Side airbag device

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a side airbag device capable of properly protecting the head of an occupant.　The present invention provides a side airbag device accommodated in a vehicle seat, the side airbag device comprising: an airbag that protects an occupant seated in the vehicle seat by inflating / deploying; and an inflator that supplies expansion gas to the airbag. The airbag includes: a head protection chamber that mainly protects the head of the occupant; a side protection chamber that protects a side of the body of the occupant under the head protection chamber; and a non-expansion portion provided around the head protection chamber and the side protection chamber. A rear end portion of the head protection chamber is located more forward than a rear end portion of the side protection chamber. An upper portion fixture for fixing an upper portion of the non-expansion portion to the vehicle seat is provided. Further, a slit extending downward from an upper end of the non-expansion portion is formed between the head protection chamber and the upper portion fixture.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a side airbag device housed in the side of a vehicle seat, and more particularly to an improvement in a side airbag device equipped with a head protection chamber. [Background technology]

[0002] It is well known that vehicles are equipped with one or more airbag devices to protect occupants in the event of a vehicle accident. Airbag devices come in various forms, such as a driver airbag device that deploys near the center of the steering wheel to protect the driver, a curtain airbag device that deploys downward inside the window to protect occupants in the event of a lateral impact or a rollover or overturning accident, and a side airbag device that deploys to the side of the occupant (the side of the seat) to protect the occupant in the event of a lateral impact. The present invention relates to a side airbag device provided in a vehicle seat.

[0003] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a side airbag device has been proposed that includes a chamber for protecting the shoulders, abdomen, and waist of an occupant, as well as a head protection chamber for protecting the head.

[0004] However, in conventional side airbag devices, if the door intrudes too far into the interior of the vehicle during a side collision, the occupant's head may collide with the door trim through the airbag, resulting in a so-called "bottoming out" condition, which may not provide sufficient protection for the occupant's head. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-110958 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a side airbag device that can adequately protect the head of an occupant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a side airbag device accommodated in a vehicle seat, comprising: an airbag that inflates and deploys to protect an occupant seated in the vehicle seat; and an inflator that supplies inflation gas to the airbag. The airbag includes a head-protecting chamber that primarily protects the occupant's head; a side-protecting chamber that is located below the head-protecting chamber and protects the sides of the occupant's body; and a non-inflatable portion provided around the head-protecting chamber and the side-protecting chamber. The rear end of the head-protecting chamber is located forward of the rear end of the side-protecting chamber. An upper fixing member is provided to fix an upper portion of the non-inflatable portion to the vehicle seat. A slit is formed between the head-protecting chamber and the upper fixing member, extending downward from the upper end of the non-inflatable portion.

[0008] Here, a "vehicle seat" refers to a seat in a vehicle such as an automobile, bus, or truck, and can be applied to both a type in which the seat back and headrest are separate and a type in which the seat back and headrest are integrated.

[0009] The "side of the body" of an occupant can be defined as a range including the shoulders, abdomen, and waist, but can also be defined as a range including the shoulders and abdomen excluding the waist, or just the shoulders.

[0010] The "non-inflatable portion" is a region into which inflation gas does not flow, unlike a chamber formed in a bag shape by the base fabric that constitutes the airbag.

[0011] The rear end of the head protection chamber being located forward of the rear end of the side protection chamber means that the head protection chamber is located offset forward with respect to the side protection chamber.

[0012] The area "between the head protection chamber and the upper fixing device" is the area behind the head protection chamber and in front of the upper fixing device. Furthermore, "extending downward" does not necessarily mean extending vertically, but can also mean extending at an angle, or being bent or curved.

[0013] The term "slit" includes a simple cut or gap formed by cutting, and includes cases where the width of the slit is constant along its entire length, or where the width of the gap changes along the way, such as a V-shape.

[0014] In the present invention as described above, the rear end of the head protection chamber is located forward of the rear end of the side protection chamber. This prevents the head protection chamber from getting caught between the seatbelt and the occupant when the airbag inflates and deploys, making it easier for the head protection chamber to deploy in front of the seatbelt. Furthermore, a slit extending downward from the upper end of the non-inflatable portion is formed between the head protection chamber and the upper fixing device. This separates the head protection chamber from the upper fixing device when the airbag deploys. This allows the head protection chamber to deploy with a certain degree of freedom in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions without being strongly pulled toward the upper fixing device. As a result, the head protection chamber deploys in an upright position in front of the seatbelt (toward the door in the case of a near-side seatbelt). This increases the area over which the occupant's head is protected, ensuring reliable restraint of the occupant's head. Furthermore, when the occupant's head enters the head protection chamber, the head protection chamber is pushed toward the door trim, utilizing the reaction force of the door trim to provide stable head protection.

[0015] Note that "separation" here does not mean complete physical separation, but rather means that above the connection point with the side protection chamber, the head protection chamber has increased freedom to move in a direction away from the seat without being pulled by the upper fixing device.

[0016] The slit can be formed to extend below the point of fixation by the upper fixture.

[0017] By extending the slit below the upper fixing point, the head protection chamber is pulled toward the upper fixing device (rearward), and is reliably separated.

[0018] The slit may extend to near the top end of the side protection chamber.

[0019] By extending the slit up to the vicinity of the upper end of the side protection chamber, the effect of the slit in reliably dividing the head protection chamber can be maximized.

[0020] The lower end of the slit can be bent forward. Adopting such a configuration makes it possible to adjust the deployment behavior (movable range) of the head protection chamber. For example, by forming a recessed area facing forward in the rear portion of the head protection chamber and fitting the lower end of the slit into this recessed area, the head protection chamber can be easily deployed in an upright direction without being significantly bent toward the occupant's head (seat side) in the left-right direction. In other words, the same effect can be achieved as when the slit is extended deeper downward, allowing the head protection chamber to deploy with greater freedom relative to the upper fixing device.

[0021] The upper fasteners may be positioned near the shoulders of a normally seated occupant.

[0022] For example, the upper fixing device can be connected to a part of the upper edge of the seat back. In the case of a seat in which the seat back and headrest are integrated, the fixing tab can be connected near the side of the part that corresponds to the headrest.

[0023] The occupant may correspond to an AM50 dummy as specified in the standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, or may correspond to an AF05 dummy or the like.

[0024] In a flat state before inflation and deployment, the head protection chamber extends in a direction bending relative to the longitudinal direction of the side protection chamber. In other words, when the head protection chamber is deployed without any external force and viewed from the side in the vehicle width direction, the head protection chamber extends in a direction bending relative to the longitudinal direction of the side protection chamber provided along the side frame of the seat, and can have a shape extending in a direction close to vertical.

[0025] Here, "extending in a bending direction" can include a shape that extends in a straight line as well as a shape that extends in a curved shape, and it is preferable that the chamber as a whole bends gently toward the rear of the seat.

[0026] By bending the head protection chamber in the longitudinal direction of the side protection chamber, the upper part of the head protection chamber is positioned further forward (away from the seat back), thereby ensuring the restraint area of ​​the head protection chamber in front of the seat belt.

[0027] The side protection chamber may include a side rear region that extends mainly along the side of the seat, and a side front region that is located in front of the side rear region and formed continuously below the head protection chamber.

[0028] The inflator may be housed within the rear side region of the side protection chamber.

[0029] In addition to the upper fixing member, a lower fixing member for fixing the airbag to the seat may be provided near the lower end of the non-inflatable portion.

[0030] The airbag can be configured so that the length from the upper fixing device to the lower fixing device is longer than the length from the upper fixing point on the seat side to which the upper fixing device is connected to the lower fixing point on the seat side to which the lower fixing device is connected.

[0031] With this configuration, when the airbag is stored in the seat, there is enough space in the longitudinal direction of the airbag between the upper fixing device and the lower fixing device, and the head protection chamber is not pulled strongly toward the side protection chamber when it is deployed. Therefore, when the occupant's head enters the head protection chamber, the lower part of the head protection chamber bends reliably, making it easier for the head protection chamber to ride up onto the top of the door trim.

[0032] When the airbag is deployed, a stitching portion can be formed in the side protection chamber at a location above the upper end of the door trim, partially connecting the left and right panels that make up the side protection chamber.

[0033] By forming the above-described stitching, the inflated head protection chamber is more likely to bend at the stitching, so that when an occupant's head enters the head protection chamber, the lower part of the head protection chamber is more likely to bend, and the head protection chamber is more likely to ride up onto the upper part of the door trim.

[0034] When the airbag is put into the stowed state, the head protection chamber can be folded up and down and then rolled together with the side protection chamber, or the head protection chamber and the head protection chamber of the airbag can be rolled and then the side protection chamber can be folded up and down.

[0035] Here, "folded" includes folding methods such as accordion folding and Z folding. The head protection chamber is not rolled in the vertical direction but is simply folded, which allows for quick upward deployment.

[0036] In the description of the present invention, when an occupant is seated in a seat with a normal posture, the direction that the occupant faces is referred to as "forward," and the opposite direction is referred to as "rearward," and when indicating the axes of coordinates, the term "front-to-back direction" is used. Furthermore, when an occupant is seated in a seat with a normal posture, the right side of the occupant is referred to as the "right direction," and the left side of the occupant is referred to as the "left direction," and when indicating the axes of coordinates, the term "left-to-right direction" is used. Furthermore, when an occupant is seated in a seat with a normal posture, the direction of the occupant's head is referred to as "upward," and the direction of the occupant's waist is referred to as "downward," and when indicating the axes of coordinates, the term "up-down direction" is used. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view mainly showing the external shape of a vehicle seat to which a side airbag device according to the present invention can be applied, and the airbag device is not shown. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal structure (seat frame) that functions as a framework of the vehicle seat shown in FIG. 1, and the airbag device is not shown. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the side airbag device according to the present invention, showing the state in which the airbag device is housed as seen through from the outside in the vehicle width direction. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a plan view showing the configuration of an airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a plan view showing the configuration of an airbag device according to a first modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C is a plan view showing the configuration of an airbag device according to a second modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the fixing positions (corresponding relationships) of the airbag according to the embodiment of the present invention relative to the side frame. [Figure 6] 6(A) and 6(B) are schematic front views showing the attached state of the airbag according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 7(A) and 7(B) are plan views showing the process of compressing the airbag according to the embodiment of the present invention into a housed state. [Figure 8]8(A) and 8(B) are plan views showing the process of compressing the airbag according to the embodiment of the present invention into a housed state. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front view showing the deployment behavior of an airbag according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) shows the state before the airbag is deployed and (B) shows the state after the airbag is deployed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10A is a plan view showing the structure of an airbag according to an embodiment of the present invention when the slit length is increased, and FIG. 10B is a front view showing the deployed state of the airbag. [Figure 11] FIG. 11A is a plan view showing the structure of an airbag according to an embodiment of the present invention when the slit length is reduced, and FIG. 11B is a front view showing the deployed state of the airbag. [Figure 12] 12(A) and 12(B) are plan views showing the structure of an airbag according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] Fig. 1 is a perspective view mainly showing the external shape of a vehicle seat used in the occupant protection device according to the present invention, with the airbag device 20 not shown. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure (seat frame) that functions as the framework of the vehicle seat shown in Fig. 1, with the airbag device 20 also not shown. Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of the occupant protection device according to the present invention, showing the state in which the airbag device 20 is housed on the side (near side) of the vehicle seat closest to the door, as viewed from the vehicle width direction (i.e., left and right direction).

[0039] A vehicle seat to which the present invention can be applied is, when viewed as parts, composed of a seat cushion 2 on which an occupant sits, a seat back 1 forming a backrest, and a headrest 3 connected to the upper end of the seat back 1, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0040] A seatback frame 1f is provided inside the seatback 1, forming the framework of the seat. A pad made of urethane foam or the like is provided on and around the surface of the seatback frame 1f, and the surface of the pad is covered with a covering 12 (Fig. 3) made of leather, fabric or the like. A seating frame 2f is disposed on the bottom side of the seat cushion 2, and a pad made of urethane foam or the like is provided on the top surface and around the surface of the pad. The surface of the pad is covered with a covering 12 (Fig. 3) made of leather, fabric or the like. The seating frame 2f and the seatback frame 1f are connected via a reclining mechanism 4.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 2, the seatback frame 1f is configured in a frame shape by side frames 10 that are spaced apart on the left and right and extend in the vertical direction, an upper frame that connects the upper ends of the side frames 10, and a lower frame that connects the lower ends of the side frames 10. As shown in Fig. 3, the headrest 3 is configured by providing a cushion member on the outside of the headrest frame.

[0042] (Example) Fig. 4A is a plan view showing the configuration of an airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figs. 6(A) and 6(B) are schematic front views showing the attached state of the airbag 22. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the fixing position (corresponding relationship) of the airbag 22 with respect to the side frame 10.

[0043] The airbag device 20 according to this embodiment is a side airbag device accommodated in a vehicle seat, and includes an airbag 22 that protects an occupant seated in the vehicle seat by inflating and deploying; and an inflator 24 that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 22.

[0044] The inflator 24 may be a cylindrical type, and a flow control panel for controlling the flow of gas may be provided around the inflator.

[0045] (Chamber configuration) The airbag 22 includes a head protection chamber 26 that mainly protects the head of the occupant, a side protection chamber 28 that is located below the head protection chamber 26 and protects the sides of the occupant's body, and a non-inflatable portion 32 that is provided around the head protection chamber 26 and the side protection chamber 28. The head protection chamber 26 and the side protection chamber 28 are formed integrally (continuously).

[0046] Here, rear end 26R of head protection chamber 26 is located forward of rear end 28R of side protection chamber 28. This can also be expressed as head protection chamber 26 and side protection chamber 28 not being formed to completely overlap each other vertically, but rather the center line (S1) extending in the up-down direction of head protection chamber 26 being angled (bent) relative to the longitudinal direction of side protection chamber 28.

[0047] 4A and 5, when viewed from the side in the vehicle width direction in the deployed state, head protection chamber 26 has a shape that extends in a direction S1 that is bent relative to the longitudinal direction S2 of side protection chambers 28 that are provided along seat side frames 10, and extends substantially vertically. In other words, head protection chamber 26 has a shape in which the longitudinal deployment direction S1 is inclined relative to the longitudinal direction S2 of side protection chambers 28 of airbag 22.

[0048] The side protection chamber 28 includes a side rear region 28a that extends mainly along the side of the seat, and a side front region 28b that is located in front of the side rear region 28a and is formed continuously below the head protection chamber 26. The inflator 24 is accommodated inside the side rear region 28a.

[0049] (Fixing fixture) An upper fixing member 30a that fixes the airbag 22 to the vehicle seat is provided at the upper rear end of the non-inflatable portion 32. Furthermore, a lower fixing member 30b that fixes the airbag 22 to the seat is provided at the lower end of the non-inflatable portion 32.

[0050] The upper fixture 30a can be placed near the shoulders of a properly seated occupant, where the "occupant" can correspond to an AM50 or AF05 dummy as defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association standard.

[0051] The upper fixing device 30a can be connected to a part of the upper edge of the seat back. In the case of a seat in which the seat back and headrest are integrated, the fixing tab 30a can also be connected near the side of the part that corresponds to the headrest.

[0052] The length L1 from the upper fixing device 30a to the lower fixing device 30b is configured to be longer than the length L2 from the upper fixing point 38a on the seat side to which the upper fixing device 30a is connected to the lower fixing point 38b on the seat side to which the lower fixing device 30b is connected.

[0053] 5 shows the fixed positions of the airbag 22 and the inflator 24 in a flat state relative to the side frame 10, but in reality, the airbag 22 in a compressed state shown in FIG.

[0054] (slit) A slit 34 is formed between the head protection chamber 26 and the upper fixing member 30a, extending downward from the upper end of the non-inflatable portion 32. The lower end of the slit 34 is below the upper fixing member 30a and extends to near the upper end of the side protection chamber 28. In another example, the lower end of the slit 34 may be below the fixing point 38a.

[0055] The slit 34 may be a simple cut formed by cutting, or a gap of a certain width. The width of the slit may be the same over the entire length, or may be V-shaped, where the width of the gap varies along the way.

[0056] (Sewing department) As shown in FIG. 4A, when the airbag 22 is deployed, a stitching portion 36 is formed in the side protection chamber 28 at a location above the upper end portion 50a (FIG. 9) of the door trim 50, partially connecting the left and right panels that make up the side protection chamber 28.

[0057] (Non-expandable part) The non-inflatable portion 32 will be further explained as follows. The airbag 22 of the airbag device of this embodiment has a non-inflatable portion 32 provided around the head protection chamber 26 and the side protection chamber 28. Here, "provided around" does not necessarily mean that the non-inflatable portion 32 is provided around the entire periphery of the head protection chamber 26 and the side protection chamber 28, but also includes the case where the non-inflatable portion 32 is provided only around a portion of the periphery of the head protection chamber 26 and the side protection chamber 28. For example, in this embodiment, an upper fastener 30a that secures the airbag 22 to the vehicle seat is attached to the upper rear end of the non-inflatable portion 32, and a lower fastener 30b that secures the airbag 22 to the vehicle seat is attached to the lower rear end of the non-inflatable portion 32. In this case, the non-inflatable portion 32 must have at least an area near the rear end of the non-inflatable portion 32 where the upper fixing device 30a and the lower fixing device 30b can be attached, and must be located in a position where the airbag 22 can be fixed to the side frame 10 of the vehicle seat using the upper fixing device 30a and the lower fixing device 30b.

[0058] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A , the upper rear end 32a of the non-inflatable portion 32 and the upper rear end 32b of the non-inflatable portion 32 are not directly connected, and the non-inflatable portion 32 is cut out in a stepped shape at the upper rear corner of the airbag 20. However, the shape of the non-inflatable portion 32 is not limited to that shown in this embodiment. The rear end portion of the non-inflatable portion 32 may be shaped to extend straight upward from near the rear end of the upper end of the side protection chamber 28. The upper end portion of the non-inflatable portion 32 may be shaped to extend straight rearward from near the upper edge of the head protection chamber 26. The non-inflatable portion 32 may not be cut out in a stepped shape, and may be present at the upper rear corner of the airbag 20.

[0059] The end of the non-inflatable portion 32 at the upper and rear corner of the airbag 20 may be shaped so that the upper rear end 32a and the upper rear end 32b of the non-inflatable portion 32 are continuously connected, as shown in Figures 4B and 4C.

[0060] Specifically, in the non-inflatable portion 32 of the first modified example, the upper rear end 32a and the upper rear end 32b of the non-inflatable portion 32 are continuous in a straight line, forming a straight oblique side 32c. In the first modified example, the slit 34 is formed downward from the upper rear end 32a of the non-inflatable portion 32 between the head protection chamber 26 and the upper fixture 30a, and the lower end of the slit 34 extends below the upper fixture 30a to near the upper end of the side protection chamber 28.

[0061] In the non-inflatable portion 32 of the second modified example, the upper rear end 32a and the upper rear end 32b of the non-inflatable portion 32 are continuous in a curved shape, and an inwardly curved oblique side 32c is formed. In the second modified example, the slit 34 bends toward the oblique side 32c at a position slightly above the upper end of the upper fixing member 30a, and the upper end of the slit 34 intersects with the oblique side 32c.

[0062] (Airbag compression process) 7(A), (B), 8(A), and (B) are plan views showing the process of compressing the airbag according to the embodiment of the present invention into a housed state.

[0063] When the airbag 22 is moved from the flat state shown in Fig. 7(A) to the housed state, the head-protecting chamber 26 is first folded in a Z shape along the folding line X1 to form the folded portion 60 as shown in Fig. 7(B). The folded portion 60 can be formed by folding in an accordion-like manner in addition to the Z-folding.

[0064] Next, the folded portion 60 and the side protection chamber 28 are rolled in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (the vertical direction in the figure) to form the rolled portion 62 as shown in Figure 8(A). This is then turned so that the longitudinal direction is the vertical direction, as shown in Figure 8(B), and is then housed and fixed in a seat.

[0065] In the above example, the head protection chamber 26 is folded in a Z-fold and then rolled, but it is also possible to roll the entire airbag 22 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and then Z-fold or accordion-fold the portion corresponding to the head protection chamber 26.

[0066] (Airbag deployment) 9A and 9B are front views showing the deployment behavior of the airbag 22 according to the embodiment of the present invention, where (A) shows the state before the airbag is deployed and (B) shows the state after the airbag is deployed.

[0067] When a side collision or the like occurs and the airbag device 20 is activated, inflation gas from the inflator 24 flows from the rear region 28a of the side protection chamber 28 into the entire airbag 22. When the airbag 22 begins to inflate, the side protection chamber 28 deploys forward, and the head protection chamber 26 deploys upward and forward.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 4A, rear end 26R of head protection chamber 26 is located forward of rear end 28R of side protection chamber 28, so head protection chamber 26 deploys in front of seat belt 52 without getting between seat belt 52 and the occupant.

[0069] Furthermore, because slits 34 separate head protecting chamber 26 from upper fixing device 30a, head protecting chamber 26 is not strongly pulled toward the seat, and deploys with a certain degree of freedom in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. As a result, head protecting chamber 26 deploys in front of seat belt 52, standing away from the outer periphery of the seat.

[0070] As shown in Figure 9(B), when an occupant's head enters the head protection chamber 26, the head protection chamber 26 is pushed toward the door trim 50, and a part of the head protection chamber 26 rides up onto the upper part 50a of the door trim 50, receiving the reaction force.

[0071] 4A and 6, making the length L1 from the upper fixing member 30a to the lower fixing member 30b of the airbag 22 longer than the length L2 between the fixing positions 38a, 38b on the seat side works effectively to prevent the head protection chamber 26 from riding up onto the upper portion 50a of the door trim 50. In other words, a margin is provided in the longitudinal direction of the airbag 22 between the fixing positions 38a, 38b, and the head protection chamber 26 is not strongly pulled toward the side protection chamber 28 when the head of an occupant enters the head protection chamber 26, so that the lower portion of the head protection chamber 26 bends reliably, making it easier for the head protection chamber 26 to ride up onto the upper portion 50a of the door trim 50.

[0072] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4A, by forming the stitching portion 36 near the upper portion 50a of the door trim 50, the lower portion of the head protection chamber 26 bends starting from the stitching portion 36, and the bent portion easily rides up onto the upper portion 50a of the door trim 50.

[0073] (Adjusting the slit depth) Fig. 10 is a plan view (A) showing the structure of an airbag according to an embodiment of the present invention when the slit length is increased, and a front view (B) showing the deployed state of the airbag. Fig. 11 is a plan view (A) showing the structure of an airbag according to an embodiment of the present invention when the slit length is decreased, and a front view (B) showing the deployed state of the airbag.

[0074] If slit 34 is extended relatively far downward as shown in Figure 10(A), that is, if it is extended so as to intrude into the area near the upper rear region of the side protection chamber, upper fixing device 30a and head protection chamber 26 are separated over a wide area in the vertical direction when airbag 22 deploys. As a result, head protection chamber 26 deploys in an upright position as shown in Figure 10(B). In this case, the area of ​​head protection chamber 26 that comes into contact with the occupant's head (restraint area) becomes larger, making it possible to reliably restrain the occupant's head.

[0075] On the other hand, if slit 34 is made relatively short, that is, if it extends to within the height range of upper fixing part 30a, as shown in Figure 11(A), when airbag 22 deploys, upper fixing part 30a and head protection chamber 26 are separated only in a narrow area. As a result, head protection chamber 26 deploys in a state where it is tilted toward the occupant and along the upper surface of the seat back, as shown in Figure 11(B). In this case, the area where head protection chamber 26 comes into contact with the occupant's head (restraint area) is relatively small.

[0076] As described above, in the present invention, the deployment direction of the head protection chamber 26 can be controlled by adjusting the vertical depth of the slit 34.

[0077] (Other Examples) 12(A) and 12(B) are plan views showing the structure of an airbag according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] 12(A) employs an airbag 122 in which a head protection chamber 126 is shifted forward relative to a side protection chamber 128. Furthermore, slit 134 is moved further forward than slit 34 in the above-described embodiment. When airbag 122 inflates and deploys, head protection chamber 126 deploys further forward.

[0079] In an airbag device 220 according to an embodiment shown in FIG. 12(B), an airbag 222 has a head protection chamber 226 and a side protection chamber 228. A recess 226a extending in the front-rear direction is formed at the rear end of head protection chamber 226 near the boundary with side protection chamber 228. A lower end 234a of a slit 234 extends forward along recess 226a. This embodiment facilitates deployment of head protection chamber 226 in an upright position without significantly bending toward the occupant's head (seat side). This provides the same effect as when the slit extends deeper downward, allowing for greater flexibility in deployment of head protection chamber 226 relative to upper fixture 30a, such as in the lateral position and angle of deployment.

[0080] While the present invention has been described in connection with the above exemplary embodiments, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art given this disclosure. Accordingly, the above exemplary embodiments of the present invention are considered to be illustrative, but not limiting. Various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, while the detailed description focuses on near-side side airbags, the present invention may also be used in far-side airbags (the surface of a vehicle seat farthest from the vehicle door) and in single-seat vehicles (vehicles with only one seat in a row, regardless of whether they have doors) such as small mobility vehicles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 20 Airbag device 22 Airbag 24 Inflator 26 Head Protection Chamber 26R rear end 28 Side protection chamber 28R rear end 30a Upper fixture 30b Lower fixture 32 Non-expandable section 34 Slit 36 Sewing Department

Claims

1. A side airbag device housed in a vehicle seat, an airbag that inflates and deploys to protect an occupant seated in the vehicle seat; an inflator that supplies inflation gas to the airbag; The airbag includes a head protection chamber that mainly protects the head of the occupant; a side protection chamber that is located below the head protection chamber and protects the sides of the occupant's body; and a non-inflatable portion that is provided around the head protection chamber and the side protection chamber. a rear end of the head protection chamber is located forward of a rear end of the side protection chamber; an upper fixing device is provided to fix an upper portion of the non-inflatable portion to the vehicle seat; A slit extending downward from an upper end of the non-inflatable portion is formed between the head protection chamber and the upper fixing device, and The slit is formed so as to extend below the point of fixation by the upper fixing member.

2. 2. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the slit extends to a position adjacent to an upper end of the side protection chamber.

3. 3. The side airbag device according to claim 2, wherein a lower end of the slit is bent so as to extend forward.

4. 4. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the upper fixing member is disposed near the shoulder of a properly seated occupant.

5. A side airbag device housed in a vehicle seat, an airbag that inflates and deploys to protect an occupant seated in the vehicle seat; an inflator that supplies inflation gas to the airbag; The airbag includes a head protection chamber that mainly protects the head of the occupant; a side protection chamber that is located below the head protection chamber and protects the sides of the occupant's body; and a non-inflatable portion that is provided around the head protection chamber and the side protection chamber. a rear end of the head protection chamber is located forward of a rear end of the side protection chamber; an upper fixing device is provided to fix an upper portion of the non-inflatable portion to the vehicle seat; a slit extending downward from an upper end of the non-inflatable portion is formed between the head protection chamber and the upper fixing device, a side airbag device, characterized in that the direction of extension of the head protection chamber from the side protection chamber is curved relative to the longitudinal direction of the side protection chamber when viewed from the side in the vehicle width direction in the deployed state.

6. A side airbag device housed in a vehicle seat, an airbag that inflates and deploys to protect an occupant seated in the vehicle seat; an inflator that supplies inflation gas to the airbag; The airbag includes a head protection chamber that mainly protects the head of the occupant; a side protection chamber that is located below the head protection chamber and protects the sides of the occupant's body; and a non-inflatable portion that is provided around the head protection chamber and the side protection chamber. a rear end of the head protection chamber is located forward of a rear end of the side protection chamber; an upper fixing device is provided to fix an upper portion of the non-inflatable portion to the vehicle seat; a slit extending downward from an upper end of the non-inflatable portion is formed between the head protection chamber and the upper fixing device, The side protection chamber includes a rear side region that is deployed mainly along the side of the vehicle seat, and a front side region that is located in front of the rear side region and is formed continuously below the head protection chamber.

7. 7. The side airbag device according to claim 6, wherein the inflator is accommodated inside the vehicle seat side region of the side protection chamber.

8. 4. The side airbag device according to claim 1, further comprising, in addition to the upper fixing member, a lower fixing member for fixing the airbag to the vehicle seat near a lower end of the non-inflatable portion.

9. A side airbag device housed in a vehicle seat, an airbag that inflates and deploys to protect an occupant seated in the vehicle seat; an inflator that supplies inflation gas to the airbag; The airbag includes a head protection chamber that mainly protects the head of the occupant; a side protection chamber that is located below the head protection chamber and protects the sides of the occupant's body; and a non-inflatable portion that is provided around the head protection chamber and the side protection chamber. a rear end of the head protection chamber is located forward of a rear end of the side protection chamber; an upper fixing device is provided to fix an upper portion of the non-inflatable portion to the vehicle seat; a slit extending downward from an upper end of the non-inflatable portion is formed between the head protection chamber and the upper fixing device, In addition to the upper fixing device, a lower fixing device is provided in the vicinity of a lower end of the non-inflatable portion to fix the airbag to the vehicle seat; a side airbag device configured such that the length from the upper fixing device to the lower fixing device is longer than the length from an upper fixing point on the vehicle seat side to which the upper fixing device is connected to a lower fixing point on the vehicle seat side to which the lower fixing device is connected.

10. A side airbag device housed in a vehicle seat, an airbag that inflates and deploys to protect an occupant seated in the vehicle seat; an inflator that supplies inflation gas to the airbag; The airbag includes a head protection chamber that mainly protects the head of the occupant; a side protection chamber that is located below the head protection chamber and protects the sides of the occupant's body; and a non-inflatable portion that is provided around the head protection chamber and the side protection chamber. a rear end of the head protection chamber is located forward of a rear end of the side protection chamber; an upper fixing device is provided to fix an upper portion of the non-inflatable portion to the vehicle seat; A slit extending downward from an upper end of the non-inflatable portion is formed between the head protection chamber and the upper fixing device, and A side airbag device characterized in that, when the airbag is deployed, a stitching portion is formed in a portion of the side protection chamber that corresponds to a portion above the upper end of the door trim, partially connecting the left and right panels that make up the side protection chamber.

11. 4. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein, when the airbag is put into the housed state, the head protection chamber is folded up and down, and then rolled together with the side protection chamber.

12. 4. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein when the airbag is placed in a stored state, the head protection chamber and the side protection chamber of the airbag are rolled, and then the head protection chamber is folded up in the vertical direction.

13. A vehicle seat comprising the side airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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