Vehicle seat and method of folding side airbag

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle seat and a folding method for a side airbag. The vehicle seat is equipped with a seat back, an inflator, and a side airbag. The side airbag has a head chamber that is housed along an upper frame of the seat back and is configured to inflate and deploy between a shoulder harness and a head upon a side collision by receiving a supply of gas from the inflator. The head chamber is housed in a state in which it is folded back in a seat up-down direction to reduce an up-down width and is folded from a front end portion in a seat front-rear direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle seat equipped with a side airbag and a method for folding the side airbag. Background Technology

[0002] International Publication WO2011 / 006560 discloses a side airbag in which the chest portion, which inflates from the side region of the vehicle seat back, and the head portion, which inflates from the upper region of the backrest, are each composed of an independent bag connected to each other via a tubular filling portion. In this side airbag, since the head portion inflates between the shoulder seat belt and the occupant's head, the head can be restrained earlier in a side collision. Summary of the Invention

[0003] However, in the technology described in the aforementioned international publication WO2011 / 006560, since the head portion is folded along the upper end of the seat frame, it is believed that when the head portion is folded and folded in, it overlaps with the headrest frame, affecting the unfolding performance. Therefore, the aforementioned prior art has room for improvement in this respect.

[0004] The present invention provides a vehicle seat equipped with a side airbag that improves the deployment performance of the head chamber constituting the side airbag, and a method for folding the side airbag.

[0005] The first embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle seat. The vehicle seat includes: a seat back having an upper frame; an inflator supplying gas; and side airbags having head chambers retracted along the upper frame of the seat back, configured to inflate and deploy between the shoulder strap and head upon receiving gas from the inflator in the event of a side impact. The head chambers are retracted in a manner that reduces their vertical width by folding back in the vertical direction and then folds up from the front end in the fore-aft direction.

[0006] In the first method described above, during a side impact, the side airbag inflates and deploys upon receiving gas from an inflator. The side airbag has a head chamber housed along the upper frame of the seat back. This head chamber inflates and deploys between the shoulder strap and the head, prematurely restraining the occupant's head. Here, the head chamber is housed in a state where its vertical width is reduced by folding back in the vertical direction of the seat, and then rolled up from the front end in the front-rear direction of the seat. Thus, when the head chamber is housed along the upper frame, it can be housed in a position that does not overlap with the headrest frame. As a result, the expansion of the head chamber towards the front of the seat is not impaired by the headrest, improving the deployment performance of the head chamber. Furthermore, in the first method described above, the phrase "housed along the upper frame" can be a broader concept, encompassing not only the case where the entire head chamber is housed along the upper frame, but also the case where a portion of the head chamber is housed along the upper frame. Additionally, the term "side impact" includes not only cases where a side impact is actually detected, but also cases where a side impact is predicted.

[0007] In the first method described above, the head chamber can also be stored in a corrugated state after being folded back multiple times in the vertical direction of the seat and then rolled up from the front end in the front-rear direction of the seat.

[0008] In the above structure, the head chamber can also be folded back multiple times in the vertical direction of the seat to form a corrugated shape, and then rolled up from the front end in the fore-aft direction of the seat. Thus, when the head chamber expands and unfolds, the corrugated fold is released simultaneously with the roll-up. Furthermore, when the corrugated fold is released, the head chamber can unfold upwards towards the seat, crossing the shoulder seatbelt. As a result, the expansion and unfolding of the head chamber towards the front of the seat is not impaired by the shoulder seatbelt, improving the head chamber's unfolding performance.

[0009] In the first method described above, the head chamber can also be stored in a state where the upper end of the seat in the vertical direction is folded down towards the occupant and the lower end, which has been folded back, is folded up towards the occupant, and then rolled up from the front end of the seat in the front-back direction.

[0010] In the above structure, the head chamber can also be folded from the front end in the fore-aft direction after the upper end of the seat in the vertical direction is folded down towards the occupant and the lower end, which has been folded back, is folded up towards the occupant. Thus, by folding the upper end of the head chamber back twice towards the occupant in a corrugated shape, when the head chamber expands and unfolds, the corrugated fold is released towards the upper side and the inward side of the seat as the roll is released. As a result, since sufficient unfolding space is ensured between the shoulder seatbelt and the headrest when the head chamber unfolds towards the upper side of the seat and crosses the shoulder seatbelt, unfolding the head chamber towards the front of the seat becomes easier.

[0011] In the first method described above, the head chamber can also be folded back in the vertical direction of the seat to reduce its vertical width, and then stored in an inwardly rolled state. The inwardly rolled state is as follows: the front end of the seat is rolled up in the front-rear direction, and at least at the rear end of the rolled end, the top of the rolled end is rolled into the inside of the seat and rolled into a roll.

[0012] In the above structure, the head chamber can also be folded back in the vertical direction of the seat to reduce its vertical width, and then rolled up from the front end in the fore-aft direction of the seat, with at least the rear end of the roll being rolled inward. Thus, during the initial expansion and deployment of the head chamber, the inward roll is released between the shoulder strap and the headrest towards the inside of the seat. As a result, the expansion and deployment of the head chamber towards the front of the seat is not impaired by the headrest and shoulder strap, improving deployment performance.

[0013] In the first embodiment described above, the seat back may also have a side frame, and the side airbag may include a torso chamber that is housed along the shoulder from the side of the side frame of the seat back, configured to expand and deploy laterally in the torso upon a side impact. The head chamber and the torso chamber may also be composed of a single airbag and housed in a folded-in position from the front end of the seat in the fore-aft direction.

[0014] In the above structure, the side airbag may also have a torso chamber that is housed along the shoulder from the side of the side frame of the seat back. During a side impact, the torso chamber expands and deploys laterally to restrain the occupant's torso. Here, by using a single airbag to form both the head chamber and the torso chamber, the side airbag can also be housed along the upper frame from the side of the side frame, past the shoulder. Furthermore, the head chamber and the torso chamber can be housed in a folded-inward position from the front end in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat. Thus, by folding the entire side airbag, including the head chamber and the torso chamber, inward, the side airbag can be easily folded, and the deployment performance of the head chamber can be improved.

[0015] A second aspect of the invention is a method for folding a side airbag, the side airbag having a head chamber housed along the upper frame of the seat back. The method for folding the side airbag includes: folding the head chamber back in the vertical direction of the seat to reduce its vertical width; and folding it by rolling it up from the front end in the fore-aft direction of the seat.

[0016] According to the second method described above, the expansion and unfolding of the head chamber towards the front of the seat will not be impaired by the headrest, thus improving the unfolding performance of the head chamber.

[0017] As explained above, the deployment performance of the head chamber constituting the side airbag can be improved according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference numerals denote similar parts, wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a front view of a vehicle seat according to this embodiment, showing the side airbag inflated and deployed.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a front view showing the vehicle seat portion cut open according to this embodiment, indicating the state in which the side airbags are retracted.

[0021] Figure 3 This is an enlarged side view showing the inflated and deployed state of the side airbag according to this embodiment.

[0022] Figure 4A This is a side view of the head chamber used to illustrate the folding method of the side airbag according to this embodiment, showing the process of folding the upper end of the head chamber in the vertical direction of the seat downwards toward the occupant.

[0023] Figure 4B This is a side view of the head chamber used to illustrate the folding method of the side airbag according to this embodiment, showing the process of folding the folded lower end upward toward the passenger side.

[0024] Figure 4C This is a side view of the head chamber used to illustrate the folding method of the side airbag according to this embodiment, shown as a side view. Figure 4A and Figure 4B The head cavity is in a state where the process is completed.

[0025] Figure 4D This is a side view of the head chamber used to illustrate the folding method of the side airbag according to this embodiment, and an enlarged top view showing the process of folding the head chamber and the torso chamber inward from the front end in the front-to-back direction of the seat.

[0026] Figure 4E This is a side view of the head chamber used to illustrate the folding method of the side airbag according to this embodiment, and an enlarged top view showing the state in which the folding process of the side airbag is completed.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the side view of the side airbag in a folded state according to this embodiment, before the thickness reduction process is performed.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram used to roughly illustrate the thickness reduction process performed by hot pressing according to this embodiment.

[0029] Figure 7A This is a top view of a vehicle seat used to illustrate the behavior of the side airbag during inflation and deployment according to this embodiment, showing the behavior during the initial stage of inflation and deployment.

[0030] Figure 7B This is a top view of a vehicle seat used to illustrate the behavior of the side airbag during inflation and deployment according to this embodiment, showing the behavior in the later stages of inflation and deployment.

[0031] Figure 8A This is a partial rear view of a vehicle seat used to illustrate the behavior of the side airbag during inflation and deployment according to this embodiment, showing the behavior during the initial stage of inflation and deployment.

[0032] Figure 8B This is a partial rear view of a vehicle seat used to illustrate the behavior of the side airbag during inflation and deployment according to this embodiment, showing the behavior during the middle of inflation and deployment.

[0033] Figure 8C This is a partial rear view of a vehicle seat used to illustrate the behavior of the side airbag during inflation and deployment according to this embodiment, showing the behavior in the later stages of inflation and deployment.

[0034] Figure 9 This is used to illustrate the thickness reduction process performed by hot pressing in a modified example according to this embodiment. Figure 6 The corresponding sketch.

[0035] Figure 10A This is a schematic diagram illustrating the thickness reduction process of a modified example according to this embodiment, which involves a modified example in which a portion of the outer periphery of the head chamber is covered by a surface material.

[0036] Figure 10B This is a schematic diagram illustrating the thickness reduction process of a modified example according to this embodiment, which involves a modified example in which a portion of the outer periphery of the head chamber is covered by a surface material.

[0037] Figure 10C This is a schematic diagram illustrating the thickness reduction process of a modified example according to this embodiment, which involves a modified example in which a portion of the outer periphery of the head chamber is covered by a surface material.

[0038] Figure 10D This is a schematic diagram illustrating the thickness reduction process of a modified example according to this embodiment, which involves a modified example in which a portion of the outer periphery of the head chamber is covered by a surface material.

[0039] Figure 11 It is an enlarged representation of the implementation. Figures 10A to 10D A partially enlarged front view of the head chamber in its retracted state after the thickness reduction process is shown.

[0040] Figure 12 This diagram shows the side airbag according to this embodiment in a folded state, before the thickness reduction process is performed. It is shown enlargedly along... Figure 5 An enlarged sectional view of the section cut by the XII-XII line.

[0041] Figure 13 This diagram shows the side airbag according to this embodiment in a folded state, before the thickness reduction process is performed. It is shown enlargedly along... Figure 5 An enlarged sectional view of the section cut by line XIII-XIII. Detailed Implementation

[0042] Below, refer to Figures 1 to 8C The following description pertains to a vehicle seat 14 equipped with the side airbag device 10 according to this embodiment. In addition, the arrows FR, UP, LH, and RH in each figure represent the front side, upper side, left side, and right side of the vehicle seat 14 equipped with the side airbag device 10, respectively. When describing the vehicle seat using the directions of front-back, left-right, and up-down, unless otherwise specified, these directions represent front-back in the front-back direction, left-right in the width direction, and up-down in the height direction.

[0043] In addition, instead of actual passengers, a crash test dummy P was placed in... Figure 1 as well as Figure 7A and Figure 7B The vehicle seat 14 is shown. As an example, the dummy P is the AM50 (50th percentile of adult males in the United States) of the Internationally Harmonized World Side Impact Dummy (World SID). In the following description, the dummy will be referred to as "occupant P".

[0044] (Vehicle seats)

[0045] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle seat 14 equipped with the side airbag device 10 is configured to include a seat cushion 16, a seat back 18, and a headrest 20. Furthermore, as an example, the vehicle seat 14 is positioned on the right side of the vehicle as the driver's seat, with the front of the seat aligned with the front of the vehicle. Additionally, the left-right alignment in the seat width direction is aligned with the left-right alignment in the vehicle width direction.

[0046] The seat cushion 16 extends in the fore-and-aft direction and the width direction of the seat, and is configured to support the buttocks and thighs of the occupant P. The seat back 18 is rotatably connected to the rear end of the seat cushion 16 and extends in the vertical direction of the seat, and is configured to support the back of the occupant P. The headrest 20 is provided at the upper end of the seat back 18 and is configured to support the head H of the occupant P.

[0047] (Seat belt device)

[0048] Occupant P is restrained to vehicle seat 14 by seat belt device 24. Seat belt device 24 is configured to include a belt 26 that restrains the upper body and waist of the occupant.

[0049] The seat belt 26 is formed into a long strip and is equipped with: a shoulder seat belt 26A that restrains the upper body of the occupant P to the seat back 18 when installed, and a lap seat belt 26B that restrains the occupant's waist. The shoulder seat belt 26A extends obliquely from the right shoulder of the occupant P to the left waist. Furthermore, the lower end of the shoulder seat belt 26A passes through the tongue-shaped piece 28.

[0050] The tongue-shaped piece 28 is configured to be detachable from the seatbelt buckle (notation omitted) located on the left side of the seat. Furthermore, by attaching the tongue-shaped piece 28 to the seatbelt buckle, the occupant P is restrained by the seatbelt 26.

[0051] The end of the belt 26 that passes through the tongue-shaped piece 28 and is folded back extends to the right side of the seat, forming the lap belt 26B by the portion extending in the width direction of the seat. Therefore, the left end of the lap belt 26B is connected to the lower end of the shoulder belt 26A. Furthermore, the right end of the lap belt 26B is secured to a seatbelt buckle (not shown) located on the floor.

[0052] The upper end of the shoulder seat belt 26A is wrapped around a shoulder belt buckle (not shown) located on the vehicle body. Additionally, the end of the belt 26 is wound around a puller (not shown).

[0053] (Side airbag device)

[0054] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the side airbag device 10 is configured to include a side airbag 12, an inflator 42, and an inner sleeve 44.

[0055] The side airbag 12 is housed inside the seat back 18 and fixed to the seat back frame 30, which forms the skeleton of the seat back 18. (As in...) Figure 2As shown in part, the seat back frame 30 is rectangular in shape when viewed from the front-to-back direction of the seat, with its left and right sides formed by side frames 32 extending in the vertical direction of the seat. Furthermore, the upper end of the seat back frame 30 is formed by an upper frame 34 that rests on the shoulders (upper ends) of the left and right side frames 32 and extends in the width direction of the seat. The side airbag 12 is folded into a long, thin rod shape and stored along the upper frame 34 from the side of the side frame 32 located on the right side of the seat, passing over the shoulder.

[0056] The side airbag 12 is inflated by being supplied with gas generated by the inflator 42. In addition, by using the inflation pressure to rupture the outer surface of the seat back 18 in the seat width direction, the side airbag 12 inflates and deploys between the body of the occupant P and the side of the vehicle compartment.

[0057] The side airbag 12 is composed of a single airbag forming a bag body, having a head chamber 12A forming the upper part of the seat above the seat and a torso chamber 12B forming the lower part of the seat below the seat.

[0058] The head chamber 12A is formed to receive a supply of gas from the inflator 42 and expand between the shoulder seat belt 26A and the head H of the occupant P, covering the sides of the head H. Additionally, the torso chamber 12B is formed to receive a supply of gas from the inflator 42 and expand laterally to cover the sides of the torso T (from the shoulder through the chest to the waist) of the occupant P. The detailed structure of the side airbags 12 will be described later.

[0059] The inflator 42 is a cylinder-shaped gas generating device with its axis along the side frame 32 of the seat back 18. In addition, a gas ejection section 42A is provided at the lower end of the inflator 42. In the event of a detected or predicted side collision of the vehicle, gas is generated from the gas ejection section 42A and supplied to the side airbag 12.

[0060] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown, a portion of the inflator 42 is disposed inside the side airbag 12. The inflator 42 has a double-ended bolt 48 extending from the outer surface disposed inside the side airbag 12 toward the inside in the seat width direction. The double-ended bolt 48 is fixed to the side frame 32 together with the base fabric 50 of the side airbag 12 by inserting the double-ended bolt 48 through the side frame 32 and fastening it with a nut.

[0061] Inside the side airbag 12, there is also an inner sleeve 44 made of fabric. In addition, the inner sleeve 44 is also called a tube, inner tube, flow-rectifying fabric, or diffuser.

[0062] The inner sleeve 44 is formed into a generally cylindrical shape with open upper and lower ends, extending from the head chamber 12A to the torso chamber 12B in the vertical direction of the seat. At the rear end of the inner sleeve 44, a bag-shaped inflator insertion portion 46 is integrally provided, and the gas ejection portion 42A of the inflator 42 communicates with the interior of the inner sleeve 44 via the inflator insertion portion 46. Therefore, the gas supplied from the inflator 42 flows through the inner sleeve 44 to the head chamber 12A and the torso chamber 12B.

[0063] (Side airbags)

[0064] The detailed structure of the side airbag 12 will now be described. The side airbag 12 is formed into a bag shape, for example, by placing two base fabrics 50 made of nylon or polyester fabric in the width direction of the seat and sewing them together at the outer periphery. Figure 3 In the figure, the sewn part of the outer periphery of the sewn base fabric 50 is indicated by the reference numeral "S1".

[0065] The upper part of the side airbag 12 forms a head chamber 12A that covers the side of the head H of the occupant P when inflated and deployed. Viewed in the seat width direction, this head chamber 12A is roughly C-shaped with the cut portion facing downwards from the seat. A strip-shaped support strap 52 is sewn to the rear end of the head chamber 12A. One end of this support strap 52 is attached to a support bar 36 that forms the frame of the headrest 20 (see reference). Figure 2 This ensures stable behavior during the expansion and unfolding of the head chamber 12A.

[0066] The lower part of the side airbag 12 forms a torso chamber 12B that covers the side of the occupant's torso T when it inflates and deploys. Viewed from the seat width direction, this torso chamber 12B is shaped like a downwardly bulging teardrop and extends along the seat back 18 in the vertical direction.

[0067] (How to fold the side airbag)

[0068] As described above, the side airbag 12 of the aforementioned structure is folded into a slender rod shape and stored along the frame of the seat back 18. Below, referring to... Figures 4A-4E The folding method of the side airbag 12 will be explained. Additionally, in... Figures 4A-4E The stitching part S1 of the side airbag 12 is omitted from the illustration.

[0069] According to the folding method of the side airbag 12 in this embodiment, it generally includes a first step of folding the head chamber 12A back in the vertical direction of the seat, and a second step of folding the side airbag 12 from its front end in the front-rear direction of the seat after the first step is completed.

[0070] Reference Figures 4A to 4C The first process will be explained. Additionally, in... Figure 4A and Figure 4B In the diagram, the foldback line of the head chamber 12A in each process is represented by a double-dotted line.

[0071] like Figure 4A As shown, in the first process, firstly, the upper end of the head chamber 12A in the vertical direction of the seat is folded back downwards toward the occupant P side (the inner side of the seat). Through this process, the part that was the upper end of the head chamber 12A before folding back is folded back to become the lower end.

[0072] Next, as Figure 4B As shown, the lower end that will be folded back will be folded back upwards towards the passenger P side.

[0073] Through the above processes, the head chamber 12A becomes a corrugated folded state by being folded back multiple times (twice in this embodiment) in the vertical direction of the seat, such as... Figure 4C As shown, the vertical width decreases when folded. Thus, the first process is complete.

[0074] The second process, such as Figure 4D and Figure 4E As shown, the side airbag 12 is folded by winding the base fabric 50 around the slender rod-shaped roll bar 40.

[0075] like Figure 4D As shown, in the second step, a roller 40 is positioned approximately with the up-down direction of the seat as its axis, and the base fabric 50 of the side airbag 12 is rolled inward from the front end to the rear end in the front-to-back direction of the seat. In this step, the entire side airbag 12, including the head chamber 12A and the torso chamber 12B, is rolled inward.

[0076] In addition, the so-called inward fold is a folding method that rolls the top of the fold inward towards the inside of the seat to form a roll.

[0077] Through the above procedures, such as Figure 4E As shown, the head chamber 12A is in a state where the rear end of the seat, which serves as the tail, is folded inward in the front-to-back direction. Thus, the second process is completed.

[0078] The side airbags 12, folded through the first and second processes, become elongated rod-shaped. Furthermore, as... Figure 2 As shown, when stored in the seat back 18, the head chamber 12A is stored along the upper frame 34 of the seat back frame 30, and the torso chamber 12B is stored along the shoulder from the side of the side frame 32.

[0079] Furthermore, since the head chamber 12A has a small vertical width due to the first process described above, its top (upper end) is positioned further outward than the support bar 36 of the headrest 20. That is, the head chamber 12A is housed in a position that does not overlap with the frame of the headrest 20.

[0080] (Thickness reduction section and thickness reduction processing)

[0081] Here, in Figure 5 , Figure 12 , Figure 13 The side airbag 12, folded after the first and second processes, is shown in a side view. As shown in the figure, the thickness of the side airbag when folded into a roll, i.e., the folded thickness, is the roll diameter φ when the side airbag 12 is viewed from the seat up-down direction (roll direction).

[0082] Since the more layers of base fabric 50 are stacked radially, the larger the roll diameter φ of the side airbag 12 becomes, the more times the base fabric 50 is folded, the larger the roll diameter φ becomes, as the side airbag 12 becomes larger or has a larger capacity. In particular, in the head chamber 12A of this embodiment, since the base fabric 50 is folded back in the vertical direction of the seat before being rolled up, the roll diameter φ is larger in a certain area compared to other areas.

[0083] For example, in Figure 12 In, it means along Figure 5 The XII-XII line is the cross section that cuts off the lower end of the head chamber 12A. In one example of this embodiment, the lower end of the folded head chamber 12A is a first region 12A1 with a relatively small number of radially stacked base fabric 50 pieces, and its roll diameter φ1 is approximately the same as that of the torso chamber 12B.

[0084] On the other hand, Figure 13 In the middle, it indicates along Figure 5 The XIII-XIII line is the cross-section that cuts off the upper end of the head chamber 12A. As shown in the figure, in one example of this embodiment, the upper end of the folded head chamber 12A is a second region 12A2 with more radially stacked base fabric 50 pieces than the first region 12A1. Therefore, the roll diameter φ2 of the second region 12A2 is larger than the roll diameter φ1 of the first region 12A1.

[0085] Here, with the head chamber 12A housed along the upper frame 34 of the seat back frame 30, the roll diameter φ of the head chamber 12A becomes the folding thickness in the seat height direction. Therefore, in areas with large roll diameters, such as the second region 12A2, it is necessary to consider the folding thickness in the seat height direction to ensure mounting space.

[0086] However, because the headrest 20 is located on the upper side of the upper frame 34, the design of the mounting space in the seat height direction (seat vertical direction) is greatly constrained. Therefore, it is desirable to provide measures to save mounting space during storage in areas with large roll diameter φ, such as the second region 12A2 of the head cavity 12A.

[0087] Therefore, in this embodiment, in regions where the fold thickness of the head chamber 12A is thick, such as the second region 12A2, a thickness reduction portion 60 is formed in at least a portion of the outer periphery of the head chamber 12A. In this thickness reduction portion 60, a thickness reduction process is performed by applying pressure to reduce the fold thickness of the head chamber 12A.

[0088] exist Figure 6 This diagram illustrates an example of a thickness reduction process. The diagram shows the head chamber 12A as viewed from the roll direction. As shown, the thickness reduction process in this embodiment is performed by hot pressing using a mold 62. In the hot pressing process, the folded head chamber 12A is positioned opposite a recess 64 formed inside the mold 62, and pressure and heat are applied to the outer periphery of the head chamber 12A within the mold 62. This reduces the roll diameter φ of the head chamber 12A. Furthermore, in... Figure 6 In the figure, the outline of the head chamber 12A before the thickness reduction process is shown by a double-dotted line.

[0089] In addition, the outer periphery of the recess 64 in this embodiment is formed to be approximately circular, which allows for uniform pressure and heating of the entire periphery.

[0090] The hot pressing method described above is also effective when the side airbag 12 is made of a base fabric 50; however, a coated base fabric is preferred. When the base fabric 50 is made of a coated base fabric, heating causes a portion of the surface of the coating material, such as silicone resin or nylon resin, on the base fabric 50 to melt and harden again. Therefore, compared to an uncoated base fabric, it can better maintain the shape reduced by pressure.

[0091] exist Figure 2 The image shows the head chamber 12A, which has been housed in the seat back 18 after a thickness reduction process. Additionally, in... Figure 2 In the figure, the second region 12A2, where the thickness reduction portion 60 is formed, is represented by the area surrounded by a double-dotted line. As shown in the figure, by means of the thickness reduction portion 60, the folding thickness of the second region 12A2 is reduced, and the folding thickness is set to be approximately uniform from the base end (first region 12A1) to the top end (second region 12A2) of the head chamber 12A housed along the upper frame 34. In this way, space can be saved for the mounting space of the head chamber 12A.

[0092] (Expansion behavior of the head chambers)

[0093] The following describes the behavior of the head chamber 12A during expansion and deployment. First, refer to... Figure 7A and Figure 7B A top view illustrating the behavior of head chamber 12A.

[0094] When gas from the inflator 42 is supplied to the side airbag 12, the skin at the upper end of the seat back 18 cracks, and the head chamber 12A expands and unfolds towards the front of the seat. At this time, since the head chamber 12A is positioned along the upper frame 34 in a position that does not overlap with the frame of the headrest 20, interference with the frame of the headrest 20 can be suppressed, and it unfolds towards the front of the seat.

[0095] like Figure 7A As shown, during the initial stage of expansion, the inward folding at the rear end of the head chamber 12A is released. At this time, because the inward folding of the head chamber 12A is released towards the inside of the seat between the shoulder strap 26A and the headrest 20, expansion space is ensured between the shoulder strap 26A and the headrest 20. Thus, as... Figure 7B As shown, the head chamber 12A can extend forward of the seat across the shoulder seat belt 26A.

[0096] Next, refer to Figures 8A to 8C The rear view of the vehicle seat 14 shown illustrates the behavior of the head chamber 12A. (As...) Figures 8A to 8C As shown, when the head chamber 12A expands and unfolds, the folding is released, and at the same time, the corrugated fold formed by folding the head chamber 12A back in the vertical direction of the seat is also released. When the corrugated fold is released, the upper part of the head chamber 12A unfolds on the upper side of the seat, allowing it to easily cross the shoulder seat belt 26A.

[0097] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the head chamber 12A is folded back towards the occupant P in the vertical direction of the seat, the corrugated fold is released towards the upper side of the seat and towards the inner side of the seat. Therefore, sufficient space for the head chamber 12A to expand can be adequately ensured between the shoulder strap 26A and the headrest 20.

[0098] Furthermore, even when the upper end of the head chamber 12A is folded back once towards the underside of the seat and stored, a certain effect can be achieved in quickly unfolding the head chamber 12A towards the upper side of the seat. However, as in this embodiment, since folding twice can reduce the swaying of the head chamber 12A in the width direction of the seat when unfolded, the unfolding performance towards the upper side of the seat can be improved.

[0099] (Functions and Effects)

[0100] As described above, in the vehicle seat 14 of this embodiment, during a side collision, the side airbag 12 inflates and deploys upon receiving gas from the inflator 42. This side airbag 12 has a head chamber 12A housed along the upper frame 34 of the seat back 18. The head chamber 12A inflates and deploys between the shoulder seatbelt 26A and the head H, prematurely restraining the head H of the occupant P.

[0101] Here, the head chamber 12A is folded back in the vertical direction of the seat to reduce its vertical width, and then rolled up from the front end in the front-rear direction of the seat. Thus, when the head chamber 12A is folded back along the upper frame 34, it can be folded into a position that does not overlap with the frame of the headrest 20. As a result, the expansion and unfolding of the head chamber 12A towards the front of the seat is not impaired by the headrest 20, and the unfolding performance of the head chamber 12A is improved.

[0102] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the head chamber 12A is folded in a corrugated manner by repeatedly folding back in the vertical direction of the seat. Specifically, after folding back the upper end of the head chamber 12A downwards towards the occupant P and then folding back the lower end upwards towards the occupant P, the front end of the head chamber 12A is rolled up in the front-rear direction of the seat. Thus, in the initial stage of the expansion and unfolding of the head chamber 12A, the corrugated fold is released towards the upper side and the inner side of the seat as the rolling is released. As a result, the head chamber 12A unfolds above the seat and crosses the shoulder seat belt 26A, and unfolding space is ensured between the shoulder seat belt 26A and the headrest 20. Consequently, the expansion and unfolding of the head chamber 12A towards the front of the seat is not impaired by the headrest 26A, and the unfolding performance of the head chamber 12A is improved.

[0103] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the front end of the head chamber 12A is folded inward in the front-to-back direction of the seat, the rear end of the head chamber 12A is also folded inward. Therefore, during the initial expansion and deployment of the head chamber 12A, the inward fold is released towards the inside of the seat between the shoulder strap and the headrest. As a result, since the expansion and deployment of the head chamber 12A towards the front of the seat is not impaired by the headrest 20 and the shoulder strap 26A, the deployment performance of the head chamber 12A can be improved.

[0104] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the side airbag 12 is composed of a single airbag, and the head chamber 12A and the torso chamber 12B are folded inward from the front end in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat. Thus, by folding the entire side airbag 12, including the head chamber 12A and the torso chamber 12B, inward, the side airbag 12 can be easily folded.

[0105] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the head chamber 12A has a thickness reduction portion 60 at least in a portion of its outer periphery. In this thickness reduction portion 60, since a thickness reduction process is performed by applying pressure to reduce the folding thickness, the folding shape can be miniaturized by forming at least a portion of the outer periphery into a compressed state. Thus, by forming the thickness reduction portion 60 in areas where the folding thickness is thick relative to the seating space allowed by the seat design, space-saving measures can be achieved. As a result, it becomes easier to ensure seating space corresponding to the seat design, and the larger size and capacity of the head chamber 12A can be accommodated.

[0106] Furthermore, the thickness reduction portion 60 in this embodiment is formed by hot pressing the outer periphery of the head chamber in the folded state. Since no additional components are required besides the side airbags, the manufacturing process is not complicated and can be easily manufactured.

[0107] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the seat back 18 is folded into the front end from the front-rear direction of the seat, the outer periphery of the base fabric has minimal undulation and is easy to maintain its shape. Consequently, after the head chamber 12A is folded, it is easy to perform thickness reduction processing, resulting in excellent workability.

[0108] [Additional Explanation]

[0109] The vehicle seat 14 according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described above; however, it is self-evident that it can be implemented in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0110] (Example 1 of a variation in thickness reduction processing)

[0111] For example, in the hot pressing used in the above embodiment, the entire circumference of the outer periphery of the head chamber 12A is uniformly pressurized and heated to reduce the fold thickness, but it is not limited to this. For example, as Figure 9 As shown in Modification 1, a recess 72 with an approximately elliptical outer periphery can also be formed on the mold 62 used in hot pressing, so that the shape of the processed head chamber 12A becomes flat in the seat height direction, thus forming a thickness reduction portion 70. Therefore, when the head chamber 12A is housed along the upper frame 34, the folding thickness in the seat height direction can be further reduced by utilizing the thickness reduction portion 70.

[0112] In addition, such as Figures 10A to 10D As shown, the thickness reduction process can also be performed with a surface material disposed on the outer periphery of the head chamber 12A in a folded state.

[0113] (Example 2 of a variation in thickness reduction processing)

[0114] For example, such as Figure 10A As shown in Modification 2, the structure can also be a configuration where the outer periphery of the head chamber 12A is covered by a heat-melting surface material 82 and then hot-pressed using a mold 62. As an example, the surface material 82 can be made of a heat-melting felt (non-woven fabric) formed from a heat-melting resin material. In the thickness-reduced portion 80 thus formed, the reduced shape of the head chamber 12A is maintained by means of the surface material 82 molten on the outer periphery. Therefore, the controllability of the side airbag 12 becomes good, and installation on the seat back 18 can be easily performed.

[0115] (Example 3 of a variation in the process of reducing thickness)

[0116] Additionally, for example, such as Figure 10B As shown in Modification 3, the thickness reduction process can also be performed using a pressure method based on the shrinkage force of the surface material 92. After covering the outer periphery of the folded head chamber 12A with a heat-shrinkable film having shrinkage properties generated by heating, the surface material 92 is heated from the outside, thereby performing the thickness reduction process of Modification 3. By applying pressure to the outer periphery of the head chamber 12A using the shrinkage force generated by heating, a thickness reduction portion 90 can be formed that reduces the folded thickness of the head chamber 12A. In Modification 3, the surface material 92 is made of a thin film; however, it is not limited to this and can also be made of a heat-shrinkable tube.

[0117] (Example 4 of a variation in thickness reduction processing)

[0118] In addition, such as Figure 10C As shown in Modification 4, the surface material 102 used for thickness reduction processing can also be made of a sheet-like member having shrinkage properties generated by elastic force. As an example, the surface material 102 is a sheet-like member made of a stretchable rubber material, which is wound around the outer periphery of the head chamber 12A in a stretched state through elastic deformation. The head chamber 12A is pressed by the elastic restoring force of the surface material 102, forming a folded, thickness-reduced portion 100. Furthermore, the surface material 102 according to Modification 4 is not limited to a sheet-like member and can also be made of a tubular member.

[0119] For the thickness-reduced portions 90 and 100 formed by the thickness reduction processing of the above-described modified examples 3 and 4, the outer periphery is covered with surface materials 92 and 102 to maintain the shape after shrinkage. As a result, the controllability of the side airbag becomes good, and it can be easily installed onto the seat back.

[0120] Furthermore, since surface materials 92 and 102 possess shrinkage properties generated by heating or based on elastic force, it is not necessary to use specialized molds or presses as in cases of thickness shrinkage processing via hot pressing. This reduces the scale of equipment required for manufacturing.

[0121] (Example 5 of a variation in thickness reduction processing)

[0122] In addition, such as Figure 10D As shown in Modification 5, the thickness reduction process can also be performed using a surface material 112 that does not possess shrinkage force itself. In this case, for example, the thickness reduction process can be performed by winding the surface material 112 to the outer periphery of the head chamber 12A while it is in a stretched state and applying pressure to the outer periphery, thereby reducing the fold thickness. Since the thickness reduction portion 110 formed in this way can be formed using a packaging material used as the packaging material for the airbag, material costs can be suppressed.

[0123] like Figure 11 As shown, on the surface materials 82, 92, 102, and 112 of the thickness-reduced portions 80, 90, 100, and 110 according to the above-described modifications 2 to 5, a slit portion 120 is formed facing the front side of the seat in the retracted state of the head chamber 12A. As an example, this slit portion 120 is formed by arranging multiple shallow grooves or multiple through holes formed on the surfaces of the surface materials 82, 92, 102, and 112 in a linear fashion. Therefore, when the side airbag 12 expands and deploys, the surface materials 82, 92, 102, and 112 rapidly crack along the slit portion 120 by means of the gas pressure applied from the head chamber 12A. Thus, the expansion and deployment of the head chamber 12A towards the front of the seat is not damaged by the surface materials 82, 92, 102, and 112, improving deployment performance.

[0124] In addition, in the above embodiment, the side airbag 12 is formed to expand and deploy laterally from the outside of the body of the passenger P in the vehicle width direction. However, it is not limited to this and can also be formed to expand and deploy laterally from the inside of the body of the passenger P in the vehicle width direction (the center side of the vehicle).

[0125] In addition, in the above embodiment, the side airbag device 10 is mounted on the front seat of the vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to this and the side airbag device 10 can also be mounted on the rear seat of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat, characterized in that, include: A seat back, wherein the seat back is equipped with an upper frame; An inflator, wherein the inflator mechanism supplies gas; as well as The side airbag has an upper head chamber forming the upper part of the seat and a lower torso chamber forming the lower part of the seat. The head chamber is housed along the upper frame of the seat back and, upon a side impact, inflates and expands between the shoulder strap and the head, supplied with air from the inflator. The head chamber is housed in the following manner: the upper end of the seat in the vertical direction is folded down towards the occupant, so that the portion that was the upper end before folding back becomes the lower end, and the folded lower end is folded up towards the occupant, thereby reducing the vertical width; then, the seat is rolled up from the front end in the front-rear direction. The head chamber is positioned further outward from the headrest support of the vehicle seat, and is housed in a location that does not overlap with the headrest frame. A thickness-reduced portion is formed in at least a portion of the outer periphery of the head chamber. The thickness reduction section maintains the reduced shape of the head chamber by utilizing the surface material on the outer periphery. A slit is formed on the surface material of the reduced thickness portion, which is positioned facing the front side of the seat when the head cavity is in its retracted state. Inside the side airbag, there is a fabric inner sleeve that extends from the head chamber to the torso chamber in the vertical direction of the seat. At the rear end of the inner sleeve, there is an integrally formed pouch-shaped inflator insertion part. The gas ejection part of the inflator is connected to the inside of the inner sleeve through the inflator insertion part. Thus, the gas supplied from the inflator flows through the inner sleeve first to the head chamber and then to the torso chamber.

2. The vehicle seat as described in claim 1, characterized in that, After the head chamber is folded back in the vertical direction of the seat to reduce its vertical width, it is stored in an inwardly rolled state. The inwardly rolled state is as follows: it is rolled from the front end of the seat in the front-back direction, and at least at the rear end of the rolled end, the top of the rolled end is rolled into the inside of the seat and rolled into a roll.

3. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that, The seat back also has a side frame. The side airbag also has a torso chamber that is recessed along the shoulder from the side of the side frame of the seat back, configured to inflate and deploy laterally in the torso upon a side impact. The head chamber and the torso chamber are each composed of a single airbag and are folded inward from the front end of the seat in a forward-backward direction.

4. A method for folding a side airbag, the side airbag having a head chamber forming an upper portion of the upper side of the seat and housed along the upper frame of the seat back, and a torso chamber forming a lower portion of the lower side of the seat, characterized in that, The folding method of the side airbag includes: The upper part of the head chamber seat is folded downwards towards the occupant, so that the part that was the upper part before folding back becomes the lower part, and the folded lower part is folded upwards towards the occupant, thereby reducing the vertical width; and Folding is achieved by rolling up the front end of the seat in the fore-aft direction; A thickness-reduced portion is formed in at least a portion of the outer periphery of the head chamber; The thickness reduction section maintains the reduced shape of the head chamber by utilizing the surface material on the outer periphery. A slit is formed on the surface material of the reduced thickness portion, which is positioned facing the front of the seat in the retracted state of the head cavity; The head chamber is positioned on the outer side of the seat, closer to the support strip of the headrest, and housed in a location that does not overlap with the headrest's frame. Inside the side airbag, there is a fabric inner sleeve that extends from the head chamber to the torso chamber in the vertical direction of the seat. At the rear end of the inner sleeve, there is an integrally formed pouch-shaped inflator insertion part. The gas ejection part of the inflator is connected to the inside of the inner sleeve through the inflator insertion part. Thus, the gas supplied from the inflator flows through the inner sleeve first to the head chamber and then to the torso chamber.

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