Vehicle Side Airbag Device

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a vehicular airbag device capable of improving occupant restraint performance of an airbag cushion with a simple configuration. [Solution] An airbag module 106 includes: an airbag cushion 108 which has a bag shape and has a predetermined accommodation shape to be wound or folded; and an inflator 110 which supplies gas to the airbag cushion 108, wherein the airbag module is attached to a side frame 134 of a seat bag 104. The airbag cushion 108 has: a main chamber 112 which expands and deploys from a side frame 134 toward a side of an occupant seated on a seat 102; and a sub chamber 114 which protrudes, expands and deploys from a main chamber 112 toward the occupant side. This airbag module is characterized in that an occupant-side edge 116 of the sub chamber 114 is curved and recessed toward the main chamber side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle side airbag device that restrains an occupant sitting on a vehicle seat.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, airbag devices have been almost standard equipment in vehicles. An airbag device is a safety device that operates in an emergency such as a vehicle collision, and uses an airbag cushion that expands and deploys by gas pressure to receive and protect an occupant. There are various types of airbag devices depending on the installation location and usage. For example, the airbag 16 described in FIG. 2A of Patent Document 1 is provided inside the vehicle width direction of the seat back 14 and restrains the vicinity of the occupant's shoulder.

[0003] In the technology of Patent Document 1, an upper panel 18 and a lower panel 20 are provided respectively at the upper and lower portions of the airbag 16. These upper panel 18 and lower panel 20 are connected to a retractor 52 via a strap 54, and by the function of the retractor 52, the airbag 16 can be pulled toward the seat back side. By these, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the airbag 16 forms a valley portion 24 between a first portion 64 and a second portion 66, and can restrain the occupant's shoulder at the valley portion 24.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In an airbag device, reducing the amount of movement of an occupant is an important evaluation item that also leads to a reduction in the injury value of the occupant. Regarding reducing the amount of movement of the occupant, in addition to the conventional methods of increasing the size or pressure of the airbag cushion, it can also be achieved by restricting the movement of the airbag 16 using the upper panel 18, retractor 52, etc. as in Patent Document 1. However, the technique using the upper panel 18, retractor 52, etc. in Patent Document 1 may not be adopted in terms of the installation location and cost because there are many additional elements in the device configuration. Similarly, it is difficult to easily adopt increasing the size or pressure of the airbag cushion.

[0006] In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle side airbag device capable of improving the occupant restraint performance of an airbag cushion with a simple configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of the vehicle side airbag device according to the present invention is a vehicle side airbag device including an airbag module attached to a side frame of a seat back of a vehicle seat, the airbag module including an airbag cushion in a bag shape and in a predetermined storage form wound or folded, and an inflater for supplying gas to the airbag cushion, the airbag cushion having a main chamber that expands and deploys from the side frame toward the side of an occupant seated on the vehicle seat, and a sub-chamber that protrudes from the main chamber toward the occupant side and expands and deploys, and the edge of the sub-chamber on the occupant side being curved and recessed toward the main chamber side.

[0008] According to the airbag cushion described above, since the edge on the occupant side of the sub-chamber is curved and recessed, it is possible to restrain along the body of the occupant. Further, in the above configuration, the sub-chamber is widely supported by the main chamber, and energy absorption can be efficiently performed during occupant restraint. Therefore, for example, with the above configuration, it is also possible to restrain the head of the occupant using the sub-chamber. Since it is known that the rotational behavior of the head tends to increase the injury value, with the above configuration, it is possible to preferably reduce the injury value of the occupant with a simple configuration, such as suppressing the rotational behavior of the head using the sub-chamber.

[0009] The above main chamber may expand and deploy along a first virtual plane that extends vertically and longitudinally from the side frame, and the sub-chamber may expand and deploy along a second virtual plane that intersects the first virtual plane.

[0010] According to the above configuration, by expanding and deploying such that the sub-chamber intersects the main chamber, the load applied to the sub-chamber can be efficiently received by the main chamber, and the occupant can be preferably restrained.

[0011] The above second virtual plane may be orthogonal to the first virtual plane.

[0012] According to the above configuration, by expanding and deploying such that the sub-chamber is orthogonal to the main chamber, even if the sub-chamber is pushed in by the occupant, the load can be efficiently absorbed by the main chamber, and it becomes possible to restrain the occupant without removing the occupant from the range of the airbag cushion.

[0013] The edge on the occupant side of the above sub-chamber may be formed by a curved and recessed curved surface on the main chamber side.

[0014] According to the above configuration, since the sub-chamber forms a curved and recessed curved surface, it becomes possible to efficiently perform restraint along the body of the occupant.

[0015] The above airbag cushion may further have a tether extending across an upper portion of the main chamber above the sub-chamber and the sub-chamber.

[0016] According to the above tether, by pulling and supporting the sub-chamber toward the main chamber side, the posture of the sub-chamber can be maintained, and the passenger restraint by the sub-chamber can be efficiently performed.

[0017] The above main chamber may receive gas from an inflator and expand and deploy, and the sub-chamber may receive gas from the main chamber and expand and deploy.

[0018] According to the above configuration, the main chamber and the sub-chamber can be suitably expanded and deployed using the gas from the inflator.

[0019] The above airbag cushion may further have an inner tube provided inside the main chamber and into which the inflator is inserted. The inner tube has a plurality of inner vents that release the gas received from the inflator, and at least one of the plurality of inner vents may be connected to the sub-chamber.

[0020] According to the above configuration, by directly supplying gas to the sub-chamber using the inner tube, the sub-chamber can be quickly expanded and deployed to restrain the passenger.

[0021] The above sub-chamber may be inclined downward from the rear toward the front such that a front end portion of the sub-chamber in the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat is located below a rear end portion.

[0022] In an emergency, it is easy for the upper body of the passenger to fall forward around the waist, and accordingly, the head of the passenger also easily moves downward in the front. With the above configuration, since the sub-chamber is inclined downward toward the front, it is possible to continuously restrain the head of the passenger by the sub-chamber throughout the movement of the passenger in an emergency. [Advantages of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle side airbag device capable of improving the occupant restraint performance of an airbag cushion with a simple configuration. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0024]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. Dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in such embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to omit redundant description, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle side airbag device (hereinafter, side airbag device 100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(a) is a diagram illustrating the state of the side airbag device 100 before activation. In FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the side airbag device 100 and the front row left seat 102 to which the side airbag device 100 is applied are illustrated from the left side in the vehicle width direction, that is, from the outside in the vehicle width direction (outside of the vehicle).

[0027] In the present embodiment, when the occupant 136 (see FIG. 5(a) etc.) is seated in a regular posture with respect to the seat 102, the direction the occupant 136 is facing is defined as the front, the opposite direction of the back is defined as the rear, the right side of the occupant 136 is defined as the right direction, and the left side of the occupant 136 is defined as the left direction. Further, when the occupant 136 is seated in a regular posture, the head direction of the occupant 136 is defined as the upward direction, and the foot direction of the occupant 136 is defined as the downward direction. And in the drawings used in the following description, as necessary, the front-rear, left-right, up-down directions based on the occupant 136 in the above-described regular seating position are indicated by the arrows F (Forward), B (Back), L (Left), R (Right), U (up), D (down).

[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 1(a), the airbag module 106 included in the side airbag device 100 of the present embodiment is installed inside the vehicle width direction (inside the vehicle) of the seat back 104 of the seat 102. The airbag module 106 includes an airbag cushion 108 that restrains an occupant and an inflater 110 that supplies gas to the airbag cushion 108.

[0029] In the present embodiment, as viewed from the occupant 136 (FIG. 5(a)) seated on the left front seat 102, the left side (outside the vehicle) in the vehicle width direction is the side closer to the collision, so-called the near side. On the contrary, as viewed from the occupant of the seat 102, the right side (inside the vehicle) in the vehicle width direction is the side farther from the collision, so-called the far side. The airbag module 106 is installed on the far side of the seat back 104.

[0030] The airbag cushion 108 is a bag-shaped member that can be inflated with gas, and inflates and deploys in an emergency such as when a shock occurs in the vehicle, and restrains the occupant 136 (see FIG. 5(a) etc.) seated on the seat 102. Before operation, the airbag cushion 108 is in a wound or folded storage state and is stored in the inner side portion of the seat back 104 in the vehicle. Since the seat cover etc. covers the stored airbag cushion 108, it is not visible from the outside.

[0031] The inflater 110 is a gas generator, and in the embodiment, a cylinder type (cylindrical) one is adopted. The inflater 110 is enclosed in a direction along the seat back 104 and longitudinally in the vertical direction at the lower rear side of a main chamber 112, which will be described later, of the airbag cushion 108. The inflater 110 is electrically connected to the vehicle side, moves when receiving a signal resulting from detection of a shock from the vehicle side, and supplies gas to the airbag cushion 108.

[0032] Currently popular inflators include types filled with a gas generator that burns to generate gas, types filled with compressed gas that supply gas without generating heat, or hybrid types that utilize both combustion gas and compressed gas. As the inflator 110, any type can be used.

[0033] The inflator 110 is provided with two stud bolts 110a and 110b spaced apart in its longitudinal direction. The stud bolts 110a and 110b penetrate through the base fabric of the airbag cushion 108 and are exposed to the outside, and are fastened and fixed to the side frame 134 (see Fig. 4(a)) of the seat back 104. By the stud bolts 110a and 110b penetrating through the airbag cushion 108 and being fastened to the seat back 104, the airbag cushion 108 is also attached to the seat back 104.

[0034] Fig. 1(b) is a diagram illustrating the state after the inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion 108 in Fig. 1(a). When the side airbag device 100 detects a far-side collision via various sensors and a predetermined electronic control unit (ECU: Electronic Control Unit), it moves the airbag module 106 provided on the far side.

[0035] The inflator 110 ejects gas due to the activation signal sent from the above-mentioned ECU or the like. The airbag cushion 108 uses the gas from the inflator 110 to push back the skin of the seat bag 104 and expands and deploys into the interior space.

[0036] The airbag cushion 108 of this embodiment has a configuration including a main chamber 112 with a wide shape, a sub-chamber 114 protruding from the main chamber 112 toward the occupant side, and an external tether 124 for maintaining the posture of the sub-chamber 114.

[0037] The main chamber 112 constitutes the main part of the airbag cushion 108 and expands and deploys into an overall flat shape. The outer surface of the main chamber 112 is composed of a main panel 112a on the left side in the vehicle width direction and located on the occupant side, and a main panel 112b on the right side in the vehicle width direction and on the side opposite to the occupant. The main panels 112a and 112b are made from a base fabric and are integrally formed into a bag shape by sewing, adhesion, etc. Note that the main chamber 112 can also be formed by textile such as using OPW (One-Piece Woven).

[0038] The sub-chamber 114 protrudes and expands toward the occupant side from a slightly front side of the upper part on the occupant side of the main chamber 112. The sub-chamber 114 in this embodiment mainly functions to restrain the head 140 of the occupant 136 (see Fig. 5(a)).

[0039] The external tether 124 is a triangular cloth-like member that spans between the upper front side of the main chamber 112 and the front side of the sub-chamber 114. The external tether 124 can be formed of the same material as the main panel 112a, etc.

[0040] Fig. 2 is a view illustrating the airbag cushion 108 in Fig. 1(b) from various directions. Fig. 2(a) is a view illustrating the airbag cushion 108 in Fig. 1(b) from the inside in the vehicle width direction. The main chamber 112 has an inflater 110 built in at the lower rear side, and directly receives gas from the inflater 110 to expand and deploy.

[0041] Fig. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of the airbag cushion 108 in Fig. 1(b). The sub-chamber 114 is connected to the main panel 112a on the occupant side of the main chamber 112, and protrudes and expands from the main chamber 112 toward the occupant side.

[0042] The sub-chamber 114 has an edge 116 on the passenger side that curves and depresses toward the main chamber 112 side, forming a curved portion 118. At this time, the sub-chamber 114 has a shape in which the front end 120 protrudes toward the passenger side (the right side in Fig. 2(b)) compared to the rear end 122. As a result, the curved portion 118 curves so as to gradually wrap around toward the passenger side from the rear side to the front side.

[0043] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the sub-chamber 114 in Fig. 2(b) is laid out flat. The sub-chamber 114 is formed by folding a single panel member 126 in the center and overlapping it, and sewing the curved edges 116a and 116b together.

[0044] Among the panel members 126, the left side in Fig. 3 is the upper region 126a that becomes the upper side when the sub-chamber 114 is formed, and the right side in Fig. 3 is the lower region 126b that becomes the lower side when the sub-chamber 114 is formed. A connection portion 132 to which an external tether 124 (see Fig. 2(b)) is connected is provided on the front side of the lower region 126.

[0045] A connection region 128 is formed in the center of the panel member 126. The connection region 128 is a region connected to the main panel 112a (see Fig. 2(b)), and is formed in an elliptical shape so as to cross the center of the panel member 126.

[0046] A plurality of gas supply and reception ports 130a to 130d are provided in the connection region 128. The gas supply and reception ports 130a to 130d are connected to the main panel 112a (see Fig. 2(a)) and receive the gas flowing out from the main chamber 112.

[0047] The sub-chamber 114 receives and expands the gas from the main chamber 112 by using the gas inlets 130a to 130d. That is, the gas from the inflator 110 is first supplied to the main chamber 112, and then the gas is supplied to the sub-chamber 114 through this main chamber 112. With this configuration, the main chamber 112 and the sub-chamber 114 can be suitably expanded and deployed by using the gas from the inflator 110.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the airbag module 106 in FIG. 1(b) from various directions. FIG. 4(a) is a schematic view of the airbag module 106 in FIG. 1(b) viewed from above.

[0049] The airbag module 106 is attached to the side frame 134 inside the vehicle width direction of the seat back 104 (see FIG. 1(b)). Then, the main chamber 112 expands and deploys laterally toward the occupant 136 (see FIG. 5(a)) sitting on the seat 102 from the side frame 134.

[0050] The first virtual plane S1 illustrated in FIG. 4 is a plane that extends vertically and longitudinally along the outer surface in the width direction of the seat back 104 (see FIG. 1(b)) of the side frame 134. The main chamber 112 expands and deploys vertically and longitudinally along this first virtual plane S1, that is, in a direction parallel to the first virtual plane S1. The main chamber 112 can be suitably expanded and deployed widely laterally toward the occupant 136 (see FIG. 5(a)) sitting on the seat 102 by the deployment behavior along this first virtual plane S1.

[0051] FIG. 4(b) is a schematic view of the airbag module 106 in FIG. 1(b) as seen from the front. The sub-chamber 114 projects from the main chamber 112 toward the occupant side and expands and deploys. At this time, the sub-chamber 114 expands and deploys along a second virtual plane S2 that intersects the first virtual plane S1. This second virtual plane S2 is a plane orthogonal to the first virtual plane S1, and in this embodiment, it preferably extends horizontally so as to be orthogonal in the vertical direction. The sub-chamber 114 can be preferably supported by the main chamber 112 due to the deployment behavior along this second virtual plane S2. Note that the direction in which the plane S2 extends is not limited to the horizontal direction, and may be a direction that extends while being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0052] As described above, the airbag cushion 108 expands and deploys such that the sub-chamber 114 intersects the main chamber 112 along the second virtual plane S2, so that the load applied to the sub-chamber 114 can be efficiently received by the main chamber 112, and the occupant 136 can be preferably restrained. In particular, since the sub-chamber 114 expands and deploys orthogonally to the main chamber 112, even if the sub-chamber 114 is pushed in by the occupant 136, the load can be efficiently absorbed by the main chamber 112. As a result, with the side airbag device 100, it is possible to restrain the occupant 136 without removing the occupant 136 from the range of the airbag cushion 108.

[0053] Of the external tethers 124, the horizontally extending side 124a is connected to the front edge of the sub-chamber 114. And the vertically extending side 124b is connected to the edge from the upper side to the front side of the main chamber 112 including the portion of the main chamber 112 above the sub-chamber 114.

[0054] The outer tether 124 is capable of pulling the front side of the sub-chamber 114 obliquely upward toward the main chamber 112 when the airbag cushion 108 expands and deploys. According to the outer tether 124, by pulling and supporting the sub-chamber 114 toward the main chamber 112 side, the behavior of the sub-chamber 114 is stabilized when the airbag cushion 108 expands and deploys, the posture of the inflated sub-chamber 114 is maintained, and it becomes possible to efficiently perform occupant restraint by the sub-chamber 114.

[0055] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the side airbag device 100 and the occupant 136 of FIG. 1(b). FIG. 5(a) illustrates the side airbag device 100 as viewed from the front of the seat 102. The occupant 136 in FIG. 5(a) illustrates a test dummy AM50 having a physique (height 175 cm, weight 78 kg) conforming to 50% of an average adult male in the United States.

[0056] As described above, the main chamber 112 expands and deploys to the side of the occupant 136. And the sub-chamber 114 is provided on the occupant side of the main chamber 112 at a position where the lower region 126b is at or above the height of the shoulder 138 of the occupant 136 when it expands and deploys. With this configuration, the sub-chamber 114 can restrain the head 140 of the occupant 136.

[0057] FIG. 5(b) illustrates the side airbag device 100 as viewed from above the seat 102. The sub-chamber 114 can contact the head 140 of the occupant 136 from the side to the front using the curved portion 118. The head 140 of the occupant 136 is restrained by the curved portion 118 of the sub-chamber 114, preventing forward movement to the far side and also suppressing rotation about the neck.

[0058] According to the airbag cushion 108 described above, the occupant-side edge 116 of the sub-chamber 114 is curved and recessed, so that it can restrain along the body of the occupant 136. Further, in the above configuration, the sub-chamber 114 is widely supported by the main chamber 112, and energy absorption can be efficiently performed during occupant restraint. Therefore, for example, with the above configuration, the sub-chamber 114 can also be used to restrain the head 140 of the occupant 136. Since it is known that the rotational behavior of the head 140 tends to increase the injury value, with the above configuration, the rotational behavior of the head 140 can be suppressed using the sub-chamber 114, and the injury value of the occupant 136 can be suitably reduced with a simple configuration.

[0059] In addition, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4(a), the airbag module 106 is assembled outside the side frame 134, but the airbag module 106 can also be assembled inside the side frame 134. With this configuration as well, it becomes possible to suitably restrain the occupant 136 (see FIG. 5(a)) using the airbag cushion 108.

[0060] Further, in the present embodiment, the description has been made assuming the case where the airbag cushion 108 is provided on the far side of the seat back 104. By providing the airbag cushion 108 on the far side of the seat back 104, it is possible to suitably restrain the occupant 136 who tries to move to the far side during a collision. However, of course, the airbag cushion 108 may be provided on the near side of the seat back 104, and in that case as well, the occupant 136 (see FIG. 5(a)) can be suitably restrained using the main chamber 112 and the sub-chamber 114.

[0061] (Modification example) FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a first modification (airbag cushion 150) of the airbag cushion 108 in FIG. 2. In each of the figures after FIG. 6, the same components as those already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the existing components is omitted accordingly. Also, in the following description, components having the same name as those already described are assumed to have the same function unless otherwise specified, even if they are denoted by different reference numerals.

[0062] FIG. 6(a) is a diagram illustrating the airbag cushion 150 corresponding to FIG. 2(a). The airbag cushion 150 is different in configuration from the airbag cushion 108 in FIG. 2(a) in that it includes an inner tube 152 inside.

[0063] The inner tube 152 is a member for rectifying the gas provided inside the main chamber 112, and the gas discharge port of the inflater 110 is inserted inside it. The inner tube 152 has a plurality of inner vents 154a to 154c (see FIG. 6(b)) for discharging the gas received from the inflater 110. Among these, the inner vents 154a and 154b are provided on the upper and lower sides of the inner tube 152 and discharge gas inside the main chamber 112.

[0064] FIG. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of the airbag cushion 150 in FIG. 6(a). Among the plurality of inner vents of the inner tube 152, the inner vent 154c is connected to the sub-chamber 114. With this configuration, in the airbag cushion 150, it is possible to directly supply gas to the sub-chamber 114 using the inner tube 152 and rapidly inflate and deploy the sub-chamber 114 to restrain the occupant 136.

[0065] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a second modification (airbag cushion 160) of the airbag cushion 108 in FIG. 2(b). The airbag cushion 160 includes an inner tether 162 inside the sub-chamber 114.

[0066] The internal tether 162 extends across the curved portion 118 of the sub-chamber 114 and the main chamber 112 side. The internal tether 162 has a function of pulling the curved portion 118 toward the main chamber 112 side and maintaining the shape of the curved portion 118. With this configuration, the airbag cushion 160 can suitably restrain the occupant 136 using the curved portion 118.

[0067] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a third modification (airbag cushion 170) of the airbag cushion 108 in FIG. 2. FIG. 8(a) is a diagram illustrating the airbag cushion 170 corresponding to FIG. 2(a). The airbag cushion 170 has a different configuration from the airbag cushion 108 in FIG. 2(a) in the shape of the external tether 172.

[0068] Similar to the external tether 124 in FIG. 2(a), the external tether 172 extends across the upper front side of the main chamber 112 and the front side of the sub-chamber 114.

[0069] FIG. 8(b) is a diagram illustrating the airbag cushion 170 corresponding to FIG. 4(b). The external tether 172 has an obliquely extending strip shape with the corners of the external tether 124 (FIG. 4(b)) omitted. Of the external tether 172, the horizontally extending side 172a is connected to the front edge of the sub-chamber 114. And the vertically extending side 172b is connected to the edge from the upper side to the front side of the main chamber 112 at a portion of the main chamber 112 above the sub-chamber 114.

[0070] The external tether 172 can also pull the front side of the sub-chamber 114 obliquely upward toward the main chamber 112 side when the airbag cushion 108 expands and deploys. Also by the external tether 172 pulling and supporting the sub-chamber 114 toward the main chamber 112 side, the behavior of the sub-chamber 114 is stabilized during the inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion 108, the posture of the inflated sub-chamber 114 is maintained, and the occupant restraint by the sub-chamber 114 can be efficiently performed.

[0071] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a fourth modification (airbag cushion 180) of the airbag cushion 108 in FIG. 2. FIG. 9(a) is a view illustrating the airbag cushion 180 corresponding to FIG. 1(b). The airbag cushion 180 is different in configuration from the airbag cushion 108 in FIG. 1(b) in the shape of the sub-chamber 182.

[0072] FIG. 9(b) is a perspective view illustrating the sub-chamber 182 in FIG. 9(a) alone. The sub-chamber 182 has a somewhat angular shape with thickness in the vertical direction as compared with the sub-chamber 114 in FIG. 1(b).

[0073] The upper surface 184 of the sub-chamber 182 has a shape in which the front end portion 186 protrudes toward the occupant side (see FIG. 10(a)) compared with the rear end portion 188. The lower surface 190 also has the same shape as the upper surface 184. As a result, the sub-chamber 182 is formed with an edge 192 that curves so as to gradually wrap around the front of the occupant side from the rear side when viewed from above.

[0074] On the side surface of the sub-chamber 182, along the edge 192, an edge curved surface 194 that is a vertically wide curved surface and is curved and recessed toward the main chamber 112 side as a whole is formed. The sub-chamber 182 uses this edge curved surface 194 to restrain the occupant 136 (see FIG. 10(a)). Of the side surfaces of the sub-chamber 182, the side opposite to the edge curved surface 192 is a connection surface 196 that is connected to the main panel 112a of the main chamber 112 (see FIG. 9(a)).

[0075] The sub-chamber 182 can be formed from a panel forming the upper surface 184, a panel forming the lower surface 190, and a panel forming the side surface including the edge curved surface 192 and the connection surface 196.

[0076] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating the airbag cushion 180 corresponding to FIG. 5. FIG. 10(a) is a view illustrating the airbag cushion 180 corresponding to FIG. 5(a).

[0077] The sub-chamber 182 is provided at a position where the lower surface 190 is at or above the height of the shoulder 138 of the occupant 136 when inflated and deployed. With this configuration, the sub-chamber 182 can restrain the head 140 of the occupant 136.

[0078] FIG. 10(b) is a diagram illustrating the airbag cushion 180 corresponding to FIG. 5(b). The sub-chamber 182 can widely contact the head 140 of the occupant 136 in a surface-contact manner from the side to the front by using the edge curved surface 194 that forms the curved edge 192 when viewed from above. The head 140 of the occupant 136 is restrained by the edge curved surface 194 of the sub-chamber 182, preventing forward movement on the far-side and suppressing rotation around the neck.

[0079] Also with the above-described airbag cushion 180, since the edge 192 on the occupant side of the sub-chamber 182 is curved and recessed, it can restrain along the body of the occupant 136. In particular, since the sub-chamber 182 is formed with the edge curved surface 194, it can widely contact the head 140 of the occupant 136 etc. using the edge curved surface 194, and can efficiently absorb energy during occupant restraint. Thus, also with the airbag cushion 180, by using the sub-chamber 182 to suppress the rotational behavior of the head 140 etc., the injury value of the occupant 136 can be suitably reduced with a simple configuration.

[0080] The sub-chamber 182 also protrudes and inflates and deploys from the main chamber 112 toward the occupant side along a second virtual plane S2 that intersects a first virtual plane S1, similar to the sub-chamber 114 in FIG. 4(b). Also with the airbag cushion 180, since the sub-chamber 182 inflates and deploys orthogonally to the main chamber 112, even if the sub-chamber 182 is pushed in by the occupant 136, the main chamber 112 can efficiently absorb the load.

[0081] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a fifth modification (airbag cushion 200) of the airbag cushion 108 in FIG. 2. FIG. 11(a) is a diagram illustrating the airbag cushion 200 corresponding to FIG. 4(b). The airbag cushion 200 has a configuration different from that of the airbag cushion 108 in FIG. 4(b) in the posture of the sub-chamber 202.

[0082] The sub-chamber 202 of this modification is in a posture inclined obliquely downward by using an external tether 204. Specifically, the external tether 204 extends across the front side of the sub-chamber 202 and a region below the sub-chamber 202 on the front side of the main chamber 112, and pulls the sub-chamber 202 downward to the front side.

[0083] The sub-chamber 202 expands and deploys along a second virtual plane S2 that is inclined and intersects with respect to a first virtual plane S1 by the external tether 204. This second virtual plane S3 is inclined and spreads downward on the side of the occupant 136 (see FIG. 5(a)) with respect to the first virtual plane S1. By assuming a posture along this second virtual plane S3, the sub-chamber 202 can contact the head 140 of the occupant 136 from obliquely above while being supported by the main chamber 112.

[0084] FIG. 11(b) is a diagram illustrating the airbag cushion 200 corresponding to FIG. 2(a). The sub-chamber 202 is inclined downward from the rear to the front such that the front end portion 202a of the sub-chamber 202 in the front-rear direction of the seat 102 (see FIG. 1(b)) is located below the rear end portion 202b by a distance D1 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the curved portion 118 is also formed to be inclined downward from the rear to the front.

[0085] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the airbag cushion 200 in FIG. 11(b) and the occupant 136. FIG. 12(a) illustrates the airbag cushion 200 and the occupant 136 in a normal sitting posture as viewed from the inside of the vehicle.

[0086] The sub-chamber 202 is also provided on the occupant side of the main chamber 112 at a position where the lower region 126b reaches or exceeds the height of the shoulder 138 of the occupant 136 when inflated and deployed. With this configuration, the sub-chamber 202 can restrain the head 140 of the occupant 136.

[0087] FIG. 12(b) is a diagram illustrating the state in which the occupant 136 in FIG. 12(a) has moved during an emergency. During an emergency, the upper body of the occupant 136 is likely to behave so as to fall forward around the waist, and accordingly, the head 140 is also likely to move downward and forward.

[0088] As described above, the sub-chamber 202 is inclined and protrudes downward from the main chamber 112 toward the occupant 136 in the left-right direction of the seat 102 (see FIG. 1(b)), and is also inclined from the rear to the front in the front-rear direction. With this configuration, the sub-chamber 202 can contact the head 140 of the occupant 136 from above and receive the behavior of the front side of the head 140 falling forward from the front lower side.

[0089] According to the configuration of this modification, since the sub-chamber 202 is inclined downward and forward on the occupant side, the sub-chamber 202 can continuously restrain the head 140 of the occupant 136 throughout the movement of the occupant 136 during an emergency. In particular, the sub-chamber 202 can contact the head 140 of the occupant 136 from the side and the front lower side using the curved portion 118, and can preferably suppress the rotation of the head 140 around the neck. Therefore, also in this modification, the rotational behavior of the head 140 of the occupant 136 can be suppressed with a simple configuration, and the injury value of the occupant 136 can be preferably reduced.

[0090] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a sixth modification (airbag cushion 220) of the airbag cushion 108 in FIG. 2. FIG. 13(a) is a diagram illustrating the airbag cushion 220 corresponding to FIG. 12(a). The airbag cushion 220 has a configuration different from that of the airbag cushion 200 in FIG. 12(a) in the configuration of the external tether 222.

[0091] The external tether 222 extends across the front side of the sub-chamber 202 and the region above and behind the sub-chamber 202 in the upper part of the main chamber 112.

[0092] The sub-chamber 202 is provided, for example, with the connection region 128 (see FIG. 3) biased toward the lower region 126b side, and the connection region 128 is connected to the main chamber 112a in an inclined manner such that the front side is lowered. Thus, without relying on the external tether 204 (see FIG. 12(a)), it can be inclined and protrude downward from the main chamber 112 toward the occupant 136, and can also be inclined from the rear to the front in the front-rear direction.

[0093] FIG. 13(b) is a diagram illustrating the state in which the occupant 136 in FIG. 13(a) has moved in an emergency. The sub-chamber 202 receives the behavior such that the front side of the curved portion 118 falls forward of the head 140 from the front lower side. At this time, the external tether 222 can pull the sub-chamber 202 obliquely upward to the rear side and absorb the load on the head 140.

[0094] According to the configuration of this modification, while restraining the head 140 of the occupant 136 from the front lower side using the inclined sub-chamber 202, the load at that time can be efficiently absorbed by the external tether 222. Therefore, also in this modification, the rotational behavior of the head 140 of the occupant 136 can be suppressed with a simple configuration, and the injury value of the occupant 136 can be suitably reduced.

[0095] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a seventh modification (airbag cushion 240) of the airbag cushion 108 in FIG. 2. FIG. 14(a) is a diagram illustrating the airbag cushion 240 corresponding to FIG. 13(a). The airbag cushion 240 is different in configuration from the airbag cushion 220 in FIG. 13(a) in that the external tether 222 is omitted.

[0096] As described above, the sub-chamber 202 is provided, for example, with the connection region 128 (see FIG. 3) biased toward the lower region 126b, and the connection region 128 is connected to the main chamber 112a while being inclined such that the front side is lowered. Thus, without relying on the external tether 204 (see FIG. 12(a)), it can be made to protrude inclined downward from the main chamber 112 toward the occupant 136 and also inclined from the rear to the front in the front-rear direction.

[0097] FIG. 14(b) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the occupant 136 in FIG. 14(a) has moved in an emergency. The sub-chamber 202 receives, from the front lower side, the behavior such that the front side of the curved portion 118 falls forward of the head 140. At this time, the inclined sub-chamber 202 can restrain the head 140 of the occupant 136 from the front lower side without relying on the external tether 222 (see FIG. 13(b)). Therefore, also in this modification, the rotational behavior of the head 140 of the occupant 136 can be suppressed with a simple configuration, and the injury value of the occupant 136 can be suitably reduced.

[0098] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments described above are preferred examples of the present invention, and other embodiments can also be implemented or carried out in various ways. In particular, unless there is a description of the gist limited in the present specification, the present invention is not limited by the detailed shapes, sizes, and configurations of the components shown in the accompanying drawings. Also, the expressions and terms used in the present specification are for the purpose of explanation and are not limited thereto unless there is a description of the gist limited thereto.

[0099] Therefore, it is obvious that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or amendments within the scope described in the claims, and it is naturally understood that those also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0100] The present invention can be used for an occupant restraint device that restrains an occupant sitting on a vehicle seat.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0101] 100… Side airbag device, 102… Seat, 104… Seat back, 106… Airbag module, 108… Airbag cushion, 110… Inflator, 110a, 110b… Stud bolts, 112… Main chamber, 112a… Main panel, 112b… Main panel, 114… Sub-chamber, 116… Edge, 116a, 116b… Edges, 118… Curved portion, 120… End portion, 122… End portion, 124… External tether, 124a, 124b… Sides, 126… Panel member, 126a… Upper region, 126b… Lower region, 128… Connection region, 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d… Gas supply and receiving ports, 132… Connection portion, 134… Side frame, 136… Occupant, 138… Shoulder, 140… Head, 150… Airbag cushion, 152… Inner tube, 160… Airbag cushion, 162… Internal tether, S1… First virtual plane, S2… Second virtual plane, 170… Airbag cushion, 172… External tether, 172a, 172b… Sides, 180… Airbag cushion, 182… Sub-chamber, 184… Upper surface, 186, 188… End portions, 190… Lower surface, 192… Edge, 194… Edge curved surface, 200… Airbag cushion, 202… Sub-chamber, 202a… Front end portion, 202b… Rear end portion, 204… External tether, D1… Distance, S3… Plane, 220… Airbag cushion, 222… External tether, 240… Airbag cushion

Claims

1. A vehicle side airbag device comprising an airbag module attached to a side frame of a seat back of a vehicle seat, wherein the airbag module includes an airbag cushion in a bag shape and in a predetermined storage form wound or folded, and an inflater for supplying gas to the airbag cushion, and the airbag cushion has a main chamber that expands and deploys laterally from the side frame to a passenger seated on the vehicle seat, and a sub-chamber that projects and expands toward the passenger side from the main chamber, and an edge on the passenger side of the sub-chamber is curved and recessed toward the main chamber side, and the airbag cushion further has a tether spanning a portion of the main chamber above the sub-chamber and the sub-chamber. A vehicle side airbag device characterized by this.

2. A vehicle side airbag device comprising an airbag module attached to a side frame of a seat back of a vehicle seat, wherein the airbag module includes an airbag cushion in a bag shape and in a predetermined storage form wound or folded, and an inflater for supplying gas to the airbag cushion, and the airbag cushion has a main chamber that expands and deploys laterally from the side frame to a passenger seated on the vehicle seat, and a sub-chamber that projects and expands toward the passenger side from the main chamber, and an edge on the passenger side of the sub-chamber is curved and recessed toward the main chamber side, and the sub-chamber is inclined downward from rear to front such that a front end portion of the sub-chamber in the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat is located below a rear end portion. A vehicle side airbag device characterized by this.

3. The main chamber expands and deploys along a first virtual plane extending vertically and longitudinally from the side frame, The sub-chamber expands and deploys along a second virtual plane intersecting the first virtual plane. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by this.

4. The second virtual plane is perpendicular to the first virtual plane. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 3, characterized by this.

5. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an occupant-side edge of the sub-chamber is formed by a curved and recessed curved surface that curves toward the main chamber side.

6. The main chamber receives gas from the inflator and expands and deploys, The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sub-chamber receives gas from the main chamber and expands and deploys.

7. The airbag cushion further has an inner tube provided inside the main chamber and into which the inflator is inserted, The inner tube has a plurality of inner vents that release the gas received from the inflator, The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of inner vents is connected to the sub-chamber.

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