Side air bag device

Abstract

To provide a side air bag device which has a simplified folding structure and is hardly deviated in a direction of separating from an occupant in inflation development.SOLUTION: A side air bag device comprises: an inflator which is fitted to a side part of a seat back, and generates a gas; and a bag-shaped air bag which inflates and develops by the gas from the inflator. The air bag comprises: a first inflation part on which a gas ejection hole of the inflator is arranged, and inflates and develops on a side part of a trunk of the occupant; and a second inflation part which is communicated with the first inflation part, and inflates and develops on the side part of the head of the occupant by the gas flowing from the first inflation part. At least a part of the first inflation part inflates and develops above a console box, and contacts a top surface of the console box. In a folding state of the air bag, the second inflation part is folded and overlapped to the first inflation part, so as to be arranged at inside of a vehicle width direction relative to the first inflation part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a side airbag device, and more particularly to a side airbag device that inflates and deploys to the side of an occupant in the event of a collision of a vehicle such as an automobile. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A side airbag device is known that prevents an occupant from moving inward in the vehicle width direction during a vehicle collision and coming into contact with an occupant sitting next to him / her (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The airbag device described in Patent Document 1 includes a lower folded portion that is a folded portion of a lower region that is on the lower side of the vehicle when the airbag is inflated and deployed, an upper folded portion that is a folded portion of an upper region that is on the upper side of the vehicle, and an intermediate folded portion that is a folded portion of an intermediate region that is intermediate between the lower region and the upper region, and the intermediate folded portion is a rolled fold that is wrapped around the side opposite to the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the seat back when the airbag is inflated and deployed, and wraps the upper folded portion. Due to these characteristics, in the airbag device described in Patent Document 1, when the airbag passes under the arm of the occupant during inflation and deployment, the rolled fold unravels along the arm of the occupant, making it difficult for the airbag to deviate in a direction away from the occupant. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2017-100634 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a side airbag device, the airbag is stored in a folded state, and in the event of a vehicle collision, the airbag unfolds and inflates with gas. In the event of a vehicle collision, the side airbag device inflates and deploys between a vehicle component such as a console box and the occupant, and it is desirable for the airbag to inflate and deploy without moving away from the occupant. If the airbag is pushed by the occupant's arm during inflation and deployment, the airbag will inflate and deploy in a direction away from the occupant, which can reduce the restraining force.

[0006] In the case of the airbag device described in the above Patent Document 1, the airbag includes a lower folded portion, an upper folded portion, and an intermediate folded portion, and the intermediate folded portion is, for example, a roll folded portion that wraps the bellows-folded upper folded portion, and is therefore complicated with many foldings. Therefore, the folding work of the airbag is complicated in the manufacturing process of the airbag device.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned current situation, and has an object to provide a side airbag device which has a simple folding structure and is unlikely to deviate away from the occupant when inflated and deployed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, one aspect of the present invention provides a side airbag device that is attached to a side of a seat back of a vehicle seat and inflates and deploys to the side of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat and above a console box provided on the inside of the vehicle seat in a vehicle width direction, the side airbag device comprising: an inflator that is attached to the side of the seat back and generates gas; and a bag-shaped airbag that is inflated and deployed by gas from the inflator, the airbag having a gas ejection hole for the inflator and a seat for the occupant. The side airbag device has a first inflation section that inflates and deploys to the side of the occupant's torso, and a second inflation section that is connected to the first inflation section and inflates and deploys to the side of the occupant's head by gas flowing in from the first inflation section, wherein at least a portion of the first inflation section inflates and deploys above the console box and contacts an upper surface of the console box, and is folded over the first inflation section so that the second inflation section is positioned more inward in the vehicle width direction than the first inflation section when the airbag is in a folded state. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a side airbag device which has a simple folding structure and which is unlikely to deviate away from the occupant when inflated and deployed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which an occupant is restrained by an airbag when the side airbag device of the first embodiment is viewed from the front of the vehicle. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which an occupant is restrained by an airbag when the side airbag device of the first embodiment is viewed from the side of the vehicle. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic three-dimensional shape of the side airbag device of the first embodiment when inflated and deployed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a first diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5A]FIG. 4 is a second diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5B] 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed line shown in FIG. 5A. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a third diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a fourth diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 5 is a fifth diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 6 is a sixth diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 7 is a seventh diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is an eighth diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12A] 5B is a schematic diagram showing a first modified example of a folding method for the first expansion section shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. [Figure 12B] 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed line shown in FIG. 12A. [Figure 13A] 5B is a schematic diagram showing a second modified example of the folding method of the first expansion section shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. [Figure 13B] 13B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed line shown in FIG. 13A. [Figure 14A] 5B is a schematic diagram showing a third modified example of the folding method of the first expansion section shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. [Figure 14B] 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed line shown in FIG. 14A. [Figure 15A] 5B is a schematic diagram showing a fourth modified example of the folding method of the first expansion section shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. [Figure 15B] 15B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed line shown in FIG. 15A. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a side airbag device according to a first embodiment is mounted on a vehicle seat, as viewed from the side of the vehicle. [Figure 17A]FIG. 2 is a first diagram illustrating a process in which the side airbag device according to the first embodiment inflates and deploys. [Figure 17B] FIG. 4 is a second diagram illustrating the process in which the side airbag device according to the first embodiment inflates and deploys. [Figure 17C] FIG. 11 is a third diagram illustrating the process in which the side airbag device according to the first embodiment inflates and deploys. [Figure 17D] FIG. 11 is a fourth diagram illustrating the process in which the side airbag device according to the first embodiment inflates and deploys. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a side airbag device according to a second embodiment of the present invention when an occupant is restrained by an airbag as viewed from the front of the vehicle. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a first diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the second embodiment. [Figure 20A] FIG. 11 is a second diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the second embodiment. [Figure 20B] 20B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed line shown in FIG. 20A. [Figure 21] FIG. 11 is a third diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the description of directions is based on the vehicle. For example, "forward" indicates the forward direction of the vehicle, "rearward" indicates the rearward direction of the vehicle, "upward" indicates the upward direction of the vehicle, "downward" indicates the downward direction of the vehicle, and "sideward" indicates the inner direction in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the arrow FR shown appropriately in each figure indicates the forward direction of the vehicle, the arrow RE indicates the rearward direction of the vehicle, the arrow UP indicates the upward direction of the vehicle, the arrow DOWN indicates the downward direction of the vehicle, the arrow IN indicates the inner direction in the vehicle width direction, and the arrow OUT indicates the outer direction in the vehicle width direction. Note that the members arranged inside the vehicle seat are illustrated in a see-through state of the vehicle seat.

[0012] [Embodiment 1] A side airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the side airbag device according to the first embodiment when an occupant is restrained by an airbag as viewed from the front of the vehicle. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the side airbag device according to the first embodiment when an occupant is restrained by an airbag as viewed from the side of the vehicle.

[0013] 1 and 2, the side airbag device 1 of the first embodiment is inflated and deployed to the side of an occupant 40 seated in a vehicle seat (vehicle seat) 50 and above a console box 60 provided on the inside of the vehicle seat 50 in the vehicle width direction. The side airbag device 1 of the first embodiment includes an inflator 10 and an airbag 20, and is attached to a side portion (a side portion on the inside in the vehicle width direction) of a seat back (backrest portion) 51 of the vehicle seat 50. The vehicle seat 50 may be, for example, a driver's seat, a passenger seat, or the like of the vehicle.

[0014] When the vehicle collides with an obstacle (e.g., another vehicle) and the inflator 10 is activated, gas is generated from the inflator 10. The above collisions include a side collision in which the side of the vehicle collides with an obstacle, and an oblique collision in which the vehicle collides with an obstacle from a diagonal front direction. Specifically, the above side collision occurs when an obstacle collides with a vehicle side wall that faces the vehicle side wall 70 shown in Fig. 1 in the vehicle width direction (a vehicle body portion located on the outer side of the passenger seat in the vehicle width direction when the vehicle seat 50 is a driver's seat).

[0015] Gas generated from the inflator 10 is introduced into the airbag 20, and the airbag 20 inflates while being unfolded. When the surface layer of the seat back 51 is broken by the force applied by the inflated airbag 20, the airbag 20 inflates and deploys to the side of the occupant 40 seated in the vehicle seat 50 and above the console box 60, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, to protect the side of the occupant 40. The airbag 20 that inflates and deploys in this manner is also called a far-side airbag.

[0016] In the drawings used to explain the embodiment of the present invention, an internationally unified side impact dummy (World-SID) 40 is seated in a vehicle seat 50. The seating posture of the internationally unified side impact dummy 40 is determined by the side impact test method (ECE R95) currently adopted in Japan and Europe, or the side impact test method (FMVSS214) currently adopted in the United States. The position and size of the airbag 20 at the time of inflation and deployment (hereinafter also simply referred to as the time of inflation and deployment) are set according to the positions of the torso 41, waist 42, head 43, arms 44, shoulders 45, etc. of the internationally unified side impact dummy 40 as shown in FIG. 1. The internationally unified side impact dummy 40 is referred to as an "occupant 40".

[0017] The airbag 20 is a bag-shaped airbag that is inflated and deployed by the gas of the inflator 10, and has a first inflating section 20a that inflates and deploys on the side of the torso 41 of the occupant 40, and a second inflating section 20b that inflates and deploys on the side of the head 43 of the occupant 40, as shown in FIG. 1. The second inflating section 20b communicates with the first inflating section 20a. The airbag 20 may be a single undivided air chamber, and the first inflating section 20a and the second inflating section 20b may each be a part of the single air chamber. The first inflating section 20a and the second inflating section 20b may at least partially communicate with each other, and for example, the inside of a single bag-shaped airbag may be divided into a plurality of different air chambers, and the first inflating section 20a and the second inflating section 20b may each include a different air chamber.

[0018] In the following, a case will be illustrated in which the airbag 20 has a single undivided air chamber inside, and the first inflatable portion 20a and the second inflatable portion 20b are each a part of the single air chamber. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic three-dimensional shape of the side airbag device of the first embodiment when inflated and deployed.

[0019] 1 and 3, the gas ejection holes 11 of the inflator 10 are disposed in the first inflation section 20a. As long as at least the gas ejection holes 11 of the inflator 10 are disposed in the first inflation section 20a, the entire inflator 10 may be disposed inside the airbag 20, or the first inflation section 20a may be provided with a gas inlet hole and the inflator 10 may be disposed outside the airbag 20 so that the gas inlet hole and the gas ejection hole 11 communicate with each other. By disposing the gas ejection holes 11 of the inflator 10 in the first inflation section 20a, the airbag 20 starts to inflate and deploy from the first inflation section 20a.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, at least a portion 21 of the first expansion portion 20a (hereinafter, also referred to as the portion 21 of the first expansion portion 20a) is inflated and deployed above the console box 60 and in contact with the upper surface of the console box 60. The portion 21 of the first expansion portion 20a is preferably inflated and deployed from the occupant 40 side toward the center in the vehicle width direction while in contact with the upper surface of the console box 60 along the upper surface of the console box 60. When observed from the front of the vehicle, the portion 21 of the first expansion portion 20a is preferably inflated and deployed beyond the console box 60 to the center in the vehicle width direction. The portion 21 of the first expansion portion 20a may overlap the upper surface of the console box 60 to an extent that the airbag 20 can be supported by the upper surface of the console box 60 when inflated and deployed, but it is preferable that the portion 21 of the first expansion portion 20a covers the console box 60 in the vehicle width direction. The portion 21 of the first expansion portion 20a may be a protruding portion that inflates toward the center in the vehicle width direction on the opposite side of the occupant 40.

[0021] The second inflation section 20b is at least partially in communication with the first inflation section 20a, and is inflated and deployed to the side of the head 43 of the occupant 40 by the gas flowing in from the first inflation section 20a. Since the first inflation section 20a and the second inflation section 20b are at least partially in communication with each other, the second inflation section 20b is inflated and deployed next to the first inflation section 20a by the gas flowing in from the first inflation section 20a. The second inflation section 20b receives the head 43 of the occupant 40. The head 43 of the occupant 40 may be received by a flat portion of the second inflation section 20b, or the upper end of the second inflation section 20b may receive the head 43 of the occupant 40.

[0022] The airbag 20 has an occupant-side panel 23 that is disposed on the occupant 40 side when inflated and deployed, a central panel 24 that is disposed opposite the occupant-side panel 23, and a connecting panel 25 that connects the outer periphery of the occupant-side panel 23 to the outer periphery of the central panel 24. The central panel 24 is disposed on the inside in the vehicle width direction when inflated and deployed. When inflated and deployed, an air chamber is formed that is surrounded by the occupant-side panel 23, the central panel 24, and the connecting panel 25. The connecting panel 25 may be a single strip-shaped panel, or may be a plurality of panels joined together.

[0023] The width of the connecting panel 25 constituting the first expansion portion 20a is preferably wider than the width of the connecting panel 25 constituting the second expansion portion 20b. During expansion and deployment, the width in the vehicle width direction of the part 21 of the first expansion portion 20a that contacts the upper surface of the console box 60 can be made wider than the width in the vehicle width direction of the second expansion portion 20b.

[0024] A portion of the occupant side panel 23 and a portion of the central side panel 24 may be sewn together by a stitching portion 26. By providing the stitching portion 26, the thickness of the airbag 20 when inflated and deployed in the vehicle width direction can be adjusted. The occupant side panel 23 may be provided with an inflator mounting hole 22 to which the inflator 10 is attached, or may have a cut 28 formed therein for inserting the inflator into the airbag.

[0025] The inflator 10 is attached to the side of the seat back 51 and generates gas. The inflator 10 is activated when the vehicle crashes. Specifically, first, when a collision detection sensor mounted on the vehicle detects a vehicle crash, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) calculates a signal sent from the collision detection sensor and determines the level of the crash. If the determined level of the crash corresponds to a level that requires the airbag 20 to be inflated, the inflator 10 is ignited and gas is generated by a chemical reaction caused by combustion. As a result, the gas generated from the inflator 10 is introduced into the first expansion section 20a of the airbag 20 from the gas ejection hole 11.

[0026] The type of inflator 10 is not particularly limited, and examples include a pyrotechnic inflator that uses gas generated by burning a gas generating agent, a stored inflator that uses compressed gas, and a hybrid inflator that uses a mixture of gas generated by burning a gas generating agent and compressed gas.

[0027] The console box 60 is provided on the inside of the vehicle seat 50 in the vehicle width direction. For example, the console box 60 is provided between the driver's seat and the passenger seat in the center of the vehicle width direction inside the vehicle. The console box 60 may function as an armrest portion that supports the arms 44 of the occupant 40 on the inside of the vehicle width direction.

[0028] The vehicle side wall 70 is not particularly limited to any part of the vehicle body located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction (opposite the console box 60) of the occupant 40 seated in the vehicle seat 50, and collectively refers to the side door, pillar, side window, etc.

[0029] A method for folding the airbag 20 in the airbag device of embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 11. Fig. 4 to Fig. 11 are first to eighth diagrams illustrating the process of folding the airbag according to embodiment 1. In Fig. 4 to Fig. 11, the airbag 20 is arranged so that the front of each diagram is on the inside in the vehicle width direction when the side airbag device 1 is attached to the side of a seat back 51.

[0030] First, the connecting panel 25 is inserted between the occupant side panel 23 and the central side panel 24. FIG. 4 is a first diagram for explaining the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, the airbag 20 is arranged so that the central side panel 24, which is arranged on the inner side in the vehicle width direction when inflated and deployed, is the front, and the occupant side panel 23, which is arranged on the occupant 40 side when inflated and deployed, is the back. The first inflatable portion 20a is located on the lower side DOWN, and the second inflatable portion 20b is located on the upper side UP. Of the connecting panel 25, the portion that constitutes the portion 21 that contacts the upper surface of the console box 60 when inflated and deployed is not inserted between the occupant side panel 23 and the central side panel 24, but is folded in the next process.

[0031] Next, the first expansion portion 20a is folded. Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed line shown in Fig. 5A. As shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, a portion 21 of the first expansion portion 20a that expands and deploys above the console box 60 may be folded upward from the bottom of the vehicle. As shown in Fig. 5A, the length of the airbag device 1 in the vertical direction of the vehicle when the airbag 20 is in the folded state may be adjusted by folding up the bottom of the first expansion portion 20a upward.

[0032] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the second expansion portion 20b is folded from the upper UP to the lower DOWN of the vehicle on the side of the central panel 24 that is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction when inflated and deployed. The second expansion portion 20b is folded overlapping the first expansion portion 20a so as to be disposed in front of FIG. 6, i.e., on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. By folding in this manner, in the folded state of the airbag 20, the second expansion portion 20b is folded overlapping the first expansion portion 20a so as to be disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction than the first expansion portion 20a. The second expansion portion 20b does not have to overlap the entire first expansion portion 20a, but it is preferable that the second expansion portion 20b overlaps at least a portion 21 of the first expansion portion 20a.

[0033] During inflation and deployment, the first inflation section 20a, in which the gas ejection holes 11 of the inflator 10 are arranged, inflates before the second inflation section 20b, and a part 21 of the first inflation section 20a inflates and deploys along the upper surface of the console box 60 so as to contact the upper surface of the console box 60. Therefore, by folding the second inflation section 20b overlapping the first inflation section 20a, the first inflation section 20a inflates and deploys while pushing up the overlapping second inflation section 20b toward the upper side of the vehicle. As a result, the second inflation section 20b can also inflate and deploy toward the upper side of the vehicle. In addition, since the first inflation section 20a and the second inflation section 20b are folded on the inner side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the occupant 40, in other words, on the opposite side of the occupant 40, the airbag 20 can be prevented from being pinched between the occupant 40 and the console box 60 during inflation and deployment.

[0034] The airbag 20 preferably has a first fold line 30 that folds the second inflation portion 20b toward the DOWN direction of the vehicle so as to overlap the first inflation portion 20a. The second inflation portion 20b is folded over the first inflation portion 20a along the first fold line 30. The boundary between the first inflation portion 20a and the second inflation portion 20b does not have to coincide with the first fold line 30.

[0035] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, the first and second inflating portions 20a and 20b are folded from the front FR of the vehicle toward the rear RE of the vehicle. In the folded state of the airbag 20, the side airbag device 1 is preferably further folded from the front FR of the vehicle toward the rear RE of the vehicle with the first and second inflating portions 20a and 20b overlapping each other. That is, the airbag 20 preferably has a second fold-back line 31a that folds back the first and second inflating portions 20a and 20b from the front FR of the vehicle toward the rear RE of the vehicle. This can reduce the number of times the airbag 20 is folded from the front FR of the vehicle toward the rear RE of the vehicle. It is sufficient that the first and second inflating portions 20a and 20b at least partially overlap each other.

[0036] The airbag 20 may be folded at least once from the front FR of the vehicle toward the rear RE of the vehicle along the second fold line 31a, but after folding back at the second fold line 31a, the first inflatable portion 20a and the second inflatable portion 20b may be folded back from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle multiple times as shown in Figs. 8 to 11. Figs. 8 to 11 show an example in which the airbag 20 is folded back from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle along the second fold line 31b, the second fold line 31c, the second fold line 31d, and the second fold line 31e. The folding method after folding back at the second fold line 31a is not particularly limited, and the number of folds may be different, and the airbag 20 may be folded in a roll fold or an accordion fold from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0037] The folding method of the first expanding portion 20a is not limited to that shown in Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B. Fig. 12A, Fig. 13A, Fig. 14A, and Fig. 15A are schematic diagrams showing modified examples 1 to 4 of the folding method of the first expanding portion shown in Fig. 5A, respectively. In Fig. 12A, Fig. 13A, Fig. 14A, and Fig. 15A, the airbag 20 is arranged so that the central panel 24 arranged on the inner side in the vehicle width direction when inflated and deployed is the front, and the occupant side panel 23 arranged on the occupant 40 side when inflated and deployed is the back. Fig. 12B, Fig. 13B, Fig. 14B, and Fig. 15B are cross-sectional views taken along the dashed line shown in Fig. 12A, Fig. 13A, Fig. 14A, and Fig. 15A, respectively. As in modified example 1 shown in Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B, a part 21 of the first expanding portion 20a that inflates and deploys above the console box 60 may be folded flat. As in Modification 2 shown in Figures 13A and 13B, the first expansion section 20a may be folded upward, and then a part of the folded-up first expansion section 20a may be folded downward. As in Modification 3 shown in Figure 14A, the first expansion section 20a may be rolled upward so as to be rolled up. As in Modification 4 shown in Figure 15A, the first expansion section 20a may be folded flat as shown in Figure 5A, and then the lower side may be folded upward so as to overlap.

[0038] Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of the side airbag device of the first embodiment mounted on a vehicle seat, as viewed from the side of the vehicle. As shown in Fig. 16, the airbag 20 is fixed in a folded state to the side of the seatback 51 (for example, the side frame 52) before inflation and deployment, and is stored covered by the skin of the seatback 51 together with a cushion pad.

[0039] It is preferable that the first fold line 30 is provided below the shoulder 45 of the occupant 40 (the center of the shoulder 45 of the occupant 40 (the center of rotation of the shoulder of the internationally unified side impact dummy)). By providing the first fold line 30 below the center of the shoulder 45 of the occupant 40, the first inflation section 20a inflates and deploys along the underside of the arm 44 of the occupant 40. The second inflation section 20b inflates and deploys in such a way that it repels the first inflation section 20a and is pushed upward, so that the second inflation section 20b inflates and deploys along the side of the arm 44 and shoulder 45 of the occupant 40 while being pressed against the occupant 40.

[0040] The first fold line 30 is preferably provided above the upper surface of the console box 60. By providing the first fold line 30 above the upper surface of the console box 60, the airbag 20 is less likely to be pinched between the occupant 40 and the console box 60 when it is inflated and deployed.

[0041] The inflator 10 is, for example, a cylindrical gas generating device, and is disposed along the extending direction (height direction) of the seat back 51. A pair of bolts 12 protrude from the upper and lower parts of the inflator 10, and the pair of bolts 12 are fixed to the side part of the seat back 51 (for example, the side frame 52) through inflator mounting holes 22 provided in the airbag 20.

[0042] The process of the side airbag device 1 being inflated and deployed will be described below with reference to Figs. 17A to 17D and Fig. 1. Figs. 17A to 17D are first to fourth diagrams illustrating the process of the side airbag device according to the first embodiment being inflated and deployed. When the vehicle collides with an obstacle and the inflator 10 is activated, gas generated from the inflator 10 is introduced from the gas outlet 11 to the first inflatable portion 20a, and as shown in Fig. 17A, the surface skin of the seat back 51 is broken by the force applied from the inflated airbag 20. Specifically, when gas is generated from the inflator 10, the portion of the first inflatable portion 20a where the gas outlet 11 is arranged is inflated. The rolled folded portion is unfolded by the gas further introduced from the gas outlet 11, and the gas flows into the first inflatable portion 20a of the unfolded portion of the roll, and the first inflatable portion 20a begins to inflate. As a result, the airbag 20 begins to inflate and deploy forward of the vehicle in order from the unfolded portion.

[0043] 17B, ​​the first inflation portion 20a inflates and deploys to the side of the torso 41 of the occupant 40. The first inflation portion 20a inflates and deploys so as to come into contact with the upper surface of the console box 60 while pushing up the second inflation portion 20b that overlaps with the first inflation portion 20a in the folded state.

[0044] 17C, the second expansion section 20b expands and deploys following the first expansion section 20a due to the gas flowing in from the first expansion section 20a. When a part 21 of the first expansion section 20a comes into contact with the upper surface of the console box 60, the second expansion section 20b rebounds against the first expansion section 20a supported by the console box 60, and expands and deploys toward the upper part of the vehicle.

[0045] 17D, the second inflation portion 20b rebounds against the first inflation portion 20a supported by the console box 60, and while being pressed against the occupant 40, inflates and deploys further upward along the arms 44 and shoulders 45 of the occupant 40. Since the second inflation portion 20b inflates and deploys from the inside in the vehicle width direction so as to avoid the arms 44 and shoulders 45 of the occupant 40, the airbag 20 can be prevented from being flipped up by the arms 44 of the occupant 40.

[0046] 1, the airbag 20 receives the side of the torso 41 of the occupant 40 with the first inflating portion 20a, and receives the head 43 of the occupant 40 with the second inflating portion 20b. Since the part 21 of the first inflating portion 20a contacts the upper surface of the console box 60, the airbag 20 is less likely to deviate downwardly or inwardly in the vehicle width direction. In addition, since the second inflating portion 20b restrains the arms 44 of the occupant 40, the occupant 40 can be sufficiently restrained.

[0047] [Embodiment 2] The side airbag device of the second embodiment includes a plurality of bag-shaped airbags. FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the side airbag device of the second embodiment when the airbag restrains an occupant when viewed from the front of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 18, in the airbag device of the second embodiment, the airbag 20 includes a first expansion section 20a and a second expansion section 20b, and the first expansion section 20a and the second expansion section 20b are different bag-shaped airbags. As shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 20B described later, the first expansion section 20a and the second expansion section 20b are communicated with each other through a gas circulation hole 27. During inflation and deployment, the first expansion section 20a in which the gas ejection hole 11 of the inflator 10 is arranged is inflated and deployed, and gas flows into the second expansion section 20b through the gas circulation hole 27, causing the second expansion section 20b to inflate and deploy.

[0048] Similar to the first embodiment, the first inflatable section 20a may have an occupant-side panel 23, a central panel 24, and a connecting panel 25. The second inflatable section 20b may have an occupant-side panel 123 that is disposed on the occupant 40 side when inflated and deployed, and a central panel 124 that is disposed opposite the occupant-side panel 23.

[0049] A method for folding the airbag 20 in the airbag device of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 19 to 21. Figs. 19 to 21 are first to third diagrams illustrating the process of folding the airbag according to the second embodiment. In Figs. 19, 20A and 21, the airbag 20 is arranged so that the front of each diagram is on the inner side in the vehicle width direction when the side airbag device 1 is attached to the side of the seat back 51. Fig. 20B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed dotted line shown in Fig. 20A.

[0050] In the second embodiment, a bag-shaped airbag constituting the first inflation portion 20a and a bag-shaped airbag constituting the second inflation portion 20b are overlapped and sewn together. As shown in Fig. 19, when the first inflation portion 20a is disposed on the front side, the second inflation portion 20b located on the back side is folded upward from the bottom.

[0051] Next, as shown in Figures 20A and 20B, a portion 21 of the first inflation portion 20a is folded flat. The folding method shown in Figures 20A and 20B corresponds to Modification 1 of the first embodiment. In order to adjust the length of the airbag device 1 in the vertical direction of the vehicle in the folded state, the lower portion of the first inflation portion 20a may be folded upward.

[0052] Next, as shown in Fig. 21, the second inflation portion 20b is folded from the upper UP to the lower DOWN of the vehicle, overlapping the first inflation portion 20a, so as to be disposed in front of Fig. 21, i.e., on the inside in the vehicle width direction. It is preferable that the second inflation portion 20b overlaps at least a portion 21 of the first inflation portion 20a. It is preferable that the airbag 20 has a first fold-back line 30 that folds the second inflation portion 20b back toward the lower DOWN of the vehicle so as to overlap the first inflation portion 20a.

[0053] Thereafter, as shown in the fourth diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 7, the first and second inflatable portions 20a and 20b are folded from the front FR of the vehicle toward the rear RE of the vehicle along the second folding line 31a. The folding method after folding along the second folding line 31a is not particularly limited, and the number of folding times may be different, and the airbag may be folded from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle by roll folding or bellows folding, but as shown in the fifth to eighth diagrams illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment shown in Figs. 8 to 11, the first and second inflatable portions 20a and 20b may be folded from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle multiple times. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1: Side airbag device 10: Inflator 11: Gas vent 12: Bolt 20: Airbag 20a: First expansion section 20b: Second expansion section 21: Part of the first expansion section 22: Inflator mounting hole 23, 123: Passenger side panel 24, 124: Center panel 25: Connecting panel 26:Stitching 27: Gas flow hole 28: Cut 30: First turnaround line 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31e: Second turn line 40: Occupant (Internationally Harmonized Side Impact Dummy) 41: Torso 42: Lower back 43:Head 44: Arm 45:Shoulder 50: Vehicle seats 51: Seat back (backrest) 52: Side frame 60: Console box 70: Vehicle side wall

Claims

1. A side airbag device that is attached to a side of a seat back of a vehicle seat and inflates and deploys to the side of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat and above a console box that is provided on an inner side of the vehicle seat in a vehicle width direction, an inflator attached to a side portion of the seat back and configured to generate gas; a bag-shaped airbag that is inflated and deployed by the gas of the inflator, the airbag has a first inflation section in which a gas ejection hole of the inflator is arranged and which inflates and deploys on a side of a torso of the occupant, and a second inflation section which is in communication with the first inflation section and inflates and deploys on a side of a head of the occupant by gas flowing in from the first inflation section, When the airbag is in a flattened state before gas is filled into the airbag, a portion of the first inflatable portion is loose and folded over another portion of the first inflatable portion, When the airbag is inflated and deployed, the portion of the first inflation portion inflates and deploys above the console box and contacts an upper surface of the console box, A side airbag device characterized in that, in a folded state of the airbag, the second expansion portion is folded directly over the portion of the first expansion portion so as to be positioned more inward in the vehicle width direction than the portion of the first expansion portion.

2. 2. The side airbag device according to claim 1, A side airbag device characterized in that, in a folded state of the airbag, the first inflation portion and the second inflation portion are further folded from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle while overlapping each other.

3. 3. The side airbag device according to claim 2, A side airbag device characterized in that the airbag has a first fold line that folds the second expansion portion toward a bottom of the vehicle so as to overlap with the portion of the first expansion portion, and a second fold line that folds the first expansion portion and the second expansion portion from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle.

4. The side airbag device according to claim 3, The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the first fold line is provided below a shoulder of the occupant.

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