Vehicular side airbag device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a vehicular side airbag device capable of effectively protecting an occupant.　A vehicular side airbag device (4) according to the present disclosure is incorporated in a seat back and is characterized by comprising: a main chamber (5) which incorporates an inflator (41) attached to a side part of the seat back and which is configured to include at least a first face (5a) facing the side of an occupant when inflated and deployed by the gas injected by the inflator (41) and a second face facing the side opposite the occupant; and a sub-chamber (6) that is provided so as to protrude from the first face (5a) of the main chamber (5) when inflated and deployed by the gas; a gap being provided around the portion of the sub-chamber (6) that faces the main chamber (5) upon inflation and deployment due to the gas.

Description

Vehicle Side Airbag Device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle side airbag device.

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle side airbag device has been proposed that includes an inflater that injects gas in an emergency such as a vehicle collision, and an airbag that expands and deploys by the gas injected by the inflater. In the case of the vehicle side airbag device (referred to as "side airbag device" in the text) described in Patent Document 1, the airbag includes a portion (hereinafter referred to as the main chamber) that houses the inflater, and a portion that protrudes from the main chamber (hereinafter referred to as the sub chamber).

[0003] International Publication No. 2020 / 255817

[0004] When an airbag including a main chamber and a sub chamber expands and deploys, an external force may be applied to the airbag from the occupant to rotate the main chamber around the inflater due to the contact between the airbag and the occupant. When the main chamber rotates, the sub chamber may be displaced in a direction in which the occupant slips through the sub chamber (the sub chamber comes off the occupant). The displacement of the sub chamber may inhibit effective protection of the occupant.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle side airbag device that can effectively protect an occupant.

[0006] The vehicle side airbag device according to the present disclosure is a vehicle side airbag device incorporated in a seat back, and includes an inflater attached to a side portion of the seat back, and a main chamber configured to include at least a first surface facing the occupant side and a second surface facing the opposite side of the occupant when expanded and deployed by the gas injected by the inflater, and a sub chamber provided so as to protrude from the first surface of the main chamber when expanded and deployed by the gas, and a gap is provided around a portion of the sub chamber facing the main chamber when expanded and deployed by the gas.

[0007] In this disclosure, a gap is provided around the portion of the sub-chamber facing the main chamber. This gap allows the occupant's body to contact (combine with) the sub-chamber, preventing the occupant from slipping out (the airbag detaching from the occupant) even when the main chamber rotates around the inflator. Therefore, the occupant can be reliably supported by the sub-chamber, thus effectively protecting the occupant. The occupant is, for example, an AM50 dummy.

[0008] The vehicle side airbag device according to this disclosure is characterized in that the sub-chamber has a polygonal prism shape having a central axis extending in the direction of protrusion when inflated and deployed, and the surface that contacts the occupant's head is one side of the polygonal prism.

[0009] In this disclosure, the sub-chamber is polygonal prism-shaped, and the central axis of the polygonal prism extends in the direction of protrusion when the sub-chamber expands and deploys. The surface that contacts the occupant's head is one side of the polygonal prism. That is, the corners of the polygonal prism are prevented from striking the occupant's head, so the occupant can be protected more effectively. The polygonal prism may be triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or heptagonal or more, but a quadrilateral prism is most preferred. Ideally, one side should be a flat surface, but in reality it cannot be a perfectly flat surface, so it may be a slightly curved surface or a surface with some irregularities.

[0010] The vehicle side airbag device according to this disclosure is characterized in that the sub-chamber is provided to protrude from the first surface of the main chamber in a position where it can contact the occupant's head and shoulders when inflated and deployed by the gas.

[0011] In this disclosure, the occupant's head can be reliably supported by a sub-chamber that protrudes to a position where it can contact the occupant's head and shoulders. Therefore, the occupant can be protected more effectively.

[0012] The vehicle side airbag device according to this disclosure is characterized in that the occupant's shoulder comes into contact with the gap.

[0013] In this disclosure, the occupant's shoulder comes into contact with (fits into or is trapped in) the aforementioned gap, thereby preventing the sub-chamber from shifting relative to the occupant even when the main chamber rotates around the inflator.

[0014] The vehicle side airbag device according to this disclosure is characterized in that the sub-chamber is columnar in shape having a central axis extending in the direction of protrusion when inflated and deployed, and the gap extends around the entire circumference of the sub-chamber.

[0015] In this disclosure, the sub-chamber is columnar, and the central axis of the column extends in the direction of projection when the sub-chamber expands and deploys. The column may be a rectangular prism or a cylinder. Since the aforementioned gap extends around the entire circumference of the columnar sub-chamber, even if the occupant is misaligned in the circumferential direction relative to the sub-chamber, they will still be in contact with the aforementioned gap. Therefore, there is no need to precisely adjust the position of the aforementioned gap.

[0016] The side airbag device for a vehicle according to this disclosure is characterized in that one end face of the sub-chamber in the protruding direction faces the first surface, the central portion of the first surface and the central portion of the one end face are joined together, and the gap is surrounded by the first surface and the one end face.

[0017] In this disclosure, one end face of the sub-chamber in the protruding direction faces the first face of the main chamber. By joining the central portion of the first face of the main chamber with the central portion of the end face of the sub-chamber, a gap can be created between the first face of the main chamber and the end face of the sub-chamber. Such a gap extends around the entire circumference of the sub-chamber.

[0018] The vehicle side airbag device according to this disclosure is characterized in that the main chamber is formed by joining the peripheral edges of a first panel and a second panel, the first surface being the outer surface of the first panel and the second surface being the outer surface of the second panel, the sub-chamber being a rectangular prism shape having a central axis extending in the direction of protrusion when the sub-chamber is inflated and deployed, one side of which protrudes from the first surface so as to face the occupant's head, one end surface of the sub-chamber facing the first surface, and the gap being surrounded by the first surface and the one end surface.

[0019] In this disclosure, the main chamber is simply constructed by joining the periphery of the first panel with the periphery of the second panel. The sub-chamber is rectangular in shape, and the central axis of the rectangular prism extends in the direction of protrusion when the sub-chamber expands and deploys. The sub-chamber protrudes from the first surface of the main chamber with one side facing the occupant's head. Therefore, collision of the corners of the sub-chamber with the occupant's head is suppressed, thus providing more effective protection for the occupant. The aforementioned gap is surrounded by the first surface of the main chamber and one end surface of the sub-chamber facing the first surface. That is, the internal space of the constricted or groove-shaped portion formed between the main chamber and the sub-chamber functions as the aforementioned gap.

[0020] The side airbag device for a vehicle according to the present disclosure is characterized in that the sub-chamber includes a tubular fabric side panel extending in the direction of protrusion when inflated and deployed, and a fabric front panel and a rear panel that close the openings at both ends of the side panel in the direction of protrusion, the side panel being sewn to the front panel and the rear panel, the circumferential surface protruding from the first surface so as to face the occupant's head, the outer surface of the rear panel facing the first surface, the seam allowance between the side panel and the rear panel extending in the direction of protrusion of the side panel so as to approach the first surface, and the seam allowance between the side panel and the front panel extending in the direction of protrusion of the side panel so as to move away from the first surface.

[0021] In this disclosure, the sub-chamber includes fabric side panels, a front panel, and a rear panel. The side panels are cylindrical, and the central axis of the cylinder extends in the direction of projection when the sub-chamber is expanded and deployed. The front and rear panels close the openings at both ends of the side panels. The sub-chamber is constructed by sewing the side panels to the front and rear panels. In other words, the sub-chamber is hollow and columnar.

[0022] The sub-chamber protrudes from the first surface of the main chamber, with the outer surface of the rear panel facing the first surface of the main chamber and the circumferential surface of the sub-panel facing the occupant's head. The seam allowance between the side panel and the rear panel extends in the direction of the side panel's protrusion, approaching the first surface of the main chamber. On the other hand, the seam allowance between the side panel and the front panel extends in the direction of the side panel's protrusion, moving away from the first surface. The seam allowance on the rear panel side can partially cover the aforementioned gap, but it curves toward the gap upon contact with the occupant, so it does not prevent the occupant from making contact with the gap.

[0023] The seams between the side panels and the front and rear panels constitute the non-inflatable portion of the sub-chamber. Since the non-inflatable portion does not extend toward the occupant, unnecessary contact between the tip of the non-inflatable portion and the occupant can be prevented.

[0024] The vehicle side airbag device according to this disclosure is characterized in that the sub-chamber includes a front panel provided at the tip in the direction of protrusion when inflated and deployed, a rear panel provided with vent holes for communication between the main chamber and the gas, and a side panel, wherein the side panel is joined to the front panel and the rear panel.

[0025] In this disclosure, if the front panel has a polygonal shape, the occupant can be reliably protected when moving laterally by having the occupant ride onto one side of the side panel.

[0026] The vehicle side airbag device according to this disclosure is characterized in that the shape of the front panel is rectangular, and one side is formed in the sub-chamber at a position facing the occupant's head.

[0027] In this disclosure, it has been experimentally shown that even if the occupant is thrown completely sideways without a console box, the sub-chamber maintains its shape, and the main chamber receives a reaction force from the opposite seat, thus holding (protecting) the occupant's head until the end. In other words, the far-side airbag can protect the occupant even without a console box. Ideally, one side should be flat, but in reality, it cannot be perfectly flat, so a slightly curved surface or a surface with some irregularities is acceptable.

[0028] The vehicle side airbag device according to this disclosure is configured such that the main chamber and the sub-chamber are connected by a vent hole, and the shape of the vent hole is characterized in that its horizontal length is longer than its vertical length.

[0029] In this disclosure, the relationship between the length and width of the vent hole (length in the vertical direction and horizontal direction) prevents the sub-chamber from twisting and rotating on the main chamber. Therefore, if the occupant's head strikes the sub-chamber, it is possible to prevent the sub-chamber from rotating around the vent hole in a way that would rotate the occupant downwards.

[0030] The vehicle side airbag device according to this disclosure is characterized in that the main chamber and the sub-chamber are connected by a plurality of vent holes arranged in one direction.

[0031] In this disclosure, multiple vent holes aligned in one direction prevent the sub-chamber from twisting and rotating on the main chamber. Therefore, if a occupant's head strikes the sub-chamber, it is possible to prevent the sub-chamber from rotating around the vent holes in a way that would rotate the occupant downwards.

[0032] The vehicle side airbag device according to this disclosure is characterized in that the opening area of ​​each of the multiple vent holes is different.

[0033] In this disclosure, the sub-chamber becomes even less prone to twisting because the opening area of ​​each of the multiple vent holes, which are aligned in one direction, is different.

[0034] The vehicle side airbag device according to this disclosure is characterized in that, among the plurality of vent holes, at least one of the vent holes has a horizontal length that is longer than the vertical length.

[0035] In this disclosure, of the multiple vent holes arranged in one direction, at least one vent hole has a horizontally elongated shape. The relationship between the vertical and horizontal lengths of the vent holes makes the sub-chamber even less prone to twisting.

[0036] The vehicle side airbag system of this disclosure can effectively protect occupants.

[0037] This is a schematic perspective view showing the interior of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle side airbag device according to Embodiment 1. This is a schematic perspective view showing the vehicle side airbag device. This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the vehicle side airbag device. This is a schematic front view showing the state in which the inflated and deployed airbag has made contact with the occupant. This is a schematic front view showing the state in which the airbag has caught the occupant. This is a schematic front view showing the state in which the airbag has caught the occupant who has been thrown inward in the vehicle width direction. This is a schematic perspective view showing a vehicle side airbag device according to Embodiment 2. This is a schematic perspective view showing a modified example of the vehicle side airbag device.

[0038] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below. In these embodiments, "occupant" refers to a dummy for frontal crash testing, "Hybrid III 50th Dummy (AM50) / Human body dummy for frontal crash testing as defined in the NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration] standards [49CFR Part 572 Subpart E and O]," which has a physique equivalent to that of an average American male, with approximate dimensions of 175 cm in height, 88 cm in sitting height, and 78 kg in weight.

[0039] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the interior of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle side airbag device according to Embodiment 1. In the figure, 1 is a vehicle, and the vehicle 1 is equipped with a plurality of seats 21, 22. Each of the seats 21 and 22 is provided on the floor surface of the vehicle's interior. Seat 21 (and seat 22) is one (and the other) of two seats arranged in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 1, for example, the driver's seat (and passenger seat). Hereinafter, the "up and down," "left and right," and "front and back" directions are defined as the "up and down," "left and right," and "front and back" directions as viewed from the perspective of an occupant seated in seat 21.

[0040] The seat 21 comprises a seat cushion 211 and a seat back 212. The occupant sits on the seat cushion 211. The seat back 212 comprises a skeletal frame 213 and a seat cover 214. The skeletal frame 213 rises upward from the rear of the seat cushion 211 and supports a seat pad (cushioning material) not shown. The seat cover 214 covers the skeletal frame 213 and the seat pad. The seat back 212 supports the upper body of the occupant seated on the seat cushion 211.

[0041] The seat 21 may be rotatable around an unillustrated axis of rotation extending vertically. When the front of the seat 21 faces the front of the vehicle 1, the left side of the seat 21 faces inward in the vehicle width direction (towards the seat 22), and the seat 22 is located to the left of the seat 21. The seat 22 is equipped with a seat cushion 221 and a seat back 222 similar to the seat cushion 211 and seat back 212 of the seat 21. The configuration of the seat 22 is substantially the same as that of the seat 21. The following describes the vehicle side airbag device 4 applied to the seat 21. The vehicle side airbag device 4 is incorporated into the seat back 212 of the seat 21.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a vehicle side airbag device 4. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the vehicle side airbag device 4. In FIG. 3, the vertical direction is the direction perpendicular to the paper surface. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the vehicle side airbag device 4 includes an inflator 41 and an airbag 42. The dimensional ratios of each part of the inflator 41 and the airbag 42 are not limited to those shown.

[0043] The inflator 41 is attached to the left side of the seat back 212. For example, the inflator 41 has a columnar shape, and is fixed to the left side of the frame 213 such that the central axis of the column faces vertically. When fixing the inflator 41 to the frame 213, for example, stud bolts project radially from the outer peripheral surface of the inflator 41, and nuts are attached to the stud bolts penetrating the frame 213.

[0044] The inflator 41 is built into the airbag 42. The airbag 42 is a bag made of cloth reinforced by knitting high-strength fibers such as nylon fibers. Before the operation of the inflator 41, the airbag 42 is folded and built into the seat back 212 in a state of being shaped by a shaping member (not shown). The inflator 41 operates in an emergency such as a collision of the vehicle 1 and injects gas. The gas injected by the inflator 41 rapidly expands and deploys the airbag 42. Hereinafter, the occupant sitting on the seat cushion 211 is referred to as occupant 3 (see FIG. 4 described later).

[0045] FIG. 4 is a front view schematically showing a state where the inflated and deployed airbag 42 contacts the occupant 3. The inflated and deployed airbag 42 extends from the seat back 212. FIGS. 2 to 4 show the airbag 42 in a state of being inflated and extending from the seat back 212. The airbag 42 includes a main chamber 5 and a sub-chamber 6.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, the main chamber 5 includes a first panel 51 and a second panel 52. Each of the first panel 51 and the second panel 52 is, for example, a cloth in a rectangular shape. The main chamber 5 is formed by joining the peripheral edge of the first panel 51 and the peripheral edge of the second panel 52 to each other. The joining of the first panel 51 and the second panel 52 is, for example, by sewing. For ease of viewing in the figure, in FIG. 3, the thicknesses of the first panel 51 and the second panel 52 (as well as the side panels 61 to the rear panel 63 described later) are exaggeratedly drawn. Hereinafter, the outer surface of the first panel 51 is referred to as the first surface 5a (see FIG. 2). Also, the outer surface of the second panel 52 is referred to as the second surface 5b.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main chamber 5 incorporates an inflater 41. When the main chamber 5 is folded, the inner surface of the first panel 51 and the inner surface of the second panel 52 are in contact with each other. Due to the gas ejected by the inflater 41, the main chamber 5 expands and unfolds such that the inner surface of the first panel 51 and the inner surface of the second panel 52 are separated from each other. When the main chamber 5 expands and unfolds, as shown in FIG. 4, the first surface 5a faces the side of the occupant 3 (front side), and the second surface 5b faces the side opposite to the occupant 3 (rear side).

[0048] As shown in FIG. 3, the sub-chamber 6 includes side panels 61, a front panel 62, and a rear panel 63. Each of the side panels 61, the front panel 62, and the rear panel 63 is, for example, the same cloth as the cloth constituting each of the first panel 51 and the second panel 52. The side panel 61 has a square tube shape (specifically, a rectangular tube shape) (see FIG. 2). The shape of the cross-section of the side panel 61 that intersects the axial length direction is, for example, a square. The side panel 61 is formed, for example, by joining the long sides of a rectangular cloth to each other. The square tube of the side panel 61 has a central axis extending in the protruding direction when the sub-chamber 6 described later expands and unfolds.

[0049] The front panel 62 and the rear panel 63 each have a polygonal shape (specifically, a quadrilateral, for example, a square). The front panel 62 closes one of the axial openings at both ends of the side panel 61. The rear panel 63 closes the other of the axial openings at both ends of the side panel 61. The sub-chamber 6 is formed by joining the peripheral edges of the front panel 62 and the rear panel 63 with the peripheral edges of the openings at both ends of the side panel 61. In other words, the sub-chamber 6 has a hollow polygonal prism shape (specifically, a rectangular prism shape). The axial direction of the sub-chamber 6 is the same as the axial direction of the side panel 61. The sub-chamber 6 has a central axis that extends in the direction of protrusion when expanded and deployed.

[0050] In this embodiment, the side panel 61 is joined to the front panel 62 and the rear panel 63 by stitching. The seam allowance 6b for stitching the side panel 61 to the front panel 62 extends outward from the outer surface of the front panel 62 and along the axial direction of the side panel 61. Similarly, the seam allowance 6c for stitching the side panel 61 to the rear panel 63 extends outward from the outer surface 6a of the rear panel 63 and along the axial direction of the side panel 61. Each seam allowance 6b, 6c is a non-inflatable portion of the airbag 42.

[0051] A vent hole 421 is provided across the central portion of the first panel 51 of the main chamber 5 and the central portion of the rear panel 63 of the sub-chamber 6. The internal space of the main chamber 5 and the internal space of the sub-chamber 6 are connected through the vent hole 421. The shape of the vent hole 421 is such that its length in the direction along the floor surface of the vehicle's passenger compartment (horizontal direction) is longer than its length in the vertical direction (vertical direction) (see Figure 2).

[0052] The central portion of the rear panel 63 of the sub-chamber 6 is joined to the central portion of the first panel 51 of the main chamber 5, such that the outer surface 6a of the rear panel 63 (one end surface in the axial direction of the sub-chamber 6) faces the first surface 5a. More specifically, the peripheral portion of the vent hole 421 in the rear panel 63 is stitched to the peripheral portion of the vent hole 421 in the first panel 51. It is desirable that the vicinity of the center of the first surface 5a and the vicinity of the center of the outer surface 6a are joined. The axial direction of the sub-chamber 6 extends in a direction that intersects (for example, perpendicular to) the central portion of the first surface 5a of the main chamber 5.

[0053] The sub-chamber 6 does not house an inflator. However, the internal spaces of the main chamber 5 and the sub-chamber 6 are in communication with each other via the vent hole 421. Therefore, the gas injected by the inflator 41 into the internal space of the main chamber 5 flows through the vent hole 421 and into the internal space of the sub-chamber 6. Consequently, the sub-chamber 6 expands and expands slightly later than the main chamber 5. As a result, the sub-chamber 6 expands and expands after the main chamber 5 has expanded and begun to protrude from the seat back 212, so there is no risk of the expanded sub-chamber 6 obstructing the main chamber 5's protrusion from the seat back 212.

[0054] When the airbag 42 inflates and deploys, a gap 40 is created around the portion of the sub-chamber 6 facing the main chamber 5. The gap 40 is the internal space of the constriction between the main chamber 5 and the sub-chamber 6. This constriction forms a V-shaped groove that extends around the entire circumference of the sub-chamber 6. One inner surface of the V-shaped groove is part of the first surface 5a of the first panel 51 of the main chamber 5, and the other inner surface of the V-shaped groove is the outer surface 6a of the rear panel 63 of the sub-chamber 6. In other words, the gap 40 is surrounded by the first surface 5a of the main chamber 5 and the outer surface 6a of the sub-chamber 6.

[0055] As shown in Figure 4, the inflated main chamber 5 is supported by seats 21 and 22, with its left side fixed to the seat back 212 of seat 21 and its right side in contact with the seat back 212 of seat 22. The inflated sub-chamber 6 protrudes from the first surface 5a of the main chamber 5 to a position where it can contact the head 31 and left shoulder 32 of the occupant 3. The axial length of the sub-chamber 6 extends in the direction of its protrusion. The seam allowance 6c between the side panel 61 and the rear panel 63 extends in the axial length direction of the side panel 61 so as to approach the first surface 5a (see Figure 3). The seam allowance 6b between the side panel 61 and the front panel 62 extends in the axial length direction of the side panel 61 so as to move away from the first surface 5a.

[0056] When the sub-chamber 6 protrudes to a position where it can contact the head 31 and left shoulder 32 of the crew member 3, the four sides of the side panel 61 are generally oriented vertically and horizontally. One side of the side panel 61 is the right side 6d (see Figures 2 and 3). The right side 6d faces the head 31 of the crew member 3. That is, one side of the sub-chamber 6 is formed at the position facing the head 31 of the crew member 3. Also, the left shoulder 32 of the crew member 3 comes into contact with (fits into or is sandwiched in) the gap 40. Ideally, the right side 6d should be flat, but in reality it cannot be perfectly flat, so it may be a slightly curved surface or a surface with some irregularities.

[0057] Figure 5 is a schematic front view showing the state in which the airbag 42 has caught the occupant 3. In Figure 5, the occupant 3 is moving to the left from seat 21 towards the space between seats 21 and 22. The first surface 5a of the inflated and deployed main chamber 5 catches the rear of the occupant 3's head 31, or the upper back of the occupant 3, etc.

[0058] The sub-chamber 6 protrudes from the first surface 5a of the main chamber 5, with its right side surface 6d facing the head 31 of the occupant 3. When the occupant 3 moves to the left, the occupant 3's head 31 rests on the right side surface 6d of the side panel 61, thereby reliably protecting the occupant 3. At this time, collision between the corner of the sub-chamber 6 and the occupant 3's head 31 is suppressed.

[0059] The left shoulder portion 32 of the occupant 3 comes into contact with the gap 40, which prevents the occupant 3 from slipping out of the sub-chamber 6 (the airbag 42 from detaching from the occupant 3) even when the main chamber 5 rotates around the inflator 41. In particular, the sub-chamber 6, which protrudes to a position where it can contact the occupant 3's head 31 and left shoulder portion 32, can reliably support the occupant 3's head 31. Since the gap 40 extends around the entire circumference of the sub-chamber 6, even if the left shoulder portion 32 of the occupant 3 is misaligned relative to the sub-chamber 6 in the circumferential direction, it will still come into contact with the gap 40. Therefore, there is no need to precisely adjust the position of the gap 40.

[0060] Furthermore, the relationship between the length and width of the vent hole 421 prevents the sub-chamber 6 from twisting and rotating on the main chamber 5. Therefore, if the head 31 of the crew member 3 strikes the sub-chamber 6, the sub-chamber 6 can be prevented from rotating around the vent hole 421 in a way that would rotate the head 31 downwards. As a result, the crew member 3 can be effectively protected.

[0061] Figure 6 is a schematic front view showing the state in which the airbag 42 catches an occupant 3 that has been thrown inward in the width direction of the vehicle. In Figure 6, the occupant 3 is moving from seat 21 to seat 21 and 22. The occupant 3's legs 33 are thrown onto seat 22. In the case of airbag 42, even if the vehicle 1 does not have a console box and the occupant 3 is thrown completely to the left, the sub-chamber 6 that catches the occupant 3's head 31 maintains its shape. Also, the main chamber 5 is in contact with seat 22 and receives a reaction force from seat 22. As a result of the above, airbag 42 holds (protects) the occupant 3's head 31 until the end. In other words, even with a far-side airbag in the absence of a console box, the occupant 3 can be protected.

[0062] With the vehicle side airbag system 4 described above, when a lateral force is applied to the vehicle 1, such as during a side collision, oblique collision, or offset collision, and the occupant 3 moves laterally (especially towards the far side), the occupant 3 can be firmly supported. Even if the vehicle 1 does not have a console box and the inflated and deployed airbag 42 is not supported by a console box, the airbag 42 can firmly support the occupant 3.

[0063] The main chamber 5 is simply constructed by joining the periphery of the first panel 51 and the periphery of the second panel 52. The seam allowance 6c between the side panel 61 and the rear panel 63 can partially cover the gap 40. However, since the seam allowance 6c curves toward the gap 40 upon contact with the occupant 3, it does not prevent the occupant 3 from coming into contact with the gap 40. The seam allowance 6c is a non-expanding part of the sub-chamber 6, but since the seam allowance 6c does not extend toward the occupant 3, it is possible to prevent unnecessary contact between the tip of the seam allowance 6c and the occupant 3.

[0064] The vehicle side airbag device 4 is not limited to a configuration applied to the seat 21. For example, the vehicle side airbag device 4 may be applied to the seat 22. The configuration of the vehicle side airbag device 4 applied to the seat 21 is substantially the same as the configuration of the vehicle side airbag device 4 applied to the seat 21, except that it is symmetrical. The main chamber 5 is not limited to a configuration in which the first panel 51 and the second panel 52 are joined to each other. For example, the main chamber 5 may be configured in which a third panel forming a gusset is joined between the first panel 51 and the second panel 52. The joining of panels is not limited to stitching.

[0065] Embodiment 2. The vehicle side airbag device 4 of this embodiment is substantially the same as the vehicle side airbag device 4 of Embodiment 1. The differences from Embodiment 1 will be described below, and other components identical to those in Embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0066] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle side airbag device 4 according to Embodiment 2. In this embodiment, the internal spaces of the main chamber 5 and the sub-chamber 6 are in communication with each other through a plurality (two in the figure) of vent holes 421 and 422.

[0067] The vent holes 421 and 422 are aligned in a direction (horizontal direction) along the floor surface of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1. The vent holes 421 and 422 extend through the central portion of the first panel 51 of the main chamber 5 and the central portion of the rear panel 63 of the sub-chamber 6, respectively. The configuration of the vent hole 421 is the same as that of the vent hole 421 in Embodiment 1. The configuration of the vent hole 422 is the same as that of the vent hole 421, except that the shape of the vent hole 422 is circular and the opening area of ​​the vent hole 422 is smaller than the opening area of ​​the vent hole 421.

[0068] The direction in which the vent holes 421 and 422 are aligned is not limited to the horizontal direction. Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a modified example of a vehicle side airbag device 4. The vent holes 421 and 422 are aligned in the vertical direction.

[0069] According to the vehicle side airbag device 4 shown in Figures 7 and 8, the vent holes 421 and 422, which are aligned in one direction, prevent the sub-chamber 6 from twisting and rotating on the main chamber 5. Moreover, since the opening areas of the vent holes 421 and 422 are different, and the vent hole 421 has a horizontally elongated shape, the sub-chamber 6 is even less likely to twist. Therefore, when the head 31 of the occupant 3 hits the sub-chamber 6, the sub-chamber 6 can be prevented from rotating around the vent hole 421 in a way that would rotate the head 31 downwards. As a result, the occupant 3 can be effectively protected.

[0070] Note that the shape of the vent hole 422 may be the same as the shape of the vent hole 421. The opening area of ​​the vent hole 422 may be greater than or equal to the opening area of ​​the vent hole 421. The order in which the vent holes 421 and 422 are arranged is not limited. For example, Figure 8 shows a configuration in which the vent hole 421 is located below the vent hole 422, but the vent hole 421 may also be located above the vent hole 422. The vent hole 421 in embodiments 1 and 2 is horizontally elongated, but is not limited to this, and may be vertically elongated or circular in shape, for example. However, horizontal elongation is most desirable in order to prevent twisting of the sub-chamber 6.

[0071] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is intended to include the meaning of equivalents to the claims and all modifications within the claims, not in the sense described above. The independent and dependent claims described in the claims can be combined with each other in any combination, regardless of the form of reference. Furthermore, the claims use a multi-claim format in which claims refer to two or more other claims (multi-claim format), but are not limited thereto. They may also be described using a multi-claim format in which multi-claims refer to at least one multi-claim (multi-multi-claim format). The reference numerals used in the claims are added for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the claims.

[0072] 212 Seat back 3 Occupant 31 Head 32 Shoulder 4 Vehicle side airbag device 40 Gap 41 Inflator 421, 422 Vent holes 5 Main chamber 51 First panel 52 Second panel 5a First surface 5b Second surface 6 Sub-chamber 61 Side panel 62 Front panel 63 Rear panel 6a Outer surface (one end surface) 6b Seam allowance 6c Seam allowance 6d Right side (one side, one side)

Claims

1. A vehicle side airbag device (4) incorporated into a seat back (212), comprising: a main chamber (5) having an inflator (41) attached to the side of the seat back (212), and having at least a first surface (5a) facing the occupant (3) and a second surface (5b) facing away from the occupant (3) when inflated and deployed by gas injected by the inflator (41); and a sub-chamber (6) provided to protrude from the first surface (5a) of the main chamber (5) when inflated and deployed by the gas, wherein a gap (40) is provided around the portion of the sub-chamber (6) facing the main chamber (5) when inflated and deployed by the gas.

2. The vehicle side airbag device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sub-chamber (6) has a polygonal prism shape having a central axis extending in the direction of protrusion when inflated and deployed, and the surface that contacts the occupant's head is one side surface (6d) of the polygonal prism.

3. The vehicle side airbag device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sub-chamber (6) is provided to protrude from the first surface (5a) of the main chamber (5) in a position where it can contact the head (31) and shoulder (32) of the occupant (3) when inflated and deployed by the gas.

4. The vehicle side airbag device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the shoulder portion of the occupant (3) is configured to come into contact with the gap (40).

5. The vehicle side airbag device (4) according to claim 3, characterized in that the shoulder portion of the occupant (3) is configured to come into contact with the gap (40).

6. The vehicle side airbag device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sub-chamber (6) is columnar in shape with a central axis extending in the direction of protrusion when inflated and deployed, and the gap (40) extends around the entire circumference of the sub-chamber (6).

7. The vehicle side airbag device (4) according to claim 6, characterized in that one end face (6a) of the sub-chamber (6) in the protruding direction faces the first surface (5a), the central portion of the first surface (5a) and the central portion of the one end face (6a) are joined, and the gap (40) is surrounded by the first surface (5a) and the one end face (6a).

8. The vehicle side airbag device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the main chamber (5) is constructed by joining the peripheral edges of a first panel (51) and a second panel (52), the first surface (5a) is the outer surface of the first panel (51), the second surface (5b) is the outer surface of the second panel (52), the sub-chamber (6) is a rectangular prism shape having a central axis extending in the direction of protrusion when the sub-chamber (6) is inflated and deployed, one side surface (6d) protrudes from the first surface (5a) so as to face the head of the occupant (3), one end surface (6a) of the sub-chamber (6) faces the first surface (5a), and the gap (40) is surrounded by the first surface (5a) and the one end surface (6a).

9. The sub-chamber (6) includes a tubular fabric side panel (61) extending in the direction of projection when inflated and deployed, and a fabric front panel (62) and a rear panel (63) that close the openings at both ends of the side panel (61) in the direction of projection, wherein the side panel (61) is sewn to the front panel (62) and the rear panel (63), the circumferential surface protruding from the first surface (5a) so as to face the head of the occupant (3), the outer surface of the rear panel (63) faces the first surface (5a), and the seam allowance (6c) between the side panel (61) and the rear panel (63) extends in the direction of projection so as to approach the first surface (5a). The side airbag device (4) for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the seam allowance (6b) between the side panel (61) and the front panel (62) extends in the protruding direction away from the first surface (5a).

10. The vehicle side airbag device (4) according to claim 1, wherein the sub-chamber (6) includes a front panel (62) provided at the tip in the direction of protrusion when inflated and deployed, a rear panel (63) provided with a vent hole (421) for communication between the main chamber (5) and the gas, and a side panel (61), wherein the side panel (61) is joined to the front panel (62) and the rear panel (63).

11. The vehicle side airbag device (4) according to claim 10, characterized in that the front panel (62) is rectangular in shape, and one side (6d) is formed in the sub-chamber (6) at a position facing the head of the occupant (3).

12. The vehicle side airbag device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the main chamber (5) and the sub-chamber (6) are connected by a vent hole (421), and the shape of the vent hole (421) is such that the horizontal length is longer than the vertical length.

13. The vehicle side airbag device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the main chamber (5) and the sub-chamber (6) are connected by a plurality of vent holes (421, 422) arranged in one direction.

14. The vehicle side airbag device (4) according to claim 13, characterized in that the opening area of ​​each of the multiple vent holes (421, 422) is different.

15. The vehicle side airbag device (4) according to 13, characterized in that, of the plurality of vent holes (421, 422), at least one of the vent holes (421) has a shape in which the horizontal length is longer than the vertical length.

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