Side airbag device

Abstract

To provide a side air bag device which has a simplified folding structure and is hardly deviated in a direction of separating from an occupant in inflation development.SOLUTION: A side air bag device comprises: an inflator which is fitted to a side part of a seat back, and generates a gas; and a bag-shaped air bag which inflates and develops by the gas from the inflator. The air bag comprises: a first inflation part on which a gas ejection hole of the inflator is arranged, and inflates and develops on a side part of a trunk of the occupant; and a second inflation part which is communicated with the first inflation part, and inflates and develops on the side part of the head of the occupant by the gas flowing from the first inflation part. At least a part of the first inflation part inflates and develops above a console box, and contacts a top surface of the console box. In a folding state of the air bag, the second inflation part is folded and overlapped to the first inflation part, so as to be arranged at inside of a vehicle width direction relative to the first inflation part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a side airbag device, and more particularly to a side airbag device that inflates and deploys to the side of an occupant in the event of a collision of a vehicle such as an automobile. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART A side airbag device is known that prevents an occupant from moving inward in the vehicle width direction and coming into contact with an occupant sitting next to them in the event of a vehicle collision (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The airbag device described in Patent Document 1 includes a lower folded portion, which is a folded portion of a lower region that is below the vehicle when the airbag is inflated and deployed, an upper folded portion, which is a folded portion of an upper region that is above the vehicle, and an intermediate folded portion, which is a folded portion of an intermediate region that is intermediate between the lower and upper regions, and the intermediate folded portion is a rolled fold that wraps around the upper folded portion on the side opposite the inner side of the seatback in the vehicle width direction when the airbag is inflated and deployed. Due to these features, the airbag device described in Patent Document 1 unfolds the rolled fold along the occupant's arm when the airbag passes beside the occupant's arm during inflation and deployment, making it less likely that the airbag will deviate away from the occupant. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2017-100634 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a side airbag device, the airbag is stored in a folded state and inflates and deploys as it unfolds due to gas during a vehicle collision. Side airbag devices inflate and deploy between a vehicle component, such as a console box, and the occupant during a vehicle collision, so it is desirable for the airbag to inflate and deploy without moving away from the occupant. If the airbag is pushed by the occupant's arm during inflation and deployment, the airbag may inflate and deploy away from the occupant, resulting in a reduction in restraint force.

[0006] In the case of the airbag device described in Patent Document 1, the airbag has a lower folded portion, an upper folded portion, and an intermediate folded portion, and the intermediate folded portion is, for example, a roll-folded portion that wraps around the accordion-folded upper folded portion, which is complicated and requires many foldings. Therefore, the folding work of the airbag in the manufacturing process of the airbag device becomes cumbersome.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned current situation, and has as its object to provide a side airbag device that has a simple folding structure and is less likely to deviate away from the occupant when inflated and deployed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, one aspect of the present invention provides a side airbag device that is attached to a side portion of a seat back of a vehicle seat and that inflates and deploys to the side of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat and above a console box that is provided on the inside of the vehicle seat in a vehicle width direction, the side airbag device comprising: an inflator that is attached to the side portion of the seat back and generates gas; and a bag-shaped airbag that is inflated and deployed by gas from the inflator, the airbag having a gas ejection hole disposed in the inflator and a seat cushion that is inflated and deployed by the occupant. The side airbag device has a first inflation section that inflates and deploys to the side of the occupant's torso, and a second inflation section that is in communication with the first inflation section and inflates and deploys to the side of the occupant's head by gas that flows in from the first inflation section, wherein at least a portion of the first inflation section inflates and deploys above the console box and is in contact with an upper surface of the console box, and wherein the second inflation section is folded over the first inflation section so that it is positioned more inward in the vehicle width direction than the first inflation section when the airbag is in a folded state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a side airbag device that has a simple folding structure and is less likely to deviate away from the occupant when inflated and deployed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which an occupant is restrained by an airbag when the side airbag device of the first embodiment is viewed from the front of the vehicle. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which an occupant is restrained by an airbag when the side airbag device of the first embodiment is viewed from the side of the vehicle. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the three-dimensional shape of a side airbag device according to a first embodiment when inflated and deployed. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a first diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5A]FIG. 4 is a second diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5B] 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed dotted line shown in FIG. 5A. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a third diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a fourth diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 5 is a fifth diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 6 is a sixth diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 7 is a seventh diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an eighth diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12A] 5B is a schematic diagram showing a first modification of the folding method of the first inflatable section shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. [Figure 12B] 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed dotted line shown in FIG. 12A. [Figure 13A] 5B is a schematic diagram showing a second modification of the folding method of the first inflatable section shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. [Figure 13B] 13B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed line shown in FIG. 13A. [Figure 14A] 5B is a schematic diagram showing a third modification of the folding method of the first inflatable section shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. [Figure 14B] 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed line shown in FIG. 14A. [Figure 15A] 5B is a schematic diagram showing a fourth modified example of the folding method of the first inflatable section shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. [Figure 15B] 15B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed dotted line shown in FIG. 15A. [Figure 16] 1 is a schematic diagram of a side airbag device according to a first embodiment mounted on a vehicle seat, as viewed from the side of the vehicle. [Figure 17A]FIG. 2 is a first diagram illustrating the process of inflation and deployment of the side airbag device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17B] FIG. 4 is a second diagram illustrating the process of inflation and deployment of the side airbag device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17C] FIG. 10 is a third diagram illustrating the process of inflation and deployment of the side airbag device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17D] FIG. 10 is a fourth diagram illustrating the process of inflation and deployment of the side airbag device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a side airbag device of a second embodiment when an occupant is restrained by an airbag as viewed from the front of the vehicle. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a first diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the second embodiment. [Figure 20A] FIG. 10 is a second diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the second embodiment. [Figure 20B] 20B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed line shown in FIG. 20A. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a third diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Unless otherwise specified, directions in this specification are based on the vehicle. For example, "forward" refers to the front direction of the vehicle, "rearward" refers to the rear direction of the vehicle, "upward" refers to the top direction of the vehicle, "downward" refers to the bottom direction of the vehicle, and "sideward" refers to the inside direction in the vehicle width direction. Also, as appropriate, the arrow FR shown in each drawing indicates the front direction of the vehicle, the arrow RE indicates the rear direction of the vehicle, the arrow UP indicates the top direction of the vehicle, the arrow DOWN indicates the bottom direction of the vehicle, the arrow IN indicates the inside direction in the vehicle width direction, and the arrow OUT indicates the outside direction in the vehicle width direction. Components arranged inside the vehicle seat are illustrated in perspective of the vehicle seat.

[0012] [Embodiment 1] A side airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the side airbag device according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which an occupant is restrained by an airbag, as viewed from the front of the vehicle. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the side airbag device according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which an occupant is restrained by an airbag, as viewed from the side of the vehicle.

[0013] 1 and 2, the side airbag device 1 of the first embodiment is inflated and deployed to the side of an occupant 40 seated in a vehicle seat (vehicle seat) 50 and above a console box 60 provided on the inner side of the vehicle seat 50 in the vehicle width direction. The side airbag device 1 of the first embodiment includes an inflator 10 and an airbag 20, and is attached to a side portion (an inner side portion in the vehicle width direction) of a seat back (backrest portion) 51 of the vehicle seat 50. The vehicle seat 50 may be, for example, a driver's seat, a passenger seat, or the like of a vehicle.

[0014] When the vehicle collides with an obstacle (for example, another vehicle) and the inflator 10 is activated, gas is generated from the inflator 10. Examples of such collisions include a side collision in which the side of the vehicle collides with an obstacle, and an oblique collision in which the vehicle collides with an obstacle from a diagonal front direction. Specifically, the side collision occurs when an obstacle collides with a vehicle side wall that faces the vehicle side wall 70 shown in FIG. 1 in the vehicle width direction (when the vehicle seat 50 is a driver's seat, the vehicle body portion located outward in the vehicle width direction from the passenger seat).

[0015] Gas generated from the inflator 10 is introduced into the airbag 20, causing the airbag 20 to inflate as it unfolds. When the cover of the seatback 51 is broken by the force applied by the inflated airbag 20, the airbag 20 inflates and deploys to the side of the occupant 40 seated in the vehicle seat 50 and above the console box 60, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, to protect the side of the occupant 40. The airbag 20 that inflates and deploys in this manner is also called a far-side airbag.

[0016] In the drawings used to explain the embodiments of the present invention, a World Side Impact Dummy (World-SID) 40 is seated in a vehicle seat 50. The seating position of the World Side Impact Dummy 40 is determined by the side impact test method (ECE R95) currently adopted in Japan and Europe, or the side impact test method (FMVSS214) currently adopted in the United States. The position and size of the airbag 20 when inflated and deployed (hereinafter simply referred to as when inflated and deployed) are set according to the positions of the torso 41, waist 42, head 43, arms 44, shoulders 45, etc. of the World Side Impact Dummy 40 as shown in FIG. 1 . The World Side Impact Dummy 40 is referred to as the "occupant 40."

[0017] The airbag 20 is a bag-shaped airbag that inflates and deploys using gas from the inflator 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the airbag 20 has a first inflation section 20a that inflates and deploys to the side of the torso 41 of the occupant 40 and a second inflation section 20b that inflates and deploys to the side of the head 43 of the occupant 40. The second inflation section 20b is in communication with the first inflation section 20a. The airbag 20 may be a single, undivided air chamber, and the first inflation section 20a and the second inflation section 20b may each be a portion of the single air chamber. The first inflation section 20a and the second inflation section 20b may be in communication at least partially. For example, the interior of a single, bag-shaped airbag may be divided into multiple different air chambers, and the first inflation section 20a and the second inflation section 20b may each include a different air chamber.

[0018] In the following, a case will be illustrated in which the airbag 20 has a single undivided air chamber inside, and the first inflation section 20a and the second inflation section 20b are each a part of the single air chamber. Fig. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the three-dimensional shape of the side airbag device of embodiment 1 when inflated and deployed.

[0019] 1 and 3, the gas outlet holes 11 of the inflator 10 are arranged in the first inflation section 20a. It is sufficient that at least the gas outlet holes 11 of the inflator 10 are arranged in the first inflation section 20a, and the entire inflator 10 may be arranged inside the airbag 20, or the first inflation section 20a may be provided with a gas inlet hole and the inflator 10 may be arranged outside the airbag 20 so that the gas inlet hole and the gas outlet holes 11 communicate with each other. By arranging the gas outlet holes 11 of the inflator 10 in the first inflation section 20a, the airbag 20 starts to inflate and deploy from the first inflation section 20a.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1 , at least a portion 21 of the first inflation portion 20a (hereinafter also referred to as the portion 21 of the first inflation portion 20a) inflates and deploys above the console box 60 and contacts the upper surface of the console box 60. The portion 21 of the first inflation portion 20a preferably inflates and deploys along the upper surface of the console box 60 from the occupant 40 side toward the center in the vehicle width direction while in contact with the upper surface of the console box 60. When observed from the front of the vehicle, the portion 21 of the first inflation portion 20a preferably inflates and deploys beyond the console box 60 to the center in the vehicle width direction. The portion 21 of the first inflation portion 20a may overlap the upper surface of the console box 60 to an extent that the airbag 20 can be supported on the upper surface of the console box 60 when inflated and deployed, but preferably covers the console box 60 in the vehicle width direction. The portion 21 of the first inflation portion 20a may be a protruding portion that inflates toward the center in the vehicle width direction on the opposite side of the occupant 40.

[0021] The second inflation section 20b is at least partially in communication with the first inflation section 20a and is inflated and deployed to the side of the head 43 of the occupant 40 by the gas flowing in from the first inflation section 20a. Because the first inflation section 20a and the second inflation section 20b are at least partially in communication, the second inflation section 20b is inflated and deployed after the first inflation section 20a by the gas flowing in from the first inflation section 20a. The second inflation section 20b receives the head 43 of the occupant 40. The head 43 of the occupant 40 may be received by a flat section of the second inflation section 20b, or the upper end of the second inflation section 20b may receive the head 43 of the occupant 40.

[0022] The airbag 20 has an occupant-side panel 23 that is positioned on the occupant 40 side when inflated and deployed, a central panel 24 that is positioned opposite the occupant-side panel 23, and a connecting panel 25 that connects the outer periphery of the occupant-side panel 23 to the outer periphery of the central panel 24. The central panel 24 is positioned on the inner side in the vehicle width direction when inflated and deployed. When inflated and deployed, an air chamber is formed that is surrounded by the occupant-side panel 23, the central panel 24, and the connecting panel 25. The connecting panel 25 may be a single strip-shaped panel, or may be made up of multiple panels joined together.

[0023] The width of the connecting panel 25 that constitutes the first inflation portion 20a is preferably wider than the width of the connecting panel 25 that constitutes the second inflation portion 20b. When inflated and deployed, the width in the vehicle width direction of the part 21 of the first inflation portion 20a that contacts the upper surface of the console box 60 can be made wider than the width in the vehicle width direction of the second inflation portion 20b.

[0024] A portion of the occupant-side panel 23 and a portion of the central-side panel 24 may be sewn together by a seam 26. By providing the seam 26, the thickness of the airbag 20 when inflated and deployed in the vehicle width direction can be adjusted. The occupant-side panel 23 may be provided with an inflator mounting hole 22 to which the inflator 10 is attached, or may have a notch 28 formed therein for inserting the inflator into the airbag.

[0025] The inflator 10 is attached to the side of the seat back 51 and generates gas. The inflator 10 is activated when the vehicle collides. Specifically, first, when a collision detection sensor mounted on the vehicle detects a vehicle collision, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) calculates a signal sent from the collision detection sensor and determines the level of the collision. If the determined level of the collision corresponds to a level that requires the airbag 20 to be inflated, the inflator 10 is ignited, and gas is generated by a chemical reaction caused by combustion. As a result, the gas generated from the inflator 10 is introduced into the first inflation portion 20a of the airbag 20 through the gas ejection holes 11.

[0026] The type of inflator 10 is not particularly limited, and examples include a pyrotechnic inflator that uses gas generated by burning a gas generating agent, a stored inflator that uses compressed gas, and a hybrid inflator that uses a mixture of gas generated by burning a gas generating agent and compressed gas.

[0027] The console box 60 is provided on the inner side of the vehicle seat 50 in the vehicle width direction. For example, the console box 60 is provided between the driver's seat and the passenger seat in the center of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. The console box 60 may function as an armrest that supports the arms 44 of the occupant 40 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

[0028] The vehicle side wall 70 is not particularly limited to any part of the vehicle body located on the outer side of the vehicle width direction (opposite the console box 60) of the occupant 40 seated in the vehicle seat 50, and collectively refers to the side door, pillar, side window, etc.

[0029] A method for folding the airbag 20 in the airbag device of embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 4 to 11. Figures 4 to 11 are first to eighth diagrams illustrating the process of folding the airbag according to embodiment 1. In Figures 4 to 11, the airbag 20 is arranged so that the front of each diagram is on the inner side in the vehicle width direction when the side airbag device 1 is attached to the side of the seatback 51.

[0030] First, the connecting panel 25 is inserted between the occupant-side panel 23 and the central panel 24. FIG. 4 is a first diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, the airbag 20 is arranged so that the central panel 24, which will be positioned on the inner side in the vehicle width direction when inflated and deployed, is the front, and the occupant-side panel 23, which will be positioned on the occupant 40 side when inflated and deployed, is the back. The first inflatable portion 20a is positioned downward (DOWN), and the second inflatable portion 20b is positioned upward (UP). The portion of the connecting panel 25 that forms the portion 21 that comes into contact with the top surface of the console box 60 when inflated and deployed is not inserted between the occupant-side panel 23 and the central panel 24, but will be folded in the next step.

[0031] Next, the first inflation portion 20a is folded. Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed dotted line shown in Fig. 5A. As shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, a portion 21 of the first inflation portion 20a that inflates and deploys above the console box 60 may be folded upward from below the vehicle. Note that, as shown in Fig. 5A, the length of the airbag device 1 in the vertical direction of the vehicle when the airbag 20 is in the folded state may be adjusted by folding the lower portion of the first inflation portion 20a upward.

[0032] Next, as shown in Fig. 6, the second inflation portion 20b is folded from the upper side UP to the lower side DOWN of the vehicle on the side of the central panel 24, which is positioned on the inner side in the vehicle width direction during inflation and deployment. The second inflation portion 20b is folded to overlap the first inflation portion 20a so that it is positioned at the front in Fig. 6, i.e., on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. By folding in this manner, the second inflation portion 20b is folded to overlap the first inflation portion 20a so that it is positioned more inward in the vehicle width direction than the first inflation portion 20a when the airbag 20 is in the folded state. The second inflation portion 20b does not need to overlap the entire first inflation portion 20a, but it is preferable that it overlap at least a portion 21 of the first inflation portion 20a.

[0033] During inflation and deployment, the first inflation section 20a, where the gas outlet 11 of the inflator 10 is located, inflates before the second inflation section 20b, and a portion 21 of the first inflation section 20a inflates and deploys along the top surface of the console box 60 so as to contact the top surface of the console box 60. Therefore, by folding the second inflation section 20b so that it overlaps the first inflation section 20a, the first inflation section 20a inflates and deploys while pushing the overlapping second inflation section 20b upward toward the vehicle. This allows the second inflation section 20b to also inflate and deploy toward the vehicle upward. Furthermore, because the first inflation section 20a and the second inflation section 20b are folded on the inner side in the vehicle width direction relative to the occupant 40, in other words, on the opposite side from the occupant 40, the airbag 20 can be prevented from being pinched between the occupant 40 and the console box 60 during inflation and deployment.

[0034] The airbag 20 preferably has a first fold line 30 that folds the second inflation portion 20b downward (DOWN) of the vehicle so that the second inflation portion 20b overlaps the first inflation portion 20a. The second inflation portion 20b is folded along the first fold line 30 so as to overlap the first inflation portion 20a. The boundary between the first inflation portion 20a and the second inflation portion 20b does not have to coincide with the first fold line 30.

[0035] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, the first inflation portion 20a and the second inflation portion 20b are folded from the front FR of the vehicle toward the rear RE of the vehicle. In the side airbag device 1, it is preferable that the first inflation portion 20a and the second inflation portion 20b are further folded from the front FR of the vehicle toward the rear RE of the vehicle while overlapping each other when the airbag 20 is in the folded state. That is, it is preferable that the airbag 20 has a second fold line 31a that folds the first inflation portion 20a and the second inflation portion 20b back from the front FR of the vehicle toward the rear RE of the vehicle. This reduces the number of times the airbag 20 is folded from the front FR of the vehicle toward the rear RE of the vehicle. It is sufficient that the first inflation portion 20a and the second inflation portion 20b at least partially overlap each other.

[0036] It is sufficient that the airbag 20 is folded at least once along the second folding line 31a from the front (FR) of the vehicle toward the rear (RE) of the vehicle. However, after being folded along the second folding line 31a, the first inflation section 20a and the second inflation section 20b may be folded back multiple times from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle, as shown in Figures 8 to 11. Figures 8 to 11 illustrate a case where the airbag 20 is folded back from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle along the second folding line 31b, the second folding line 31c, the second folding line 31d, and the second folding line 31e. The folding method after being folded back along the second folding line 31a is not particularly limited, and the number of folds may vary, and the airbag 20 may be folded in a roll or accordion-like manner from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0037] The folding method of the first inflation section 20a is not limited to that shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. FIGS. 12A, 13A, 14A, and 15A are schematic diagrams showing first to fourth variations of the folding method of the first inflation section shown in FIG. 5A, respectively. In FIGS. 12A, 13A, 14A, and 15A, the airbag 20 is positioned so that the central panel 24, which is positioned on the inner side in the vehicle width direction when inflated and deployed, faces outward, and the occupant-side panel 23, which is positioned on the occupant 40 side when inflated and deployed, faces inward. FIGS. 12B, 13B, 14B, and 15B are cross-sectional views taken along the dashed-dotted lines shown in FIGS. 12A, 13A, 14A, and 15A, respectively. As in Variation 1 shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, a portion 21 of the first inflation section 20a that inflates and deploys above the console box 60 may be folded flat. As in Modification 2 shown in Figures 13A and 13B, the first inflatable section 20a may be folded upward, and then a portion of the folded-up first inflatable section 20a may be folded downward. As in Modification 3 shown in Figure 14A, the first inflatable section 20a may be rolled upward so as to be rolled up. As in Modification 4 shown in Figure 15A, the first inflatable section 20a may be folded flat, as in Figure 5A, and then the lower side may be folded upward so as to overlap.

[0038] Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of the side airbag device of embodiment 1 mounted on a vehicle seat, as viewed from the side of the vehicle. As shown in Fig. 16, before inflation and deployment, the airbag 20 is fixed in a folded state to a side portion (for example, a side frame 52) of the seatback 51, and is stored together with a cushion pad while being covered by the skin of the seatback 51.

[0039] It is preferable that the first fold line 30 is located below the shoulder 45 of the occupant 40 (the center of the shoulder 45 of the occupant 40 (the center of rotation of the shoulder of the internationally standardized side impact dummy)). By locating the first fold line 30 below the center of the shoulder 45 of the occupant 40, the first inflation section 20a inflates and deploys along the underside of the arm 44 of the occupant 40. The second inflation section 20b inflates and deploys by being pushed upward in reaction to the first inflation section 20a, so that the second inflation section 20b inflates and deploys along the side of the arm 44 and shoulder 45 of the occupant 40 while being pressed against the occupant 40.

[0040] The first fold line 30 is preferably provided above the upper surface of the console box 60. By providing the first fold line 30 above the upper surface of the console box 60, the airbag 20 is less likely to be pinched between the occupant 40 and the console box 60 when it inflates and deploys.

[0041] The inflator 10 is, for example, a cylindrical (columnar) gas generating device, and is disposed along the extension direction (height direction) of the seat back 51. A pair of bolts 12 protrude from the top and bottom of the inflator 10, and the pair of bolts 12 are fixed to the side of the seat back 51 (for example, the side frame 52) through inflator mounting holes 22 provided in the airbag 20.

[0042] The process by which the side airbag device 1 inflates and deploys will be described below with reference to FIGS. 17A to 17D and FIG. 1. FIGS. 17A to 17D are first to fourth diagrams illustrating the process by which the side airbag device according to the first embodiment inflates and deploys. When the vehicle collides with an obstacle and the inflator 10 is activated, gas generated from the inflator 10 is introduced into the first inflation portion 20a through the gas outlets 11. As shown in FIG. 17A, the force applied by the inflated airbag 20 breaks the surface skin of the seatback 51. Specifically, when gas is generated from the inflator 10, the portion of the first inflation portion 20a where the gas outlets 11 are arranged inflates. The gas further introduced from the gas outlets 11 unfolds the rolled-up portion, and the gas flows into the unfolded portion of the first inflation portion 20a, causing the first inflation portion 20a to begin to inflate. As a result, the airbag 20 begins to inflate and deploy toward the front of the vehicle, starting from the unfolded portion.

[0043] 17B, ​​the first inflation section 20a inflates and deploys to the side of the torso 41 of the occupant 40. The first inflation section 20a inflates and deploys so as to come into contact with the upper surface of the console box 60 while pushing up the second inflation section 20b that overlaps with the first inflation section 20a in the folded state.

[0044] 17C, the second inflation section 20b is inflated and deployed following the first inflation section 20a by the gas flowing in from the first inflation section 20a. When a portion 21 of the first inflation section 20a comes into contact with the upper surface of the console box 60, the second inflation section 20b rebounds against the first inflation section 20a supported by the console box 60, and inflates and deploys toward the top of the vehicle.

[0045] 17D, the second inflation section 20b rebounds from the first inflation section 20a supported by the console box 60 and is pressed against the occupant 40, while inflating and deploying further upward along the arms 44 and shoulders 45 of the occupant 40. Because the second inflation section 20b inflates and deploys from the inside in the vehicle width direction so as to avoid the arms 44 and shoulders 45 of the occupant 40, the airbag 20 can be prevented from being flipped up by the arms 44 of the occupant 40.

[0046] 1, the airbag 20 receives the side of the torso 41 of the occupant 40 with the first inflation portion 20a, and receives the head 43 of the occupant 40 with the second inflation portion 20b. Because part 21 of the first inflation portion 20a contacts the upper surface of the console box 60, the airbag 20 is less likely to deviate downward or inward in the vehicle width direction. In addition, because the second inflation portion 20b restrains the arms 44 of the occupant 40, the occupant 40 can be sufficiently restrained.

[0047] [Embodiment 2] The side airbag device of the second embodiment includes a plurality of bag-shaped airbags. FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating the side airbag device of the second embodiment when an occupant is restrained by the airbag, as viewed from the front of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 18, in the airbag device of the second embodiment, the airbag 20 includes a first inflation section 20a and a second inflation section 20b, and the first inflation section 20a and the second inflation section 20b are different bag-shaped airbags. As shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 20B described below, the first inflation section 20a and the second inflation section 20b are in communication with each other through a gas communication hole 27. During inflation and deployment, the first inflation section 20a, in which the gas ejection holes 11 of the inflator 10 are arranged, inflates and deploys, and gas flows into the second inflation section 20b through the gas communication hole 27, causing the second inflation section 20b to inflate and deploy.

[0048] Similar to the first embodiment, the first inflatable section 20a may have an occupant-side panel 23, a central panel 24, and a connecting panel 25. The second inflatable section 20b may have an occupant-side panel 123 that is positioned on the occupant 40 side when inflated and deployed, and a central panel 124 that is positioned opposite the occupant-side panel 23.

[0049] A method for folding the airbag 20 in the airbag device of embodiment 2 will be described below with reference to Figs. 19 to 21. Figs. 19 to 21 are first to third diagrams illustrating the process of folding the airbag according to embodiment 2. In Figs. 19, 20A, and 21, the airbag 20 is arranged so that the front of each diagram is on the inner side in the vehicle width direction when the side airbag device 1 is attached to the side of the seatback 51. Fig. 20B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed dotted line shown in Fig. 20A.

[0050] In the second embodiment, the bag-shaped airbag constituting the first inflation portion 20a and the bag-shaped airbag constituting the second inflation portion 20b are overlapped and sewn together. As shown in Fig. 19, when the first inflation portion 20a is arranged on the front side, the second inflation portion 20b located on the back side is folded upward.

[0051] Next, as shown in Figures 20A and 20B, a portion 21 of the first inflation portion 20a is folded flat. The folding method shown in Figures 20A and 20B corresponds to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1. In order to adjust the length of the airbag device 1 in the vertical direction of the vehicle in the folded state, the lower portion of the first inflation portion 20a may be folded upward.

[0052] Next, as shown in Fig. 21, the second inflation portion 20b is folded from the upper UP to the lower DOWN of the vehicle, overlapping the first inflation portion 20a, so as to be positioned at the front of Fig. 21, i.e., on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. It is preferable that the second inflation portion 20b overlaps at least a portion 21 of the first inflation portion 20a. It is preferable that the airbag 20 has a first fold line 30 that folds the second inflation portion 20b downward DOWN of the vehicle so as to overlap the first inflation portion 20a.

[0053] Thereafter, as shown in the fourth diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to embodiment 1 and illustrated in Fig. 7 above, the first inflation portion 20a and the second inflation portion 20b are folded from the front side FR of the vehicle toward the rear side RE of the vehicle along the second folding line 31a. The folding method after folding along the second folding line 31a is not particularly limited, and the number of folds may vary, and the airbag may be folded in a roll fold or an accordion fold from the front side of the vehicle toward the rear side of the vehicle. However, as shown in the fifth and eighth diagrams illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to embodiment 1 and illustrated in Figs. 8 to 11 above, the first inflation portion 20a and the second inflation portion 20b may be folded multiple times from the front side of the vehicle toward the rear side of the vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1: Side airbag device 10: Inflator 11: Gas vent 12: Bolt 20: Airbag 20a: First expansion section 20b: Second expansion section 21: Part of the first expansion section 22: Inflator mounting hole 23, 123: Passenger side panel 24, 124: Center panel 25: Connecting panel 26: Seam 27: Gas flow hole 28: Cut 30: First turnaround line 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31e: Second turn line 40: Occupant (Internationally Harmonized Side Impact Dummy) 41: Torso 42: Lower back 43:Head 44: Arm 45:Shoulder 50: Vehicle seats 51: Seat back (backrest) 52: Side frame 60: Console box 70: Vehicle side wall

Claims

1. A side airbag device attached to a side of a seat back of a vehicle seat, inflated and deployed to the side of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat and above a console box provided on an inner side of the vehicle seat in a vehicle width direction, an inflator attached to a side portion of the seat back and configured to generate gas; a bag-shaped airbag that is inflated and deployed by the gas of the inflator, the airbag has a first inflation section in which a gas ejection hole of the inflator is arranged and which inflates and deploys to the side of the torso of the occupant, and a second inflation section which is in communication with the first inflation section and inflates and deploys to the side of the head of the occupant by gas flowing in from the first inflation section, a part of the first inflation section being loose and folded over another part of the first inflation section when the airbag is in a flattened state before the airbag is filled with gas; When the airbag is inflated and deployed, the portion of the first inflation section inflates and deploys above the console box and comes into contact with an upper surface of the console box, A side airbag device characterized in that, when the airbag is in a folded state, the second inflation portion is folded directly over the portion of the first inflation portion so as to be positioned more inward in the vehicle width direction than the portion of the first inflation portion.

2. 2. The side airbag device according to claim 1, A side airbag device characterized in that, in the folded state of the airbag, the first inflation portion and the second inflation portion are further folded from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle while overlapping each other.

3. 3. The side airbag device according to claim 2, A side airbag device characterized in that the airbag has a first fold line that folds the second inflation portion toward the bottom of the vehicle so as to overlap with the portion of the first inflation portion, and a second fold line that folds the first inflation portion and the second inflation portion from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle.

4. 4. The side airbag device according to claim 3, The side airbag device is characterized in that the first fold line is provided below the shoulder of the occupant.

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