Vehicle occupant restraint device and far side airbag folding method

Abstract

To provide an occupant restraint device for a vehicle that can restrain an occupant with a far-side airbag even if a left side seat and a right side seat are arranged with a deviation in a vehicle cross direction, and a far-side airbag folding method of the same.SOLUTION: An occupant restraint device 10 for vehicle includes: a left side seat 12L and a right side seat 12R provided in a movable manner in the front-rear direction in a cabin; and a far-side airbag 34 which is provided in a side part on the vehicle width direction inner side of a seat back 16R in the right side seat 12R, and inflates and expands to the vehicle width direction inner side of an occupant P seated on the right side seat 12R by the supply of gas from an inflator 32. The far-side airbag 34 has a rearward expansion part 38 that expands rearward beyond the seat back 16R of the right side seat 12R, and overlaps with a seat back 16L of a left side seat 12L in the lateral view even if the left side seat 12L is positioned with a deviation in the front-rear direction relative to the right side seat 12R.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle occupant restraint device and a method for folding a far side airbag. [Background technology]

[0002] A structure in which a sub-chamber is provided on the vehicle width inner side of the main chamber of a far side airbag that inflates and deploys toward the vehicle width inner side of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat during a side collision of the vehicle, and the main chamber receives a reaction force from the side support portion of the seat back of the adjacent vehicle seat via the sub-chamber, thereby suppressing movement of the occupant toward the vehicle width inner side due to inertial force, has been known for some time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-066422 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above structure is limited to cases where the left and right vehicle seats are arranged side by side at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In other words, if the left and right vehicle seats are arranged offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the sub-chamber may not come into contact with the side support portion of the seat back of the adjacent vehicle seat, and the main chamber may not receive sufficient reaction force from the side support portion via the sub-chamber.

[0005] If the main chamber does not receive sufficient reaction force from the side support portion of the seatback of the adjacent vehicle seat via the sub-chamber, an occupant who moves toward the main chamber (toward the inside of the vehicle width direction) due to inertial force may fall toward the inside of the vehicle width direction along with the main chamber.As such, there is room for improvement in the structure that can restrain an occupant with a far side airbag when the left and right vehicle seats (the left seat and the right seat) are positioned offset from each other in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle occupant restraint device that can restrain an occupant with a far side airbag even if the left seat and the right seat are positioned offset in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and a method for folding the far side airbag. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle occupant restraint device comprising: a left seat and a right seat each arranged in a vehicle compartment so as to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle; an inflator arranged on the inner side of the seat back of one of the left and right seats in the vehicle width direction, which inflates and deploys toward the inner side of the vehicle width direction of an occupant seated in one of the seats when the gas is supplied to the far side airbag; and the far side airbag has a main chamber and a rearward deployment portion which is formed integrally with the main chamber and deploys beyond the seat back of the one of the seats toward the rear of the vehicle, and is configured to overlap with the seat back of the other of the left and right seats in a side view, even if the other of the left and right seats is positioned offset in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle relative to the other seat.

[0008] According to the first aspect of the invention, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, an inflator provided on the inner side of the seat back of either the left or right seat is activated, and gas ejected from the inflator is supplied to the inside of a far side airbag provided on the inner side of the seat back of the one seat in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the far side airbag inflates and deploys toward the inner side of the vehicle width direction of the occupant seated in the one seat. Note that "in the event of a side collision of the vehicle" includes not only when a side collision of the vehicle is detected, but also when a side collision of the vehicle is predicted.

[0009] Here, the far side airbag has a main chamber and a rearward deploying portion that is integral with the main chamber and deploys toward the rear of the vehicle over the seatback of one of the seats. Therefore, even if the other of the left and right seats is positioned offset in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle relative to the one seat, the far side airbag overlaps with the seatback of the other seat in a side view. Therefore, the far side airbag can obtain a reaction force from the seatback of the other seat. In other words, according to the present invention, the far side airbag restrains the occupant even if the left and right seats are positioned offset in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

[0010] In addition, a second aspect of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention is a vehicle occupant restraint device of the first aspect, which includes a console box provided between the left seat and the right seat in the vehicle compartment, and the far side airbag inflates and deploys above the vehicle above the top surface of the console box, covering at least the occupant from the abdomen to the head in a side view.

[0011] According to the second aspect of the invention, the far side airbag inflates and deploys above the upper surface of the console box, covering at least the occupant from the abdomen to the head in a side view. This prevents the far side airbag from being affected by reaction forces from the console box and maintains a constant inflation and deployment position, thereby exerting a desired restraint force on the occupant.

[0012] Furthermore, a third aspect of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention is a vehicle occupant restraint device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the far side airbag has a step portion near the contact point that contacts the front end of the side portion of the seat back of the other seat in a plan view when the one seat is positioned in the frontmost position and the other seat is positioned in the rearmost position.

[0013] According to the third aspect of the invention, when the one seat is positioned in the frontmost position and the other seat is positioned in the rearmost position, a step portion is formed near the contact point of the far side airbag that contacts the front end of the side portion of the seat back of the other seat in a plan view.

[0014] During a side collision, the occupant moves inward in the vehicle width direction due to inertial force, pressing the far side airbag toward the other seat. As a result, the far side airbag attempts to rotate inward in the vehicle width direction around its rear end in a plan view. However, a stepped portion formed on the far side airbag catches on the side of the seatback of the other seat, effectively obtaining a reaction force from the seatback of the other seat. Therefore, the far side airbag is prevented from rotating inward in the vehicle width direction, and its amount of inward movement (displacement) in the vehicle width direction is reduced. In other words, the occupant is more effectively restrained.

[0015] Furthermore, a fourth aspect of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention is the vehicle occupant restraint device of the third aspect, wherein the step portion is formed by a plurality of straps or a single tether provided inside the far side airbag.

[0016] According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the step portion is formed by a plurality of straps or a single tether provided inside the far side airbag, which makes it possible to form the step portion in the far side airbag with a simple configuration.

[0017] Furthermore, a fifth aspect of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention is a vehicle occupant restraint device of the fourth aspect, wherein the multiple straps or the single tether are arranged, in a plan view, to connect a point close to the inflator on the seat back of the one seat to the front end of the side portion of the seat back of the other seat, and the length of the multiple straps or the single tether when tensioned by the completion of inflation and deployment of the far side airbag is set to be the shortest distance between the side portion of the seat back of the one seat located at the foremost position and the side portion of the seat back of the other seat located at the rearmost position.

[0018] According to the fifth aspect of the invention, multiple straps or a single tether are arranged to connect, in a plan view, a point on the seatback of the one seat close to the inflator and a front end of a side portion of the seatback of the other seat, and the length of the multiple straps or the single tether in a state where tension is applied upon completion of inflation and deployment of the far side airbag is set to be the shortest distance between the side portion of the seatback of the one seat located at the foremost position and the side portion of the seatback of the other seat located at the rearmost position.

[0019] Therefore, it is possible to maximize the step of the step portion of the far side airbag, and the step portion can easily catch on the side portion of the seatback of the other seat, so that the far side airbag can more effectively receive reaction force from the seatback of the other seat. Note that the "front end" according to the fifth aspect of the invention also includes the vicinity of the front end.

[0020] Furthermore, a sixth aspect of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention is the third aspect of the vehicle occupant restraint device, wherein the step portion is formed by a sub-chamber provided in communication with the main chamber on the vehicle widthwise inner side of the main chamber.

[0021] According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the step portion is formed by a sub-chamber that is provided on the inner side of the main chamber in the vehicle width direction and communicates with the main chamber, thereby enabling the formation of a step portion in the far side airbag with a simple configuration.

[0022] Furthermore, a seventh aspect of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention is a vehicle occupant restraint device of the sixth aspect, wherein when the one seat is positioned in the frontmost position and the other seat is positioned in the rearmost position, in a plan view, the boundary between the vehicle rear portion of the sub-chamber and the vehicle widthwise inner portion of the main chamber is positioned at the front end of the side portion of the seat back of the other seat.

[0023] According to the seventh aspect of the invention, when the one seat is positioned in the frontmost position and the other seat is positioned in the rearmost position, the boundary between the vehicle rear portion of the sub-chamber and the vehicle widthwise inner portion of the main chamber is positioned at the front end of the side portion of the seatback of the other seat in a plan view. Therefore, the sub-chamber is more likely to be caught on the side portion of the seatback of the other seat, and the far side airbag can more effectively receive reaction force from the seatback of the other seat. Note that the "front end" according to the seventh aspect of the invention also includes the vicinity of the front end.

[0024] Furthermore, an eighth aspect of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention is a vehicle occupant restraint device of the first or second aspect, wherein the far side airbag has a front chamber and a rear chamber separated front and rear by a partition cloth, the front chamber constituting the main chamber and the rear chamber constituting the rear deployment portion, and the gas ejected from the inflator is supplied from either the front chamber or the rear chamber to the other of the front chamber or the rear chamber through a communication hole formed in the partition cloth.

[0025] According to an eighth aspect of the invention, the far side airbag has a front chamber and a rear chamber separated front and rear by a partition cloth, the front chamber forming a main chamber and the rear chamber forming a rear deployment portion. The gas ejected from the inflator is supplied to the other of the front chamber and the rear chamber through a communication hole formed in the partition cloth. This allows pressure adjustment of the rear chamber, which receives a reaction force from the seatback of the other seat, and pressure adjustment of the front chamber, which restrains the occupant.

[0026] Furthermore, a ninth aspect of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention is the vehicle occupant restraint device of the eighth aspect, wherein the far side airbag has a sub-chamber located inside the main chamber in the vehicle width direction and connected to the main chamber, and is configured so that the gas ejected from the inflator is also supplied to the sub-chamber, and when the one seat is positioned in the front-most position and the other seat is positioned in the rearmost position, in a plan view, the boundary between the vehicle rear portion of the sub-chamber and the vehicle width inner portion of the main chamber is positioned at the front end of the side of the seat back of the other seat.

[0027] According to a ninth aspect of the invention, the far side airbag has a sub-chamber located inside the main chamber in the vehicle width direction and communicating with the main chamber. The gas ejected from the inflator is also supplied to the sub-chamber, making it possible to adjust the pressure in the sub-chamber.

[0028] Furthermore, when the one seat is positioned in the frontmost position and the other seat is positioned in the rearmost position, in a plan view, the boundary between the vehicle rear portion of the sub-chamber and the vehicle widthwise inner portion of the main chamber is positioned at the front end of the side portion of the seatback of the other seat. Therefore, the sub-chamber is more likely to be caught on the side portion of the seatback of the other seat, and the far side airbag can effectively receive reaction force from the seatback of the other seat. Note that the "front end" according to the ninth aspect of the invention also includes the vicinity of the front end.

[0029] Furthermore, a far side airbag folding method of a tenth aspect according to the present invention is a folding method for a far side airbag in a vehicle occupant restraint device of any one of the first to ninth aspects, and includes an inward folding process of folding the rear deployment portion inward so as to recess it into the interior of the far side airbag, an outward rolling process of rolling the far side airbag after the inward folding process outward with the vertical direction of the vehicle as the axial direction, and a folding process of folding the upper end and lower end of the far side airbag after the outward rolling process so as to bring them closer to each other.

[0030] According to the tenth aspect of the invention, the rear deployment portion is folded inward so as to be recessed into the far side airbag, and then the far side airbag is rolled outward with the vehicle's vertical direction as the axial direction, and then folded so that the upper and lower ends of the far side airbag approach each other. This makes it possible to fold the far side airbag compactly. Furthermore, because the rear deployment portion is folded inward, it is more likely to deploy toward the rear of the vehicle early when inflated and deployed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0031] As described above, according to the present invention, even if the left seat and the right seat are arranged offset in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the occupant can be restrained by the far side airbag. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view showing an inflated and deployed state of a far side airbag when a seat of a vehicle occupant restraint device relating to the first embodiment is located at a frontmost position. FIG. [Figure 2] 3 is a schematic side view showing the inflated and deployed state of a far side airbag when the seat of the vehicle occupant restraint device relating to the first embodiment is located in the rearmost position. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic plan view showing the inflated and deployed state of a far side airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint device according to a first embodiment when the right seat is in the most forward position and the left seat is in the most rearward position. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic plan view showing the inflated and deployed state of a far side airbag of the vehicle occupant restraint device relating to the first embodiment when the right seat and the left seat are in the same position. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic plan view showing an inflated and deployed state of a far side airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint device according to a first embodiment when the right seat is in the rearmost position and the left seat is in the frontmost position. FIG. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are schematic side views showing a plurality of straps and a single tether provided inside the far side airbag of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a schematic plan view showing the inflated and deployed state of the far side airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint device relating to the second embodiment when the right seat is in the most forward position and the left seat is in the most rearward position. FIG. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing the inflated and deployed state of the far side airbag of the vehicle occupant restraint device relating to the second embodiment when the right seat and the left seat are in the same position. [Figure 9] 10 is a schematic plan view showing the inflated and deployed state of the far side airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint device relating to the second embodiment when the right seat is in the rearmost position and the left seat is in the frontmost position. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a schematic plan view showing the inflated and deployed state of the far side airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint device according to a first modified example of the second embodiment when the right seat is in the most forward position and the left seat is in the most rearward position. FIG. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are schematic plan views showing the inflated and deployed state of the far side airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint device relating to a second variant of the second embodiment when the right seat is in the most forward position and the left seat is in the most rearward position. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are schematic plan views showing the inflated and deployed state of the far side airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint device relating to a third modified example of the second embodiment when the right seat is in the most forward position and the left seat is in the most rearward position. [Figure 13] 10A to 10E are schematic side views showing the inflated and deployed state of the far side airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint device relating to a fourth modified example of the second embodiment when the right seat is in the most forward position and the left seat is in the most rearward position. [Figure 14] 11 is a schematic plan view, partially in section, showing the inflated and deployed state of the far side airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint device relating to the third embodiment when the right seat is in the most forward position and the left seat is in the most rearward position. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged view of the inflated and deployed state of the far side airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint device according to a modified example of the third embodiment when the right seat is in the most forward position and the left seat is in the most rearward position. [Figure 16] 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams showing a method for folding the far side airbag according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, the arrow UP shown in each drawing indicates the upward direction of the vehicle and the vehicle seat, the arrow FR indicates the forward direction of the vehicle and the vehicle seat, and the arrow RH indicates the rightward direction of the vehicle and the vehicle seat. Therefore, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, when the directions of up / down, front / rear, and left / right are mentioned, they refer to up / down, front / rear, left / right, and right / left of the vehicle and the vehicle seat. Furthermore, the left / right direction is synonymous with the vehicle width direction and the seat width direction.

[0034] Moreover, "occupant P1" shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, a small occupant corresponding to AF05 (5th percentile of adult American women) of WorldSID (World Side Impact Dummy). And "occupant P2" shown in FIG. 2 is, for example, a large occupant corresponding to AM95 (95th percentile of adult American men) of WorldSID. In the following, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the small occupant P1 and the large occupant P2, they will be referred to as "occupant P."

[0035] First Embodiment First, a description will be given of the first embodiment. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a vehicle seat 12 constituting a vehicle occupant restraint device 10 according to the first embodiment has a seat cushion 14 on which an occupant P sits (supporting the buttocks and thighs of the occupant P), a seatback 16 supporting the back of the occupant P, and a headrest 18 supporting the head Ph of the occupant P.

[0036] In a side view seen from the vehicle width direction (seat width direction), the seat cushion 14 extends in the front-rear direction, and the seat back 16 is connected to the rear end of the seat cushion 14 so as to be rotatable about its axial direction in the seat width direction and extends in the up-down direction. The headrest 18 is provided at the upper end of the seat back 16 in the center in the seat width direction so as to be able to move up and down. The occupant P is restrained in the vehicle seat 12 by a seat belt device (not shown).

[0037] The vehicle seats 12 are, for example, left and right front seats configured to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction by a known electric mechanism, and the vehicle equipped with the vehicle seats 12 in the passenger compartment is, for example, a right-hand drive vehicle. Therefore, the vehicle seat 12 on the right side (hereinafter referred to as the "right seat 12R") is the driver's seat, and the vehicle seat 12 on the left side (hereinafter referred to as the "left seat 12L") is the passenger seat. In the following description, only the seat backs 16 of the left seat 12L and the right seat 12R will be labeled with the letters "L" and "R" to distinguish between left and right.

[0038] In addition, the vehicle side collision will be taken as an example where the side of the passenger seat (left side) is hit. In other words, the passenger seat (left side) is the near side. Therefore, the far side airbag device 30 described below will be taken as an example where it is provided on the driver's seat. In other words, the far side airbag device 30 described below will be taken as an example where it is provided in the seat back 16R of the right seat 12R (one of the seats). Therefore, only the right seat 12R is shown in each of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0039] A console box 20 is provided on the passenger compartment floor (not shown) between the right seat 12R and the left seat 12L (see FIG. 3) (in the center in the vehicle width direction). The console box 20 is a rectangular hollow box whose longitudinal direction is the front-to-rear direction in a plan view. The front wall 22 and the rear wall 24 of the console box 20 each have a flat front surface 22A and a flat rear surface 24A, and the left and right side walls 26 of the console box 20 each have a flat side surface 26A.

[0040] The top of the console box 20 is open and configured to be openable and closable by a lid 28 having a predetermined thickness. The front end of the lid 28 of the console box 20 forms a canopy 29 that protrudes a predetermined distance forward from the front surface 22A of the front wall 22 in a side view. The height of the top surface 28A of the lid 28 of the console box 20 is set to a height that allows the occupant P to rest their elbows (not shown) on it without assuming an awkward posture.

[0041] 1, the frontmost position of the right seat 12R is defined as a state in which, in a side view, the front end surface (frontmost end surface) 16A of the lower side of the side portion (side support portion) of the seat back 16R is positioned forward of the front surface 22A of the front wall 22 of the console box 20. Here, it is assumed that the right seat 12R is positioned at the frontmost position when, for example, a small-sized occupant P1 is seated.

[0042] 2, the rearmost position of the right-side seat 12R is defined as a position where the front end surface 16A of the lower side of the seatback 16R is positioned rearward of the front surface 22A of the front wall 22 of the console box 20 in a side view. Here, for example, in the case of a large occupant P2, the right-side seat 12R is positioned in its rearmost position. The frontmost and rearmost positions of the left-side seat 12L (the other seat) are defined as above.

[0043] A far side airbag device 30 that deploys toward the inside of an occupant P seated in the right seat 12R in the vehicle width direction is provided on the left side (hereinafter referred to as the "left side") of the seatback 16R of the right seat 12R. As shown in Figure 3, the far side airbag device 30 includes an inflator 32 embedded in the left side of the seatback 16R, and a far side airbag 34 into which gas ejected from the inflator 32 is supplied.

[0044] The inflator 32 is a cylindrical gas generator formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, with its axial direction aligned with the side frames 17 that form the framework of both the left and right sides of the seat back 16R (substantially in the vertical direction). The inflator 32 is activated when a side collision of the vehicle is detected or predicted (hereinafter referred to as "at the time of a side collision"), and is capable of instantly supplying gas into the inside of the far side airbag 34.

[0045] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the far side airbag 34 is inflated and deployed above the upper surface 28A of the console box 20 when gas ejected from the inflator 32 is supplied to the interior thereof, and integrally comprises a main chamber 36 that covers at least the abdomen Pw to the head Ph of an occupant P seated in the right seat 12R in a side view, and a rearward deployment portion 38 that deploys rearward from the rear of the main chamber 36, over the rear surface of the seatback 16R.

[0046] The main chamber 36 has a front wall 36F that bulges forward in a generally arc shape in a side view and is configured to be large enough to restrain at least the left side of the occupant P, which is on the inside in the vehicle width direction, of the abdomen Pw, chest Pc, shoulders Ps, and head Ph. The rear deployment portion 38 has a rear wall 38B that bulges rearward in a generally arc shape in a side view. The far side airbag 34 is formed into a single bag shape by sewing the outer peripheral edges of two pieces of base fabric together.

[0047] 3 to 5, the far side airbag 34 has a main chamber 36 and a rearward deployment portion 38 that is integral with the rear portion of the main chamber 36. Therefore, even if the right seat 12R and the left seat 12L are positioned with the greatest longitudinal deviation from each other (even if the right seat 12R is positioned in the foremost position and the left seat 12L is positioned in the rearmost position, maximizing the longitudinal deviation), the far side airbag 34 can overlap with the seat back 16L of the left seat 12L in a side view.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 3, when the right seat 12R is positioned in the frontmost position and the left seat 12L is positioned in the rearmost position, the far side airbag 34 has a step portion 40 near a contact point T that comes into contact with the upper front end (the portion that is the apex in a plan view) 16F of the right side portion (hereinafter referred to as the "right side portion"), which is the side portion on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the seat back 16L of the left seat 12L, in a plan view.

[0049] 6A, the step portion 40 is formed by a plurality of (e.g., three) straps 42 that are provided inside the far side airbag 34 with their longitudinal direction extending substantially in the left-right direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of straps 42 are arranged so as to linearly connect, in a plan view, a proximity point N of the inflator 32 on the seat back 16R of the right seat 12R and a front end 16F (including the vicinity of the front end 16F) on the upper right side of the seat back 16L of the left seat 12L.

[0050] The length of the multiple straps 42 in the approximately left-right direction when tension is applied in the approximately left-right direction due to the complete inflation and deployment of the far side airbag 34 is set to be the shortest distance between the left side portion of the seat back 16R of the right seat 12R located in the most forward position and the right side portion of the seat back 16L of the left seat 12L located in the most rearward position.

[0051] The area in front of the straps 42 is the main chamber 36, and the area behind the straps 42 is the rear deployment portion 38. Gas supplied to the inside of the main chamber 36 of the far side airbag 34 passes above and below the straps 42 and through gaps between the straps 42 and is supplied to the rear deployment portion 38.

[0052] 6(B), the step portion 40 may be formed by a single tether 44 provided inside the far side airbag 34. The tether 44 is similar to the strap 42. The gas supplied to the inside of the main chamber 36 of the far side airbag 34 is supplied to the rear deployment portion 38 through gaps above and below the tether 44.

[0053] Next, the operation of the vehicle occupant restraint device 10 according to the first embodiment configured as above will be described.

[0054] In the event of a side collision of the vehicle (specifically, when the left side of the vehicle collides), the inflator 32 is activated, and gas ejected from the inflator 32 is supplied to the inside of the far side airbag 34 (the main chamber 36 and the rear deployment portion 38). Then, the inner pressure (inflation pressure) of the far side airbag 34, which begins to inflate due to the supply of gas, ruptures the upholstery from approximately the center in the vertical direction to the upper part of the left side of the seat back 16R of the right seat 12R.

[0055] That is, the far side airbag 34 inflates and deploys above the top surface 28A of the console box 20, and the main chamber 36 inflates and deploys toward the left side (inner side in the vehicle width direction) of the abdomen Pw, chest Pc, shoulders Ps, and head Ph of the occupant P. As a result, in a side view, at least the left side of the occupant P from the abdomen Pw to the head Ph is covered by the main chamber 36 from the left side.

[0056] Therefore, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, at least the left side of the occupant P, from the abdomen Pw to the head Ph, can be restrained by the main chamber 36. Moreover, the far side airbag 34 is prevented from being affected by the reaction force from the console box 20, so its inflation and deployment position is kept constant. Therefore, the main chamber 36 can exert a desired restraining force on the occupant P.

[0057] Furthermore, the rearward deployment portion 38 inflates and deploys rearward, passing over the rear surface of the seatback 16R, slightly later than the inflation and deployment of the main chamber 36. Here, for example, if the occupant P seated in the driver's seat is a small occupant P1 and the occupant P seated in the passenger seat is a large occupant P2 (not shown), the right seat 12R will be in the foremost position and the left seat 12L will be in the rearmost position, as shown in Figure 3.

[0058] However, the far side airbag 34 has a rearward deployment portion 38 integrally formed at the rear of the main chamber 36, and therefore can overlap with the seatback 16L of the left seat 12L in a side view. In other words, the far side airbag 34 can receive a reaction force from the seatback 16L of the left seat 12L.

[0059] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the right seat 12R is positioned in the frontmost position and the left seat 12L is positioned in the rearmost position, a step portion 40 is formed in the vicinity of the contact point T of the far side airbag 34 that contacts the front end 16F of the right side portion of the seat back 16L of the left seat 12L in a plan view, so that the far side airbag 34 can effectively obtain a reaction force from the seat back 16L of the left seat 12L.

[0060] Specifically, during a side collision of the vehicle, inertial force causes the occupant P1 to move inward in the vehicle width direction, pressing the far side airbag 34 toward the left seat 12L. This causes the far side airbag 34 to rotate inward in the vehicle width direction around its rear end in a plan view. However, at this time, the stepped portion 40 formed on the far side airbag 34 catches on the right side of the seatback 16L of the left seat 12L, allowing the far side airbag 34 to effectively receive a reaction force from the seatback 16L of the left seat 12L.

[0061] Therefore, the far side airbag 34 is prevented from rotating inward in the vehicle width direction, and the amount of inward movement (displacement) of the far side airbag 34 in the vehicle width direction is reduced. In this way, even if the right seat 12R is in the front-most position and the left seat 12L is in the rear-most position (even if the right seat 12R and the left seat 12L are positioned with the greatest possible displacement in the front-to-rear direction), the far side airbag 34 can effectively restrain the occupant P1 (restraint performance for the occupant P1 can be ensured).

[0062] As shown in FIG. 4, for example, when both the occupant P seated in the driver's seat and the occupant P (not shown) seated in the passenger seat are of standard build, the right seat 12R may be in a standard position (neutral position) approximately in the middle in the fore-and-aft direction, and the left seat 12L may also be in a standard position (neutral position) approximately in the middle in the fore-and-aft direction (the right seat 12R and the left seat 12L may be positioned in the same position in the fore-and-aft direction).

[0063] However, even in this case, the far side airbag 34 can overlap with the seat back 16L of the left seat 12L in a side view. That is, even in this case, the far side airbag 34 can effectively receive a reaction force from the seat back 16L of the left seat 12L, and can effectively restrain the occupant P (ensuring restraint performance for the occupant P).

[0064] Also, for example, as shown in Figure 5, when the occupant P sitting in the driver's seat is a large occupant P2 and the occupant P sitting in the passenger seat is a small occupant P1 (not shown), the right seat 12R takes the rearmost position and the left seat 12L takes the frontmost position (the right seat 12R and the left seat 12L are positioned with the maximum offset in the fore-and-aft direction).

[0065] However, even in this case, the far side airbag 34 can overlap with the seatback 16L of the left seat 12L in a side view. That is, even in this case, the far side airbag 34 can effectively receive a reaction force from the seatback 16L of the left seat 12L, and can effectively restrain the occupant P2 (ensuring restraint performance for the occupant P2).

[0066] Furthermore, the above-described step portion 40 is formed by a plurality of straps 42 or a single tether 44 provided inside the far side airbag 34. Therefore, the step portion 40 can be formed in the far side airbag 34 with a simple configuration.

[0067] Furthermore, the multiple straps 42 or the single tether 44 are arranged, in a plan view, to connect a proximity point N of the inflator 32 on the seat back 16R of the right seat 12R to a front end 16F of the right side portion of the seat back 16L of the left seat 12L. The length of the multiple straps 42 or the single tether 44 in a state where tension is applied due to the completion of inflation and deployment of the far side airbag 34 is set to be the shortest distance between the left side portion of the seat back 16R of the right seat 12R, which is positioned in the foremost position, and the right side portion of the seat back 16L of the left seat 12L, which is positioned in the rearmost position.

[0068] Therefore, the step of the stepped portion 40 of the far side airbag 34 can be maximized, and the stepped portion 40 can easily catch on the right side portion of the seat back 16L of the left seat 12L. In other words, with this configuration, the far side airbag 34 can more effectively receive reaction force from the seat back 16L of the left seat 12L, and can more effectively restrain the occupant P.

[0069] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate parts equivalent to those in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions (including common functions) will be omitted as appropriate.

[0070] As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that the step portion 40 is formed by a sub-chamber 46 that is provided inside the main chamber 36 constituting the far side airbag 34 in the vehicle width direction and is in communication with the main chamber 36.

[0071] Specifically, the sub-chamber 46 is formed so that it has a substantially circular shape when inflated and deployed in a plan view, and is provided by sewing at a substantially intermediate portion in the front-to-rear direction on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the main chamber 36. That is, a circular communication hole (not shown) having a predetermined inner diameter is formed at a substantially intermediate portion in the front-to-rear direction on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the main chamber 36, and the peripheral portion of the circular communication hole (not shown) having a predetermined inner diameter formed in the sub-chamber 46 is sewn to the peripheral portion of the communication hole in the main chamber 36.

[0072] As a result, the sub-chamber 46 is integrally connected to the main chamber 36, and gas is supplied from the main chamber 36 to the sub-chamber 46 through the respective communication holes. In other words, the sub-chamber 46 is configured to inflate and deploy slightly later than the main chamber 36.

[0073] For example, as shown in Figure 7, when the occupant P sitting in the driver's seat is a small occupant P1 and the occupant P sitting in the passenger seat is a large occupant P2 (not shown), when the right seat 12R is positioned in the frontmost position and the left seat 12L is positioned in the rearmost position, the boundary portion (valley portion) 48 between the rear wall 46B as the rear part of the sub-chamber 46 and the side wall 36S as the inner part in the vehicle width direction of the main chamber 36 is positioned at the front end 16F (including the vicinity of the front end 16F) of the right side part of the seat back 16L of the left seat 12L.

[0074] Therefore, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, even if a small occupant P1 moves inward in the vehicle width direction due to inertial force and presses the far side airbag 34 toward the left seat 12L, attempting to rotate it inward in the vehicle width direction around its rear end in a plan view, the step portion 40, i.e., the sub-chamber 46, formed in the far side airbag 34 easily catches on the right side portion of the seat back 16L of the left seat 12L, and the far side airbag 34 can effectively obtain a reaction force from the seat back 16L of the left seat 12L.

[0075] Therefore, the far side airbag 34 is prevented from rotating inward in the vehicle width direction, and the amount of movement (displacement) of the far side airbag 34 inward in the vehicle width direction is reduced. In this way, in the second embodiment, even if the right seat 12R is in the foremost position and the left seat 12L is in the rearmost position (even if the right seat 12R and the left seat 12L are positioned with the greatest possible displacement in the front-to-rear direction), the far side airbag 34 can effectively restrain the occupant P1 (restraint performance for the occupant P1 can be ensured).

[0076] In the second embodiment, when the right seat 12R is positioned at the foremost position and the left seat 12L is positioned at the rearmost position, in a plan view, the area in front of an imaginary line (not shown) connecting the inflator 32 on the seat back 16R of the right seat 12R and the boundary portion 48 is the main chamber 36, and the area behind the imaginary line is the rear deployment portion 38. Therefore, the boundary portion 48 is included in the main chamber 36.

[0077] 8, when both the occupant P seated in the driver's seat and the occupant P (not shown) seated in the passenger seat are of standard build, the right seat 12R may take the standard position at approximately the center in the front-rear direction, and the left seat 12L may also take the standard position at approximately the center in the front-rear direction (the right seat 12R and the left seat 12L may be disposed at the same position in the front-rear direction). In this case, the same operation as in the first embodiment is achieved.

[0078] 9, when the occupant P in the driver's seat is a large occupant P2 and the occupant P in the passenger seat is a small occupant P1 (not shown), the right seat 12R takes the rearmost position and the left seat 12L takes the frontmost position (the right seat 12R and the left seat 12L are positioned with the maximum offset in the fore-and-aft direction). In this case, too, the same operation as in the first embodiment is achieved.

[0079] In any event, the sub-chamber 46 configured in this manner allows the formation of the stepped portion 40 in the far side airbag 34 with a simple configuration. By appropriately setting the volume of the sub-chamber 46, the step of the stepped portion 40 in the far side airbag 34 can be easily made larger than that in the first embodiment, making it easier for the far side airbag 34 to catch on the right side of the seatback 16L of the left seat 12L. In other words, the far side airbag 34 can receive a reaction force from the seatback 16L of the left seat 12L more effectively, and can restrain the occupant P more effectively.

[0080] The shape of the sub-chamber 46 after inflation and deployment is not limited to the shapes shown in Figures 7 to 9. For example, as shown in Figure 10, the sub-chamber 46 may be formed so that, in a plan view, the shape after inflation and deployment is a so-called drop shape in which the front wall 46F side is pointed at a substantially acute angle and the rear wall 46B side is substantially arc-shaped.

[0081] 11(A), the length of the sub-chamber 46 in the front-rear direction in plan view may be approximately the same as the length of the main chamber 36 in the front-rear direction. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 11(B), the length of the sub-chamber 46 in the front-rear direction in plan view may be approximately the same as the length of the main chamber 36 in the front-rear direction, and the thickness of the front side of the main chamber 36 and the sub-chamber 46 in the approximately left-right direction may be reduced compared to that shown in Fig. 11(A).

[0082] 12(A), the volume of the sub-chamber 46 may be larger than the volume of the main chamber 36 in a plan view. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 12(B), the volume of the sub-chamber 46 may be larger than the volume of the main chamber 36 in a plan view, and the thickness of the main chamber 36 and the sub-chamber 46 on the front side in the approximately left-right direction may be reduced from that shown in Fig. 12(A).

[0083] In any case, with the main chamber 36 and the sub-chamber 46 configured as shown in Figures 11 and 12, it is possible to adjust the restraining force (the internal pressure of the main chamber 36 and the internal pressure of the sub-chamber 46 for restraining the occupant P) on the occupant P seated in the driver's seat and the occupant P (not shown) seated in the passenger seat.

[0084] 13(A), the vertical length of the sub-chamber 46 may be made substantially the same as the vertical length of the main chamber 36 in a side view. This increases the contact length between the sub-chamber 46 and the seat back 16L of the left seat 12L compared to the sub-chamber 46 having the standard size and shape shown in FIG. 13(C), thereby increasing the reaction force against the far side airbag 34 and enhancing the restraining force on the occupant P.

[0085] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13(B), the sub-chamber 46 may be formed in a circular shape with the minimum necessary volume when viewed from the side. In other words, the sub-chamber 46 may be formed in a spherical shape with the minimum necessary volume. This allows the output of the inflator 32 to be reduced compared to the sub-chamber 46 with the standard size and shape shown in Figure 13(C). Note that the sub-chamber 46 with the standard size and shape shown in Figure 13(C) is formed in a generally elliptical shape with the length in the generally up-down direction slightly longer than the length in the generally front-to-rear direction when viewed from the side.

[0086] 13(D), the size of the sub-chamber 46 may be made substantially the same as the size of the main chamber 36 in a side view. In this way, the sub-chamber 46 can restrain an occupant P (not shown) seated in the passenger seat in substantially the same manner as an occupant P seated in the driver's seat.

[0087] 13(E), the sub-chamber 46 may be formed in a generally equilateral triangular shape in side view. More specifically, the rear wall 46B of the sub-chamber 46 may be formed in a generally equilateral triangular shape that is arc-shaped in side view. In this case, the curvature of the arc-shaped portion allows the sub-chamber 46 to be formed in the minimum necessary size (reduced volume) while ensuring the contact length with the seat back 16L of the left seat 12L, compared to when the sub-chamber 46 is formed in a circular shape in side view.

[0088] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate parts equivalent to those in the first and second embodiments, and detailed descriptions (including common functions) will be omitted as appropriate.

[0089] 14, the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the far side airbag 34 has a front chamber 52 and a rear chamber 54 that are separated into front and rear chambers by a partition cloth 50. The front chamber 52 constitutes the main chamber 36, and the rear chamber 54 constitutes the rear deployment portion 38. In other words, the far side airbag 34 is configured such that the main chamber 36 and the rear deployment portion 38 are separated by the partition cloth 50.

[0090] The gas ejected from the inflator 32 is supplied from either the front chamber 52 or the rear chamber 54 to the other of the front chamber 52 or the rear chamber 54 through a communication hole (not shown) formed in the partition cloth 50. Therefore, the pressure (internal pressure) in the front chamber 52 and the rear chamber 54 can be adjusted by appropriately setting the size of the communication hole formed in the partition cloth 50, for example, the inner diameter in the case of a circular communication hole.

[0091] That is, it is possible to adjust the pressure (internal pressure) of the front chamber 52, which mainly restrains the occupant P, and the pressure (internal pressure) of the rear chamber 54, which mainly receives a reaction force from the seat back 16L of the left seat 12L. Note that the gas ejected from the inflator 32 may be configured to be supplied simultaneously to both the front chamber 52 and the rear chamber 54. In this case, by adjusting the amount of gas supplied to the front chamber 52 and the rear chamber 54, it is possible to adjust the pressure (internal pressure) of the front chamber 52 and the pressure (internal pressure) of the rear chamber 54.

[0092] 15, the far side airbag 34 may have a sub-chamber 46 provided in communication with the main chamber 36 (front chamber 52) on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the main chamber 36 formed by the front chamber 52. In this case, the gas ejected from the inflator 32 is also supplied directly to the sub-chamber 46.

[0093] Specifically, a partition cloth 56 having a communication hole (not shown) is also provided on the front side of the partition cloth 50, so that the gas ejected from the inflator 32 is supplied to the space S sandwiched between the partition cloth 50 and the partition cloth 56. Communication holes (not shown) that connect the main chamber 36 and the sub-chamber 46 to each other are formed so as to face the space S sandwiched between the partition cloth 50 and the partition cloth 56.

[0094] According to this, gas ejected from the inflator 32 into the space S is supplied to the front chamber 52 through the communication holes formed in the partition cloth 56, and is supplied to the rear chamber 54 through the communication holes formed in the partition cloth 50. Then, gas ejected from the inflator 32 into the space S is supplied to the sub-chamber 46 through the communication holes of the main chamber 36 and the sub-chamber 46. Therefore, by appropriately setting the size of each communication hole, the pressure (internal pressure) of the sub-chamber 46 as well as the front chamber 52 and rear chamber 54 can be adjusted.

[0095] 15, a portion of the rear wall 46B of the sub-chamber 46 that is closer to the right seat 12R (toward the space S) than the boundary portion 48 in a plan view functions as the partition cloth 50. Therefore, the portion of the rear wall 46B of the sub-chamber 46 and the area rearward of the partition cloth 50 constitutes the rear chamber 54, which is the rear deployment portion 38.

[0096] Furthermore, in the case of this far side airbag 34, when the right seat 12R is positioned in the foremost position and the left seat 12L is positioned in the rearmost position, a boundary 48 between the rear wall 46B of the sub-chamber 46 and the side wall 36S of the main chamber 36 is positioned at the front end 16F (including the vicinity of the front end 16F) of the right side of the seatback 16L of the left seat 12L in a plan view (see FIG. 15). Therefore, the sub-chamber 46 is more likely to get caught on the right side of the seatback 16L of the left seat 12L, and the far side airbag 34 can effectively receive a reaction force from the seatback 16L of the left seat 12L.

[0097] <How to fold the far side airbag> Finally, the method of folding the far side airbag 34 will be described.

[0098] As shown in Figure 16, the far side airbag 34 is folded as follows. First, the rear deployment portion 38 is folded inward (cactus fold) so as to be concave toward the inside of the main chamber 36 (inward folding process). Next, the main chamber 36 is rolled outward with the up-and-down direction as the axial direction (outward rolling process). Note that "outward rolling" refers to a rolling method that forms a rolled portion on the side opposite the occupant P side. After that, the upper and lower ends of the main chamber 36 are folded so as to approach each other (folding process).

[0099] This allows the main chamber 36 to be folded compactly even if the rear deployment portion 38 is integrally provided at the rear of the main chamber 36. Furthermore, because the rear deployment portion 38 is folded inward (cactus folded), it is easy to deploy it toward the rear side quickly when inflated and deployed. Furthermore, because the main chamber 36 is folded outward, it is possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of a problem in which the main chamber 36 hits the face of an occupant P seated in the right seat 12R when the main chamber 36 is inflated and deployed.

[0100] The vehicle occupant restraint device 10 and the far side airbag folding method according to this embodiment have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the vehicle occupant restraint device 10 and the far side airbag folding method according to this embodiment are not limited to those shown in the drawings, and can be modified in design as appropriate within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0101] For example, the vehicle to which this embodiment is applied may be a left-hand drive vehicle, and in the event of a right side collision of the vehicle, the far side airbag device 30 provided on the right side of the seat back 16L of the left seat 12L will inflate and deploy. Furthermore, the vehicle to which this embodiment is applied may not be provided with a console box 20 in the passenger compartment. Furthermore, the rear deployment portion 38 is not limited to being folded inward only once as shown in FIG. 16 , and may be folded inward multiple times (not shown). [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 10. Vehicle occupant restraint system 12L Left seat (other seat) 12R Right seat (one of the seats) 16F Front end of seat back 16L Left seat back 16R Right seat back 20 Console box 28A Top of console box 32 Inflator 34 Far side airbag 36 Main Chamber 38 Rear deployment part 40 Step 42 Strap 44 Tether 46 Sub-chamber 48 Boundary 50 Partition cloth 52 Front chamber 54 rear chamber N nearest points P crew Ph head Pw abdomen T contact point

Claims

1. a left seat and a right seat respectively provided in the vehicle compartment so as to be movable in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; an inflator provided on an inner side of a seat back of either the left seat or the right seat in the vehicle width direction, the inflator being activated to eject gas; a far side airbag provided on an inner side of a seat back of the one seat in a vehicle width direction, the far side airbag inflating and deploying toward an inner side of an occupant seated in the one seat in a vehicle width direction when the gas is supplied thereto; Equipped with The far side airbag is A main chamber; a rearward deploying portion that is formed integrally with the main chamber and that deploys toward the rear of the vehicle beyond a rear surface of a seat back of the one seat; and A vehicle occupant restraint device configured so that, even if the other of the left and right seats is positioned offset in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle relative to one of the seats, the device overlaps with the seat back of the other seat in a side view, and so that, when the one seat is positioned in the most forward position and the other seat is positioned in the most rearward position, a step portion is formed in a plan view near the contact point where the front end of the side portion of the seat back of the other seat comes into contact.

2. A vehicle occupant restraint device as described in Claim 1, wherein the step portion is formed by multiple straps or a single tether provided inside the far side airbag.

3. The plurality of straps or the single tether are arranged so as to connect, in a plan view, a point close to the inflator on the seat back of the one seat and a front end of a side portion of the seat back of the other seat; 3. A vehicle occupant restraint device as described in claim 2, wherein the length of the plurality of straps or the single tether under tension due to the completion of inflation and deployment of the far side airbag is set to be the shortest distance between the side of the seat back of the one seat positioned at the frontmost position and the side of the seat back of the other seat positioned at the rearmost position.

4. 2. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1, wherein the step portion is formed by a sub-chamber provided inwardly of the main chamber in the vehicle width direction and in communication with the main chamber.

5. A vehicle occupant restraint device as described in Claim 4, wherein when the one seat is positioned in the forward-most position and the other seat is positioned in the rearmost position, in a plan view, the boundary between the vehicle rear portion of the sub-chamber and the vehicle widthwise inner portion of the main chamber is positioned at the front end of the side portion of the seat back of the other seat.

6. A left seat and a right seat respectively provided in a vehicle compartment so as to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle; an inflator provided on an inner side of a seat back of either the left seat or the right seat in the vehicle width direction, the inflator being activated to eject gas; a far side airbag provided on an inner side of a seat back of the one seat in a vehicle width direction, the far side airbag inflating and deploying toward an inner side of an occupant seated in the one seat in a vehicle width direction when the gas is supplied thereto; Equipped with The far side airbag is A front chamber; a rear chamber that is formed integrally with the front chamber and is partitioned from the front chamber by a partition cloth, and that extends beyond a rear surface of a seat back of the one seat toward the rear of the vehicle; a sub-chamber provided on an inner side of the front chamber in the vehicle width direction and communicating with the front chamber; and the gas ejected from the inflator is supplied from one of the front chamber and the rear chamber to the other of the front chamber and the rear chamber through a communication hole formed in the partition cloth, and is also supplied to the sub-chamber; A vehicle occupant restraint device configured so that even if the other of the left seat and the right seat is positioned offset in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle relative to one of the seats, the device overlaps with the seat back of the other seat in a side view, and when the one seat is positioned in the front-most position and the other seat is positioned in the rearmost position, the boundary between the vehicle rear portion of the sub-chamber and the vehicle widthwise inner portion of the front chamber is positioned at the front end of the side of the seat back of the other seat in a plan view.

7. A console box is provided between the left seat and the right seat in the vehicle compartment, The far side airbag is A vehicle occupant restraint device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, which inflates and deploys above the vehicle upper surface of the console box and covers at least the occupant from the abdomen to the head in a side view.

8. A left seat and a right seat respectively provided in a vehicle compartment so as to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle; an inflator provided on an inner side of a seat back of either the left seat or the right seat in the vehicle width direction, the inflator being activated to eject gas; a far side airbag provided on an inner side of a seat back of the one seat in a vehicle width direction, the far side airbag inflating and deploying toward an inner side of an occupant seated in the one seat in a vehicle width direction when the gas is supplied thereto; Equipped with The far side airbag is A main chamber; a rearward deploying portion that is formed integrally with the main chamber and that deploys toward the rear of the vehicle beyond a rear surface of a seat back of the one seat; and A method for folding the far side airbag in a vehicle occupant restraint device configured to overlap with a seat back of one of the left seat and the right seat in a side view even when the other seat is positioned offset in the vehicle front-rear direction with respect to the one seat, comprising: an inward folding process of folding the rear deployment portion inward so as to recess the rear deployment portion into the inside of the far side airbag; an outward rolling process of rolling the far side airbag after the inward folding process outward with the vehicle up-down direction as the axial direction; a folding step of folding an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the far side airbag after the outward wrapping step so as to approach each other; A far side airbag folding method comprising:

9. A left seat and a right seat respectively provided in a vehicle compartment so as to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle; an inflator provided on an inner side of a seat back of either the left seat or the right seat in the vehicle width direction, the inflator being activated to eject gas; a far side airbag provided on an inner side of a seat back of the one seat in a vehicle width direction, the far side airbag inflating and deploying toward an inner side of an occupant seated in the one seat in a vehicle width direction when the gas is supplied thereto; a console box provided between the left seat and the right seat in the vehicle interior; Equipped with The far side airbag is a main chamber that is inflated and deployed above an upper surface of the console box and covers at least the abdomen to the head of the occupant in a side view; a rearward deploying portion that is formed integrally with the main chamber and that deploys toward the rear of the vehicle beyond a rear surface of a seat back of the one seat; and A method for folding the far side airbag in a vehicle occupant restraint device configured to overlap with a seat back of one of the left seat and the right seat in a side view even when the other seat is positioned offset in the vehicle front-rear direction with respect to the one seat, comprising: an inward folding process of folding the rear deployment portion inward so as to recess the rear deployment portion into the inside of the far side airbag; an outward rolling process of rolling the far side airbag after the inward folding process outward with the vehicle up-down direction as the axial direction; a folding step of folding an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the far side airbag after the outward wrapping step so as to approach each other; A far side airbag folding method comprising:

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