Airbag device

Abstract

Even in a vehicle in which a console box is lower than the upper surface of a seat cushion or in a vehicle in which no console box is provided, an airbag device in which the deployment operation of an airbag cushion is stable when the airbag cushion is inflated and deployed and the airbag cushion does not incline when a passenger is restrained can be achieved. An airbag device (1) is provided with an airbag cushion (2), and a gas inflator (3) that injects gas to inflate the airbag cushion (2). The airbag cushion (2) has: a main chamber (2d) which is inflated and deployed toward one side of the occupant; and a lower chamber (2e) extending downward from a part of the main chamber (2d). The lower chamber (2e) is formed such that, when expanded and deployed, the lower end of the lower chamber (2e) can come into contact with the upper surface of the console box or the ground of the vehicle, said upper surface being located at a position lower than the upper surface of the seat cushion of the seat.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag device, for example, which is provided on a side portion of a backrest portion of any of seats arranged in a width direction of a vehicle in a vehicle compartment, on a center side (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a far side) in the width direction of the seat. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an airbag device that has a passenger restraint function corresponding to an impact from the far side. In this airbag device, an airbag cushion is inflated and deployed at the center of a vehicle compartment in order to protect the far side of the passenger.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes an inter-seat airbag device provided in a console box between a driver's seat and a passenger seat. The airbag cushion of the inter-seat airbag device includes a main airbag that expands and deploys in an I-shape when viewed from the front, and a sub-airbag that expands and deploys by protruding from the center of the main airbag in the vertical direction toward the passenger seat side when gas is supplied from the main airbag.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-115947 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] However, in the conventional inter-seat airbag device, the shape of the airbag cushion is determined on the premise that a console box is provided between the driver's seat and the passenger seat and the height of the console box is higher than the position of the upper surface of the seat cushion. Specifically, the airbag cushion of the conventional inter-seat airbag device is often shaped such that the bottom surface of the airbag cushion contacts the upper surface of the console box when inflated and deployed. By making such a shape, a reaction force is obtained from the console box when the airbag cushion is inflated and deployed, and the console box can be supported.

[0009] Therefore, when the conventional inter-seat airbag device is applied to a vehicle whose console box is lower than the upper surface of the seat cushion or a vehicle without a console box, the airbag cushion cannot obtain a reaction force from the console box during inflation and deployment, and the deployment of the airbag cushion loses stability. In addition, the conventional inter-seat airbag device is prone to tilting because the lower part of the airbag cushion is unstable when the occupant is restrained, and the occupant restraint performance is reduced.

[0010] The inventors of the present application have determined that, in the process of studying to cope with the latest Euro-NAP protocol, it is preferable to improve the shape of the airbag cushion in order to improve the performance during a far-side collision in a vehicle with a low (or no) console box.

[0011] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to realize an airbag device in which the deployment action of the airbag cushion is stable during inflation and deployment, and the airbag cushion does not tilt when restraining an occupant, even in a vehicle in which a console box is lower than the upper surface of a seat cushion or a vehicle without a console box.

[0012] Solutions to the problem

[0013] The present invention is an airbag device provided on a side surface portion of a backrest portion of any one of seats arranged in a row in a width direction of a vehicle, on the center side in the width direction of the seat.

[0014] The airbag device involved in the present invention comprises: an airbag cushion; an inflator, which sprays gas to expand the airbag cushion, the airbag cushion comprising: a main chamber, which expands and deploys toward one side of the seat; and a lower chamber, which extends downward from a part of the main chamber, and the lower chamber is formed so that when it is expanded and deployed, the lower end of the lower chamber can contact the upper surface of the console box located at a position lower than the upper surface of the seat cushion or the ground of the vehicle.

[0015] The present invention can also be constructed as follows: the main chamber comprises: a first portion which receives the side of an occupant sitting on any one of the seats arranged along the width direction of the vehicle; and a second portion which receives the side of an occupant sitting on any other seat; a central portion which is arranged between the first portion and the second portion, and a lower chamber which extends downward from the central portion.

[0016] In the present invention, the main chamber may be continuously and integrally formed by the first portion, the central portion, and the second portion, and the lower chamber may be formed by another chamber separated from the main chamber.

[0017] In the present invention, the main chamber and the lower chamber may be configured to communicate with each other via the first exhaust hole.

[0018] The present invention may be configured such that the inflator is attached to the main chamber, and a part of the gas injected from the inflator is supplied from the main chamber to the lower chamber via the first exhaust hole.

[0019] In the present invention, a protrusion may be provided at the central portion, and when the airbag cushion is inflated and deployed, the protrusion protrudes at least toward the front of the vehicle more than the first portion and the second portion, so as to catch the head of the occupant and the occupant moving diagonally forward.

[0020] The main chamber of the present invention may be continuously and integrally formed by the first portion, the central portion, and the second portion, and the protrusion may be formed by a separate chamber separated from the main chamber.

[0021] In the present invention, the main chamber and the protruding portion may be configured to communicate with each other via the second exhaust hole.

[0022] The present invention may include a connecting member connecting the front lower portion of the protruding portion and the bottom front portion of the lower chamber.

[0023] The present invention may include a connecting member connecting the front lower portion of the protruding portion and the front lower portion of the central portion.

[0024] Effects of the Invention

[0025] The airbag cushion of the airbag device of the present invention has a lower chamber extending downward from a portion of the main chamber, in addition to a main chamber that expands and expands toward the far side of the seat, on one side of the seat. The lower chamber is configured so that, when expanded and expanded, the lower end of the lower chamber can contact the upper surface of the console box located at a position lower than the upper surface of the seat cushion or the ground of the vehicle. Therefore, in the present invention, in the case of a vehicle in which the height of the console box is lower than the upper surface of the seat cushion, the lower chamber expands and expands to fill the space of the portion lower than the upper surface of the seat cushion. In addition, in the present invention, in the case of a vehicle in which a console box does not exist, the lower chamber expands and expands to fill the entire space of the portion equivalent to the console box.

[0026] Therefore, in the present invention, the lower chamber that expands and deploys during a side collision supports the lower portion of the main chamber that protects the side of the passenger. Due to the support portion, in the present invention, when the airbag cushion is expanded and deployed, the vertical swing is reduced, and the deployment action of the airbag cushion is stable. In addition, according to the present invention, it is also possible to prevent the airbag cushion from tilting when the expansion and deployment are completed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1A This is a perspective view of the airbag cushion in a state where inflation and deployment are completed in the airbag device according to the embodiment, as viewed from an oblique direction.

[0028] Figure 1B is Figure 1A FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a seat cushion is inflated and deployed in an airbag device of a vehicle as viewed from the side of the vehicle.

[0029] Figure 1C is Figure 1A FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a seat cushion is inflated and deployed in an airbag device of a vehicle as viewed from above.

[0030] Figure 1D is Figure 1A FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a seat cushion is inflated and deployed in an airbag device as viewed from the front of a vehicle.

[0031] Figure 2A This is a perspective view of an airbag cushion in a state where inflation and deployment are completed, as viewed from an oblique direction, in an airbag device according to a first modified example of the embodiment.

[0032] Figure 2B is Figure 2A FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a seat cushion is inflated and deployed in an airbag device of a vehicle as viewed from the side of the vehicle.

[0033] Figure 2C is Figure 2A FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a seat cushion is inflated and deployed in an airbag device of a vehicle as viewed from above.

[0034] Figure 2D is Figure 2A FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a seat cushion is inflated and deployed in an airbag device as viewed from the front of a vehicle.

[0035] Figure 3A This is a perspective view of an airbag cushion in a state where inflation and deployment are completed, as viewed from an oblique direction, in an airbag device according to a second modified example of the embodiment.

[0036] Figure 3B is Figure 3A FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a seat cushion is inflated and deployed in an airbag device of a vehicle as viewed from the side of the vehicle.

[0037] Figure 3C is Figure 3A FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a seat cushion is inflated and deployed in an airbag device of a vehicle as viewed from above.

[0038] Figure 3D is Figure 3A FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a seat cushion is inflated and deployed in an airbag device as viewed from the front of a vehicle.

[0039] Figure 4A This is a perspective view of an airbag cushion in a state where inflation and deployment are completed, as viewed from an oblique direction, in an airbag device according to a third modified example of the embodiment.

[0040] Figure 4B is Figure 4A FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a seat cushion is inflated and deployed in an airbag device of a vehicle as viewed from the side of the vehicle.

[0041] Figure 4C is Figure 4A FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a seat cushion is inflated and deployed in an airbag device of a vehicle as viewed from above.

[0042] Figure 4D is Figure 4AFIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a seat cushion is inflated and deployed in an airbag device as viewed from the front of a vehicle.

[0043] Figure 5A This is a perspective view of an airbag cushion in a state where inflation and deployment are completed, as viewed from an oblique direction, in an airbag device according to a fourth modified example of the embodiment.

[0044] Figure 5B is Figure 5A FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a seat cushion is inflated and deployed in an airbag device of a vehicle as viewed from the side of the vehicle.

[0045] Fig. 6A This is a perspective view of an airbag cushion in a state where inflation and deployment are completed, as viewed from an oblique direction, in an airbag device according to a fifth modified example of the embodiment.

[0046] Figure 6B is Fig. 6A FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a seat cushion is inflated and deployed in an airbag device of a vehicle as viewed from the side of the vehicle.

[0047] Figure 7 It is a front view of the seat in a state where the airbag cushion is stored. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the following embodiments are examples of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention, its applicable objects, or its use.

[0049] In the present invention, "passenger" refers to a "passenger" having a physique equivalent to that of an average American male, which conforms to the front collision test model (Hybrid III AM50 / NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration] standard [49CFR Part572 Subpart E and O] determined by the front collision test human body model), and has an approximate size of 175 cm in height, 88 cm in seat height, and 78 kg in weight. However, the present invention can also be applied to other human body models.

[0050] In addition, in this specification, "upper" and "upper side" refer to the direction of the head of the passenger P sitting in the regular position of the seats Sd and Sn, and "lower" and "lower side" refer to the direction of the feet of the passenger P. Here, the so-called "regular position" refers to the center position in the left-right direction of each seat cushion SC on the seats Sd and Sn, and the position where the back of the passenger P contacts the backrest SB in the vertical range. In addition, "front" and "front side" sometimes mean the front direction of the passenger P sitting in the regular position of the seats Sd and Sn, and "rear" and "rear side" sometimes mean the back direction of the passenger P. In addition, "left" and "left side" sometimes mean the left hand direction of the passenger P sitting in the regular position of the seats Sd and Sn, and "right" and "right side" sometimes mean the right hand direction of the passenger P.

[0051] The present embodiment is an airbag device 1 provided inside the side surface far from the backrest SB of any one of two seats (for example, a driver's seat Sd and a passenger seat Sn) arranged in a row in the width direction of the vehicle. Figure 1A to Figure 1D , an example is shown in which the airbag device 1 is provided on the driver's seat Sd side. Hereinafter, before describing the airbag device 1, a seat (driver's seat Sd) on which the airbag device 1 is mounted will be described.

[0052] [About the general structure of the seat]

[0053] like Figure 7 As shown, the driver's seat Sd has a seat cushion SC and a backrest SB. A headrest HR is mounted on the upper end of the backrest SB via a rod-shaped support member Sm. The driver's seat Sd may also be a seat in which the backrest SB and the headrest HR are integrally formed. Figure 7 In the figure, there is a door (not shown) on the right side of the paper. The side farther from the door of the driver's seat Sd is the far side.

[0054] The seat cushion SC is provided with a pad on the upper side of a seat bottom plate (not shown), and the pad is covered with a skin material. In the backrest portion SB, a pad is provided on the front side of the seat frames SFa and SFb, and the pad is covered with a skin material.

[0055] The airbag cushion 2 is rolled into a roll shape or folded into a bellows shape in a flat state, so as to be stored in the seat Sd. Figure 7 As shown, the seat cushion 2 in the stored configuration is stored along the side portion Sfa of the seat frame of the seat Sd.

[0056] Specifically, the seat cushion 2 is stored in the side portion on the far side of the seat Sd. In the present embodiment, the airbag cushion 2 in the stored state is fixed to the side portion SFa on the far side of the seat frame using a fixing member T. Therefore, the positional displacement of the airbag cushion 2 can be suppressed in the event of a collision. In addition, the arrangement and number of fixing members T are not limited to the present embodiment.

[0057] [Regarding the structure of the airbag device]

[0058] The airbag device 1 includes an airbag cushion 2 and an inflator 3 (see Figure 1C The airbag cushion 2 is a bag body made of cloth, which is formed by preparing a necessary number of base fabrics of a desired shape in advance and sewing the outer periphery of the base fabrics and other predetermined locations. The inflator 3 is a device that injects gas to inflate the airbag cushion 2.

[0059] In the airbag device 1 , a cylindrical inflator 3 is disposed inside the seat cushion 2 , which receives a signal from a sensor and ejects gas from a hole 3 a provided on an outer side thereof into the seat cushion 2 .

[0060] The airbag cushion 2 is mounted on the side portion SFa of the side frame inside the backrest portion SB, using two studs 3b that are provided protrudingly at appropriate intervals in the length direction of the airbag cushion 2, on the outer side surface opposite to the hole 3a of the inflator 3. In addition, as in the present embodiment, when the airbag cushion 2 can be fixed by the studs 3b of the inflator 3, the fixing member T for fixing the airbag cushion 2 can also be omitted.

[0061] The inflator 3 is fixed to the side portion SFa of the seat frame by the stud 3b in the storage portion of the inflator 3. In this fixing, the stud 3b passes through the insertion hole of the storage portion, so that the storage portion is also fixed to the side portion SFa of the seat frame.

[0062] [About the airbag cushion in the fully inflated state]

[0063] Reference Figure 1A to Figure 1D The structure of the airbag cushion 2 in a state after the inflation and deployment is completed (hereinafter referred to as "the inflation completed state") will be described. Figure 1B In FIG. 1 , it is assumed that the passenger P is seated in a regular position.

[0064] The main chamber 2d of the airbag cushion 2 is expanded and deployed to be placed in front of the driver's seat Sd and the front of the passenger seat Sn, and has a first part 2a and a second part 2b that protect the far side of the passenger P sitting on the driver's seat Sd and / or the passenger seat Sn, and a central part 2c that expands and deploys between these first part 2a and the second part 2b. Specifically, the first part 2a restrains the side of the passenger P sitting on the driver's seat Sd, and the second part 2b restrains the side of the passenger P sitting on the passenger seat Sn. In addition, the boundaries of these first part 2a, second part 2b, and central part 2c are not strict. In addition, the dimensions of the main chamber 2d in the up-down direction, the front-back direction, and the left-right direction are not limited to the dimensions illustrated in the drawings, and can also be adjusted together with the shape and configuration of the seats Sd and Sn.

[0065] In this embodiment, the first part 2a, the second part 2b and the central part 2c are integrally formed by a main chamber 2d. The main chamber 2d is formed by joining an appropriate number of base fabric panels to form a shape having an extension 2ca extending upward from the first part 2a and the second part 2b on the central part 2c when viewed from the front side of the vehicle, and having a desired thickness in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0066] The first portion 2a and the second portion 2b have a length in the up-down direction and the front-back direction that can receive the side parts of the torso of the occupant P, such as the shoulder Ps, the chest Pc, and the upper arm Pua. In addition, the central portion 2c has a length in the up-down direction and the front-back direction that can receive the back side of the head Ph from the head Pn to the ear Pe of the occupant P, in addition to the side parts of the occupant P, through its extended portion 2ca.

[0067] In the airbag device 1, when a side collision, an oblique collision, an offset collision, etc. occurs, the inflator 3 receiving the signal from the sensor ejects gas from the hole 3a provided on the outer side thereof into the main chamber 2d, so that the main chamber 2d expands and deploys. When a side collision, etc. occurs, the first portion 2a and the second portion 2b that expand and deploy and are placed in front of the driver's seat Sd and the passenger seat Sn receive, for example, the shoulder Ps, chest Pc, and upper arm Pua of the occupant P that moves due to the impact, and suppress the movement of the occupant P.

[0068] Here, if the height of the console box CB is higher than the upper surface of the seat surface of the seat cushion SC of the seat Sd, Sn, even if the airbag cushion 2 is composed of only the main chamber 2d, the bottom surface of the main chamber 2d that is inflated and deployed can be supported on the upper surface of the console box CB. However, if the upper surface of the console box CB is lower than the upper surface of the seat cushion SC, the bottom surface of the main chamber 2d cannot be supported when it is inflated and deployed.

[0069] Therefore, the airbag cushion 2 of this embodiment has a lower chamber 2e extending downward from a portion of the main chamber 2d. Specifically, the lower chamber 2e extends downward from the central portion 2c of the main chamber 2d. The lower chamber 2e is formed so that when it is inflated and deployed, Figure 1B and Figure 1D As shown, a lower end portion 2ea of ​​the lower chamber 2e can come into contact with an upper surface Cba of the console box CB located at a position lower than an upper surface of the seat cushion SC of the seat Sd.

[0070] The lower chamber 2e is roughly rectangular, and the length of the lower chamber 2e in the vertical direction is defined so that when expanded and deployed, the bottom surface 2ea of ​​the lower chamber 2e reaches and contacts the upper surface CBa of the console box CB. In addition, the width of the lower chamber 2e in the left-right direction is the same as the width of the console box CB arranged between the driver's seat Sd and the co-driver's seat Sn. Alternatively, the width of the lower chamber 2e in the left-right direction may be slightly longer than the width of the console box CB in the left-right direction so that there is no gap in the space between the driver's seat Sd and the co-driver's seat Sn and the width is just enough to accommodate it, or it may be shorter than the width of the console box CB in the left-right direction.

[0071] The dimensions of the lower chamber 2e in the vertical direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction are not limited to those illustrated in the drawings, and can be appropriately adjusted according to the shape and installation position of the seats Sd and Sn.

[0072] In this embodiment, the lower chamber 2e is formed by joining an appropriate number of base fabric panels to form a shape protruding downward from the main chamber 2d. The lower chamber 2e of this embodiment is formed integrally with the main chamber 2d to form a bag body.

[0073] In addition, a gas guide may be provided in the storage portion of the inflator 3. The gas guide may be configured to have a first outlet opening to the main chamber 2d and a second outlet opening to the lower chamber 2e as an outlet of the gas injected from the inflator 3.

[0074] [Effects of this embodiment, etc.]

[0075] In the present embodiment, the airbag cushion 2 includes a main chamber 2d that is inflated and deployed toward the side portion of one of the seats Sd and Sn on the far side to suppress the movement of the occupant P who is about to move in the direction of the impact, and a lower chamber 2e that is extended downward from the central portion 2c of the main chamber 2d. The lower chamber 2e is configured such that, when inflated and deployed, a lower end portion 2ea of ​​the lower chamber 2e can contact an upper surface Cba of a console box CB located at a position lower than an upper surface of a seat cushion SC of the seats Sd and Sn.

[0076] Thus, in this embodiment, even when applied to a vehicle in which the height of the console box CB is lower than the upper surface of the seat cushion SC of the seats Sd, Sn, the lower chamber 2e expands downward to fill the space below the upper surface of the seat cushion SC.

[0077] Therefore, in this embodiment, the inflated and deployed lower chamber 2e supports the lower portion of the main chamber 2d that protects the side of the occupant P. Due to this support portion, in this embodiment, when the airbag cushion 2 is inflated and deployed, the vertical swing is reduced, and the deployment operation of the airbag cushion 2 is stable.

[0078] In a side collision from the far side of the vehicle, the occupant P moves toward the collision side by inertia at the beginning of the collision. Specifically, in the case of a far side collision with the occupant P seated on the driver's seat Sd, the occupant P collides with the first portion 2a of the main airbag cushion 2 at the beginning of the collision.

[0079] At this time, in the present embodiment, the inflated and deployed lower chamber 2e supports the lower portion of the main chamber 2d that protects the side of the occupant P. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is also possible to prevent the airbag cushion 2 from tilting when the inflation and deployment are completed.

[0080] The airbag device 1 of the present embodiment has a stable deployment operation of the airbag cushion 2 and exhibits high restraint performance against a side collision from a far side.

[0081] In this embodiment, the main chamber 2d includes a first portion 2a for restraining the side of the occupant P sitting on the driver's seat Sd, and a second portion 2b for restraining the side of the occupant P sitting on the front passenger seat Sn. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately protect the occupant P in any of the seats Sd and Sn, and improve the restraint performance of the occupant P. In addition, even if the occupant P in the driver's seat Sd moves to the opposite side of the initial collision due to the impact force of the collision, it is possible to effectively avoid collision with the occupant in the front passenger seat Sn.

[0082] [First Modification of Embodiment]

[0083] In this variation, if Figure 2A to Figure 2D As shown, the lower chamber 2e is formed by another chamber separated from the main chamber 2d. The lower chamber 2e is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped by joining an appropriate number of base fabric panels, and then joined to the lower surface of the main chamber 2d to form a shape protruding downward from the main chamber 2d. The lower chamber 2e of this modified example is connected to the main chamber 2d via the first exhaust hole 4 provided on the lower surface of the central portion 2c of the main chamber 2d.

[0084] In this modified example, when a side collision occurs, the inflator 3 receives a signal from the sensor and ejects gas from the hole 3a provided on the outer side thereof into the main chamber 2d, causing the main chamber 2d to expand and deploy. Then, after the main chamber 2d expands and deploys, the gas flows from the first exhaust hole 4 into the lower chamber 2e, causing the lower chamber 2e to expand and deploy.

[0085] Here, the number of the first exhaust holes 4 and the size (inner diameter) of each hole can be designed by considering the timing of expanding and unfolding the lower chamber 2e. If the total value of the opening area of ​​the first exhaust holes 4 is large enough, gas can be quickly supplied to the lower chamber 2e almost at the same time when the main chamber 2d expands and unfolds, and the lower chamber 2e can be quickly expanded. In addition, according to design requirements, by adjusting the total value of the opening area of ​​the first exhaust holes 4 to be slightly smaller, the required time lag can be generated between the expansion and unfolding of the main chamber 2d and the expansion and unfolding of the lower chamber 2e.

[0086] In this modification, the lower chamber 2e expands downward to fill the space of the portion lower than the upper surface of the seat cushion SC. Furthermore, the lower chamber 2e serves as a supporting portion, so that the main chamber 2d is stabilized when expanding and expanding.

[0087] Therefore, even in a vehicle in which the console box CB is lower than the upper surface of the seat cushion SC, the swing in the vertical direction is reduced when the airbag cushion 2 is inflated and deployed, and the deployment behavior of the airbag cushion 2 is stabilized. In addition, since the lower chamber 2e serves as a support, it is also possible to prevent the airbag cushion 2 from tilting when the inflation and deployment are completed. In particular, in this modified example, by appropriately adjusting the total value of the opening area of ​​the first exhaust hole 4, it is easy to optimize the timing of the inflation and deployment of the lower chamber 2e.

[0088] [Second Modification of Embodiment]

[0089] In recent years, the technology of autonomous driving has been continuously improved. In an autonomous driving vehicle, a driver is not required during driving in the autonomous driving mode and the vehicle can be driven autonomously, and the degree of freedom of the posture and state of the passengers during driving is increased. For example, it can be set as follows: the front seats are set to be rotated 180 degrees from the front direction relative to the vehicle, and the passengers sitting on the front seats can talk to the passengers sitting on the rear seats while the vehicle is driving face to face. Therefore, in order to enable the seats to rotate freely, a vehicle without a console box between the driver's seat Sd and the front passenger seat Sn can be imagined.

[0090] This variation is applicable to vehicles without a console box as described above. Figure 3A to Figure 3D As shown, the lower chamber 2e is configured in a shape such that a lower end portion 2ea of ​​the lower chamber 2e can come into contact with the ground surface F of the vehicle when inflated and deployed.

[0091] Specifically, the shape of the lower chamber 2e is a rectangular parallelepiped that is slightly longer in the vertical direction than in the above-mentioned embodiment. Moreover, the vertical length of the lower chamber 2e is specified so that the bottom surface of the lower chamber 2e reaches and contacts the ground F when inflated and deployed. In addition, the width of the lower chamber 2e in the left-right direction is a width that can be accommodated in the space between the driver's seat Sd and the passenger seat Sn without generating a gap.

[0092] In this modified example, when the vehicle is impacted by a collision or the like, the inflator 3 receives a signal from the sensor and injects gas into the main chamber 2d, so that the main chamber 2d expands and expands. In addition, a portion of the gas injected into the main chamber 2d is supplied to the lower chamber 2e via the first exhaust hole 4. Thus, in a general vehicle, the lower chamber 2e expands and expands downward to fill the entire area of ​​the space where the console box CB exists. Moreover, the lower chamber 2e becomes a supporting portion, so that the main chamber 2d is stable when expanding and expanding.

[0093] Therefore, even in a vehicle without a console box CB, the vertical swinging is reduced when the airbag cushion 2 is inflated and deployed, and the deployment of the airbag cushion 2 is stable. In addition, since the lower chamber 2e serves as a support, it is also possible to prevent the cushioning member 2 from tilting when the inflation and deployment are completed. In this way, the airbag device 1 exerts the occupant restraint performance corresponding to the side collision through the effect of the lower chamber 2e.

[0094] In addition, in this modification, the lower chamber 2e is formed in a chamber different from the main chamber 2d, but the lower chamber 2e may be formed integrally with the main chamber 2d.

[0095] [Third Modification of Embodiment]

[0096] In the above embodiment, the extension 2ca of the center portion 2c catches the head Ph of the occupant P. However, further performance improvement may be required to more reliably catch the entire head Ph of the occupant P from the initial stage of a vehicle collision to the final stage when the impact of the collision disappears.

[0097] In this modification, in order to more reliably receive the entire head Ph of the occupant P, a protrusion 2f is formed in the central portion 2c of the airbag cushion 2, which protrudes at least in the front direction of the vehicle of the first portion 2a and the second portion 2b when inflated and deployed, and can receive the entire head Ph of the occupant P. The protrusion 2f also has a function of receiving the occupant P moving obliquely forward when colliding from an oblique direction, etc. In addition, the structure of the lower chamber 2e in this modification is the same as that of the first modification, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

[0098] like Figure 4A to Figure 4DAs shown, the protruding portion 2f is provided to cover the upper surface of the extended portion 2ca so that the upper surface thereof becomes the upper part of the head of the occupant P sitting on the driver's seat Sd or the passenger seat Sn. And, it is formed by sewing an appropriate number of base fabric panels, and is composed of the covering portion and the portion protruding forward from the front of the extended portion 2ca.

[0099] The protruding portion 2f is formed by another chamber separated from the main chamber 2d. The protruding portion 2f communicates with the main chamber 2d via a second exhaust hole 5 provided on the upper surface of the extended portion 2ca.

[0100] The size (inner diameter) of the second exhaust hole 5 is such that gas flows into the protrusion 2f in the second half of the expansion and deployment of the main chamber 2d, causing a time lag between the expansion and deployment of the main chamber 2d and the expansion and deployment of the protrusion 2f.

[0101] In the present modification in which the protrusion 2f is provided on the extension 2ca, upon a side collision, the inflator 3 receives a signal from the sensor and ejects gas from the hole 3a provided on the outer side thereof into the main chamber 2d, thereby inflating and expanding the main chamber 2d.

[0102] Then, after the main chamber 2d expands and unfolds to a certain extent, the gas flows into the protrusion 2f from the second exhaust hole 5, and the protrusion 2f expands and unfolds. In this modified example, in the case of a far-side collision, the main chamber 2d, which has a small margin of time from the collision to the protection of the occupant P, can be expanded and unfolded before the protrusion 2f. The expanded and unfolded protrusion 2f can reliably catch the entirety of the occupant P and his head Ph that are moved by the impact not only when the impact is applied from the side of the occupant P, but also when the impact is applied from the oblique front of the occupant P.

[0103] [Fourth Modification of Embodiment]

[0104] This modification is formed by connecting the front lower part of the protrusion 2f and the bottom front part of the lower chamber 2e described in the third modification by a tie 6. Figure 5A to Figure 5B As shown, one end 6a of the tie 6 is sewn to the front lower part of the protrusion 2f. In addition, the other end 6b of the tie 6 is sewn to the bottom front part of the lower chamber 2e. The tie 6 is equivalent to a connecting member.

[0105] The tether 6 is a cord-like or thin belt-like member. The tether 6 may be made of the same material as the base fabric constituting the airbag cushion 2. The tether 6 may preferably be made of a non-stretchable material, but a stretchable material may also be used.

[0106] In this variation, the protrusion 2f and the lower chamber 2e are connected by using a tether 6, so that the protrusion 2f is stabilized. Therefore, even if the head Ph of the occupant P moves and collides with the portion that expands in the front direction of the extension 2ca of the protrusion 2f during a collision from the side or the like, the movement of the head Ph can be effectively suppressed.

[0107] [Fifth Modification of Embodiment]

[0108] In this modification, the front lower portion of the protrusion 2f described in the third modification and the front lower portion of the central portion 2c of the main chamber 2d are connected by a tie 6. Figure 6A to Figure 6B As shown, one end 6a of the tie 6 is sewn to the front lower part of the protrusion 2f. In addition, the other end 6b of the tie 6 is sewn to the front lower part of the central part 2c of the main chamber 2d.

[0109] The fifth modification in which the attachment position of the other end 6 b of the tether 6 is changed also produces the same operational effects as those of the fourth modification.

[0110] In the fourth and fifth modified examples, the mounting position of the one end 6a of the tie 5 on the protrusion 2f can also be changed from the front lower part of the protrusion 2f to the front part of the bottom surface. In this case, the same effects as those of the fourth and fifth modified examples are achieved. In addition, the structure and function of the lower chamber 2e in this modified example are the same as those of the first modified example.

[0111] [Other Modifications]

[0112] In the above embodiment, an anti-skid portion having a larger friction coefficient than the surface of the base fabric panel constituting the lower chamber 2e may also be provided on the bottom surface of the lower chamber 2e. By providing an anti-skid portion having a larger friction coefficient on the bottom surface of the lower chamber 2e, the lower chamber 2e expands and expands, and when the bottom surface of the lower chamber 2e contacts the upper surface of the console box CB or the floor F of the vehicle compartment, the bottom surface of the lower chamber 2e becomes less likely to slide and is easy to stay in a specified position. In addition, the anti-skid portion having such a large friction coefficient can be provided by applying a resin coating to the bottom surface of the lower chamber 2e. Alternatively, the anti-skid portion can be provided by sewing a patch on the bottom surface of the lower chamber 2e.

[0113] In the above embodiment, the first portion 2a, the second portion 2b, and the central portion 2c of the main chamber 2d may be formed by a plurality of separate chambers. In this case, the gas injected from the inflator 3 may be directly fed into the first portion 2a, the second portion 2b, the central portion 2c, etc., and expanded and deployed without a time lag.

[0114] In the above embodiment, the structure shown in the first modification and the structure shown in the third modification may be combined. That is, the lower chamber 2e may be composed of another chamber separated from the main chamber 2d, and communicated with the main chamber 2d via the first exhaust hole 4 provided on the lower surface of the central portion 2c, and the protruding portion 2f may be composed of another chamber separated from the main chamber 2d, and communicated with the main chamber 2d via the second exhaust hole 5 provided on the upper surface of the extension portion 2ca of the central portion 2c.

[0115] In the above-described embodiment, the airbag device 1 may be accommodated in the side surface portion on the far side of the passenger seat Sn.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the second exhaust hole 5 may be provided on the front surface in addition to the upper surface of the extension portion 2ca. Alternatively, the second exhaust hole 5 may be provided only on the front surface of the extension portion 2ca.

[0117] In the above-described embodiment, the joining of the airbag cushion 2 and the tether 6 is not limited to sewing, and may be connected by any method such as bonding or welding, as long as a predetermined strength can be obtained.

[0118] In the above-described embodiment, the airbag cushion 2 is not limited to being formed by joining an appropriate number of base fabric panels by sewing or the like, but may also be formed using a so-called "one-piece weaving" technique.

[0119] In the above embodiment, the airbag device 1 is not limited to the front seat of the vehicle, but may also be installed on the rear seat. In the case where the second or third row of seats of the vehicle are arranged in the width direction of the vehicle, the airbag device 1 may also be installed on the second or third row of seats.

[0120] Industrial Applicability

[0121] The present invention is applicable to an airbag device for protecting the side part of an occupant.

[0122] Explanation of symbols

[0123] 1…Airbag device 2…Airbag cushion

[0124] 2a…Part 1 2b…Part 2

[0125] 2c…Central part 2ca…Extension part

[0126] 2d…Main chamber 2e…Lower chamber

[0127] 2ea…lower end 2f…protruding portion

[0128] 3…Inflator 4…First exhaust hole

[0129] 5…Second exhaust hole 6…Connecting member (tie)

[0130] Sd...Seat (driver's seat) Sn...Seat (passenger seat)

[0131] SB…BackrestSC…Seat cushion

Claims

1. An airbag device, provided on a side portion of a backrest portion of any one of seats arranged in a row in a width direction of a vehicle, on a center side in the width direction of the backrest portion, comprising: Airbag cushion; an inflator that sprays gas to expand the airbag cushion, The airbag cushion comprises: a main chamber that expands and deploys toward one side of the seat; and a lower chamber that extends downward from a portion of the main chamber. The lower chamber is formed so that, when inflated and deployed, a lower end portion of the lower chamber can contact an upper surface of a console box located lower than an upper surface of a seat cushion of the seat or a ground surface of the vehicle.

2. The airbag device according to claim 1, in, The main chamber comprises: a first portion for receiving the side of an occupant sitting on either seat; and a second portion for receiving the side of an occupant sitting on either seat; a central portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion, and the lower chamber extending downward from the central portion.

3. The airbag device according to claim 2, in, The main chamber is continuously and integrally formed by the first portion, the central portion, and the second portion, and the lower chamber is formed by another chamber separated from the main chamber.

4. The airbag device according to claim 3, in, The main chamber and the lower chamber are communicated with each other via a first exhaust hole.

5. The airbag device according to claim 4, in, The inflator is installed in the main chamber, A portion of the gas injected from the inflator is supplied from the main chamber to the lower chamber via the first exhaust hole.

6. The airbag device according to claim 2, in, The central portion is provided with a protruding portion which, when the airbag cushion is inflated and deployed, protrudes at least toward the front of the vehicle more than the first portion and the second portion, and can receive the head of the occupant and the occupant moving diagonally forward.

7. The airbag device according to claim 6, in, The main chamber is continuously and integrally formed by the first portion, the central portion, and the second portion, and the protrusion is formed by another chamber separated from the main chamber.

8. The airbag device according to claim 7, in, The main chamber and the protrusion are in communication with each other via a second exhaust hole.

9. The airbag device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, in, A connecting member is provided for connecting the front lower portion of the protruding portion and the bottom front portion of the lower chamber.

10. The airbag device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, in, A connecting member is provided for connecting the front lower portion of the protruding portion and the front lower portion of the central portion.

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