Vehicle side airbag device

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a vehicle side airbag device capable of efficiently protecting adjacent occupants. [Solution] An airbag module 112 of a vehicle side airbag device 100 includes an inflator 116 fixed to a first seat 102, and an airbag cushion 114 that receives gas from the inflator 116 and expandably deploys. The airbag cushion 114 includes a main chamber 120 that expandably deploys from a range above a console box 130 to a range on the side of the first seat 102 side of the console box 130, and a sub-chamber 122 that expandably deploys to a range on the side of a second seat 128 side of the console box 130 while protruding to the second seat 128 side from a location above the console box 130 in the main chamber 120.

Description

Vehicle side airbag device

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

[0002] Airbag devices have become standard equipment in most modern vehicles. Airbag devices are safety devices that operate in emergencies such as vehicle collisions, and protect occupants by utilizing an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys using gas pressure. There are various types of airbag devices depending on their installation location and application. For example, FIG. 3 of Patent Document 1 discloses a far-side airbag device 16 as one type of side airbag device installed on the side of a seat.

[0003] In general, the far side refers to the side of the vehicle farthest from the collision, and the near side refers to the side of the vehicle closest to the collision. In the technology of Patent Document 1, as described in paragraph 0054 and Figure 1, the sub-bag 40 is held in the console box 14A, thereby supporting the lower part 38L of the main bag 38 from the inside in the vehicle width direction, thereby improving the occupant protection performance of the airbag 32.

[0004] JP 2014-108740 A

[0005] The technology of Patent Document 1 makes it possible to prevent an occupant P seated in a vehicle seat 12 from moving to the far side. However, depending on the type of vehicle collision, there is a possibility that an occupant in an adjacent seat may intrude into the vehicle seat 12. In order to further improve the occupant protection performance of side airbag devices, a device configuration that takes into account the intrusion of an occupant in an adjacent seat is required.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a side airbag device for a vehicle that can efficiently protect adjacent occupants.

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a representative configuration of a vehicle side airbag device according to the present invention is a vehicle side airbag device comprising a first seat and a second seat arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction separated by a predetermined console box installed on the floor of the vehicle, and an airbag module provided on the side of the first seat on the second seat side, wherein the airbag module includes an inflator fixed to the first seat and an airbag cushion that receives gas from the inflator and inflates and deploys, and the airbag cushion has a main chamber that inflates and deploys from at least a range above the console box to a range lateral to the first seat side of the console box, and a sub-chamber that inflates and deploys from a portion of the main chamber above the console box toward the second seat and also to a range lateral to the second seat side of the console box.

[0008] In the above configuration, not only can the main chamber restrain the occupant in the first seat, but the sub-chamber can also restrain the occupant in the second seat. Specifically, when the occupant in the second seat attempts to move toward the first seat, the sub-chamber restrains the occupant's waist area to attenuate the kinetic energy, while the trajectory of the occupant's head is contained within the main chamber and restrained, thereby preventing contact between the occupants. Therefore, the above configuration makes it possible to efficiently protect adjacent occupants.

[0009] The airbag cushion may be inflated and deployed in a state where the console box is sandwiched between the main chamber and the sub-chamber.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the airbag cushion can easily maintain its posture when inflated and deployed, thereby improving the occupant restraint force.

[0011] The main chamber may be inflated and deployed to a range above the upper end of the seat back of the first seat.

[0012] According to the above configuration, it is possible to completely prevent contact between the occupant in the first seat and the occupant in the second seat.

[0013] The above-mentioned sub-chamber may have a sub-upper wall portion that protrudes from the main chamber along the top surface of the console box toward the second seat, and a sub-side wall portion that bends downward from the sub-upper wall portion and extends to a lateral range on the second seat side of the console box.

[0014] The sub-chamber having the above configuration can be inflated and deployed between the second seat and the console box.

[0015] The sub-upper wall portion may contact the top surface of the console box.

[0016] The sub-chamber described above can be inflated and deployed using the console box as support, making it possible to restrain the occupant in a stable position.

[0017] The sub-upper wall portion may have a cross-sectional area that gradually increases from the second seat side toward the main chamber.

[0018] According to the above configuration, the sub upper wall portion is less likely to bend relative to the main chamber, making it possible to suitably restrain the occupant.

[0019] The sub-side wall portion may be inflated and deployed to extend vertically between the second seat and the console box.

[0020] According to the above configuration, the seat belt can be efficiently inflated and deployed between the second seat and the console box.

[0021] The airbag cushion may further have a partition wall that separates the main chamber from the sub-chamber, and a vent hole formed in the partition wall through which gas passes.

[0022] According to the above configuration, it is possible to maintain the expansion pressure of the sub-chamber in a suitable manner.

[0023] The airbag cushion may further include a check valve provided on the sub-chamber side of the partition wall to prevent gas from flowing back into the main chamber.

[0024] The above configuration also makes it possible to maintain the inflation pressure of the sub-chamber in a suitable manner.

[0025] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle side airbag device that can efficiently protect adjacent occupants.

[0026] Fig. 1(b) is a diagram illustrating an overview of a side airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1(b) is a diagram illustrating the airbag cushion of Fig. 1(b) as viewed from various directions. Fig. 1(b) is a diagram illustrating the side airbag device after movement as viewed from the front of the vehicle. Fig. 3(a) is a diagram illustrating first and second modified examples of the airbag cushion of Fig. 3(a). Fig. 3(a) is a diagram illustrating a third modified example of the airbag cushion of Fig. 3(a). Fig. 3(a) is a diagram illustrating first and second modified examples near the vent hole of Fig. 3(a).

[0027] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention and, unless otherwise specified, do not limit the present invention. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0028] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of an outline of a side airbag device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1A is a diagram illustrating the side airbag device 100 before it is activated.

[0029] In this embodiment, when the occupant P1 (see FIG. 3A) is seated in the first seat 102 in a normal posture, the direction that the occupant P1 faces is referred to as the forward direction, and the opposite direction is referred to as the rearward direction. When the occupant P1 is seated in the first seat 102 in a normal posture, the right side of the occupant P1 is referred to as the right direction, and the left side of the occupant P1 is referred to as the left direction. When the occupant P1 is seated in the first seat 102 in a normal posture, the direction of the occupant P1's head is referred to as the upward direction, and the direction of the occupant P1's waist is referred to as the downward direction. In the drawings used in the following description, the front-rear, left-right, up-down, and front-rear directions relative to the occupant P1 are illustrated as arrows F (Forward), B (Back), L (Left), R (Right), U (Up), and D (Down), respectively, as necessary.

[0030] As an example, the first seat 102 is assumed to be the left seat in the front row of the vehicle interior. The first seat 102 has a seat back 104 that supports the back of an occupant P1 (see FIG. 3A) and a seat cushion 106 that supports the buttocks of the occupant P1. In FIG. 1A, the seat back 104 is shown with the interior seat frame 108 and the like visible through, and the outer surface is illustrated by a dashed line.

[0031] The seat frame 108 is a skeletal member built into the seat back 104. A seat pad made of urethane or the like is filled around the seat frame 108. The side frame 110 is a portion of the seat frame 108 that extends along the side of the seat back 104. The airbag module 112 is assembled to the outside of the side frame 110 on the right side in the width direction of the seat back 104.

[0032] The airbag module 112 includes an inflator 116 fixed to the side frame 110 of the first seat 102, and an airbag cushion 114 that receives gas from the inflator 116 and inflates and deploys.

[0033] The inflator 116 is a gas generating device that is activated upon receiving an activation signal transmitted from the vehicle when an impact occurs, and supplies gas to the inside of the airbag cushion 114. In this embodiment, a cylindrical inflator 116 is used.

[0034] The inflator 116 is housed inside the rear side of the airbag cushion 114. The inflator 116 has a plurality of stud bolts 118, and is fixed to the first seat 102 by fastening the stud bolts 118 to the side frame 110.

[0035] Currently popular inflators include types that are filled with gas generating agent and burn it to generate gas, types that are filled with compressed gas and supply gas without generating heat, and hybrid types that use both combustion gas and compressed gas. Any of these types can be used as the inflator 116.

[0036] Before activation, the airbag cushion 114 is rolled up, folded, or otherwise stored with the inflator 116 inserted, and is then wrapped around its outer periphery with a cover or the like to form a unit as the airbag module 112.

[0037] Fig. 1(b) illustrates an example of the state after activation of the side airbag device 100 of Fig. 1(a). In the side airbag device 100, an activation signal is sent from the control unit to the inflator 116 in an emergency such as when an impact occurs to the vehicle or when a vehicle collision is predicted.

[0038] When the airbag cushion 114 receives gas from the movable inflator 116, the inflation pressure causes the cover to split open, and the airbag cushion 114 inflates and deploys from the side frame 110 toward the front of the seat back 104, restraining the occupant seated in the first seat 102 from the side.

[0039] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the airbag cushion 114 of Fig. 1B as viewed from various directions. Fig. 2A is a perspective view illustrating the airbag cushion 114 as viewed from the same direction as Fig. 1B.

[0040] The airbag cushion 114 is a bag-shaped member that receives the occupant, and is formed by layering and sewing or gluing multiple base fabrics that make up its surface, or by weaving using OPW (One-Piece Woven).

[0041] The airbag cushion 114 of this embodiment is configured to include a wide main chamber 120 and a sub-chamber 122 that protrudes from the main chamber 120 on the side opposite the first seat 102, as an inflatable portion that restrains the occupant.

[0042] The main chamber 120 constitutes a major part of the airbag cushion 114, and inflates and deploys forward from the seat back 104. The outer surface of the main chamber 120 is made up of a main panel 120a located on the left side in the width direction and on the first seat 102 side, and a main panel 120b on the right side in the width direction and opposite the first seat 102.

[0043] The main panels 120a and 120b are made of a base fabric and are sewn or glued together to form the bag-shaped main chamber 120. The main chamber 120 can also be formed by weaving using OPW (One-Piece Woven).

[0044] The inflator 116 is housed in the lower rear portion of the main chamber 120. The main chamber 120 receives gas directly from the inflator 116 and is rapidly inflated and deployed.

[0045] 2(b) is a perspective view illustrating the airbag cushion 114 as viewed from the opposite side to that of FIG. 1(b). The sub-chamber 122 is connected to the main panel 120b of the main chamber 120 on the opposite side from the first seat 102 (see FIG. 1(b)).

[0046] The sub-chamber 122 of this embodiment inflates and deploys into a shape that is roughly L-shaped overall. The sub-chamber 122 inflates and deploys so as to cover a console box 130 (see FIG. 3A ), which will be described later, and is capable of restraining an occupant P2 in the second seat 128.

[0047] 2A, the connecting area between the sub-chamber 122 and the main panel 120b is a partition wall 124. The partition wall 124 is an area that separates the main chamber 120 and the sub-chamber 122.

[0048] The partition wall 124 is provided with a vent hole 126 through which gas passes. The sub-chamber 122 receives gas from the main chamber 120 using the vent hole 126, and inflates and deploys to a state in which it protrudes from the main chamber 120 toward the second sheet 102 side (see FIG. 3( a)).

[0049] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the side airbag device 100 after deployment as seen from the front of the vehicle in Fig. 1(b). Fig. 3(a) is a diagram illustrating the side airbag device 100 immediately after deployment.

[0050] FIG. 3A also illustrates an occupant P1 and an occupant P2 seated in the correct posture on the first seat 102 and the second seat 128, respectively.

[0051] The occupants P1 and P2 are examples of dummies used in automobile crash tests. Dummies that can be used for the occupants P1 and P2 include, for example, the Hybrid III AM50 and AF05 dummies used in frontal crash tests.

[0052] AM50 is a dummy that simulates a male with a height of 175 cm and a weight of 78 kg, which corresponds to 50% of the average American adult male. AF05 is a model of a small female with a height of 145 cm, a seated height of 79 cm, and a weight of approximately 45 kg. Each of these dummies was created based on the standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

[0053] The console box 130 is installed mainly in the center of a floor 132 inside the vehicle cabin and is used as a storage area for small items, etc. The first seat 102 and the second seat 128 are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction, separated by the console box 130. The airbag module 112 of this embodiment is provided on the side of the first seat 102 on the second seat 128 side.

[0054] The main chamber 120 inflates and deploys into a flat shape that extends in the vertical and longitudinal directions from at least an area above the console box 130 to an area to the side of the console box 130 on the first seat 102 side.

[0055] The sub-chamber 122 protrudes toward the second seat 128 from a location on the main panel 120b of the main chamber 120 above the console box 130, and expands and deploys to the lateral range of the console box 130 on the second seat 128 side.

[0056] The sub-chamber 122 includes a sub-upper wall portion 134 extending in the vehicle width direction and a sub-side wall portion 136 extending in the vertical direction.

[0057] The sub-upper wall portion 134 inflates and deploys from the main chamber 120 along a top surface 138 of the console box 130 so as to protrude toward the second seat 128 side.

[0058] The sub-side wall portion 136 bends downward from the tip of the sub-upper wall portion 134 and inflates and deploys to extend to a lateral range on the second seat 128 side of the console box 130. In this way, the sub-chamber 122 can inflate and deploy between the second seat 128 and the console box 130.

[0059] That is, the airbag cushion 114 can be inflated and deployed with the console box 130 sandwiched between the main chamber 120 and the sub-chamber 122. This makes it easier for the airbag cushion 114 to maintain its posture when inflated and deployed, making it possible to improve the occupant restraint force.

[0060] FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating the side airbag device 100 after a time (several milliseconds) has elapsed since FIG. 3A.

[0061] The side airbag device 100 is capable of restraining the occupant P1 in the first seat 102 by utilizing the main chamber 120. For example, the main chamber 120 prevents the occupant P1 in the first seat 102 from moving toward the second seat 128 and protects the occupant P1 from coming into contact with the adjacent occupant P2 or surrounding structures.

[0062] Depending on the direction of the impact, it is possible that the occupant P2 in the second seat 128 may move toward the first seat 102. In this case, the side airbag device 100 of this embodiment is able to suppress the movement of the occupant P2 in the second seat 128 by utilizing the sub-chamber 122.

[0063] The airbag cushion 114 inflates and deploys with the console box 130 sandwiched between the main chamber 120 and the sub-chamber 122. This allows the airbag cushion 114 to maintain its posture when inflated and deployed, thereby improving the restraining force on the occupants P1 and P2.

[0064] As described above, the sub-chamber 122 inflates and deploys to cover the upper side of the console box 130 and the side of the second seat 128. In particular, the sub-side wall portion 136 inflates and deploys to extend to a lateral range on the second seat 128 side of the console box 130. With this configuration, the sub-chamber 122 inflates and deploys to the side of the seat cushion 140 of the second seat 128, making it possible to restrain the occupant P2 mainly in the vicinity of the waist region 142.

[0065] The waist 142 of the occupant P2 is a strong part of the human body that is close to the center of gravity. The sub-chamber 122 can efficiently absorb the kinetic energy of the occupant P2 by restraining the area around the waist 142 of the occupant P2.

[0066] The sub-chamber 122 can change the trajectory of the occupant P2 by restraining the waist 142 of the occupant P2 that is attempting to move toward the first seat 102. More specifically, when the waist 142 of the occupant P2 is restrained by the sub-chamber 122, a trajectory L1 is generated in which the head 144 falls toward the first seat 102. By creating this trajectory L1, it becomes possible to restrain the head 144 of the occupant P2 within the range of the main chamber 120.

[0067] In this embodiment, the main chamber 120 is configured to inflate and deploy to a range above the upper end 146 of the seat back 104 of the first seat 102. This allows the main chamber 120 to widely restrain the body of the occupant P1 in the first seat 102, and to restrain over a wide area the occupant P2 in the second seat 128. In this way, the main chamber 120 can fully prevent contact between the occupants P1 and P2.

[0068] As described above, the airbag cushion 114 of this embodiment is capable of restraining not only the occupant P1 in the first seat 102 by the main chamber 120, but also the occupant P2 in the second seat 128 by the sub-chamber 122. In particular, when the occupant P2 in the second seat 128 attempts to move toward the first seat 102, the sub-chamber 122 restrains the occupant P2 near the waist 142, thereby attenuating the kinetic energy. The trajectory L1 of the occupant P2's head 144 is then restrained within the range of the main chamber 120, thereby preventing contact between the occupants P1 and P2. In this way, the side airbag device 100 is capable of efficiently protecting adjacent occupants.

[0069] 3(a), the cross-sectional area C1 of the sub-upper wall portion 134 gradually increases from the second seat 128 side toward the main chamber 120. This makes it difficult for the sub-upper wall portion 134 to bend relative to the main chamber 120, allowing the sub-chamber 122 to more appropriately restrain the occupant P2.

[0070] The sub-side wall portion 136 inflates and deploys to a state extending in the vertical direction between the second seat 128 and the console box 130. This allows the sub-chamber 122 to efficiently inflate and deploy between the second seat 128 and the console box 130, making it possible to fully support the waist of the occupant P2.

[0071] The sub-upper wall portion 134 inflates and deploys, protruding from the main chamber 120 toward the second seat 128 while in contact with the top surface 138 of the console box 130. The sub-chamber 122 then inflates and deploys together with the main chamber 120 into a shape that grips the console box 130. This allows the airbag cushion 114 to inflate and deploy with the console box 130 as support, making it possible to restrain the occupants P1 and P2 in a more stable position. Therefore, the airbag cushion 114 can efficiently protect adjacent occupants P1 and P2.

[0072] The interior of the sub-chamber 122 is connected to the interior of the main chamber 120 via a vent hole 126. As described above, the sub-chamber 122 and the main chamber 120 are separated by the partition wall 124, and the gas path is restricted by the vent hole 126. Therefore, when the sub-chamber 122 restrains the occupant P2, gas is less likely to flow into the main chamber 120, the sub-chamber 122 is able to maintain an appropriate inflation pressure, and efficiently absorb the kinetic energy of the occupant P2.

[0073] (Modifications) Figure 4 illustrates first and second modifications of the airbag cushion 108 of Figure 3(a). In Figure 4 and subsequent figures, the same components as those already described are given the same reference numerals, and a description of these components will be omitted. In the following description, components with the same names as those already described will have the same functions, even if they are given different reference numerals, unless otherwise specified.

[0074] 4A is a diagram illustrating an airbag cushion 160 according to a first modified example. The airbag cushion 160 differs in configuration from the airbag cushion 114 shown in FIG.

[0075] The airbag cushion 160 also inflates and deploys with the console box 130 sandwiched between the main chamber 120 and the sub-chamber 162. This allows the airbag cushion 160 to maintain its posture when inflated and deployed, thereby improving the restraining force on the occupants P1 and P2.

[0076] The sub-chamber 162 is configured to have a sub-upper wall portion 164 and a sub-side wall portion 166. The sub-upper wall portion 164 inflates and deploys, protruding from the main chamber 120 toward the second seat 128 while in contact with the top surface 138 of the console box 130. In particular, the sub-upper wall portion 164 has a substantially constant thickness C2 in the vertical direction, and has a smaller capacity than the sub-upper wall portion 134 (see FIG. 3(a)).

[0077] The sub-side wall portion 166 bends downward from the tip of the sub-upper end 146 and inflates and deploys so as to extend to the lateral range of the console box 130 on the second seat 128 side.

[0078] When the occupant P2 in the second seat 128 attempts to move toward the first seat 102, the airbag cushion 160 can also restrain the occupant P2 near the waist 142 with the sub-chamber 122, thereby attenuating the kinetic energy. The trajectory L1 (see FIG. 3B) of the occupant P2's head 144 is contained and restrained within the main chamber 120, thereby preventing contact between the occupants P1 and P2.

[0079] Furthermore, the airbag cushion 160 grips the console box 130 between the main chamber 120 and the sub-chamber 162, and can inflate and deploy using the console box 130 as support, thereby restraining the occupants P1 and P2 in a more stable posture. Therefore, the airbag cushion 160 can also efficiently protect the adjacent occupants P1 and P2.

[0080] 4B is a diagram illustrating a second modified airbag cushion 180. The sub-chamber 182 of the airbag cushion 180 is configured to have a sub-upper wall portion 184 and a sub-side wall portion 186.

[0081] The airbag cushion 180 also inflates and deploys with the console box 130 sandwiched between the main chamber 120 and the sub-chamber 182. This allows the airbag cushion 180 to maintain its posture when inflated and deployed, thereby improving the restraining force on the occupants P1 and P2.

[0082] The sub-upper wall portion 184 is provided on the main panel 120b of the main chamber 120 at a height close to the chest 148 of the occupant P2. The sub-upper wall portion 184 inflates and deploys to protrude from the main chamber 120 toward the second seat 128 while being spaced upward from the top surface 138 of the console box 130.

[0083] The sub-side wall portion 186 bends downward from the tip of the sub-upper end portion 184 and inflates and deploys so as to extend to the lateral range of the console box 130 on the second seat 128 side.

[0084] With this airbag cushion 180, when an occupant P2 in the second seat 128 attempts to move toward the first seat 102, the sub-chamber 122 restrains the area around the waist 142 of the occupant P2, thereby attenuating the kinetic energy, while the trajectory L1 (see Figure 3 (b)) of the head 144 of the occupant P2 is contained within the main chamber 120 and restrained, thereby preventing contact between the occupants P1 and P2.

[0085] In particular, the sub-chamber 182 is inflated and deployed to a position high enough to separate the sub-upper wall portion 184 from the console box 130, thereby ensuring a larger vertical dimension S1 of the sub-side wall portion 186. Therefore, the airbag cushion 180 can utilize the sub-chamber 182 to restrain a wider area of ​​the occupant P2 near the waist 142.

[0086] Furthermore, the airbag cushion 180 grips the console box 130 between the main chamber 120 and the sub-chamber 182, and can inflate and deploy using the console box 130 as support, thereby restraining the occupants P1 and P2 in a more stable posture. Therefore, the airbag cushion 180 can also efficiently protect the adjacent occupants P1 and P2.

[0087] 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an airbag cushion 200 according to a third modification. The sub-chamber 202 of the airbag cushion 200 has a shape that extends obliquely downward as a whole toward the second seat 128 side.

[0088] The airbag cushion 200 also inflates and deploys with the console box 130 sandwiched between the main chamber 120 and the sub-chamber 202. This allows the airbag cushion 200 to maintain its posture when inflated and deployed, thereby improving the restraining force on the occupants P1 and P2.

[0089] The sub-chamber 202 protrudes toward the second seat 128 from a location on the main panel 120b of the main chamber 120 above the console box 130, and expands and deploys so that its tip reaches the lateral range of the console box 130 on the second seat 128 side.

[0090] With this airbag cushion 200, when an occupant P2 in the second seat 128 attempts to move toward the first seat 102, the sub-chamber 202 is interposed between the occupant P2 and the console box 130, and the sub-chamber 202 restrains the occupant P2 near the waist 142, thereby attenuating the kinetic energy. The trajectory L1 (see FIG. 3B) of the occupant P2's head 144 is contained and restrained within the main chamber 120, thereby preventing contact between the occupants P1 and P2.

[0091] Furthermore, the airbag cushion 200 grips the console box 130 between the main chamber 120 and the sub-chamber 202, and can inflate and deploy using the console box 130 as support, thereby restraining the occupants P1 and P2 in a more stable posture. Therefore, the airbag cushion 200 can also efficiently protect the adjacent occupants P1 and P2.

[0092] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating first and second modified examples of the vicinity of the vent hole 126 in Fig. 3(a). Fig. 6(a) is a diagram illustrating a check valve structure 220 of the first modified example.

[0093] The check valve structure 220 is formed to include the vent hole 126 and a patch 222. The patch 222 can be implemented, for example, by a rectangular panel made of the same material as the panel member that constitutes the airbag cushion 114.

[0094] The patch 222 is provided in the sub-chamber 122, covering the vent hole 126. A pair of opposing edges 224a, 224b of the patch 222 are joined to the partition wall 124 by sewing, and the other pair of edges (not shown) can be separated from the partition wall 124. Therefore, when the pressure of the gas in the main chamber 120 increases, the patch 222 moves away from the vent hole 126 toward the sub-chamber 122, allowing gas to flow into the sub-chamber 122 through a gap between the pair of edges (not shown).

[0095] FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the gas pressure in the sub-chamber 122 of FIG. 6A has increased.

[0096] When the sub-chamber 122 restrains the occupant P2 (see FIG. 3(b)), the pressure inside the sub-chamber 122 may become higher than that inside the main chamber 120. At this time, the patch 222 is sucked into the vent hole 126 by the gas pressure, blocking the vent hole 126. This makes it difficult for the gas inside the sub-chamber 122 to move to the main chamber 120, and the inflation pressure of the sub-chamber 122 is maintained high.

[0097] Therefore, the check valve structure 220 can prevent gas from flowing back from the sub-chamber 122 to the main chamber 120, and the occupant restraining force of the sub-chamber 122 can be further increased.

[0098] FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating a check valve structure 240 according to a second modified example.

[0099] The check valve structure 240 is formed to include the vent hole 126 and a duct 242. The duct 242 can be implemented, for example, by forming the same material as the panel member that constitutes the airbag cushion 114 into a cylindrical shape.

[0100] The duct 242 is provided in the sub-chamber 122 and connected to the vent hole 126. The duct 242 allows gas to flow from the vent hole 126 into the sub-chamber 122 when the pressure of the gas in the main chamber 120 increases.

[0101] FIG. 6D is a diagram illustrating a state in which the gas pressure in the sub-chamber 122 of FIG. 6C has increased.

[0102] When the sub-chamber 122 restrains the occupant P2 (see FIG. 3(b)), the pressure inside the sub-chamber 122 may become higher than that inside the main chamber 120. At this time, the duct 242 is compressed by the gas pressure so as to be sucked into the vent hole 126, blocking the vent hole 126. This makes it difficult for the gas inside the sub-chamber 122 to move to the main chamber 120, and the inflation pressure of the sub-chamber 122 is maintained high.

[0103] Therefore, the check valve structure 240 can also prevent gas from flowing back from the sub-chamber 122 to the main chamber 120, and the occupant restraining force of the sub-chamber 122 can be further increased.

[0104] In any of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the side airbag device 100 can be applied to any seat in the front row, rear row, or even on either the left or right side of the vehicle. Also, for example, in FIG. 3A, the airbag cushion 114 is provided on the right side in the width direction of the first seat 102, but if the airbag cushion 114 is configured symmetrically, it can also be provided on the left side in the width direction of the second seat 128.

[0105] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above-described embodiments are merely preferred examples of the present invention, and other embodiments may be implemented or performed in various ways. Unless otherwise specified in the present specification, the present invention is not limited to the detailed shapes, sizes, and configurations of parts shown in the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the expressions and terms used in the present specification are for the purpose of explanation and are not intended to be limiting unless otherwise specified.

[0106] Therefore, it is clear that a person skilled in the art can think of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0107] The present invention can be used in a vehicle side airbag device that restrains an occupant seated in a vehicle seat.

[0108] 100...side airbag device, 102...first seat, 104...seat back, 106...seat cushion, 108...seat frame, 110...side frame, 112...airbag module, 114...airbag cushion, 116...inflator, 118...stud bolt, 120...main chamber, 120a, 120b...main panel, 122...sub-chamber, 124...partition wall, 126...vent hole, 128...second seat, 130...console box, 132...floor, 134...sub-upper wall portion, 136...sub-side wall portion, 138... Top surface, 140...seat cushion, 142...waist, 144...head, 146...upper end, 148...thorax, P1...occupant, P2...occupant, L1...trajectory, C1...cross-sectional area, 160...airbag cushion, 162...sub-chamber, 164...sub-upper wall portion, 166...sub-side wall portion, 180...airbag cushion, 182...sub-chamber, 184...sub-upper wall portion, 186...sub-side wall portion, S1...vertical dimension, 200...airbag cushion, 202...sub-chamber, 220...check valve structure, 222...patch, 224a, 224b...edge, 240...check valve structure, 242...duct

Claims

1. A side airbag device for a vehicle comprising a first seat and a second seat arranged in a vehicle width direction separated by a specified console box installed on the floor of the vehicle, and an airbag module provided on the side of the first seat facing the second seat, wherein the airbag module includes: an inflator fixed to the first seat; and an airbag cushion that receives gas from the inflator and inflates and deploys, wherein the airbag cushion has: a main chamber that inflates and deploys from at least a range above the console box to a lateral range of the console box on the first seat side, and a sub-chamber that inflates and deploys from a portion of the main chamber above the console box toward the second seat and extends to a lateral range of the console box on the second seat side.

2. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag cushion is inflated and deployed in a state in which the console box is sandwiched between the main chamber and the sub-chamber.

3. A side airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the main chamber is inflated and deployed to a range above an upper end of the seat back of the first seat.

4. A side airbag device for a vehicle as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sub-chamber has a sub-upper wall portion that protrudes from the main chamber along the top surface of the console box toward the second seat, and a sub-side wall portion that bends downward from the sub-upper wall portion and extends to a lateral range on the second seat side of the console box.

5. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 4, wherein the sub-upper wall portion contacts the top surface of the console box.

6. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 4, wherein the sub upper wall portion has a cross-sectional area gradually increasing from the second seat side toward the main chamber.

7. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 4, wherein the sub-side wall portion is inflated and deployed so as to extend vertically between the second seat and the console box.

8. A side airbag device for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the airbag cushion further has a partition wall that separates the main chamber and the sub-chamber, and a vent hole formed in the partition wall through which the gas passes.

9. A side airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the airbag cushion further comprises a check valve provided on the sub-chamber side of the partition wall to prevent gas from flowing back into the main chamber.