Side airbag device and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

The present application provides a side airbag device capable of improving the deployment behavior of a sub-chamber by a simple method and thereby further improving the safety of an occupant. A side airbag device 1 includes an airbag 30 that inflates and deploys on an occupant side in a vehicle seat 3, and an inflator 33 that supplies gas for inflation and deployment to the airbag 30. The airbag 30 has a main chamber 31 in which the inflator 33 is built in, and a sub-chamber 32 that inflates and deploys on the occupant side with respect to the main chamber 31. The main chamber 31 and the sub-chamber 32 communicate with each other via a communication hole 51. The sub-chamber 32 has a center 320 in the up-down direction positioned above a center 51A of the communication hole 51 in a flat deployment state, and has an upper portion 32A positioned above the communication hole 51 in the flat deployment state, which is arranged to be folded back toward the occupant side in a stowed state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a side airbag device and a method for manufacturing a side airbag device. Background Technology

[0002] To protect occupants seated in a vehicle during a side collision, a side airbag system is installed in the vehicle. For example, the side airbag system disclosed in Patent Document 1 has an airbag in which a main chamber and a secondary chamber can be inflated and deployed by a single inflator. The secondary chamber is smaller than the main chamber and inflates and deploys further inward than the main chamber in the vehicle width direction. Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: JP 2012-179956 A Summary of the Invention The problem the invention aims to solve

[0004] Using the side airbag device of Patent Document 1, the inflated and deployed main and auxiliary chambers are said to press against the surface from the occupant's shoulder to the hip, thereby reducing chest injury values. However, when the auxiliary chamber inflates and deploys to overlap with the occupant's arm, the auxiliary chamber pushes the occupant's arm inward in the vehicle width direction, and therefore there is a possibility that the occupant's ribs may be excessively pushed.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a side airbag device and a method for manufacturing the same, which can improve the deployment behavior of the secondary chamber through a simple method and further enhance occupant safety. Problem Solving Methods

[0006] A side airbag device according to one aspect of the present invention includes:

[0007] An airbag that inflates and deploys on the occupant side while seated in a vehicle seat, the airbag having a main chamber and a secondary chamber that inflates and deploys relative to the main chamber on the occupant side, the main chamber and the secondary chamber communicating with each other via a communication port; and

[0008] An inflator, located within the main chamber, supplies the airbag with gas for inflation and deployment.

[0009] The secondary chamber has a center in the vertical direction located above the center of the connecting hole in the flat unfolded state, and has an upper portion located above the connecting hole in the flat unfolded state, the upper portion being configured to fold back toward the occupant side in the retracted state.

[0010] In this application, when the secondary chamber expands and deploys with gas supplied from the inflator, the secondary chamber expands and deploys, causing the upper retractable portion to rise from the retracted position. When the secondary chamber, manifested in this upward manner, acts on the occupant's arm, the secondary chamber lifts the arm from below. Therefore, by simply folding the secondary chamber, the occupant's arm can be moved away from the occupant's ribs by the secondary chamber, while the occupant's entire body (e.g., from the shoulder to the hip) can be restrained by the main chamber. Thus, occupant safety can be further enhanced when the airbag inflates and deploys. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 It is a side view depicting a side airbag device in an inflated and deployed state according to one embodiment;

[0012] Figure 2 It is a description Figure 1 A front view of the side airbags in their inflated and deployed state;

[0013] Figure 3 It is depicted before the main chamber and secondary chamber are folded. Figure 1 A side view of the side airbag device in its flat state (flat deployed state), and a view used to describe the center of the auxiliary chamber in the vertical direction, etc.

[0014] Figure 3A Is with Figure 3 The same side view, and is a view used to describe the structure of the secondary chamber, etc.;

[0015] Figure 4 It is a description Figure 1 A side view of the side airbag system with a portion of the airbag in the secondary chamber folded down;

[0016] Figure 5 It is a description Figure 1 A front view of the relationship between the side airbag device and the occupant's arms, wherein (a) depicts the main chamber and the auxiliary chamber in their retracted state, and (b) depicts the main chamber and the auxiliary chamber in their inflated and deployed state.

[0017] Figure 6 It is a diagram depicting the results of tests on the inflation and deployment of a side airbag device according to one embodiment in chronological order;

[0018] Figure 7 It is a diagram depicting the results of the inflation and deployment tests of the side airbag devices based on comparative examples in chronological order; and

[0019] Figure 8This is a flowchart depicting a method for manufacturing a side airbag device according to this embodiment. Embodiments of the present invention

[0020] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, "up" and "down," "left" and "right," and "front" and "rear" are defined as follows: When an occupant is seated in a conventional orientation, the direction the occupant faces is called "front," the opposite direction is called "rear," and the direction indicating the coordinate axis is called the "front-rear direction" or "vehicle front-rear direction." Furthermore, when an occupant is seated in a conventional orientation, the occupant's right side is called "right," the occupant's left side is called "left," and the direction indicating the coordinate axis is called the "left-right direction" or "vehicle width direction." Similarly, when an occupant is seated in a conventional orientation, the direction of the occupant's head is called "up," the direction of the occupant's waist is called "down," and the direction indicating the coordinate axis is called the "up-down direction."

[0021] In this document, "occupant" means an occupant with a physique comparable to that of an average male in the United States, conforming to the specifications of a dummy used for frontal crash testing (the Hybrid III AM50 / human dummy used for frontal crash testing as defined in NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration] Standards [49 CFR Part 572, Subparts E and O]) and having approximate dimensions of 175 cm in height, 88 cm in sitting height, and 78 kg in weight.

[0022] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As depicted, the side airbag device 1 is installed in the seat 3 of the vehicle 2. The seat 3 is installed in the vehicle compartment 4 of the vehicle 2. In an embodiment of the invention, the seat 3 is the left-side seat, but the side airbag device 1 can be attached to any seat. The seat 3 has a seat cushion 6, a seat back 7, and a headrest 8. The seat cushion 6 is installed on the floor 9 forming the floor surface of the vehicle compartment 4. The seat cushion 6 supports the buttocks of the occupant 100 from below. The seat back 7 extends upward from the rear of the seat cushion 6 and supports the back of the occupant 100 from the rear. The headrest 8 is located at the upper end of the seat back 7 and supports the head of the occupant 100 from the rear.

[0023] like Figure 2 As depicted, the door 11 of vehicle 2 is located on the left side of seat 3, and a door trim piece 12 is located on the lower inner surface of the door 11. The door trim piece 12 has an armrest 13 that protrudes inward in the width direction of the vehicle and extends in the front-rear direction. A window opening 15 is located in the upper part of the door 11, and a window glass 16 that can be raised and lowered is located in the window opening 15.

[0024] Typically, the seat frame and backrest frame forming the frame structure of seat 3 are respectively located inside the seat cushion 6 and the seat back 7, although these are omitted from the drawings. These frames are formed by machining metal parts or hard resin and are connected to each other via a tilting mechanism. Additionally, a pad is provided on the surface and periphery of each of these frames, and the surface of the pad is covered with a decorative cover. The backrest frame has a left-side member and a right-side member spaced apart in the vehicle width direction and extending vertically, and the upper and lower ends of the left-side member and the right-side member are connected by an upper member and a lower member, respectively. In the left-side member and the right-side member, the side member on the outer side of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction has a side wall portion extending in the front-rear direction, and a front wall portion and a rear wall portion extending a short distance from the front and rear ends of the side wall portion toward the inner side of the vehicle, and the side airbag device 1 is fixed to the side wall portion.

[0025] For illustration, the side airbag device 1 is disposed inside the seat back 7. In this case, the side airbag device 1 is retracted into the space inside the padding covering the periphery of the backrest frame of the seat back 7. Furthermore, the side airbag device 1 is fixed to the outer surface of the side member's side wall portion on the vehicle's outer side of the backrest frame. A seam exists on the front side of the decorative cover covering the padding surface, and this seam tears open when the side airbag device 1 is deployed. This tear allows the airbag 30 to inflate and deploy on the occupant 100 side (between occupant 100 and door 11).

[0026] The side airbag device 1 includes: an airbag 30 that inflates and deploys on the occupant 100 side seated in the seat 3; and an inflator 33 that supplies gas to the airbag 30 for inflating and deploying. The airbag 30 has a main chamber 31 and a secondary chamber 32, with the secondary chamber 32 inflating and deploying relative to the main chamber 31 on the occupant side. The main chamber 31 and the secondary chamber 32 are connected to each other via a communication hole 51. The inflator 33 is disposed within the main chamber 31. Therefore, gas from the inflator 33 for inflating and deploying is first supplied to the main chamber 31, and then instantaneously supplied from the main chamber 31 to the secondary chamber 32 via the communication hole 51.

[0027] The main chamber 31 expands and deploys to a greater extent than the secondary chamber 32. The main chamber 31 and the secondary chamber 32 act on the occupant 100 differently when they expand and deploy. Specifically, the main chamber 31 primarily restrains the entire body of the occupant 100 by expanding and deploying, while the secondary chamber 32 primarily lifts the occupant 100's arms 110 (particularly the upper arms) by expanding and deploying. Regarding the extent of expansion and deployment, for example, the main chamber 31 covers a region from the occupant 100's shoulders to their hips, while the secondary chamber 32 first contacts the occupant 100's arms 110 and then their torso.

[0028] The main chamber 31 and the auxiliary chamber 32 are formed into a bag shape by joining (e.g., sewing or bonding) one or more base fabrics, such as nonwoven fabric, at appropriate locations, or by weaving using a one-piece woven (OPW) technique. The main chamber 31 and the auxiliary chamber 32 are at least partially folded and stowed within the seat back 7. To stow the folded airbag 30, a shell or a connecting member (such as tape) that breaks upon predetermined expansion and deployment can be used.

[0029] The inflator 33 is electrically connected to the electronic control unit (not depicted) of vehicle 2. When vehicle 2 experiences a side collision (when an acceleration equal to or greater than a threshold is detected), the electronic control unit supplies a specified current to the inflator 33. When current is supplied from the electronic control unit, the inflator 33 is activated, causing the main chamber 31 and the auxiliary chamber 32 to inflate and deploy. The inflator 33 can be one of various types of inflators, such as those filled with a gas generating agent, compressed gas, or both.

[0030] For example, the inflator 33 includes: a bottomed cylinder filled with a gas generating agent, an ignition device disposed at the open end of the cylinder, and an upper double-ended bolt 33A and a lower double-ended bolt 33B disposed on the outer periphery of the cylinder (see...). Figure 3 The majority of the inflator 33 is housed within the main chamber 31, while double-ended bolts 33A and 33B protrude to the outside of the main chamber 31 and are secured to the side wall of the side member by nuts. The inflator 33 is arranged to extend vertically parallel to the side member, and the lower end (ignition device) of the inflator 33 is connected to the electronic control unit of the vehicle 2 via a wiring harness. Gas is generated by igniting the gas generator inside the cylinder with the ignition device, and the gas for expansion and unfolding is supplied to the main chamber 31 from multiple injection holes on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder.

[0031] In a broad sense, the main chamber 31 and the auxiliary chamber 32 can be in a flat, unfolded state, a retracted state, or an expanded and unfolded state. Figure 3 and Figure 3AThe main chamber 31 and the auxiliary chamber 32 are depicted in their flat, deployed state. The flat, deployed state refers to the state in which the main chamber 31 and the auxiliary chamber 32 are flat before they are folded, and specifically, the state in which the main chamber 31 and the auxiliary chamber 32 are deployed in a plane. The flat, deployed state is the state in which the main chamber 31 and the auxiliary chamber 32 can be positioned before the side airbag device 1 is installed on the vehicle 2.

[0032] The retracted state is the state after the side airbag device 1 is installed on the vehicle 2 and before the main chamber 31 and the auxiliary chamber 32 inflate and deploy. In the retracted state, the auxiliary chamber 32 is folded. Additionally, the main chamber 31 can be folded in the retracted state. Folding methods can include a rolled-up shape, an accordion shape, or a combination thereof. The folding method of the auxiliary chamber 32 will be described later. The inflated and deployed state refers to a state in which gas is supplied to the main chamber 31 and the auxiliary chamber 32, and the main chamber 31 and the auxiliary chamber 32 inflate and deploy.

[0033] Next, we will refer to Figure 3 and Figure 3A The main chamber 31 and the auxiliary chamber 32 are described in detail in their flat, unfolded state. The main chamber 31 and the auxiliary chamber 32 have a flat shape, and the auxiliary chamber 32 is positioned to largely overlap with the main chamber 31. It should be noted that... Figure 3 and Figure 3A In the accompanying drawings, the inflator 33 itself is omitted, but the positions of the upper double-ended bolt 33A and the lower double-ended bolt 33B of the inflator 33 are depicted in the main chamber 31. In the following text, the center of each structural component in its flat, unfolded state in the vertical direction will first be described, followed by a description of the construction, position, etc., of each part of each structural component.

[0034] like Figure 3 As depicted, the center 31O of the main chamber 31 in the vertical direction refers to the center that bisects the vertical distance 31R between the uppermost part 31U and the lowermost part 31L in the vertical direction within the main chamber 31 in its flat, unfolded state. Similarly, the center 32O of the auxiliary chamber 32 in the vertical direction refers to the center that bisects the vertical distance 32R between the uppermost part 32U and the lowermost part 32L in the vertical direction within the auxiliary chamber 32 in its flat, unfolded state. The center 32O of the auxiliary chamber 32 is positioned above the center 31O of the main chamber 31 in the vertical direction.

[0035] The center 51A of the connecting hole 51 refers to a position where the vertical distance between the uppermost part 51U and the lowermost part 51L of the connecting hole 51 is bisected in the vertical direction, and the horizontal distance between the frontmost part 51F and the rearmost part 51R of the connecting hole 51 is also bisected in the front-back direction. The center 51A of the connecting hole 51 is preferably located in the vertical direction at the same position as the center 31O of the main chamber 31, or located on its lower side.

[0036] The connecting hole 51 is, for example, circular in shape, and the center 51A is the center of the circle. In another embodiment, the connecting hole 51 can be any shape, and can be, for example, rectangular or slit-shaped.

[0037] like Figure 3A As depicted, the center 32O of the secondary chamber 32 is positioned above the center 51A of the connecting hole 51 in the vertical direction. When the secondary chamber 32 is divided vertically along the boundary of the connecting hole 51, the secondary chamber 32 can be said to have an upper portion 32A and a lower portion 32B. More specifically, the upper portion 32A corresponds to the portion positioned above an imaginary horizontal line 51B passing through the uppermost end (uppermost 51U) of the connecting hole 51, and the lower portion 32B corresponds to the portion positioned below the horizontal line 51B. The upper portion 32A occupies a wider area in the secondary chamber 32 than the lower portion 32B.

[0038] The lower portion 32B has a shape that tapers downwards. The lower portion 32B is formed entirely in a shape that tapers downwards. The lower end of the lower portion 32B has a downwardly curved portion 32C, a forwardly inclined portion 32D extending forward from the curved portion 32C, and a rearwardly inclined portion 32E extending backwards from the curved portion 32C. Here, the center 51A of the connecting hole 51 is located at the center of the lower portion 32B in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the center 51A is located above the curved portion 32C. Furthermore, the position of the center 51A in the front-rear direction coincides with or substantially coincides with the lowermost end (lowest portion 32L) of the curved portion 32C.

[0039] Comparing the secondary chamber 32 to the primary chamber 31, the secondary chamber 32 is smaller than the primary chamber 31 and overlaps with the primary chamber 31 on its upper side. The secondary chamber 32 occupies a wide area in front of the center of the primary chamber 31. Although the secondary chamber 32 does not extend beyond the upper end, rear end, or lower end of the primary chamber 31, the front end portion 32F of the secondary chamber 32 is positioned in front of the front end 31F of the primary chamber 31. The front end portion 32F of the secondary chamber 32, which extends beyond the front end 31F of the primary chamber 31, is primarily the front end portion of the upper portion 32A, but also includes the upper part of the front end portion of the lower portion 32B.

[0040] Next, we will refer to Figure 4The description details the state in which a portion of the secondary chamber 32 is folded. This state can be the retracted state described above. For example... Figure 4 As depicted, when the upper portion 32A is folded into the seat back 7, it folds back from its flat, unfolded state toward the occupant 100 side (the side opposite to the main chamber 31). The folded-back position, i.e., the folding portion 32I, is positioned on the imaginary horizontal line 51B used to describe the division between the upper portion 32A and the lower portion 32B.

[0041] In the retracted state, the upper end 32G of the upper portion 32A of the sub-chamber 32 in the flat-out state is positioned below the entire connecting hole 51, including the center 51A of the connecting hole 51. Additionally, in the retracted state, the upper end 32G is positioned below the lower end 32H of the lower portion 32B of the sub-chamber 32 in the flat-out state. Furthermore, in the retracted state, the upper end 32G extends downwards and forwards.

[0042] It should be noted that, in order to put the sub-cavity 32 into the retracted state, after first folding the upper part 32A downward (towards the occupant side), the sub-cavity 32 can be folded and retracted in any direction. For example, by combining any folding method, such as rolling it up from below, folding it into a corrugated shape, or folding it in half (or more) in the front-back direction, the sub-cavity 32 can be retracted into the seat back 7.

[0043] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the relationship between the side airbag device 1 and the arm 110 of the occupant 100 as viewed from the front of the vehicle, wherein (a) depicts the retracted state of the main chamber 31 and the auxiliary chamber 32, and (b) depicts the inflated and deployed state of the main chamber and the auxiliary chamber.

[0044] like Figure 5 As depicted in (a), the side airbag device 1 is configured such that the fold 32I of the sub-chamber 32 and the connecting hole 51 are positioned below the center 110A (elbow) of the occupant's arm.

[0045] like Figure 5 As depicted in (b), when the gas for expansion and unfolding is supplied to the sub-chamber 32, the sub-chamber 32 unfolds, causing the fold 32I to undone, and the upper portion 32A to rise upwards in the vehicle from the fold 32I. At this time, the upper portion 32A of the sub-chamber 32 contacts the arm 110 of the occupant 100, particularly the upper arm portion of the arm 110, and raises the arm.

[0046] Next, we will refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7The description covers the inflation and deployment tests of the side airbag device according to the implementation scheme and the comparative example. The difference between the comparative example and the implementation scheme is that, in the comparative example, the upper portion 32A of the auxiliary chamber 32 does not fold back towards the occupant 100 side when in the retracted state.

[0047] like Figure 6 As depicted, in the side airbag device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, when gas for inflation and deployment is supplied to the sub-chamber 32, the upper portion 32A of the sub-chamber 32 is deployed so as to open upward in the vehicle starting from the fold 32I (see [reference]). Figure 6 (b) and Figure 6 (c)), and raise the arm 110 of occupant 100 (see Figure 6 (d) and Figure 6 (e)).

[0048] In comparison, such as Figure 7 As depicted in the comparative example, when gas for expansion and deployment is supplied to the sub-chamber 32, the sub-chamber 32 expands and deploys in the vehicle interior direction so as to completely overlap with the arm 110 of the occupant 100 (see [reference]). Figure 7 (b) and Figure 7 (c)), and press against arm 110 in the direction of vehicle interior (see Figure 7 (d) and Figure 7 (e)). The arm 110 of the occupant 100 is not raised.

[0049] Next, we will refer to Figure 8 A brief description of the method for manufacturing the side airbag device 1. First, an airbag 30 having a main chamber 31 and a secondary chamber 32 is formed (S11). At this time, the secondary chamber 32 is formed such that, in the flat deployed state, the center 32O of the secondary chamber 32 in the vertical direction is positioned above the center 51A of the connecting hole 51 (see...). Figure 3A Furthermore, when the secondary chamber 32 is formed, a shape that gradually tapers downwards is formed in the lower portion 32B of the secondary chamber 32 in its flat, unfolded state.

[0050] Next, with the secondary chamber 32 and the main chamber 31 in their flat, unfolded state, the upper portion 32A of the secondary chamber 32 above the connecting hole 51 in the flat, unfolded state is folded back towards the side opposite to the main chamber 31 (S12, see...). Figure 4 The folding position is the aforementioned folded portion 32I. When folded back, the upper end 32G of the upper portion 32A of the sub-chamber 32 in the flat unfolded state is positioned below the center 51A of the connecting hole 51, and further positioned below the lower end 32H of the lower portion 32B of the sub-chamber 32 in the flat unfolded state.

[0051] Next, an inflator 33 is installed in the main chamber 31 (S13). Note that this step (S12) can be performed before the step (S12) of turning back the upper part 32A of the auxiliary chamber 32.

[0052] Then, at least a portion of the secondary chamber 32 and / or the main chamber 31 is folded to bring the airbag 30 into a retracted state (S14). Finally, the side airbag device 1 is mounted on the seat 3 by securing the double-headed bolts 33A and 33B of the inflator 33 to the backrest frame of the seat back 7 (S15).

[0053] As described above, using the side airbag device 1 according to this embodiment, in the flat deployed state, the sub-chamber 32 has a center 32O positioned above the center 51A of the communication hole 51 in the vertical direction, and in the flat deployed state, the upper portion 32A above the communication hole 51 is configured to fold back toward the occupant side in the retracted state.

[0054] Accordingly, when the sub-chamber 32 expands and deploys with gas supplied from the inflator 33, the sub-chamber expands and deploys, causing the folded upper portion 32A to rise from the folded position (folded portion 32I). When the sub-chamber 32, manifested in this rising manner, acts on the arm 110 of the occupant 100, the sub-chamber lifts the arm 110 of the occupant 100 from below. Therefore, by the simple method of folding the sub-chamber 32, the arm 110 of the occupant 100 can be moved away from the ribs of the occupant 100 by the sub-chamber 32, while the entire body of the occupant 100 (e.g., from the shoulder to the hip) can be restrained by the main chamber 31. Therefore, the safety of the occupant 100 when the airbag 30 expands and deploys can be further enhanced.

[0055] Furthermore, the lower portion 32B of the sub-chamber 32 in its flat, deployed state has a shape that tapers downwards. Accordingly, when the airbag 30 inflates and deploys, the gas supplied from the inflator 33 flows more easily from the lower to the upper portion of the sub-chamber 32. This facilitates the deployment of the upper portion 32A so that it opens upwards from the folding portion 32I.

[0056] Furthermore, in the retracted state, the upper end 32G of the upper portion 32A of the sub-chamber 32 in the flat-out state is positioned below the center 51A of the connecting hole 51 or below the entire connecting hole 51. Accordingly, in the retracted state, the upper portion 32A of the sub-chamber 32 can be positioned as low as possible (ensuring sufficient length), and therefore the arm 110 becomes easier to lift even when the occupant 100 moves away from the sub-chamber 32.

[0057] Furthermore, in the sub-chamber 32, the upper portion 32A occupies a wider area than the lower portion 32B. Correspondingly, the larger upper portion 32A can be positioned within the limited surface area of ​​the sub-chamber 32, and thus this upper portion can press against and lift the arm 110 of the occupant 100 above the wider surface. Additionally, by providing the smaller lower portion 32B, when the sub-chamber 32 expands and unfolds, the gas from the inflator 33 used for expansion and unfolding can reach the upper portion more quickly from the lower portion. This allows for faster ascent of the upper portion 32A.

[0058] Furthermore, the front end portion 32F of the sub-chamber 32 in its flat-out configuration is positioned in front of the front end 31F of the main chamber 31 in its flat-out configuration. Accordingly, in the sub-chamber 32, the upper portion 32A becomes longer towards the front of the vehicle, and thus the occupant 100's arm 110 is more easily pushed forward and raised. In addition, even for occupants of different builds, the arm becomes easier to raise with the same layout.

[0059] The embodiments described above are provided for ease of understanding of the invention and are not intended to be construed as limiting the invention. The elements included in the embodiments, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, etc., are not limited to those illustrated, but can be appropriately modified.

[0060] Additional considerations for various implementation schemes Implementation Plan 1

[0061] A side airbag device, the side airbag device comprising:

[0062] An airbag that inflates and deploys on the occupant side while seated in a vehicle seat, the airbag having a main chamber and a secondary chamber that inflates and deploys relative to the main chamber on the occupant side, the main chamber and the secondary chamber communicating with each other via a communication port; and

[0063] An inflator, located within the main chamber, supplies gas to the airbag for inflation and deployment.

[0064] The secondary chamber has a center in the vertical direction located above the center of the connecting hole in the flat unfolded state, and has an upper portion located above the connecting hole in the flat unfolded state, the upper portion being configured to fold back toward the occupant side in the retracted state. Implementation Plan 2

[0065] According to the side airbag device of embodiment 1, the lower portion of the auxiliary chamber in the flat deployed state has a shape that gradually tapers downwards. Implementation Plan 3

[0066] According to the side airbag device of embodiment 2, the lower portion is located below an imaginary horizontal line passing through the upper end of the connecting hole, and the lower portion is generally formed into a shape that gradually tapers downward. Implementation Plan 4

[0067] According to embodiment 2 or 3, the center of the connecting hole is located at the center of the lower portion in the front-rear direction. Implementation Plan 5

[0068] According to any one of embodiments 2 to 4, the side airbag device has a downwardly curved portion at its lower end; a forwardly inclined portion extending forward from the curved portion; and a rearwardly inclined portion extending backward from the curved portion, and the center of the connecting hole is located above the curved portion. Implementation Plan 6

[0069] According to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, in the retracted state, the upper end of the upper portion of the sub-chamber in the flat deployed state is positioned below the center of the connecting hole. Implementation Plan 7

[0070] According to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, in the retracted state, the upper end of the upper portion of the sub-chamber in the flat deployed state is positioned below the entire connecting hole. Implementation Plan 8

[0071] According to embodiment 6 or 7, the side airbag device has an upper end that extends downward and tilts forward in the retracted state. Implementation Plan 9

[0072] According to any one of embodiments 1 to 8, in the retracted state, the upper end of the upper portion of the sub-chamber in the flat deployed state is positioned below the lower end of the sub-chamber in the flat deployed state. Implementation Plan 10

[0073] According to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, the side airbag device, wherein the upper portion is a portion positioned above an imaginary horizontal line passing through the upper end of the connecting hole, and using the secondary chamber, the upper portion occupies a wider area than the portion positioned below the horizontal line. Implementation Plan 11

[0074] According to any one of embodiments 1 to 10, in the side airbag device, the front end portion of the auxiliary chamber in the flat deployed state is positioned in front of the front end of the main chamber in the flat deployed state. Implementation Plan 12

[0075] According to any one of embodiments 1 to 11, in the side airbag device, in the flat deployed state, the auxiliary chamber occupies a wide area in front of the center of the main chamber. Implementation Plan 13

[0076] A method for manufacturing a side airbag device, the side airbag device comprising: an airbag that inflates and deploys on the occupant side while seated in a vehicle seat, the airbag including a main chamber and a secondary chamber, the secondary chamber inflating and deploying relative to the main chamber on the occupant side, the main chamber and the secondary chamber communicating with each other via a communication port; and an inflator disposed within the main chamber and supplying gas to the airbag for inflating and deploying, the method comprising:

[0077] The step of forming the secondary chamber such that, in its flat, unfolded state, the center of the secondary chamber is positioned above the center of the connecting hole in the vertical direction;

[0078] In the flat, unfolded state of the secondary chamber and the main chamber, the step of folding back the upper portion of the secondary chamber above the connecting hole in the flat, unfolded state of the secondary chamber toward the side opposite to the main chamber; and

[0079] The step of folding at least a portion of the secondary chamber and / or the main chamber to bring the airbag into a retracted state. Implementation Plan 14

[0080] The method for manufacturing a side airbag device according to embodiment 13, wherein the step of forming the sub-chamber includes forming a downwardly tapering shape in the lower portion of the sub-chamber in the flat deployed state. Implementation Plan 15

[0081] The method for manufacturing a side airbag device according to embodiment 14, wherein the folding-back step includes positioning the upper end of the upper portion of the sub-chamber in the flat deployed state below the center of the connecting hole. Tag description

[0082] 1. Side airbag device; 2. Vehicle; 3. Seat; 4. Vehicle compartment; 6. Seat cushion; 7. Seat backrest; 8. Headrest; 9. Floor; 11. Door; 12. Door trim; 13. Armrest; 15. Window opening; 16. Window glass; 30. Airbag; 31. Main chamber; 31F. Front end; 31U. Uppermost part; 31L. Lowermost part; 31O. Center; 31R. Distance; 32. Secondary chamber; 32A. Upper part; 32B. Lower part; 32C. Curved part; 32D. Forward tilting part; 32 E. Rear tilt section, 32F. Front end section, 32G. Upper end, 32H. Lower end, 32I. Folding section, 32U. Uppermost part, 32L. Lowermost part, 32O. Center, 32R. Distance, 33. Inflator, 33A. Upper double-ended bolt, 33B. Lower double-ended bolt, 51. Connecting hole, 51A. Center of connecting hole, 51B. Imaginary horizontal line, 51U. Uppermost part, 51L. Lowermost part, 51F. Foremost part, 51R. Rearmost part, 100. Occupant, 110. Occupant's arm, 110A. Center of arm

Claims

1. A side airbag device, the side airbag device comprising: An airbag that inflates and deploys on the occupant side while seated in a vehicle seat, the airbag having a main chamber and a secondary chamber that inflates and deploys relative to the main chamber on the occupant side, the main chamber and the secondary chamber communicating with each other via a communication port; and An inflator, disposed within the main chamber, supplies gas to the airbag for inflation and deployment, wherein... The sub-chamber has a center in the vertical direction located above the center of the connecting hole in the flat unfolded state, and has an upper portion located above the connecting hole in the flat unfolded state, the upper portion being configured to fold back toward the occupant side in the retracted state.

2. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the sub-chamber in the flat deployed state has a shape that tapers downwards.

3. The side airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the lower portion is located below an imaginary horizontal line passing through the upper end of the connecting hole, and the lower portion is generally formed into a shape that tapers downwards.

4. The side airbag device according to claim 3, wherein the center of the connecting hole is located at the center of the lower portion in the front-rear direction.

5. The side airbag device of claim 2, wherein the lower end of the lower portion has a downwardly curved portion; a forwardly inclined portion extending forward from the curved portion; and a rearwardly inclined portion extending rearward from the curved portion, and the center of the connecting hole is located above the curved portion.

6. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein in the retracted state, the upper end of the upper portion of the sub-chamber in the flat deployed state is positioned below the center of the connecting hole.

7. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein in the retracted state, the upper end of the upper portion of the sub-chamber in the flat deployed state is positioned below the entire communicating hole.

8. The side airbag device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein in the retracted state, the upper end extends downwardly and forward.

9. The side airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, in the retracted state, the upper end of the upper portion of the sub-chamber in the flat deployed state is positioned below the lower end of the sub-chamber in the flat deployed state.

10. The side airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the upper portion is a portion positioned above an imaginary horizontal line passing through the upper end of the communication hole, and the sub-chamber is used, wherein the upper portion occupies a wider area than the portion positioned below the horizontal line.

11. The side airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the front end portion of the auxiliary chamber in the flat deployed state is positioned in front of the front end of the main chamber in the flat deployed state.

12. The side airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein in the flat deployed state, the secondary chamber occupies a wide area in front of the center of the main chamber.

13. A method of manufacturing a side airbag device, the side airbag device comprising: an airbag that inflates and deploys on the occupant side when seated in a vehicle seat, the airbag including a main chamber and a secondary chamber, the secondary chamber inflating and deploying relative to the main chamber on the occupant side, the main chamber and the secondary chamber communicating with each other via a communication hole; The method includes: an inflator disposed within the main chamber and supplying gas to the airbag for inflation and deployment. The step of forming the sub-chamber such that, in the flat, unfolded state of the sub-chamber, the center of the sub-chamber in the vertical direction is positioned above the center of the communicating hole; In the flat unfolded state of the secondary chamber and the main chamber, the step of folding back the upper part of the secondary chamber above the connecting hole in the flat unfolded state of the secondary chamber toward the side opposite to the main chamber; as well as The step of folding at least a portion of the secondary chamber and / or the main chamber to bring the airbag into a stowed state.

14. The method of manufacturing a side airbag device according to claim 13, wherein the step of forming the sub-chamber includes forming a downwardly tapering shape in the lower portion of the sub-chamber in the flat deployed state.

15. The method of manufacturing a side airbag device according to claim 14, wherein the folding-back step includes positioning the upper end of the upper portion of the sub-chamber in the flat-deployed state below the center of the communicating hole.

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