Vehicle seat equipped with a side airbag device

Abstract

To obtain a vehicular seat equipped with a side airbag device which enables a head chamber to be expanded and deployed properly between a shoulder belt and a head of an occupant.SOLUTION: A vehicular seat 10 is equipped with a side airbag device 30 including: a side airbag body 34 having a side chamber 36 which expands and deploys between a side part of a passenger compartment and a chest part and a waist part of an occupant P during a lateral collision of a vehicle and a head chamber 38 which is integrally formed with the side chamber 36 and expands and deploys between a shoulder belt 22A and a head Ph of the occupant P during the lateral collision of the vehicle; and an outer guide cloth 42 which deploys between the shoulder belt 22A and the head chamber 38 prior to expansion and deployment of the head chamber 38.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat equipped with a side airbag device. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicle seats equipped with a side airbag device on the side of the backrest, in which the thorax chamber, which inflates and deploys from the side region of the backrest between the side of the vehicle compartment and the occupant's thorax, and the head chamber, which inflates and deploys from the upper region of the backrest next to the headrest between the shoulder belt and the occupant's head, are formed of separate bags and connected to each other via a tubular filling part, have been known for some time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 8,469,395 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the case of the vehicle seat described above, the head chamber is inflated and deployed between the shoulder belt and the head of the occupant, so that the head chamber can restrain the head of the occupant early. However, if the head chamber and the thorax chamber are formed of separate bags, the structure of the side airbag becomes complicated and the manufacturing process becomes cumbersome.

[0005] For this reason, it has been considered to construct a side airbag from a single bag having a head chamber and a thorax chamber, but in a side airbag constructed from a single bag, the head chamber tends to inflate and deploy directly above the thorax chamber, making the deployment behavior unstable. In other words, it becomes difficult to properly inflate and deploy the head chamber between the shoulder belt and the head of the occupant.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat equipped with a side airbag device that can appropriately inflate and deploy a head chamber between a shoulder belt and an occupant's head. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention No. 1 Aspects of A vehicle seat equipped with this side airbag device includes a side airbag body having a side chamber that inflates and deploys between the side of the passenger compartment and the chest and waist of the occupant during a side collision of the vehicle, and a head chamber that is formed integrally with the side chamber and inflates and deploys between the shoulder belt and the head of the occupant during a side collision of the vehicle, and an outer guide cloth that deploys between the shoulder belt and the head chamber prior to the head chamber inflating and deploying.

[0008] No. 1 Aspects of According to the invention, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the outer guide cloth deploys between the shoulder belt and the head chamber prior to the head chamber being inflated and deployed. Therefore, when the head chamber inflates and deploys, the outer guide cloth guides the head chamber so that its deployment behavior does not become unstable. This allows the head chamber to be appropriately inflated and deployed between the shoulder belt and the head of the occupant. Note that "in the event of a side collision of the vehicle" in the present invention includes not only when a side collision of the vehicle is detected, but also when a side collision of the vehicle is predicted.

[0009] Also, The present invention relates to 2 Aspects of Vehicle seats equipped with side airbag devices are No. 1 Aspects of The vehicle seat is equipped with a side airbag device, and includes an inner guide cloth that deploys between the head chamber and the head of the occupant prior to the head chamber being inflated and deployed.

[0010] No. 2 Aspects ofAccording to the invention, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the inner guide cloth deploys between the head chamber and the head of the occupant prior to the head chamber being inflated and deployed. Therefore, when the head chamber inflates and deploys, the inner guide cloth guides the head chamber so that the deployment behavior does not become unstable. This suppresses or prevents the inflating head chamber from hitting the occupant's face and causing abrasions on the face. Effect of the Invention

[0011] As described above, according to the present invention, the head chamber can be appropriately inflated and deployed between the shoulder belt and the head of the occupant. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a vehicle seat equipped with a side airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a side view showing a vehicle seat equipped with a side airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] 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.

[0014] In this embodiment, the vehicle seat 10 on the left side of the front seat is taken as an example. Furthermore, the "occupant P" in this embodiment is, for example, an occupant equivalent to AM50 (50th percentile of adult males in the United States) of the WorldSID (World Side Impact Dummy).

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a vehicle seat 10 equipped with a side airbag device 30 according to this embodiment has a seat cushion 12 on which an occupant P sits (supporting the buttocks and thighs of the occupant P), a seat back 14 that supports the back of the occupant P, and a headrest 16 that supports the head Ph of the occupant P.

[0016] The seat cushion 12 extends in the front-rear direction and the width direction of the seat, and the seat back 14 extends in the up-down direction of the seat and is rotatably connected to the rear end of the seat cushion 12. The headrest 16 is provided in the center of the upper end of the seat back 14 in the width direction of the seat and is configured to be movable up and down.

[0017] 1, an occupant P is restrained in the vehicle seat 10 by a seat belt device 20. The seat belt device 20 includes a webbing 22 formed in a long strip shape, a tongue plate 24 through which the webbing 22 is passed, a buckle 26 to which the tongue plate 24 is detachably attached, a retractor (not shown), and a shoulder anchor (not shown).

[0018] One end of the webbing 22 is wound up in a retractor provided inside a center pillar (not shown) so as to be able to be pulled out, and the webbing 22 pulled out from the retractor is wound around and supported by a shoulder anchor provided on the upper part of the center pillar on the passenger compartment side. The other end of the webbing 22 is fixed to a belt anchor 28 provided on the upper surface of the floor panel 18 on the left side of the seat cushion 12.

[0019] The webbing 22 is passed through the through hole of the tongue plate 24, and the tongue plate 24 is movable along the webbing 22. The buckle 26 is provided on the right side of the seat cushion 12, and when the webbing 22 is pulled out and the tongue plate 24 is attached to the buckle 26, the occupant P is restrained to the vehicle seat 10 by the webbing 22.

[0020] That is, with the tongue plate 24 attached to the buckle 26, the webbing 22 is stretched diagonally from the left shoulder to the right side of the waist of the occupant P, and also stretched in the seat width direction from the right side to the left side of the waist of the occupant P. In the following description, a portion of the webbing 22 that restrains the chest (upper body) of the occupant P to the seat back 14 is referred to as a shoulder belt 22A.

[0021] The retractor is also provided with a pretensioner mechanism that is activated when a collision is detected to forcibly wind up the webbing 22. Therefore, even if the webbing 22 is suddenly pulled forward during a frontal collision of the vehicle, an emergency locking mechanism of the retractor is activated to lock the pulling out of the webbing 22.

[0022] 1 and 2, the side airbag device 30 includes an inflator 32 (see FIG. 2) embedded in the left side portion of the seatback 14, and a side airbag body 34. The inflator 32 is a cylindrical gas generating device formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and its axial direction is aligned with side frames (not shown) that form the framework of both the left and right sides of the seatback 14 (substantially the vertical direction).

[0023] Further, the lower end 32A of the inflator 32 is connected to a connection portion 40 (see FIG. 2) of the side airbag body 34. The lower end 32A of the inflator 32 is provided with a gas ejection portion (not shown), and when a side collision of the vehicle is detected or predicted (hereinafter referred to as "at the time of a side collision of the vehicle"), gas is ejected from the gas ejection portion and is instantaneously supplied to the inside of the side airbag body 34.

[0024] The side airbag body 34 has a side chamber 36 that inflates and deploys between the side of the vehicle interior (a side door, not shown) and the side surface of the chest and waist of the occupant P, and a head chamber 38 that inflates and deploys between a part of the shoulder belt 22A above the shoulder of the occupant P (hereinafter referred to as the "upper rear surface") and the head Ph of the occupant P. The side airbag body 34 is formed into a single bag shape by sewing together the outer peripheral edges of two pieces of base fabric, and the side chamber 36 and the head chamber 38 are formed integrally.

[0025] 2, the connection portion 40 is provided so as to protrude toward the rear of the seat from the rear surface of the side chamber 36. That is, the connection portion 40 provided on the rear surface of the side chamber 36 is formed with an insertion hole (not shown) into which the lower end portion 32A of the inflator 32 can be inserted, and the lower end portion 32A of the inflator 32 is inserted into the insertion hole, and the connection portion 40 is configured so that gas does not leak between the insertion hole and the outer peripheral surface of the inflator 32.

[0026] The side chamber 36 extends from the upper end to the lower end of the seat back 14 (up to the seat cushion 12) when viewed in the seat width direction, and is formed into a generally elliptical shape with its approximate vertical center bulging out toward the front side of the seat. On the other hand, the head chamber 38 is formed into a generally rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction being the seat front-rear direction when viewed in the seat width direction, and is formed large enough to cover the entire side of the head Ph of the occupant P.

[0027] The upper end of the side chamber 36 and the lower rear end of the head chamber 38 are integrally connected by a communication passage 37. The communication passage 37, which integrally connects the side chamber 36 and the head chamber 38, is formed to have a smaller cross-sectional shape along the horizontal direction than the side chamber 36 and the head chamber 38. Therefore, when gas is supplied from the inflator, the side chamber 36 is configured to inflate and deploy before the head chamber 38 is inflated and deployed.

[0028] The side airbag body 34 is stored in a folded state in a storage space (not shown) formed inside the seat back 14 from the left side to the upper end. An upper frame (not shown) that integrally connects the upper ends of the left and right side frames is provided at the upper end inside the seat back 14, and the side airbag body 34 is stored along the left side frame and the left end of the upper frame.

[0029] Specifically, the side chamber 36 is stored along the left side frame. The head chamber 38 is folded from top to bottom and bottom to top in a substantially "Z" shape when viewed from the front, then wound into a roll with the vertical direction as the axial direction, and stored along the left end of the upper frame. Therefore, when inflated and deployed, the head chamber 38 is configured so that first the rolled portion unravels and deploys forward, and then deploys in the vertical direction.

[0030] Also, the skin extending from at least the left side portion to the upper end of the seat back 14 is configured to be rupturable by the inflating and deploying side airbag body 34. That is, the side airbag body 34 stored in a storage space within the seat back 14 is inflated and deployed by gas supplied from the inflator 32 in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, and is configured so that the skin extending from the left side portion to the upper end of the seat back 14 is easily ruptured by the inflation pressure of the gas.

[0031] The side airbag body 34, which inflates and deploys by breaking the skin of the seat back 14, is arranged to be located outside in the seat width direction of the occupant P. Specifically, the side chamber 36, which inflates and deploys toward the side of the vehicle compartment, is arranged between the side of the vehicle compartment and the side of the occupant P's chest and waist, covering the side of the occupant P from the shoulders to the waist.

[0032] The head chamber 38, which expands toward the space between the upper rear surface of the shoulder belt 22A and the left side of the headrest 16, is positioned between the upper rear surface of the shoulder belt 22A and the head Ph of the occupant P, covering the side of the head Ph of the occupant P.

[0033] A vent hole (not shown) is formed at the front end of the side chamber 36 to prevent the internal pressure of the side airbag body 34 from becoming excessive. The vent hole is formed, for example, by leaving a part of the base fabric of the side airbag body 34 unsewn.

[0034] 1 and 2, an outer guide cloth 42 is provided on the outer side of the head chamber 38 in the seat width direction, which is deployed between the shoulder belt 22A and the head chamber 38 prior to the inflation and deployment of the head chamber 38. The outer guide cloth 42 is formed in substantially the same size and shape as the head chamber 38 when viewed in the seat width direction, and is made of the same fabric as the base fabric of the side airbag body 34, for example.

[0035] 3, the outer guide cloth 42 has a rear end 42A sewn to the rear end 38A of the head chamber 38. In other words, the outer guide cloth 42 is sewn together with the side airbag body 34 when the side airbag body 34 is sewn to be manufactured, so that the outer guide cloth 42 is attached to the outer side of the head chamber 38 in the seat width direction.

[0036] 1 and 2, an inner guide cloth 44 is provided on the inner side of the head chamber 38 in the seat width direction, which is deployed between the head chamber 38 and the head Ph of the occupant P prior to the head chamber 38 being inflated and deployed. The inner guide cloth 44 is also formed in substantially the same size and shape as the head chamber 38 (the same size and shape as the outer guide cloth 42) when viewed in the seat width direction, and is made of the same fabric as the base fabric of the side airbag body 34, for example.

[0037] 3, the inner guide cloth 44 is also attached by sewing its rear end 44A to the rear end 38A of the head chamber 38. In other words, the inner guide cloth 44 is also attached to the inner side in the seat width direction of the head chamber 38 by being sewn together when the side airbag body 34 is sewn to be manufactured.

[0038] The outer guide cloth 42 and the inner guide cloth 44 are folded together with the head chamber 38 in a substantially "Z" shape, then wound into a roll with the vertical axis as the axial direction, and stored along the left end of the upper frame. Therefore, by the time the head chamber 38 is completely inflated and deployed, the outer guide cloth 42 is positioned between the shoulder belt 22A and the head chamber 38, and the inner guide cloth 44 is positioned between the head chamber 38 and the head Ph of the occupant P.

[0039] Next, the operation of the vehicle seat 10 equipped with the side airbag device 30 according to this embodiment configured as above will be described.

[0040] In the event of a side collision of the vehicle, gas is instantly supplied from the inflator 32 to the inside of the side airbag body 34, which inflates and deploys outward in the seat width direction of the occupant P. That is, the side airbag body 34 ruptures the skin extending from the left side to the upper end of the seatback 14 due to the inflation pressure of the gas supplied from the inflator 32, and the side chamber 36 inflates and deploys toward the side of the vehicle compartment, and the head chamber 38 inflates and deploys toward the space between the upper rear surface of the shoulder belt 22A and the left side of the headrest 16.

[0041] The side chamber 36 that inflates and deploys toward the sides of the vehicle cabin is disposed between the sides of the vehicle cabin and the sides of the chest and waist of the occupant P, covering the sides of the occupant P from the shoulders to the waist. The head chamber 38 that inflates and deploys toward the space between the upper rear surface of the shoulder belt 22A and the left side of the headrest 16 is disposed between the upper rear surface of the shoulder belt 22A and the head Ph of the occupant P, covering the sides of the head Ph of the occupant P. Therefore, the sides of the occupant P can be restrained over a wide area in the event of a side collision of the vehicle.

[0042] In addition, as the head chamber 38 inflates and deploys (as the head chamber 38, which is wound in a roll, is unwound), and before the head chamber 38 completes its inflation and deployment, the outer guide cloth 42 and the inner guide cloth 44, whose rear ends 42A and 44A are respectively attached by sewing to the rear end 38A of the head chamber 38, deploy toward the front side of the seat almost simultaneously.

[0043] That is, the outer guide cloth 42 is deployed between the shoulder belt 22A and the head chamber 38 prior to the head chamber 38 being inflated and deployed. Therefore, when the head chamber 38 is inflated and deployed, the outer guide cloth 42 guides the head chamber 38 so that the deployment behavior of the head chamber 38 does not become unstable. This allows the head chamber 38 to be appropriately inflated and deployed between the shoulder belt 22A and the head Ph of the occupant P.

[0044] Furthermore, prior to the head chamber 38 being inflated and deployed, the inner guide cloth 44 is deployed between the head chamber 38 and the head Ph of the occupant P. Therefore, when the head chamber 38 is inflated and deployed, the inner guide cloth 44 guides the head chamber 38 so that the deployment behavior of the head chamber 38 does not become unstable. This makes it possible to suppress or prevent the inflating head chamber 38 from hitting the face of the occupant P and causing abrasions on the face.

[0045] The surfaces of the outer guide cloth 42 and the inner guide cloth 44 may each be coated with a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). That is, the surfaces of the outer guide cloth 42 and the inner guide cloth 44 may be made to be easily slippery relative to the surface of the head chamber 38. This allows the outer guide cloth 42 and the inner guide cloth 44 to be deployed more quickly prior to the inflation and deployment of the head chamber 38, compared to a case in which the surfaces of the outer guide cloth 42 and the inner guide cloth 44 are made less slippery relative to the surface of the head chamber 38.

[0046] In addition, the outer guide cloth 42 and the inner guide cloth 44 are formed of the same material and have the same size and shape. Therefore, the outer guide cloth 42 and the inner guide cloth 44 can be made common. In other words, the outer guide cloth 42 and the inner guide cloth 44 do not need to be manufactured separately. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of manufacturing the outer guide cloth 42 and the inner guide cloth 44 can be reduced compared to when the outer guide cloth 42 and the inner guide cloth 44 are formed of different materials or in different shapes.

[0047] The vehicle seat 10 equipped with the side airbag device 30 according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the vehicle seat 10 equipped with the side airbag device 30 according to this embodiment is not limited to the one shown in the drawings, and the design can be appropriately modified within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0048] For example, the head chamber 38 may be configured to be provided with only the outer guide cloth 42, without the inner guide cloth 44. Also, the illustrated outer guide cloth 42 and inner guide cloth 44 are formed to have substantially the same size and shape as the head chamber 38 when viewed in the seat width direction, but are not limited to this.

[0049] For example, the outer guide cloth 42 and the inner guide cloth 44 may each be formed to have a shape that is slightly larger than the head chamber 38 when viewed in the seat width direction. However, it is preferable that the outer guide cloth 42 and the inner guide cloth 44 are formed to have approximately the same size and shape as the head chamber 38 when viewed in the seat width direction, because this makes it easier to fold the outer guide cloth 42 and the inner guide cloth 44 together with the head chamber 38. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 10 Vehicle seats 22A Shoulder belt 30 Side airbag device 34 Side airbag body 36 Side Chamber 38 Head Chamber 42 Outer guide cloth 44 Inner induction cloth P Crew Ph head

Claims

[Claim 1] a side airbag body having a side chamber that inflates and deploys between a side of a vehicle compartment and the chest and waist of an occupant during a side collision of the vehicle, and a head chamber that is formed integrally with the side chamber and inflates and deploys between a shoulder belt and the head of the occupant during a side collision of the vehicle; an outer guide cloth that is deployed between the shoulder belt and the head chamber prior to the inflation and deployment of the head chamber; an inner guide cloth that is deployed between the head chamber and the head of the occupant prior to the head chamber being inflated and deployed; A vehicle seat equipped with a side airbag device.

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