Vehicle center airbag device

Abstract

To provide a center airbag device for a vehicle, capable of suppressing swinging of a front end part side of a center airbag upon inflation and deployment of the center airbag.SOLUTION: A center airbag device 10 for a vehicle includes: an inflator 20 which is provided at a vehicle seat, and which is actuated to eject gas; and a center airbag 22 which is provided at a side part on a vehicle width direction inner side of a seatback in the vehicle seat, and which, when the gas is supplied to an inside, is thereby inflated and deployed toward the vehicle width direction inner side of an occupant seated on the vehicle seat. The center airbag 22 includes, in an upper part, an introduction path 24 into which the gas ejected from the inflator 20 is introduced. The introduction path 24 includes, in an intermediate part 24C, a plurality of opening parts 26 for ejecting the gas toward a vehicle lower side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a center airbag device for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Far side airbag devices that are mounted on the inner (center) side of the driver's seat in the vehicle width direction and inflate and deploy a center airbag with inflation gas between the adjacent passenger seat have been known for some time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This center airbag has an annular joint portion (non-inflatable portion) that limits the thickness of its center portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-059381 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in a center airbag configured as described above, when gas is supplied from the rear end, the gas is divided into two parts above and below the annular joint and flows toward the front end, which can cause the front end to swing significantly when the center airbag inflates and deploys. If the front end swings significantly when the center airbag inflates and deploys, the position at which the occupant's head comes into contact with the airbag will vary, making it difficult to effectively restrain the occupant's head.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle center airbag device that can suppress the swinging of the front end portion of the center airbag when it is inflated and deployed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle center airbag device comprising: an inflator that is provided in a vehicle seat and that ejects gas when activated; and a center airbag that is provided on the inner side of a seat back of the vehicle seat in the vehicle width direction and that inflates and deploys toward the inner side of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat in the vehicle width direction when the gas is supplied thereto, wherein the center airbag has an introduction passage at its upper portion through which the gas ejected from the inflator is introduced, and the introduction passage has a plurality of openings in its middle portion through which the gas is ejected toward the lower side of the vehicle.

[0007] 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 inside of the center airbag. As a result, the center airbag inflates and deploys toward the vehicle width inward of the occupant seated in the vehicle seat. 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.

[0008] The center airbag has an inlet passage at its upper portion through which gas ejected from the inflator is introduced. The inlet passage has multiple openings at its middle portion through which the gas is ejected downwards of the vehicle. Therefore, the center airbag inflates and deploys like a shutter from the upper side of the vehicle to the lower side of the vehicle, thereby suppressing rocking of the front end portion.

[0009] Furthermore, a second aspect of the present invention is a vehicle center airbag device according to the first aspect, wherein the inlet passage has a sub-opening at least at the rear end thereof, the sub-opening having a smaller diameter than the opening.

[0010] According to the second aspect of the invention, the auxiliary opening, which has a smaller diameter than the opening, is formed in at least the rear portion of the introduction passage out of the front end and rear portion of the introduction passage, thereby suppressing a delay in deployment of the center airbag.

[0011] Furthermore, a third aspect of the present invention is a vehicle center airbag device according to the second aspect, wherein the front end of the inlet passage extends to a lower front end of the center airbag and is closed.

[0012] According to the third aspect of the invention, the front end of the introduction passage extends to the lower front end of the center airbag and is closed. Therefore, the front end of the center airbag inflates and deploys before other portions. Therefore, swinging of the front end of the center airbag is more effectively suppressed than in a case where the front end of the introduction passage extends only to the upper front end of the center airbag and a sub-opening is formed at the front end of the introduction passage.

[0013] Furthermore, a fourth aspect of the present invention is a vehicle center airbag device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the introduction path is formed by sewing a base fabric of the center airbag, or is formed by a tube provided inside the center airbag.

[0014] According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the introduction path is formed by sewing the base fabric of the center airbag or by a tube provided inside the center airbag, so that the introduction path is easily formed.

[0015] A vehicle center airbag device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle center airbag device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the opening is formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes downward of the vehicle.

[0016] According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the opening is formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes downward of the vehicle, which creates a stronger gas flow than when the opening is not formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes downward of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the swinging of the front end portion of the center airbag when the center airbag is inflated and deployed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view showing an inflated and deployed state of a center airbag according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic side view showing the center airbag according to the first embodiment after inflation and deployment are completed. [Figure 3] 2(A) and 2(B) are schematic cross-sectional views taken along the line XX and YY in FIG. [Figure 4] 2A and 2B are schematic cross-sectional views of a second embodiment of the invention, taken along line XX and line YY in Fig. 2, respectively. [Figure 5] 10A is a schematic enlarged side view of a center airbag according to a third embodiment after inflation and deployment is completed, and FIG. 10B is a schematic enlarged side view of a center airbag according to a fourth embodiment after inflation and deployment is completed. [Figure 6] 5A and 5B are schematic cross-sectional views taken along the line ZZ in Fig. 5A and when the introduction path according to the second embodiment is formed of a tube, respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] 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, and the arrow LH indicates the leftward 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 right / left of the vehicle and the vehicle seat. Furthermore, the left / right direction is synonymous with the vehicle width direction and the seat width direction.

[0020] 1 is, for example, an occupant corresponding to AM50 (50th percentile of American adult males) of the WorldSID (World Side Impact Dummy). The vehicle seat 12 (see FIG. 1) in which the occupant P is seated is, for example, the right front seat seat provided in the vehicle cabin.

[0021] First Embodiment First, a description will be given of the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle seat 12 on which a vehicle center airbag device 10 according to the first embodiment (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as a "center airbag device") is mounted has a seat cushion 14 on which an occupant P sits (supporting the buttocks 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.

[0022] 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 at the upper end of the seat back 16 in the center in the seat width direction so as to be able to move up and down. The occupant P is restrained in the vehicle seat 12 by a seat belt device (not shown).

[0023] A center airbag device 10 is provided on the left side (hereinafter referred to as "left side 16S"), which is the side on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the seatback 16. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the center airbag device 10 includes an inflator 20 embedded in the left side 16S of the seatback 16, and a center airbag 22 having an introduction passage 24 at its upper part, through which gas ejected from the inflator 20 is introduced.

[0024] The inflator 20 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 20 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 supplying gas into the inside of the center airbag 22 via the inlet passage 24.

[0025] The center airbag 22 is formed into a single bag shape by sewing together the outer peripheral edge of a base fabric 22A on the outer side in the seat width direction and the outer peripheral edge of a base fabric 22B on the inner side in the seat width direction, and is folded in a predetermined manner and stored in the left side section 16S of the seatback 16. The center airbag 22 is formed into a generally elliptical shape that bulges forward and upward in a side view after inflation and deployment is complete so as to be able to restrain the head Ph of the occupant P.

[0026] The introduction path 24 is formed by sewing together a portion of the base fabrics 22A and 22B (more specifically, a portion that is a predetermined distance inward from the outer peripheral edges of the base fabrics 22A and 22B) at the upper part of the center airbag 22. A lower end 24D located on the rear side of the introduction path 24 is formed as a cylindrical insertion portion 23, and an upper portion 20A having an outlet of the inflator 20 is inserted into and connected to the insertion portion 23. A front end 24F of the introduction path 24 extends beyond the upper end 22U located at the uppermost position of the center airbag 22 to an upper portion (upper front end) of the front end 22F located at the foremost position.

[0027] Furthermore, a plurality of openings (hereinafter referred to as "main openings") 26 that eject the introduced gas downward are formed in the middle portion 24C of the introduction path 24. The main openings 26 are formed by not sewing the base fabrics 22A and 22B together, and for example, the illustrated main opening 26 is formed in the vicinity of the upper end portion 22U of the center airbag 22 (slightly rearward of the upper end portion 22U), and another main opening 26 is formed further rearward at a predetermined interval.

[0028] A sub-opening 28 having a smaller diameter than the main opening 26 is formed at the front end 24F of the introduction path 24. A sub-opening 28 having a smaller diameter than the main opening 26 is also formed at the rear part 24B of the introduction path 24 (above the insertion part 23 and rearward of the rear-side main opening 26). The sub-opening 28 is also formed by not sewing the base fabrics 22A and 22B together.

[0029] Therefore, the gas ejected from the inflator 20 and introduced into the introduction passage 24 is blown downward from the main opening 26 and the sub-opening 28 formed in the introduction passage 24 and supplied to the inside of the center airbag 22, causing the center airbag 22 to inflate and deploy as if a shutter were lowering from the top to the bottom. In other words, the center airbag 22 is inflated and deployed inward in the vehicle width direction of the head Ph, shoulders Ps, and chest Pc of the occupant P seated in the vehicle seat 12 in this order.

[0030] Next, the operation of the vehicle center airbag device 10 according to the first embodiment configured as above will be described.

[0031] In the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the inflator 20 is activated, and gas ejected from the inflator 20 is instantly supplied into the introduction passage 24, and then supplied to the inside of the center airbag 22 through the main opening 26 and the sub-opening 28 of the introduction passage 24. Then, the internal pressure (inflation pressure) of the center airbag 22, which begins to inflate due to the supply of gas, ruptures the skin from the upper end to the lower end of the left side portion 16S of the seat back 16.

[0032] That is, the upper part of the center airbag 22 is inflated and deployed early, and then inflated and deployed toward the left side (inner side in the vehicle width direction) of the head Ph, shoulders Ps, and chest Pc of the occupant P. As a result, the left side of the head Ph, shoulders Ps, and chest Pc of the occupant P is covered from the left side by the center airbag 22. Therefore, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the left side of the head Ph, shoulders Ps, and chest Pc of the occupant P can be restrained by the center airbag 22.

[0033] As described above, the center airbag 22 has an inlet passage 24 at its upper portion, through which gas ejected from the inflator 20 is introduced. The inlet passage 24 has a plurality of main openings 26 at its middle portion 24C, which eject gas downward, and further has sub-openings 28 at its front end portion 24F and rear portion 24B.

[0034] Therefore, the center airbag 22 is inflated and deployed from above to below like a shutter due to a stronger gas flow from above to below, thereby suppressing (reducing) the swinging of the front end portion 22F of the center airbag 22. This suppresses variation in the position of the center airbag 22 with which the head Ph of the occupant P comes into contact, thereby effectively restraining the head Ph of the occupant P (ensuring restraint performance for the occupant P).

[0035] Since the swinging of the front end portion 22F of the center airbag 22 is suppressed as described above, there is no need to increase the size of the center airbag 22 in consideration of the swinging, and it is possible to achieve a reduction in size, weight, and cost. Furthermore, since the introduction path 24 has the sub-opening 28 formed in at least the rear portion 24B, it is possible to suppress a delay in deployment of the center airbag 22. Furthermore, since the introduction path 24 is formed by sewing the base fabrics 22A and 22B of the center airbag 22, it can be easily formed, and a decrease in productivity of the center airbag 22 can be suppressed.

[0036] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate parts equivalent to those in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions (including common functions) will be omitted as appropriate.

[0037] 4, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that the introduction path 24 is formed by a tube 30 provided inside the center airbag 22. Although not shown in the drawings, the tube 30 is disposed at an upper part inside the center airbag 22 by having its upper end edge sewn together with the outer peripheral edge of the base fabric 22A and the outer peripheral edge of the base fabric 22B.

[0038] Furthermore, this tube 30 has the same configuration as the introduction path 24 in the first embodiment. That is, although not shown, the lower end portion located on the rear side of the tube 30 is a cylindrical insertion portion, into which the upper portion 20A having the outlet of the inflator 20 is inserted and connected. The front end portion of the tube 30 extends beyond the upper end portion 22U of the center airbag 22 to the upper portion of the front end portion 22F (upper front end).

[0039] A plurality of main openings 32 that eject the introduced gas downward are formed in the middle of the tube 30. The main openings 32 are, for example, circular, and are formed in the same positions as the main openings 26 of the introduction path 24. A circular sub-opening (not shown) is formed in the front end of the tube 30 in the same manner as the sub-openings 28 of the introduction path 24, and a circular sub-opening (not shown) is also formed in the rear of the tube 30 in the same manner as the sub-openings 28 of the introduction path 24.

[0040] In the second embodiment configured as described above, the center airbag 22 is inflated and deployed from the upper side to the lower side in a shutter-like manner, thereby suppressing swinging of the front end portion 22F thereof. This suppresses variation in the position of the center airbag 22 with which the head Ph of the occupant P comes into contact, thereby effectively restraining the head Ph of the occupant P. Furthermore, since the introduction path 24 is formed by the tube 30 provided inside the center airbag 22, it can be easily formed, and a decrease in productivity of the center airbag 22 can be suppressed.

[0041] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate parts equivalent to those in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions (including common functions) will be omitted as appropriate.

[0042] 5(A) and 6(A), the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that main opening 26 is formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes downward. That is, in the third embodiment, at the location where main opening 26 of the first embodiment is formed, parts of base fabrics 22A and 22B are sewn together to extend downward by a predetermined length, thereby forming cylindrical main opening 27 that restricts (limits) the diffusion of gas in the front-to-rear direction when gas is ejected.

[0043] In this way, when the main opening 27 is formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes downward, a stronger gas flow can be formed downward compared to the main opening 26 that is not formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes downward, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the center airbag 22 in the third embodiment can inflate and deploy from the upper side to the lower side earlier than in the first embodiment, and can more effectively suppress swinging of the front end portion 22F side.

[0044] The same configuration can be used when the introduction path 24 is formed from a tube 30. That is, as shown in Fig. 6(B), a cylindrical portion 34 extending downward is formed integrally with the tube 30 at the location where the main opening 32 (see Fig. 4(B)) is formed. In this way, a cylindrical main opening 36 is formed, and therefore, when gas is ejected, diffusion of the gas can be restricted (limited) not only in the front-to-rear direction but also to the entire radially outer side as viewed from the axial direction of the main opening 36, and a stronger gas flow directed downward than in the case of the main opening 27 can be formed.

[0045] <Fourth embodiment> Finally, a fourth embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate parts equivalent to those in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions (including common functions) will be omitted as appropriate.

[0046] 5(B), the fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that the front end 24F of the introduction passage 24 extends to a lower portion (lower front end) of the front end 22F of the center airbag 22 and the front end 24F is closed. That is, in the fourth embodiment, the sub-opening 28 is not formed in the front end 24F of the introduction passage 24, but is formed only in the rear portion 24B of the introduction passage 24.

[0047] According to the fourth embodiment configured in this manner, the front end 22F side of the center airbag 22 inflates and deploys (inflates and deploys completely) before other portions, and therefore, compared to the first embodiment described above, in which the front end 24F of the introduction passage 24 extends only to the upper part (upper front end) of the front end 22F of the center airbag 22 and a sub-opening 28 is formed at the front end 24F of the introduction passage 24.

[0048] The vehicle center airbag device 10 according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the vehicle center airbag device 10 according to this embodiment is not limited to the one shown in the drawings, and the design can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0049] For example, the sub-opening 28 may be formed at least in the rear portion 24B of the front end portion 24F and the rear portion 24B of the introduction path 24. Furthermore, the diameter of the main openings 26, 27, 32, 36 may be configured to be slightly smaller on the front side than on the rear side, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 10. Vehicle center airbag device 12 Vehicle seats 16 Seat back 20 Inflator 22 Center airbag 24 Introductory path 24C middle part 26 Main opening (opening) 28 Secondary Opening 30 tubes P crew

Claims

1. an inflator provided in the vehicle seat and configured to eject gas when activated; a center airbag provided on an inner side of a seat back of the vehicle seat in a vehicle width direction, the center airbag being inflated and deployed toward an inner side of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat in a vehicle width direction by supplying the gas therein; Equipped with The center airbag has an introduction passage at an upper portion thereof through which gas ejected from the inflator is introduced, The introduction passage has a plurality of openings at a middle portion thereof for ejecting the gas toward a lower side of the vehicle.

2. 2. The vehicle center airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the guide passage has a sub-opening, the diameter of which is smaller than that of the opening, at least at the rear end of the guide passage.

3. 3. The vehicle center airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the front end of the guide passage extends to a lower front end of the center airbag and is closed.

4. The vehicle center airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the introduction path is formed by sewing a base fabric of the center airbag, or is formed by a tube provided inside the center airbag.

5. 5. The vehicle center airbag device according to claim 4, wherein the opening is formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes downwardly of the vehicle.

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