Side airbag device

Abstract

[Problem] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a side airbag device that makes it possible to reduce the amount of gas required for inflation and expansion and thus quickly inflate and expand the airbag while improving passenger protection performance. [Solution] A side airbag device 100 comprising a bag-like cushion 120 that is provided to a side section of a seat back 106 of a vehicle seat 104 and inflates and expands toward the side of a passenger in the vehicle seat using a gas. The cushion includes: a first part 132 having four sides and including a first chamber 138; a second part 134 that has four sides, is adjacent to the first part, and includes a second chamber 150; and a third part 136 that has four sides, is adjacent to the first part and the second part, and does not inflate. When inflated and expanded, the cushion is a triangular column that is a columnar shape having a space E open on both the top and bottom and surrounded by the first part in which the first chamber is inflated and expanded, the second part in which the second chamber is inflated and expanded, and the non-inflated third part.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a side airbag device having a bag-shaped cushion that inflates and deploys to the side of an occupant in a vehicle seat in the event of a side collision of the vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Airbag devices are now standard equipment on most modern vehicles. Airbag devices are safety devices that operate in emergencies such as vehicle collisions, and use gas pressure to inflate and deploy a cushion to catch and protect the occupant. One example is a side airbag device, which is equipped with a bag-shaped cushion that inflates and deploys to the side of the occupant in the vehicle seat during a side collision.

[0003] Usually, when a vehicle is subjected to a lateral impact, the occupant moves in the vehicle width direction. For example, when a side impact occurs in which an object (collision object) such as another vehicle or a utility pole hits the passenger side side door, side airbags that protect the occupant are roughly divided into two types. The first type is the so-called near side airbag. The near side airbag inflates and deploys between the passenger seat and the side door, and prevents the occupant on the side that comes into contact with the colliding object (the near side occupant; in this case, the passenger side occupant) from colliding with the side door. The second type is the so-called far side airbag (for example, Patent Document 1). The far side airbag inflates and deploys between the driver's seat and the passenger seat, and protects the occupant (the far side occupant; in this case, the driver's side occupant) who moves to the center of the vehicle due to a lateral impact.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes an airbag device in which a center airbag and a retainer are housed in the seat backs of two adjacent seats in a vehicle. When inflated and deployed, both center airbags restrain the occupant from the inside in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the retainer is housed in the seat back, so that the corresponding center airbag is inclined toward the inside of the vehicle to inflate and deploy.

[0005] Patent document 1 states that in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the central airbags housed in each of the two adjacent seats inflate and deploy between the two seats and engage in a mutually abutting state, thereby effectively restricting the movement of occupants inward in the vehicle width direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-296642 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In the airbag device of Patent Document 1, not only must a central airbag be accommodated in each of the two adjacent seats of the vehicle, but a retainer must also be accommodated to tilt the central airbag toward the inside of the vehicle so that it can inflate and deploy. For this reason, the number of parts in Patent Document 1 increases and the installation work becomes more time-consuming. Furthermore, in order to inflate and deploy two central airbags, the amount of gas required for inflation and deployment also increases.

[0008] In view of the above problems, the present invention has an object to provide a side airbag device that can reduce the amount of gas required for inflation and deployment, thereby enabling rapid inflation and deployment, while also improving the occupant protection performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of a side airbag device according to the present invention is a side airbag device including an inflator and a bag-shaped cushion that is provided on a side of a seat back of a vehicle seat and inflates and deploys to the side of an occupant of the vehicle seat by using gas supplied from the inflator, wherein the cushion includes a first portion having at least three sides and including a first chamber that can be inflated and deployed, a second portion having at least three sides and adjacent to the first portion and including a second chamber that can be inflated and deployed, and a third portion that is non-inflatable and has at least three sides and adjacent to the first and second portions, and the cushion in an inflated and deployed state is cylindrical or conical in shape having a continuous space extending in the vertical direction and surrounded by the first portion where the first chamber is inflated and deployed, the second portion where the second chamber is inflated and deployed, and the third portion where the non-inflated is deployed.

[0010] In the above configuration, when the cushion is inflated and deployed, only the first chamber in the first section and the second chamber in the second section are inflated and deployed among the first section, the second section, and the third section. In addition, since the third section connects the first section including the first chamber and the second section including the second chamber, when the first chamber and the second chamber are inflated and deployed, the third section is pulled from the first section and the second section, respectively.

[0011] In the inflated and deployed state, the first, second, and third sections are arranged in a taut state so as to surround a continuous space extending in the vertical direction, and the cushion as a whole has a cylindrical or conical shape. Therefore, the cushion can receive and protect the occupant with the entire cushion, including the first, second, and third sections as well as the space.

[0012] In addition, since only the first chamber in the first portion and the second chamber in the second portion of the cushion are inflated and deployed, the amount of gas required for the cushion to be inflated and deployed can be reduced, and the cushion can be inflated and deployed more quickly, thereby improving the protection performance of the occupant.

[0013] Furthermore, the cushion, when inflated and deployed, forms a triangle consisting of the first, second and third parts when viewed from above and below, making it less likely to tip over when receiving an occupant. And, when receiving an occupant, at least one of the first, second and third parts can form a reaction surface, so the force with which the cushion supports and restrains the occupant can be improved.

[0014] The space may be open at least at the top or bottom, so that the cushion can receive and protect the occupant in the entirety, including the first, second, and third regions as well as the space that is open at least at the top or bottom, when inflated and deployed.

[0015] The first, second and third regions each preferably have four sides, and the cushion preferably forms a triangular prism when inflated and deployed. Since the cushion inflates and deploys in a triangular prism shape, it is less likely to tip over when receiving an occupant, and can reliably restrain and protect the occupant.

[0016] The space may be open on both the top and bottom, so that the cushion can receive and protect the occupant with the entire cushion including the first, second, and third portions as well as the space that is open on both the top and bottom when inflated and deployed.

[0017] The third portion may face the side of an occupant who sits in the vehicle seat when the cushion is inflated and deployed. In this way, the occupant is received by the third portion of the cushion when inflated and deployed. Even if the occupant received by the third portion tries to move further into the space, the first and second chambers of the cushion are inflated and deployed, so that the first and second portions apply tension to the third portion. Therefore, the cushion can suppress the movement of the occupant by the reaction force of the third portion when inflated and deployed.

[0018] The boundary between the above-mentioned first and third portions is fixed to a side portion of a seat back of the vehicle seat, and the first portion faces another vehicle seat adjacent to the vehicle seat when the cushion is inflated and deployed.

[0019] As a result, in the inflated and deployed state, if the occupant received by the third portion attempts to enter further into the space, the cushion rotates about an axis at the boundary between the first portion fixed to the side portion of the seat back of the vehicle seat (driver's seat) and the third portion. The first portion then comes into contact with an occupant seated in another vehicle seat (passenger seat) or another vehicle seat. For this reason, in the cushion, the first portion also serves as a reaction surface, and the movement of the occupant seated in the vehicle seat can be further suppressed. Furthermore, if an occupant is seated in another vehicle seat, the first portion can also suppress the movement of this occupant.

[0020] The cushion may further have one or more ducts formed between the first and second portions for circulating gas between the first and second chambers, the first chamber in the first portion having a gas inlet port for introducing gas from an inflator, and the inflator may be mounted on a seat frame disposed within a seat back of the vehicle seat and inserted into the first chamber through the gas inlet port.

[0021] As a result, when the cushion is inflated and deployed, gas from the inflator is supplied to the first chamber in the first location through the gas inlet, ensuring that the first chamber is inflated and deployed. Furthermore, gas flows between the first chamber in the first location and the second chamber in the second location through the duct, ensuring that the second chamber is also inflated and deployed.

[0022] The one or more ducts may include an upper duct provided at an upper portion between the first portion and the second portion and a lower duct provided at a lower portion. This allows gas to flow to the first chamber and the second chamber through the upper duct and the lower duct between the first portion and the second portion when the cushion is inflated and deployed. This allows the cushion to reliably inflate and deploy the first chamber and the second chamber while maintaining the shapes of the first portion and the second portion.

[0023] The one or more ducts may further include an intermediate duct provided in a vertically intermediate portion between the first and second portions. This allows gas to flow to the first and second chambers through the intermediate duct in addition to the upper and lower ducts between the first and second portions when the cushion is inflated and deployed. This allows the cushion to more reliably inflate and deploy the first and second chambers while more reliably maintaining the shapes of the first and second portions.

[0024] The first portion may include a first non-inflatable portion adjacent to the first chamber. Since the first portion includes the first non-inflatable portion, the amount of gas required to inflate and deploy the first chamber can be reduced. This allows the cushion to inflate and deploy more quickly.

[0025] The second section may include a second non-inflatable section adjacent to the second chamber. Since the second section includes the second non-inflatable section, the amount of gas required to inflate and deploy the second chamber can be reduced. This allows the cushion to inflate and deploy more quickly. Effect of the Invention

[0026] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a side airbag device that can reduce the amount of gas required for inflation and deployment, thereby enabling rapid inflation and deployment, while also improving the occupant protection performance. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an outline of a side airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1(b) is a diagram illustrating the cushion of FIG. 1(b) viewed from another direction. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the side airbag device is viewed from the front side of the vehicle when an occupant is seated in the vehicle seat of FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram illustrating the side airbag device of FIG. 3 as viewed from above the vehicle. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1(b) is a diagram illustrating a sewing process of the cushion of FIG. [Figure 6] 1(b) is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the cushion of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in the embodiment are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals to avoid repeated explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0029] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a side airbag device 100 in an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1(a) is a perspective view showing a part of the interior of a vehicle 102. Fig. 1(b) is a diagram showing the side airbag device 100 of Fig. 1(a) together with a vehicle seat 104.

[0030] In this embodiment, when an occupant sits in a seat in a normal position, the direction the occupant faces is referred to as the forward direction, and the opposite direction is referred to as the backward direction. When an occupant sits in a seat in a normal position, the right side of the occupant is referred to as the right direction, and the left side of the occupant is referred to as the left direction. When an occupant sits in a normal position, the direction of the occupant's head is referred to as the upward direction, and the direction of the occupant's waist is referred to as the downward direction. In the drawings used in the following description, the front, back, left, right, up, and down directions based on the occupant described above are indicated as Front, Back, Left, Right, Up, and Down, as necessary.

[0031] 1(a), the side airbag device 100 is embedded in a side portion of a seat back 106 of a vehicle seat 104 on the vehicle center side. The vehicle seat 104 is a right front seat (e.g., a driver's seat) in a vehicle 102, and has, in addition to the seat back 106, a seat cushion 108 on which an occupant sits.

[0032] A vehicle seat 110 is disposed adjacent to a vehicle seat 104 in a vehicle 102. The vehicle seat 110 is a left front seat (e.g., a passenger seat) and has a seat back 112 and a seat cushion 114. A side door 116 is positioned on the vehicle outer side of the vehicle seat 110. A center console 118 is disposed between the vehicle seats 104, 110. The side airbag device 100 may be embedded in the side surface of the vehicle seat 110 on the vehicle center side.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 1(b), the side airbag device 100 includes a bag-shaped cushion 120 that inflates and deploys, and an inflator 122 shown by a dotted line in the figure. The cushion 120 inflates and deploys to the side of an occupant 124 (see Fig. 3) of the vehicle seat 104 by using gas supplied from the inflator 122 (see Fig. 2(a)), which is a gas generating device.

[0034] Fig. 1(b) illustrates only a seat back frame 126 of the seat back 106 of the vehicle seat 104 in Fig. 1(a), omitting the upholstery and seat pad (e.g., urethane material). The seat back frame 126 is a member that forms the framework of the seat back 106, and includes an upper frame 128 and a side frame 130. The upper frame 128 is built into the seat back 106 along the upper edge of the seat back 106. The side frame 130 is built into the seat back 106 along the side surface of the seat back 106.

[0035] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the cushion 120 of Fig. 1(b) viewed from another direction. Fig. 2(a) is a view seen from an arrow A in Fig. 1(b) and illustrates the cushion 120, the inflator 122, and the side frame 130. Fig. 2(b) is a view seen from an arrow B in Fig. 1(b) and illustrates only the cushion 120 and the side frame 130.

[0036] The cushion 120 has a first portion 132, a second portion 134 (see FIG. 1(b)), and a third portion 136. The first portion 132 is a rectangular portion having four sides as shown in FIG. 2, and includes a first chamber 138 that can be inflated and deployed. The first chamber 138 has a gas inlet 140 that introduces gas from the inflator 122 shown in FIG. 2(a).

[0037] The inflator 122 is cylindrical, and a part of it is inserted into the first chamber 138 through a gas inlet 140. The inflator 122 is installed on the vehicle width direction center side of a side frame 130 arranged in a seat back 106 of the vehicle seat 104 by stud bolts 144, 146 protruding from a main body 142.

[0038] Furthermore, the first portion 132 includes a first non-inflatable portion 148. The first non-inflatable portion 148 is a seam portion located, for example, in the center of the first portion 132 as shown in Fig. 2(b), and the first chamber 138 is adjacent to the periphery of the first non-inflatable portion 148. Since the first portion 132 includes the first non-inflatable portion 148 in this manner, the amount of gas required to inflate and deploy the first chamber 138 can be reduced.

[0039] The second portion 134 is a rectangular portion having four sides as shown in Fig. 1(b) and is adjacent to the first portion 132 (see Fig. 4). The second portion 134 also includes a second chamber 150 that can be inflated and deployed, and a second non-inflatable portion 152.

[0040] 1(b), the second non-inflatable portion 152 is a seam portion located, for example, in the center of the second section 134, and is adjacent to the periphery of the second chamber 150. Since the second section 134 thus includes the second non-inflatable portion 152, the amount of gas required to inflate and deploy the second chamber 150 can be reduced.

[0041] The third region 136 is a non-expandable region that forms a four-sided rectangle as shown in FIG. 2(a) and is adjacent to the first region 132 and the second region 134 (see FIG. 4).

[0042] 2(b), the cushion 120 further includes a third non-inflatable portion 154 and a fourth non-inflatable portion 156. The third non-inflatable portion 154 and the fourth non-inflatable portion 156 are seam portions and are formed between the first portion 132 and the second portion 134 so as to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

[0043] In the cushion 120, an upper duct 158, a lower duct 160, and an intermediate duct 162 are formed between the first region 132 and the second region 134 by a third non-inflatable portion 154 and a fourth non-inflatable portion 156 that are spaced apart vertically. The upper duct 158, the lower duct 160, and the intermediate duct 162 allow gas to flow between the first chamber 138 and the second chamber 150.

[0044] The upper duct 158 ​​is provided in an upper portion between the first portion 132 and the second portion 134, i.e., above the third non-inflatable portion 154. The lower duct 160 is provided in a lower portion between the first portion 132 and the second portion 134, i.e., below the fourth non-inflatable portion 156. The intermediate duct 162 is provided in an intermediate portion between the first portion 132 and the second portion 134, i.e., between the third non-inflatable portion 154 and the fourth non-inflatable portion 156.

[0045] Therefore, when the cushion 120 is inflated and deployed, gas from the inflator 122 is supplied to the first chamber 138 of the first portion 132 through the gas inlet 140, so that the first chamber 138 can be reliably inflated and deployed. Furthermore, when the first chamber 138 is inflated and deployed, gas flows to the second chamber 150 through the upper duct 158, the lower duct 160, and the intermediate duct 162, so that the second chamber 150 can also be reliably inflated and deployed. In this way, the cushion 120 can reliably inflate and deploy the first chamber 138 and the second chamber 150, and reliably maintain the shapes of the first portion 132 and the second portion 134 when inflated and deployed.

[0046] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the side airbag device 100 is viewed from the front side of the vehicle when an occupant 124 is seated in the vehicle seat 104 in Fig. 1(b). Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the side airbag device 100 in Fig. 3 is viewed from above the vehicle.

[0047] 3 also shows a state in which the vehicle 102 receives a lateral impact (see arrow C) due to a side collision, and the occupant 124 receives a lateral impact (see arrow D) toward the center of the vehicle due to inertia, and moves toward the center of the vehicle. In other words, the axis of movement of the occupant 124 due to the side collision is the lateral direction (i.e., the vehicle width direction) indicated by the arrows C and D.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 3, the side airbag device 100 receives, for example, the head 164 of the occupant 124 who moves in the direction indicated by the arrow D, by the inflated and deployed cushion 120.

[0049] The cushion 120 in the inflated and deployed state has a columnar shape (here, a triangular column) having a space E that is open or open on both the top and bottom as shown in Fig. 4. This space E is surrounded by a first portion 132 where the first chamber 138 is inflated and deployed, a second portion 134 where the second chamber 150 is inflated and deployed, and a non-inflated third portion 136. Note that the space E is a continuous space that extends in the vertical direction.

[0050] The third portion 136 of the cushion 120 connects the first portion 132 including the first chamber 138 to the second portion 134 including the second chamber 150, so that when the first chamber 138 and the second chamber 150 inflate and deploy, they are pulled from the first portion 132 and the second portion 134, respectively.

[0051] Therefore, in the inflated and deployed state, the first portion 132, the second portion 134, and the third portion 136 are arranged in a taut state so as to surround the space E, and furthermore, the cushion 120 as a whole forms a triangular prism. Therefore, the cushion 120 can receive and protect the occupant 124 with the entire cushion 120 including the space E in addition to the first portion 132, the second portion 134, and the third portion 136.

[0052] Furthermore, when the cushion 120 is inflated and deployed, only the first chamber 138 of the first portion 132 and the second chamber 150 of the second portion 134 inflate and deploy among the first portion 132, the second portion 134, and the third portion 136, so that the amount of gas required for inflation and deployment can be reduced. Therefore, the cushion 120 can be inflated and deployed more quickly, thereby improving the protection performance of the occupant 124.

[0053] Furthermore, when cushion 120 is inflated and deployed, as shown in FIG. 4, it forms a triangle consisting of first portion 132, second portion 134, and third portion 136 when viewed from above and below, and further forms a triangular prism as a whole, so that it is less likely to tip over when receiving occupant 124 and can reliably restrain and protect occupant 124.

[0054] 4 faces the side of an occupant 124 seated in the vehicle seat 104 when the cushion 120 is inflated and deployed. Therefore, in the inflated and deployed cushion 120, the occupant 124 who moves in the direction of arrow D is received by the third portion 136. In the cushion 120, when the occupant 124 received by the third portion 136 moves further and attempts to enter the space E, tensions indicated by arrows F and G are applied to the third portion 136.

[0055] In contrast to this, in the cushion 120, because the first chamber 138 and the second chamber 150 are inflated and deployed, the expansion forces indicated by the arrows H and I are generated in the first region 132 and the second region 134, respectively. Furthermore, in the cushion 120, in association with this expansion force, the first region 132 and the second region 134 can apply a tension (see arrows J and K) to the third region 136 that resists the tension indicated by the arrows F and G. Therefore, in the inflated and deployed state, the cushion 120 can suppress the movement of the occupant 124 by the reaction force of the third region 136.

[0056] 2(a), the cushion 120 has a boundary 165 between the first portion 132 and the third portion 136 fixed to a side frame 130 which is a side portion of the seat back 106 of the vehicle seat 104. As shown in FIG. 4, the first portion 132 faces another vehicle seat 110 adjacent to the vehicle seat 104 when the cushion 120 is inflated and deployed.

[0057] As a result, in the inflated and deployed cushion 120, even if the occupant 124 received by the third portion 136 attempts to further enter the space E, the occupant 124 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow L in Fig. 4 about the boundary 165 between the first portion 132 fixed to the side frame 130 of the vehicle seat 104 and the third portion 136. The first portion 132 then comes into contact with another vehicle seat 110 or an occupant 166 seated in another vehicle seat 110, indicated by a dotted line in the figure.

[0058] Therefore, in the cushion 120, the first portion 132 also serves as a reaction surface, and movement of the occupant 124 seated in the vehicle seat 104 can be further suppressed. In this way, in the cushion 120, when receiving the occupant 124, the first portion 132 and the third portion 136 can form reaction surfaces, and therefore the force for supporting and restraining the occupant 124 can be further improved. Furthermore, in the case where an occupant 166 is seated in another vehicle seat 110, the cushion 120 can also suppress movement of the occupant 166 by the first portion 132.

[0059] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating a sewing process of the cushion 120 of Fig. 1(b). The cushion 120 is formed by sewing and folding a first base fabric 168 and a second base fabric 170 shown in Fig. 5(a).

[0060] 5(a) is laid on the second base cloth 170 as indicated by the arrow M. The second base cloth 170 has a part symmetrical to the first base cloth 168 and further has a third portion 136.

[0061] With the first base cloth 168 laid on top of the second base cloth 170 as shown in Fig. 5(b), the periphery is sewn as shown by sewing lines 172 and 174 in Fig. 5(c). Furthermore, the first non-inflatable portion 148 and the second non-inflatable portion 152 in Fig. 5(b) are sewn as shown by sewing lines 176 and 178 in Fig. 5(c). Furthermore, the third non-inflatable portion 154 and the fourth non-inflatable portion 156 in Fig. 5(b) are sewn as shown by sewing line 180 in Fig. 5(c).

[0062] Next, as shown by the arrow N in Fig. 5(c), the second base cloth 170 is folded over the first base cloth 168 and the second base cloth 170 so that one end 182 of the second base cloth 170 is overlapped with the other end 184 outside the sewing line 172. Then, as shown by the sewing line 186 in Fig. 5(d), the first base cloth 168 and the second base cloth 170 with the one end 182 and the other end 184 overlapping are overlapped and sewn together.

[0063] By such a sewing process, the above-mentioned cushion 120 can be formed, which has a first portion 132 including a first chamber 138, a second portion 134 including a second chamber 150 and adjacent to the first portion 132, and a non-inflatable third portion 136 adjacent to the first portion 132 and the second portion 134, and which forms a triangular prism when inflated and deployed.

[0064] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the cushion 120 in Fig. 1(b). The modified cushion 120A differs from the cushion 120 described above in that it assumes a cone shape (inverted triangular pyramid) when inflated and deployed.

[0065] The cushion 120A includes a first portion 132A, a second portion 134A, and a third portion 136A. The first portion 132A is an inverted triangular portion having three sides as shown in FIG. 6(a) and has a first chamber 138A that inflates and deploys. The second portion 134A is an inverted triangular portion having three sides as shown in FIG. 6(b) and FIG. 6(c) and has a second chamber 150A that inflates and deploys. The third portion 136A is an inverted triangular portion having three sides as shown in FIG. 6(b) that is not inflated.

[0066] Additionally, the first region 132A and the second region 134A include a first non-inflatable portion 148A and a second non-inflatable portion 152A, respectively. Furthermore, in the cushion 120A, an upper duct 158A, a lower duct 160A, and an intermediate duct 162A are formed between the first region 132A and the second region 134A by a third non-inflatable portion 154A and a fourth non-inflatable portion 156A that are spaced apart vertically.

[0067] As a result, in the cushion 120A, gas from the inflator 122 (see FIG. 2(a)) is supplied to the first chamber 138A of the first portion 132A through the gas inlet 140, so that the first chamber 138A is reliably inflated and deployed. Furthermore, in the cushion 120A, gas flows between the first chamber 138A and the second chamber 150A through the upper duct 158A, the lower duct 160A, and the intermediate duct 162A, so that the second chamber 150A can also be reliably inflated and deployed.

[0068] 6(d), the cushion 120A in the inflated state is surrounded by a first portion 132A where the first chamber 138A is inflated and deployed, a second portion 134A where the second chamber 150A is inflated and deployed, and a non-inflated third portion 136A, and has a space O where only the upper portion is open or open. Note that the space O is a continuous space extending in the vertical direction.

[0069] The third portion 136A of the cushion 120A connects the first portion 132A including the first chamber 138A to the second portion 134A including the second chamber 150A. Therefore, when the first chamber 138A and the second chamber 150A are inflated and deployed, the third portion 136A is pulled from the first portion 132A and the second portion 134A, respectively.

[0070] As a result, the cushion 120A in the inflated and deployed state is arranged with the first portion 132A, the second portion 134A, and the third portion 136A in a taut state so as to surround the space O, and further forms an inverted triangular pyramid as a whole. Therefore, the cushion 120A can receive and protect the occupant 124 (see FIG. 4) as a whole, including the space O, in addition to the first portion 132A, the second portion 134A, and the third portion 136A.

[0071] It should be noted that space E of cushion 120 is a continuous space extending in the vertical direction, and both the top and bottom are open, but this is not limited to this. Only the upper part of the top and bottom may be closed with a sail panel or the like, only the lower part may be closed with a sail panel or the like, or even both the top and bottom may be closed with a sail panel or the like.

[0072] Also, the space O of the cushion 120A is a continuous space extending in the vertical direction, and although only the upper part is open in the above-mentioned description, the upper part may be closed with a sail panel, etc. In this way, the cushion in an inflated and deployed state has a continuous space surrounded by each part and extending in the vertical direction, so that the entire cushion including each part and space can receive, stop and protect the occupant.

[0073] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can think of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0074] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which the side airbag device 100 according to the present invention was applied to an automobile, but it can also be applied to aircraft, ships, and other vehicles other than automobiles, and similar effects can be obtained. [Industrial Applicability]

[0075] The present invention can be used in a side airbag device having a bag-shaped cushion that inflates and deploys to the side of an occupant in a vehicle seat in the event of a side collision of the vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 100...side airbag device, 102...vehicle, 104, 110...vehicle seat, 106, 112...seat back, 108, 114...seat cushion, 116...side door, 118...center console, 120, 120A...cushion, 122...inflator, 124, 166...occupant, 126...seat back frame, 128...upper frame, 130...side frame, 132, 132A...first portion, 134, 134A...second portion, 136, 136A...third portion, 138, 138A...first chamber, 140...gas inlet, 142...inflator The main body of the motor, 144, 146... stud bolt, 148, 148A... first non-inflatable portion, 150, 150A... second chamber, 152, 152A... second non-inflatable portion, 154, 154A... third non-inflatable portion, 156, 156A... fourth non-inflatable portion, 158, 158A... upper duct, 160, 160A... lower duct, 162, 162A... intermediate duct, 164... head of occupant, 165... boundary between first and third portions, 168... first base fabric, 170... second base fabric, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 186... sewing lines, 182... one end of the second base fabric, 184... other end of the second base fabric.

Claims

1. A side airbag device including an inflator and a bag-shaped cushion that is provided on a side of a seat back of a vehicle seat and that inflates and deploys to the side of an occupant of the vehicle seat by utilizing gas supplied from the inflator, The cushion is a first section having at least three sides, the first section including a first expandable chamber; a second section having at least three sides adjacent to the first section, the second section including a second inflatable chamber; a non-expanded third section having at least three sides, the third section adjacent the first section and the second section; The cushion in an inflated and deployed state is in a columnar or cone shape having a continuous space extending in the up-down direction and surrounded by a first section in which the first chamber is inflated and deployed, the second section in which the second chamber is inflated and deployed, and the third section which is not inflated, the cushion further includes one or more ducts formed between the first and second portions for communicating gas between the first and second chambers; The first chamber of the first portion has a gas inlet port through which gas from the inflator is introduced, The inflator is mounted on a seat frame disposed within a seat back of the vehicle seat, and is inserted into the first chamber through the gas inlet.

2. 2. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the space is open at least on one side, above or below.

3. each of the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion has four sides; 3. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the cushion forms a triangular prism when inflated and deployed.

4. 4. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the space is open both at the top and bottom.

5. 5. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the third portion faces a passenger seated in the vehicle seat when the cushion is inflated and deployed.

6. a boundary between the first portion and the third portion is fixed to a side portion of a seat back of the vehicle seat, 6. The side airbag device according to claim 5, wherein the first portion faces another vehicle seat adjacent to the vehicle seat when the cushion is inflated and deployed.

7. 2. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more ducts include an upper duct provided in an upper portion between the first portion and the second portion, and a lower duct provided in a lower portion.

8. The side airbag device according to claim 7, wherein the one or more ducts further include an intermediate duct provided at a middle portion in the up-down direction between the first portion and the second portion.

9. 9. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the first portion includes a first non-inflatable portion adjacent to the first chamber.

10. 10. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the second portion includes a second non-inflatable portion adjacent to the second chamber.

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