies inflation gas to; The head protection cushion includes a first chamber that protects the vicinity of one side of the occupant's head; a second chamber that connects to the first chamber and protects the front of the occupant's head; a second chamber that connects to the second chamber; A third chamber that extends from the front of the occupant's head to the other side; and a fourth chamber that is connected to the third chamber and extends near the other side of the occupant's head. A contact panel made of a flexible material is provided that spans over the occupant's side of the head protection cushion and that makes contact between the occupant and the head.

Here, the contact panel being "bridged" basically means a state in which both ends are not in contact with the head protection cushion and are floating.
Further, as the "soft material", for example, the same material as the base cloth forming the head protection cushion can be adopted.

According to the present invention, the head protection cushion includes a first chamber that protects the vicinity of one side of the occupant's head; a second chamber that is connected to the first chamber and protects the front of the occupant's head; and a second chamber. a third chamber connected to the occupant and deployed from the front of the occupant's head to the other side; and a fourth chamber connected to the third chamber and deployed near the other side of the occupant's head. In this way, the head protection cushion surrounds the occupant's head so as to wrap around one side, the front, and the other side. can be reliably restrained from various directions. In addition, when deploying the airbag, there is no need to use the steering wheel, instrument panel, etc. as a reaction force surface, and independent and stable performance can be exhibited independently of the position of the seat.

In addition, since a contact panel is provided across the occupant side of the head protection cushion, when the occupant touches the panel, the chamber portion to which both ends of the contact panel are fixed is pulled inward. It is possible to restrict the movement of the head protection cushion to spread away from the occupant's head. As a result, it is possible to appropriately protect the occupant's head from all directions.

When the occupant is an AM95 dummy for US crash tests, the contact panel is preferably set to a size that includes an area where the head of the dummy comes into contact in the event of a vehicle emergency.

Here, "AM95 dummy" is a dummy doll based on a person who is included in the top 5% of adult men in the United States with a large physique. It is modeled.

When the occupant's head enters the contact panel while the head protection cushion is deployed, the contact panel is attached to the airbag cushion such that the head protection cushion wraps around the occupant's head. It can be configured to regulate the direction of deployment.

The contact panel may include a first contact panel extending to connect an occupant-facing inner surface of the third chamber and an occupant-facing inner surface of the second chamber.

The contact panel includes a contact panel extending to connect inner surfaces facing the occupant between two chambers selected from the first chamber, the second chamber, the third chamber, and the fourth chamber. can be

The contact panel may further include a second contact panel extending to connect the occupant-facing inner surface of the fourth chamber and the occupant-facing inner surface of the second chamber.

A slit through which the second contact panel passes is formed in the first contact panel, and when the head protection cushion in the unfolded state is viewed from above, the first contact panel and the second contact panel are separated from each other. Can be arranged to intersect.

When the occupant's head contacts the first and second contact panels while the head protection cushion is deployed, the second contact panel bends and the fourth chamber moves toward the occupant's head. It can be configured to be pulled closer.

The first chamber and the second chamber are integrally molded by bonding two base fabrics together,
a tether extending along the deployment direction on the occupant-facing inner surfaces of the first and second chambers;
a holding part that holds the tether in a slidable state along the inner surface;
The forward movement of the second chamber can be restricted by the tether when the head protection cushion is deployed.

By using the tether as described above, together with the contact panel, it is possible to deploy the head protection cushion more securely around the occupant's head.

The tether has a first end connected to the inner surface of the second chamber forward in the deployment direction and a second end reaching the rear of the second chamber in the deployment direction,
A crease region may be formed in at least the second chamber by drawing the tether toward the second end and compressing it.

The third chamber is formed by bonding at least two base fabrics together,
An end of an inner panel of the base fabric forming the second chamber facing the occupant may be connected to an end of the inner panel of the base fabric forming the third chamber facing the occupant.

The third chamber and the fourth chamber may communicate with each other through a first vent hole and be connected to each other by sewing around the first vent hole.

By connecting the inner panels of the base fabric that constitute each chamber, when the head protection cushion is deployed, the outward expansion of the connecting portion (direction away from the occupant's head) is restricted, and the occupant's head is protected. It becomes easier to create a curved shape surrounding the .

The airbag may further include a side protection cushion that connects to the vicinity of the lower end of the first chamber and protects the side of the occupant's body.

A side airbag device that protects the sides of the occupant can be provided on the side opposite to the side where the airbag device is accommodated.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view mainly showing an external shape of a vehicle seat to which an airbag device according to the present invention can be applied. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal structure (seat frame) functioning as a frame of the vehicle seat shown in FIG. 1, and the illustration of the airbag device is omitted. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a vehicle seat on which an airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted, and shows a state in which the airbag device is accommodated as seen through from the outside in the vehicle width direction. FIG. 4 is a top view schematically showing how the airbag is deployed in the airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a top perspective view (bird's-eye view) showing how the airbag is deployed in the airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a front perspective view showing how the airbag is deployed in the airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the structure of the contact panel used in the airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention, where (A) shows the two panels separately and (B) shows the actual usage state. indicates FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the shape of the panel that constitutes the airbag used in the airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and forms the first and second chambers. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the shape of a panel that constitutes an airbag used in an airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and forms a side protection cushion. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the shape of the panel that constitutes the airbag used in the airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and forms the third chamber. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the shape of the panel that constitutes the airbag used in the airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and forms the fourth chamber. FIG. 12 is a plan view for explaining the connection of the panels shown in FIGS. 8 to 11. FIG. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state in which the panels shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 are connected. FIG. 14 is a plan view showing part of the compression process of the airbag according to the embodiment of the present invention. , illustration is omitted. FIG. 15 is a side view showing part of the airbag compression process according to the embodiment of the present invention. 16A and 16B are top views (overhead views) showing the operation of the airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is the state immediately after deployment of the head protection cushion, and (B) is the occupant's head. Shows how it entered.

Below, the airbag device according to the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings. In the following explanation, when the occupant is seated on the seat in a normal posture, the direction in which the occupant is facing is called "forward", and the opposite direction is called "rear". Direction." Also, when the occupant is seated on the seat in a normal posture, the right side of the occupant is called the "right direction" and the left side of the occupant is called the "left direction". Also, when the occupant is seated on the seat in a normal posture, the direction of the occupant's head is called "upward", the direction of the occupant's waist is called "downward", and the axis of coordinates is called "vertical direction". In the deployed airbag, the side facing the occupant (head) is defined as the inside, and the opposite side is defined as the outside.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view mainly showing the external shape of a vehicle seat used in the passenger protection system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal structure (seat frame) that functions as a frame of the vehicle seat shown in FIG. 1, and the illustration of the airbag device (20) is omitted here.

A vehicle seat to which the present invention can be applied includes, as shown in FIGS. and a headrest 3 connected to the upper end.

As shown in FIG. 1, the airbag device 20 according to this embodiment is mainly accommodated in the side support portion (far side) of the vehicle seat. Reference numeral 21 denotes a housing that accommodates a part of the airbag (head protection cushion 31 ) that constitutes the airbag device 20 . The housing 21 is torn apart at the front or diagonally forward when the airbag device 20 is activated and the airbag 30 is deployed.

The head protection cushion 31 (see FIG. 3) can be housed inside the seatback 1 in the vicinity of the upper end instead of being housed in the housing 21 configured as a separate body. In particular, in the case of a vehicle seat in which the headrest 3 is integrated with the seatback 1, it is possible to flexibly set the accommodation space for the head protection cushion 31. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, a seatback frame 1f that forms the framework of the seat is provided inside the seatback 1, and a pad made of urethane foam or the like is provided on the surface and surroundings of the seatback frame 1f. It is covered with an epidermis such as leather or fabric. A seating frame 2f is arranged on the bottom side of the seat cushion 2, and a pad made of urethane foam material or the like is provided on the upper surface and the periphery thereof, and the surface of the pad is covered with a skin such as leather or fabric. The seat frame 2 f and the seat back frame 1 f are connected via a reclining mechanism 4 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the seatback frame 1f connects a seat frame 10 that is spaced apart from the left and right and extends vertically, an upper frame that connects the upper end of the seat frame 10, and a lower end. It is configured in a frame shape with the lower frame. A headrest 3 is configured by providing a cushion member outside the headrest frame.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the occupant protection system according to the present invention, showing a state in which the airbag device 20 is housed on the side (far side) of the vehicle seat farther from the door, as viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction. indicates

As shown in FIG. 3, the airbag device 20 is housed in the vicinity of the right upper end of the seat back 1 of the vehicle seat. As will be described later, the airbag 30 includes a head protection cushion 31 that protects the head of the occupant and side protection cushions 40 that protect the sides of the occupant's torso. In this embodiment, the airbag device 20 is arranged on the so-called far side, but it can also be arranged on the near side.

FIG. 4 is a top view schematically showing how the airbag 30 deploys in the airbag device 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a top perspective view (bird's-eye view) showing how the airbag 30 is deployed. FIG. 6 is a front perspective view showing how the airbag 30 is deployed. In addition, in FIG.4 and FIG.5, a broken line shall show a sewing line.

As shown in FIG. 4, the airbag device 20 according to this embodiment includes an inflator 160 (see FIGS. 6 and 9) that generates inflation gas; and an airbag 30 that is inflated and deployed by the gas supplied from the inflator 160. It has The airbag 30 protects the head protection cushion 31 (32, 34, 36, 38) that protects the area around the head of the occupant P by deploying from near the right upper end of the vehicle seat, and protects the side of the occupant's torso. and side protection cushions 40 .

The head protection cushion 31 includes a first chamber 32 that protects the right side of the head of the occupant P; a second chamber 34 that connects to the first chamber 32 and protects the front of the head of the occupant P; A third chamber 36 connected to the occupant P and deployed from the front to the left side of the occupant P's head; and a fourth chamber 38 connected to the third chamber 36 and deployed on the left side of the occupant P's head. .

The airbag device 20 further includes a tether 200 that extends in the deployment direction (forward) of the airbag 30 and regulates the deployment shape of the airbag 30; and a holding member 202 that holds along the surfaces of the

chambers

32 and 34 . Details of tether 200 and retaining member 202 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The tether 200 has a first end 201a connected to the inner surface of the second chamber 34 and a second end 201b opposite the first end 201a. The second end 201b is connected to the seat frame. The second end 201b (rear end) of the tether 200 can be connected to a structure other than the seat frame, or can be directly connected near the rear end of the first chamber 32. FIG.

The first chamber 32 and the second chamber 34 are integrally molded as one chamber. The vicinity of the rear of the second chamber 34 is bent in a direction approaching the head of the occupant P, so that the second chamber 34 can be reliably deployed in front of the head of the occupant.

A tether 200 is connected so as to bridge the first chamber 32 and the second chamber 34, and the second chamber 34 can be bent by the tension of the tether 200 when the airbag 30 is deployed.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in this embodiment,

contact panels

50 and 60 made of a flexible material are laid over the head protection cushion 31 on the occupant side. Here, the expression that the

contact panels

50 and 60 are "bridged" basically means that the two ends are not in contact with the head protection cushion and are floating. Further, as the "soft material", for example, the same material as the base cloth forming the head protection cushion can be adopted. The details of the

contact panel structures

50 and 60 will be described later.

A side protection cushion 40 is connected to the lower side of the first chamber 32, as shown in FIGS. The side protection cushion 40 is intended to restrain at least the vicinity of the right shoulder of the occupant P, but may be configured to restrain the vicinity of the waist as well as the first chamber 32 or any chamber. It is configured to expand first. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, inflation gas is released from the inflator 160 contained within the side protective cushions 40 and flows to the side protective cushions 40 and/or the first chamber 32 and subsequently to the first chamber 32 . The flow is arranged in the order of the second chamber 34, the third chamber 36 and the fourth chamber 38.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, four chambers (32, 34, 36, 38) are deployed to surround the occupant P from near the right side of the head to near the left side of the head. The second chamber 34 bends from the first chamber 32 toward the occupant (inward), and at the same time, as shown in FIG. It is designed to protect the front including the diagonal front. Since the airbag 30 (at least the first chamber 32 and the fourth chamber 38) is positioned above the shoulders of the occupant P, it is possible to prevent the shoulders of the occupant P from interfering with each other and deteriorating the deployment behavior. Moreover, since the airbag 30 is placed on the shoulders of the occupant P, the distance between the airbag 30 and the head of the occupant P can be reduced, and the head of the occupant can be quickly restrained.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when viewed from above when the airbag 30 is inflated and deployed, the longitudinal direction of the second chamber 34 extends from the bending region 200a with respect to the longitudinal direction of the first chamber 32, which is long in the longitudinal direction. It is provided so as to extend forward of the occupant P at an angle. Further, the direction of expansion and deployment of the third chamber 36 from the gas introduction port of the third chamber 36 near the end of the second chamber 34 toward the gas introduction port of the fourth chamber 38 is the longitudinal direction of the first chamber 32. , and is provided at an angle from the terminal end of the second chamber 34 to the longitudinal direction of the inflated and deployed second chamber 34 in a direction approaching the occupant P. . Furthermore, the direction in which the fourth chamber 38 inflates and deploys from the gas inlet of the fourth chamber 38 near the end of the third chamber 36 is generally opposite in the longitudinal direction to the longitudinal inflation and deployment direction of the first chamber 32. , and is provided at an angle in a direction from the terminal end of the third chamber 36 toward the occupant side P with respect to the inflation and deployment direction of the third chamber 36 . With such a configuration, the airbag 30 inflates and deploys from one shoulder of the occupant P so as to wrap around the head of the occupant P. As shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the structure of the

contact panels

50 and 60 used in the airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention, (A) showing the two

panels

50 and 60 separately, (B ) indicates the actual usage.

The

contact panels

50 and 60 are set to a size (width and length) that can sufficiently protect the head of the dummy when the occupant P is an AM95 dummy for US crash tests. The first contact panel 60 is connected to the second chamber 34 by stitching 62r at two points at one end (FIG. 8). Also, the other end of the first contact panel 60 is connected to the third chamber 36 by sewing 62f (FIG. 10).

On the other hand, one end of the second contact panel 50 is connected to the second chamber 34 by sewing 52r (Fig. 8). Also, the other end of the second contact panel 50 is connected to the fourth chamber 38 by sewing 52f (Fig. 11).

As shown in FIG. 7B, the first contact panel 60 is formed with a slit 64 through which the second contact panel 50 penetrates. The contact panel 60 and the second contact panel 50 are arranged so as to cross each other (FIGS. 4 and 5).

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a panel (base fabric) forming the first chamber 32 and the second chamber 34. FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the first chamber 32 and the second chamber 34 are formed integrally by bonding two sheets of base cloth 130a (inner panel) and 130b (outer panel). In the figure, reference numeral 132 denotes a region corresponding to the

first chamber

32, and 134 denotes a region corresponding to the second chamber. The inner panel 130a faces the occupant P side when the first chamber 32 and the second chamber 34 are deployed.

The first chamber 32 (region 132 ) has an opening 154 connected with the side chamber 40 and a tab 152 connected with the tab 164 of the side chamber 40 . Inflation gas flows into the first chamber 32 from the vicinity of the rear end of the side chamber 40 through the opening 154 . A vent opening 150a in fluid communication with the third chamber 36 is formed near the end of the inner panel of the second chamber 34 and extends in a direction along the lower edge of the second chamber to allow the inner panel of the third chamber 36 to extend. Together with the vent opening 150b of 136a (see FIG. 9), it is connected by sewing around it. A vent hole 37 is formed by the

vent openings

150a and 150b.

In FIG. 8, the line L1 indicates the longitudinal direction of the first chamber 32. The longitudinal direction L1 is the direction in which the inflation gas flows in the upper portion 132a, and can be said to be the main deployment direction of the first chamber.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a panel (base fabric) forming the side protection cushion 40. FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the side protection cushion 40 is formed by bonding together two base fabrics 140a (inner panel) and 140b (outer panel). In the figure, reference numeral 166 denotes an opening connected to the opening 154a of the first chamber 32, and reference numeral 162 denotes an inflator holding portion that accommodates the inflator 160. As shown in FIG. Also, reference numeral 164 is a tab connected to the tab 152 of the first chamber 32 .

The side protection cushion 40 and the first chamber 32 are directly connected at their respective openings 154a and 166, and by connecting the

tabs

152 and 164 to each other, the deployment posture can be controlled. In FIG. 9, broken lines other than the inflator 160 indicate sewing lines. This connection tab 164 is provided on the upper edge of the side protection cushion 40 . The tab 152 of the first chamber 32 is provided at the lower edge of the first chamber, and by connecting them, inadvertent rocking during inflation and deployment is reduced and the stability of inflation and deployment is increased. In addition, since these are connected, the inflation and deployment directions of the respective airbag cushions do not vary during inflation and deployment, and the occupant can be protected more integrally and comprehensively.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a panel (base fabric) forming the third chamber 36. FIG. In FIG. 10, the broken lines around the perimeter and broken lines around the

openings

150b and 170a indicate sewing lines.

As shown in FIG. 10, the third chamber 36 is formed by bonding together two base fabrics 136a (inner panel) and 136b (outer panel). A vent opening 150b connected to the vent opening 150a of the second chamber 34 is formed near one end of the inner panel 136a. A vent opening 170a connected to the vent opening 170b of the fourth chamber 38 is also formed near the other end of the inner panel 136a. A vent hole 39 (FIGS. 6 and 13) is formed by the

vent openings

170a and 170b. The vent hole opening 150b is longer in the lateral direction than the vent opening 170a and has a larger opening area.

Inside the third chamber 36, two

inner tethers

137a and 137b are provided near the center extending in parallel to the direction in which the inflation gas flows (direction from one end to the other end). These

internal tethers

137a and 137b connect the inner panel 136a and the outer panel 136b and regulate the expanded thickness of the third chamber 36 (in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper). In place of the tether, the inner panel 136a and the outer panel 136b can be connected by simple sewing, thereby restricting the expansion thickness of the third chamber 36. FIG.

11 is a plan view showing a panel (base fabric) 138 forming the fourth chamber 38. FIG. In FIG. 11, the dashed lines around the outer edge and vent opening 170b indicate sewing lines.

As shown in FIG. 11(B), the fourth chamber 38 is shaped like a bag by folding one panel 138 in half from the central portion. A vent hole 170b connected to the vent opening 170a of the third chamber is formed near the center in the longitudinal direction of the panel 138, and the center line along the longitudinal direction of the vent opening 170b serves as the folding line of the panel 138.

FIG. 12 is a plan view for explaining the connection of the panels shown in FIGS. 8 to 11. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state in which the panels shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 are connected. As shown in FIG. 12, the chamber that integrates the first chamber 32 and the second chamber 34 has the largest capacity, followed by the side protection cushions 40 having the largest capacity. On the other hand, the capacity of the third chamber 36 is designed to be small, and the capacity of the fourth chamber 38 is designed to be even smaller.

The second chamber 34 and the third chamber 36 are connected by sewing only around the

vent openings

150a and 150b. Also, the third chamber 36 and the fourth chamber 38 are connected by sewing only around the

vent openings

170a and 170b.

Note that the first and

second contact panels

60 and 50 are located on the back side of the third chamber 36 (back side of the paper surface) in FIG. 13, so illustration thereof is omitted.

(airbag compression)
FIG. 14 is a plan view showing part of the compression process of the airbag 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Chamber 36, fourth chamber 38, side protection cushion 40) are not shown. In practice, the compression step is performed after all the chambers have been sewn together as shown in FIG.

From the state shown in FIG. 14A, the tether 200 is pulled backward (pulled together) to form a wrinkled region 210 around the tether 200 in the first chamber 32 and the second chamber 34 (FIG. 14). (B)). It should be noted that the "wrinkles" of the wrinkle region 210 may adopt a form of casually shrinking (shrinking), or a somewhat regular folding form such as bellows folding.

After that, as shown in FIG. 15, the head protection cushion 31 is compressed by rolling or bellows folding to form a main folded portion 310. As shown in FIG. Next, the side protection cushions 40 are compressed in the front-to-rear direction by a technique such as rolling or accordion folding to form the longitudinally folded portions 340 .

(Deployment behavior of airbag)
In the airbag system 20 according to the present embodiment, when a vehicle crash event occurs, the inflator 160 is activated and inflation gas is directed to the side protection cushion 40 and the first chamber 32 simultaneously or prior to either chamber. flow in. Gas then flows from the first chamber 32 into the second chamber 34 .

At this time, the main folding portion 310 extends forward so as to be unrolled, and the head protection cushion 31 does not interfere with the occupant's head located on the side of the main folding portion 310, and the head protection cushion 31 does not interfere. It will be deployed with preferable behavior above the shoulder of the occupant.

In addition, since the first chamber 32 and the second chamber 34 or the second chamber 34 and the seat frame are connected by a tether 200 (FIG. 4), the forward deployment of the second chamber 34 is restricted, and the tether 200 The bending portion 200a of the holding member 202, that is, the bending region 202a of the holding member 202 is bent as a starting point, and is deployed forward of the occupant (FIGS. 4 and 5). In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the second chamber 34 is bent so that the tip side faces upward, and the vent hole 37 is unfolded so as to be substantially vertically long.

Next, the inflation gas flows from the second chamber 34 into the third chamber 36 through the vent hole 37, and the third chamber 36 deploys from the front of the occupant P to the vicinity of the left head. Since the inner panel 134a of the second chamber 34 and the inner panel 136a of the third chamber 36 are connected around the vent hole 37, the third chamber 36 expands outward (in the direction away from the occupant's head). A curved shape is created to surround the occupant P's head.

Next, the inflation gas flows from the third chamber 36 into the fourth chamber 38 through the vent hole 39, and the fourth chamber 38 is deployed near the occupant's P left head. Since the inner panel 136a of the third chamber 36 and the fourth chamber 36 are connected around the vent hole 39, the movement of the fourth chamber 36 to expand outward (away from the occupant's head) is restricted. and a curved shape surrounding the head of the occupant P is created.

In addition, since the structure is such that the tether 200 slides along the surface of the airbag 30, the tether 200 does not protrude like a bridge from the surface of the airbag 30, and unnecessary interference with the occupant P can be avoided. can. In addition, it becomes possible to control the deployed shape of the airbag 30 reliably and precisely.

FIG. 16(A) shows the state immediately after the head protection cushion 31 is deployed, and (B) shows the state in which the head of the occupant P has entered the first and

second contact panels

60 and 50 . When the head protection cushion 31 is fully deployed, the first contact panel 60 pulls the second chamber 34 and the third chamber 36 inward (passenger side), and the second contact panel 50 pulls the second chamber 34 and the third chamber 34 together. The fourth chamber 38 is pulled inward. Therefore, the head protection cushion 31 is deployed so as to surround the occupant P's head.

Subsequently, when the head of the occupant P contacts (enters) the first and

second contact panels

60 and 50, as shown in FIG. , and the fourth chamber 38 is pulled more strongly in the direction toward the passenger P's head. Therefore, the head protection cushion 31 wraps around the head of the occupant P, so that the head can be appropriately protected from all directions.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. Accordingly, the above-described exemplary embodiments of the invention are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although two contact panels are provided so as to intersect in the embodiment, they may not necessarily intersect. For example, one contact panel may be provided between the second and third chambers adjacent to each other, and another contact panel may be provided between the third and fourth chambers.

Claims

An airbag having a head protection cushion that protects the occupant's head by deploying from the top of one of the left and right sides of the vehicle seat, and:
an inflator that supplies inflation gas to the airbag;
The head protection cushion includes a first chamber that protects the vicinity of one side of the occupant's head; a second chamber that connects to the first chamber and protects the front of the occupant's head; a second chamber that connects to the second chamber; a third chamber that extends from the front of the occupant's head to the other side; and a fourth chamber that is connected to the third chamber and deploys near the other side of the occupant's head,
An airbag device, comprising: a contact panel made of a flexible material that spans over the occupant's side of the head protection cushion and contacts the occupant's head with the occupant's head.
2. The contact panel according to claim 1, wherein the size of the contact panel is set so as to include an area with which the head of an AM95 dummy for US crash tests contacts the occupant in the event of a vehicle emergency. airbag device.
When the occupant's head enters the contact panel while the head protection cushion is deployed, the contact panel is attached to the airbag cushion such that the head protection cushion wraps around the occupant's head. 3. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the deployment direction is restricted.
The contact panel includes a contact panel extending to connect inner surfaces facing the occupant between two chambers selected from the first chamber, the second chamber, the third chamber, and the fourth chamber. The airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by:
4. The contact panel according to claim 3, wherein the contact panel includes a first contact panel extending to connect an occupant-facing inner surface of the third chamber and an occupant-facing inner surface of the second chamber. Airbag device as described.
3. The contact panel further comprises a second contact panel extending to connect the occupant facing inner surface of the fourth chamber with the occupant facing inner surface of the second chamber. 5. The airbag device according to 5.
A slit through which the second contact panel passes is formed in the first contact panel,
7. The airbag device according to claim 6, wherein the first contact panel and the second contact panel are arranged to intersect when the head protection cushion in the deployed state is viewed from above. .
When the occupant's head contacts the first and second contact panels while the head protection cushion is deployed, the second contact panel bends and the fourth chamber moves toward the occupant's head. 8. The airbag device according to claim 7, wherein the airbag device is configured to be pulled in an approaching direction.
The first chamber and the second chamber are integrally molded by bonding two base fabrics together,
a tether extending along the deployment direction on the occupant-facing inner surfaces of the first and second chambers;
a holding part that holds the tether in a slidable state along the inner surface;
3. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the forward movement of the second chamber is restricted by the tether when the head protection cushion is deployed.
The tether has a first end connected to the inner surface of the second chamber forward in the deployment direction and a second end reaching the rear in the deployment direction of the second chamber,
10. The airbag device of claim 9, wherein the tether is drawn toward the second end and compressed to form a wrinkled area in at least the second chamber.
The third chamber is formed by bonding at least two base fabrics together,
An end of an inner panel of the base fabric forming the second chamber facing the occupant is connected to an end of the inner panel of the base fabric forming the third chamber facing the occupant. The airbag device according to claim 10, wherein:
12. The structure according to claim 11, wherein the third chamber and the fourth chamber communicate with each other through a first vent hole and are connected to each other by sewing around the first vent hole. Airbag device as described.
The airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the airbag further includes a side protection cushion connected to the vicinity of the lower end of the first chamber and protecting the body side of the occupant.
A vehicle seat comprising the airbag device according to claim 1 or 2.
15. The vehicle seat according to claim 14, wherein a side airbag device for protecting the sides of the occupant is provided on the side opposite to the side on which the airbag device is accommodated.