Vehicle side airbag device

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a vehicular side airbag device in which an occupant restraint performance of an airbag cushion can be improved using a simple configuration. [Solution] An airbag module 110 of a side airbag device 100 includes: an airbag cushion 112 which is mounted on an outside of a side frame 108 in a width direction of a seat back 104 in a predetermined storage configuration; an inflator 114 which is mounted on the outside of the side frame 108 together with the airbag cushion 112; and an external tether 138 which extends from a connection part 142 connected to a rear end part 140 of the airbag cushion 112 and which is connected to an inside in the width direction of the side frame 108, below the rear end part 140, by way of a front edge 148 of the side frame 108. The external tether 138 adopts a tensioned state between the airbag cushion 112 and the side frame 108 when the airbag cushion 112 is inflated and deployed.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a side airbag device for a vehicle that restrains an occupant seated in a vehicle seat. [Background technology]

[0002] Airbag devices are now standard equipment on most modern vehicles. Airbag devices are safety devices that activate in emergencies such as vehicle collisions, and protect occupants by using an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys using gas pressure. There are various types of airbag devices depending on their installation location and purpose. For example, the airbag 16 shown in FIG. 2A of Patent Document 1 is installed on the inner side of the seat back 14 in the vehicle width direction, and restrains the occupant near the shoulders.

[0003] In the technology of Patent Document 1, an upper panel 18 and a lower panel 20 are provided at the top and bottom of an airbag 16, respectively. These upper panel 18 and lower panel 20 are connected to a retractor 52 via a strap 54, and the airbag 16 can be pulled toward the seat back by the function of the retractor 52. As a result, as illustrated in Fig. 3B, the airbag 16 forms a valley 24 between a first portion 64 and a second portion 66, and the valley 24 can restrain the shoulders of the occupant. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 10,960,841 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In an airbag device, reducing the amount of occupant movement is an important evaluation item that also leads to a reduction in the injury level of the occupant. In addition to the conventional method of increasing the size and pressure of the airbag cushion, reducing the amount of occupant movement can also be achieved by restricting the movement of the airbag 16 using an upper panel 18, a retractor 52, etc., as in Patent Document 1. However, the technology using the upper panel 18, the retractor 52, etc., of Patent Document 1 requires many additional elements in the device configuration, and therefore may not be adoptable due to installation space and cost considerations. Similarly, increasing the size and pressure of the airbag cushion is difficult to adopt without careful consideration.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a side airbag device for a vehicle that can improve the occupant restraint performance of an airbag cushion with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a typical configuration of a vehicle side airbag device according to the present invention is a vehicle side airbag device including a side frame on a side of a seat back of a vehicle seat and an airbag module attached to the side frame, wherein the airbag module includes a bag-shaped airbag cushion that is rolled up or folded into a predetermined storage configuration and attached to the outer side of the side frame in the width direction of the seat back, an inflator that is attached to the outer side of the side frame together with the airbag cushion, and an external tether that extends from a predetermined connection part at the rear end of the airbag cushion, passes through the edge of the side frame, and is connected to the inner side of the side frame in the width direction below the connection part, and wherein the external tether is in a tensioned state between the airbag cushion and the side frame when the airbag cushion is inflated and deployed.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the external tether pulls the rear end portion of the airbag cushion toward the side frame, thereby holding the airbag cushion in a position aligned with the side frame and suppressing the airbag cushion's rocking, thereby improving the occupant restraint performance of the airbag cushion.

[0009] The airbag cushion has a main chamber that inflates and deploys from the side frame to the side of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat, and a sub-chamber that protrudes from the main chamber toward the occupant and inflates, and the edge of the sub-chamber on the occupant side may be curved and recessed toward the main chamber.

[0010] According to the above airbag cushion, the occupant-side edge of the sub-chamber is curved and recessed, allowing for restraint that conforms to the occupant's body. Furthermore, in the above configuration, the sub-chamber is widely supported by the main chamber, allowing for efficient energy absorption when the occupant is restrained. Therefore, for example, with the above configuration, the sub-chamber can be used to restrain the occupant's head. Since head rotation is known to increase injury levels, the above configuration can effectively reduce the occupant's injury level with a simple configuration, such as by suppressing head rotation.

[0011] The edge of the sub-chamber on the passenger side may be formed by a curved line that curves toward the main chamber.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the sub-chamber is curved to form a concave curve, which makes it possible to efficiently restrain the occupant along their body.

[0013] The sub-chamber may be inclined downward from rear to front so that a front end portion of the sub-chamber in the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat is positioned lower than a rear end portion.

[0014] In an emergency, an occupant's upper body tends to fall forward around the waist, which in turn tends to move the occupant's head downward and forward. With the above configuration, the sub-chamber is inclined downward and forward, making it possible for the sub-chamber to continue to restrain the occupant's head before and after the occupant's movement in an emergency.

[0015] The side frames may extend in a direction in which the width of the seat back gradually increases from the rear to the front of the seat back.

[0016] According to the above configuration, even if the side frame of the seat back is shaped to open outward, the airbag cushion can be held in a position aligned with the side frame by using an external tether, thereby improving the occupant restraint performance of the airbag cushion.

[0017] The predetermined connection portion may be formed along the outer periphery of the upper rear end of the airbag cushion.

[0018] According to the above configuration, the rear end portion of the airbag cushion can be efficiently pulled toward the side frame by the external tether.

[0019] The predetermined connection portion may be such that one end of the external tether is sewn to a sewn portion at the rear end of the airbag cushion.

[0020] With the above-described configuration, the rear end portion of the airbag cushion can be pulled efficiently toward the side frame by the external tether. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a side airbag device for a vehicle that can improve the occupant restraint performance of an airbag cushion with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle side airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1(b) is a diagram illustrating the airbag cushion in various directions. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the sub-chamber of FIG. 2(b) in an expanded state placed on a flat surface. [Figure 5] FIG. 2(b) illustrates the external tether of FIG. 2(a). [Figure 6] 2A to 2C are cross-sectional views of the airbag cushion of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the side airbag device of FIG. 1(b) and an occupant. [Figure 8] FIG. 7(b) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the occupant in FIG. 7(a) moves in an emergency. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention and, unless otherwise specified, do not limit the present invention. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0024] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle side airbag device (hereinafter referred to as side airbag device 100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1(a) is a diagram illustrating the side airbag device 100 in a state before it is activated. Figs. 1(a) and 1(b) illustrate the side airbag device 100 and a front row left seat 102 to which the side airbag device 100 is applied, as viewed from the left side in the vehicle width direction, i.e., from the outer side in the vehicle width direction (outside the vehicle).

[0025] In FIG. 1(a), the cover and seat pad (for example, urethane material) of the seat back 104 of the seat 102 are omitted, and only the seat frame 106 is illustrated.

[0026] In this embodiment, when the occupant 150 (see FIG. 7(a) etc.) is seated in the correct position on the seat 102, the direction that the occupant 150 faces is referred to as the forward direction, the opposite direction, that is, the direction of the back of the occupant 150 is referred to as the backward direction, the right hand side of the occupant 150 is referred to as the right direction, and the left hand side of the occupant 150 is referred to as the left direction. Furthermore, when the occupant 150 is seated in the correct position, the direction of the head of the occupant 150 is referred to as the upward direction, and the direction of the feet of the occupant 150 is referred to as the downward direction. In the drawings used in the following description, the front, back, left, right, up and down directions based on the occupant 150 in the above-mentioned correct seating position are indicated as necessary by arrows F (Forward), B (Back), L (Left), R (Right), U (Up), and D (Down).

[0027] The airbag module 110 includes an airbag cushion 112 that restrains an occupant 150 (see FIG. 7( a )), and an inflator 114 that supplies gas to the airbag cushion 112 .

[0028] The seat frame 106 is a skeletal member built into the seat back 104. Of the seat frame 106, side frames 108 are portions that extend along the left and right sides of the seat back 104. The airbag module 110 of this embodiment is assembled to the side frames 108 of the seat frame 106 from the outside in the width direction of the seat back 104.

[0029] In this embodiment, the airbag module 110 is mounted to the side frame 108 on the right side in the width direction of the seat back 104. The right side in the vehicle width direction is the side farther from the collision as seen by an occupant 150 (FIG. 7(a)) seated in the front row left seat 102, known as the far side. Conversely, the left side in the vehicle width direction as seen by the occupant in the seat 102 is the side closer to the collision as seen by the occupant in the seat 102, known as the near side. In other words, the airbag module 110 is installed on the far side of the seat back 104.

[0030] The airbag module 110 can also be attached to the side frame on the left side in the width direction of the seat back 104. In other words, the airbag module 110 can be installed on either the far side or the near side of the seat back 104.

[0031] The airbag cushion 112 is a bag-shaped member that can be inflated with gas, and inflates and deploys in an emergency such as when an impact occurs to the vehicle, to restrain an occupant 150 (see FIG. 7(a) etc.) seated in the seat 102. Before deployment, the airbag cushion 112 is in a rolled or folded stored state. In the stored state, the airbag cushion 112 is covered with a seat cover or the like, and therefore cannot be seen from the outside.

[0032] The inflator 114 is a gas generating device, and in this embodiment, a cylindrical inflator is adopted. The inflator 114 is housed in the lower rear portion of a main chamber 118 (described later) of the airbag cushion 112, with its longitudinal direction in the up-down direction along the seat back 104. The inflator 114 is electrically connected to the vehicle side, and is activated upon receiving a signal from the vehicle side resulting from the detection of an impact, to supply gas to the airbag cushion 112.

[0033] Currently popular inflators include types that are filled with gas generating agent and burn it to generate gas, types that are filled with compressed gas and supply gas without generating heat, and hybrid types that use both combustion gas and compressed gas. Any of these types can be used as the inflator 114.

[0034] The inflator 114 is provided with two stud bolts 116a, 116b spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. The stud bolts 116a, 116b penetrate the base fabric of the airbag cushion 112 to be exposed to the outside and are fastened and fixed to the side frame 108 of the seat back 104. The stud bolts 116a, 116b penetrate the airbag cushion 112 and are fastened to the seat back 104, whereby the airbag cushion 112 is also attached to the seat back 104.

[0035] Fig. 1(b) is a diagram illustrating the state after inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion 112 of Fig. 1(a). When the side airbag device 100 detects a far-side collision via various sensors and a predetermined electronic control unit (ECU), it activates the airbag module 110 provided on the far side.

[0036] The inflator 114 ejects gas in response to an operating signal sent from the ECU etc. The airbag cushion 112 uses the gas from the inflator 114 to push aside the surface of the seat back 104 and is inflated and deployed into the passenger compartment.

[0037] The airbag cushion 112 of this embodiment is configured to include a wide main chamber 118 and a sub-chamber 120 that protrudes from the main chamber 118 toward the occupant, as portions for restraining the occupant.

[0038] The main chamber 118 constitutes a major part of the airbag cushion 112 and is inflated and deployed into an overall flat shape. The outer surface of the main chamber 118 is made up of a main panel 118a located on the left side in the vehicle width direction and facing the occupant, and a main panel 118b located on the right side in the vehicle width direction and facing away from the occupant. The main panels 118a and 118b are made from base fabric and are formed into a bag-like shape overall by sewing, bonding, or the like. The main chamber 118 can also be formed by weaving using OPW (One-Piece Woven).

[0039] The sub-chamber 120 inflates and deploys, protruding toward the occupant from slightly forward of the upper portion of the main chamber 118 on the occupant side. The sub-chamber 120 of this embodiment functions mainly to restrain the head 154 of the occupant 150 (see FIG. 7(a)).

[0040] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the airbag cushion 112 of Figure 1(b) from various directions: Figure 2(a) is a diagram illustrating the airbag cushion 112 of Figure 1(b) from the occupant's side.

[0041] The main chamber 118 has the inflator 114 built in the lower rear part, and is inflated and deployed by receiving gas directly from the inflator 114. Inside the main chamber 118, a reinforcing cloth 122 and the like are also provided near the mounting position of the inflator 114.

[0042] Fig. 2(b) is a front view of the airbag cushion 112 of Fig. 2(a). The sub-chamber 120 is supported by the main chamber 118 and is capable of coming into contact with the head 154 of the occupant 150 (see Fig. 7(b)) from diagonally above.

[0043] 2(b) is in a position inclined diagonally downward by utilizing an external tether 124. The external tether 124 is a cloth-like member made of the same material as the main panel 118a, etc., and is hung across the front side of the subchamber 120 and an area of ​​the front side of the main chamber 118 below the subchamber 120, pulling the subchamber 120 downward and forward.

[0044] 2(a) is inclined downward from the rear to the front so that a front end portion 120a of the subchamber 120 in the front-to-rear direction of the seat 102 (see FIG. 1(b)) is positioned a distance H1 below a rear end portion 120b in the up-down direction. Therefore, a curved portion 128, which will be described later, is also formed to be inclined downward from the rear to the front.

[0045] The sub-chamber 120 does not necessarily have to be inflated and deployed in an inclined position, but may be configured to be inflated and deployed by spreading out in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0046] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the airbag cushion 112 in Fig. 1(b). The sub-chamber 120 is connected to the main panel 118a on the occupant side of the main chamber 118, and inflates and deploys, protruding from the main chamber 118 toward the occupant.

[0047] The sub-chamber 120 has an edge 126 on the occupant side that is curved and recessed toward the main chamber 118, forming a curved portion 128. In this case, the sub-chamber 120 has a shape in which the front end 120a protrudes more toward the occupant side (the right side in FIG. 7(b)) than the rear end 120b. As a result, the curved portion 128 is curved from the rear side to the front side, gradually wrapping around toward the occupant side.

[0048] 4 is a diagram illustrating the subchamber 120 of FIG. 2(b) laid flat and unfolded. The subchamber 120 is formed by folding a single panel member 130 in the middle, overlapping it, and sewing the curved edges 126a, 126b together.

[0049] Of the panel member 130, the left side in Fig. 4 is an upper region 130a that will become the upper side when the sub-chamber 120 is formed, and the right side in Fig. 4 is a lower region 130b that will become the lower side when the sub-chamber 120 is formed. A connection part 132 to which the external tether 124 (see Fig. 2(b)) is connected is provided on the front side of the lower region 130b.

[0050] A connection area 134 is formed in the center of the panel member 130. The connection area 134 is an area that is connected to the main panel 118a (see FIG. 2(a)), and is formed in an elliptical shape so as to cross the center of the panel member 130.

[0051] A plurality of gas inlets 136a to 136d are provided in connection region 134. Gas inlets 136a to 136d are connected to main panel 118a (see FIG. 2(a)) and receive gas flowing out from main chamber 118.

[0052] Sub-chamber 120 receives gas from main chamber 118 (see FIG. 2(a)) via gas receiving ports 136a-136d and inflates and deploys. That is, gas from inflator 114 is first supplied to main chamber 118, and then supplied to sub-chamber 120 via main chamber 118. This configuration enables main chamber 118 and sub-chamber 120 to be suitably inflated and deployed using gas from inflator 114.

[0053] 2(a) again, the airbag cushion 112 of this embodiment is also provided with another external tether 138. The external tether 138 is connected to an upper portion of a rear end portion 140 of the main chamber 118, and serves to pull the rear end portion 140 toward the side frame 108.

[0054] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the external tether 138 of Figure 2(a). Figure 5(a) is a diagram illustrating the external tether 138 alone in a state where it is spread out flat. The external tether 138 is a cloth-like member made of the same material as the main panel 118a (see Figure 2(b)), etc. One end of the external tether 138 is connected to an upper part of the rear end portion 140 of the main chamber 118 (see Figure 2(a)) by a connecting portion 142, and the other end can be fastened to a stud bolt 116a that passes through the side frame 108 (see Figure 6(a)) by using a bolt hole 144.

[0055] FIG. 5(b) is a diagram exemplifying an enlarged view of the external tether 138 in FIG. 2(a). The bolt hole 146 provided in the main chamber 118 is a portion where the stud bolt 116a above the inflator 114 (see FIG. 6(a)) penetrates and is exposed to the outside. The bolt hole 144 of the external tether 138 is configured to be hooked and fastened to the stud bolt 116a protruding from the bolt hole 146 of the main chamber 118.

[0056] The connecting portion 142 is formed along the outer periphery of the upper portion of the rear end portion 140 of the main chamber 118 when the airbag cushion 112 is viewed in the vehicle width direction. Further, the connecting portion 142 is in a state where the upper end of the external tether 138 is sewn to the sewing portion of the upper portion of the rear end portion 140 of the main chamber 118. With these configurations, the external tether 138 can efficiently pull the rear end portion 140 of the main chamber 118 of the airbag cushion 112 toward the side frame 108 side (see FIG. 6(a)).

[0057] The distance D1 from the lower end of the connecting portion 142 connected to the rear end portion 140 of the main chamber 118 to the bolt hole 144 of the external tether 138 is set shorter than the distance D2 from the lower end of the connecting portion 142 in the main chamber 118 to the bolt hole 146 (D1 < D2). With this configuration, the external tether 138 can pull the rear end portion 140 of the main chamber 118 inward in the vehicle width direction, that is, downward on the occupant side.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the airbag cushion 112 in FIG. 1(b). FIG. 6(a) is a sectional view taken along line B - B of the airbag cushion 112 in FIG. 1(b).

[0059] The airbag cushion 112 and the inflator 114 are attached to the side frame 108 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 1(a), the front edge 148 of the side frame 108 is inclined so as to extend forward in the vehicle from the upper part to the lower part.

[0060] 6(a), the external tether 138 extends from an upper portion of the rear end portion 140 of the main chamber 118, passes over the front edge 148 of the side frame 108 from above, extends downward, and is hooked onto and fastened to the stud bolt 116a at a position below the rear end portion 140. This makes it possible for the external tether 138 to pull the rear end portion 140 of the main chamber 118 downward inside the side frame 108 via the front edge 148.

[0061] Fig. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of the airbag cushion 112 in Fig. 6(a). The side frames 108 of the seat 102 (see Fig. 1(a)) employed in this embodiment are configured to gradually widen the width of the seat back 104 from the rear to the front of the seat back 104, that is, to extend outward in the width direction of the seat back 104.

[0062] When the airbag cushion 112 inflates and deploys, the external tether 138 is tensioned between the airbag cushion 112 and the side frame 108. With this configuration, the external tether 138 pulls the rear end portion 140 of the airbag cushion 112 toward the side frame 108, thereby maintaining the airbag cushion 112 in a position aligned with the side frame 108 and suppressing rocking of the airbag cushion 112, thereby improving the occupant restraint performance of the airbag cushion 112.

[0063] In particular, with the above configuration, even if the side frames 108 of the seat back 104 are shaped to open outward, and even if there is no other structure supporting the main chamber 118 from the opposite side of the seat 102, the tension of the external tether 138 can be used to hold the airbag cushion 112 in a position aligned with the side frames 108, thereby improving the occupant restraint performance of the airbag cushion 112.

[0064] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating the side airbag device 100 of Fig. 1(b) and an occupant 150. Fig. 7(a) illustrates the side airbag device 100 as viewed from the occupant's side in the vehicle width direction. The occupant 150 in Fig. 7(a) is an example of a test dummy AM50 that imitates a physique (height 175 cm, weight 78 kg) that matches 50% of the average American adult male.

[0065] As described above, the main chamber 118 inflates and deploys to the side of the occupant 150. The sub-chamber 120 is provided on the occupant side of the main chamber 118, in a position such that when inflated and deployed, the lower region 130b is at or above the height of the shoulders 152 of the occupant 150. This configuration enables the sub-chamber 114 to restrain the head 154 of the occupant 150.

[0066] 7(b) shows an example of the side airbag device 100 as viewed from above the seat 102. The sub-chamber 120 is capable of contacting the head 154 of the occupant 150 from the side to the front by utilizing the curved portion 128. The head 154 of the occupant 150 is restrained by the curved portion 128 of the sub-chamber 120, thereby preventing forward movement on the far side and also suppressing rotation around the neck.

[0067] According to the airbag cushion 112, the occupant-side edge 126 of the sub-chamber 120 is recessed in a curved line, allowing for restraint that conforms to the body of the occupant 150. Furthermore, the sub-chamber 120 is widely supported by the main chamber 118, allowing for efficient energy absorption when the occupant is restrained. Therefore, for example, the sub-chamber 120 can be used to restrain the head 154 of the occupant 150. Since it is known that rotational behavior of the head 154 tends to increase the injury level, this embodiment can suitably reduce the injury level of the occupant 150 with a simple configuration, such as by using the sub-chamber 120 to suppress the rotational behavior of the head 154.

[0068] 8 is a diagram illustrating the state in which the occupant 150 in FIG. 7(a) moves in an emergency. In an emergency, the occupant 150 is likely to fall forward around the waist, and as a result, the head 154 is likely to move forward and downward.

[0069] As described above, the sub-chamber 120 protrudes from the main chamber 118 at an angle downwards toward the occupant 150 in the left-right direction of the seat 102 (see FIG. 1(b)), and also inclines from rear to front in the front-to-rear direction. With this configuration, the sub-chamber 120 comes into contact with the head 154 of the occupant 150 from above, and can absorb the behavior of the front side of the curved portion 128 falling forward of the head 154 from below and in the front.

[0070] According to the configuration of this modified example, the sub-chamber 120 is inclined downward toward the occupant and downward toward the front, so that the sub-chamber 120 can continue to restrain the head 154 of the occupant 150 before and after the movement of the occupant 150 in the event of an emergency. In particular, the sub-chamber 120 can utilize the curved portion 128 to come into contact with the head 154 of the occupant 150 from the side and from below the front, making it possible to suitably suppress rotation of the head 154 about the neck. Therefore, even in this modified example, the rotational behavior of the head 154 of the occupant 150 can be suppressed with a simple configuration, and the injury level of the occupant 150 can be suitably reduced.

[0071] In this embodiment, the description has been given assuming that the airbag cushion 112 is provided on the far side of the seat back 104. By providing the airbag cushion 112 on the far side of the seat back 104, the occupant 150 who tends to move to the far side during a collision can be suitably restrained. However, it goes without saying that the airbag cushion 112 may also be provided on the near side of the seat back 104, and in that case, the main chamber 118 and the sub-chamber 120 can also be used to suitably restrain the occupant 150 (see FIG. 7(a)).

[0072] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above-described embodiments are merely preferred examples of the present invention, and other embodiments may be implemented or performed in various ways. Unless otherwise specified in the present specification, the present invention is not limited to the detailed shapes, sizes, and configurations of parts shown in the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the expressions and terms used in the present specification are for the purpose of explanation and are not intended to be limiting unless otherwise specified.

[0073] Therefore, it is clear that a person skilled in the art can think of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0074] The present invention can be used in a vehicle side airbag device that restrains an occupant seated in a vehicle seat. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 100...side airbag device, 102...seat, 104...seat back, 106...seat frame, 108...side frame, 110...airbag module, 112...airbag cushion, 114...inflator, 116a, 116b...stud bolt, 118...main chamber, 118a, 118b...main panel, 120...sub-chamber, 120a...front end portion, 120b...rear end portion, 122...reinforcement Fabric, 124...external tether, 126...edge, 128...curved portion, 130...panel member, 130a...upper region, 130b...lower region, 132...connection portion, 134...connection region, 136...occupant, 136a-136b...gas receiving port, 138...external tether, 140...rear end portion, 142...connection portion, 144...bolt hole, 146...bolt hole, 148...leading edge, 150...occupant, 152...shoulder, 154...head, D1, D2...distance, H1...distance

Claims

1. A side airbag device for a vehicle comprising a side frame on a side of a seat back of a vehicle seat and an airbag module attached to the side frame, The airbag module includes: an airbag cushion that is bag-shaped and rolled or folded into a predetermined storage configuration and attached to the outer side of the side frame in the width direction of the seat back; an inflator attached to the outside of the side frame together with the airbag cushion; an external tether extending from a predetermined connection portion at a rear end of the airbag cushion, passing through an edge of the side frame, and connected to an inner side of the side frame in the width direction below the connection portion; Including, The vehicle side airbag device is characterized in that the external tether is in a tensioned state between the airbag cushion and the side frame when the airbag cushion is inflated and deployed.

2. The airbag cushion is a main chamber that inflates and deploys from the side frame to the side of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat; a sub-chamber that inflates and deploys by protruding from the main chamber toward the occupant; and 2. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the edge of the sub-chamber on the occupant side is curved and recessed toward the main chamber.

3. 3. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the edge of the sub-chamber on the occupant side is formed by a curved line that is recessed toward the main chamber.

4. 3. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the sub-chamber is inclined downward from the rear to the front so that a front end portion of the sub-chamber in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle seat is positioned lower than a rear end portion of the sub-chamber.

5. 5. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the side frame extends in a direction in which the width of the seatback gradually increases from the rear to the front of the seatback.

6. 5. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined connection portion is formed along the outer periphery of the upper rear end of the airbag cushion.

7. 5. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined connection portion is formed by stitching one end of the external tether to a stitched portion at the rear end of the airbag cushion.

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