Seat-mounted airbag device

Abstract

To obtain a seat loading type air bag device which can smoothly flow a gas from front and rear chambers to a tip chamber of an air bag body.SOLUTION: A seat loading type air bag device 30 comprises an air bag body 32 having: front and rear chambers 34 which pass one lateral side of a head Ph of a crewman P and expand to a front side by a gas injected from an inflator 28 operated by collision of a vehicle, and are located on one lateral side of the head Ph of the crewman P; left and right chambers 35 which expand to a seat width direction inner side from a front side end part of the front and rear chambers 34, and are located on a front side of the face of the crewman P; and a tip chamber 36 which expands to a rear side from a seat width direction inner side of the left and right chambers 35, and is located on the other lateral side of the head Ph of the crewman P. The air bag body 32 is so configured that the left and right chambers 35 become a curved shape in a plan view in an expansion completion state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat-mounted airbag device. [Background technology]

[0002] Side airbag devices comprising an airbag main body that deploys forward from one side of the seat back and is positioned to the side of the occupant's upper body (including the head) in the event of a diagonal frontal collision of the vehicle, and an airbag protrusion that deploys inward from the airbag main body in the seat width direction and is positioned in front of the occupant's face, with the two parts connected to each other by a planar tether, have been known for some time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-008105 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in a one-sided deployment seat-mounted airbag device that deploys from the rear side of the occupant's head and is positioned in front of the face, in a plan view, the support point on the rear side of the airbag body is shifted outward in the seat width direction relative to the load input point by the occupant's head. Therefore, while the occupant's head is restrained in the latter half of the collision, a rotational moment is generated in the airbag body that rotates it away from the occupant's head around that rear support point, raising the concern that the occupant's head may slip through the airbag body.

[0005] One possible solution to this problem is to provide a canceling moment to the airbag body by positioning the front end chamber of the airbag body, which is located in front of the occupant's face, at an acute angle to the front and rear chambers of the airbag body, which are located to the sides of the occupant's head in a plan view. However, if the front end chamber of the airbag body is bent at an acute angle to the front and rear chambers, gas will not flow smoothly from the front and rear chambers to the front end chamber, which may delay the deployment of the front end chamber and make it impossible to effectively restrain the occupant's head.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a seat-mounted airbag device that allows gas to flow smoothly from the front and rear chambers of the airbag body to the tip chamber. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention No. 1 Aspects of The seat-mounted airbag device comprises an airbag body that deploys through one side of the occupant's head toward the front side of the seat by gas ejected from an inflator that is activated when a vehicle collision is detected or predicted, and has front and rear chambers that are located on one side of the occupant's head, left and right chambers that deploy inward in the width direction of the seat from the front end portions of the front and rear chambers and are located on the front side of the occupant's face, and a tip chamber that deploys from the inner end portions of the left and right chambers in the width direction of the seat to the rear side of the seat and are located on the other side of the occupant's head, and the airbag body is configured so that when fully deployed, the left and right chambers have a curved shape in a plan view.

[0008] No. 1 Aspects ofAccording to the invention, when a vehicle collision is detected or predicted, the inflator is activated to eject gas, and the front and rear chambers pass to the sides of the occupant's head and deploy toward the front side of the seat to be disposed to the sides of the occupant's head, while the left and right chambers deploy from the front end of the front and rear chambers to the inside in the seat width direction and are disposed on the front side of the occupant's face. Then, the tip chamber deploys from the inner end of the left and right chambers to the rear side of the seat to be disposed on the other side of the occupant's head. Here, the airbag body is configured so that the left and right chambers have a curved shape in a plan view when fully deployed. Therefore, gas flows more smoothly from the front and rear chambers of the airbag body to the tip chamber via the left and right chambers, compared to when the left and right chambers are configured to have an acutely bent shape in a plan view. Therefore, a delay in deployment of the tip chamber is suppressed, and the occupant's head is effectively restrained.

[0009] Also, The present invention relates to 2 Aspects of The seat-mounted airbag device is No. 1 Aspects of a lower surface tether connecting the intermediate portion in the deployment direction at the lower end of the front and rear chambers to the intermediate portion in the deployment direction at the lower end of the tip chamber and covering the lower portion of the space surrounded by the front and rear chambers, the left and right chambers, and the tip chamber; and a lower surface tether connecting the intermediate portion in the deployment direction at the lower end of the front and rear chambers to the intermediate portion in the deployment direction at the lower end of the tip chamber and covering the lower portion of the space surrounded by the front and rear chambers, the left and right chambers, and the tip chamber. The upper surface tether is sewn to the upper ends of the front and rear chambers, the upper ends of the left and right chambers, and the upper end of the tip chamber, and the lower surface tether is sewn to the lower end of the front and rear chambers, the lower ends of the left and right chambers, and the lower end of the tip chamber, so that when the airbag body is in a fully deployed state, the left and right chambers have a curved shape in a plan view.

[0010] No. 2 Aspects ofAccording to the invention, the upper surface tether connects the middle part in the deployment direction at the upper end of the front and rear chambers to the middle part in the deployment direction at the upper end of the tip chamber, and covers the upper part of the space surrounded by the front and rear chambers, the left and right chambers, and the tip chamber. The lower surface tether connects the middle part in the deployment direction at the lower end of the front and rear chambers to the middle part in the deployment direction at the lower end of the tip chamber, and covers the lower part of the space surrounded by the front and rear chambers, the left and right chambers, and the tip chamber. The upper surface tether is sewn to the upper ends of the front and rear chambers, the upper ends of the left and right chambers, and the upper end of the tip chamber, and the lower surface tether is sewn to the lower ends of the front and rear chambers, the lower ends of the left and right chambers, and the lower end of the tip chamber. The upper surface tether and the lower surface tether make the left and right chambers curved in a plan view when the airbag body is fully deployed. Therefore, the left and right chambers can be easily formed to have a curved shape in a plan view.

[0011] Also, The present invention relates to 3 Aspects of The seat-mounted airbag device is No. 2 Aspects of In the seat-mounted airbag device, the lower surface tether has a rear end portion cut out so that its area in a bottom view is smaller than that of the upper surface tether.

[0012] No. 3 Aspects of According to the invention, the lower surface tether has a rear end cut out so that its area in a bottom view is smaller than that of the upper surface tether. Therefore, when the head of an occupant is restrained, the load on the neck of the occupant caused by the lower surface tether coming into contact with the neck of the occupant is reduced, compared to when the rear end of the lower surface tether is not cut out.

[0013] Also, The present invention relates to 4 Aspects of The seat-mounted airbag device is No. 2 Aspects of In the seat-mounted airbag device, the lower surface tether is a tether chamber that is deployed by gas ejected from the inflator.

[0014] No. 4 Aspects of According to the invention, the lower surface tether is a tether chamber that is deployed by gas ejected from an inflator, and therefore the load on the occupant's neck caused by the lower surface tether coming into contact with the occupant's neck when the occupant's head is restrained is reduced compared to a case in which the lower surface tether is not a tether chamber.

[0015] Also, The present invention relates to 5 Aspects of The seat-mounted airbag device is No. 1~ No. Any 1 of 4 One aspect In the seat-mounted airbag device, boundaries between the left and right chambers and the tip chamber are located on an imaginary straight line extending in the front-rear direction of the seat and passing through the center of gravity of the occupant's head in a plan view.

[0016] No. 5 Aspects of According to the invention, the boundary between the left and right chambers and the tip chamber is located on a virtual straight line along the seat front-rear direction that passes through the center of gravity of the occupant's head in a plan view. Therefore, while suppressing a delay in deployment of the tip chamber, the occupant's head is prevented from slipping through the airbag body when the occupant's head is restrained.

[0017] Also, The present invention relates to 6 Aspects of The seat-mounted airbag device is No. 1~ Fifth Any one of One aspect In the seat-mounted airbag device, a support point on the seat side that supports the airbag body is located on an imaginary straight line that passes through the center of gravity of the occupant's head in a plan view and extends in the front-rear direction of the seat.

[0018] No. 6 Aspects ofAccording to this invention, the support point on the seat side that supports the airbag body is located on a virtual straight line along the front-rear direction of the seat that passes through the center of gravity of the occupant's head in a plan view. Therefore, the deviation (distance) in the seat width direction between the load input point to the airbag body by the occupant's head and the support point of the airbag body is small, and when the occupant's head is restrained, the generation of a rotation moment in the airbag body that rotates in a direction away from the occupant's head is suppressed, and the occupant's head is prevented from slipping through the airbag body.

[0019] Also, The present invention relates to 7 Aspects of The seat-mounted airbag device is No. 6 Aspects of The seat-mounted airbag device has a connecting member that extends in the seat width direction in a plan view and connects a support point on the seat side that supports the airbag body to the seat rear side end portions of the front and rear chambers.

[0020] No. 7 Aspects of According to the invention, a connecting member extending in the seat width direction in a plan view connects the support point on the seat side that supports the airbag body to the seat rear end of the front and rear chambers, so that even if a headrest is present, the support point of the airbag body can be easily set so as not to interfere with the headrest.

[0021] Also, The present invention relates to 8 Aspects of The seat-mounted airbag device is No. 7 Aspects of In the seat-mounted airbag device, the seat rear end portions of the front and rear chambers and the inflator outlet are connected by a connecting member, and the length of the connecting member is longer than the length of the connecting member.

[0022] No. 8 Aspects ofAccording to the invention, the length of the connecting member connecting the seat rear end of the front and rear chambers to the inflator outlet is made longer than the length of the connecting member, thereby preventing the seat rear end of the front and rear chambers connected to the inflator outlet from becoming a support point for the airbag body.

[0023] Also, The present invention relates to 9 Aspects of The seat-mounted airbag device is No. 1~ No. Any 1 of 8 One aspect In a seat-mounted airbag device, the airbag body has a head restraining surface tether that connects the head restraining areas in the front and rear chambers and the head restraining area in the tip chamber, and is made of a material that stretches more than the base fabric of the airbag body.

[0024] No. 9 Aspects of According to the invention, the head restraining surface tether that connects the head restraining areas in the front and rear chambers and the head restraining area in the tip chamber is made of a material that stretches more than the base fabric of the airbag body. Therefore, the occupant's head is held by wrapping around the head restraining surface tether. This draws the tip chamber toward the occupant's head, more effectively preventing the occupant's head from slipping out of the airbag body.

[0025] Also, The present invention relates to 10 Aspects of The seat-mounted airbag device is No. 1 Aspects of The airbag body is made up of an upper base fabric and a lower base fabric which are formed in a roughly "J" shape when viewed from above or below, and side base fabrics whose both ends in the up-down direction of the seat are sewn around the periphery of the upper base fabric and the periphery of the lower base fabric, respectively.

[0026] No. 10 Aspects ofAccording to the invention, the airbag body is composed of an upper base fabric and a lower base fabric formed in a substantially "J" shape in a plan view or bottom view, and side base fabrics having both ends in the up-down direction of the seat sewn around the periphery of the upper base fabric and the periphery of the lower base fabric, respectively. In other words, this airbag body is not provided with an upper surface tether or a lower surface tether. Therefore, when the occupant's head is restrained, there is no load on the occupant's neck due to the lower surface tether coming into contact with the occupant's neck.

[0027] The present invention also relates to No. 11 Aspects of The seat-mounted airbag device comprises an airbag body having front and rear chambers disposed to the side of the occupant's head and deploying toward the front side of the seat by gas ejected from an inflator activated when a vehicle collision is detected or predicted, and a tip chamber deployed inward in the width direction of the seat from the front end of the front and rear chambers and disposed on the front side of the occupant's face, the airbag body being composed of an inner chamber with which the occupant's head comes into contact, and an outer chamber which is longer in the deployment direction than the inner chamber and is integrally formed outside the inner chamber, and an excess portion which protrudes toward the front side of the seat is formed at the boundary of the outer chamber between the front and rear chambers and the tip chamber.

[0028] No. 11 Aspects ofAccording to the invention, when a vehicle collision is detected or predicted, the inflator is activated to eject gas, and the front and rear chambers pass the sides of the occupant's head and deploy toward the front side of the seat to be positioned to the side of the occupant's head, while the tip chamber deploys from the front end of the front and rear chambers toward the inside of the seat width direction to be positioned on the front side of the seat of the occupant's face. Here, the airbag body is composed of an inner chamber with which the occupant's head comes into contact, and an outer chamber that is formed to be longer in the deployment direction than the inner chamber and is integrally provided outside the inner chamber. An extra length portion that protrudes toward the front side of the seat is formed at the boundary portion of the outer chamber between the front and rear chambers and the tip chamber. Therefore, gas flows more smoothly from the front and rear chambers of the airbag body to the tip chamber than when the extra length portion is not formed. This suppresses a delay in deployment of the tip chamber, and effectively restrains the occupant's head. In addition, since this airbag body is not provided with an upper surface tether or a lower surface tether, when the occupant's head is restrained, there is no load on the occupant's neck caused by the lower surface tether coming into contact with the occupant's neck. Effect of the Invention

[0029] As described above, according to the present invention, in a seat-mounted airbag device, gas can be made to flow smoothly from the front and rear chambers of the airbag body to the tip chamber. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state after the seat-mounted airbag device according to the first embodiment has been deployed. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state after the seat-mounted airbag device according to the first embodiment has been deployed. [Diagram 3] 1 is an enlarged plan view, partially cut away, showing a seat-mounted airbag device according to a first embodiment in a pre-deployment state. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing a state after the airbag body in the seat-mounted airbag device according to the first embodiment has been deployed. [Diagram 5]FIG. 2 is an enlarged bottom view showing a state after the airbag body in the seat-mounted airbag device according to the first embodiment has been deployed. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a development view showing a modified example of the airbag body in the seat-mounted airbag device relating to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state after the airbag body in the seat-mounted airbag device according to the second embodiment has been deployed. [Figure 8] 10(A) to 10(C) are plan views showing a process of restraining an occupant's head by the seat-mounted airbag device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a graph showing the load-displacement characteristics (FS characteristics) when the head of an occupant is restrained by the seat-mounted airbag device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a state after the airbag body in the seat-mounted airbag device according to the third embodiment has been deployed. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an exploded view showing the configuration of an airbag body in a seat-mounted airbag device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state after the airbag body in the seat-mounted airbag device according to the fourth embodiment has been deployed. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an exploded view showing the configuration of an airbag body in a seat-mounted airbag device relating to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an airbag main body in a seat-mounted airbag device according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For the sake of convenience, the arrow UP shown in each drawing indicates the seat upper direction, the arrow FR indicates the seat front direction, and the arrow RH indicates the seat right direction. Therefore, in the following description, when the directions such as up / down, front / rear, and left / right are mentioned without special mention, they refer to the up / down, front / rear, and left / right directions of the vehicle seat. The left / right direction is also synonymous with the seat width direction.

[0032] 1 to 3, a seat-mounted airbag device (hereinafter simply referred to as "airbag device") 30 according to this embodiment is provided inside a case portion 20 constituting a headrest 16 of a vehicle seat 10 serving as a rear seat of a vehicle. Therefore, although the vehicle seat 10 according to this embodiment will be described as a rear seat, this airbag device 30 may also be provided in a front seat.

[0033] As an example, the rear seat is the rear seat on the left side window 18 (see FIG. 3), and as described below, the airbag body 32 is deployed by passing between the head Ph of the occupant P on the side window 18 side and the head of an occupant (not shown) on the center seat side. However, the airbag body 32 may be configured to deploy by passing between the side window 18 and the head Ph of the occupant P. As an example, the "occupant P" in this embodiment is an occupant equivalent to AM50 (50th percentile of American adult males) of the WorldSID (World Side Impact Dummy).

[0034] First Embodiment First, an airbag device 30 according to a first embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a vehicle seat 10 has a seat cushion 12 on which an occupant P sits (supporting the buttocks and thighs of the occupant P), a seat back 14 supporting the back of the occupant P, and a headrest 16 supporting the head Ph of the occupant P.

[0035] 3, the headrest 16 has a block-shaped main body 16A that is movably provided in the center in the seat width direction at the upper end of the seat back 14. More specifically, a pair of cylindrical headrest stays (not shown) are provided on the left and right sides in the center in the seat width direction on the underside of the main body 16A.

[0036] Each headrest stay is inserted into a pair of generally cylindrical headrest supports 26 provided on the left and right sides at the center in the seat width direction at the upper end of the seat back 14 so as to be movable up and down and fixable at a plurality of predetermined positions. This makes it possible to adjust the height position of the headrest 20 to match the position of the head Ph of the occupant P. The headrest 16 has a case portion 20 provided continuously from the rear of the main body portion 16A to both the left and right sides.

[0037] The case portion 20 is formed in a generally "U" shape with an open front side in a plan view. The main body portion 16A of the headrest 16 is disposed with almost no gap inside the case portion 20. In the case portion 20, the front end faces (outer faces of the front wall 20F) of the left and right side portions 24 extending in the front-rear direction are generally flush with the front surface of the main body portion 16A.

[0038] The left and right (side portions 24) outer walls 20A and the rear wall 20B of the case portion 20 are made of a resin cover member 22 formed in a substantially U-shape in a plan view. The upper wall 20U (see FIGS. 1 and 2), the lower wall (not shown), the front wall 20F and the inner peripheral wall 20C facing the main body portion 16A of the case portion 20 are made of urethane foam (not shown) having a predetermined thickness, and the outer surfaces of the cover member 22 and the urethane foam are integrally covered with a skin material 21.

[0039] A predetermined space S (including a storage section S1 and a placement section S2, which will be described later) is formed inside the case section 20. An airbag body 32 of the airbag device 30 is stored in the storage section S1, which is formed in the side section 24R on the opposite side to the side window 18 side of the case section 20 (the right side, which is the center seat side in the illustrated example). The configuration of the airbag body 32 will be described in detail later.

[0040] An inflator 28 is disposed on the rear side of the space S formed in the case 20, specifically, in an arrangement section S2 which is rearward of the main body 16A in plan and side views. The inflator 28 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom, and its outer periphery is supported by a reaction plate (not shown) formed in a housing shape via a retainer (not shown) so that its axial center is disposed along the front-rear direction.

[0041] The reaction plate is fixed to, for example, a seat back frame (not shown) via a bracket (not shown) and is configured to receive the reaction force transmitted from the airbag body 32 deploying forward via the inflator 28. The reaction plate and the retainer are also arranged in the arrangement portion S2.

[0042] The inflator 28 is electrically connected to an airbag ECU (not shown) provided in the vehicle, and a detection device (not shown) such as an acceleration sensor provided in the vehicle is electrically connected to the airbag ECU. Therefore, when a vehicle collision is detected by the detection device, the inflator 28 is activated via the airbag ECU to instantly eject gas.

[0043] Incidentally, the inflator 28 may be configured to be activated not only when a vehicle collision is detected, but also when a vehicle collision is predicted by a collision prediction sensor or the like (not shown).

[0044] The outlet of the inflator 28 and the rear end 34B of the airbag body 32 (front and rear chambers 34) are connected by the connecting member 31. That is, the rear end (one end) of the connecting member 31 is connected to the outlet of the inflator 28, and the front end (the other end) of the connecting member 31 is connected to the rear end 34B of the airbag body 32 (front and rear chambers 34).

[0045] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the airbag device 30 has an airbag body 32 that deploys from the rear side (more specifically, the rear right side) of the head Ph of an occupant P seated in the vehicle seat 10 to the forward side when gas is ejected from an inflator 28 (see Figure 3).

[0046] The airbag body 32 has a front-rear chamber 34 that is deployed forward through the right side (one side) of the head Ph of the occupant P and is disposed on the right side of the head Ph of the occupant P (between the head Ph of the occupant P on the side window 18 side and the head of the occupant on the center seat side), a left-right chamber 35 that is deployed inward in the seat width direction from the front end of the front-rear chamber 34 and is disposed in front of the face of the occupant P, and a tip chamber 36 that is deployed rearward from the inner end of the left-right chamber 35 in the seat width direction and is disposed on the left side (the other side) of the head Ph of the occupant P. That is, the airbag body 32 is bent into a substantially "J" shape in a bottom view so as to be able to restrain at least the head Ph of the occupant P.

[0047] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the airbag main body 32 has an upper surface tether 37 that connects the deployment direction intermediate portion 34U at the upper end of the front and rear chamber 34 and the deployment direction intermediate portion 36U at the upper end of the tip chamber 36, and covers the upper part of the space surrounded by the front and rear chamber 34, the left and right chamber 35, and the tip chamber 36, and a lower surface tether 38 that connects the deployment direction intermediate portion 34D at the lower end of the front and rear chamber 34 and the deployment direction intermediate portion 36D at the lower end of the tip chamber 36, and covers the lower part of the space surrounded by the front and rear chamber 34, the left and right chamber 35, and the tip chamber 36.

[0048] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when the airbag body 32 is inflated and deployed, the upper surface tether 37 is formed in a generally trapezoidal shape in a plan view having a straight rear edge portion 37A connecting a deployment direction intermediate portion 34U at the upper end of the front and rear chambers 34 and a deployment direction intermediate portion 36U at the upper end of the tip chamber 36.

[0049] The peripheral edge of this upper surface tether 37, excluding its rear edge portion 37A (rear end portion), is attached by sewing from the middle portion 34U in the deployment direction at the upper end of the front and rear chambers 34, the upper ends of the left and right chambers 35, and the upper end of the tip chamber 36.

[0050] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower surface tether 38 is formed in a generally trapezoidal shape having a rear end edge portion 38A described later that connects a middle portion in the deployment direction (a middle portion close to the left and right chambers 35) 34D at the lower end of the front and rear chambers 34 and a middle portion in the deployment direction 36D at the lower end of the tip chamber 36 when viewed from the bottom when the airbag body 32 is inflated and deployed.

[0051] The peripheral edge of this lower surface tether 38, excluding its rear edge portion 38A (rear end portion), is attached by sewing from the middle portion 34D in the deployment direction at the lower end of the front and rear chambers 34, the lower ends of the left and right chambers 35, and the lower end of the tip chamber 36.

[0052] The upper surface tether 37 and the lower surface tether 38 allow the left and right chambers 35 to have a curved shape with a small curvature in plan view (so that no acute angle is formed) when the airbag body 32 is in a fully deployed state. As shown in Fig. 5, the lower surface tether 38 has a large cutout at its rear end so that its area in bottom view is smaller than that of the upper surface tether 37, specifically, approximately half the size of the upper surface tether 37, and the rear end is formed as a rear edge 38A that does not protrude towards the occupant P.

[0053] 2 and 3, a boundary portion 35A between the left and right chambers 35 and the tip chamber 36 is located on an imaginary straight line K along the front-rear direction passing through the center of gravity of the head Ph of the occupant P in a plan view, and a support point 40 on the vehicle seat 10 side that supports the airbag main body 32 is also located on the imaginary straight line K. That is, a support point 40 located on the imaginary straight line K is provided on the rear side of the headrest 16 (main body portion 16A) inside the case portion 20.

[0054] Incidentally, the support point 40 is preferably provided on the imaginary straight line K, but may be provided at a position that further reduces the seat width direction deviation (distance L: see Figure 2) from the load input point G to the airbag main body 32 by the head Ph of the occupant P (the contact point where the head Ph of the occupant P comes into contact with the tip chamber 36).

[0055] The imaginary straight line K is based on the assumption that the occupant P is seated in the center of the seat cushion 12 of the vehicle seat 10 in the seat width direction. Therefore, the imaginary straight line K can also be said to be a center line along the front-rear direction that passes through the center of the vehicle seat 10 in the seat width direction in a plan view. In addition, the upper surface tether 37 and the lower surface tether 38 are configured so that the inclination angle of the tip chamber 36 with respect to the imaginary straight line K in a plan view is, for example, 45 degrees.

[0056] Further, a pair of upper and lower connecting members 41 that connect the support points 40 and the rear end portions 34B of the front and rear chambers 34 are provided inside the case portion 20. The connecting members 41 extend in the seat width direction in a plan view, with one end of each connecting member 41 in the extending direction being fixed to the support points 40 and the other end of each connecting member 41 in the extending direction being attached to the rear end portions 34B of the front and rear chambers 34 by sewing or the like (see FIG. 6).

[0057] In this manner, the other end in the extending direction of the linking member 41 and the front end (other end) of the connection member 31 are connected to the rear end 34B of the front-rear chamber 34, and in the fully deployed state of the airbag body 32, the extending direction of the linking member 41 and the extending direction of the connection member 31 are substantially perpendicular in a plan view. The length of the connection member 31 is longer than the length of the linking member 41 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0058] 3, the airbag body 32 is wound outwardly in a roll with the up-down direction as the axial direction (in a plan view, the roll-shaped outwardly wound portion 32A is on the outer side in the seat width direction) and is stored in a storage portion S1 formed in the side portion 24R. A bellows portion 32B is formed on the upstream side of the outwardly wound portion 32A in the deployment direction, so as to be continuous with the outwardly wound portion 32A.

[0059] That is, the airbag body 32 is stored in the storage section S1 with the bellows portion 32B, which is folded in a bellows shape continuously from the outer wound portion 32A to the upstream side in the deployment direction, being continuous with the outer wound portion 32A. Therefore, when the airbag body 32 is deployed forward from the side portion 24R through the right side of the head Ph of the occupant P by the gas ejected from the inflator 28, the bellows portion 32B first deploys while unwinding, and then the outer wound portion 32A deploys while unwinding.

[0060] 3, only two bellows portions 32B are formed when the two folded portions are regarded as one set, but this is not limited thereto. It is sufficient that a plurality of bellows portions 32B are formed, and three or more sets of bellows portions 32B may be formed.

[0061] In addition, the front wall 20F constituting the front end surface of the side portion 24R is broken, for example, in a straight line along the up-down direction when viewed from the front, together with a part of the upper wall 20U on the front wall 20F side, as the airbag body 32 deploys. The broken part is preferably the seat width direction inner end 20N of the front wall 20F.

[0062] If the breaking point is the inner end 20N of the front wall 20F in the seat width direction (for example, if a weak portion that is easily broken is formed at the inner end 20N of the front wall 20F in the seat width direction), the front wall 20F will be opened with the outer end 20T in the seat width direction as a hinge portion.

[0063] Next, the operation of the airbag device 30 according to the first embodiment configured as above will be described.

[0064] When the detection device detects that the vehicle has experienced a frontal collision, the inflator 28 is activated and instantly ejects gas into the airbag body 32. When gas is ejected into the airbag body 32, the airbag body 32 deploys (by being pressed from the inside by the airbag body 32), causing the front wall 20F of the side portion 24R to break together with a part of the upper wall 20U on the front wall 20F side.

[0065] Then, the airbag body 32 is deployed forward from the side portion 24R through the right side of the head Ph of the occupant P (the gap between the head Ph of the occupant P on the side window 18 side and the head of the occupant on the center seat side). That is, the airbag body 32 first deploys while the bellows portion 32B folded in a bellows shape is unfolded, and then the outwardly wound portion 32A wound outward in a roll shape is unfolded.

[0066] Here, it is generally known that a bellows-shaped airbag unravels more quickly than a rolled airbag (the resistance to deployment of a bellows-shaped airbag is smaller than that of a rolled airbag). Therefore, compared to an airbag body 32 having only the outer wound portion 32A, an airbag body 32 having the outer wound portion 32A and the bellows portion 32B in that order from the downstream side in the deployment direction can deploy forward more quickly.

[0067] Then, when the front and rear chambers 34 are inflated and deployed and positioned to the right of the head Ph of the occupant P, gas flows from the front end of the front and rear chambers 34 into the left and right chambers 35, which inflate and deploy inward in the seat width direction and are positioned in front of the face of the occupant P. Then, gas further flows from the left and right chambers 35 to the tip chamber 36, which deploys rearward from the inner end of the left and right chambers 35 in the seat width direction and is positioned to the left of the head Ph of the occupant P.

[0068] Here, the airbag body 32 is configured such that the left and right chambers 35 have a curved shape in a plan view when fully deployed, due to the upper surface tethers 37 and the lower surface tethers 38. Therefore, gas can flow more smoothly from the front and rear chambers 34 of the airbag body 32 to the tip chamber 36 via the left and right chambers 35, compared to a case in which the left and right chambers 35 are configured to have an acutely angled bent shape in a plan view.

[0069] This makes it possible to suppress or prevent a delay in deployment of the tip chamber 36, and to deploy the airbag body 32 as intended. Moreover, as described above, the left and right chambers 35 are curved in plan view by the upper surface tether 37 and the lower surface tether 38, so that the curved shape can be easily formed.

[0070] In this way, the airbag body 32 (the front and rear chambers 34, the left and right chambers 35, and the tip chamber 36) that is smoothly deployed as intended can effectively restrain at least the head Ph of the occupant P seated in the vehicle seat 10. In other words, the airbag body 32 can effectively prevent at least the head Ph of the occupant P from moving forward due to inertial force.

[0071] As described above, the airbag body 32 deploys forward while the outwardly wound outer wound portion 32A is unwound, so there is no risk of the face of the occupant P being injured by the airbag body 32 when the airbag body 32 deploys. Moreover, if the front wall 20F is configured to open with the seat width direction outer end 20T as a hinge when the airbag body 32 deploys, the airbag body 32 can prevent the deploying front wall F from contacting the head Ph of the occupant P.

[0072] Furthermore, lower surface tether 38 is positioned around the neck of occupant P, and its rear end is cut out to form rear edge 38A so that its area in a bottom view is smaller than that of upper surface tether 37. Therefore, compared to a case in which the rear end of lower surface tether 38 is notched, when restraining the head Ph of occupant P attempting to move forward due to inertial force, lower surface tether 38 does not interfere with (make contact with) the neck of occupant P, or even if it does interfere with (make contact with) the neck of occupant P, the load on the neck of occupant P caused by contact with the neck of occupant P can be reduced.

[0073] In other words, such lower surface tether 38 can reduce the injury level to the neck of the occupant P even when the head Ph of the occupant P moves forward due to inertial force and is restrained by the airbag body 32. Since the upper surface tether 37 is located above the head Ph of the occupant P, it will not interfere with (come into contact with) the head Ph of the occupant P even when the head Ph of the occupant P moves forward due to inertial force and is restrained by the airbag body 32.

[0074] Furthermore, the boundary portion 35A between the left and right chambers 35 and the tip chamber 36 is located on an imaginary straight line K along the front-rear direction passing through the center of gravity of the head Ph of the occupant P in a plan view. Therefore, while suppressing a delay in deployment of the tip chamber 36, the head Ph of the occupant P can be more effectively restrained when the head of the occupant P is restrained, and the head Ph of the occupant P can be prevented from slipping out of the airbag body 32.

[0075] Furthermore, the support point 40 on the vehicle seat 10 side that supports the airbag body 32 is located on an imaginary straight line K along the front-rear direction passing through the center of gravity of the head Ph of the occupant P in a plan view. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the deviation (distance L) in the seat width direction between the load input point G to the airbag body 32 by the head Ph of the occupant P and the support point 40 of the airbag body 32. Therefore, when the head of the occupant P is restrained, it is possible to suppress the generation of a rotational moment in the airbag body 32 that rotates in a direction away from the head Ph of the occupant P, and it is possible to suppress the head Ph of the occupant P from slipping through the airbag body 32.

[0076] Furthermore, a connecting member 41 extending in the seat width direction in a plan view connects a support point 40 supporting the airbag body 32 to the rear end portion 34B of the front / rear chamber 34. Therefore, even if a headrest 16 is present, the support point 40 of the airbag body 32 can be easily set so as not to interfere with the headrest 16 (so as to bypass the headrest 16).

[0077] In addition, the length of the connecting member 31 connecting the rear end 34B of the front / rear chamber 34 and the outlet of the inflator 28 is made longer than the length of the connecting member 41. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the rear end 34B of the front / rear chamber 34 connected to the outlet of the inflator 28 from becoming the support point 40 of the airbag body 32.

[0078] (Modification) 6, the lower surface tether 38 may be configured as a tether chamber 38B that is deployed by gas ejected from the inflator 28. When the lower surface tether 38 is configured as the tether chamber 38B, the load on the neck of the occupant P caused by the lower surface tether 38 coming into contact with the neck of the occupant P when the head of the occupant P is restrained can be more effectively reduced compared to when the lower surface tether 38 is not configured as the tether chamber 38B.

[0079] In this case, it is preferable that lower surface tether 38 has a shape with a notched rear end (like rear end edge 38A) as shown in Fig. 6. This can further reduce the load on the neck of occupant P caused by lower surface tether 38 coming into contact with the neck of occupant P when the head of occupant P is restrained, and can further reduce the injury value inflicted on the neck of occupant P.

[0080] Moreover, the upper surface tether 37 may also be a tether chamber 37B that is deployed by the gas ejected from the inflator 28. If the upper surface tether 37 is also a tether chamber 37B, the tip of the tip chamber 36 can be deformed to approach the front and rear chambers 34 when the head of the occupant P is restrained, so that the head Ph of the occupant P can be more effectively prevented from slipping out of the airbag body 32.

[0081] <Second embodiment> Next, an airbag device 30 according to a second embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as those in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions (including common functions) will be omitted as appropriate.

[0082] As shown in Figure 7, the airbag body 32 of the airbag device 30 in the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that it has a head restraining surface tether 39 that connects the head restraining areas in the front and rear chambers 34 and the head restraining area in the tip chamber 36 and is made of a material that stretches more than the base fabric of the airbag body 32, and in that it does not have an upper surface tether 37 or a lower surface tether 38.

[0083] 8, with such head restraint surface tether 39, the head Ph of the occupant P, which tends to move forward due to inertial force, is held by being wound around the head restraint surface tether 39. As a result, the tip chamber 36 is pulled toward the head Ph of the occupant P, making it possible to more effectively prevent the head Ph of the occupant P from slipping through the airbag body 32.

[0084] In addition, because the head restraint surface tether 39 extends forward, the forward movement of the head Ph of the occupant P is not restricted, and the left and right chambers 35 and parts of the tip chamber 36 on the left and right chamber 35 side can be crushed in the front-rear direction. This provides FS characteristics of low load and long stroke.

[0085] The FS characteristics are shown in Figure 9. As shown by the dashed line in Figure 9, when head restraint surface tether 39 is not provided, the load acting on head Ph of occupant P increases rapidly because the part of tip chamber 36 on the left and right chamber 35 side and left and right chambers 35 cannot be crushed in the front-rear direction.

[0086] However, as shown by the solid line in Figure 9, when head restraining surface tether 39 is provided, head restraining surface tether 39 extends forward, so that part of tip chamber 36 on the left and right chamber 35 side and left and right chambers 35 can be crushed in the front-rear direction, thereby absorbing the load (energy) acting on head Ph and increasing the amount of stroke forward. Therefore, the load acting on head Ph can be reduced compared to when head restraining surface tether 39 is not provided.

[0087] <Third embodiment> Next, an airbag device 30 according to a third embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as those in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions (including common functions) will be omitted as appropriate.

[0088] 10 and 11, the airbag body 42 of the airbag device 30 according to the third embodiment is composed of an upper base cloth 44 and a lower base cloth 46 formed in a substantially "J" shape when viewed from the bottom, and side base cloths 48 each having both ends in the up-down direction sewn (three-dimensionally sewn) around the periphery of the upper base cloth 44 and the periphery of the lower base cloth 46. In other words, the airbag body 32 is not provided with an upper surface tether 37 or a lower surface tether 38.

[0089] Therefore, when the head of the occupant P is restrained, the lower surface tether 38 does not come into contact with the neck of the occupant P, thereby imposing no load on the neck of the occupant P. Note that a tether 50 (see FIG. 11) is sewn into the vertical center inside the airbag body 42 to limit the thickness of the vertical center of the airbag body 42 so that it does not become thicker than necessary.

[0090] In addition, when the airbag body 42 deploys from the left rear side to the front side of the head Ph of an occupant P seated in the vehicle seat 10, the airbag body 42 is composed of an upper base fabric 44 and a lower base fabric 46 that are formed in an approximately "J" shape in a planar view, and a side base fabric 48 whose both ends in the upper and lower directions are sewn (three-dimensionally sewn) around the periphery of the upper base fabric 44 and the periphery of the lower base fabric 46.

[0091] <Fourth embodiment> Finally, an airbag device 30 according to a fourth embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate the same parts as those in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0092] As shown in Figures 12 to 14, the airbag body 52 of the airbag device 30 according to the fourth embodiment has a front-rear chamber 54 that extends forward through the right side (lateral side) of the head Ph of the occupant P and is positioned to the right side of the head Ph of the occupant P (between the head Ph of the occupant P on the side window 18 side and the head of the occupant on the center seat side), and a tip chamber 56 that extends inward in the seat width direction from the front end of the front-rear chamber 54 and is positioned in front of the face of the occupant P.

[0093] The airbag body 52 is made up of an inner chamber 53 with which the head Ph of the occupant P comes into contact, and an outer chamber 55 which is longer in the deployment direction than the inner chamber 53 and is provided integrally on the outside of the inner chamber 53. In other words, the inner chamber 53 has front and rear chambers 54 and a tip chamber 56, and the outer chamber 55 also has front and rear chambers 54 and a tip chamber 56.

[0094] Furthermore, an excess portion 57 that protrudes forward when deployed is formed at a boundary portion 55A between the front and rear chambers 54 and the tip chamber 56 in the outer chamber 55. That is, this airbag main body 52 is constructed in such a manner that, with the excess portion 57 folded, the outer chamber 55 is overlapped with the inner chamber 53, and the outer peripheral edge portion of the outer chamber 55 excluding the excess portion 57 and the outer peripheral edge portion of the inner chamber 53 are sewn together, and the outer peripheral edge portions of the excess portion 57 are sewn together, as shown in Fig. 14 .

[0095] Next, the operation of the airbag device 30 according to the fourth embodiment configured as above will be described. Note that the explanation of the operation common to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0096] When the detection device detects that the vehicle has experienced a frontal collision, the inflator 28 is activated and sprays gas, causing the front and rear chambers 54 to deploy forward through the right side of the occupant P's head Ph and be positioned to the right side of the occupant P's head Ph, and the tip chamber 56 to deploy from the front end of the front and rear chambers 54 toward the inside in the seat width direction and be positioned in front of the occupant P's face.

[0097] Here, the airbag body 52 is composed of an inner chamber 53 with which the head Ph of the occupant P comes into contact, and an outer chamber 55 which is longer in the deployment direction than the inner chamber 53 and is provided integrally on the outside of the inner chamber 53. An extra length portion 57 which protrudes forward is formed at a boundary portion 55A between the front / rear chambers 54 and the tip chamber 56 in the outer chamber 55.

[0098] Therefore, compared to a case where the extra length portion 57 is not formed, gas can flow more smoothly from the front and rear chambers 54 of the airbag body 52 to the tip chamber 56. This makes it possible to suppress a delay in deployment of the tip chamber 36 and effectively restrain the head Ph of the occupant P. In addition, since the airbag body 52 is not provided with the upper surface tether 37 and the lower surface tether 38, there is no load on the neck of the occupant P caused by the lower surface tether 38 coming into contact with the neck of the occupant P when the head of the occupant P is restrained.

[0099] Although the seat-mounted airbag device 30 according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings, the seat-mounted airbag device 30 according to this embodiment is not limited to the illustrated one, and the design can be appropriately modified within the scope of the present invention. For example, the seat-mounted airbag device 30 according to this embodiment may be a combination of the configurations of the respective embodiments.

[0100] In addition, the connecting member 41 connecting the rear end portion 34B of the front and rear chambers 34 in the airbag body 32 to the support point 40 is not limited to a pair provided above and below, and only one may be provided as long as the configuration is capable of properly supporting the rear end portion 34B of the front and rear chambers 34. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 28 Inflator 30 Airbag device (seat-mounted airbag device) 31 Connection parts 32 Airbag body 34 Front and rear chambers 35 Left and right chambers 35A Boundary 36 Tip Chamber 37 Upper surface tether 38 Lower surface tether 38A Rear edge (rear end of seat) 38B Tether Chamber 39 Head Restraint Face Tether 40 support points 41 Connecting member 42 Airbag body 44 Top base fabric 46 Bottom base fabric 48 Side base fabric 52 Airbag body 53 Inner Chamber 55 Outer Chamber 57 Extra length K Virtual line P Crew Ph head

Claims

1. an airbag body including: a front and rear chamber that is deployed to one side of the occupant's head toward the front side of the seat by gas ejected from an inflator that is activated when a vehicle collision is detected or predicted, a left and right chamber that is deployed inward in the seat width direction from the front end portions of the front and rear chambers and is positioned on the front side of the occupant's face; and a tip chamber that is deployed to the rear side of the seat from the inner end portions of the left and right chambers in the seat width direction, and is positioned on the other side of the occupant's head; The airbag body includes: an upper surface tether that connects an intermediate portion in the deployment direction at the upper end of the front and rear chambers and an intermediate portion in the deployment direction at the upper end of the tip chamber, and covers an upper portion of a space surrounded by the front and rear chambers, the left and right chambers, and the tip chamber; a lower surface tether that connects a middle portion of a lower end of the front and rear chambers in the deployment direction to a middle portion of a lower end of the tip chamber in the deployment direction and covers a lower portion of a space surrounded by the front and rear chambers, the left and right chambers, and the tip chamber; having The upper surface tether is sewn to the upper ends of the front and rear chambers, the upper ends of the left and right chambers, and the upper end of the tip chamber, and the lower surface tether is sewn to the lower ends of the front and rear chambers, the lower ends of the left and right chambers, and the lower end of the tip chamber, so that when the airbag body is fully deployed, the left and right chambers have a curved shape in a plan view.

2. 2. The seat-mounted airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the lower surface tether has a rear end portion cut out so that the area of ​​the lower surface tether is smaller than that of the upper surface tether when viewed from the bottom.

3. 2. The seat-mounted airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the lower surface tether is a tether chamber that is inflated by gas ejected from the inflator.

4. 4. The seat-mounted airbag device according to claim 1, wherein boundaries between the left and right chambers and the tip chamber are located on a virtual straight line along the front-rear direction of the seat that passes through the center of gravity of the occupant's head in a plan view.

5. 5. The seat-mounted airbag device according to claim 1, wherein a support point on the seat side that supports the airbag body is located on a virtual straight line that passes through the center of gravity of the occupant's head in a plan view and extends along a front-rear direction of the seat.

6. An airbag body having: front and rear chambers which deploy through one side of an occupant's head toward the front side of the seat by gas ejected from an inflator which is activated when a vehicle collision is detected or predicted, left and right chambers which deploy from the front end portions of the front and rear chambers toward the inside in the width direction of the seat and are positioned on the front side of the seat of the occupant's face; and a tip chamber which deploys from the inside end portions of the left and right chambers toward the rear side of the seat and are positioned on the other side of the occupant's head; The airbag body is configured such that, in a fully deployed state, the left and right chambers have a curved shape in a plan view, A seat-mounted airbag device in which boundaries between the left and right chambers and the tip chamber are located on an imaginary straight line extending along the front-rear direction of the seat and passing through the center of gravity of the occupant's head in a plan view.

7. An airbag body having: front and rear chambers which deploy through one side of an occupant's head to the front side of the seat by gas ejected from an inflator which is activated when a vehicle collision is detected or predicted, left and right chambers which deploy from the front end portions of the front and rear chambers to the inside in the width direction of the seat and are positioned on the front side of the seat of the occupant's face; and a tip chamber which deploys from the inside end portions of the left and right chambers to the rear side of the seat and are positioned on the other side of the occupant's head; The airbag body is configured such that, in a fully deployed state, the left and right chambers have a curved shape in a plan view, A seat-mounted airbag device in which a support point on the seat side that supports the airbag body is located on an imaginary straight line that passes through the center of gravity of the occupant's head in a front-rear direction of the seat in a plan view.

8. A seat-mounted airbag device as described in claim 5 or claim 7, which has a connecting member extending in the seat width direction in a plan view and connecting a support point on the seat side that supports the airbag body to the seat rear side end portions of the front and rear chambers.

9. a connecting member connects the seat rear end of the front and rear chambers to an outlet of the inflator, 9. The seat-mounted airbag device according to claim 8, wherein the length of the connecting member is longer than the length of the coupling member.

10. The airbag body includes:

10. The seat-mounted airbag device according to claim 1, further comprising a head restraining surface tether that connects a head restraining area in the front and rear chambers with a head restraining area in the tip chamber and is formed from a material that stretches more than a base fabric of the airbag body.

11. an airbag body including: a front and rear chamber that is deployed to one side of the occupant's head toward the front side of the seat by gas ejected from an inflator that is activated when a vehicle collision is detected or predicted, a left and right chamber that is deployed inward in the seat width direction from the front end portions of the front and rear chambers and is positioned on the front side of the occupant's face; and a tip chamber that is deployed to the rear side of the seat from the inner end portions of the left and right chambers in the seat width direction, and is positioned on the other side of the occupant's head; The airbag body includes: The seat is made up of an upper base fabric and a lower base fabric formed in a substantially "J" shape in a plan view or bottom view, and side base fabrics having both ends in the up-down direction of the seat sewn around the periphery of the upper base fabric and the periphery of the lower base fabric, The seat-mounted airbag device is configured so that, in a fully deployed state, the left and right chambers have a curved shape in a plan view.

12. An airbag body having: front and rear chambers which are deployed to the front side of the seat by gas ejected from an inflator which is activated when a vehicle collision is detected or predicted, passing through the sides of an occupant's head; and a tip chamber which is deployed inward in the width direction of the seat from the front end portions of the front and rear chambers and is positioned on the front side of the seat of the occupant's face; The airbag body includes: an inner chamber with which the head of the occupant comes into contact; and an outer chamber that is longer in the deployment direction than the inner chamber and is integrally provided outside the inner chamber, The seat-mounted airbag device has an extra length portion that protrudes toward the front of the seat at a boundary portion between the front and rear chambers and the tip chamber in the outer chamber.

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