Side airbag device for vehicle

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a highly versatile side airbag device for a vehicle that is easily installed in a seat. [Solution] An airbag module 116 of a side airbag device 100 includes an airbag cushion 118 in a predetermined storage form, an inflator 124 inserted into the airbag cushion 118, and a bracket 126 attached to the outer periphery of the airbag cushion 118 in the storage form. The bracket 126 includes a bracket outer side part 136 attached to the widthwise inner side of a side frame 110, a bracket inner side part 138 extending in a surrounding manner from the rear end of the bracket outer side part 136 to the widthwise inner side of the airbag cushion 118 and covering the widthwise inner side of the airbag cushion 118, and a seat spring connection part 142 which is provided at a predetermined location of the bracket inner side part 138 and to which an end part of a seat spring 114 can be connected.

Description

Vehicle side airbag device

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle side airbag device to be mounted on a vehicle.

[0002] Airbag systems are now standard equipment on most modern vehicles. Airbag systems are safety devices that activate in emergencies such as vehicle collisions, and protect occupants by inflating and deploying a bag-shaped airbag cushion using gas pressure.

[0003] There are various types of airbag devices depending on their installation location and purpose. For example, side airbag devices are installed in the side frame inside the seat back, which is the backrest of the seat, and have the function of suppressing the movement of the occupant in the vehicle width direction in the event of a side collision, etc.

[0004] 2 of Patent Document 1 discloses a seat frame 18 that forms the framework of the vehicle seat 10. A seat back frame 20 of the seat frame 18 is configured such that a plurality of seat springs 20d are provided between left and right side frames 20a.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-183318

[0006] Currently, there is a demand for side airbag devices that can be efficiently stored in the limited space inside the seat and that can inflate and deploy smoothly. However, because multiple seat springs are installed inside the seatback, it can be difficult to secure storage space for the airbag cushion. On the other hand, if the design of the seat frame needs to be changed to install the side airbag device, this increases costs in terms of time and money, which could be a hindrance to the implementation of the side airbag device.

[0007] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a side airbag device for a vehicle that is easy to install in a seat and highly versatile.

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of a vehicle side airbag device according to the present invention is a vehicle side airbag device including a pair of side frames that are part of a seat frame provided inside a vehicle seat and that are arranged along the left and right sides of the seat back of the seat, a seat spring that spans the pair of side frames, and an airbag module that is attached to the widthwise inner side of the seat back with respect to at least one of the pair of side frames, wherein the airbag module has a bag-shaped airbag cushion that is rolled or folded into a predetermined storage configuration, an inflator inserted into the airbag cushion, and a predetermined holding member that holds the airbag cushion in the stored configuration, and the holding member has a seat spring connection portion that is provided at a predetermined location on the vehicle widthwise inner side of the holding member and to which an end of the seat spring can be connected.

[0009] The above configuration employs a method of directly connecting the seat spring and the airbag retaining member. With this configuration, for example, when installing an airbag module in a seat of a new vehicle model, if the seat spring and the airbag module interfere with each other, simply replacing the seat spring allows the airbag module to be installed without requiring design changes to the seat side frame of the new vehicle model. In other words, the above configuration allows the airbag module to be installed in various types of seats without requiring major design changes. Therefore, the above configuration makes it possible to realize a versatile vehicle side airbag device that is easy to install in a seat.

[0010] The retaining member includes a bracket attached to the airbag cushion in a stored form, and the bracket has a bracket outer portion attached along the side frame to the widthwise inner side of the side frame, and a bracket inner portion extending from the rear end of the bracket outer portion to the widthwise inner side of the airbag cushion, and the seat spring connection portion is provided at a predetermined location on the bracket inner portion so that an end of the seat spring can be connected thereto.

[0011] The above bracket also makes it possible to realize a versatile vehicle side airbag device that is easy to install on a seat while holding the airbag cushion in a stored state.

[0012] The bracket inner portion may extend from the rear end of the bracket outer portion so as to wrap around to the inside of the width direction of the airbag cushion and cover the inside of the width direction of the airbag cushion.

[0013] The above bracket also makes it possible to realize a versatile vehicle side airbag device that is easy to install on a seat while holding the airbag cushion in a stored state.

[0014] The seat spring connection portion may include a protruding piece that protrudes widthwise inward from a predetermined location on the inner side of the bracket, and a connection hole that passes through the protruding piece and into which the end of the seat spring can be inserted.

[0015] According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize a seat spring connecting portion that can smoothly connect the seat spring.

[0016] The seat spring connection portion may be provided in a loop shape at a predetermined location on the inner side of the bracket so that an end of the seat spring can be inserted therein.

[0017] The above configuration also makes it possible to realize a seat spring connecting portion that can smoothly connect the seat spring.

[0018] The bracket may further have a bracket reaction portion that is bent from the front end of the bracket outer portion and extends outward in the width direction of the seat back, and a predetermined portion of the airbag cushion in the stored form may be arranged along the front side of the bracket reaction portion.

[0019] According to the above configuration, the bracket reaction portion supports the airbag cushion from the rear side in the stored form, making it easier for the airbag cushion to receive reaction force toward the front, thereby enabling the airbag cushion to inflate and deploy quickly.

[0020] The retaining member may include a cover member formed of a ductile fabric material containing a plurality of polymeric fibers and enveloping the airbag cushion in a stored form, and the seat spring connection portion may be provided on the widthwise inner side of the airbag cushion so that an end of the seat spring can be connected thereto.

[0021] The above configuration also employs a method of directly connecting the seat spring and the airbag cover member. With this configuration, for example, when installing an airbag module in a seat of a new vehicle model, if the seat spring and the airbag module interfere with each other, simply replacing the seat spring allows the airbag module to be installed without requiring design changes to the seat side frame of the new vehicle model. In other words, the above configuration also makes it possible to install an airbag module in various types of seats without requiring major design changes. Therefore, the above configuration also makes it possible to realize a vehicle side airbag device that is easy to install in a seat and highly versatile.

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a side airbag device for a vehicle that is easy to install in a seat and has high versatility.

[0023] 1(b) is a diagram illustrating an outline of a vehicle side airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view illustrating the airbag module before movement; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the bracket alone; FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the side airbag device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the process in which the airbag cushion of FIG. 4 is inflated and deployed; FIG. 3(b) is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the bracket; and FIG. 3(b) is a diagram illustrating a vehicle side airbag device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] 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.

[0025] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an outline of a vehicle side airbag device (hereinafter referred to as side airbag device 100) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1(a) is a diagram illustrating an example of the state of the side airbag device 100 after it has been moved.

[0026] In this embodiment, when an occupant is seated in the seat 102 in a normal posture, the direction the occupant faces is referred to as "forward," and the opposite direction is referred to as "rear." When an occupant is seated in the seat 102 in 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. When an occupant is seated in a normal posture, the direction of the occupant's head is referred to as "up," and the direction of the occupant's waist is referred to as "down." In the drawings used in the following description, the front, back, left, right, up, and down directions relative to the occupant are illustrated as arrows F (Forward), B (Back), L (Left), R (Right), U (Up), and D (Down), respectively, as necessary.

[0027] Generally, vehicle seats can be rotated in any direction. Therefore, the direction relative to the occupant seated in the seat 102 may differ from the direction relative to the vehicle. The side airbag device 100 can be installed in any seat in the front row, rear row, or even on either the left or right side of the vehicle.

[0028] The seat 102 has a seat back 104 that supports the back of the occupant, and a seat cushion 106 that supports the buttocks of the occupant. In Fig. 1(a), the seat 102 is illustrated in a state where an internal seat frame 108 is visible through the seat.

[0029] The seat frame 108 is a structural member built into the seat 102. A seat pad made of urethane or the like is filled around the seat frame 108.

[0030] The side frames 110, 112 are provided as a pair on the left and right sides of the seat frame 108 along the left and right sides of the seat back 104. In this embodiment, the side airbag device 100 is attached to the side frames 110 and is used in a state where it is built into the seat back 104.

[0031] The seat springs 114 are elastic rod-shaped springs that support the back of the occupant, and are strung across the pair of side frames 110, 112. The seat springs 114 extend in the width direction of the seat back 104 so as to span the left and right side frames 110, 112 while bending up and down.

[0032] In an emergency such as when a vehicle is impacted, the side airbag device 100 restrains an occupant seated in the seat 102 from the side using an airbag cushion 118. The airbag cushion 118 is a bag-shaped member that receives the occupant, and is formed by overlapping and sewing or bonding multiple base fabrics that form the surface, or by weaving using OPW (One-Piece Woven).

[0033] The airbag cushion 118 of this embodiment is configured to include a main chamber 120 that inflates and deploys into a relatively wide shape, and a pre-push chamber 122 that inflates and deploys by protruding from the rear side of the main chamber 120 toward the center of the width of the seat back 104.

[0034] Fig. 1(b) is a diagram illustrating the state of the side airbag device 100 of Fig. 1(a) before deployment. Before deployment, the airbag cushion 118 is rolled up, folded, or otherwise stored, and is combined with an inflator 124 and a bracket 126 to form a unit as an airbag module 116.

[0035] In this embodiment, the airbag module 116 is mounted to the side frame 110 on the left side in the width direction of the seat back 104. The airbag module 116 can also be mounted to the side frame 112 on the right side in the width direction of the seat back 104. In other words, the airbag module 116 can be installed either on the side of the seat 102 on the door side that is closer to the collision point (near side), or on the side on the interior side of the vehicle that is farther from the collision point (far side).

[0036] Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the airbag module 116 in Fig. 1B before it is moved, as viewed from the outside in the width direction of the seat back 104.

[0037] The airbag module 116 includes an airbag cushion 118 , an inflator 124 , and a bracket 126 .

[0038] The airbag cushion 118 in the stored configuration is elongated in the vertical direction of the side frame 110 (FIG. 1(b)). The airbag cushion 118 is held in the stored configuration by being bound with tapes 128a, 128b, with brackets 126 as supports. The airbag cushion 118 inflates and deploys by breaking the tapes 128a, 128b due to pressure from the inflator 124.

[0039] The inflator 124 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 118. In this embodiment, a cylindrical inflator 124 is used.

[0040] The inflator 124 is inserted into the rear side of the interior of the airbag cushion 118. The inflator 124 has a plurality of stud bolts 130a, 130b. The airbag module 116 has the stud bolts 130a, 130b penetrating the bracket 126 and protruding to the outside, and is fixed to the seat 102 by fastening the stud bolts 130a, 130b to the side frame 110 (see FIG. 1B).

[0041] Currently available 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 124.

[0042] Bracket 126 is attached to the outer periphery of airbag cushion 118 in the stored form, and serves to maintain the stored form of airbag cushion 118 and maintain the posture of airbag cushion 118 when inflated and deployed. In this embodiment, bracket 126 is assumed to be made of metal, but bracket 126 may also be made of resin or a combination of metal and resin.

[0043] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the bracket 126 alone in Fig. 2. Fig. 3(a) is a perspective view illustrating the bracket 126 from the same direction as Fig. 2.

[0044] The bracket 126 is broadly divided into a bracket base portion 132 and a bracket reaction portion 134. The bracket base portion 132 is shaped to encase the airbag cushion 118 (see FIG. 2), and the inflator 124 is fixed inside. The bracket reaction portion 134 is a portion that applies a reaction force when the airbag cushion 118 is inflated and deployed.

[0045] The bracket base 132 has a bracket outer portion 136 and a bracket inner portion 138. The bracket outer portion 136 is a portion located on the outer side in the width direction of the seat back 104 (see FIG. 1(b)) relative to the airbag cushion 118 in the stored configuration (see FIG. 2). The bracket inner portion 138 is a portion located on the inner side in the width direction of the seat back 104 relative to the airbag cushion 118 in the stored configuration.

[0046] The bracket outer portion 136 has a shape that extends in a plane along the side frame 110, and is provided with bolt holes 140a, 140b through which the stud bolts 130a, 130b pass.

[0047] The bracket reaction force portion 134 is bent from the front side of the bracket outer portion 136 and extends outward in the width direction of the seat back 104 (see FIG. 1(b)). The airbag cushion 118 is supported by the bracket reaction force portion 134, which enables it to inflate and deploy forward efficiently.

[0048] FIG. 3B is a perspective view illustrating the bracket 126 from the opposite direction to that of FIG.

[0049] The bracket inner portion 138 extends from the rear end side of the bracket outer portion 136 so as to wrap around to the inside in the width direction of the seat back 104 relative to the airbag cushion 118 (see FIG. 1(b)), and covers the inside in the width direction of the airbag cushion 118. The front side of the bracket inner portion 138 has an open shape relative to the bracket base portion 132.

[0050] The bracket inner portion 138 is provided with a seat spring connection portion 142. The seat spring connection portion 142 is a portion to which an end portion 152 (see FIG. 4) of the seat spring 114 is connected. In this embodiment, the seat spring connection portion 142 includes a total of three seat spring connections 142a to 142c lined up on the front edge of the bracket inner portion 138.

[0051] The seat spring connection portion 142 of this embodiment is configured to include a protruding piece 144 and a connection hole 146. The protruding piece 144 protrudes from the front edge of the bracket inner portion 138 toward the inside of the width direction of the seat back 104 (see FIG. 4). The connection hole 146 penetrates the protruding piece 144 in the front-rear direction relative to the seat back 104, and allows an end 152 of the seat spring 114 to be inserted therein.

[0052] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the side airbag device 100 taken along line A-A in Figure 1(b). In Figure 4, the upper side corresponds to the front side as viewed from the seat back 104. Figure 4 also illustrates an example of a cover 148 and a seat pad 150 of the seat 102, which are omitted in Figure 1(b).

[0053] The airbag module 116 is attached to the side frame 110 on the inner side in the width direction of the seat back 104. In particular, the bracket 126 is shaped so that the bracket outer portion 136 contacts along the inner surface of the side frame 110 in the width direction, and is attached to the side frame 110 using the stud bolt 130a of the inflator 124.

[0054] The bracket inner portion 138 curves from the rear edge of the bracket outer portion 136 and extends inward in the width direction of the seat back 104 relative to the airbag cushion 118 .

[0055] The seat spring connection part 142 has a protruding piece 144 and a connection hole 146, and an end 152 of the seat spring 114 can be inserted into the connection hole 146. The end 152 of the seat spring 114 is hook-shaped, so that after being inserted into the connection hole 146, it can be hooked and connected to prevent it from falling out. These configurations make it possible to smoothly connect and hold the seat spring 114 to the seat spring connection part 142.

[0056] As described above, this embodiment employs a method of directly connecting the seat spring 114 and the airbag bracket 126. With this configuration, for example, when installing the airbag module 116 in a seat of a new vehicle model, if the seat spring of the seat interferes with the airbag module 116, simply replacing the seat spring with the seat spring 114 makes it possible to install the airbag module 116 in the new vehicle model without having to change the design of the side frame of the seat.

[0057] According to this embodiment, the airbag module 116 can be installed in various types of seats without requiring major design changes, and therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to realize a vehicle side airbag device 100 that is easy to install in a seat and highly versatile.

[0058] The bracket reaction force portion 134 is bent from the front end side of the bracket outer portion 136 and extends outward in the width direction of the seat back 104. At this time, the bracket reaction force portion 134 is in a protruding state so as to reach outward beyond the side frame 110.

[0059] The bracket 126 has a recess 154 between the bracket outer portion 136 and the bracket reaction portion 134. The recess 154 is shaped to fit into a rib on the front edge of the side frame 110, thereby preventing the airbag module 116 from shifting in position relative to the side frame 110.

[0060] The airbag cushion 118 in the stored form can be divided into a cushion rear portion 156 and a cushion front portion 158 depending on the positional relationship when assembled to the side frame 110.

[0061] The cushion rear portion 156 is the rear portion of the airbag cushion 118 when it is inflated and deployed (see FIG. 1A), and has the inflator 110 inserted therein. The cushion rear portion 156 is surrounded by the bracket base portion 132 and is disposed on the inner side in the width direction of the seat back 104 relative to the side frame 110.

[0062] The cushion front portion 158 is a portion that mainly becomes the main chamber 120 when the airbag cushion 118 is inflated and deployed (see FIG. 1(a)). The cushion front portion 158 is disposed along the front side of the bracket reaction force portion 134 of the bracket 126, and is able to receive a reaction force from the bracket reaction force portion 134 when the airbag cushion 118 is inflated and deployed.

[0063] Figures 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the process of inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion 118 of Figure 4. Figure 5A is a diagram illustrating the initial state of inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion 118 of Figure 4.

[0064] When a vehicle collision is detected or predicted by a sensor, camera, or the like, a signal is sent to the inflator 110, which then supplies gas to the airbag cushion 118. Upon receiving the gas, the airbag cushion 118 begins to inflate, rupturing the surface 148 of the seat back 104 and deploying forward.

[0065] 5(b) is a diagram illustrating the inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion 118, following on from FIG. 5(a). The airbag cushion 118 of this embodiment has two inflation sections, namely, a main chamber 120 and a pre-push chamber 122.

[0066] The pre-push chamber 122 receives gas from the inflator 110 early and quickly completes inflation and deployment before the main chamber 120. The pre-push chamber 122 pushes aside the seat pad 150 inside the seat 102 to secure space, and quickly inflates and deploys, pushing back toward the center of the seat 102 an occupant attempting to move sideways from the seat 102.

[0067] The main chamber 120 inflates widely into the space created by the pre-push chamber 122 pushing aside the seat pad 150 and the occupant, and fully restrains the occupant from the sides.

[0068] The bracket reaction force portion 134 supports the main chamber 120 from the rear side, which makes it easier for the main chamber 120 to receive a reaction force directed forward, thereby enabling the airbag cushion 118 to inflate and deploy quickly.

[0069] Inside the seat back 104, the bracket inner portion 138 prevents the airbag cushion 118 from inflating and deploying inward in the vehicle width direction of the seat back 104. In other words, the bracket 126 serves as a guide that guides the inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion 118 forward. This allows the airbag cushion 118 to smoothly inflate and deploy forward from the seat back 104, improving occupant restraint performance.

[0070] (Modified Bracket) Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a modified example (bracket 170) of the bracket 126 in Figure 3(b). In the following description, components that have already been described will be assigned the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. Furthermore, components with the same names as components already described will have the same configuration and function even if assigned different reference numerals.

[0071] The bracket 170 has a loop-shaped seat spring connection portion 172 as a portion to which the end portion 152 of the seat spring 114 (see FIG. 4) is connected. The seat spring connection portion 172 is installed on the bracket inner portion 138 and includes a total of three seat spring connection portions 172a to 172c aligned in the vertical direction.

[0072] The loop-shaped seat spring connection portion 172 is formed to open in the front-rear direction of the seat back 104. The seat spring connection portion 172 is also designed to allow the hook-shaped end portion 152 of the seat spring 114 (see FIG. 4) to be inserted, hooked, and connected.

[0073] The bracket 170 of this modified example also makes it possible to smoothly connect and hold the seat spring 114 to the seat spring connecting portion 172, similar to the bracket 126 of FIG.

[0074] Second Embodiment Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle side airbag device (side airbag device 200) according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 corresponds to Fig. 2 and illustrates an airbag module 202 included in the side airbag device 200 of the second embodiment.

[0075] 7A is a view illustrating an airbag module 202 as viewed from the outside in the width direction of the seat back 104 (see FIG. 4), corresponding to FIG. 2. The airbag module 202 maintains the stored configuration of the airbag cushion 118 by wrapping the airbag cushion 118 with a cover member 204 instead of the bracket 126 of FIG. 2.

[0076] The cover member 204 is made of a ductile fabric material containing a plurality of polymeric fibers, and in this embodiment is embodied as a felt-like nonwoven fabric. Examples of the polymeric fibers include polyester fibers.

[0077] The cover member 204 is partially or entirely hardened so that it can maintain its shape while encasing the airbag cushion 118. The hardening process is performed by pressing the cover member 204 with a predetermined device, thereby compressing and fusing the multiple polymer fibers.

[0078] The polymeric fibers constituting the cover member 204 made of a ductile fabric material can be single-component fibers or bicomponent fibers having different core and cover properties. In the case of bicomponent fibers, a lower melting point for the cover than for the core is preferable for fusing the fibers together. The ductile fabric material can also be formed from multiple different types of polymeric fibers.

[0079] The cover member 204 is wrapped around the airbag cushion 118 with breakable tapes 128a, 128b. The cover member 204 may be provided with a weakened portion (not shown) so that the airbag cushion 118 can be released when the airbag cushion 118 is inflated and deployed. The weakened portion may be achieved, for example, by welding the ends of the cover member 204 together to a strength sufficient to allow them to be separated by the inflation pressure of the airbag cushion 118, or by providing a break line that breaks when the inflation pressure is applied.

[0080] 7(b) is a view illustrating the airbag module 202 from the opposite side to that of FIG. 7(a). The cover member 204 also has a seat spring connection portion 206 at a location located on the inner side in the width direction of the seat back 104 (see FIG. 4).

[0081] The seat spring connection portion 206 includes three seat spring connection portions 206a to 206c arranged in a line in the vertical direction. The seat spring connection portion 206 is loop-shaped and is formed by fusing both ends of a strip-shaped member made of the same material as the cover member 204 to the cover member 204.

[0082] The seat spring connection portion 206 is formed to open in the front-rear direction of the seat back 104 (see FIG. 4). The seat spring connection portion 206 is also designed so that the hook-shaped end portion 152 of the seat spring 114 can be inserted, hooked, and connected.

[0083] 4, the airbag module 202 is also attached to the side frame 110 on the inner side in the width direction of the seat back 104. The airbag module 202 is also configured so that the hook-shaped end 152 of the seat spring 114 is inserted into the seat spring connecting portion 206 and hooked to prevent it from falling out.

[0084] This embodiment also employs a method of directly connecting seat spring 114 and cover member 204 that encases airbag cushion 118. With this configuration, for example, when installing airbag module 202 in a seat of a new vehicle model, if the seat spring of the seat interferes with airbag module 202, simply replacing the seat spring with seat spring 114 (see FIG. 4) makes it possible to install airbag module 202 in the new vehicle model without having to change the design of the side frame of the seat.

[0085] In this embodiment as well, the airbag module 202 can be installed in various types of seats without requiring major design changes, so that the vehicle side airbag device 200 can be realized in this embodiment as well, which is easy to install in a seat and highly versatile.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] The present invention can be used in a vehicle side airbag device mounted on a vehicle.

[0089] 100...side airbag device, 102...seat, 104...seat back, 106...seat cushion, 108...seat frame, 110, 112...side frame, 114...seat spring, 116...airbag module, 118...airbag cushion, 120...main chamber, 122...pre-push chamber, 124...inflator, 126...bracket, 128a, 128b...tape, 130a, 130b...stud bolt, 132...bracket base, 134...bracket reaction force portion, 136...bracket outer part, 138...bracket inner part, 140a, 140b...bolt holes, 142, 142a to 142c...seat spring connection parts, 144...projecting piece, 146...connection hole, 148...cover, 150...seat pad, 152...end part, 154...recess, 156...cushion rear part, 158...cushion front part, 170...bracket, 172, 172a to 172c...seat spring connection parts, 200...side airbag device, 202...airbag module, 204...cover member, 206, 206a to 206c...seat spring connection parts

Claims

1. A vehicle side airbag device comprising: a pair of side frames along the left and right side surfaces of a seat back of a seat, provided inside the seat of the vehicle; a seat spring spanned between the pair of side frames; and an airbag module attached to the inner side in the width direction of the seat back with respect to at least one of the pair of side frames, wherein the airbag module includes: an airbag cushion which is in a bag shape and in a predetermined stored form wound or folded; an inflater inserted into the airbag cushion; and a predetermined holding member for holding the airbag cushion in the stored form, and the holding member has a seat spring connection portion provided at a predetermined position on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the holding member, to which the end of the seat spring can be connected.

2. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the holding member includes a bracket attached to the airbag cushion in the stored form, the bracket has: an outer bracket portion attached to the inner side in the width direction of the side frame along the side frame; and an inner bracket portion extending from the rear end of the outer bracket portion to the inner side in the width direction of the airbag cushion, and the seat spring connection portion is provided at a predetermined position on the inner bracket portion, to which the end of the seat spring can be connected.

3. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the inner bracket portion extends from the rear end of the outer bracket portion to wrap around the inner side in the width direction of the airbag cushion and covers the inner side in the width direction of the airbag cushion.

4. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the seat spring connection portion includes: a protruding piece protruding inward in the width direction from a predetermined position on the inner bracket portion; and a connection hole through which the end of the seat spring can be inserted, penetrating the protruding piece.

5. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the seat spring connection portion is provided in a loop shape at a predetermined position inside the bracket so that an end portion of the seat spring can be inserted.

6. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the bracket further has a bracket reaction force portion that bends from the front end of the outer portion of the bracket and extends outward in the width direction of the seat back, and a predetermined portion of the airbag cushion in the storage form is arranged along the front side of the bracket reaction force portion.

7. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the holding member includes a cover member formed of a ductile cloth material containing a plurality of polymer fibers and wrapping the airbag cushion in the storage form, and the seat spring connection portion is provided inside the airbag cushion in the width direction so that an end portion of the seat spring can be connected.

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