Side airbag device and method for manufacturing a side airbag device

Abstract

Provided is a side airbag device and a method for manufacturing a side airbag device, the side airbag device having a base member to which an inflator can be easily fixed. The side airbag device includes: an airbag (2); an inflator (3) configured to supply gas to the airbag (2); a base member (4) configured to accommodate the airbag (2) and the inflator (3) and be fixed to a vehicle body; an outer cover member configured to at least cover a front side of the base member (4) to form a forward-facing inner surface; and a mounting bracket (30). The mounting bracket (30) includes an inflator fixing portion (31) to which the inflator (3) is fixed and a base member fixing portion (32) located at a position different from that of the inflator fixing portion (31) and fixed to the base member (4). The base member (4) includes a bracket fixing portion (N2) at its left or right side portion, and the mounting bracket (30) is fixed to the bracket fixing portion (N2).

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of a Chinese patent application with an application date of September 26, 2018, an invention title of "Side airbag device and method for manufacturing a side airbag device", and an application number of 201880072152.9. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a side airbag device disposed between a vehicle body and a seat and a method for manufacturing the side airbag device. Background Art

[0003] In the art, a side airbag device is known. The side airbag device is disposed between a seat of a vehicle and a side wall of the vehicle body and is configured to deploy into a side space of an occupant in a chordal side collision of the vehicle. The side airbag device includes an inflator configured to release gas to deploy the airbag. The inflator typically has a bolt integrally formed therewith, and the bolt is oriented in a backward direction of the seat and fastened to a mounting portion of the vehicle body or a seat frame located behind the inflator (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0004] In the side airbag device of Patent Document 1, a module housing that houses the inflator and the airbag includes an interior and an exterior that extend forward on the left and right sides of the inflator and thus enclose the inflator.

[0005] Reference List

[0006] Patent Document Patent Document 1: JP 5408360B2 Summary of the Invention

[0007] In some cases where a base member that houses the inflator and the airbag is enclosed in a box such as a housing or a cushion, it may be difficult to fix the inflator to the base member.

[0008] It is desirable to make it easier to fix the inflator to the base member, thereby improving the ease of assembly of the side airbag device.

[0009] For a side airbag device, typically, it seems desirable to deploy the airbag stably along the side wall of the vehicle body and to limit the rapid and violent expansion of the airbag for deployment. In addition, a side airbag device configured to be compact in size is desired.

[0010] Against this backdrop of these situations, a novel side airbag device disposed between a vehicle body and a seat is proposed. The side airbag device disclosed herein includes, on the one hand: an airbag; an inflater configured to supply gas to the airbag; a base member configured to house the airbag and the inflater and be fixed to the vehicle body; an outer covering member configured to at least cover the front side of the base member to form a forward-facing inner surface; and a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket including: an inflater fixing portion on which the inflater is fixed and a base member fixing portion located at a position different from the position of the inflater fixing portion and fixed to the base member. The base member includes a bracket fixing portion on its left or right side portion, and the mounting bracket is fixed to the bracket fixing portion.

[0011] With this configuration, the inflater can be fixed to the mounting bracket to form a sub-assembly, so that the mounting bracket can be fixed to the base member by means of the base member fixing portion; thus, it is possible to easily mount the inflater to the base member. Therefore, the ease of assembly of the side airbag device can be improved.

[0012] In the above configuration, the inflater fixing portion is preferably located closer to the inner surface than the base fixing portion.

[0013] With this configuration, in this configuration, the inflater fixing portion is located closer to the inner surface than the base member fixing portion, and the airbag is less likely to be caught on the base member fixing portion when deployed, thus allowing for stable deployment.

[0014] In the above configuration, the base member fixing portion can be located farther from the inner surface than the inflater.

[0015] With this configuration, the base member fixing portion is in a position shifted backward relative to the position of the inflater; thus, by using the base member fixing portion, it is possible to easily fix the mounting bracket to the base member.

[0016] In the above configuration, the inflater fixing portion can be located closer to the center of the base member in the lateral direction than the base member fixing portion.

[0017] This inflater fixing portion being located closer to the center of the base member in the lateral direction makes it easy to arrange other components (such as nuts for fastening the inflater to bolts) on one side of the center of the base member in the lateral direction, the side opposite to the side where the inflater fixing portion is located (the inner side in the lateral direction defined by the vehicle body).

[0018] In the above configuration, the inflater may include a plurality of bolts.

[0019] Here, the inflator fixing portion may include a plurality of inflator fixing holes, and the plurality of bolts are respectively disposed through the plurality of inflator fixing holes.

[0020] As in this configuration, by using a plurality of bolts to fix the inflator, it becomes possible to stably fix the inflator.

[0021] In the above configuration, the base member fixing portion may include a plurality of base member fixing holes, and a plurality of fastening members are respectively disposed through the plurality of base member fixing holes.

[0022] With this configuration, the mounting bracket can be more stably fixed to the base member by using a plurality of fastening members.

[0023] In the above configuration, the base member may include an interior that is more inward in the lateral direction within the vehicle body relative to the airbag.

[0024] Here, the mounting bracket may preferably be fixed to the interior.

[0025] With this configuration, the airbag is restricted within the interior where the inflator is fixed, and thus tends to be forced to expand outward in the lateral direction defined with respect to the vehicle body, that is, on the side opposite to the side where the interior is located. This enables the airbag to be deployed along the side wall of the vehicle body.

[0026] In the case of fixing the inflator to the interior, it is possible for the airbag to expand rearward of the seat. Therefore, even if the force generated when the airbag is deployed is large, the airbag can be made to expand rearward to a certain extent, thereby preventing the airbag from expanding forward rapidly and violently during deployment.

[0027] Preferably, the base member may include a wire frame made of a metal bar.

[0028] The base frame configured to include such a wire frame is for providing increased rigidity to the base member; thus, the side airbag device can be configured to be compact in size.

[0029] The side airbag device may further include a buffer pad, and the base member is covered by the buffer pad.

[0030] A method for manufacturing a side airbag device as described above may include the following steps: integrally forming a buffer pad with the base member; fixing the base member to the vehicle body; and fixing the mounting bracket having the inflator fixed thereto to the base member.

[0031] With this manufacturing method, even after the base member is surrounded by the cushion pad as a result of integrally forming the cushion pad and the base member, the inflator can be easily fixed to the base member by fixing the mounting bracket to which the inflator is fixed to the base member.

[0032] On the other hand, there is proposed a side airbag device having an inflator fixed to a vehicle body by a base member made of a wire frame. The side airbag device is configured such that when the airbag is deployed, it is less likely to catch on the wire frame, thereby enabling an improved shape change pattern of the airbag when it is deployed. The side airbag device disclosed herein includes: an airbag; an inflator configured to supply gas to the airbag; and a base member having a storage space capable of accommodating the airbag and the inflator, wherein the base member is fixed to the vehicle body. The base member includes: a wire frame made of a metal rod; and a guide plate made of a metal plate, the guide plate being located on the storage space side of the front edge portion of the wire frame. The guide plate is fixed to the front edge portion of the wire frame.

[0033] With such a configuration, in which the guide plate is located on the storage space side of the wire frame, the airbag is less likely to catch on the wire frame and thus can be stably deployed. In addition, the guide plate can be used to reinforce the front edge portion of the wire frame, thereby enabling the rigidity of the base member to be enhanced. Further, fixing the guide plate to the front edge portion of the wire frame results in mutual reinforcement of the front edge portion of the guide plate and the front edge portion of the wire frame, and thus is used to enhance the rigidity of the front edge portion of the base member.

[0034] The above-described side airbag device may be configured such that the base member includes an outer portion located more laterally outward in the vehicle body relative to the airbag, and the guide plate includes a first guide plate provided along the front edge portion of the outer portion.

[0035] With this configuration, the front edge portion of the outer portion can be strengthened; thus, it is possible to make the front edge portion less likely to be distorted and deformed when the airbag is deployed, and thereby the airbag can be stably deployed forward.

[0036] The above-described first guide plate is preferably provided along the length from the upper end to the lower end of the outer portion.

[0037] The first guide plate preferably may include a flange at its rear end portion, the flange extending outward in the lateral direction defined with respect to the vehicle body.

[0038] With this configuration, in which the first guide plate includes a flange extending outward in the lateral direction, even when the deployment of the airbag tends to cause the outer portion to deploy and bend outward in the lateral direction, the edge of the flange can contact the vehicle body, thereby serving to limit the further bending of the outer portion.

[0039] In addition, the flange can preferably be in contact with the vehicle body. If the flange is in contact with the vehicle body, it is possible to make it less likely for the exterior to become bent when the airbag is deployed.

[0040] In the above-described airbag device, the base member can include an interior that is more inwardly located transversely within the vehicle body relative to the airbag.

[0041] The guide plate can include a second guide plate provided along the front edge portion of the interior.

[0042] The provision of the second guide plate can be used to limit the interior from becoming bent when the airbag is deployed.

[0043] The above-described second guide plate can preferably be provided along the length from the upper end to the lower end of the interior.

[0044] The second guide plate can preferably be parallel to the first guide plate. Here, the term "parallel" as mentioned herein can include a position that is slightly deviated from the parallel position due to manufacturing errors or the like, or a position inclined at an angle of up to 3 degrees.

[0045] The above-described side airbag device can further include: an outer covering member configured to cover at least the front side of the base member; and a hook member provided at an end of the outer covering member to fasten the outer covering member. Here, the base member can include an outer covering anchoring portion on which the hook member is hooked, and when viewed from the storage space, the outer covering anchoring portion is located behind the guide plate.

[0046] With this configuration, in this configuration, when viewed from the storage space, the outer covering anchoring portion on which the hook member is hooked is located behind the guide plate. When the airbag is deployed, it is possible to stably deploy the airbag without it getting caught on the outer covering anchoring portion.

[0047] In the above-described side airbag device, the base member can include: an exterior that is more outwardly located transversely within the vehicle body relative to the airbag; and a rear portion that is more rearwardly located relative to the airbag in the front-rear direction of the seat. Here, preferably, the exterior includes an outer fixing portion to be fixed to the vehicle body, and the rear portion includes a rear fixing portion to be fixed to the vehicle body.

[0048] The side airbag device can further include an outer covering member configured to cover at least the front side of the base member to form a forward-facing inner surface. Here, preferably, the outer fixing portion is located closer to the inner surface than the rear fixing portion.

[0049] With this configuration, in which the base member is fixed to the vehicle body at the outer fixing portion provided on the outside and at the rear fixing portion provided on the rear, the side airbag device can be stably fixed in an appropriate position. Therefore, even when the force generated during airbag deployment is large, the base member can be stably held in an appropriate position, enabling the airbag to be deployed stably.

[0050] By positioning the outer fixing portion closer to the inner surface than the rear fixing portion, the side airbag device can be stably fixed in an appropriate position.

[0051] In another aspect, a side airbag device is proposed in which bending deformation of the base member is suppressed, enabling the airbag to be deployed stably. The side airbag device disclosed herein includes: an airbag; an inflator configured to supply gas to the airbag; a base member configured to house the airbag and the inflator and be fixed to the vehicle body; and an outer covering member configured to cover at least the front side of the base member to form a forward-facing inner surface. The base member includes a wire frame made of a metal rod. The wire frame includes: an outer wire frame that forms at least a part of an outer portion that is laterally more outward in the vehicle body relative to the airbag; and an inner wire frame that forms at least a part of an inner portion that is laterally more inward in the vehicle body relative to the airbag; a rear wire frame that is located more rearward relative to the airbag in the front-rear direction of the seat, the rear wire frame connecting the outer wire frame and the inner wire frame; at least one bridging portion that is located away from the rear wire frame and more forward relative to the rear wire frame, the at least one bridging portion connecting the outer wire frame and the inner wire frame. At least one of the bridging portions includes a laterally outer end portion fixed to a laterally inner surface of the outer wire frame and a laterally inner end portion fixed to a laterally outer surface of the inner wire frame.

[0052] With this configuration, in which the base member includes a bridging portion connecting the inner wire frame and the outer wire frame, it is less likely for the inner and outer portions to unfold and become laterally outwardly distorted. This makes it possible to deploy the airbag stably.

[0053] Since at least one of the bridging portions includes a laterally outer end portion fixed to a laterally inner surface of the outer wire frame and a laterally inner end portion fixed to a laterally outer surface of the inner wire frame, the outer wire frame and the inner wire frame can be firmly connected over a short distance.

[0054] In the above-described side airbag device, the bridging portion may include a first bridging portion connecting an upper portion of the outer portion and an upper portion of the inner portion. Additionally or alternatively, the bridging portion may include a second bridging portion connecting a lower portion of the outer portion and a lower portion of the inner portion.

[0055] The connection between the outer wire frame and the inner wire frame through the first bridging portion and the second bridging portion at their upper and lower parts will make the base member less likely to become distorted and deformed.

[0056] The above-mentioned side airbag device can preferably be configured such that the inflator includes a cylindrical main body and a bolt protruding from the main body, wherein the bridging portion is located at a position farther from the inner surface than the center of the main body.

[0057] With this configuration, in which the bridging portion is located at a position farther from the inner surface than the center of the main body, when the airbag is deployed from the inner surface outward into the vehicle interior, the airbag is less likely to be caught on the bridging portion, thus allowing the airbag to be deployed stably.

[0058] In addition, the side airbag device may further include a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket including: an inflator fixing portion on which the inflator is fixed; and a base member fixing portion located at a position different from that of the inflator fixing portion and fixed to the base member. Preferably, the inflator fixing portion may have an inflator fixing hole through which the bolt of the inflator is provided, and the bridging portion can be located at a position farther from the inner surface than the inflator fixing hole.

[0059] With this configuration, in which the bridging portion is located at a position farther from the inner surface than the inflator fixing hole, when the airbag is deployed from the inner surface outward into the vehicle interior, the airbag is less likely to be caught on the bridging portion, thus allowing the airbag to be deployed stably.

[0060] Furthermore, the bridging portion can preferably be located at a position farther from the inner surface than each part of the main body.

[0061] With the bridging portion located at a position farther from the inner surface than each part of the main body, when the airbag is deployed from the inner surface outward into the vehicle interior, the airbag is less likely to be caught on the bridging portion, thus allowing the airbag to be deployed stably.

[0062] The above-mentioned side airbag device can be configured such that the base member includes a wire frame made of a metal rod, wherein the wire frame includes an outer wire frame constituting at least a part of the exterior and an inner wire frame constituting at least a part of the interior, and wherein the bridging portion connects the outer wire frame and the inner wire frame.

[0063] With this configuration, in which the base member is made of a wire frame, the rigidity of the base member can be easily increased, so that the side airbag device can be made compact in size. Description of the Drawings

[0064] Figure 1It is a view of a vehicle equipped with a side airbag device as observed from inside the vehicle.

[0065] Figure 2 It is a perspective view of the side airbag device and the side panel of the vehicle body to which the side airbag device is fixed.

[0066] Figure 3 It is a perspective view of the side airbag device as observed from the side panel side.

[0067] Figure 4 It is an exploded perspective view of the side airbag device.

[0068] Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the base member as observed from the inward direction in the lateral direction of the vehicle body.

[0069] Figure 6 It is a perspective view of the base member as observed from the outward direction in the lateral direction of the vehicle body.

[0070] Figure 7 It is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the side airbag device.

[0071] Figure 8 It is a view of the side airbag device as observed from the inward lateral direction.

[0072] Figure 9 It includes (a) a view for explaining the manner of fixing the outer wire frame and the inner wire frame to the bridging portion; (b) a view showing the desired area to be joined of the outer wire frame; (c) a view showing the desired area to be joined of the inner wire frame. Specific Embodiment

[0073] Hereinafter, a detailed description of an embodiment of the present invention will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate. As Figure 1 shown, the side airbag device 1 is a device mainly applied to the rear seats of automobiles and is provided between the seat S and a part of the vehicle body (i.e., the side wall BS and the door BD).

[0074] The seat S includes a seat cushion S1 and a seat backrest S2, and the seat backrest S2 is rotatable about an axis provided at its lower end so that it can be tilted forward. The side airbag device 1 is fixed to the side wall BS and not to the seat backrest S2. Thus, although not shown, when the seat backrest S2 is tilted forward, the side airbag device 1 remains on the side wall BS and is exposed. The side airbag device 1 has a front surface that is substantially flush with the front surface of the seat backrest S2, so that when the seat S is in the normal use position, the side airbag device 1 appears as if it is part of the seat backrest S2. Although the side airbag device 1 described herein according to this embodiment is a side airbag device installed on the left hand side (on the left side of the seat S) inside the vehicle body, it should be understood that a side airbag device having a structure that is the mirror image of the shown structure can be provided on the right hand side inside the vehicle body. When describing this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the terms "laterally inward (in)" or "laterally outward (out)" are used to indicate relative positions or directions, which are not relative to the side airbag device 1 itself but relative to the vehicle body. In other words, "inward (in)" means a position closer to the center in the lateral direction inside the vehicle body, and "outward (out)" means a position farther from the center in the lateral direction inside the vehicle body. Similarly, unless otherwise specified, the term "front-rear direction" is used to indicate the front-rear direction defined with respect to the seat S.

[0075] As Figure 2 shown, the side wall BS includes a side panel 200 inside, and the side airbag device 1 is fixed to the side panel 200.

[0076] The side panel 200 includes a first mounting hole 211 provided in the laterally inward-facing surface and a second mounting hole 212 provided in the forward-facing surface, as an example of the mounting portion 210 for the side airbag device 1 to be mounted thereon. The first mounting hole 211 and the second mounting hole 212 are provided in two; among every two mounting holes, one is arranged above the other.

[0077] The side panel 200 further includes a tool access hole 215 provided in the laterally inward-facing surface to allow a tool for mounting the side airbag device 1 to be inserted therein. The tool access hole 215 is provided in two, with one arranged above the other.

[0078] As described above, the side airbag device 1 is arranged such that when the seat backrest S2 is tilted forward, its front side, laterally inner side, and upper side are exposed; thus, these sides are covered by the outer covering member 7. Therefore, in the side airbag device 1, the outer covering member 7 forms a forward-facing inner surface 1A, a laterally inward-facing inner surface 1B, and an upper surface 1C.

[0079] As Figure 3As shown, the outer covering member 7 is also configured to have an edge that wraps around the front side and extends rearward to a certain extent on the lateral outside. Accordingly, the outer covering member 7 forms an outward-facing surface 1D.

[0080] As Figure 4 shown, the side airbag device 1 is configured to include an airbag 2, an inflator 3, a base member 4, and a mounting bracket 30.

[0081] As is known in the prior art, the airbag 2 is a member that is inflated and deployed by gas internally supplied during a vehicle collision.

[0082] The inflator 3 is a member configured to supply gas to the airbag 2. The inflator 3 includes a cylindrical main body 3A and bolts 3B protruding from the main body 3A. A plurality (two in this embodiment) of bolts 3B are provided here and arranged along the axis of the main body 3A; each bolt 3B is oriented toward the axis of the main body 3A and fixed to the main body 3A.

[0083] The base member 4 is a member configured to accommodate the airbag 2 and the inflator 3 and is fixed to the vehicle body (fixed to the side panel 200 in this embodiment). Although not shown in Figure 4 , the base member 4 is covered by a cushion 6 (see Figure 7 ), and the outside of the cushion 6 is covered by the outer covering member 7. More specifically, the outer covering member 7 covers at least the front side of the base member 4.

[0084] As Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, the base member 4 includes a wire frame 10 and a guide plate 20.

[0085] The wire frame 10 is made of a bent metal bar and includes an outer wire frame 11, an inner wire frame 12, a rear wire frame 13, and a bridging portion 14. The internal space surrounded by these elements forms a storage space 51, in which the airbag 2 and the inflator 3 are accommodated.

[0086] The guide plate 20 is made of a metal plate and includes a first guide plate 21 fixed to the outer wire frame 11 and a second guide plate 22 fixed to the inner wire frame 12.

[0087] The outer wire frame 11 includes a front edge portion 11A extending in the vertical direction, an upper edge portion 11B extending rearward from the upper end of the front edge portion 11A (the position where the outer wire frame 11 bends), a lower edge portion 11C extending rearward from the lower end of the front edge portion 11A (the position where the outer wire frame 11 bends) and further extending in an inclined rearward and upward direction, a rear edge portion 11D extending downward from the rear end of the upper edge portion 11B (the position where the outer wire frame 11 bends) and connecting to the lower edge portion 11C, and an outer covering anchoring portion 11F extending in the vertical direction and connecting the upper edge portion 11B and the lower edge portion 11C. The rear edge portion 11D has a stepped shape with its lower part offset forward relative to its upper part. Connections forming the wire frame 10 are established at each connection portion by welding.

[0088] First fixing plates 15A, 15B made of a metal plate and arranged to fix the outer wire frame 11 to the side frame 200 are fixed to the outer wire frame 11 by welding.

[0089] The first fixing plate 15A is fixed to the upper edge portion 11B and the rear edge portion 11D by welding. The first fixing plate 15B is located below the first fixing plate 15A and is fixed to the rear edge portion 11D by welding. To further detail the fixing manner of the first fixing plates 15A, 15B, the first fixing plates 15A, 15B are each formed to have a substantially rectangular shape. The outer wire frame 11 includes an L-shaped portion 11X located along two adjacent sides (more specifically, the upper side and the rear side) of the first fixing plate 15A, and an L-shaped portion 11Y located along two adjacent sides (more specifically, the lower side and the rear side) of the first fixing plate 15B. The L-shaped portion 11X is fixed to the first fixing plate 15A by two welding points W1 provided on both sides of the first fixing plate 15A. Similarly, the L-shaped portion 11Y is fixed to the first fixing plate 15B by two welding points W2 provided on both sides of the first fixing plate 15B. By these L-shaped portions 11X, 11Y respectively fixed to both sides of the first fixing plates 15A, 15B, the rigidity of the peripheral edges of the first fixing plates 15A, 15B can be improved, and the side airbag device 1 can be firmly fixed to the vehicle body.

[0090] Nuts N1 are fixed to the lateral inner sides of each of the first fixing plates 15A, 15B by welding. Although not denoted by reference numerals, each of the first fixing plates 15A, 15B has through holes formed at positions corresponding to the nuts N1.

[0091] The outer wire frame 11, the first guide plate 21, and the first fixing plates 15A, 15B constitute an exterior that is laterally more outward within the vehicle body relative to the airbag 2. In other words, the outer wire frame 11 constitutes at least a part of the exterior. The exterior includes the nuts N1 of the first fixing plates 15A, 15B as outer fixing portions to be fixed to the vehicle body.

[0092] The outer covering anchoring part 11F is the part on which the hook 7A (see Figure 7 ) is hooked. The hook 7A is provided as a hook member at the end of the outer covering member 7 to fasten the outer covering member 7. Seen from the storage space 51, it is located behind the first guide plate 21.

[0093] The inner wire frame 12 includes a front edge part 12A extending in the vertical direction, an upper edge part 12B extending backward from the upper end of the front edge part 12A (the position where the inner wire frame 12 bends), a lower edge part 12C extending backward from the lower end of the front edge part 12A (the position where the inner wire frame 12 bends) and further extending in an inclined backward and upward direction, and a rear edge part 12D extending downward from the rear end of the upper edge part 12B (the position where the inner wire frame 12 bends) and connected to the lower edge part 12C.

[0094] The third fixing plates 16A, 16B made of a metal plate and provided to fix the mounting frame 30 thereto are fixed to the inner wire frame 12 by welding. The third fixing plate 16A is fixed to the rear edge part 12D by welding. The third fixing plate 16B is located below the third fixing plate 16A and is fixed to the rear edge part 12D by welding. To further detail the fixing manner of the third fixing plates 16A, 16B, the third fixing plates 16A, 16B are each formed to have a substantially rectangular shape. The inner wire frame 12 includes a U-shaped part 16X located along three sides (more specifically, the upper side, the rear side, and the lower side) of the first fixing plate 16A, and an L-shaped part 16Y located along two adjacent sides (more specifically, the upper side and the rear side) of the third fixing plate 16B. The U-shaped part 16X is fixed to the third fixing plate 16A by three welding points W3 provided at three sides of the third fixing plate 16A. Similarly, the L-shaped part 16Y is fixed to the third fixing plate 16B by two welding points W4 provided at two sides of the third fixing plate 16B. By using the U-shaped part 16X fixed to three sides of the third fixing plate 16A and the L-shaped part 16Y fixed to two sides of the third fixing plate 16B, the rigidity of the peripheral edges of the third fixing plates 16A, 16B can be improved, and the mounting frame 30 can be firmly fixed to the base member 4.

[0095] The nut N2 is fixed to the lateral inner sides of each of the third fixing plates 16A, 16 by welding. The rear edge part 12D has a serpentine shape and has a backward protruding part to which the third fixing plates 16A, 16B are fixed. Although not denoted by reference numerals, each of the third fixing plates 16A, 16B has a through hole formed at a position corresponding to the nut N2.

[0096] The outer wire frame 12, the second guide plate 22, and the third fixing plates 16A and 16B form an interior that is located more inwardly horizontally within the vehicle body relative to the airbag 2. In other words, the inner wire frame 12 forms at least a part of the interior. The base member 4 includes a nut N2 at its left or right side, and the nut N2 serves as a bracket fixing portion for fixing the mounting bracket 30.

[0097] The rear wire frame 13 includes an upper connection frame 13A and a lower connection frame 13B.

[0098] The upper connection frame 13A is made of a bent metal rod, and each of its ends is connected to the upper part of the rear edge portion 11D of the outer wire frame 11 and the upper part of the rear edge portion 12D of the inner wire frame 12. The second fixing plate 17A made of a metal plate and provided to fix the upper connection frame 13A to the side panel 200 is fixed to the upper connection frame 13A by welding.

[0099] To further detail the fixing manner of the second fixing plate 17A, the second fixing plate 17A is formed to have a substantially rectangular shape. The upper connection frame 13A includes a U-shaped portion 13X located along three sides (more specifically, the outer side, the upper side, and the inner side) of the second fixing plate 17A. The U-shaped portion 13X is fixed to the three sides of the second fixing plate 17A by three welding points W5 provided on the three sides of the second fixing plate 17A. By the U-shaped portion 13X fixed to the three sides of the second fixing plate 17A, the rigidity of the peripheral edge of the second fixing plate 17A can be improved, and the side airbag device 1 can be firmly fixed to the vehicle body.

[0100] The nut N3, which is an example of a rear side fixing portion, is fixed to the front side of the second fixing plate 17A by welding.

[0101] The lower connection frame 13B is made of a bent metal rod, and each of its ends is connected to the lower part of the rear edge portion 11D of the outer wire frame 11 and the lower part of the rear edge portion 12D of the inner wire frame 12. The second fixing plate 17B made of a metal plate and provided to fix the lower connection frame 13B to the side panel 200 is fixed to the lower connection frame 13B by welding. To further detail the fixing manner of the second fixing plate 17B, the second fixing plate 17B is formed to have a substantially rectangular shape. The lower connection frame 13B includes a U-shaped portion 13Y located along three sides (more specifically, the outer side, the upper side, and the inner side) of the second fixing plate 17B. The U-shaped portion 13Y is fixed to the three sides of the second fixing plate 17B by three welding points W6 provided at the three sides of the second fixing plate 17B. By the U-shaped portion 13Y fixed to the three sides of the second fixing plate 17B, the rigidity of the peripheral edge of the second fixing plate 17B can be improved, and the side airbag device 1 can be firmly fixed to the vehicle body.

[0102] The nut N3, which is an example of the rear side fixing portion, is fixed to the front side of the second fixing plate 17B by welding. Although not denoted by reference numerals, each of the second fixing plates 17A and 17B has a through hole formed at a position corresponding to the nut N3.

[0103] The rear wire frame 13, the second fixing plates 17A and 17B, and the nut N3 are located more rearward with respect to the airbag in the front - rear direction of the seat, and connect the inside and the outside.

[0104] The nut N1, which is an example of the outer side fixing portion, is closer to the inner surface 1A than the nut N3, which is an example of the rear side fixing portion.

[0105] The bridging portion 14 is made of a metal bar and includes a first bridging portion 14A and a second bridging portion 14B.

[0106] The first bridging portion 14A connects the upper edge portion 11B provided in the upper part of the outer wire frame 11 and the upper edge portion 12B provided in the upper part of the inner wire frame 12.

[0107] More specifically, as Figure 9 shown in (a), the laterally outer end portion of the first bridging portion 14A is fixed to the laterally inner surface of the outer wire frame 11 by a welding point W provided thereon, and the laterally inner end portion of the first bridging portion 14A is fixed to the laterally outer surface of the inner wire frame 12. In the present embodiment, as an example, the laterally innermost part of the outer wire frame 11 and the laterally outermost part of the first bridging portion 14A are arranged to be in contact with or in close proximity to each other, so that the outer wire frame 11 and the first bridging portion 14A are fixed together. Similarly, the laterally outermost part of the inner wire frame 12 and the laterally innermost part of the first bridging portion 14A are arranged to be in contact with or in close proximity to each other, so that the inner wire frame 12 and the first bridging portion 14A are fixed together.

[0108] The second bridging portion 14B connects the lower edge portion 11C provided in the lower part of the outer wire frame 11 and the lower edge portion 12C provided in the lower part of the inner wire frame 12.

[0109] More specifically, the laterally outer end portion of the second bridging portion 14B is fixed to the laterally inner surface of the outer wire frame 11 by welding points W provided thereon, and the laterally inner end portion of the second bridging portion 14B is fixed to the laterally outer surface of the inner wire frame 12 by welding points W provided thereon. In the present embodiment, as an example, the innermost lateral portion of the outer wire frame 11 and the outermost lateral portion of the second bridging portion 14B are arranged to be in contact with or in close proximity to each other, so that the outer wire frame 11 and the second bridging portion 14B are fixed together. Similarly, the outermost lateral portion of the inner wire frame 12 and the innermost lateral portion of the second bridging portion 14B are arranged to be in contact with or in close proximity to each other, so that the inner wire frame 12 and the second bridging portion 14B are fixed together.

[0110] Here, the laterally inner surface of the outer wire frame 11 refers to the surface located laterally inside the vertical surface 11V including the center 11E of the outer wire frame 11, that is, the surface area shown as range A1. Similarly, the laterally outer surface of the inner wire frame 12 refers to the surface located laterally outside the vertical surface 12V including the center 12E of the inner wire frame 12, that is, the surface area shown as range A2. The restrictions within these ranges for fixing the laterally outer end portion of the outer wire frame 11 and the bridging portion 14 together and for fixing the laterally inner end portion of the inner wire frame 12 and the bridging portion 14 together make it possible to firmly connect the outer wire frame 11 and the inner wire frame 12 by the bridging portion 14 over a short distance.

[0111] To more firmly fix the outer wire frame 11 and the inner wire frame 12 by the bridging portion 14, preferably, a limited area of the laterally inner surface of the outer wire frame 11 as shown in Figure 9 (b), that is, the surface area that varies within 45 degrees upward and downward with respect to the horizontal plane 11H including the center 11E of the outer wire frame 11 (see the range A3 shown in the figure) is fixed together with the laterally outer end portion of the bridging portion 14, and, a limited area of the laterally outer surface of the inner wire frame 12 as shown in Figure 9 (c), that is, the surface area that varies within 45 degrees upward and downward with respect to the horizontal line 12H including the center 12H of the inner wire frame 12 (see the range A4 shown in the figure) is fixed together with the laterally inner end portion of the bridging portion 14.

[0112] The first bridging portion 14A and the second bridging portion 14B are located separately from the rear portion and are more forward with respect to the rear portion.

[0113] The first guide plate 21 is provided to extend in the vertical direction along the front edge portion 11A (outer) of the outer wire frame 11, and is fixed to the front edge portion 11A, the upper edge portion 11B, and the lower edge portion 11C by welding. The first guide plate 21 is located on the storage space 51 side of the front edge portion 11A, the upper edge portion 11B, and the lower edge portion 11C.

[0114] The first guide plate 21 is arranged to span the range from the upper edge portion 11B to the lower edge portion 11C, that is, the range from the upper end to the lower end on the outside. The first guide plate 21 has its upper end portion fixed to the upper edge portion 11B by welding using the welding point 21B provided thereat, and its lower end portion fixed to the lower edge portion 11C by welding using the welding point 21C provided thereat. The first guide plate 21 has its front end portion fixed to the front edge portion 11A of the outer wire frame 11 by welding using three welding points 21D provided thereat. The three welding points 21D are arranged in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the front edge portion of the first guide plate 21 is fixed along the front edge portion 11A of the outer wire frame 11.

[0115] In addition, the first guide plate 21 includes a flange 21A in its rear end portion, which extends outward in the lateral direction defined with respect to the vehicle body. The flange 21A is a portion configured to contact the side panel 200, so as to limit the outside from being distorted and deformed when being laterally pressed outward by the force acting thereon when the airbag 2 is deployed. In this embodiment, as Figure 7 shown, before the airbag 2 is deployed, the flange 21A has already contacted the side panel 200.

[0116] The second guide plate 22 is arranged to extend in the vertical direction along the front edge portion 12A (inside) of the inner wire frame 12, and is fixed to the front edge portion 12A, the upper edge portion 12B, and the lower edge portion 12C by welding. The second guide plate 22 is located on the storage space 51 side of the front edge portion 12A, the upper edge portion 12B, and the lower edge portion 12C.

[0117] The second guide plate 22 is arranged to span the range from the upper edge portion 12B to the lower edge portion 12C, that is, the range from the upper end to the lower end on the inside. The second guide plate 22 has its upper end portion fixed to the upper edge portion 12B by welding using the weld node 22B provided thereat, and its lower end portion fixed to the lower edge portion 12C by welding using the welding point 22C provided thereat. The second guide plate 22 has its front edge portion fixed to the front edge portion 12A of the inner wire frame 12 by welding using three welding points 22D provided thereat. The three welding points 22D are arranged in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the front edge portion of the second guide plate 22 is fixed along the front edge portion 12A of the inner wire frame 12.

[0118] The second guide plate 22 is located parallel to the first guide plate 21. This enables the first guide plate 21 and the second guide plate 22 to respectively receive substantially evenly distributed portions of the force acting thereon when the airbag 2 is deployed, thereby effectively improving the rigidity of the base member 4.

[0119] The mounting bracket 30 is a member for mounting the inflator 3 to the base member 4, and is made of a metal plate. AsFigure 4 As shown, the mounting bracket 30 includes: an inflater fixing portion 31 to which the inflater 3 is fixed, a base member fixing portion 32 located at a position different from that of the inflater fixing portion 31 and fixed to the base member 4, and a connecting portion 33 connecting the inflater fixing portion 31 and the base member fixing portion 32. The base member fixing portion 32 is provided to extend rearward from the upper and lower portions of the connecting portion 33.

[0120] As Figure 7 shown, the inflater fixing portion 31 and the base member fixing portion 32 each have a flat plate shape extending in the front-rear direction. The inflater fixing portion 31 is closer to the center C1 of the base member 4 in the lateral direction than the base member fixing portion 32. It should be understood that the center C1 of the base member 4 in the lateral direction is defined as a plane equidistant from the front edge portions 11A, 12A, etc. of the base member 4 in the lateral direction.

[0121] The connecting portion 33 has a flat plate shape that extends obliquely between the rear end of the inflater fixing portion 31 and the respective front ends of the base member fixing portion 32 and connects the rear end of the inflater fixing portion 31 and the respective front ends of the base member fixing portion 32.

[0122] The inflater fixing portion 31 is located closer to the inner surface 1A, that is, more forward, than the base member fixing portion 32. The base member fixing portion 32 is located farther from the inner surface 1A than the inflater 3.

[0123] Returning to Figure 4 , the inflater 3 includes a plurality (two in this embodiment) of bolts 3B, and the inflater fixing portion 31 has two inflater fixing holes 31A through which the two bolts 3B are respectively disposed.

[0124] The base member fixing portion 32 has two (a plurality of) base member fixing holes 32A, and a plurality of fastening members (two bolts B1 in this embodiment) are respectively disposed through the two base member fixing holes.

[0125] The inflater 3 is fixed to the base member 4 by the mounting bracket 30.

[0126] More specifically, as Figure 7 shown, the inflater 3 is disposed inside the airbag 2, and the airbag 2 is surrounded by a band 5 that restricts the deployment direction of the airbag 2 (see also Figure 5 ). The band 5 has a plurality of front end portions, each of which is connected to the outer covering member 7 and is used to assist in splitting the buffer pad 6 when the airbag 2 deploys.

[0127] Each bolt 3B of the inflator 3 is disposed to pass through the airbag 2 and the belt 5, as well as through the plastic reinforcement plate 8 and the inflator fixing hole 31A. Then, a nut N4 is screwed onto the bolt 3B, thereby fixing the mounting bracket 30 to the inflator 3. As a result, the bolts 3B protruding from the main body 3A are oriented laterally inwardly within the vehicle body.

[0128] The base member fixing portion 32 of the mounting bracket 30 is fixed to the third fixing plate 16A by a bolt B1 inserted through the base member fixing hole 32A and screwed into a nut N2. In this way, the mounting bracket 30 is fixed to the inside of the base member 4. The inflator 3 is fixed together with the airbag 2 inside.

[0129] The aforementioned tool access hole 215 is located in a position aligned with the bolt B1 and the nut N2 in the lateral direction, such that a tool such as a hexagon socket wrench can be inserted from the outside of the side panel 200 through each tool access hole 215 to tighten the corresponding bolt B1.

[0130] Here, the position of the inflator fixing portion 31 is closer to the center in the lateral direction of the base member 4 than the base member fixing portion 32, such that it is easy to leave a space between the inflator fixing portion 31 and the cushion 6. Accordingly, the nut of the bolt 3B for fixing the inflator 3 can be easily located on the right side of the inflator fixing portion 31 (the side opposite to the other side where the center C1 of the base member 4 is located in the lateral direction). In particular, in an embodiment where the cushion 6 is integrally formed with the base member 4, the cushion 6 may enter and occupy a space farther toward the center of the base member 4; nevertheless, it is easier to leave a space for the position of the nut N4.

[0131] The outer covering member 7 has a lateral outer end portion at which a hook 7A is fixed. The hook 7A is hooked on the outer covering anchoring portion 11F. The outer covering member 7 has a lateral inner end portion at which a hook 7B is fixed. The outer covering member 7 located on the lateral inner side covers the cushion 6 from the right side surface to the rear end thereof, and then wraps upward to the rear side; the lateral inner end portion is hooked on the second fixing plates 17A, 17B.

[0132] A bolt B2 inserted through the first mounting hole 211 from the outside of the side panel 200 is fastened to a nut N1 of the base member 4. In this way, the nut N1, as an example of an outer lateral fixing portion on the outside, is fixed to the side panel 200.

[0133] A bolt B3 inserted through the second mounting hole 212 from the outside of the side panel 200 is fastened to a nut N3. In this way, the nut N3, as an example of a rear lateral fixing portion on the rear side, is fixed to the side panel 200.

[0134] Therefore, the base member 4 is fixed to the side panel 200 using the bolt B1 as an example of a fastening member whose shank is oriented in the left or right direction and the bolt B3 as an example of a fastening member whose shank is oriented in the forward or backward direction. In other words, the outer fixing portion and the rear fixing portion of the base member 4 are fixed using a plurality of fixing members whose shanks are oriented in different directions; thus, the side airbag device 1 is fixed to the vehicle body and stably held in place.

[0135] The front surface of the rear portion, such as the front surface of the second fixing plate 17A, includes a portion located 3 cm or more away from the inflator 3 in a direction perpendicular to the inner surface 1A. For example, the distance D1 between the rearmost position of the inflator 3 and the foremost position of the second fixing plate 17A is set to 3 cm or more here. In this way, a space is provided between the front surface of the rear portion and the inflator 3 so that the airbag can enter the space when the airbag is deployed.

[0136] As Figure 8 shown, the first bridging portion 14A and the second bridging portion 14B are located at a position farther from the inner surface 1A (i.e., more rearward) than the center C2 of the main body 3A of the inflator 3. The first bridging portion 14A and the second bridging portion 14B are located at a position farther from the inner surface 1A than the inflator fixing hole 31A. In addition, the second bridging portion 14B is located at a position farther from the inner surface 1A (i.e., more rearward) than each part of the main body 3A. Therefore, it should be understood that the bridging portion 14 is located such that at least one of its subsets is farther from the inner surface 1A than each part of the main body 3A. It is considered preferable that the first bridging portion 14A is also located at a position farther from the inner surface 1A than each part of the main body 3A.

[0137] Hereinafter, the manufacturing method employed in manufacturing the side airbag device 1 will be briefly described.

[0138] To manufacture the side airbag device 1, first, the base member 4 is manufactured by welding, and the cushion 6 is integrally formed with the base member 4 inserted into the mold. Then the inflator 3 is fixed to the mounting bracket 30 and placed inside the base member 4. The cushion 6 is covered with the outer covering member 7, the hook 7A is hooked on the outer covering anchoring portion 11F, and the hook 7B is hooked on the second fixing plates 17A, 17B.

[0139] Next, the base member 4 is fixed to the side panel 200 using the bolts B2, B3. Then, the inflator 3 with the mounting bracket 30 fixed thereto is fixed to the base member 4. More specifically, the mounting bracket 30 is joined to the nut N2 by the bolt B1, thereby fixing the mounting bracket 30 to the base member 4. The tightening of the bolt B1 is performed using a tool that can be inserted through the tool access hole 215 as described above.

[0140] With this manufacturing method, even after the base member 4 is surrounded by the buffer pad 6 as a result of integrally forming the buffer pad 6 and the base member 4, the inflator 3 can be easily fixed to the base member 4 by fixing the mounting bracket 30 to the base member 4.

[0141] The operation and beneficial effects of the side airbag device 1 configured as described above according to the present embodiment will be described below.

[0142] When the inflator 3 releases gas during a side collision of the vehicle, the airbag 2 is filled with gas and expands, and the front side and the outer covering member 7 of the buffer pad 6 are cracked, causing the airbag 2 to deploy through the inner surface 1A into the vehicle interior. During this process, the airbag 2 is restricted within the space sandwiched between the inflator 3 and the inflator fixing portion 31 of the mounting bracket 30. In this case, the airbag 2 is likely to deploy in the lateral outward direction within the vehicle body, that is, on the side opposite to the side where the interior (inflator fixing portion 31) is provided. Therefore, it is likely that the airbag 2 will deploy along the side wall BS and the door BD of the vehicle body toward the side space of the occupant.

[0143] Depending on the conditions when the airbag 2 deploys, for example, the buffer pad 6 is not easily cracked, or the pressure of the gas generated by the inflator 3 is high or low, there is a possibility that the internal pressure of the airbag becomes higher than expected. However, it should be noted that the side airbag device 1 having the inflator 3 fixed to the interior according to the present embodiment can be designed to have an enlarged space at the rear side of the inflator 3. In particular, in this embodiment, the front surface of the rear portion has a portion that is 3 cm or more away from the inflator 3. Therefore, when the force generated during the deployment of the airbag 2 is large, the airbag 2 is allowed to deploy into the space at the rear side of the inflator 3, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the airbag 2 from expanding forward rapidly and violently.

[0144] In addition, in the present embodiment, the guide plate 20 is located on the storage space 51 side of the wire frame 10, such as the outer wire frame 11 or the inner wire frame 12. Therefore, when the airbag 2 deploys, the airbag 2 is less likely to get caught on the wire frame 10. Therefore, the airbag 2 can be deployed stably. In addition, the guide plate 20 can be used to reinforce the front edge portions 11A, 12A of the wire frame 10, and thus the rigidity of the base member 4 can be enhanced. In particular, in the present embodiment, fixing the guide plate 20 to the front edge portions 11A, 12A of the wire frame 10 causes the front edge portion of the guide plate 20 and the front edge portion of the wire frame 10 to reinforce each other, and thus is used to enhance the rigidity of the front edge portion of the base member 4. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the outer and inner portions, especially the front edge portions 11A, 12A, from being distorted and deformed when the airbag 2 deploys, and thus the airbag 2 can be stably deployed forward.

[0145] Since the bridging portion 14 is located at a position farther from the inner surface 1A than the center C2 of the main body 3A of the inflator 3, when the airbag 2 is deployed through the inner surface 1A into the vehicle interior, the airbag 2 is less likely to get caught on the bridging portion 14. Since the bridging portion 14 is located at a position farther from the inner surface 1A than the inflator fixing hole 31A, when the airbag 12 is deployed, the airbag 2 is less likely to get caught on the bridging portion 14. In addition, since the second bridging portion 14B is located at a position farther from the inner surface 1A than each part of the main body 3A of the inflator 3, when the airbag 2 is deployed through the inner surface 1A into the vehicle interior, the airbag 2 is less likely to get caught on the bridging portion 14. Therefore, the airbag 2 can be deployed stably.

[0146] Since the bridging portion 14 connects the inside and the outside, it is less likely for the inside and the outside to deploy and be laterally distorted outward. Therefore, the airbag 2 can be deployed stably. In particular, in the present embodiment, the first bridging portion 14A and the second bridging portion 14B are provided to connect the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the outside and the inside respectively; thus, it is more unlikely for the base member 4 to be distorted.

[0147] In the present embodiment, since the base member 4 is fixed to the side panel 200 at the nut N1 which is an example of an outer fixing portion located on the outside and at the nut N3 which is an example of a rear fixing portion located at the rear, the side airbag device 1 can be stably fixed in place. Therefore, even if the force acting on it due to the deployment of the airbag 2 is large, the base member 4 can be stably held in place, so that the airbag 2 can be deployed stably.

[0148] In particular, since the nut N1 which is an example of an outer fixing portion is closer to the inner surface 1A than the nut N3 which is an example of a rear fixing portion, the side airbag device 1 can be stably fixed in place, and the airbag 2 can be deployed stably.

[0149] In addition, in the present embodiment, since the mounting bracket 32 is arranged such that the inflator fixing portion 31 is closer to the inner surface 1A than the base member fixing portion 32, when the airbag 2 is deployed, the airbag 2 is less likely to get caught on the base member fixing portion 32, so that the airbag 2 can be deployed stably. In addition, the airbag 2 is also less likely to get caught on the nut N1 which is an example of an outer fixing portion, so that the deployment of the airbag 2 can be made more stable. Further, since the inflator 3 is located near the inner surface 1A, it is possible to easily provide a space at the rear side of the inflator 3, and as a result, it is possible to suppress the airbag 2 from expanding and deploying rapidly and violently forward.

[0150] Since, when viewed from the storage space 51, the outer cover anchoring portion 11F of the hook 7A to which the outer cover member 7 is hooked is located behind the first guide plate 21, when the airbag 2 is deployed, the airbag 2 can be allowed to deploy stably without being hooked on the outer cover anchoring portion 11F.

[0151] Since the first guide plate 21 includes a flange 21A that extends outward in the lateral direction, when the deployment of the airbag 2 causes external deployment and becomes outwardly bent in the lateral direction, the edge of the flange 21A can contact the side panel 200, thereby suppressing further distortion of the exterior. In particular, in this embodiment, since the flange 21A contacts the side panel 200 during normal times, the exterior can be made less likely to become distorted when the airbag 2 is deployed, and thus the airbag 2 can be deployed stably.

[0152] In this embodiment, the inflator 3 is fixed to the base member 4 by a bracket 30. Therefore, the inflator 3 can be fixed to the mounting bracket 30 to form a sub-assembly, and the mounting bracket 30 can be fixed to the base member 4 using the base member fixing portion 32. As a result, the inflator 3 can be easily installed on the base member 4. In particular, since the base member fixing portion 32 is located at a position that is displaced rearward relative to the position of the inflator 3, the base member fixing portion 32 is easily accessible laterally so that the mounting bracket 30 can be easily fixed to the base member 4 using the base member fixing portion 32. Therefore, the side airbag device 1 according to this embodiment achieves increased ease of assembly.

[0153] In addition, since the inflator 3 in this embodiment is fixed using a plurality of bolts 3B, the inflator 3 can be stably fixed in place. In addition, the mounting bracket 30 can be stably fixed to the base member 4 at an appropriate position using a plurality of bolts B1.

[0154] In addition, according to this embodiment, where the base member 4 is made of a wire frame 10, the rigidity of the base member 4 can be easily increased. Therefore, the side airbag device 1 can be made compact in size, and thus the side airbag device 1 can be installed in a compact passenger vehicle.

[0155] Although one exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Specific configurations can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0156] For example, in the above embodiment, the side airbag device 1 is directly fixed to the side panel 200; alternatively, a bracket can be fixed to the side panel 200, and the side airbag device 1 can be fixed to the bracket.

[0157] Although in the above-described embodiment, the nuts N1 are welded to the first fixing plates 15A, 15B, the third fixing plates 16A, 16B, and the second fixing plates 17A, 17B, the nuts may not be welded; alternatively, bolts and nuts may be used for fastening, or the nuts may be welded to the vehicle body and the bolts may be engaged in the nuts. By extension, rivets or any other fastening members may be used instead. In these alternative configurations, the first fixing plates 15A, 15B correspond to the outer fixing portions, and the third fixing plates 16A, 16B correspond to the rear fixing portions.

[0158] In the above-described embodiment, the hook 7A is hooked on the outer covering anchoring portion 11F provided in the wire frame 10, and the hook 7B is hooked on the second fixing plates 17A, 17B, but the anchoring of each of the hooks 7A, 7B to be hooked is not limited thereto; any suitable position may be adopted according to the structural characteristics of the base member.

[0159] In the description of the above-described embodiment, the side airbag device used in the rear seat of the vehicle is taken as an example, but alternatively it may also be used in the front seat.

[0160] In the description of the above embodiment, the base member made of a wire frame is taken as an example, but the base member may alternatively be made of a material other than a wire frame, such as plastic, a metal plate, etc.

[0161] In the description of the above embodiment, the configuration in which the exterior and interior of the base member are fixed to the vehicle body has been taken as an example, but the mounting structure of the base member is not limited thereto; alternatively, the base member may be fixed to the vehicle body only at its exterior or only at its rear portion.

[0162] Any elements of the exemplary embodiments and illustrative modification examples disclosed in this description may be combined as needed.

Claims

1. A side airbag device disposed between a vehicle body and a seat, the side airbag device comprising: An airbag; An inflator configured to supply gas to the airbag; A base member fixed to the vehicle body, the base member having a storage space therein for accommodating the airbag and the inflator; Wherein, the base member comprises: A wire frame made of a metal rod; and A guide plate made of a metal plate Wherein the wire frame comprises: An outer wire frame located laterally outward of the vehicle body with respect to the airbag, the outer wire frame comprising: A front edge portion extending in the vertical direction; An upper edge portion extending rearward from the upper end of the front edge portion; and A lower edge portion extending rearward from the lower end of the front edge portion; and An inner wire frame located laterally inward of the vehicle body with respect to the airbag, the inner wire frame comprising: A front edge portion extending in the vertical direction; An upper edge portion extending rearward from the upper end of the front edge portion; and A lower edge portion extending rearward from the lower end of the front edge portion, Wherein, the guide plate comprises: A first guide plate fixed to the storage space side of the front edge portion of the outer wire frame; and A second guide plate fixed to the storage space side of the front edge portion of the inner wire frame, and Wherein, the airbag is located between the first guide plate and the second guide plate.

2. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the first guide plate is provided along the length of the outer wire frame from the upper end to the lower end of the outer wire frame.

3. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the first guide plate includes a flange at its rear end, the flange extending outward in the lateral direction defined with respect to the vehicle body.

4. The side airbag device according to claim 3, wherein the flange contacts the vehicle body.

5. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the second guide plate is provided along the length of the inner wire frame from the upper end to the lower end of the inner wire frame.

6. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the second guide plate is parallel to the first guide plate.

7. The side airbag device according to any one of claims 1-5, further comprising: An outer covering member configured to at least cover the front side of the base member; And A hook member provided at an end of the outer covering member to fasten the outer covering member, Wherein the base member includes an outer covering anchoring portion on which the hook member is hooked, the outer covering anchoring portion being located on a side of the first guide plate opposite to the side where the storage space is located.

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