Vehicle side airbag device and method of manufacturing airbag cushion

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a vehicle side airbag device capable of improving occupant restraint performance with a simple structure. [Solution] A pre-push chamber 122 of an airbag cushion 112 comprises an upper pre-chamber 122a that extends in the vertical direction and a lower pre-chamber 122b that extends forward. A main chamber 116 comprises an upper main chamber 118 that receives gas from the upper pre-chamber 122a, a lower main chamber 120 that receives gas from the lower pre-chamber 122b, and a baffle 146 that separates the upper main chamber 118 from the lower main chamber 120. A bottom surface panel 144 that forms the bottom surface of the lower main chamber 120 is provided bridging the lower edges of an inner main panel 134 and an outer main panel 136 of the main chamber 116.

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, and a method for manufacturing an airbag cushion. [Background technology]

[0002] Airbag systems are now standard equipment on most modern vehicles. Airbag systems 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.

[0003] There are various types of airbag devices depending on the installation location and application. For example, in the vehicle side airbag device disclosed in Patent Document 1 by the present applicant, an airbag cushion inflates and deploys from the side of the seat into the gap between the occupant and the side of the vehicle, restraining the occupant from the side. In particular, the side airbag 4 in Patent Document 1 has an internal partition member 7 that varies the thickness depending on the part, allowing it to appropriately restrain the skeletal strong chest and waist areas and the weak abdominal area, respectively. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2014 / 123055 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Currently, there is a demand for further improvements in the occupant restraint performance of the airbag cushion in vehicle side airbag devices. To achieve this, it is effective to start restraining the occupant from the early stage of the airbag cushion inflation and deployment, and to restrain the occupant while limiting the amount of movement of the occupant from the seat.

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

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a representative configuration of a vehicle side airbag device according to the present invention is a vehicle side airbag device including an airbag module attached to a side frame of a seat back of a vehicle seat, the airbag module having an airbag cushion that is rolled or folded into a predetermined storage form and attached to the side frame, and an inflator that is inserted into the airbag cushion and attached to the side frame, the airbag cushion having a pre-push chamber that first receives gas from the inflator and inflates and deploys, and a main chamber that receives gas that has passed through the pre-push chamber and inflates and deploys, the pre-push chamber having a pre-upper chamber that extends vertically along the seat back, and a main chamber that extends from a lower part of the pre-upper chamber to the vehicle seat and a pre-lower chamber extending forward along the seat cushion of the dual-purpose seat. The main chamber has a main upper chamber which is located in an area overlapping the pre-upper chamber when viewed from the side of the vehicle seat and receives gas from the pre-upper chamber, a main lower chamber which is located below the main upper chamber in an area overlapping the pre-lower chamber and receives gas from the pre-lower chamber, and a partition which separates the main upper chamber and the main lower chamber and prevents gas from passing through. The pre-push chamber side of the main chamber is formed by an inner main panel, and the opposite side of the main chamber to the pre-push chamber is formed by an outer main panel, and a bottom panel which forms the bottom of the main lower chamber is draped over the lower edges of the inner main panel and the outer main panel.

[0008] The pre-push chamber is a section that begins to inflate and deploy before the main chamber. This pre-push chamber inflates and deploys early, pushing the occupant back toward the center of the seat, followed by the main chamber inflating and deploying widely, thereby efficiently restraining the occupant.

[0009] In the above-described configuration, the pre-lower chamber inflates along the seat cushion, and the main lower chamber receives gas from the pre-lower chamber to inflate and deploy. This main lower chamber can restrain the lumbar region of an occupant seated on the seat cushion. In particular, the main lower chamber's thickness in the width direction of the seat is increased by the bottom panel, allowing for sufficient restraint of the heavy lumbar region. Therefore, with this simple configuration using a baffle, bottom panel, etc., it is possible to reduce the amount of occupant movement from the seat and improve the occupant restraint performance of the airbag cushion.

[0010] When the airbag cushion in the above-described stored configuration is built into the vehicle seat, the bottom panel may be folded between the inner main panel and the outer main panel.

[0011] According to the above configuration, the airbag cushion can be efficiently stored inside the vehicle seat in a form that allows it to be smoothly inflated and deployed.

[0012] The partition is formed by a baffle that spans the inner main panel and the outer main panel, and the baffle may have a cutout portion that is cut out in an area that overlaps with the inflator near the rear end portion when viewed in the width direction of the vehicle seat.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the baffle separates the main upper chamber from the main lower chamber, and by providing a cutout in the baffle to reduce the thickness of the rear part of the airbag cushion, it becomes possible to smoothly inflate and deploy the airbag cushion while it is in contact with the seat frame.

[0014] The partition is formed by a baffle that spans the inner main panel and the outer main panel, and the baffle has a cutout portion cut out over a predetermined range near the rear end portion when viewed in the width direction of the vehicle seat, and the rear end portion of the baffle including the cutout portion may be sewn along a stitching portion that forms the rear edge of the main chamber while being bent above the airbag cushion.

[0015] According to the above configuration, by providing a cutout portion at the rear end portion of the baffle and sewing the rear end portion together with the sewing portion at the rear edge of the main chamber, the thickness of the rear portion of the airbag cushion is reduced, which makes it possible to smoothly inflate and deploy the airbag cushion while it is in contact with the seat frame.

[0016] The partition may be formed by a sewn portion where the inner main panel and the outer main panel are sewn together.

[0017] The above-mentioned stitching also makes it possible to separate the main upper chamber from the main lower chamber.

[0018] The airbag cushion may further have an open vent that opens the area surrounded by the inner main panel, the outer main panel, and the bottom panel.

[0019] The above-described open vent can realize a vent hole that is easy to open and allows gas to be easily discharged with a simple configuration.

[0020] The open vent may be formed on the front side of the bottom panel in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle seat. This configuration allows gas to be smoothly discharged in front of the airbag cushion where no occupant is present.

[0021] The open vent may be formed on the rear side of the bottom panel in the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat. This configuration allows gas to be smoothly discharged behind the airbag cushion where an occupant is not present.

[0022] The inflator is inserted into the pre-push chamber, and the airbag cushion further has a diffuser that is provided in the pre-push chamber, contains the inflator, and has open upper and lower ends, and the lower end of the diffuser is bifurcated, one of which opens within the pre-push chamber and the other of which is inserted into the main lower chamber and opens.

[0023] According to the above configuration, gas is distributed from the lower end of the bifurcated diffuser to the pre-push chamber and the main lower chamber, causing the pre-push chamber and the main lower chamber to inflate and deploy in parallel, quickly increasing their thickness and restraining the lumbar region of the occupant. Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to further improve the occupant restraint performance of the airbag cushion.

[0024] The inner main panel may have a panel cutout cut into a predetermined location within the range of the main lower chamber, and the diffuser may have a pair of diffuser cutouts cut into both the front and rear sides from the lower end, and the lower end of the diffuser may be bifurcated by inserting the edges of the panel cutouts into the pair of diffuser cutouts.

[0025] According to the above configuration, it is possible to distribute gas to the pre-push chamber and the main lower chamber with a simple configuration.

[0026] In order to solve the above problems, a representative configuration of the method for manufacturing an airbag cushion according to the present invention is a method for manufacturing an airbag cushion to be built into the side portion of a vehicle seat, the airbag cushion having a main chamber that inflates and deploys forward from the side portion of the vehicle seat, and a pre-push chamber that is provided on the side of the main chamber that faces an occupant seated in the vehicle seat and that completes inflation and deployment before the main chamber, the pre-push chamber side of the main chamber being formed by an inner main panel, and the opposite side of the main chamber to the pre-push chamber being formed by an outer main panel, and each of the inner main panel and the outer main panel a bottom panel that forms the bottom surface of the main chamber is draped over the lower edge of the inner main panel, and the pre-push chamber is formed of a pre-push panel that is joined to the inner main panel; and the manufacturing method of the airbag cushion is characterized by comprising a first sewing process in which the side edges of the bottom panel are overlapped and sewn onto the lower edges of the inner main panel and the outer main panel, a second sewing process in which the inner main panel and the outer main panel are sewn together from their upper edges to their lower edges at locations spaced a predetermined distance from the rear edges of the inner main panel and the outer main panel, and a third sewing process in which the inner main panel and the outer main panel are sewn together from their front edges to their upper edges and rear edges.

[0027] According to the above configuration, an airbag cushion having a thick lower portion and a bottom panel can be manufactured in a simple procedure.

[0028] The airbag cushion may further have a diffuser that is provided in the pre-push chamber, contains a predetermined inflator, and has open upper and lower ends, and the manufacturing method for the airbag cushion may include, before the second sewing process, a first cutting process of cutting a predetermined location within the range of the main lower chamber of the inner main panel to provide a panel cut-out portion, a second cutting process of cutting both front and rear sides from the lower end of the diffuser to provide a pair of diffuser cut-out portions, and a diffuser installation process of inserting edges of the panel cut-out portions into the pair of diffuser cut-out portions to install the lower end of the diffuser in a bifurcated state.

[0029] According to the above configuration, an airbag cushion capable of distributing gas between a pre-push chamber and a main lower chamber can be manufactured in a simple procedure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0030] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a side airbag device for a vehicle and a method for manufacturing an airbag cushion that can improve occupant restraint performance with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle side airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the airbag cushion of FIG. 1(b) in isolation. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a panel member of the airbag cushion of FIG. 2A. [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of the airbag cushion of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the airbag cushion of FIG. 2(b) and the occupant. [Figure 6] 6 illustrates an open vent of the airbag cushion of FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the open vent of FIG. 6(a). [Figure 8] 3(b) and 3(c) are diagrams illustrating a method for manufacturing the airbag cushion of FIG. [Figure 9] 3(b) is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the airbag cushion of FIG. [Figure 10] 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views of the airbag cushion of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 4 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the baffle of FIG. 3. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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) illustrates an example of an airbag cushion 112 before it is moved. The side airbag device 100 can be installed in any seat in the front or rear row of a vehicle, or even on either the left or right side.

[0034] In this embodiment, when an occupant is seated in the vehicle seat 102 in a normal position, the direction the occupant faces is referred to as the forward direction, the opposite direction, that is, the direction of the occupant's back is referred to as the backward direction, the occupant's right hand side is referred to as the right direction, and the occupant's left hand side is referred to as the left direction. Furthermore, when an occupant is seated in a normal position, the direction of the occupant's head is referred to as the upward direction, and the direction of the occupant's feet is referred to as the downward direction. In the drawings used in the following description, the front, back, left, right, up and down directions relative to the occupant in the above-mentioned normal seating position are indicated as necessary by arrows F (Forward), B (Back), L (Left), R (Right), U (Up), and D (Down).

[0035] 1(a) illustrates only the seat frame 106 of the seat back 104 of the seat 102, omitting the cover and seat pad (e.g., urethane material). The seat frame 106 is a skeletal member built into the seat back 104.

[0036] The airbag module 110 is built into the side of the seat 102 and is attached, for example, to a side frame 108 of the seat frame 106. The side frame 108 is a portion of the seat frame 106 that extends along the left and right side surfaces of the seat back 104.

[0037] In this embodiment, the airbag module 110 is attached to the side frame 108 on the left side in the width direction of the seat back 104. However, the airbag module 110 can also be attached to the side frame on the right side in the width direction of the seat back 104. In other words, the airbag module 110 can be installed either on the side of the seat 102 on the door side that is closer to the collision point (near side), or on the side on the vehicle interior side that is farther from the collision point (far side).

[0038] The airbag module 110 is configured to include an airbag cushion 112 and an inflator 114. The airbag cushion 112 is a bag-shaped member that can be inflated with gas, and is attached to the side frame in a predetermined rolled or folded storage configuration. The airbag cushion 112 inflates and deploys in the event of an emergency, such as when an impact occurs to the vehicle, to restrain the occupant seated in the seat 102.

[0039] The inflator 114 is a gas generator that is electrically connected to the vehicle side and is activated upon receiving a signal resulting from the detection of an impact from the vehicle side to supply gas to the airbag cushion 112. In this embodiment, a cylindrical inflator is used as the inflator 114. The inflator 114 is inserted into the airbag cushion 112 with its length oriented in the up-down direction along the side frame 108, and is attached to the side frame 108 using stud bolts (not shown).

[0040] 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.

[0041] Fig. 1(b) is a diagram illustrating the state after the airbag cushion 112 in Fig. 1(a) has been inflated and deployed. When the side airbag device 100 detects a collision via various sensors and a predetermined electronic control unit (ECU), it activates the airbag module 110.

[0042] 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 cover etc. of the seat bag 104 and inflate and deploy into the passenger compartment.

[0043] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the airbag cushion 112 of Figure 1(b) in isolation. Figure 2(a) is a diagram illustrating the airbag cushion 112 of Figure 1(b) as viewed from the outside in the width direction of the seat.

[0044] The airbag cushion 112 of this embodiment includes a main chamber 116 as the main portion that restrains the occupant. The main chamber 116 is a portion that inflates and deploys widely forward from the side frame 108 (see FIG. 1(b)). The interior of the main chamber 116 is divided by a baffle 146, which will be described later, into an upper main chamber 118 that restrains mainly the shoulders and chest of the occupant on the upper side, and a lower main chamber 120 that restrains mainly the waist of the occupant on the lower side.

[0045] 1(b), the airbag cushion 112 includes a pre-push chamber 122 as a portion that inflates and deploys before the main chamber 116. The pre-push chamber 122 inflates and deploys by protruding from the main chamber 116 toward the center of the seat back 104 in the width direction.

[0046] The pre-push chamber 122 is provided on the side of the occupant seated in the seat 102 as viewed from the main chamber 116, and receives gas from the inflator 114 first, inflating and deploying before the main chamber 116, pushing the occupant back toward the center of the seat 102. The main chamber 116 then receives gas that has passed through the pre-push chamber 122, inflates and deploys, and widely restrains the occupant's body.

[0047] 2(b) is a diagram illustrating the airbag cushion 112 of FIG. 2(a) as viewed from the front of the seat 102 (see FIG. 1(b)). The airbag cushion 112 has a three-dimensional shape at the bottom by utilizing a bottom panel 144, which will be described later, and the bottom is thicker than the top in the width direction of the seat 102.

[0048] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the panel member of the airbag cushion 112 of Fig. 2(a). Fig. 3(a) illustrates the panel member of the airbag cushion 112 corresponding to Fig. 2(a).

[0049] The airbag cushion 112 is a bag-shaped member, and is formed by overlapping and sewing or bonding a plurality of base fabrics that form the surface thereof, or by weaving using OPW (One-Piece Woven).

[0050] An inflator insertion part 124 is provided in a part that becomes the rear side when the airbag cushion 112 is unfolded. The inflator insertion part 124 is a part where the inflator 114 (see FIG. 2(a)) is inserted and installed, and is provided in a part inside the pre-push chamber 122 that is located rearward of the main chamber 116.

[0051] The inflator insertion portion 124 is provided with bolt holes 126, 128 through which two stud bolts provided on the inflator 114 (see FIG. 2(a)) pass. The stud bolts are exposed to the outside through the bolt holes 126, 128 and are fastened and fixed to the side frame 108 (see FIG. 1(b)). In this way, the airbag cushion 112 is also attached to the side frame 108.

[0052] It is assumed that the inflator insertion portion 124 is configured so that the stud bolt is fastened to the side frame 108 from the center of the seat 102, but it is also possible to configure the stud bolt to be fastened to the side frame 108 from the outside.

[0053] A frame ground portion 130 is formed behind the main chamber 116. The frame ground portion 130 is the outer portion in the width direction of the pre-push chamber 122. The frame ground portion 130 is shaped to follow the side frame 108 (see FIG. 1(b)) so that the pre-push chamber 122 receives a reaction force from the side frame 108.

[0054] Figure 3(b) is an exploded view of each panel member of the airbag cushion 112 in Figure 3(a). As illustrated in Figure 3(b), the main chamber 116 is formed by an inner main panel 136 on the pre-push chamber 122 side, i.e., on the inner side in the width direction of the seat 102 (see Figure 1(b)), and an outer main panel 134 on the opposite side, i.e., on the outer side in the width direction of the seat 102.

[0055] A baffle 146 is disposed between the inner main panel 136 and the outer main panel 134, and this baffle 146 divides the interior of the main chamber 116 (see FIG. 4(b)) into an upper main chamber 118 and a lower main chamber 120, which will be described later.

[0056] A bottom panel 144 is draped over the lower edges of the inner main panel 136 and the outer main panel 134. The bottom panel 144 forms the bottom surface of the main lower chamber 120 and provides thickness to the main lower chamber 120.

[0057] A pre-push panel 138 that forms the pre-push chamber 122 (see FIG. 1(b)) is joined to the seat side of the inner main panel 136. The pre-push panel 138 is L-shaped to fit the shape of the pre-push chamber 122 in this embodiment. An inner tube 132 is disposed inside the pre-push panel 138.

[0058] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion 112 of Figure 3. Figure 4(a) is a cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion 112 of Figure 3 taken along line AA.

[0059] The pre-push chamber 122 is provided with an inflator insertion section 124. The inflator insertion section 124 includes an inner tube 132 that straightens the gas in the vertical direction. The inflator insertion section 124 is attached to the side frame 108 (see FIG. 1(b)) from the center side in the width direction of the seat back 104, with the stud bolts of the inflator 114 exposed to the outside through bolt holes 126, etc.

[0060] The pre-push chamber 122 receives gas from the inflator 114 (see FIG. 2(a)) early on and completes inflation and deployment quickly before the main chamber 116. The pre-push chamber 122 pushes the occupant back toward the center of the seat 102 while pushing aside the seat pad and the like inside the seat 102 (see FIG. 1(a)) to ensure space for the main chamber 116 to inflate and deploy.

[0061] 1(b), the pre-push chamber 122 is L-shaped and extends from the rear to the lower part of the airbag cushion 112. Of the pre-push chamber 122, the pre-upper chamber 122a extends in the up-and-down direction along the seat back 104. The pre-lower chamber 122b extends forward from the lower part of the pre-upper chamber 122a along the seat cushion 105 of the seat 102.

[0062] 3(a), the main upper chamber 118 is provided in an area that overlaps with the pre-upper chamber 122a when the seat 102 is viewed from the side. The main upper chamber 118 is connected to the pre-upper chamber 122a by first inner vents 140a and 140b.

[0063] As shown in Figure 4(a), gas from the inflator 114 (see Figure 2(a)) is supplied to the main upper chamber 118 from the pre-upper chamber 122a through the first inner vent 140b. Vent holes 142a and 142b are provided on the front side of the main upper chamber 118, and the gas that inflates and deploys the main upper chamber 118 is discharged to the outside through the vent holes 142a and 142b.

[0064] Figure 4(b) is a BB cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion 112 in Figure 3. The main lower chamber 120 is provided below the main upper chamber 118 in an area overlapping the pre-lower chamber 122b. The main lower chamber 120 receives gas from the pre-lower chamber 122b through the second inner vent 148a and restrains mainly the lumbar region of the occupant.

[0065] A baffle 146 is provided inside the main chamber 116. The baffle 146 is a panel member made of the same base fabric as the outer main panel 134, etc., and is joined by sewing to the outer main panel 134 and the inner main panel 136. The baffle 146 divides the main chamber 116 into an upper main chamber 118 and a lower main chamber 120, and gas cannot pass between the upper main chamber 118 and the lower main chamber 120.

[0066] The baffle 146 can also be sewn to the outer main panel 134 and the inner main panel 136 together with the pre-push panel 138. Although the baffle 146 is arranged so that the fold is located on the upper side in FIG. 3(b), it can also be arranged so that the fold is located on the lower side. Furthermore, as an alternative element to the baffle 146, a partition that divides the interior of the main chamber 116 into the main upper chamber 118 and the main lower chamber 120 can also be realized by providing a sewn portion that joins the outer main panel 134 and the inner main panel 136 in the same range as the joining portion of the baffle 146.

[0067] The bottom surface of the pre-lower chamber 122b is formed by a bottom panel 144. The bottom panel 144 is hung across the lower edges of the inner main panel 136 and the outer main panel 134.

[0068] 5 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the airbag cushion 112 and the occupant in FIG. 2(b). The main lower chamber 120 has a thickness in the width direction of the seat 102 due to the provision of the bottom panel 144.

[0069] As described above, the airbag cushion 112 of this embodiment is able to efficiently restrain the occupant P1 by causing the pre-push chamber 122 to inflate and deploy early to push the occupant P1 back toward the center of the seat 102, and then causing the main chamber 116 to inflate and deploy widely.

[0070] In the airbag cushion 112, the pre-lower chamber 122b inflates along the seat cushion 105, and the main lower chamber 120 receives gas from the pre-lower chamber 122b and inflates and deploys. This main lower chamber 120 can restrain the waist 150 of the occupant P1 seated on the seat cushion 105.

[0071] The bottom panel 144 increases the thickness of the main lower chamber 120 in the width direction of the seat 102, thereby increasing the contact area with the occupant P1 and enabling the airbag cushion 112 to fully restrain the heavy lumbar region 150. As described above, the airbag cushion 112 of this embodiment makes it possible to reduce the amount of movement of the occupant P1 from the seat 102 and improve the occupant restraint performance of the airbag cushion 112 with a simple configuration that does not require any changes to the inflator, etc., by utilizing the baffle 146, bottom panel 144, etc.

[0072] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the open vent 152 of the airbag cushion 112 of Figure 5. Figure 6(a) is an enlarged view of the open vent 152 of Figure 3(a). The airbag cushion 112 has the open vent 152 as a portion for discharging gas from the main lower chamber 120 to the outside.

[0073] Fig. 6(b) is a schematic diagram of the open vent 152 in Fig. 5 when it is closed. The open vent 152 is formed by opening the area surrounded by the inner main panel 136, the outer main panel 134, and the bottom panel 144 without sewing.

[0074] Figure 6(c) is a schematic diagram of the release vent 152 in Figure 6(b) when it is open. The release vent 152 is formed where the inner main panel 136, the outer main panel 134, and the bottom panel 144 come together, and so opens when gas force is applied to each panel from the inside.

[0075] Conventional vent holes created by drilling through a panel require securing a location large enough to accommodate a vent hole of a certain diameter and then sewing the vent hole accordingly. In contrast, the open vent 152 can be formed by leaving the intersection of three panels unstitched, making it easy to open it to a larger diameter and increase the amount of gas released. Thus, the open vent 152 provides a simple, yet easily constructed, vent hole that allows gas to be easily released.

[0076] 5, in this embodiment, the open vent 152 is formed on the front side of the bottom panel 144 in the front-rear direction of the seat 102. This configuration allows gas to be smoothly discharged in front of the airbag cushion 112 where the occupant P1 is not present.

[0077] Alternatively, the open vent 152 may be formed on the rear side of the bottom panel 144 in the front-to-rear direction of the seat 102. This configuration also allows gas to be smoothly discharged behind the airbag cushion 112 where the occupant P1 is not present.

[0078] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating a modified example (open vent 208) of the open vent 152 in Figure 6(a). The arm-lifting bag 200 in Figure 7 is an airbag cushion that lifts the arms of the occupant P1 (see Figure 5) from below and holds them in an appropriate position, and can be installed on the side of the seat 102 or on the inside of a side door.

[0079] The arm-lifting bag 200 has an inner main panel 202 on the inside of the vehicle, an outer main panel 204 on the outside of the vehicle, and a top panel 206 that forms the top surface. An open vent 208 can be provided in front of the top panel 206 in a location surrounded by the inner main panel 202, the outer main panel 204, and the top panel 206. The open vent 208 also opens when gas force is applied to each panel from the inside, allowing gas to be efficiently discharged.

[0080] 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating a method for manufacturing the airbag cushion 112 of Fig. 3A. The method for manufacturing the airbag cushion 112 mainly shows the steps for forming the main chamber 116.

[0081] In forming the main chamber 116, first, as a step of forming the bottom surface of the main chamber 116, a first sewing process (sewing section 160) is performed in which the side edges of the bottom panel 144 are overlapped and sewn onto the lower edges of the inner main panel 136 and the outer main panel 134.

[0082] Next, as a step of forming the rear edge of the main chamber 116, a second sewing process (sewn portion 162) is performed in which the inner main panel 136 and the outer main panel 134 are sewn together from the upper edge to the lower edge at locations spaced a predetermined distance from the rear edge of each panel, thereby forming the frame ground contact portion 130.

[0083] Then, a third sewing process (sewn portion 164) is performed to sew together the outer peripheries of the inner main panel 136 and the outer main panel 134 from the front edge to the upper edge and rear edge, completing the periphery sewing of the airbag cushion 112. At this time, the sewn portion 164 is separated from the sewn portion 160 to provide an unsewn portion, thereby forming the open vent 152. Through these procedures, the airbag cushion 112 having a thick lower portion and the bottom panel 144 can be manufactured in a simple procedure.

[0084] When the airbag cushion 112 in the stored configuration shown in FIG. 1(a) is built into the seat 102, the bottom panel 144 may be folded between the inner main panel 136 and the outer main panel 134 as shown in FIG. 4(b), which is a configuration known as tucked-in. In FIG. 4(b), for example, the bottom panel 144 can be folded in a mountain fold toward the inside of the main lower chamber 120 so as not to protrude from the inner main panel 136 and the outer main panel 134. This allows the airbag cushion 112 to be folded compactly and efficiently stored inside the seat 102, while still being able to be smoothly inflated and deployed by the force of gas.

[0085] (Modified Airbag Cushion) 9 is a diagram illustrating a modified example (airbag cushion 220) of the airbag cushion 122 in FIG. 3(b). In the following description, components that have already been described will be assigned the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. Furthermore, components with the same names as components already described will have the same configuration and function even if assigned different reference numerals.

[0086] 9(a) is a diagram illustrating an airbag cushion 220 corresponding to FIG. 3(b). The airbag cushion 220 includes a diffuser 222 as a member similar to the inner tube 132 (see FIG. 3(b)). The diffuser 222 is also a cylindrical member that is installed in the pre-push chamber 122 in a state where the inflator 114 (see FIG. 1(b)) is contained therein.

[0087] The diffuser 222 has openings 224a and 224b at its upper and lower ends, respectively, and rectifies the gas from the inflator 114 (see FIG. 1(b)) in the vertical direction. The diffuser 222 has bolt holes 226a and 226b through which the stud bolts of the inflator 114 pass, and is attached to the side frame 108 together with the inflator 114 from the center side in the width direction of the seat back 104.

[0088] Fig. 9(b) is a diagram illustrating the inner main panel 228 and the diffuser 222 in Fig. 9(a) as viewed from the outside in the width direction of the seat back 104 (see Fig. 1(b)). In Fig. 9(b), the inner main panel 228 is illustrated in a flat, unfolded state, and the diffuser 222 is illustrated in a perspective view.

[0089] In this modified example, a panel cutout 230 is provided in the inner main panel 228 as a portion into which the diffuser 222 is inserted. The panel cutout 230 is provided by cutting the inner main panel 228 laterally at the rear end side within the range of the main lower chamber 120.

[0090] The diffuser 222 is provided with a pair of diffuser cutouts 234a, 234b as portions to be inserted into the edge 232 of the panel cutout 230. The diffuser cutouts 234a are provided by cutting a predetermined range extending upward from the lower end on both the front and rear sides of the lower end of the diffuser 222.

[0091] Fig. 9(c) is a diagram illustrating an example of an assembly of the inner main panel 228 and the diffuser 222 in Fig. 9(b). The diffuser 222 is assembled to the inner main panel 228 by inserting the edge 232 of the panel cutout 230 into a pair of diffuser cutouts 234a, 234b and providing a stitching portion 238 on the front side and sewing it.

[0092] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion 220 of Figure 9. Figure 10(a) is a cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion 220 corresponding to the CC cross-sectional view of the diffuser 222 of Figure 9(c).

[0093] The lower end side of the diffuser 222 is bifurcated as a gas outlet by inserting the edge 232 of the panel cutout 230 (see FIG. 9(c)) into a pair of diffuser cutouts 234a, 234b. For example, the lower end side of the diffuser 222 is formed with an inner opening 236a that supplies gas to the pre-push chamber and an outer opening 236b that supplies gas to the main lower chamber 120, with the inner main panel 228 as the boundary.

[0094] Figure 10(b) is a cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion 220 corresponding to the DD cross-sectional view of the diffuser 222 in Figure 9(c). As described above, the lower end side of the diffuser 222 is installed in a bifurcated state by being inserted into the panel cutout portion 230. As a result, the bifurcated lower end side of the diffuser 222 forms an inner opening 236a on one side that opens within the pre-push chamber 122, and an outer opening 236b on the other side that is inserted into the main lower chamber 120 and opens.

[0095] According to this modified example, gas is distributed from the lower end of the bifurcated diffuser 222 to the pre-push chamber 122 and the main lower chamber 120, causing the pre-push chamber 122 and the main lower chamber 120 to inflate and deploy in parallel, allowing them to quickly increase in thickness and restrain the waist 150 of the occupant P1 (Figure 5).

[0096] In this modified example, by supplying gas to the main lower chamber 120 from the early stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion 220 to increase its thickness, it is possible to ensure a large amount of movement, i.e., a large stroke amount, when receiving the hip region 150 of the occupant P1 from the side. As described above, the airbag cushion 220 of this modified example distributes gas to the pre-push chamber 122 and the main lower chamber 120 with a simple configuration, thereby further improving occupant restraint performance.

[0097] The manufacturing method of the airbag cushion 220 is realized by performing a step of assembling the diffuser 222 to the inner main panel 228 before the second sewing process (162) in the manufacturing method of the airbag cushion 112 described with reference to Figure 8.

[0098] For example, first, as a step of providing the panel cutout portion 230, a first cutout process is performed to cut a predetermined location within the range of the main lower chamber 120 of the inner main panel 228.

[0099] Next, as a step of providing the pair of diffuser cutouts 234a, 234b in the diffuser 222, a second cutout process is performed to cut into both the front and rear sides of the diffuser 222 from the lower end.

[0100] Then, the edges 232 of the panel cutouts 230 are inserted into the pair of diffuser cutouts 234a, thereby performing a diffuser installation process in which the lower end of the diffuser 222 is installed in a bifurcated state.

[0101] According to the above configuration, the airbag cushion 220 capable of distributing gas between the pre-push chamber 122 and the main lower chamber 120 can be manufactured in a simple procedure.

[0102] 10(b), a pair of cutouts similar to diffuser cutouts 234a, 234b can be provided on the upper end side of diffuser 222, and an additional panel cutout can be provided at a corresponding position on inner main panel 228. With this configuration, not only the lower end side but also the upper end side of diffuser 222 can be bifurcated into pre-push chamber 122 and main upper chamber 118 (see FIG. 2(a)), making it possible to supply gas from the upper end side of diffuser 222 to pre-push chamber 122 and main upper chamber 118 in parallel.

[0103] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating a modified example (baffle 240) of the baffle 146 in Figure 3. Figure 11(a) is a diagram illustrating the baffle 240 according to Figure 3(a).

[0104] The baffle 240 is installed in a state in which the rear end portion 242 is bent upward along the stitching 162 that borders the front side of the frame ground contact portion 130 of the main chamber 116 .

[0105] 9(a) is provided with a notch 147. The notch 147 is formed by cutting out a range that overlaps with the inflator 114 (see FIG. 2(a)) near a rear end portion 149 of the baffle 146 when viewed in the width direction of the seat 102 (see FIG. 1(b)). By providing the notch 147 in the baffle 146, the thickness of the rear portion of the airbag cushion 112 can be reduced, and the airbag cushion 112 can be smoothly inflated and deployed while in contact with the seat frame 106.

[0106] Figure 11(b) is a diagram illustrating a baffle 340 according to Figure 3(b). The rear end 242 of the baffle 240 has a notch 244 formed in the center, and bifurcated side edges 246a, 246b formed.

[0107] The rear end portion 242 of the baffle 240, including the notch 244, is bent upwardly toward the airbag cushion 112 and sewn along a stitching portion 162 that forms the rear edge of the main chamber 116 (see FIG. 11(a)). The side edge portions 246a, 246b have an elongated shape and do not expand after being overlapped and sewn along the stitching portion 162, thereby reducing the thickness of the airbag cushion 112 when it is inflated and deployed.

[0108] As described above, by bending the rear end portion 242 of the baffle 240 upward and sewing it to the sewing portion 162, the thickness of the rear side of the airbag cushion 112 can be reduced and the frame contact portion 130 (FIG. 11(a)) can be suitably formed. Therefore, the airbag cushion 112 equipped with the baffle 240 can be smoothly inflated and deployed while in contact with the seat frame 106 (see FIG. 1(b)).

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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]

[0111] The present invention can be used in a vehicle side airbag device mounted on a vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 100...side airbag device, 102...seat, 104...seat back, 105...seat cushion, 106...seat frame, 108...side frame, 110...airbag module, 112...airbag cushion, 114...inflator, 116...main chamber, 118...main upper chamber, 120...main lower chamber, 122...pre-push chamber, 122a...pre-upper chamber, 122b...pre-lower chamber, 124...inflator insertion portion, 126, 128...bolt holes, 130...frame contact portion, 132...inner tube, 134...outer main panel, 136...inner main panel, 138...pre-push panel, 140a, 140b...first inner vent, 142a, 142b...first inner vent, 142a, 142b...first inner vent, 142b, 142c...first inner vent, 142d, 142e...first inner vent, 142f, 142f...first inner vent, 142f, 142g...first inner vent, 142h ... 2b...vent hole, 144...bottom panel, 146...baffle, 147...notch, 148a, 148b...second inner vent, 149...rear end portion, 152...open vent, P1...occupant, 200...arm lifting bag, 202...inner main panel, 204...outer main panel, 206...top panel, 208...open vent, 220...airbag cushion 222...diffuser, 224a, 224b...openings, 226a, 226b...bolt holes, 228...inner main panel, 230...panel cutout, 232...edge, 234a, 234b...diffuser cutout, 236a...inner opening, 236b...outer opening, 238...stitching, 240...baffle, 242...rear end portion, 244...notch, 246a, 246b...side edges

Claims

1. A vehicle side airbag device including an airbag module attached to a side frame of a seat back of a vehicle seat, The airbag module includes: an airbag cushion that is rolled or folded into a predetermined storage configuration and attached to the side frame; an inflator attached to the side frame in a state where the inflator is inserted into the airbag cushion; and The airbag cushion is a pre-push chamber that first receives gas from the inflator and expands and deploys; a main chamber that receives gas that has passed through the pre-push chamber and is inflated and deployed; and The pre-push chamber a pre-upper chamber extending in the up-down direction along the seat back; a pre-lower chamber extending forward from a lower portion of the pre-upper chamber along a seat cushion of the vehicle seat; and The main chamber is a main upper chamber provided in an area overlapping the pre-upper chamber when viewed from the side of the vehicle seat and configured to receive gas from the pre-upper chamber; a main lower chamber provided below the main upper chamber in an area overlapping the pre-lower chamber and receiving gas from the pre-lower chamber; a partition that separates the main upper chamber from the main lower chamber and prevents gas from passing through; and The main chamber is formed on the pre-push chamber side by an inner main panel, The main chamber is formed on an opposite side to the pre-push chamber by an outer main panel; a bottom panel that forms a bottom surface of the main lower chamber is suspended between the lower edges of the inner main panel and the outer main panel, The inflator is inserted into the pre-push chamber, The airbag cushion further includes a diffuser disposed within the pre-push chamber, containing the inflator, and having open upper and lower ends. a lower end of the diffuser being forked into two, one of which opens into the pre-push chamber and the other of which is inserted into and opens into the main lower chamber.

2. 2. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the bottom panel is folded between the inner main panel and the outer main panel when the airbag cushion in the stored configuration is built into the vehicle seat.

3. the partition is formed by a baffle spanning the inner main panel and the outer main panel, 3. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the baffle has a notch formed in a region overlapping with the inflator near a rear end portion of the baffle when viewed in the width direction of the vehicle seat.

4. the partition is formed by a baffle spanning the inner main panel and the outer main panel, the baffle has a notch formed by cutting out a predetermined range in the vicinity of a rear end portion of the baffle when viewed in a width direction of the vehicle seat, 3. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein a rear end portion of the baffle including the notch is bent upwardly of the airbag cushion and sewn along a sewing portion that forms the rear edge of the main chamber.

5. 3. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the partition is formed by a sewn portion where the inner main panel and the outer main panel are sewn together.

6. 3. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag cushion further includes an open vent that opens a portion surrounded by the inner main panel, the outer main panel, and the bottom panel.

7. 7. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 6, wherein the open vent is formed on a front side of the bottom panel in the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat.

8. 7. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 6, wherein the open vent is formed on a rear side of the bottom panel in the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat.

9. the inner main panel has a panel cutout formed at a predetermined location within the main lower chamber; The diffuser has a pair of diffuser notches cut into both the front and rear sides from the lower end, 2. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the lower end of the diffuser is bifurcated by inserting edges of the panel cutouts into the pair of diffuser cutouts.

10. A method for manufacturing an airbag cushion to be installed in a side portion of a vehicle seat, comprising: The airbag cushion is a main chamber that inflates and deploys forward from a side portion of the vehicle seat; a pre-push chamber provided on the side of the main chamber facing the occupant seated in the vehicle seat, the pre-push chamber being inflated and deployed before the main chamber; and The main chamber is formed on the pre-push chamber side by an inner main panel, The main chamber is formed on an opposite side to the pre-push chamber by an outer main panel; a bottom panel that forms a bottom surface of the main chamber is hung across the lower edges of the inner main panel and the outer main panel, The pre-push chamber is formed by a pre-push panel joined to the inner main panel, The method for manufacturing the airbag cushion includes: a first sewing process for overlapping and sewing the side edges of the bottom panel to the lower edges of the inner main panel and the outer main panel; a second sewing process in which the inner main panel and the outer main panel are sewn together from their upper edge sides to their lower edge sides at locations spaced a predetermined distance from the rear edges of the inner main panel and the outer main panel; a third sewing process for sewing the inner main panel and the outer main panel together from the front edge to the top edge and the rear edge; and The airbag cushion further includes a diffuser that is provided in the pre-push chamber, contains a predetermined inflator, and has open upper and lower ends. The method for manufacturing the airbag cushion includes, before the second sewing process, a first cutting process for cutting a predetermined portion of the inner main panel to provide a panel cutout portion; a second cutting process for cutting both front and rear sides of the diffuser from the lower end thereof to provide a pair of diffuser cutouts; a diffuser installation process in which edges of the panel cutouts are inserted into the pair of diffuser cutouts to install the lower end of the diffuser in a bifurcated state; 1. A method for manufacturing an airbag cushion, comprising:

Images