Vehicle occupant restraint device and far side airbag folding method

Abstract

To provide an occupant restraint device for vehicle which can restrain an occupant with a far-side airbag regardless of a position of a vehicle seat, and a far-side airbag folding method for the same.SOLUTION: An occupant restraint device 10 for vehicle includes a far-side airbag 36 that inflates and expands from a side part on the vehicle width direction inner side of a seat back 16 in a vehicle seat 12 to the vehicle width direction inner side of an occupant P. The far-side airbag 36 includes: a main chamber 38 in which a lower end 38D is located on the vehicle lower side with respect to a top surface 28A of a console box 20, and which covers the occupant P at least from a lumbar part Pw to a head Ph in lateral view after inflation and expansion are completed; and a sub-chamber 40 which inflates and expands to the seat width direction inner side from a front part 38F of the main chamber 38 by being supplied with gas from an upper opening and a lower opening respectively communicating to an upper communication hole and a lower communication hole formed on the upper part and the lower part of the main chamber 38 respectively.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle occupant restraint device and a method for folding a far side airbag. [Background technology]

[0002] An occupant restraint system in which the lower end of a far side airbag is deployed between the waist of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat and a console box to restrain the occupant from moving inward in the vehicle width direction has been known for some time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-081958 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above configuration, if the lower end of the far side airbag does not sufficiently overlap with the console box in a side view, in other words, if the vehicle seat is positioned forward so that the front end surface of the side of the seatback is located further forward than the front of the console box, an occupant who moves inward in the vehicle width direction due to the inertial force caused by a side collision of the vehicle may fall inward in the vehicle width direction along with the far side airbag, because the far side airbag will not receive sufficient reaction force from the console box.

[0005] That is, in the case of a small occupant with the vehicle seat positioned in the forward position, the deployed far side airbag may rotate inward in the vehicle width direction around its rear end as the center of rotation in a plan view, which may make it difficult to restrain the occupant with the deployed far side airbag. Also, in a side view, the deployed far side airbag may rotate rearward around its lower end as the center of rotation, which may make it difficult to restrain the occupant with the deployed far side airbag.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle occupant restraint device that can restrain an occupant with a far side airbag regardless of the position of the vehicle seat, and a method for folding the far side airbag. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first aspect of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention comprises a vehicle seat that is arranged in a vehicle compartment so as to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, a console box that is arranged in the vehicle compartment more inward in the vehicle width direction than the vehicle seat, and a far side airbag that is arranged on the inner side of the seat back of the vehicle seat in the vehicle width direction and that inflates and deploys inward in the vehicle width direction of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat when gas is supplied from an inflator, wherein the far side airbag has a main chamber whose lower end is located lower than the upper surface of the console box after inflation and deployment is complete and that covers at least the occupant from the waist to the head in a side view, and a sub-chamber that inflates and deploys from a front portion of the main chamber inward in the seat width direction when gas is supplied from an upper opening and a lower opening that are connected to an upper communication hole and a lower communication hole formed in the upper and lower parts of the main chamber, respectively.

[0008] According to the first aspect of the invention, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the inflator is activated and gas ejected from the inflator is supplied to the interior of the far side airbag. This causes the main chamber of the far side airbag to inflate and deploy toward the vehicle width inward of the occupant seated in the vehicle seat, and then the sub-chamber of the far side airbag inflates and deploys from the front of the main chamber toward the seat width inward (toward the occupant's front side). Note that "in the event of a side collision of the vehicle" includes not only when a side collision of the vehicle is detected but also when a side collision of the vehicle is predicted.

[0009] When a small occupant sits in a vehicle seat (especially the driver's seat), the vehicle seat takes a forward position in which the front end surface of the side of the seatback is located further forward in the vehicle than the front surface of the console box in a side view, making it difficult for the main chamber to receive a reaction force from the console box.

[0010] However, because the sub-chamber inflates and deploys from the front of the main chamber toward the inside in the seat width direction (the vehicle front side of the occupant), even if the main chamber rotates toward the inside in the vehicle width direction around its rear end as the center of rotation in a plan view due to the occupant moving toward the inside in the vehicle width direction due to inertial force, or even if the main chamber rotates toward the rear of the vehicle around its lower end as the center of rotation in a side view, the occupant (especially their head) is restrained by the sub-chamber. In other words, the occupant's head, which moves relatively from the main chamber due to the rotational behavior of the main chamber toward the inside and rear of the vehicle, is restrained by the sub-chamber, and the amount of movement of the occupant's head is reduced.

[0011] On the other hand, if the occupant sitting in the vehicle seat (particularly the driver's seat) is large, the vehicle seat will be positioned rearward, with the front end surface of the side of the seatback positioned further rearward than the front surface of the console box in a side view. Here, the lower end of the main chamber is positioned further downward than the upper surface of the console box. Therefore, the main chamber is likely to receive a reaction force from the console box.

[0012] Therefore, the occupant (particularly the head) is restrained by the main chamber. Even if the occupant further moves relatively forward from the main chamber due to inertial force, the occupant (particularly the head) is restrained by the sub-chamber. Thus, according to the present invention, the occupant is restrained by the far side airbag regardless of the position of the vehicle seat.

[0013] In addition, a second aspect of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention is a vehicle occupant restraint device of the first aspect, in which, when viewed from the side, a constricted portion that is recessed toward the rear of the vehicle is formed in the approximate center of the vehicle's vertical direction at the front of the main chamber after inflation and deployment is complete, and the constricted portion is covered from the inside in the seat width direction by the sub-chamber after inflation and deployment is complete.

[0014] According to the second aspect of the invention, a constricted portion recessed toward the rear of the vehicle is formed in the front portion of the main chamber after inflation and deployment is completed in a side view, approximately in the center in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Therefore, the volume of the main chamber is reduced compared to when the constricted portion is not formed, and the main chamber deploys more quickly. Furthermore, because the volume of the main chamber is reduced, the cost of manufacturing the main chamber can be reduced.

[0015] Furthermore, the constricted portion is covered from the inside in the seat width direction by the sub-chamber after inflation and deployment is complete. Therefore, the main chamber above the constricted portion is pulled by the sub-chamber. In other words, tension is applied to the main chamber in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the main chamber and sub-chamber further reduce the amount of movement of the occupant's head.

[0016] Furthermore, a third aspect of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention is a vehicle occupant restraint device of the first or second aspect, in which, in a side view, the upper end of the sub-chamber after completion of inflation and deployment is positioned at the same height as the upper end of the front part of the main chamber after completion of inflation and deployment.

[0017] According to the third aspect of the invention, the upper end of the sub-chamber after complete inflation and deployment is located at the same height as the upper end of the front part of the main chamber after complete inflation and deployment, in a side view. Therefore, the sub-chamber more effectively restrains the occupant's head compared to when the upper end of the sub-chamber after complete inflation and deployment is located at a lower height than the upper end of the front part of the main chamber after complete inflation and deployment. Note that "the same height position" in this invention includes not only physically the same height position, but also approximately the same height position with only a slight difference.

[0018] Furthermore, a fourth aspect of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention is a vehicle occupant restraint device of any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the periphery of the upper opening of the sub-chamber is sewn around the periphery of the upper communicating hole of the main chamber, and the periphery of the lower opening of the sub-chamber is sewn around the periphery of the lower communicating hole of the main chamber.

[0019] According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the periphery of the upper opening of the sub-chamber is sewn to the periphery of the upper communication hole of the main chamber, and the periphery of the lower opening of the sub-chamber is sewn to the periphery of the lower communication hole of the main chamber. This allows the main chamber and the sub-chamber to be connected with a simple structure. In other words, the far side airbag can be easily manufactured.

[0020] Furthermore, a fifth aspect of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention is a vehicle occupant restraint device of any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the peripheral portion of the sub-chamber that overlaps the main chamber in a side view is sewn to the main chamber.

[0021] According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the peripheral edge of the sub-chamber that overlaps the main chamber in a side view is sewn to the main chamber. Therefore, the main chamber and the sub-chamber are easily connected with a single sewing operation. In other words, the far side airbag can be easily manufactured.

[0022] Furthermore, a sixth aspect of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention is a vehicle occupant restraint device of any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the opening areas of the lower communication hole of the main chamber and the lower opening of the sub-chamber are larger than the opening areas of the upper communication hole of the main chamber and the upper opening of the sub-chamber.

[0023] According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the opening areas of the lower communication hole of the main chamber and the lower opening of the sub-chamber are larger than the opening areas of the upper communication hole of the main chamber and the upper opening of the sub-chamber. Therefore, the initial restraint force on the occupant's lower torso is improved, and the amount of movement of the occupant is further reduced, compared to when the opening areas of the lower communication hole of the main chamber and the lower opening of the sub-chamber are equal to the opening areas of the upper communication hole of the main chamber and the upper opening of the sub-chamber.

[0024] Furthermore, a seventh aspect of the vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present invention is a vehicle occupant restraint device of any one of the first to sixth aspects, in which check valves are provided in the upper communicating hole and the lower communicating hole of the main chamber, or in the upper opening and the lower opening of the sub-chamber, to prevent the gas from flowing back from the sub-chamber to the main chamber.

[0025] According to the seventh aspect of the invention, a check valve is provided in the upper and lower communication holes of the main chamber or the upper and lower openings of the sub-chamber to prevent gas from flowing back from the sub-chamber to the main chamber. This maintains a high pressure in the sub-chamber, creating a continuous reaction force against an occupant moving due to inertial force. This also prevents or suppresses bottoming out of the sub-chamber, which is located between the heads of the occupants in the driver's seat and the passenger's seat, protecting both their heads.

[0026] Furthermore, a folding method for a far side airbag of an eighth aspect according to the present invention is a folding method for a far side airbag in a vehicle occupant restraint device of any one of the first to seventh aspects, and includes an unfolding step of unfolding the sub-chamber flat against the main chamber, an accordion folding step of folding the sub-chamber together with the main chamber after the unfolding step in an accordion manner along a fold line along the vertical direction of the vehicle, and a folding step of folding the upper end and lower end of the main chamber and the sub-chamber after the accordion folding step so as to bring them closer to each other.

[0027] According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the sub-chamber is unfolded flat against the main chamber, and then the sub-chamber and the main chamber are accordion-folded along the fold lines along the vertical direction of the vehicle, and then the upper and lower ends of the main chamber and the sub-chamber are folded toward each other. Therefore, even if the sub-chamber is connected to the main chamber, the sub-chamber and the main chamber can be folded compactly.

[0028] Furthermore, a folding method for a far side airbag of a ninth aspect according to the present invention is a folding method for a far side airbag in a vehicle occupant restraint device of any one of the first to seventh aspects, and includes a first outward rolling step of rolling the sub-chamber outward relative to the main chamber with the vehicle vertical direction as the axial direction, a second outward rolling step of rolling the sub-chamber after the first outward rolling step outward together with the main chamber with the vehicle vertical direction as the axial direction, and a folding step of folding the upper end and lower end of the main chamber and the sub-chamber after the second outward rolling step so as to bring them closer to each other.

[0029] According to the ninth aspect of the invention, the sub-chamber is wound outward relative to the main chamber with the vehicle vertical direction as its axial direction, and then the sub-chamber and the main chamber are wound outward together with the main chamber with the vehicle vertical direction as its axial direction, and then folded so that the upper and lower ends of the main chamber and the sub-chamber approach each other. Therefore, even if the sub-chamber is connected to the main chamber, the sub-chamber and the main chamber can be folded compactly. Furthermore, because the sub-chamber is wound outward, it is possible to suppress or prevent the sub-chamber from hitting the face of an occupant when the sub-chamber is inflated and deployed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0030] As described above, according to the present invention, the occupant can be restrained by the far side airbag regardless of the position of the vehicle seat. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view showing an inflated and deployed state of a far side airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present embodiment when a vehicle seat is positioned in a front position. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic plan view showing an inflated and deployed state of a far side airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present embodiment when a vehicle seat is positioned in a front position. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic plan view showing the behavior of a small occupant and a far side airbag when a vehicle collides sideways with a vehicle seat in a vehicle occupant restraint device according to this embodiment positioned in a front position. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic side view showing an inflated and deployed state of a far side airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present embodiment when a vehicle seat is positioned in a rear position. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic plan view showing an inflated and deployed state of a far side airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint device according to the present embodiment when a vehicle seat is positioned in a rear position. FIG. [Figure 6]1 is a schematic plan view showing the behavior of a large occupant and a far side airbag when a vehicle collides sideways with a vehicle seat in a vehicle occupant restraint device according to this embodiment positioned in a rear position. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic enlarged side view, partially in cross section, viewed from the inside in the seat width direction, showing a case in which the sewing portion of the sub-chamber relative to the main chamber of the far side airbag according to this embodiment is around an opening that communicates with a communication hole. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged plan view showing the interior of the far side airbag according to the present embodiment in cross section. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic enlarged side view, partially in cross section, viewed from the inside in the seat width direction, showing a case in which the sewing portion of the sub-chamber relative to the main chamber of the far side airbag according to this embodiment is a peripheral portion that overlaps with the main chamber. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic enlarged plan view showing, in cross section, the interior of a far side airbag equipped with a check valve according to a modified example of the present embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a graph showing the change in internal pressure over time in a sub-chamber of a far side airbag equipped with a check valve according to a modified example of the present embodiment, compared with a case where no check valve is provided. [Figure 12] 4A to 4C are explanatory diagrams showing a method of folding the far side airbag according to the present embodiment into an accordion-like shape. [Figure 13] 3A to 3C are explanatory diagrams showing a method of folding the far side airbag according to the present embodiment into a roll shape. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the far side airbag folded in a roll-like folding method according to the present embodiment during inflation and deployment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, the arrow UP shown in each drawing indicates the upward direction of the vehicle and the vehicle seat, the arrow FR indicates the forward direction of the vehicle and the vehicle seat, the arrow LH indicates the leftward direction of the vehicle and the vehicle seat, and the arrow RH indicates the rightward direction of the vehicle and the vehicle seat. Therefore, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, when the directions of up / down, front / rear, and left / right are mentioned, they refer to up / down, front / rear, left / right, and the like with respect to the vehicle and the vehicle seat. Furthermore, the left / right direction is synonymous with the vehicle width direction and the seat width direction.

[0033] Moreover, "occupant P1" shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 is, for example, a small occupant corresponding to AF05 (5th percentile of adult American women) of WorldSID (World Side Impact Dummy). And "occupant P2" shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6 is, for example, a large occupant corresponding to AM95 (95th percentile of adult American men) of WorldSID. In the following, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the small occupant P1 and the large occupant P2, they will be referred to as "occupant P."

[0034] 1 and 4, a vehicle seat 12 constituting a vehicle occupant restraint device 10 according to this embodiment includes a seat cushion 14 on which an occupant P sits (supporting the buttocks Pb and thighs of the occupant P), a seatback 16 that supports the back of the occupant P, and a headrest 18 that supports the head Ph of the occupant P. Note that, as an example, the vehicle seat 12 is a right-side front seat provided in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction by a known electric mechanism.

[0035] In a side view seen from the vehicle width direction (seat width direction), the seat cushion 14 extends in the front-rear direction, and the seat back 16 is connected to the rear end of the seat cushion 14 so as to be rotatable about its axial direction in the seat width direction and extends in the up-down direction. The headrest 18 is provided in the center of the seat width direction at the upper end of the seat back 16 so as to be able to move up and down. In the following, the end face located at the forefront on the lower side of the side of the seat back 16 is referred to as the front end face 16A. The occupant P is restrained in the vehicle seat 12 by a seat belt device (not shown).

[0036] A console box 20 is provided on the passenger compartment floor 19, on the inner side of the vehicle seat 12 in the vehicle width direction (at the center in the vehicle width direction). The console box 20 is a rectangular hollow box with the longitudinal direction extending in the front-to-rear direction in a plan view. The front wall 22 and the rear wall 24 of the console box 20 each have a flat front surface 22A and a flat rear surface 24A, and the left and right side walls 26 of the console box 20 each have a flat side surface 26A (only the left side is shown, and the right side is not shown).

[0037] The top of the console box 20 is open and configured to be openable and closable by a lid 28 having a predetermined thickness. The front end of the lid 28 of the console box 20 forms a canopy 29 that protrudes a predetermined distance forward from the front surface 22A of the front wall 22 in a side view. The height of the top surface 28A of the lid 28 of the console box 20 is set to a height that allows the occupant P to rest their elbows (not shown) on it without assuming an awkward posture.

[0038] A far side airbag device 30 is provided on the left side (hereinafter referred to as the "left side"), which is the side on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the seatback 16. As shown in Fig. 7, the far side airbag device 30 includes an inflator 32 embedded in the left side of the seatback 16, an inner cloth (inner tube) 34 that distributes gas ejected from the inflator 32 upward and downward, and a far side airbag 36 with the inner cloth 34 provided inside.

[0039] The inflator 32 is a cylindrical gas generator formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, with its axial direction aligned (substantially vertical) with the side frames (not shown) that form the framework of both the left and right sides of the seat back 16. The inflator 32 is activated when a side collision of the vehicle is detected or predicted (hereinafter referred to as "at the time of a side collision"), and is capable of instantly supplying gas into the interior of the far side airbag 36 via the inner fabric 34.

[0040] Specifically, the rear lower end of the inner cloth 34 is connected to the upper end 32A of the inflator 32. The front side of the inner cloth 34 is formed in a cylindrical shape with its axis extending substantially vertically, and has an upper opening 34A and a lower opening 34B. Therefore, the inner cloth 34 is capable of discharging gas ejected from the inflator 32 upward and downward inside the far side airbag 36. This structure allows the far side airbag 36 to be quickly inflated and deployed.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the far side airbag 36 is provided on the left side of the seat back 16, and has a main chamber 38 that is supplied with gas and inflates and deploys toward the inside of the vehicle width direction of the buttocks Pb, lumbar region Pw, chest Pc, shoulders Ps, and head Ph of an occupant P seated in the vehicle seat 12, and a sub-chamber 40 that inflates and deploys from a front portion 38F of the main chamber 38 toward the inside of the seat width direction and toward the front side of the seat (the front side of the occupant P).

[0042] 1 and 4, in a fully inflated and deployed state, the main chamber 38 extends from the upper end of the headrest 18 to the lower end of the seatback 16 (up to the seat cushion 14) in a side view, and covers the area from the buttocks Pb (at least the waist Pw) to the head Ph of the occupant P. The upper part of the main chamber 38 is formed in a generally elliptical shape that bulges forward so that the head Ph of the occupant P can be effectively restrained.

[0043] In other words, when main chamber 38 is fully inflated and deployed, a constricted portion 38A that is recessed rearward in a generally "<" shape is formed in the approximate vertical center of front portion 38F in side view. Therefore, front portion 38F of main chamber 38 refers to the area forward of imaginary line K (see FIGS. 7 and 9) that runs generally vertically and passes through the rearmost end of constricted portion 38A in side view.

[0044] In addition, when the main chamber 38 is fully inflated and deployed, its lower end surface 38D (lower end) is located lower than the upper surface 28A of the lid portion 28 of the console box 20 in a front view and a side view. In addition, the main chamber 38 is formed into a single bag shape by sewing the outer peripheral edges of two pieces of base fabric together.

[0045] The sub-chamber 40 is formed in a generally elliptical shape that is long in the vertical direction in side view, and has a length that reaches from an upper end surface 38U to near a lower end surface 38D of the front part 38F of the main chamber 38. In other words, the upper end surface 40U (upper end) of the sub-chamber 40 after completion of expansion and deployment is located at approximately the same height as the upper end surface 38U (upper end) of the front part 38F of the main chamber 38 after completion of expansion and deployment, in side view.

[0046] The length (maximum length) of the sub-chamber 40 in the front-to-rear direction at approximately the center in the up-down direction is long enough to enable the sub-chamber 40, after inflation and deployment, to entirely cover the constricted portion 38A of the main chamber 38 from the inside in the seat width direction in side view, in other words, to substantially overlap the front portion 38F of the main chamber 38. The sub-chamber 40 is also formed into a single bag shape by sewing the outer peripheral edges of two pieces of base fabric together.

[0047] 7, an upper communicating hole 38B and a lower communicating hole 38C are formed in the upper portion (above constricted portion 38A) and lower portion (below constricted portion 38A) of front portion 38F of main chamber 38. Upper communicating hole 38B and lower communicating hole 38C are each formed in a circular shape with a predetermined inner diameter, and the opening area of ​​lower communicating hole 38C is larger than the opening area of ​​upper communicating hole 38B.

[0048] Meanwhile, an upper opening 40B and a lower opening 40C are formed in the upper and lower parts of the sub-chamber 40, which communicate with the upper communicating hole 38B and the lower communicating hole 38C, respectively. The upper opening 40B and the lower opening 40C are also formed in a circular shape with a predetermined inner diameter, and the opening area of ​​the lower opening 40C is larger than the opening area of ​​the upper opening 40B. The periphery of the upper opening 40B is sewn around the periphery of the upper communicating hole 38B, and the periphery of the lower opening 40C is sewn around the periphery of the lower communicating hole 38C (see FIG. 8).

[0049] This results in a configuration in which the sub-chamber 40 is connected to the front part 38F of the main chamber 38, and as shown in Figure 8, gas supplied into the main chamber 38 is supplied from inside the main chamber 38 through the upper communicating hole 38B and the lower communicating hole 38C, and the upper opening 40B and the lower opening 40C into the sub-chamber 40.

[0050] The upper communicating hole 38B and the lower communicating hole 38C are not limited to the circular shape shown in the figure, and may be formed, for example, in a slit shape (not shown). In this case, it is only necessary that the slit length of the lower communicating hole 38C is longer than the slit length of the upper communicating hole 38B. Furthermore, the slit shape may be a vertically elongated slit shape, a horizontally elongated slit shape, or a diagonally elongated slit shape.

[0051] However, it is preferable that the upper communicating hole 38B and the lower communicating hole 38C are circular, as this increases the speed at which the sub-chamber 40 expands and deploys compared to when the upper communicating hole 38B and the lower communicating hole 38C are slit-shaped and have the same length as the diameter of the circle. In any case, the upper communicating hole 38B and the lower communicating hole 38C allow the sub-chamber 40 to expand and deploy with a delay compared to the expansion and deployment of the main chamber 38.

[0052] Furthermore, the sub-chamber 40 is not limited to a configuration in which the periphery of the upper opening 40B and the periphery of the lower opening 40C are connected by sewing them to the periphery of the upper communicating hole 38B and the periphery of the lower communicating hole 38C, respectively. For example, as shown in Fig. 9, the sub-chamber 40 may be connected to the main chamber 38 by sewing a peripheral edge 40A that overlaps the main chamber 38 excluding the constricted portion 38A in side view to the main chamber 38.

[0053] Next, the operation of the vehicle occupant restraint device 10 according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described.

[0054] In the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the inflator 32 is activated, and gas ejected from the inflator 32 is instantly supplied to the inside of the inner fabric 34, and then supplied to the inside of the far side airbag 36 (main chamber 38) through an upper opening 34A and a lower opening 34B of the inner fabric 34. Then, the inner pressure (inflation pressure) of the far side airbag 36, which begins to inflate due to the supply of gas, ruptures the skin from the lower end to the upper end on the left side of the seat back 16.

[0055] That is, the main chamber 38 of the far side airbag 36 inflates and deploys toward the left side (inward in the vehicle width direction) of the buttocks Pb, lumbar region Pw, chest Pc, shoulders Ps, and head Ph of the occupant P seated in the vehicle seat 12. As a result, the left side of the occupant P, from the buttocks Pb (at least the lumbar region Pw) to the head Ph, is covered from the left side by the main chamber 38. Therefore, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the left side of the occupant P, from the buttocks Pb (at least the lumbar region Pw) to the head Ph, can be restrained by the main chamber 38.

[0056] Furthermore, with a delay after the main chamber 38 inflates and deploys, the sub-chamber 40 of the far side airbag 36 inflates and deploys from a front portion 38F of the main chamber 38 inward in the seat width direction and toward the front side of the seat (in front of the occupant P). Here, as shown in FIG. 1, when the occupant P seated in the vehicle seat 12 (particularly the driver's seat) is a small occupant P1, the vehicle seat 12 takes a front position in which a front end surface 16A on the lower side of the side of the seatback 16 is located further forward than a front surface 22A of the front wall 22 of the console box 20 in a side view.

[0057] Therefore, the main chamber 38 is less likely to receive a reaction force from the console box 20. Specifically, when the vehicle is hit in a side collision and the occupant P1 shown in Fig. 2 moves inward in the vehicle width direction due to inertial force, the main chamber 38 is pushed by the occupant P1 and rotates inward in the vehicle width direction (tip falls inward) around its rear end in a plan view, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 3. Then, although not shown in the figure, the main chamber 38 rotates rearward around its lower end in a side view.

[0058] However, at the front portion 38F of the main chamber 38, the sub-chamber 40 is inflated and deployed on the inside of the seat width direction and toward the front of the seat (in front of the occupant P1), so even if the main chamber 38 rotates inward in the vehicle width direction around its rear end as the center of rotation in a plan view due to the occupant P1 moving toward the inside of the vehicle width direction due to inertial force, or even if it rotates rearward around its lower end as the center of rotation in a side view, the occupant P1 (especially his head Ph) will be restrained by the sub-chamber 40.

[0059] In other words, even if the main chamber 38 of the far side airbag 36 does not sufficiently overlap the console box 20 in a side view (even if it is shifted forward), the head Ph of the occupant P1, which moves relatively from the main chamber 38, can be restrained by the sub-chamber 40 of the far side airbag 36 due to the rotational behavior of the main chamber 38 inward and rearward in the vehicle width direction, thereby reducing the amount of movement of the head Ph of the occupant P1.

[0060] In this way, even when the vehicle seat 12 is in the forward position, the far side airbag 36, which inflates and deploys from the left side of the seat back 16 toward the inside of the vehicle width direction of the occupant P1, can ensure restraint performance for the small occupant P1 seated in the vehicle seat 12 in the forward position.

[0061] Also, as shown in Figure 4, when the occupant P seated in the vehicle seat 12 (particularly the driver's seat) is a large occupant P2, the vehicle seat 12 takes a rear position in which, in a side view, the front end surface 16A on the lower side of the side of the seat back 16 is located rearward of the front surface 22A of the console box 20.

[0062] Here, a lower end surface 38D of the main chamber 38 is located below the upper surface 28A of the console box 20. Therefore, the lower part of the main chamber 38 is interposed between the side surface of the right side wall (not shown) of the console box 20 and the buttocks Pb of the occupant P2. In other words, the main chamber 38 of the far side airbag 36 overlaps with the console box 20 in a side view.

[0063] Therefore, the main chamber 38 is likely to receive a reaction force from the console box 20, and even if it is pushed by the occupant P2 who is moving inward in the vehicle width direction due to inertial force, the main chamber 38 is prevented from rotating inward in the vehicle width direction around its rear end in a plan view, and from rotating backward around its lower end in a side view. In other words, the occupant P2 (particularly the head Ph) is restrained by the main chamber 38.

[0064] 6, the occupant P2 is a large occupant, and therefore there is a risk that after moving inward in the vehicle width direction due to inertial force, the occupant P2 will further move relatively forward from the main chamber 38 (will fall out of the main chamber 38). However, because the sub-chamber 40 is inflated and deployed and disposed in the front portion 38F of the main chamber 38 as described above, even if the occupant P2 moves relatively forward from the main chamber 38, the occupant P2 (particularly the head Ph) will be restrained by the sub-chamber 40. As described above, according to this embodiment, the occupant P (particularly the head Ph) can be restrained by the far side airbag 36 regardless of the position of the vehicle seat 12.

[0065] Moreover, in a side view, the upper end surface 40U of the sub-chamber 40 after completion of inflation and deployment is located at approximately the same height as the upper end surface 38U of the front part 38F of the main chamber 38 after completion of inflation and deployment. Therefore, the sub-chamber 40 can more effectively restrain the occupant P, particularly the head Ph, compared to when the upper end surface 40U of the sub-chamber 40 after completion of inflation and deployment is located at a lower height than the upper end surface 38U of the front part 38F of the main chamber 38 after completion of inflation and deployment.

[0066] Furthermore, in a side view, a constricted portion 38A that is recessed rearward in a substantially "<" shape is formed in the approximate vertical center of the front portion 38F of the main chamber 38 after inflation and deployment is complete. Therefore, the volume of the main chamber 38 can be reduced compared to a case in which constricted portion 38A is not formed, allowing the main chamber 38 to inflate and deploy more quickly. Furthermore, because the volume of the main chamber 38 can be reduced, the cost of manufacturing the main chamber 38 can be reduced.

[0067] Furthermore, the constricted portion 38A is covered from the inside in the seat width direction by the sub-chamber 40 after inflation and deployment is complete. Therefore, the portion of the main chamber 38 above the constricted portion 38A is pulled downward by the sub-chamber 40. In other words, tension is applied to the main chamber 38 in the up-down direction. Therefore, the main chamber 38 and the sub-chamber 40 can more effectively restrain the occupant P, particularly the head Ph, and can further reduce the amount of movement of the occupant P, particularly the head Ph.

[0068] Additionally, the periphery of the upper opening 40B of the sub-chamber 40 is sewn to the periphery of the upper communicating hole 38B of the main chamber 38, and the periphery of the lower opening 40C of the sub-chamber 40 is sewn to the periphery of the lower communicating hole 38C of the main chamber 38. Therefore, the main chamber 38 and the sub-chamber 40 can be connected with a simple structure. In other words, the far side airbag 36 can be manufactured easily.

[0069] As described above, the peripheral edge 40A of the sub-chamber 40 that overlaps the main chamber 38 in a side view may be sewn to the main chamber 38. This allows the main chamber 38 and the sub-chamber 40 to be easily connected with a single sewing operation. In other words, the far side airbag 36 can be manufactured more easily.

[0070] Furthermore, the opening areas of the lower communication hole 38C of the main chamber 38 and the lower opening 40C of the sub-chamber 40 are larger than the opening areas of the upper communication hole 38B of the main chamber 38 and the upper opening 40B of the sub-chamber 40. Therefore, compared to when the opening areas of the lower communication hole 38C of the main chamber 38 and the lower opening 40C of the sub-chamber 40 are set equal to the opening areas of the upper communication hole 38B of the main chamber 38 and the upper opening 40B of the sub-chamber 40, the initial restraining force on the lower torso (buttocks Pb and waist Pw) of the occupant P can be improved, and the amount of movement of the occupant P can be further reduced.

[0071] Furthermore, the upper communicating hole 38B and the lower communicating hole 38C of the main chamber 38 are formed in a circular or slit shape. Therefore, the deployment completion time of the sub-chamber 40 can be adjusted with a simpler configuration than when the upper communicating hole 38B and the lower communicating hole 38C of the main chamber 38 are not formed in a circular or slit shape. In other words, by adjusting the inner diameter of the circle or the length of the slit, the deployment completion time of the sub-chamber 40 can be easily adjusted so that it is appropriately delayed from the inflation and deployment completion time of the main chamber 38.

[0072] (Variation) 10, check valves 42 may be provided in the upper communicating hole 38B and the lower communicating hole 38C of the main chamber 38 to prevent gas from flowing back from the sub-chamber 40 to the main chamber 38. The check valve 42 is configured to deform into a generally cylindrical shape and open only when gas flows from the main chamber 38 to the sub-chamber 40.

[0073] As a result, as shown in Figure 11, compared to when check valves 42 to prevent gas from flowing back from the sub-chamber 40 to the main chamber 38 are not provided in the upper communication hole 38B and the lower communication hole 38C of the main chamber 38 (shown by the dashed line), the internal pressure of the sub-chamber 40 can be maintained at a high pressure (shown by the solid line), and a reaction force can be maintained against the occupant P moving due to inertial force.

[0074] Furthermore, it is possible to suppress or prevent the sub-chamber 40, which is interposed between the head Ph of the occupant P seated in the driver's seat and the head of the occupant (not shown) seated in the passenger seat, from hitting the bottom (a collision between the heads of both occupants), thereby protecting the heads of both occupants. Note that the check valves 42 may be provided in the upper opening 40B and the lower opening 40C of the sub-chamber 40, instead of in the main chamber 38.

[0075] (How to fold the far side airbag) Finally, the folding methods of the far side airbag 36 (the accordion-shaped folding method shown in FIG. 12 and the roll-shaped folding method shown in FIG. 13) will be described.

[0076] 12, the far side airbag 36 is folded as follows. First, the sub-chamber 40 is deployed flat against the main chamber 38 (deployment process). Next, the sub-chamber 40 is folded accordion-like together with the main chamber 38 along the fold lines that run in the up-down direction (accordion-folding process). After that, the upper and lower ends of the main chamber 38 and the sub-chamber 40 are folded toward each other (folding process).

[0077] This allows the sub-chamber 40 and the main chamber 38 to be folded compactly, even if the sub-chamber 40 is connected to the main chamber 38. The folding method of the far side airbag 36 is not limited to this, and the far side airbag 36 may be folded using the following folding method.

[0078] That is, as shown in Fig. 13, first, the sub-chamber 40 is wound outward relative to the main chamber 38 with the vertical direction as the axial direction (first outward winding step). Note that "outward winding" refers to a winding method that forms a rolled portion on the side opposite the occupant P side. Next, the sub-chamber 40 is wound outward together with the main chamber 38 with the vertical direction as the axial direction (second outward winding step). Thereafter, the main chamber 38 and the sub-chamber 40 are folded so that the upper and lower ends thereof approach each other (folding step).

[0079] This allows the sub-chamber 40 and the main chamber 38 to be folded compactly, even when the sub-chamber 40 is connected to the main chamber 38. Moreover, in the case of folding the sub-chamber 40 into a roll shape like this, the sub-chamber 40 is wound outward, which can suppress or prevent the occurrence of a problem such as the sub-chamber 40 hitting the face of an occupant P seated in the vehicle seat 12 when the sub-chamber 40 is inflated and deployed, as shown in Fig. 14 .

[0080] While the vehicle occupant restraint device 10 and the far side airbag folding method according to this embodiment have been described above with reference to the drawings, the vehicle occupant restraint device 10 and the far side airbag folding method according to this embodiment are not limited to those shown in the drawings, and design changes can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the shapes of the upper communication hole 38B and the lower communication hole 38C are not limited to the circular shapes shown in the drawings, and may be triangular, rectangular, or the like.

[0081] Furthermore, the position of the lower end surface 40D (lower end: see FIGS. 7 and 9) of the sub-chamber 40 in side view is not limited to the position shown in the figures. The position of the lower end surface 40D of the sub-chamber 40 may be located lower than that shown in the figures. In other words, the lower end surface 40D of the sub-chamber 40 after inflation and deployment may be located at approximately the same height as the lower end surface 38D of the front part 38F of the main chamber 38 after inflation and deployment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 10. Vehicle occupant restraint system 12 Vehicle seats 16 Seat back 20 Console box 28A top 32 Inflator 36 Far side airbag 38 Main Chamber 38A Neck 38B Upper communication hole 38C Lower communication hole 38D Lower end surface (lower end) 38F front 38U upper end surface (upper end) 40 Sub-chamber 40A Periphery 40B Top opening 40C bottom opening 40U top end surface (top end) 42 Check valve P crew Ph head Pw waist

Claims

1. a vehicle seat provided in a vehicle compartment so as to be movable in a front-rear direction of the vehicle; a console box provided in the vehicle compartment on an inner side of the vehicle seat in a vehicle width direction; a far side airbag provided on an inner side of a seat back of the vehicle seat in a vehicle width direction, the far side airbag being inflated and deployed toward an inner side of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat in a vehicle width direction by gas being supplied from an inflator; Equipped with The far side airbag is a main chamber whose lower end is located below an upper surface of the console box after inflation and deployment is completed, and which covers at least the occupant from their waist to their head in a side view; a sub-chamber that is inflated and deployed from a front portion of the main chamber toward an inner side in the seat width direction by supplying the gas from an upper opening and a lower opening that are in communication with an upper communication hole and a lower communication hole that are formed in an upper portion and a lower portion of the main chamber, respectively; A vehicle occupant restraint device having:

2. 2. A vehicle occupant restraint device as described in claim 1, wherein, in a side view, a constricted portion recessed toward the rear of the vehicle is formed in the approximate center of the vehicle vertical direction at the front of the main chamber after inflation and deployment is complete, and the constricted portion is covered from the inside in the seat width direction by the sub-chamber after inflation and deployment is complete.

3. 3. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 2, wherein, in a side view, an upper end of the sub-chamber after inflation and deployment is completed is positioned at the same height as an upper end of a front portion of the main chamber after inflation and deployment is completed.

4. 4. A vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1, wherein the periphery of the upper opening of the sub-chamber is sewn around the periphery of the upper communication hole of the main chamber, and the periphery of the lower opening of the sub-chamber is sewn around the periphery of the lower communication hole of the main chamber.

5. 4. The vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1, wherein the sub-chamber has a peripheral edge that overlaps the main chamber in a side view and is sewn to the main chamber.

6. 4. A vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1, wherein the opening areas of the lower communication hole of the main chamber and the lower opening of the sub-chamber are larger than the opening areas of the upper communication hole of the main chamber and the upper opening of the sub-chamber.

7. A vehicle occupant restraint device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a check valve is provided in the upper communication hole and the lower communication hole of the main chamber, or in the upper opening and the lower opening of the sub-chamber, to prevent the gas from flowing back from the sub-chamber to the main chamber.

8. A method for folding a far side airbag in a vehicle occupant restraint device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: a deploying step of deploying the sub-chamber flat against the main chamber; a bellows folding step of folding the sub-chamber after the unfolding step together with the main chamber along a fold line along the vehicle up-down direction; a folding step of folding the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the main chamber and the sub-chamber after the accordion-folding step so as to approach each other; A method for folding a far side airbag.

9. A method for folding a far side airbag in a vehicle occupant restraint device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: a first outward winding step of winding the sub-chamber outward with respect to the main chamber with the vehicle up-down direction as the axial direction; a second outward winding step of outwardly winding the sub-chamber after the first outward winding step together with the main chamber with the vehicle up-down direction as the axial direction; a folding step of folding the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the main chamber and the sub-chamber after the second outward rolling step so as to approach each other; A method for folding a far side airbag.

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