WO2024024473A1

WO2024024473A1 - Vehicle side airbag device and airbag cushion production method

Info

Publication number: WO2024024473A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/025411
Authority: WO
Inventors: 優斗小林; 隆己澁谷
Original assignee: オートリブディベロップメントエービー; 優斗小林; 隆己澁谷
Priority date: 2022-07-28
Filing date: 2023-07-10
Publication date: 2024-02-01

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a vehicle side airbag device capable of improving occupant restraint performance with a simple structure. [Solution] A pre-push chamber 122 of an airbag cushion 112 comprises an upper pre-chamber 122a that extends in the vertical direction and a lower pre-chamber 122b that extends forward. A main chamber 116 comprises an upper main chamber 118 that receives gas from the upper pre-chamber 122a, a lower main chamber 120 that receives gas from the lower pre-chamber 122b, and a baffle 146 that separates the upper main chamber 118 from the lower main chamber 120. A bottom surface panel 144 that forms the bottom surface of the lower main chamber 120 is provided bridging the lower edges of an inner main panel 134 and an outer main panel 136 of the main chamber 116.

Description

Manufacturing method of vehicle side airbag device and airbag cushion

The present invention relates to a side airbag device for a vehicle that restrains an occupant seated in a vehicle seat, and a method for manufacturing an airbag cushion.

Airbag devices are almost standard equipment in recent vehicles. Airbag devices are safety devices that operate in emergencies such as vehicle collisions, and use an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys with gas pressure to catch and protect occupants.

There are various types of airbag devices depending on the installation location and purpose. For example, in the vehicle side airbag device disclosed in Patent Document 1 by the present applicant, the airbag cushion is inflated and deployed from the side of the seat into the gap between the occupant and the side of the vehicle, making it possible to restrain the occupant from the side. It has become. In particular, the side airbag 4 of Patent Document 1 has a partition member 7 inside so that the thickness can be changed depending on the part, so that the skeletally strong chest and lumbar region and the weak abdomen can be restrained appropriately. It has become.

International Publication No. 2014/123055

Currently, in vehicle side airbag devices, there is a demand for further improvement in the occupant restraint performance of the airbag cushion. To this end, it is effective to start restraining the occupant from the initial stage when the airbag cushion is inflated and deployed, and to restrict the amount of movement of the occupant from the seat before restraining the occupant.

In view of these problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a side airbag device for a vehicle and a method for manufacturing an airbag cushion that can improve occupant restraint performance with a simple structure.

In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of a vehicle side airbag device according to the present invention is a vehicle side airbag device including an airbag module attached to a side frame of a seat back of a vehicle seat. The airbag module includes an airbag cushion that is rolled or folded into a predetermined storage configuration and is attached to a side frame, and an inflator that is inserted into the airbag cushion and attached to the side frame. , the airbag cushion has a pre-push chamber that first receives gas from the inflator to inflate and deploy, and a main chamber that receives gas via the pre-push chamber to inflate and deploy. The main chamber includes a pre-upper chamber that extends in the vertical direction along the seat cushion of the vehicle seat, and a pre-lower chamber that extends forward from the bottom of the pre-upper chamber along the seat cushion of the vehicle seat. A main upper chamber is provided in a range that overlaps with the pre-upper chamber when viewed from the outside and receives gas from the pre-upper chamber, and a main lower chamber is provided below the main upper chamber in an area that overlaps with the pre-lower chamber and receives gas from the pre-lower chamber. , a partition part that partitions between the main upper chamber and the main lower chamber and makes it impossible for gas to pass through, and the pre-push chamber side of the main chamber is formed by an inner main panel, and the pre-push chamber side of the main chamber and The opposite side is formed by an outer main panel, and a bottom panel forming a bottom surface of the main lower chamber extends over the lower edges of each of the inner main panel and the outer main panel.

The pre-push chamber described above is a part where inflation and deployment starts earlier than the main chamber. The pre-push chamber quickly inflates and deploys to push the occupant back toward the center of the seat, and then the main chamber expands and expands widely, making it possible to efficiently restrain the occupant.

In the above configuration, the pre-lower chamber expands along the seat cushion, and the main lower chamber expands and deploys by receiving gas from the pre-lower chamber. This main lower chamber can restrain the waist of an occupant seated on the seat cushion. In particular, since the thickness of the main lower chamber in the width direction of the seat is increased by the bottom panel, it is possible to sufficiently restrain the heavy waist region. Therefore, according to the above configuration, with a simple configuration using a baffle, a bottom panel, etc., the amount of movement of the occupant from the seat can be suppressed, and the occupant restraint performance of the airbag cushion can be improved.

In the state in which the airbag cushion in the storage form described above is built into the vehicle seat, the bottom panel may be folded in between the inner main panel and the outer main panel.

According to the above configuration, the airbag cushion can be efficiently stored inside the vehicle seat in a form that allows it to be smoothly inflated and deployed.

The above-mentioned compartment is formed by a baffle that extends between the inner main panel and the outer main panel, and the baffle has an area that overlaps with the inflator near the rear end portion when viewed from the width direction of the vehicle seat. It may have a cutout portion.

According to the above configuration, the baffle partitions the main upper chamber and the main lower chamber, and the baffle is provided with a notch to reduce the thickness of the rear part of the airbag cushion, so that the airbag cushion is in contact with the seat frame. This allows for smooth expansion and deployment.

The above-mentioned partition is formed by a baffle extending between the inner main panel and the outer main panel, and the baffle cuts a predetermined range near the rear end portion when viewed from the width direction of the vehicle seat. The rear end portion of the baffle that includes the notch may be sewn along the sewn portion forming the rear edge of the main chamber in a bent state above the airbag cushion.

According to the above configuration, by providing a notch in the rear end portion of the baffle and sewing the rear end portion together with the sewn portion on the rear edge of the main chamber, the thickness of the rear portion of the airbag cushion can be suppressed. It becomes possible to smoothly inflate and deploy the airbag cushion while it is in contact with the seat frame.

The above division portion may be formed by a sewn portion formed by sewing the inner main panel and the outer main panel.

The above sewn portion also makes it possible to partition the main upper chamber and the main lower chamber.

The above airbag cushion may further include an open vent that is surrounded by the inner main panel, the outer main panel, and the bottom panel.

With the above open vent, it is possible to realize a vent hole that is easy to open and discharge gas with a simple configuration.

The above open vent may be formed on the front side of the bottom panel in the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat. According to this configuration, gas can be smoothly discharged to the front of the airbag cushion where no occupant is present.

The above open vent may be formed on the rear side of the bottom panel in the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat. According to this configuration, gas can be smoothly discharged to the rear of the airbag cushion where no occupant is present.

The above inflator is inserted into a pre-push chamber, and the airbag cushion further includes a diffuser provided in the pre-push chamber, enclosing the inflator and having open upper and lower ends, and the lower end of the diffuser is bifurcated. One may be open in the pre-push chamber, and the other may be inserted into and open in the main lower chamber.

According to the above configuration, by distributing gas from the lower end of the bifurcated diffuser to the pre-push chamber and the main lower chamber, the pre-push chamber and the main lower chamber are inflated and deployed in parallel, and the thickness can be quickly increased. The passenger's lower back can be restrained by letting the vehicle rest. Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to further improve the occupant restraint performance of the airbag cushion.

The above-mentioned inner main panel has a panel notch cut into a predetermined part within the range of the main lower chamber, and the diffuser has a pair of diffuser notches cut in both front and rear sides from the lower end, may be in a bifurcated state by inserting the edge of the panel notch into the pair of diffuser notches.

According to the above configuration, gas can be distributed to the pre-push chamber and the main lower chamber with a simple configuration.

In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of the method for manufacturing an airbag cushion according to the present invention is a method for manufacturing an airbag cushion built into a side part of a vehicle seat, the airbag cushion comprising: It has a main chamber that inflates and deploys forward from the side of the vehicle seat, and a pre-push chamber that is provided on the side of the main chamber toward an occupant seated on the vehicle seat and completes inflation and deployment before the main chamber. , the pre-push chamber side of the main chamber is formed by an inner main panel, the side of the main chamber opposite from the pre-push chamber is formed by an outer main panel, and the lower edges of each of the inner main panel and outer main panel are provided with a main chamber The pre-push chamber is formed by a pre-push panel that is joined to the inner main panel, and the manufacturing method of the airbag cushion is as follows: A first sewing process in which the side edge of the bottom panel is sewn over the lower edge of the bottom panel, and a second sewing process in which the inner main panel and the outer main panel are sewn together from the upper edge side to the lower edge side at a predetermined distance from the rear edge of each of the inner and outer main panels. The present invention is characterized by having a third sewing process in which the inner main panel and the outer main panel are sewn together from the front edge to the upper edge and the rear edge.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to manufacture an airbag cushion with a bottom panel and a thick lower part using a simple procedure.

The above airbag cushion further includes a diffuser which is provided in the pre-push chamber and contains a predetermined inflator and whose upper and lower ends are open. In the front, a first cutting process is performed in which a predetermined part within the range of the main lower chamber of the inner main panel is cut to provide a panel notch, and a pair of diffuser notches are provided by cutting both front and rear sides from the lower end of the diffuser. It may include a second notch process and a diffuser installation process in which the lower end of the diffuser is installed in a bifurcated state by inserting the edge of the panel notch into the pair of diffuser notches. .

According to the above configuration, it is possible to manufacture an airbag cushion capable of distributing gas to the pre-push chamber and the main lower chamber through a simple procedure.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle side airbag device and an airbag cushion manufacturing method that can improve occupant restraint performance with a simple configuration.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle side airbag system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which independently illustrated the airbag cushion of FIG.1(b). It is a figure which illustrated the structure of the panel member of the airbag cushion of Fig.2 (a). 4 is a cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion shown in FIG. 3. FIG. It is a figure which illustrated the positional relationship between the airbag cushion of FIG.2(b) and an occupant. 6 is a diagram illustrating an open vent of the airbag cushion of FIG. 5. FIG. It is a figure which illustrated the modification of the open vent of Fig.6 (a). It is a figure which illustrated the manufacturing method of the airbag cushion of Fig.3 (a). It is a figure which illustrated the modification of the airbag cushion of FIG.3(b). 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views of the airbag cushion of FIG. 9. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the baffle in FIG. 3. FIG.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in these embodiments are merely illustrative to facilitate understanding of the invention, and do not limit the invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and the drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to omit redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from illustration. do.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle side airbag device (hereinafter referred to as side airbag device 100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows an example of the airbag cushion 112 before it is moved. The side airbag device 100 can be installed in the front row, rear row, or any seat on either the left or right side of the vehicle.

In this embodiment, when the occupant is seated in the vehicle seat 102 in a normal posture, the direction in which the occupant is facing is the forward direction, the opposite direction of the back is backward, and the right hand side of the occupant is the right direction. The left direction is the passenger's left hand side. Further, when the occupant is seated in a normal posture, the direction of the occupant's head is upward, and the direction of the occupant's feet is downward. In the drawings used in the following explanation, the front, rear, left, right, up and down directions based on the passenger in the normal seating position mentioned above are indicated by arrows F (Forward), B (Back), L (Left), and R (Right) as necessary. , U(up), D(down).

In FIG. 1(a), the outer skin and seat pad (for example, urethane material) of the seat back 104 of the seat 102 are omitted, and only the seat frame 106 is illustrated. The seat frame 106 is a member built into the seat back 104 and serves as a skeleton.

The airbag module 110 is built into the side of the seat 102 and attached to the side frame 108 of the seat frame 106, for example. The side frames 108 are parts of the seat frame 106 that extend along the left and right sides of the seat back 104.

In this embodiment, the airbag module 110 is attached to the side frame 108 on the left side of the seat back 104 in the width direction. However, the airbag module 110 can also be attached to the right side frame of the seat back 104 in the width direction. That is, the airbag module 110 can be installed either on the side of the seat 102 on the door side near the collision location (near side) or on the side of the seat 102 on the inside of the vehicle far from the collision location (far side). .

The airbag module 110 includes an airbag cushion 112 and an inflator 114. The airbag cushion 112 is a bag-like member that can be inflated with gas, and is wound or folded into a predetermined storage configuration and attached to the side frame. The airbag cushion 112 is inflated and deployed in an emergency such as when a shock occurs to the vehicle, and restrains the occupant seated on the seat 102.

The inflator 114 is a gas generator that is electrically connected to the vehicle, moves when it receives a signal from the vehicle due to the detection of an impact, and supplies gas to the airbag cushion 112. In this embodiment, a cylindrical type inflator is used as the inflator 114. The inflator 114 is inserted into the airbag cushion 112 in a vertically longitudinal direction along the side frame 108, and is attached to the side frame 108 using stud bolts (not shown).

Currently popular inflators include types that are filled with a gas generating agent and combust to generate gas, types that are filled with compressed gas and supply gas without generating heat, and types that are filled with compressed gas and supply gas without generating heat, or There are hybrid types that use both gas and compressed gas. Any type of inflator 114 can be used.

FIG. 1(b) is a diagram illustrating the state of the airbag cushion 112 of FIG. 1(a) after it is inflated and deployed. The side airbag device 100 moves the airbag module 110 when a collision is detected through various sensors and a predetermined electronic control unit (ECU).

The inflator 114 blows out gas due to a movable signal sent from the above-mentioned ECU or the like. The airbag cushion 112 uses gas from the inflator 114 to push away the skin of the seatbag 104 and inflate into the indoor space.

FIG. 2 is a diagram independently illustrating the airbag cushion 112 of FIG. 1(b). FIG. 2(a) is a diagram illustrating the airbag cushion 112 of FIG. 1(b) viewed from the outside in the width direction of the seat.

The airbag cushion 112 of this embodiment includes a main chamber 116 as a main part that restrains the occupant. The main chamber 116 is a portion that expands and expands widely toward the front from the side frame 108 (see FIG. 1(b)). The inside of the main chamber 116 is divided by a baffle 146, which will be described later, into an upper main upper chamber 118 that mainly restrains the shoulders and chest of the occupant, and a lower main lower chamber 120 that mainly restrains the occupant's waist. ing.

As illustrated in FIG. 1(b), the airbag cushion 112 includes a pre-push chamber 122 as a portion that is inflated and deployed before the main chamber 116. The pre-push chamber 122 protrudes from the main chamber 116 toward the center in the width direction of the seat back 104 and is inflated and deployed.

The pre-push chamber 122 is provided on the side of the occupant seated on the seat 102 when viewed from the main chamber 116, and receives gas from the inflator 114 first, inflates and deploys before the main chamber 116, and pushes the occupant into the seat 102. Push it back to the center. The main chamber 116 expands and expands upon receiving the gas that has passed through the pre-push chamber 122, thereby broadly restraining the occupant's body.

FIG. 2(b) is a diagram illustrating the airbag cushion 112 of FIG. 2(a) as seen from the front of the seat 102 (see FIG. 1(b)). The airbag cushion 112 has a three-dimensional lower part by using a bottom panel 144, which will be described later, and the lower part is thicker than the upper part in the width direction of the seat 102.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a panel member of the airbag cushion 112 in FIG. 2(a). FIG. 3(a) illustrates a panel member of the airbag cushion 112 corresponding to FIG. 2(a).

The airbag cushion 112 is a bag-like member, and is formed by sewing or gluing together multiple base fabrics that make up its surface, or by spinning or weaving using OPW (One-Piece Woven). There is.

An inflator insertion portion 124 is provided in the rear portion of the airbag cushion 112 when it is expanded. The inflator insertion part 124 is a part into which the inflator 114 (see FIG. 2(a)) is inserted and installed, and is provided inside the pre-push chamber 122 at a position located behind the main chamber 116.

The inflator insertion portion 124 is provided with

bolt holes

126 and 128 through which two stud bolts of the inflator 114 (see FIG. 2(a)) pass. The stud bolts are exposed to the outside through the bolt holes 126 and 128, and are fastened and fixed to the side frame 108 (see FIG. 1(b)). Accordingly, the airbag cushion 112 is also attached to the side frame 108.

Note that the inflator insertion portion 124 is assumed to have a structure in which stud bolts are fastened to the side frame 108 from the center side of the seat 102, but it is also assumed that the inflator insertion portion 124 is structured to fasten stud bolts to the side frame 108 from the outside. is also possible.

A frame grounding portion 130 is formed at the rear of the main chamber 116. The frame ground portion 130 is a portion outside the pre-push chamber 122 in the width direction. The frame grounding portion 130 is provided in a shape along the side frame 108 (see FIG. 1(b)) so that the pre-push chamber 122 receives a reaction force from the side frame 108.

FIG. 3(b) is an exploded view of each panel member of the airbag cushion 112 of FIG. 3(a). As illustrated in FIG. 3(b), the main chamber 116 includes an inner main panel 136 on the pre-push chamber 122 side, that is, on the inner side in the width direction of the seat 102 (see FIG. 1(b)), and an inner main panel 136 on the opposite side, that is, on the inner side of the seat 102 (see FIG. 1(b)). and an outer main panel 134 on the outer side in the width direction.

A baffle 146 is arranged between the inner main panel 136 and the outer main panel 134, and the baffle 146 separates the inside of the main chamber 116 (see FIG. 4(b)) into a main upper chamber 118 and a main lower chamber 120, which will be described later. It is divided into

A bottom panel 144 spans the lower edges of each of the inner main panel 136 and the outer main panel 134. Bottom panel 144 forms the bottom of main lower chamber 120 and provides thickness to main lower chamber 120 .

A pre-push panel 138 that forms the pre-push chamber 122 (see FIG. 1(b)) is joined to the seat side of the inner main panel 136. The pre-push panel 138 has an L-shape along the shape of the pre-push chamber 122 in this embodiment. An inner tube 132 is arranged inside the pre-push panel 138.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion 112 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4(a) is a sectional view taken along line AA of the airbag cushion 112 in FIG.

The pre-push chamber 122 is provided with an inflator insertion portion 124. The inflator insertion portion 124 includes an inner tube 132 that rectifies gas in the vertical direction. The inflator insertion portion 124 is attached to the side frame 108 (see FIG. 1(b)) from the center side in the width direction of the seat back 104, with stud bolts of the inflator 114 exposed to the outside through bolt holes 126 and the like.

The pre-push chamber 122 is quickly supplied with gas from the inflator 114 (see FIG. 2(a)), and quickly completes inflation and deployment before the main chamber 116. The pre-push chamber 122 pushes aside the seat pad, etc. inside the seat 102 (see FIG. 1(a)) to secure a space for the main chamber 116 to inflate and deploy, while pushing the occupant back toward the center of the seat 102. .

As illustrated in FIG. 1(b), the pre-push chamber 122 has an L-shape provided from the rear to the bottom of the airbag cushion 112. Of the pre-push chambers 122, the pre-upper chamber 122a extends in the vertical direction along the seat back 104. The pre-lower chamber 122b extends forward along the seat cushion 105 of the seat 102 from the lower portion of the pre-upper chamber 122a.

Among the main chambers 116 in FIG. 3(a), the main upper chamber 118 is provided in a range that overlaps with the pre-upper chamber 122a when the seat 102 is viewed from the side. The main upper chamber 118 is connected to the pre-upper chamber 122a by first

inner vents

140a, 140b.

As illustrated in FIG. 4(a), gas from the inflator 114 (see FIG. 2(a)) is supplied to the main upper chamber 118 from the pre-upper chamber 122a through the first inner vent 140b.

Vent holes

142a and 142b are provided on the front side of the main upper chamber 118, and the gas that has expanded and expanded the main upper chamber 118 is discharged to the outside from the

vent holes

142a and 142b.

FIG. 4(b) is a BB cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion 112 in FIG. 3. The main lower chamber 120 is provided below the main upper chamber 118 in a range that overlaps with the pre-lower chamber 122b. The main lower chamber 120 receives gas from the pre-lower chamber 122b through the second inner vent 148a, and mainly restrains the waist of the occupant.

A baffle 146 is provided inside the main chamber 116. The baffle 146 is a panel member made of the same base fabric as the outer main panel 134 and the like, and is joined to the outer main panel 134 and the inner main panel 136 by sewing. The main chamber 116 is divided into a main upper chamber 118 and a main lower chamber 120 by the baffle 146, and gas cannot pass between the main upper chamber 118 and the main lower chamber 120.

Note that the baffle 146 can also be sewn to the outer main panel 134 and the inner main panel 136 together with the pre-push panel 138. In addition, although the baffle 146 is arranged so that the crease is located on the upper side in FIG. 3(b), it is also possible to arrange it so that the crease is located on the lower side. Furthermore, as an element in place of the baffle 146, it is also possible to connect the inside of the main chamber 116 to the main upper chamber 118 by providing a sewn portion that joins the outer main panel 134 and the inner main panel 136 in the same area as the joint area of the baffle 146. It is possible to realize a compartment that partitions the lower chamber 120.

A bottom panel 144 forms the bottom of the pre-lower chamber 122b. Bottom panel 144 spans the lower edges of each of inner main panel 136 and outer main panel 134.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the airbag cushion 112 in FIG. 2(b) and the occupant. The main lower chamber 120 has a thickness in the width direction of the seat 102 due to the bottom panel 144 provided therein.

As explained above, in the airbag cushion 112 of this embodiment, the pre-push chamber 122 quickly inflates and deploys to push the occupant P1 back toward the center of the seat 102, and then the main chamber 116 widely inflates and deploys. , the occupant P1 can be restrained efficiently.

In the airbag cushion 112, the pre-lower chamber 122b expands along the seat cushion 105, and the main lower chamber 120 inflates and deploys by receiving gas from the pre-lower chamber 122b. This main lower chamber 120 can restrain the waist 150 of the occupant P1 seated on the seat cushion 105.

The thickness of the main lower chamber 120 in the width direction of the seat 102 is increased by the bottom panel 144, and the area of contact with the occupant P1 is thereby increased, so that the heavy waist portion 150 can be fully restrained. As described above, according to the airbag cushion 112 of this embodiment, by using the baffle 146, the bottom panel 144, etc., the amount of movement of the occupant P1 from the seat 102 can be increased with a simple configuration that does not involve changing the inflator or the like. This makes it possible to improve the occupant restraint performance of the airbag cushion 112.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the open vent 152 of the airbag cushion 112 of FIG. 5. FIG. 6(a) is an enlarged view illustrating the open vent 152 of FIG. 3(a). The airbag cushion 112 has an open vent 152 as a portion for exhausting gas from the main lower chamber 120 to the outside.

FIG. 6(b) is a schematic diagram when the open vent 152 of FIG. 5 is closed. The open vent 152 is formed by opening a portion surrounded by the inner main panel 136, the outer main panel 134, and the bottom panel 144 without sewing.

FIG. 6(c) is a schematic diagram when the open vent 152 of FIG. 6(b) is opened. Since the open vent 152 is formed at a location where the inner main panel 136, the outer main panel 134, and the bottom panel 144 converge, the open vent 152 opens when a gas force is applied to each panel from the inside.

When creating a vent hole by providing a through hole in a panel as in the past, it is necessary to secure a location where a vent hole of a certain diameter can be placed and perform a corresponding sewing procedure to form the vent hole. In comparison, the open vent 152 can be formed by not sewing the area where the three panels intersect, and it is easy to open it to a large diameter to increase the amount of gas discharged. In this way, with the open vent 152, it is possible to realize a vent hole through which gas can be easily discharged with a simple configuration.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the open vent 152 is formed on the front side of the bottom panel 144 in the front-rear direction of the seat 102. According to this configuration, gas can be smoothly discharged to the front of the airbag cushion 112 where the occupant P1 is not present.

In addition, as another configuration, the open vent 152 can be formed on the rear side of the bottom panel 144 in the front-rear direction of the seat 102. With this configuration as well, gas can be smoothly discharged to the rear of the airbag cushion 112 where the occupant P1 is not present.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a modification (open vent 208) of the open vent 152 in FIG. 6(a). The arm lifting bag 200 in FIG. 7 is an airbag cushion that lifts the arm of the occupant P1 (see FIG. 5) from below and holds it in an appropriate position, and is installed on the side of the seat 102 or on the inside of the vehicle at a side door. can do.

The arm lifting bag 200 has an inner main panel 202 on the inside of the vehicle, an outer main panel 204 on the outer side of the vehicle, and a top panel 206 forming a top surface. The open vent 208 can be provided on the front side of the top panel 206 at a location surrounded by the inner main panel 202, the outer main panel 204, and the top panel 206. The open vents 208 also open when gas force is applied to each panel from the inside, allowing the gas to be efficiently exhausted.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing the airbag cushion 112 shown in FIG. 3(a). The method for manufacturing the airbag cushion 112 mainly represents the steps for forming the main chamber 116.

In forming the main chamber 116, first, as a step of forming the bottom surface of the main chamber 116, a first sewing process is performed in which the side edges of the bottom panel 144 are overlapped with the lower edges of each of the inner main panel 136 and the outer main panel 134. Processing (sewing section 160) is performed.

Next, as a step of forming the rear edge of the main chamber 116, a second sewing process is performed in which parts of the inner main panel 136 and the outer main panel 134 are sewn together at a predetermined distance from the rear edges from the upper edge side to the lower edge side. Processing (sewing section 162) is performed. As a result, a frame ground portion 130 is formed.

Then, a third sewing process (sewing section 164) is performed in which the outer peripheries of the inner main panel 136 and the outer main panel 134 from the front edge to the upper edge and the rear edge are sewn together, and the outer periphery sewing of the airbag cushion 112 is completed. . At this time, the open vent 152 can be formed by separating the sewn portion 164 from the sewn portion 160 and providing a non-sewn portion. By these steps, the airbag cushion 112 with the bottom panel 144 and a thicker bottom can be manufactured in a simple manner.

The bottom panel 144 is folded between the inner main panel 136 and the outer main panel 134 as shown in FIG. 4(b) when the airbag cushion 112 in the stowed form shown in FIG. 1(a) is built into the seat 102. , it may be in a state called so-called tuck-in. In FIG. 4B, for example, the bottom panel 144 can be folded into a mountain fold toward the inside of the main lower chamber 120 so as not to protrude from the inner main panel 136 and the outer main panel 134. can. As a result, the airbag cushion 112 can be folded into a small size and stored efficiently inside the seat 102, and can be smoothly inflated and deployed by the force of gas.

(Modified airbag cushion)
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a modification (airbag cushion 220) of the airbag cushion 122 of FIG. 3(b). In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the constituent elements that have already been explained, and the explanation thereof will be omitted. In addition, components having the same names as those already described have the same configuration and function even if they are given different symbols.

FIG. 9(a) is a diagram illustrating the airbag cushion 220 corresponding to FIG. 3(b). The airbag cushion 220 includes a diffuser 222 as a member similar to the inner tube 132 (see FIG. 3(b)). The diffuser 222 is also a cylindrical member installed in the pre-push chamber 122 to enclose the inflator 114 (see FIG. 1(b)).

The diffuser 222 has

openings

224a and 224b at its upper and lower ends, respectively, and rectifies the gas from the inflator 114 (see FIG. 1(b)) in the vertical direction. The diffuser 222 has

bolt holes

226a and 226b through which stud bolts of the inflator 114 pass, and is attached to the side frame 108 together with the inflator 114 from the center side in the width direction of the seat back 104.

FIG. 9(b) is a diagram illustrating the inner main panel 228 and diffuser 222 of FIG. 9(a) as viewed from the outside in the width direction of the seat back 104 (see FIG. 1(b)). In FIG. 9(b), the inner main panel 228 is illustrated in a flatly expanded state, and the diffuser 222 is illustrated as a perspective view.

In this modification, a panel cutout 230 is provided in the inner main panel 228 as a portion into which the diffuser 222 is inserted. The panel notch 230 is provided by cutting in the rear end side of the inner main panel 228 within the range of the main lower chamber 120 in the lateral direction.

The diffuser 222 is provided with a pair of

diffuser notches

234a and 234b that are inserted into the edge 232 of the panel notch 230. The diffuser cut portions 234a are provided by cutting a predetermined range extending upward from the lower end of the diffuser 222 on both front and rear sides of the lower end.

FIG. 9(c) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the inner main panel 228 and diffuser 222 of FIG. 9(b) are combined. The diffuser 222 is assembled to the inner main panel 228 by inserting the edge 232 of the panel notch 230 into the pair of

diffuser notches

234a and 234b, and sewing with a sewing part 238 provided on the front side.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion 220 shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 10(a) is a sectional view of the airbag cushion 220 corresponding to the CC sectional view of the diffuser 222 in FIG. 9(c).

The lower end side of the diffuser 222 is divided into two as a gas outlet by inserting the edge 232 of the panel notch 230 (see FIG. 9(c)) into the pair of

diffuser notches

234a and 234b. It has become. For example, on the lower end side of the diffuser 222, an inner opening 236a that supplies gas to the pre-push chamber and an outer opening 236b that supplies gas to the main lower chamber 120 are formed with the inner main panel 228 as a boundary. .

FIG. 10(b) is a sectional view of the airbag cushion 220 corresponding to the DD sectional view of the diffuser 222 in FIG. 9(c). As described above, the lower end of the diffuser 222 is inserted into the panel cutout 230, thereby being installed in a bifurcated state. As a result, the lower end side of the bifurcated diffuser 222 is formed with an inner opening 236a that opens inside the pre-push chamber 122 on one side, and an outer opening 236b that opens after being inserted into the main lower chamber 120 on the other side. be done.

According to this modification, by distributing gas to the pre-push chamber 122 and the main lower chamber 120 from the lower end of the bifurcated diffuser 222, the pre-push chamber 122 and the main lower chamber 120 are inflated and deployed in parallel. , it becomes possible to quickly increase the thickness and restrain the waist 150 of the occupant P1 (FIG. 5).

In this modification, by supplying gas to the main lower chamber 120 from the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion 220 to increase the thickness, the amount of movement that can be achieved when receiving the lumbar region 150 of the occupant P1 from the side; In other words, a large stroke amount can be secured. As described above, the airbag cushion 220 of this modification has a simple configuration and can distribute gas to the pre-push chamber 122 and the main lower chamber 120, thereby further improving the occupant restraint performance.

The method for manufacturing the airbag cushion 220 includes a step of assembling the diffuser 222 to the inner main panel 228 before the second sewing process (162) in the method for manufacturing the airbag cushion 112 described with reference to FIG. This is achieved by

For example, first, as a step of providing the panel cut portion 230, a first cut process is performed in which a predetermined location within the main lower chamber 120 of the inner main panel 228 is cut.

Next, as a step of providing a pair of

diffuser notches

234a and 234b in the diffuser 222, a second incision process is performed in which both front and rear sides of the diffuser 222 are incised from the lower end.

Then, by inserting the edge 232 of the panel notch 230 into the pair of diffuser notches 234a, a diffuser installation process is performed in which the lower end of the diffuser 222 is installed in a bifurcated state.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to manufacture the airbag cushion 220 that can distribute gas between the pre-push chamber 122 and the main lower chamber 120 using a simple procedure.

In addition, as a further modification of the airbag cushion 220 in FIG. 10(b), a pair of notches similar to the

diffuser notches

234a and 234b are provided on the upper end side of the diffuser 222, and the inner main Panel 228 may also include additional panel cuts. According to this configuration, not only the lower end side but also the upper end side of the diffuser 222 is divided into the pre-push chamber 122 and the main upper chamber 118 (see FIG. 2(a)), and the pre-push chamber 122 is split into two from the upper end side of the diffuser 222. It is possible to supply gas to the chamber 122 and the main upper chamber 118 in parallel.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a modification (baffle 240) of the baffle 146 in FIG. 3. FIG. 11(a) is a diagram illustrating the baffle 240 according to FIG. 3(a).

The baffle 240 is installed such that the rear end portion 242 is bent upward along the sewn portion 162 that borders the front side of the frame grounding portion 130 of the main chamber 116.

Here, the baffle 146 in FIG. 9(a) is provided with a notch 147. The notch 147 cuts a region of the baffle 146 that overlaps with the inflator 114 (see FIG. 2(a)) near the rear end portion 149 when viewed from the width direction of the seat 102 (see FIG. 1(b)). It is formed by lack. By providing the notch 147 in the baffle 146, the thickness of the rear part of the airbag cushion 112 can be suppressed, and the airbag cushion 112 can be smoothly inflated and deployed while it is in contact with the seat frame 106.

FIG. 11(b) is a diagram illustrating the baffle 340 according to FIG. 3(b). The rear end 242 of the baffle 240 has a notch 244 formed in the center thereof, and bifurcated side edges 246a and 246b.

The rear end portion 242 of the baffle 240 including the cutout portion 244 is bent upwardly from the airbag cushion 112 and extends along the sewn portion 162 that forms the rear edge of the main chamber 116 (see FIG. 11(a)). Sewn. The

side edge portions

246a and 246b have an elongated shape and do not spread out after being overlapped and sewn along the sewn portion 162, so that the thickness when the airbag cushion 112 is inflated and deployed can be suppressed.

As described above, by bending the rear end portion 242 upward and sewing it to the sewn portion 162, the baffle 240 can reduce the thickness of the rear side of the airbag cushion 112 and reduce the thickness of the frame grounding portion 130 (FIG. 11(a)). ) can be suitably formed. Therefore, the airbag cushion 112 including the baffle 240 can be smoothly inflated and deployed while in contact with the seat frame 106 (see FIG. 1(b)).

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the embodiments described above are preferred examples of the present invention, and other embodiments may be carried out or implemented in various ways. Can be carried out. Unless otherwise specified in the specification of the present application, the present invention is not limited to the detailed shapes, sizes, configurations, etc. of parts shown in the accompanying drawings. In addition, the expressions and terms used in this specification are for the purpose of explanation, and are not limited thereto unless there is a specific description of the purpose of limitation.

Therefore, it is clear that those skilled in the art can come up with various changes and modifications within the scope of the claims, and these naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood that

The present invention can be used in a vehicle side airbag device installed in a vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100... Side airbag device, 102... Seat, 104... Seat back, 105... Seat cushion, 106... Seat frame, 108... Side frame, 110... Airbag module, 112... Airbag cushion, 114... Inflator, 116... Main Chamber, 118... Main upper chamber, 120... Main lower chamber, 122... Pre-push chamber, 122a... Pre-upper chamber, 122b... Pre-lower chamber, 124... Inflator insertion part, 126, 128... Bolt hole, 130... Frame grounding part , 132... Inner tube, 134... Outer main panel, 136... Inner main panel, 138... Pre-push panel, 140a, 140b... First inner vent, 142a, 142b... Vent hole, 144... Bottom panel, 146... Baffle, 147 ... Notch, 148a, 148b... Second inner vent, 149... Rear end portion, 152... Open vent, P1... Passenger, 200... Arm lifting bag, 202... Inner main panel, 204... Outer main panel, 206... Top panel , 208...Open vent 220...Air bag cushion, 222...Diffuser, 224a, 224b...Opening, 226a, 226b...Bolt hole, 228...Inner main panel, 230...Panel notch, 232...Edge, 234a, 234b...Diffuser Notch portion, 236a...inner opening, 236b...outer opening, 238...sewn portion, 240...baffle, 242...rear end portion, 244...notch portion, 246a, 246b...side edge portion

Claims

A vehicle side airbag device comprising an airbag module attached to a side frame of a seat back of a vehicle seat,
The airbag module includes:
an airbag cushion that is rolled or folded into a predetermined storage configuration and is attached to the side frame;
an inflator attached to the side frame while being inserted into the airbag cushion;
has
The airbag cushion is
a pre-push chamber that initially receives gas from the inflator and expands and expands;
a main chamber that expands and expands upon receiving the gas that has passed through the pre-push chamber;
has
The pre-push chamber is
a pre-upper chamber extending vertically along the seat back;
a pre-lower chamber extending forward from a lower portion of the pre-upper chamber along a seat cushion of the vehicle seat;
has
The main chamber is
a main upper chamber that is provided in a range that overlaps the pre-upper chamber when viewed from the side of the vehicle seat and receives gas from the pre-upper chamber;
a main lower chamber provided below the main upper chamber in a range overlapping with the pre-lower chamber and receiving gas from the pre-lower chamber;
a partition section that partitions the main upper chamber and the main lower chamber so that gas cannot pass therethrough;
has
the pre-push chamber side of the main chamber is formed by an inner main panel;
A side of the main chamber opposite to the pre-push chamber is formed with an outer main panel;
A side airbag device for a vehicle, wherein a bottom panel forming a bottom surface of the main lower chamber extends over the lower edges of each of the inner main panel and the outer main panel.
2. The bottom panel is folded between the inner main panel and the outer main panel when the airbag cushion in the stored form is built into the vehicle seat. side airbag device for vehicles.
The partition portion is formed by a baffle extending between the inner main panel and the outer main panel,
The vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the baffle has a cutout portion in the vicinity of a rear end portion when viewed from the width direction of the vehicle seat, the cutout portion being cut out in a range overlapping with the inflator. Side airbag device.
The partition portion is formed by a baffle extending between the inner main panel and the outer main panel,
The baffle has a notch cut out in a predetermined range near the rear end portion when viewed from the width direction of the vehicle seat,
1 . The rear end portion of the baffle including the cutout portion is bent upwardly of the airbag cushion and is sewn along a sewing portion forming a rear edge of the main chamber. Or the vehicle side airbag device according to 2.
The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the partition portion is formed by a sewn portion formed by sewing the inner main panel and the outer main panel.
The side airbag for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the airbag cushion further has an open vent that is surrounded by the inner main panel, the outer main panel, and the bottom panel. Device.
The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 6, wherein the open vent is formed on the front side of the bottom panel in the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat.
The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 6, wherein the open vent is formed on the rear side of the bottom panel in the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat.
the inflator is inserted into the pre-push chamber,
The airbag cushion further includes a diffuser provided in the pre-push chamber, containing the inflator, and having upper and lower ends open.
3. The lower end of the diffuser is bifurcated, one of which is open in the pre-push chamber, and the other is inserted into and opens in the main lower chamber. side airbag device for vehicles.
The inner main panel has a panel cutout cut at a predetermined location within the main lower chamber,
The diffuser has a pair of diffuser notches cut from the lower end on both front and rear sides,
10. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the lower end of the diffuser is divided into two by inserting an edge of the panel notch into the pair of diffuser notches. Side airbag device.
A method for manufacturing an airbag cushion built into a side part of a vehicle seat, the method comprising:
The airbag cushion is
a main chamber that inflates and deploys forward from a side of the vehicle seat;
a pre-push chamber that is provided on the side of the main chamber for a passenger seated on the vehicle seat and completes inflation and deployment before the main chamber;
has
the pre-push chamber side of the main chamber is formed by an inner main panel;
A side of the main chamber opposite to the pre-push chamber is formed with an outer main panel;
A bottom panel forming a bottom surface of the main chamber extends over the lower edges of each of the inner main panel and the outer main panel,
The pre-push chamber is formed of a pre-push panel joined to the inner main panel,
The method for manufacturing the airbag cushion is as follows:
a first sewing process of sewing a side edge of the bottom panel overlapping the lower edge of each of the inner main panel and the outer main panel;
a second sewing process in which parts of the inner main panel and the outer main panel are sewn together at a predetermined distance from the rear edge from the upper edge side to the lower edge side;
a third sewing process in which the inner main panel and the outer main panel are sewn to each other from a front edge to an upper edge and a rear edge;
A method for manufacturing an airbag cushion, comprising:
The airbag cushion further includes a diffuser provided in the pre-push chamber, containing a predetermined inflator, and having upper and lower ends open.
The method for manufacturing the airbag cushion includes, before the second sewing process,
a first cutting process to provide a panel notch by cutting a predetermined location within the main lower chamber of the inner main panel;
a second cutting process to provide a pair of diffuser notches by cutting both front and rear sides from the lower end of the diffuser;
a diffuser installation process of installing the lower end of the diffuser in a bifurcated state by inserting the edge of the panel notch into the pair of diffuser notches;
The method for manufacturing an airbag cushion according to claim 11, comprising: