Airbag device

Abstract

The present invention achieves an air bag device with which a deployment behavior of a cushion during inflation and deployment is stable, and with which the cushion does not tilt when restraining a passenger, even in a vehicle in which a console box is lower than an upper surface of a seat cushion, or a vehicle without a console box.　An air bag device 1 comprises a cushion 2, and an inflater 3 for injecting gas to inflate the cushion 2. The cushion 2 includes a main chamber 2d which inflates and deploys at one side of a passenger, and a lower chamber 2e which extends downward from a portion of the main chamber 2d. The lower chamber 2e is formed such that, during inflation and deployment, a lower end portion of the lower chamber 2e can come into contact with a surface of an upper portion of the console box that is positioned lower than an upper surface of the seat cushion of a seat, or with a floor surface of the vehicle.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag device that is installed, for example, on the side portion of the backrest of one of the seats arranged side by side in the width direction of the vehicle interior, on the central side in the width direction (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the far side). [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, airbag devices have been known that have the ability to restrain an occupant in the event of a far-side impact. In these types of airbag devices, a cushion inflates and deploys in the center of the vehicle cabin to protect the far-side of the occupant.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes an inter-seat airbag device mounted in a console box installed between the driver's seat and the passenger seat. The cushion of this inter-seat airbag device includes a main bag that inflates and deploys in an I-shape when viewed from the front, and an auxiliary bag that inflates and deploys by protruding from the vertical center of the main bag toward the passenger seat when gas is supplied through the main bag. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-115947 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In conventional seat-to-seat airbag systems, the cushion shape is specified on the assumption that a console box is installed between the driver's seat and the passenger seat and that the height of the console box is higher than the position of the upper surface of the seat cushion. Specifically, the cushion of conventional seat-to-seat airbag systems is often shaped so that the bottom of the cushion contacts the upper surface of the console box when inflated and deployed. By adopting such a shape, the cushion receives a reaction force from the console box when inflated and deployed, allowing the console box to serve as support.

[0006] Therefore, when a conventional seat-to-seat airbag device is applied to a vehicle in which the console box is lower than the top surface of the seat cushion or a vehicle without a console box, the cushion loses stability in its deployment behavior because it does not receive reaction force from the console box when inflated and deployed.In addition, with a conventional seat-to-seat airbag device, the lower part of the cushion is unstable when the occupant is restrained, so the cushion is prone to tilting, reducing the occupant restraint performance.

[0007] In the process of considering compliance with the latest Euro-NCAP protocol, the inventors of the present application came to the conclusion that improving the shape of the cushion would be desirable in order to improve performance in far-side collisions in vehicles with low (or no) console boxes.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an airbag device in which the cushion's deployment behavior is stable when inflated and deployed, and the cushion does not tilt when an occupant is restrained, even in vehicles in which the console box is lower than the top surface of the seat cushion or in vehicles without a console box. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention is an airbag device that is installed on a side portion of a seat back of one of seats arranged side by side in the width direction of a vehicle, the side portion being on the center side in the width direction.

[0010] The airbag device of the present invention comprises a cushion and an inflator that injects gas to inflate the cushion. The cushion has a main chamber that inflates and deploys on one side of the seat, and a lower chamber that extends downward from a part of the main chamber. The lower chamber is formed so that, when inflated and deployed, the lower end of the lower chamber can come into contact with the upper surface of a console box that is located lower than the upper surface of the seat cushion of the seat or the floor of the vehicle.

[0011] In the present invention, the main chamber may have a first portion that supports the side of an occupant sitting in one of the seats arranged side by side in the width direction of the vehicle, a second portion that supports the side of an occupant sitting in the other of the seats, and a central portion provided between the first and second portions, and the lower chamber may be configured to extend downward from the central portion.

[0012] In the present invention, the main chamber may be formed by integrally forming the first portion, the central portion, and the second portion, and the lower chamber may be formed as a separate chamber separated from the main chamber.

[0013] In the present invention, the main chamber and the lower chamber may be configured to communicate with each other via a first vent hole.

[0014] The present invention may be configured such that the inflator is attached to the main chamber, and a portion of the gas ejected from the inflator is supplied from the main chamber to the lower chamber through the first vent hole.

[0015] In the present invention, a protrusion may be provided in the central portion that protrudes at least further forward than the first and second portions when the cushion is inflated and deployed, and is capable of receiving the head of an occupant and an occupant moving diagonally forward.

[0016] In the present invention, the main chamber may be formed by continuously and integrally forming the first portion, the central portion, and the second portion, and the protruding portion may be formed in a separate chamber separate from the main chamber.

[0017] In the present invention, the main chamber and the protruding portion may be configured to communicate with each other via a second vent hole.

[0018] The present invention may include a connecting member connecting the lower front portion of the protrusion and the front bottom portion of the lower chamber.

[0019] The present invention may include a connecting member connecting the front lower portion of the protruding portion and the front lower portion of the central portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] The cushion of the airbag device of the present invention includes a main chamber that inflates and deploys on one side of the seat, specifically on the far side of the seat, and a lower chamber that extends downward from a portion of the main chamber. The lower chamber is configured so that, when inflated and deployed, its lower end can contact the upper surface of a console box that is located lower than the upper surface of the seat cushion or the vehicle floor. As a result, when the airbag device of the present invention is applied to a vehicle in which the console box is lower than the upper surface of the seat cushion, the lower chamber inflates and deploys to fill the space below the upper surface of the seat cushion. When the airbag device of the present invention is applied to a vehicle without a console box, the lower chamber inflates and deploys to fill the entire space corresponding to the console box.

[0021] Therefore, in the present invention, the lower chamber that inflates and deploys during a side collision supports the lower portion of the main chamber that protects the sides of the occupant. This support portion reduces vertical rocking when the cushion inflates and deploys, stabilizing the cushion's deployment behavior. Furthermore, the present invention also prevents the cushion from tilting when inflation and deployment are complete. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a cushion in an airbag device according to an embodiment, viewed obliquely, in a state where inflation and deployment have been completed. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a view of the airbag device of FIG. 1A, seen from the side of the vehicle, showing a state in which the cushion is inflated and deployed. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1C is a view of the airbag device of FIG. 1A, showing a state in which the cushion is inflated and deployed, as viewed from above the vehicle. [Figure 1D] FIG. 1D is a view of the airbag device of FIG. 1A, showing a state in which the cushion is inflated and deployed, as viewed from the front of the vehicle. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a cushion in an airbag device according to a first modified example of the embodiment, viewed obliquely, in a state where inflation and deployment have been completed. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a view of the airbag device of FIG. 2A, seen from the side of the vehicle, showing the state in which the cushion is inflated and deployed. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2C is a view of the airbag device of FIG. 2A, showing a state in which the cushion is inflated and deployed, as viewed from above the vehicle. [Figure 2D] FIG. 2D is a view of the airbag device of FIG. 2A, showing a state in which the cushion is inflated and deployed, as viewed from the front of the vehicle. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a cushion in an airbag device according to a second modified example of the embodiment, viewed obliquely, in a state where inflation and deployment have been completed. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a view of the airbag device of FIG. 3A, seen from the side of the vehicle, showing a state in which the cushion is inflated and deployed. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C is a view of the airbag device of FIG. 3A, showing a state in which the cushion is inflated and deployed, as viewed from above the vehicle. [Figure 3D] FIG. 3D is a view of the airbag device of FIG. 3A, showing a state in which the cushion is inflated and deployed, as viewed from the front of the vehicle. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a cushion in an airbag device according to a third modified example of the embodiment, viewed obliquely, in a state where inflation and deployment have been completed. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a view of the airbag device of FIG. 4A, seen from the side of the vehicle, showing a state in which the cushion is inflated and deployed. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C is a view of the airbag device of FIG. 4A, showing a state in which the cushion is inflated and deployed, as viewed from above the vehicle. [Figure 4D] FIG. 4D is a view of the airbag device of FIG. 4A, showing a state in which the cushion is inflated and deployed, as viewed from the front of the vehicle. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a cushion in an airbag device according to a fourth modified example of the embodiment, seen obliquely after inflation and deployment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a view of the airbag device of FIG. 5A, seen from the side of the vehicle, showing the cushion inflated and deployed state. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a cushion in an airbag device according to a fifth modified example of the embodiment, viewed obliquely, in a state where inflation and deployment have been completed. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a view of the airbag device of FIG. 6A, seen from the side of the vehicle, showing the state in which the cushion is inflated and deployed. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view of the seat with the cushion retracted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0024] In the present invention, an "occupant" refers to, for example, a person with a physique equivalent to that of an average American man, conforming to a frontal collision test dummy (Hybrid III AM50 / frontal collision test dummy established by the NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration] standard [49 CFR Part 572 Subparts E and O]), with approximate dimensions of 175 cm in height, 88 cm in seated height, and 78 kg in weight. However, the present invention is also applicable to other anthropomorphic dummies.

[0025] In addition, in this specification, "upper" and "upper side" may refer to the head direction of an occupant P seated in the normal position of the seat Sd, Sn, and "lower" and "lower side" may refer to the foot direction of the occupant P. Here, the "normal position" refers to the center position of the seat cushion SC in the left-right direction of each seat Sd, Sn, where the back of the occupant P is in contact with the backrest portion SB from top to bottom. Furthermore, "front" and "front side" may refer to the front direction of the occupant P seated in the normal position of the seat Sd, Sn, and "rear" and "rear side" may refer to the back direction of the occupant P. Furthermore, "left" and "left side" may refer to the left hand direction of the occupant P seated in the normal position of the seat Sd, Sn, and "right" and "right side" may refer to the right hand direction of the occupant P.

[0026] In this embodiment, an airbag device 1 is installed inside the far-side lateral surface of the backrest SB of one of two seats (for example, a driver's seat Sd and a passenger's seat Sn) arranged side by side in the width direction of the vehicle. FIGS. 1A to 1D show an example in which the airbag device 1 is provided on the driver's seat Sd side. Before describing the airbag device 1, the seat (driver's seat Sd) on which the airbag device 1 is installed will be described below.

[0027] [Seat configuration] As shown in Fig. 7, the driver's seat Sd includes a seat cushion SC and a backrest SB. A headrest HR is attached to the upper end of the backrest SB via a rod-shaped support member Sm. The driver's seat Sd may be one in which the backrest SB and the headrest HR are integrally formed. In Fig. 7, a door (not shown) is located on the right side of the page. The side of the driver's seat Sd farthest from the door is the far side.

[0028] The seat cushion SC has a pad provided on the upper side of the seat pan (not shown) and covered with a skin material. In the backrest SB, a pad is provided on the front side of the seat frames SFa and SFb and covered with a skin material.

[0029] The cushion 2 is placed flat and rolled up or folded like an accordion, thereby taking the stored form when stored in the seat Sd. As shown in Fig. 7, the cushion 2 in the stored form is stored along the side portion SFa of the seat frame of the seat Sd.

[0030] Specifically, the cushion 2 is stored in the far-side side portion of the seat Sd. In this embodiment, the cushion 2 in the stored state is fixed to the far-side side portion SFa of the seat frame using a fastener T. This makes it possible to prevent the cushion 2 from shifting position during a collision or the like. Note that the arrangement and number of fasteners T are not limited to this embodiment.

[0031] [Airbag device configuration] The airbag device 1 includes a cushion 2 and an inflator 3 (see FIG. 1C). The cushion 2 is a bag made of cloth that is constructed by preparing a required number of base fabrics of a required shape in advance and sewing predetermined locations such as the periphery of these base fabrics. The inflator 3 is a device that injects gas to inflate the cushion 2.

[0032] In the airbag device 1, a cylindrical inflator 3 is disposed inside the cushion 2, which receives a signal from a sensor and ejects gas into the cushion 2 from a hole 3a provided in the outer surface thereof.

[0033] The cushion 2 is attached to the side portion SFa of the side frame inside the backrest portion SB using two stud bolts 3b that are provided protrudingly at an appropriate interval in the longitudinal direction on the outer surface of the inflator 3 on the side opposite the hole 3a of the inflator 3. Note that, when the cushion 2 can be fixed by the stud bolts 3b of the inflator 3 as in this embodiment, the fixing device T for fixing the cushion 2 can be omitted.

[0034] In the storage portion of the inflator 3, the inflator 3 is fixed to the side portion SFa of the seat frame by a stud bolt 3b. In this fixing, the stud bolt 3b is passed through an insertion hole in the storage portion, and the storage portion is also fixed to the side portion SFa of the seat frame.

[0035] [About the cushion when fully inflated] The configuration of the cushion 2 in a state where inflation and deployment are complete (hereinafter referred to as the "completely inflated state") will be described with reference to Figures 1A to 1D. In Figure 1B, it is assumed that an occupant P is seated in a normal position.

[0036] The main chamber 2d of the cushion 2 includes a first portion 2a and a second portion 2b that inflate and deploy to ride over the front of the driver's seat Sd and the front of the passenger seat Sn to protect the far side of the occupant P seated in the driver's seat Sd and / or the passenger seat Sn, and a central portion 2c that inflates and deploys between the first portion 2a and the second portion 2b. Specifically, the first portion 2a restrains the side of the occupant P seated in the driver's seat Sd, and the second portion 2b restrains the side of the occupant P seated in the passenger seat Sn. Note that the boundaries between the first portion 2a, the second portion 2b, and the central portion 2c are not strict. Furthermore, the vertical, front-rear, and left-right dimensions of the main chamber 2d are not limited to those illustrated in the drawings and can be adjusted according to the shape and arrangement of the seats Sd and Sn.

[0037] In this embodiment, the first portion 2a, the second portion 2b, and the central portion 2c are integrally formed as a single main chamber 2d. When viewed from the front of the vehicle, the main chamber 2d has an extension 2ca in the central portion 2c that extends upward beyond the first portion 2a and the second portion 2b, and is formed by joining an appropriate number of base fabric panels so as to have a required thickness in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0038] The first portion 2a and the second portion 2b have lengths in the up-down and front-back directions that are sufficient to receive the sides of the torso of the occupant P, such as the shoulders Ps, chest Pc, and upper arms Pua. The central portion 2c has lengths in the up-down and front-back directions that are sufficient to receive not only the sides of the occupant P, but also, for example, the rear side of the head Ph of the occupant P, from the neck Pn to the ears Pe, by means of its extensions 2ca.

[0039] In the airbag device 1, in the event of a side collision, oblique collision, offset collision, or the like, the inflator 3 receives a signal from a sensor and ejects gas into the main chamber 2d from holes 3a formed on its outer surface, inflating and deploying the main chamber 2d. In the event of a side collision, the first portion 2a and second portion 2b inflate and deploy and rise up in front of the driver's seat Sd and passenger seat Sn, thereby receiving areas of the occupant P, such as the shoulders Ps, chest Pc, and upper arms Pua, that would otherwise move due to the impact, thereby restricting the movement of the occupant P.

[0040] Here, in a vehicle in which the height of the console box CB is higher than the position of the upper surface of the seat cushion SC of the seats Sd, Sn, the bottom surface of the inflated and deployed main chamber 2d can be supported by the upper surface of the console box CB even if the cushion 2 is composed of only the main chamber 2d. However, in a vehicle in which the upper surface of the console box CB is lower than the upper surface of the seat cushion SC, the bottom surface of the main chamber 2d cannot be supported when it is inflated and deployed.

[0041] Therefore, the cushion 2 of this embodiment includes a lower chamber 2e extending downward from a part of the main chamber 2d. Specifically, the lower chamber 2e extends downward from a central portion 2c of the main chamber 2d. When inflated and deployed, the lower chamber 2e is formed so that a lower end portion 2ea of ​​the lower chamber 2e can come into contact with an upper surface CBa of the console box CB, which is located lower than the upper surface of the seat cushion SC of the seat Sd, as shown in Figures 1B and 1D.

[0042] The lower chamber 2e is generally rectangular, and its vertical length is determined so that the bottom surface 2ea of ​​the lower chamber 2e reaches and contacts the upper surface CBa of the console box CB when inflated and deployed. The left-right width of the lower chamber 2e is the same as the left-right width of the console box CB, which is installed between the driver's seat Sd and the passenger seat Sn. Alternatively, the left-right width of the lower chamber 2e may be slightly longer than the left-right width of the console box CB to fit snugly into the space between the driver's seat Sd and the passenger seat Sn without creating a gap, or it may be shorter than the left-right width of the console box CB.

[0043] The vertical, front-to-back, and left-to-right dimensions of the lower chamber 2e are not limited to those illustrated in the figures, and can be adjusted as appropriate to suit the shape and installation position of the seats Sd and Sn.

[0044] In this embodiment, the lower chamber 2e is formed by joining a suitable number of base fabric panels so that it protrudes downward from the main chamber 2d. The lower chamber 2e in this embodiment is formed integrally with the main chamber 2d, forming a single bag body.

[0045] A gas guide may be provided in the housing of the inflator 3. The gas guide may be configured to have, as outlets for gas injected from the inflator 3, a first outlet opening into the main chamber 2d and a second outlet opening into the lower chamber 2e.

[0046] [Effects of this embodiment] In this embodiment, the cushion 2 includes a main chamber 2d that inflates and deploys toward the far side of one of the seats Sd, Sn to suppress movement of the occupant P who attempts to move in the direction of the impact, as well as a lower chamber 2e that extends downward from a central portion 2c of the main chamber 2d. The lower chamber 2e is configured in a shape that allows a lower end portion 2ea of ​​the lower chamber 2e to come into contact with an upper surface CBa of the console box CB, which is located lower than the upper surface of the seat cushion SC of the seats Sd, Sn, when inflated and deployed.

[0047] As a result, in this embodiment, even when the console box CB is applied to a vehicle in which the height of the console box CB is lower than the upper surface of the seat cushion SC of the seats Sd, Sn, the lower chamber 2e expands downward to fill the space lower than the upper surface of the seat cushion SC.

[0048] Therefore, in this embodiment, the inflated and deployed lower chamber 2e supports the lower portion of the main chamber 2d that protects the sides of the occupant P. Due to the presence of this support portion, in this embodiment, when the cushion 2 inflates and deploys, the vertical rocking motion of the cushion 2 is reduced, and the deployment behavior of the cushion 2 is stabilized.

[0049] In a side collision from the far side of the vehicle, in the early stages of the collision, the occupant P moves toward the collision occurrence side due to inertial force. Specifically, when a side collision occurs from the far side with the occupant P seated in the driver's seat Sd as the reference, the occupant P collides with the first portion 2a of the main cushion 2 in the early stages of the collision.

[0050] At this time, in this embodiment, the inflated and deployed lower chamber 2e supports the lower portion of the main chamber 2d that protects the sides of the occupant P. Therefore, according to this embodiment, tilting of the cushion 2 when inflation and deployment is complete can also be prevented.

[0051] The airbag device 1 of this embodiment has a stable deployment behavior of the cushion 2 and exhibits high restraint performance in a side collision from the far side.

[0052] In this embodiment, the main chamber 2d includes both a first portion 2a that restrains the sides of the occupant P seated in the driver's seat Sd and a second portion 2b that restrains the sides of the occupant P seated in the passenger seat Sn. This allows the occupant P in either seat Sd, Sn to be appropriately protected, improving the restraint performance for the occupant P. Furthermore, even when the occupant P in the driver's seat Sd moves to the opposite side from the initial stage of the collision due to the impact force of the collision, for example, the occupant can effectively avoid a collision with the occupant in the passenger seat Sn.

[0053] [First Modification of the Embodiment] In this modification, as shown in Figures 2A to 2D, the lower chamber 2e is formed as a separate chamber separate from the main chamber 2d. The lower chamber 2e is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shape by joining an appropriate number of base fabric panels so that it protrudes downward from the main chamber 2d, and is then joined to the underside of the main chamber 2d. The lower chamber 2e in this modification communicates with the main chamber 2d via a first vent hole 4 provided in the underside of the central portion 2c of the main chamber 2d.

[0054] In this modification, in the event of a side collision, the inflator 3 receives a signal from the sensor and ejects gas from the holes 3a on its outer surface into the main chamber 2d, inflating and deploying the main chamber 2d. After the main chamber 2d is inflated and deployed, gas flows into the lower chamber 2e through the first vent hole 4, causing the lower chamber 2e to inflate and deploy.

[0055] Here, the number of first vent holes 4 and the size (inner diameter) of each hole can be designed taking into consideration the timing of inflating and deploying the lower chamber 2e. If the total open area of ​​the first vent holes 4 is made sufficiently large, gas can be quickly supplied to the lower chamber 2e almost simultaneously with the inflation and deployment of the main chamber 2d, allowing the lower chamber 2e to inflate quickly. Furthermore, depending on design requirements, the total open area of ​​the first vent holes 4 can be adjusted to be slightly smaller to create a required time lag between the inflation and deployment of the main chamber 2d and the inflation and deployment of the lower chamber 2e.

[0056] In this modified example, the lower chamber 2e inflates and deploys downward so as to fill the space below the upper surface of the seat cushion SC. The lower chamber 2e acts as a support portion, stabilizing the main chamber 2d when inflated and deployed.

[0057] Therefore, even in a vehicle in which the console box CB is lower than the upper surface of the seat cushion SC, the vertical rocking of the cushion 2 when it inflates and deploys is reduced, stabilizing the deployment behavior of the cushion 2. Furthermore, the lower chamber 2e provides support, preventing the cushion 2 from tilting when inflation and deployment are complete. In particular, in this modified example, by appropriately adjusting the total opening area of ​​the first vent holes 4, it is easy to optimize the timing of inflation and deployment of the lower chamber 2e.

[0058] [Second Modification of the Embodiment] Autonomous driving technology has advanced in recent years. Autonomous vehicles can travel autonomously in autonomous driving mode without a driver, allowing greater freedom in the posture and state of passengers while driving. For example, the front seats can be rotated 180 degrees from their forward-facing orientation relative to the vehicle, allowing passengers in the front seats to face each other and converse with passengers in the rear seats while driving the vehicle. For this reason, vehicles without a console box between the driver's seat Sd and passenger seat Sn are envisioned, allowing the seats to be rotated freely.

[0059] This modified example is applicable to a vehicle that does not have a console box as described above. In this modified example, as shown in Figures 3A to 3D, the lower chamber 2e is configured in a shape that allows the lower end 2ea of ​​the lower chamber 2e to come into contact with the floor surface F of the vehicle when inflated and deployed.

[0060] Specifically, the shape of the lower chamber 2e is a rectangular parallelepiped that is slightly longer in the vertical direction than in the above-described embodiment. The vertical length of the lower chamber 2e is determined so that the bottom surface of the lower chamber 2e reaches and comes into contact with the floor surface F when inflated and deployed. The lateral width of the lower chamber 2e is determined so that it fits into the space between the driver's seat Sd and the passenger seat Sn without creating a gap.

[0061] In this modified example, when an impact is applied to the vehicle due to a collision or the like, the inflator 3 receives a signal from a sensor and injects gas into the main chamber 2d, causing the main chamber 2d to inflate and deploy. A portion of the gas injected into the main chamber 2d is supplied to the lower chamber 2e via the first vent hole 4. This causes the lower chamber 2e to inflate and deploy downward, filling the entire space where the console box CB is located in a typical vehicle. The lower chamber 2e acts as a support, stabilizing the main chamber 2d when it inflates and deploys.

[0062] Therefore, even in a vehicle without a console box CB, the vertical rocking of the cushion 2 when it inflates and deploys is reduced, stabilizing the deployment behavior of the cushion 2. Furthermore, the lower chamber 2e provides support, preventing the cushion 2 from tilting when inflation and deployment are complete. In this way, the effect of the lower chamber 2e allows the airbag device 1 to exert occupant restraint performance in the event of a side collision.

[0063] In this modification, the lower chamber 2e is formed as a chamber separate from the main chamber 2d, but the lower chamber 2e may be formed integrally with the main chamber 2d.

[0064] [Third Modification of the Embodiment] In the above-described embodiment, the extension 2ca of the central portion 2c receives the head Ph of the occupant P. However, there are cases where further improvement in performance is required so that the entire head Ph of the occupant P can be more reliably received from the initial stage of a vehicle collision to the final stage when the effects of the collision have disappeared.

[0065] In this modified example, in order to more reliably receive the entire head Ph of the occupant P, a protruding portion 2f is formed in the central portion 2c of the cushion 2, which, when inflated and deployed, protrudes at least further forward than the first portion 2a and the second portion 2b of the cushion and is capable of receiving the entire head Ph of the occupant P. This protruding portion 2f also has the function of receiving the occupant P who moves diagonally forward in the event of a collision from an oblique direction, etc. The configuration of the lower chamber 2e in this modified example is the same as that of the first modified example, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0066] 4A to 4D, the protruding portion 2f is provided so as to cover the upper surface of the extension portion 2ca so that its upper surface is higher than the top of the head of an occupant P seated in the driver's seat Sd or the passenger seat Sn. An appropriate number of base fabric panels are sewn together to form the protruding portion 2f, which is made up of the covering portion and a portion protruding forward from the front surface of the extension portion 2ca.

[0067] The protruding portion 2f is formed as a separate chamber separate from the main chamber 2d, and is in communication with the main chamber 2d via a second vent hole 5 provided on the upper surface of the extension portion 2ca.

[0068] The size (inner diameter) of the second vent hole 5 is set so that gas flows into the protrusion 2f in the latter half of the expansion and deployment of the main chamber 2d, creating a time lag between the expansion and deployment of the main chamber 2d and the expansion and deployment of the protrusion 2f.

[0069] In this modified example in which a protrusion 2f is provided on the extension 2ca, in the event of a side collision, the inflator 3 receives a signal from the sensor and sprays gas into the main chamber 2d from a hole 3a provided on its outer surface, causing the main chamber 2d to inflate and deploy.

[0070] Then, after the main chamber 2d has inflated and deployed to a certain extent, gas flows into the protruding portion 2f from the second vent hole 5, causing the protruding portion 2f to inflate and deploy. In this modified example, in the event of a far-side collision, the main chamber 2d, which has less time to protect the occupant P from the collision, can be inflated and deployed before the protruding portion 2f. This inflated and deployed protruding portion 2f can reliably catch the entire occupant P and their head Ph that are moving due to the impact, not only when an impact is applied from the side of the occupant P, but also when an impact is applied from diagonally in front of the occupant P.

[0071] [Fourth Modification of the Embodiment] In this modification, the lower front portion of the protrusion 2f described in the third modification and the front bottom portion of the lower chamber 2e are connected by a tether 6. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, one end 6a of the tether 6 is sewn to the lower front portion of the protrusion 2f. The other end 6b of the tether 6 is sewn to the front bottom portion of the lower chamber 2e. The tether 6 corresponds to a connecting member.

[0072] The tether 6 is a string-like or thin strip-like member. The tether 6 may be made of the same material as the base fabric that constitutes the cushion 2. For example, a non-stretchable material can be suitably used for the tether 6, but a stretchable material can also be used.

[0073] In this modified example, the protrusion 2f is stabilized by connecting the protrusion 2f and the lower chamber 2e with a tether 6, so that even in the event of a collision from the side, etc., if the head Ph of the occupant P moves and collides with the part of the extension 2ca of the protrusion 2f that expands and deploys in the forward direction, the movement of the head Ph can be effectively suppressed.

[0074] [Fifth Modification of the Embodiment] In this modification, the lower front portion of the protruding portion 2f described in the third modification and the lower front portion of the central portion 2c of the main chamber 2d are connected by a tether 6. As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, one end 6a of the tether 6 is sewn to the lower front portion of the protruding portion 2f. The other end 6b of the tether 6 is sewn to the lower front portion of the central portion 2c of the main chamber 2d.

[0075] The fifth modified example, in which the attachment position of the other end 6b of the tether 6 is changed, also provides the same effects as the fourth modified example.

[0076] In the fourth and fifth modifications, the attachment position of one end 6a of the tether 5 to the protruding portion 2f can be changed from the lower front portion of the protruding portion 2f to the front bottom portion. In this case, the same effects as those of the fourth and fifth modifications can be achieved. The configuration and function of the lower chamber 2e in this modification are the same as those of the first modification.

[0077] [Other variations] In the above-described embodiment, the bottom surface of the lower chamber 2e may be provided with a non-slip portion having a higher coefficient of friction than the surface of the base fabric panel that constitutes the lower chamber 2e. By providing a non-slip portion with a high coefficient of friction on the bottom surface of the lower chamber 2e, when the lower chamber 2e inflates and deploys and the bottom surface of the lower chamber 2e comes into contact with the upper surface of the console box CB or the floor F of the passenger compartment, the bottom surface of the lower chamber 2e becomes less slippery and more likely to remain in place. Note that such a non-slip portion with a high coefficient of friction can be provided by applying a resin coating to the bottom surface of the lower chamber 2e. Alternatively, the non-slip portion may be provided by sewing a patch to the bottom surface of the lower chamber 2e.

[0078] In the above-described embodiment, the first portion 2a, the second portion 2b, and the central portion 2c of the main chamber 2d may be formed as a plurality of separate chambers. In this case, the gas injected from the inflator 3 may be sent directly to the first portion 2a, the second portion 2b, and the central portion 2c so that the main chamber 2d can be inflated and deployed without a time lag.

[0079] In the above-described embodiment, the configuration shown in the first modified example and the configuration shown in the third modified example may be combined. That is, the lower chamber 2e may be configured as a separate chamber separate from the main chamber 2d and communicate with the main chamber 2d via a first vent hole 4 provided in the lower surface of the central portion 2c, and the protruding portion 2f may be configured as a separate chamber separate from the main chamber 2d and communicate with the main chamber 2d via a second vent hole 5 provided in the upper surface of the extension portion 2ca of the central portion 2c.

[0080] In the above-described embodiment, the airbag device 1 may be stored in the far side portion of the passenger seat Sn.

[0081] In the above-described embodiment, the second vent holes 5 may be provided on the front surface of the extension portion 2ca in addition to the upper surface thereof. Alternatively, the second vent holes 5 may be provided only on the front surface of the extension portion 2ca.

[0082] In the above-described embodiment, the cushion 2 and the tether 6 may be joined by any method, such as adhesion or welding, instead of sewing, as long as a predetermined strength can be obtained.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, the cushion 2 is not limited to a cushion formed by joining a suitable number of base fabric panels by sewing or the like, but may be formed using the so-called "one-piece weaving" technique.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, the airbag device 1 is not limited to being installed in the front seat of the vehicle, but may also be installed in the rear seat. When the second or third row seats of the vehicle are arranged side by side in the width direction of the vehicle, the airbag device 1 may be installed in the second or third row seats. [Industrial Applicability]

[0085] The present invention is applicable to an airbag device that protects the sides of an occupant. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1 Airbag device 2 cushions 2a Part 1 2b 2nd part 2c central part 2ca extension 2d Main Chamber 2e Lower chamber 2ea lower end 2f protrusion 3 Inflator 4. First Vent Hole 5. Second Vent Hole 6 Connecting member (tether) Sd seat (driver's seat) Sn Seat (Passenger seat) SB backrest SC seat cushion

Claims

1. An airbag device installed on a side portion of a backrest of one of seats arranged side by side in a width direction of a vehicle, the side portion being on a center side in the width direction, the backrest comprising: Cushion and an inflator that injects gas to inflate the cushion; The cushion has a main chamber that inflates and deploys on one side of the seat, and a lower chamber that extends downward from a part of the main chamber, the lower chamber is formed so that, when inflated and deployed, a lower end of the lower chamber can come into contact with an upper surface of a console box that is located lower than an upper surface of a seat cushion of the seat or with a floor surface of the vehicle.

2. 2. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the main chamber has a first portion that receives the side of an occupant sitting in one of the seats, a second portion that receives the side of an occupant sitting in the other of the seats, and a central portion that is provided between the first and second portions, and the lower chamber extends downward from the central portion.

3. 3. The airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the main chamber is formed such that the first portion, the central portion, and the second portion are continuously and integrally formed, and the lower chamber is formed as a separate chamber separate from the main chamber.

4. 4. The airbag device according to claim 3, wherein the main chamber and the lower chamber communicate with each other through a first vent hole.

5. The inflator is attached to the main chamber, 5. The airbag device according to claim 4, wherein a portion of the gas injected from the inflator is supplied from the main chamber to the lower chamber through the first vent hole.

6. 3. The airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the central portion is provided with a protruding portion that protrudes further forward than the first portion and the second portion at least in the forward direction of the vehicle when the cushion is inflated and deployed, and that is capable of receiving the head of the occupant and the occupant moving diagonally forward.

7. 7. The airbag device according to claim 6, wherein the main chamber is formed such that the first portion, the central portion, and the second portion are continuously and integrally formed, and the protruding portion is formed in a separate chamber separate from the main chamber.

8. The airbag device according to claim 7, wherein the main chamber and the protrusion communicate with each other through a second vent hole.

9. 9. The airbag device according to claim 6, further comprising a connecting member connecting a front lower portion of the protrusion and a bottom front portion of the lower chamber.

10. 9. The airbag device according to claim 6, further comprising a connecting member connecting a front lower portion of the protruding portion and a front lower portion of the central portion.

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