Air bag and vehicle seat device

Abstract

To secure an optimal inflation shape.SOLUTION: An air bag 10 comprises a bag part 40 formed by bonding two sheet materials 30 and 30. The bag 40 includes an inflation part 41 having an annular joint α1 extending annularly, and a flow path 42 having a pair of parallel linear joints α2 and α2 and connected to the inflation part 41. Further, in the air bag 10, air filling the bag part 40 flows through an inner space X1 of the inflation part 41 enclosed by the annular joint α1 and a flow path X2 sandwiched between the pair of linear joints α2 and α2 constituting the flow path 42. The air bag 10 is so configured that the pair of linear joints α2 and α2 extends parallel to each other at a connection part 50 between the inflation part 41 and the flow path 42.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air bag and a vehicle seat assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is an air bag having a bag portion formed by bonding two sheets of material together. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a plurality of bag portions are stacked in the thickness direction of the sheet material, thereby ensuring a large stroke amount in the direction in which the sheet materials are stacked when the air bag expands by filling it with air. Moreover, the air bag described in Patent Document 2 includes a bag portion having a plurality of expansion portions and a flow path portion connecting these expansion portions. Furthermore, in this air bag, the plurality of expansion portions are arranged in a stacked manner by folding the flow path portion. This results in a configuration in which a large stroke amount can be ensured with a simple configuration. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-95015 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-216003 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in a configuration having a flow path portion connected to an expansion portion as described above, when air is filled into the bag portion, the connection portion between the expansion portion and the flow path portion expands along with the expansion portion, which presents a problem in that the expanded shape is easily distorted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The air bag that solves the above problem has a bag portion formed by bonding two sheet materials together, and the bag portion is equipped with an expansion portion having an annular joint extending in a ring shape, and a flow path portion connected to the expansion portion having a pair of parallel linear joints, and air filled in the bag portion flows through the internal space of the expansion portion surrounded by the annular joint and within a flow path sandwiched between the pair of linear joints that constitute the flow path portion, and at the connection between the expansion portion and the flow path portion, the pair of linear joints extend in parallel, or the pair of linear joints extend and spread out from the opening position of the flow path relative to the internal space of the expansion portion toward the back side of the flow path.

[0006] According to the above configuration, when air is filled, the bag portion can be expanded while maintaining the boundary between the expansion portion and the flow path portion. This makes it possible to ensure a suitable expanded shape. Furthermore, since the expanded shape is not easily distorted, stress is unlikely to concentrate in a specific location when air is filled. This makes it possible to ensure high reliability and durability.

[0007] In the air bag that solves the above problem, it is preferable that the extension portion has a polygonal shape when viewed from the direction in which the sheet materials are overlapped, and the flow path portion is connected to the apex of the polygonal shape.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the flow path portion connected to the expansion portion is unlikely to hinder the expansion of the expansion portion, and thus a suitable expanded shape can be ensured. In the air bag that achieves the above object, it is preferable that the expansion section and the flow path section have an axisymmetric shape with respect to the axis of the flow path section that extends linearly.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the expansion portion can be expanded in a well-balanced manner. The air bag that solves the above problem preferably has a pair of the expansion sections connected via the flow path section.

[0010] According to the above configuration, a pair of expansion sections arranged apart from each other can ensure a suitable expanded shape in which each expands while maintaining the boundary with the flow path section. The vehicle seat apparatus for solving the above problem has any one of the above air bags disposed inside a seat covering.

[0011] According to the above-described configuration, an appropriate pressing force can be applied to an occupant sitting in the seat, based on a suitable expanded shape of the air bag provided on the inner side of the seat covering. The vehicle seat apparatus for solving the above-mentioned problems preferably has a refresh function of pressing the seat cover from the inside by expanding and contracting the air bag.

[0012] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the suitable expanded shape of the air bag can provide an appropriate refreshing effect to the occupant sitting in the seat. That is, the expanding portion, which expands while maintaining the boundary with the flow passage portion, presses the occupant sitting in the seat with pinpoint accuracy. As a result, the so-called finger pressure sensation can be suitably reproduced. This can provide a high refreshing effect. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, a suitable expanded shape can be ensured. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat having an air bag provided on the inner side of a seat covering. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a seat device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an unfilled bladder. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a bladder filled with air. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the connection between the extension section and the flow path section. [Figure 7]FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a connection portion between an expansion portion and a flow path portion in the air bag of the reference example. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an air bag of a reference example filled with air. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an air bag of a reference example filled with air. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bladder filled with air. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bladder filled with air. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the shape of an air bag in another example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an air bag and a vehicle seat device will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle seat 1 includes a seat cushion 2 and a seat back 3 provided at the rear end of the seat cushion 2. A headrest 4 is provided at the upper end of the seat back 3.

[0016] The seat 1 of this embodiment is provided with a plurality of air bags 10 that expand and contract inside the seat cushion 2 and the seat back 3 to press the seat upholstery 1x constituting the seating surface 2s and the backrest surface 3s from the inside. Specifically, the seat cushion 2 is provided with independent air bags 12 for the seat cushion 2 at positions corresponding to the buttocks and thighs of an occupant seated on the seat 1. Furthermore, the seat back 3 is also provided with independent air bags 13 for the seat back 3 at positions corresponding to the shoulders and waist of an occupant leaning against the backrest surface 3s. In the seat 1 of this embodiment, the air bags 10 expand and contract to provide a refreshing effect to an occupant seated on the seat 1, forming a vehicle seat device 20.

[0017] 2, the seat device 20 of this embodiment is provided with an air pump 21 that pressurizes air to each air bag 10 provided in the seat 1. Furthermore, an air supply / exhaust valve device 22 is interposed between the air pump 21 and each air bag 10. In the seat device 20 of this embodiment, the operation of the air pump 21 and the air supply / exhaust valve device 22 is controlled by a control device 23.

[0018] Specifically, air pump 21 of this embodiment is an electric pump driven by motor 24. Furthermore, air supply / exhaust valve device 22 is connected to each air bag 10 and air pump 21 via air tube 25 made of flexible resin. That is, in seat device 20 of this embodiment, an air flow path that connects each air bag 10 and air pump 21, that is, an air supply / exhaust flow path Lo, is formed by internal passages of air tube 25 and air supply / exhaust valve device 22. Thus, air supply / exhaust valve device 22 of this embodiment is configured so that its air supply valve 26 and exhaust valve 27 are located midway along air supply / exhaust flow path Lo.

[0019] Further, control device 23 of the present embodiment is configured to receive an operation input signal Scr for operation input unit 28 provided on seat 1. Control device 23 of the present embodiment is configured to control the operation of air pump 21 and air supply / exhaust valve device 22 to expand / contract each air bag 10, based on an operation request indicated by this operation input signal Scr.

[0020] Specifically, the control device 23 of this embodiment sequentially switches each air bag 10 to its expanded state based on a predetermined operation pattern corresponding to the operation input signal Scr input from the operation input unit 28. The seat device 20 of this embodiment is configured such that each air bag 10 intermittently expands and contracts, thereby enabling an occupant seated in the seat 1 to obtain a desired refreshing effect.

[0021] (Air bag) Next, the configuration of the air bag 10 used in the seat device 20 of this embodiment will be described. 3 and 4, in the seat device 20 of this embodiment, each air bag 10 has a bag portion 40 formed by bonding two sheet materials 30, 30 together. That is, in each air bag 10 of this embodiment, air is filled between the two sheet materials 30, 30 bonded together with a joint α extending around the entire periphery of the air bag 10, and the bag portion 40 surrounded by the joint α expands. The expanded bag portion 40 presses the seat skin 1x from the inside.

[0022] 5, in each air bag 10 of this embodiment, bag portion 40 has a pair of expansion portions 41, 41 having annular joint portion α1 extending in a ring shape. Each air bag 10 of this embodiment has, as its bag portion 40, a flow path portion 42 having a pair of parallel linear joint portions α2, α2 and connected to each of the expansion portions 41, 41.

[0023] Specifically, each air bag 10 of this embodiment has a structure in which two sheet materials 30, 30 that have been punched out to match the shapes of the expansion sections 41, 41 and the flow path section 42 that constitute the bag section 40 are stacked in the thickness direction. In each air bag 10 of this embodiment, the peripheral edges of the sheet materials 30, 30 are welded together to form annular joints α1 of the expansion sections 41, 41 and linear joints α2, α2 of the flow path section 42 as part of joint α that extends around the entire circumference of the bag section 40.

[0024] In each air bag 10 of this embodiment, a flexible resin material is used as the material of each sheet material 30, 30. These sheet materials 30, 30 are joined by, for example, high-frequency welding. In Fig. 5, the position where the joint α is formed is shown by hatching. In the figure, the part indicated by the dashed line on the inside of the joint α is the effective expansion range of the bag portion 40 of each air bag 10.

[0025] In each air bag 10 of this embodiment, a flow path X2 sandwiched by a pair of linear joints α2, α2 constituting the flow path portion 42 opens into the internal space X1, X1 of each expansion portion 41, 41 surrounded by the annular joint α1. Thus, each air bag 10 of the present embodiment is configured so that air filled in the bag portion 40 flows through the internal spaces X1, X1 of each expansion portion 41, 41 and the flow path X2 formed by the flow path portion 42.

[0026] More specifically, in each air bag 10 of this embodiment, the expansion sections 41, 41 are each substantially pentagonal when viewed from the direction in which the sheet materials 30, 30 are superimposed. Moreover, the flow path section 42 of this embodiment has a substantially linear outer shape. Furthermore, each of the longitudinal ends of this flow path section 42 is connected to the apex Pa of each of the substantially pentagonal expansion sections 41, 41. And, in each air bag 10 of this embodiment, these expansion sections 41, 41 and flow path section 42 have a substantially line-symmetrical shape with the axis N of the flow path section 42 extending linearly as the axis of symmetry.

[0027] Furthermore, in each air bag 10 of this embodiment, an air tube 25 that constitutes an air supply / exhaust flow path Lo for the bag portion 40 is connected to one of the expansion portions 41a of each expansion portion 41, 41. Specifically, in each air bag 10 of this embodiment, this air tube 25 is connected to one of the expansion portions 41a at a top Pb different from the top Pa to which the flow path 42 is connected. That is, in each air bag 10 of this embodiment, air supplied to one of the expansion portions 41a via the air tube 25 flows into the other expansion portion 41b via the flow path 42. Furthermore, air filled in the other expansion portion 41b also flows out to one of the expansion portions 41a via the flow path 42. Thus, in each air bag 10 of this embodiment, the pair of expansion portions 41, 41 expands and contracts by supplying and exhausting air via the air tube 25.

[0028] 1, in the seat device 20 of this embodiment, each of these air bags 10 is disposed inside the seat cover 1x with the pair of expansion parts 41, 41 spaced apart in the seat width direction. Thus, the seat device 20 of this embodiment is configured so that the expansion parts 41, 41 of each of the air bags 10 spaced apart on the left and right sides press against the body of an occupant seated in the seat 1 in a well-balanced manner.

[0029] Furthermore, in the seat device 20 of this embodiment, the length of the flow path portion 42 connecting the left and right extension portions 41, 41 of the air bag 12 for the seat cushion 2 is longer than that of the air bag 13 for the seat back 3. Thus, the seat device 20 of this embodiment is configured to be able to preferably press the buttocks and thighs, respectively, of both legs of an occupant seated on the seat 1.

[0030] 5 illustrates the air bag 10 of the seat device 20 as the air bag 12 for the seat cushion 2, which has a long flow path portion 42 connecting the left and right extension portions 41, 41. The air bag 13 for the seat back 3 has substantially the same configuration as the air bag 12 for the seat cushion 2, except for the fact that the flow path portion 42 is short, and therefore is not illustrated.

[0031] More specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, each air bag 10 of this embodiment is configured so that a pair of linear joints α2, α2 extend in parallel at a connection 50 between each of the expansion sections 41, 41 and the flow path section 42. Specifically, in the flow path section 42 of this embodiment, the separation distance D0 between the pair of linear joints α2, α2 forming the flow path X2 is constant at any position in the longitudinal direction. That is, in each air bag 10 of this embodiment, the pair of linear joints α2, α2 extend in parallel over the entire length of the flow path section 42. As a result, in each air bag 10 of this embodiment, the shape of the portion where the longitudinal end of each linear joint α2, α2 forming the flow path section 42 intersects with the annular joint α1 forming each of the expansion sections 41, 41 is a so-called "pin angle" shape.

[0032] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. 7 and 8, like each air bag 10 of the present embodiment, comprises, as its bag portion 40, a pair of extension portions 41B, 41B having annular joint portion α1 extending in a ring shape, and a flow path portion 42B having a pair of parallel linear joint portions α2, α2. Air bag 10B of the reference example also has a configuration in which extension portions 41B, 41B are connected to both longitudinal ends of flow path portion 42B extending in a straight line.

[0033] Air bag 10B of the reference example has arc-shaped curved portions R at the longitudinal ends of each of linear joints α2, α2 constituting flow path section 42B. Specifically, air bag 10B of the reference example is configured such that, at connection section 50 between each extension section 41B, 41B and flow path section 42B, the longitudinal ends of each of the linear joints α2, α2 expand and extend from the rear side of flow path X2 toward the outlet side (from right to left in FIG. 7). Thus, air bag 10B of the reference example is configured such that each of linear joints α2, α2 of flow path section 42B is continuous with annular joints α1 of each of the extension sections 41B, 41B in a so-called "R-shape."

[0034] As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, when air is filled in the air bag 10B of the reference example, the connection portion 50 between each of the expansion portions 41B, 41B and the flow path portion 42B expands greatly together with each of the expansion portions 41B, 41B. As a result, in the air bag 10B of the reference example, the expanded shape of each of the expansion portions 41B, 41B is lost. More specifically, the boundary between each of the expansion portions 41B, 41B and the flow path portion 42B becomes unclear. As a result, the air bag 10B of the reference example expands to a gently sloping shape overall. This tendency is common to the air bag 12B for the seat cushion 2 and the air bag 13B for the seat back 3, regardless of the length of the flow path portion 42B.

[0035] 11 and 12, in air bag 10 of this embodiment, connection portions 50 between each of the expansion portions 41, 41 and flow path portion 42 are less likely to expand when air is filled. As a result, in air bag 10 of this embodiment, bag portion 40 expands while the boundaries between each of the expansion portions 41, 41 and flow path portion 42 are maintained. This tendency is common to air bag 12 for seat cushion 2 and air bag 13 for seat back 3, regardless of the length of flow path portion 42.

[0036] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) Air bag 10 has bag portion 40 formed by bonding two sheets 30, 30 together. Bag portion 40 also has expansion portion 41 having annular joint α1 extending in an annular shape, and flow path portion 42 having a pair of parallel linear joints α2, α2 and connected to expansion portion 41. Furthermore, in air bag 10, air filled in bag portion 40 flows through internal space X1 of expansion portion 41 surrounded by the annular joint α1, and flow path X2 sandwiched between the pair of linear joints α2, α2 constituting flow path portion 42. Air bag 10 is configured such that the pair of linear joints α2, α2 extend parallel to each other at connection portion 50 between expansion portion 41 and flow path portion 42.

[0037] According to the above-mentioned configuration, when air is filled, the bag portion 40 can be expanded while maintaining the boundary between the expansion portion 41 and the flow path portion 42. This makes it possible to ensure a suitable expanded shape. Furthermore, since the expanded shape is not easily distorted, stress is unlikely to concentrate in a specific location when air is filled. This makes it possible to ensure high reliability and durability.

[0038] (2) The extension portion 41 has a substantially pentagonal shape when viewed from the direction in which the sheet materials 30, 30 are superimposed. The flow path portion 42 is connected to the apex Pa of each of the extension portions 41, 41 having a substantially pentagonal shape.

[0039] According to the above configuration, the flow path portion 42 connected to the expansion portion 41 is unlikely to hinder the expansion of the expansion portion 41. This makes it possible to ensure a suitable expanded shape. (3) The expansion section 41 and the flow path section 42 have a shape that is approximately symmetrical about the axis N of the flow path section 42 that extends linearly. This allows the expansion section 41 to be expanded in a well-balanced manner.

[0040] (4) Air bag 10 has a pair of expansion sections 41, 41 connected via flow path section 42. This allows each of the pair of expansion sections 41, 41 arranged apart from each other to expand into a suitable expanded shape while maintaining the boundary with flow path section 42.

[0041] (5) The seat device 20 includes the air bag 10 having the above-mentioned configurations (1) to (4) and disposed inside the seat cover 1x. This allows an appropriate pressing force to be applied to the occupant seated in the seat 1 based on a suitable expanded shape of the air bag 10 provided inside the seat cover 1x.

[0042] (6) The seat device 20 has a refreshing function of pressing the seat cover 1x from the inside by expanding and contracting the air bag 10. According to the above configuration, the suitable expanded shape of the air bag 10 can provide an appropriate refreshing effect to the occupant sitting on the seat 1. That is, the expansion section 41, which expands while maintaining the boundary with the flow path section 42, presses the occupant sitting on the seat 1 with pinpoint accuracy. As a result, the so-called finger pressure sensation can be suitably reproduced. This can provide a high refreshing effect.

[0043] The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0044] In the above embodiment, air bag 10 is configured such that at connection 50 between expansion section 41 and flow path section 42, the pair of linear joints α2, α2 extend in parallel. However, not limited to this, as in the airbag 10C shown in FIG. 13, from the opening position of the flow path X2 with respect to the internal space X1 of the expansion part 41, toward the back side of the flow path X2 (from the left side to the right side in FIG. 7), a pair of linear joint parts α2, α2 may be configured to expand and extend.

[0045] That is, in this airbag 10C, the separation distance D1 between the pair of linear joint parts α2, α2 set at the opening position of the flow path X2 with respect to the internal space X1 of the expansion part 41 is smaller than the separation distance D0 between the pair of linear joint parts α2, α2 set on the back side of the flow path X2 (D1 < D0). Even if the flow path part 42C having such a configuration is adopted, the same effects as those in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0046] · In the above-described embodiment, the expansion part 41 is configured such that the shape of the expansion part 41, that is, the shape of the peripheral edge part, is substantially pentagonal when viewed from the direction in which the sheet materials 30, 30 are overlapped. However, not limited to this, the shape of the peripheral edge part of the expansion part 41 may be a polygon other than a pentagon. That is, it may be a triangle, a quadrilateral, or a polygon with six or more sides. And the expansion part 41 may have a circular peripheral edge shape.

[0047] · In the above-described embodiment, the flow path part 42 is connected to the top part Pa of the expansion part 41 having a polygonal shape, but the connection part does not necessarily have to be the top part Pa of the polygon. · In the above-described embodiment, the airbag 10 includes, as its bag part 40, a pair of expansion parts 41, 41 having an annular joint part α1 extending annularly, and a flow path part 42 having a pair of parallel linear joint parts α2, α2 and connected to the respective expansion parts 41, 41. However, not limited to this, it may be applied to a configuration having three or more expansion parts 41, and a pair of adjacent expansion parts 41, 41 are connected to each other via a flow path part 42. And, for example, it may be applied to a configuration having only one expansion part 41, such as an air tube 25 constituting the air supply / discharge flow path Lo being connected to one end of the flow path part 42.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the extension section 41 and the flow path section 42 have a substantially line-symmetric shape with the axis N of the flow path section 42 extending linearly as the axis of symmetry, but they do not necessarily have to have such a line-symmetric shape. Moreover, the shape of the flow path section 42 does not necessarily have to extend linearly.

[0049] The material and shape of each of the sheet materials 30, 30 constituting the air bag 10, and the method of bonding them together may be changed as desired. In the above embodiment, the present invention is embodied in the air bag 10 used for refreshing purposes, but the present invention may be applied to an air bag for seat support that changes the support shape of the seat 1 by expanding and contracting inside the seat cover 1x. The present invention may also be applied to an air bag used for purposes other than the seat 1 of a vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 10…Air bag 30...Sheet material 40...Bag section 41…Extension 42...Flow passage section 50…Connection α1…Annular joint α2…Linear joint X1…Internal space X2…Flow path

Claims

1. The bag portion is formed by bonding two sheets of material together. The bag portion is an extension portion having an annular joint extending annularly; a flow path portion having a pair of parallel linear joints and connected to the expansion portion; The air filled in the bag portion flows through an internal space of the expansion portion surrounded by the annular joint and through a flow path sandwiched between the pair of linear joints that configure the flow path portion, An air bag configured such that, at the connection portion between the expansion portion and the flow path portion, the pair of linear joints expand and extend from the opening position of the flow path relative to the internal space of the expansion portion toward the rear side of the flow path.

2. 2. The air bag of claim 1, The air bag according to claim 1, wherein the expansion portion has a polygonal shape when viewed from the direction in which the sheet materials are overlapped, and the flow path portion is connected to an apex of the polygonal shape.

3. The air bag according to claim 1 or 2, The air bag according to claim 1, wherein the expansion section and the flow path section have an axisymmetrical shape with respect to an axis of the flow path section which extends linearly.

4. The air bag according to any one of claims 1 to 3, an air bag comprising a pair of the expansion sections connected via the flow path section;

5. The air bag according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is disposed inside the seat skin. A seat device for a vehicle.

6. 6. The vehicle seat device according to claim 5, The vehicle seat apparatus is characterized in that it has a refreshing function of pressing the seat cover from the inside by expanding and contracting the air bag.

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