CN116194344A

CN116194344A - Airbag device

Info

Publication number: CN116194344A
Application number: CN202180064730.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 清水贵之; 中岛敦
Original assignee: Autoliv Development AB
Current assignee: Autoliv Development AB
Priority date: 2020-10-09
Filing date: 2021-10-01
Publication date: 2023-05-30
Also published as: KR20230082657A; JP7542641B2; WO2022075216A1; JPWO2022075216A1

Abstract

In order to realize an airbag device in which side airbag cushions that are inflated and deployed on both sides of a seat are integrally operated when a vehicle collides with the side surfaces, the airbag device is provided with an airbag (11) and an inflator (12) that ejects gas that inflates the airbag (11), and the airbag (11) is provided with: a first side airbag cushion (21) that inflates and deploys in a manner that covers one side portion of an occupant (5) seated in a seat of a vehicle; a second side airbag cushion (22) that inflates and deploys in a manner that covers the other side portion of the occupant (5); and a connecting member (23) that connects the first side airbag cushion (21) and the second side airbag cushion (22). In an inflated state in which inflation and deployment of the airbag (11) are completed, the connecting member (23) is located at a height below the head top of the occupant (5) in the height range of the upper portion of the seat (1), and extends in the width direction of the seat (1).

Description

Airbag device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an airbag device and the like that protects the side of an occupant.

Background

Conventionally, an airbag device for protecting an occupant in the event of a side collision or rollover of a vehicle has been known. In such an airbag device, the airbag inflates and deploys to cover the side of an occupant seated in the seat.

Patent document 1 describes, as such an airbag device, an occupant restraint device that can protect an occupant against an impact from the near side or an impact from the far side. The occupant restraint device includes: an airbag that protects an occupant in an impact from a near side; an upper torso-portion restraining member that protects the occupant from a distal impact. The upper trunk restraint member is abutted against the shoulder or chest of the occupant from the vehicle front side, and restrains the occupant on the seat. In fig. 6 of patent document 1, an airbag is used as an upper trunk restraint member.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1 Japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2018-135016

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, when a vehicle collides with a side surface, the occupant moves to the side where the collision is received by an inertial force at the initial stage of the collision, and then moves to the opposite side by an impact force generated by the collision. However, in the conventional airbag device, the airbag on the proximal side and the airbag on the distal side are independent of each other, and there is a possibility that restraint of the occupant moving as described above cannot be effectively performed.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to realize an airbag device in which side airbag cushions that are inflated and deployed to both sides of a seat are integrally operated at the time of a side collision of a vehicle or the like.

Means for solving the problems

An airbag device according to the present invention includes: an airbag and an inflator that ejects gas that inflates the airbag, the airbag having: a first side airbag cushion that inflates and deploys in a manner that covers a side portion of an occupant seated in a seat of a vehicle; a second side airbag cushion that inflates and deploys in a manner that covers the other side portion of the occupant; and a connecting member that connects the first side airbag cushion and the second side airbag cushion, wherein in an inflated state in which inflation and deployment of the airbag are completed, the connecting member is located at a height below a head top of the occupant in a height range of the seat upper portion, and is in a state of extending in a width direction of the seat.

In the present invention, the connection member may be a pipe through which gas can flow, the inflator may be attached to the first side airbag cushion, and a part of the gas injected from the inflator to the first side airbag cushion may be supplied to the second side airbag cushion through the pipe.

In the present invention, the first side airbag cushion may be disposed near the door for the seat, and the second side airbag cushion may be disposed far from the door for the seat.

The present invention may be configured such that the first side airbag cushion includes: a first head airbag cushion portion that inflates and deploys in a manner that covers one side portion of the head of the occupant; the first body airbag cushion portion is inflated and deployed so as to cover one side portion of the body of the occupant, and the second side airbag cushion has a second head airbag cushion portion that is inflated and deployed so as to cover the other side portion of the head.

The present invention may be configured such that the first side airbag cushion includes: a first head airbag cushion portion that inflates and deploys in a manner that covers one side portion of the head of the occupant; a first body airbag cushion portion that inflates and deploys so as to cover one side portion of the body of an occupant, the second side airbag cushion including: a second head airbag cushion portion that inflates and deploys in a manner that covers the other side portion of the head; and a second body airbag cushion portion that is inflated and deployed so as to cover the other side portion of the body.

In the present invention, in the inflated state, when an occupant seated in the seat collides with one of the first side bag cushion and the second side bag cushion, the other side bag cushion is pulled by the one side bag cushion via the connecting member and collides with the side surface of the headrest of the seat.

In the present invention, in a flat state in which the unexpanded airbag is deployed and laid flat on the flat surface, one side fixed to the seat is set as a rear side and the opposite side is set as a front side in a direction orthogonal to the left-right direction of the airbag, and in the flat state, the first side airbag cushion is connected to one end of the connecting member extending in the left-right direction of the airbag, the second side airbag cushion is connected to the other end, and the front end of the connecting member is located at a position closer to the rear side than the front ends of the first side airbag cushion and the second side airbag cushion.

The present invention may be configured such that the first side airbag cushion and the second side airbag cushion in the flat state may each have: an outer bag cushion portion located outside the connecting member in the left-right direction of the airbag, and extending out toward the front side of the front end of the connecting member; and an inner bag cushion portion extending inward from a portion of the outer bag cushion extending forward.

In the present invention, the inner bag cushion portion of the first side bag cushion and the inner bag cushion portion of the second side bag cushion may overlap each other in the flat state.

In the present invention, in the storage mode when the airbag is stored in the seat, the first side airbag cushion and the second side airbag cushion may be formed such that the inner side airbag cushion is wound up in a roll shape toward the outer side airbag cushion, the inner side airbag cushion is pressed into the outer side airbag cushion, or the inner side airbag cushion is wound up or folded in a roll shape so as to overlap with the outer surface of the outer side airbag cushion.

The airbag of the present invention may be configured by connecting a first bag portion having a first side airbag cushion and a second bag portion having a second side airbag cushion to each other.

In the present invention, the airbag may be configured such that the fixing portion for the seat is provided on one of the first side airbag cushion and the second side airbag cushion, and the inflator housing portion is provided on the other side, and the airbag is fixed to the seat by the fixing portion and the inflator housing portion.

In the present invention, the airbag may be configured such that the connecting member is provided with a fixing portion to the seat.

In the seat of the present invention, a headrest may be attached to the backrest portion, and the connection member may be positioned in front of or behind a gap between the backrest portion and the headrest in the inflated state.

In the present invention, in the inflated state, the rear end portion of one of the first side airbag cushion and the second side airbag cushion is fixed to the seat frame at a position inside the side surface of the one side airbag cushion side in the seat frame of the back portion of the seat, and thereby, when the one side airbag cushion is pressed to the outside of the seat, the rear portion of the one side airbag cushion is pressed to the side portion of the seat.

In the present invention, when the seat belt is suspended obliquely downward from the first side bag cushion side toward the second side bag cushion side on the body of the occupant seated in the seat, the first side cushion may be interposed between the seat belt and the occupant in the inflated state.

Effects of the invention

In the present invention, in the inflated state, the connecting member connecting the first side airbag cushion and the second side airbag cushion is located below the head top of the occupant in the height range of the seat upper portion. Here, when a side collision of the vehicle occurs, the occupant seated in the seat moves substantially laterally upward from the shoulder portion and collides with one of the side bag cushions. At this time, the one side airbag cushion is moved outward by receiving the collision load of the occupant in the height range of the upper portion of the seat corresponding to the range from the shoulder to the upper side of the occupant. Then, with this movement, the other side airbag cushion is laterally pulled up via the connecting member and moves toward the occupant side. When the occupant moves to the opposite side of the initial stage of the collision, the occupant collides with the other side airbag cushion.

In the present invention, the connecting member is located in a height range where the occupant collides initially. Thus, the lateral load acts directly on the connecting member. Therefore, the both side airbag cushions integrally move in the lateral direction as compared with, for example, an airbag in which the both side airbag cushions are connected above the head of the occupant. This shortens the distance of movement before the occupant moving to the opposite side of the initial stage of collision collides with the other side airbag cushion, and can restrain the occupant early. According to the present invention, an airbag device in which side airbag cushions on both sides of a seat are integrally operated at the time of a side collision or the like can be realized.

Drawings

Fig. 1A is a view showing a state in which inflation and deployment of the airbag according to the embodiment are completed, and is a view of a seat on which an occupant sits when viewed from the front.

Fig. 1B is a view showing a state in which inflation and deployment of the airbag are completed, and is a view of a seat in which an occupant is not present, as viewed from the front.

Fig. 1C is a view showing a state in which inflation and deployment of the airbag are completed, and is a view of a seat in which an occupant is not present, as viewed from the first side airbag cushion side.

Fig. 1D is a view showing a state in which inflation and deployment of the airbag are completed, and is a view of a seat in which an occupant is not present, as viewed from the second side airbag cushion side.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the airbag in a flat state.

Fig. 3A (a) is a plan view of the airbag for explaining a first folding method of the airbag, and fig. 3A (b) is a sectional view A-A in fig. 3A (a).

Fig. 3B is a plan view of the airbag for explaining a second folding method of the airbag.

Fig. 3C (a) to (C) are plan views of an airbag for explaining a third folding method of the airbag.

Fig. 3D (a) to (c) are plan views of an airbag for explaining other methods of folding the airbag.

Fig. 4 is a front view of the seat in a state in which the airbag is housed.

Fig. 5 is a view for explaining the operation of the first side airbag cushion when the occupant collides with the second side airbag cushion.

Fig. 6 (a) to (b) are views for explaining a state in which the first side airbag cushion is interposed between the seat belt and the occupant.

Fig. 7A (a) to (b) are diagrams for explaining a state in which the gas duct is located in the vicinity of the front side of the support member of the headrest.

Fig. 7B (a) to (B) are diagrams for explaining a state in which the gas duct is located at a position slightly distant from the support member in front of the support member of the headrest.

Fig. 7C (a) to (b) are diagrams for explaining a state in which the gas duct is located in the vicinity of the rear side of the support member of the headrest.

Fig. 8 (a) is a plan view of an airbag according to a first modification of the embodiment, and fig. 8 (b) is a plan view of an intermediate product of the airbag and a bag body coupled to the intermediate product.

Fig. 9 is an intermediate product of an airbag according to a second modification of the embodiment, and is a plan view of a first bag portion and a second bag portion.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of an airbag according to a third modification of the embodiment in a flat state.

Fig. 11 is a front view of a seat in a state in which inflation of an airbag according to a fourth modification of the embodiment is completed.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the seat viewed from the obliquely rear side on the far side in the inflated state of the airbag according to the fourth modification of the embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a view showing a state in which the inflation and deployment of the airbag according to the fifth modification of the embodiment are completed, and is a view of a seat on which an occupant sits when viewed from the front.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are examples of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or uses thereof.

In the present invention, the term "occupant" means a "occupant" having a physical constitution corresponding to an average male in the United states and having a general size of 175cm in height, 88cm in seat height, and 78kg in weight, based on a dummy for a frontal collision test (Hybrid III AM50/NHTSA [ National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: mannequin for frontal collision test prescribed in standards "49CFR Part572 Subpart E and 0" of the American Highway traffic safety Association ").

In the present specification, "upper" refers to the head direction of the occupant 5 seated in the normal position of the seat 1 provided in the vehicle, and "lower" refers to the foot direction of the occupant 5. The "front" and "front" refer to the front direction of the occupant 5 seated in the normal position of the seat 1, and the "rear" and "rear" refer to the rear direction of the occupant 5. The "left" and "left" refer to the left-hand direction of the occupant 5 seated in the normal position of the seat 1, and the "right" and "right" refer to the right-hand direction of the occupant 5. The "normal position" is a position where the back of the occupant 5 contacts the backrest (seatback) 3 of the seat 1 in the up-down range at the center position of the seat cushion 2 of the seat 1 in the left-right direction. Hereinafter, the "normal position" may be referred to as "normal seating position".

In the airbag device 10 of the present embodiment, the side airbag cushions 21 and 22 provided on both sides of the seat 1 in the vehicle are integrally operated when the vehicle such as a passenger car collides with the side surface or turns on its side. In the airbag device 10, the side airbag cushions 21, 22 on both sides are concentrated in one airbag 11. The seat 1 on which the airbag device 10 is mounted will be described before the airbag device 10 is described.

[ about the outline of the chair ]

As shown in fig. 1A to 1D, the seat 1 includes a seat cushion 2 and a backrest 3. A headrest 4 is attached to an upper end portion of the backrest 3 via a rod-shaped support member 6. The seat 1 may be integrally formed with the backrest portion 3 and the headrest 4.

[ Structure relating to airbag device ]

The airbag device 10 includes an airbag 11 and an inflator 12 (see fig. 1C). The airbag 11 is a cloth bag body. The inflator 12 is a device that ejects gas that inflates the airbag 11. The airbag device 10 provided in the seat 1 of the driver's seat or the passenger's seat adjacent to each other in the left-right direction will be described below as an example. Hereinafter, the side of the door closer to the seat 1 may be referred to as "near side", and the side farther from the seat 1 may be referred to as "far side".

[ airbag in the completed state ]

First, an airbag 11 in a state in which inflation and deployment are completed (hereinafter referred to as "inflation completed state") will be described with reference to fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 1A and lB, the airbag 11 includes: a first side bag cushion 21 that inflates and deploys so as to cover one side portion of the occupant 5 in a normal seating position; a second side bag cushion 22 that inflates and deploys so as to cover the other side portion of the occupant 5 in the normal seating position; and a gas pipe 23 communicating the first side airbag cushion 21 and the second side airbag cushion 22. The gas duct 23 corresponds to a connecting member that connects the first side airbag cushion 21 and the second side airbag cushion 22.

The first side airbag cushion 21 is disposed proximal to the seat 1. The rear side of the first side airbag cushion 21 is fixed to the near side of the seat 1. As shown in fig. 1C, the first side airbag cushion 21 extends forward from the fixing portion to the seat 1. The first side airbag cushion 21 includes: a first head airbag cushion 31 that inflates and deploys so as to cover one side portion of the head of the occupant 5 in a normal seated position; the first body bag cushion portion 41 is inflated and deployed so as to cover one side portion of the body (from the shoulder portion to the abdomen portion) of the occupant 5 in the normal seated position. The first head airbag cushion 31 is provided obliquely upward and rearward from the front side portion of the first body airbag cushion 41.

The second side airbag cushion 22 is disposed distally of the seat 1. The rear side of the second side airbag cushion 22 is fixed on the far side of the seat 1. As shown in fig. 1D, the second side airbag cushion 22 extends forward from the fixing portion to the seat 1. The second side airbag cushion 22 includes: a second head airbag cushion portion 32 that inflates and deploys so as to cover the other side portion of the head of the occupant 5 in the normal seated position; the second body bag cushion portion 42 that inflates and expands so as to cover the other side portion of the body (shoulder portion) of the occupant 5 in the normal seated position. The second head airbag cushion portion 32 is provided obliquely upward and rearward from the front side portion of the second body airbag cushion portion 42.

The gas duct 23 is formed in a tubular shape, and extends in the width direction of the seat 1 along the upper end surface of the backrest portion 3, as shown in fig. lB. One end of the gas duct 23 opens into the first side airbag cushion 21, and the other end of the gas duct 23 opens into the second side airbag cushion 22.

The gas duct 23 is located in a range x below the top of the head of the occupant 5 in the normal seated position within the height range of the upper portion of the seat 1, see fig. 1A. In the present embodiment, the gas duct 23 is located in front of the gap between the backrest portion 3 and the headrest 4. The gas duct 23 has a thickness to cover a range from the upper end portion of the backrest portion 3 to the lower end portion of the headrest 4. The "upper height range of the seat 1" refers to a range on the upper side of the middle of the backrest 3 in the up-down direction.

"airbag for a flat-lying position"

Next, the structure of the airbag 11 in a state in which the unexpanded airbag 11 is deployed and laid flat on a flat surface (hereinafter referred to as "laid flat state") will be described with reference to fig. 2.

The airbag 11 is a bag body formed by sewing a predetermined portion such as an outer peripheral portion in a state where two base cloths having the same shape and the same size are overlapped with each other. In fig. 2, the sewing portion is indicated by a broken line of a thick line. As shown in fig. 2, the airbag 11 has a substantially rectangular shape in a lateral direction. In the description of the airbag 11 in the flat state, the longitudinal direction of the airbag 11 is referred to as the "left-right direction", the width direction is referred to as the "front-rear direction", the side (upper side in fig. 2) fixed to the seat 1 in the front-rear direction of the airbag 11 is referred to as the "rear side", and the opposite side is referred to as the "front side". In addition, the upper side of the airbag shown in fig. 2 is the rear side even in the inflated state.

The airbag 11 includes: a gas pipe 23 extending in the left-right direction; a first side airbag cushion 21 connected to one end of the gas pipe 23; a second side airbag cushion 22 connected to the other end of the gas pipe 23.

The gas duct 23 has a substantially rectangular shape in a transverse length. The gas duct 23 is provided at the rear side of the airbag 11. The front end of the gas duct 23 (in fig. 2, the position of the transverse slit 35) is located on the rear side of the front ends of the first side airbag cushion 21 and the second side airbag cushion 22, respectively. The dimension (thickness) of the gas duct 23 in the front-rear direction is half or less of the dimension of the side airbag cushions 21, 22 in the front-rear direction.

The first side airbag cushion 21 has: a first body air bag cushion portion 41 located outside the gas duct 23 in the left-right direction; a first head airbag cushion 31 located on the front side of the gas duct 23. The first body bag cushion 41 extends toward the front side of the front end of the gas duct 23. The first head airbag cushion portion 31 extends from a portion of the first body airbag cushion portion 41 extending toward the front side to extend toward the inner side (left side in fig. 2) in the lateral direction. The first body airbag cushion 41 corresponds to an outer airbag cushion, and the first head airbag cushion 31 corresponds to an inner airbag cushion.

The first head airbag cushion 31 has a substantially rectangular shape (or a substantially square shape). The first head airbag cushion 31 is adjacent to the gas duct 23 via a lateral slit 35 extending in the left-right direction. The first body airbag cushion 41 has a substantially rectangular shape in a lateral direction. Strictly speaking, the first body air bag cushion portion 41 gradually becomes shorter in the front-rear direction as approaching the outer end in the outer portion in the left-right direction. The portion of the first body airbag cushion 41 on the gas conduit 23 side constitutes an upper airbag cushion 41a for protecting the side portion of the shoulder portion of the occupant 5. The portion of the first body airbag cushion 41 opposite to the gas duct 23 constitutes a lower airbag cushion 41b for protecting the chest and abdomen sides of the occupant 5.

A receiving portion 45 of the inflator 12 is formed on the rear side of the first body bag cushion portion 41. The gas guide 18 is provided in the housing portion 45. As an outlet of the gas ejected from the inflator 12, the gas guide 18 has: a first outlet 18a that opens to the upper airbag cushion 41 a; a second outlet 18b that opens to the lower side airbag cushion portion 4 lb.

The second side airbag cushion 22 has: a second body air bag cushion portion 42 located outside the gas duct 23 in the left-right direction; a second head airbag cushion 32 located on the front side of the gas duct 23. The second body bag cushion 42 extends toward the front side of the front end of the gas duct 23. The portion of the second head airbag cushion portion 32 extending forward from the second body airbag cushion portion 42 extends inward in the lateral direction (right side in fig. 2). The second body airbag cushion 42 corresponds to an outer airbag cushion, and the second head airbag cushion 32 corresponds to an inner airbag cushion.

The second head airbag cushion portion 32 has a substantially rectangular shape (or a substantially square shape). The second head airbag cushion 32 is adjacent to the gas duct 23 via the transverse slit 35. The second body airbag cushion 42 has a slightly elongated substantially rectangular shape. The second body airbag cushion 42 is a portion for protecting the side portion of the shoulder portion of the occupant 5.

The first head airbag cushion 31 and the second head airbag cushion 32 are adjacent to each other at their distal ends through longitudinal slits 36 extending in the front-rear direction. The first head airbag cushion 31 and the second head airbag cushion 32 are formed symmetrically across the longitudinal slit 36. The longitudinal slit 36 is a slit extending in the front-rear direction from the front end of the airbag 11, and is connected to the center position of the lateral slit 35 on the rear side. The horizontal slit 35 extends from the rear end of the vertical slit 36 to the left and right. When the horizontal slit 35 and the vertical slit 36 are combined, a substantially T-shaped slit is formed. The length of the transverse slit 35 can be adjusted according to the width of the upper end portion of the seat frame 1 a. In the present embodiment, the

slits

35 and 36 are slits having almost no gap, but may be slits having a certain degree of gap.

At the rear end of the airbag 11, a plurality of tabs 16a to 16d are provided as fixing portions for fixing the airbag 1 to the seat frame 1a of the seat 1, see fig. 2. Specifically, the airbag 11 is provided with: a first tab 16a located at an outer end portion of the first side airbag cushion 21 in the left-right direction, i.e., a right end portion in fig. 2; a second tab 16b located at the first side airbag cushion 21-side end of the gas duct 23, i.e., the right end in fig. 2; a third tab 16c located at the second-side airbag cushion 22-side end of the gas duct 23, i.e., the left end in fig. 2; a fourth tab 16d located at the outer end of the second side airbag cushion 22, i.e., the left end in fig. 2.

[ method for folding airbag, etc. ]

Next, a folding method for accommodating the airbag 11 in the seat 1, an accommodating method of the folded airbag 11, and an installation state of the airbag 11 in the seat 1 will be described with reference to fig. 3 and 4.

In the flat state, the airbag 11 is wound in a roll from the front side toward the rear side or folded in a bellows shape from the front side toward the rear side, and the size in the front-rear direction is reduced, so that the airbag is in the storage state when stored in the seat 1. As a method of winding the airbag 11 into a roll, the airbag may be wound on the front surface side or the rear surface side of fig. 2. The airbag 11 may be wound in a roll shape substantially entirely or may be wound in a roll shape up to halfway in the front-rear direction.

Before the airbag 11 is wound into a roll or folded into a bellows shape from the front side toward the rear side, the head

airbag cushion portions

31 and 32 may be pressed into the body

airbag cushion portions

41 and 42 as shown in fig. 3A (first folding method). As shown in fig. 3B, before the airbag 11 is wound into a roll from the front side to the rear side or folded into a bellows shape, the head

airbag cushion portions

31 and 32 may be folded into a bellows shape at positions overlapping the outer surfaces of the body airbag cushion portions 41 and 42 (second folding method). As shown in fig. 3C, the head

airbag cushion portions

31 and 32 may be folded at the root portions (or in the vicinity of the root portions) so as to overlap the outer surfaces of the body

airbag cushion portions

41 and 42 in the middle of winding the airbag 11 from the front side toward the rear side into a roll shape or folding the airbag into a bellows shape (see fig. 3C (b)).

As another folding method, as shown in fig. 3D (a) to (c), the head

airbag cushion portions

31 and 32 may be folded from the inside to the outside at positions further inward than in fig. 3B. Specifically, the positions (positions of two-dot chain lines in fig. 3D (a)) at which the head

airbag cushion portions

31, 32 are first folded may be slightly apart from the root portions of the head

airbag cushion portions

31, 32. As shown in fig. 3D (c), the two head

airbag cushion portions

31 and 32 may not overlap with the outer surfaces of the body

airbag cushion portions

41 and 42. Although not shown, the one head

airbag cushion portions

31 and 32 may not overlap the outer surfaces of the body

airbag cushion portions

41 and 42.

When the folding method of fig. 3A is used, in the storage mode of the airbag 11, the head

airbag cushion portions

31 and 32 are pushed into the body

airbag cushion portions

41 and 42. In addition, when the folding method of fig. 3B or 3C is used, in the storage mode of the airbag 1, the head

airbag cushion portions

31 and 32 are folded so as to overlap the outer surfaces of the body

airbag cushion portions

41 and 42. In either storage mode, in the airbag 11, the entire or most of the head

airbag cushion portions

31, 32 move to the outside of the positions of the root portions of the head

airbag cushion portions

31, 32 in the flat state, and the portion of the gas duct 23 is thinner than the other portions. In addition, when the folding method of fig. 3D is used, in the storage mode of the airbag 1, the head airbag cushion 31 is folded so as to overlap with the outer surface of the one body airbag cushion 41. At this time, the portion of the gas duct 23 corresponding to the portion between the support members 6 of the headrest 4 is thinner than the other portions.

As shown in fig. 4, the airbag 11 in the stored form is stored in the seat 1 in a state of being folded along the seat frame 1 a. The gas duct 23 of the airbag 11 is housed in the upper end portion of the backrest portion 3, the first side airbag cushion 21 is housed in the near side of the seat 1, and the second side airbag cushion 22 is housed in the far side of the seat 1.

Here, a pair of support members 6 for supporting the headrest 4 are provided at the upper end portion of the backrest portion 3. At the upper end of the backrest 3, a storage portion for the airbag 11 can be secured at the front side or the rear side between the pair of support members 6. However, since the pair of support members 6 and the mounting structure thereof are provided, the width of the receiving portion as the airbag 11 can be ensured to be narrowed. In the present embodiment, in the storage system of the airbag 11, the portion of the gas duct 23 is thinner than the other portions, so that the gas duct 23 can be easily stored in the upper end portion of the backrest portion 3. As a folding method, the head

airbag cushion portions

31 and 32 may be folded so that substantially the entire head

airbag cushion portions

31 and 32 are positioned outside the pair of support members 6.

The airbag 11 in the installed state stored in the seat 1 is fixed to the seat frame 1a of the seat 1 at 5 of the 4 tabs 16a to 16d and the storage portion 45 of the inflator 12. In the housing portion 45 of the inflator 12, the inflator 12 is fixed to the seat frame 1a by a stud (not shown). In this fixation, the receiving portion 45 is also fixed to the seat frame la by the stud passing through the insertion hole of the receiving portion 45.

In the airbag 11 in the installed state, the gas duct 23 is fixed to the upper end portion of the seat frame 1a on both the left and right sides of the headrest 4 by the second and

third tabs

16b, 16c. The inlet side and the outlet side of the gas duct 23 are fixed, respectively. Therefore, when the gas injected from the inflator 12 flows, the gas in the gas duct 23 flows smoothly because the form of the gas duct 23 is relatively stable. Further, the third tab 16c may be omitted since the gas smoothly flows to some extent if the inlet side (the first side airbag cushion 21 side) is fixed to the inlet side and the outlet side of the gas duct 23. On the other hand, since the third tab 16c can suppress the amount of movement of the second side airbag cushion 22 to the outside that receives the collision load of the occupant 5, the second tab 16b may be omitted in the case where this point is prioritized.

In the airbag 11 in the installed state, the outer sides in the left-right direction of the respective body

bag cushion portions

41, 42 in the flat state are the lower sides. The respective body

airbag cushion portions

41, 42 are fixed to the seat frame 1a at the outer ends in the left-right direction in the flat state by the first tab 16a and the fourth tab 16 d. In the airbag 11 in the flat state, a vertical slit 36 is provided between the head

airbag cushion portions

31, 32. Therefore, when the respective body

airbag cushion portions

41, 42 are inflated and deployed forward, the head

airbag cushion portions

31, 32 stand up upward.

[ Effect of the present embodiment ] and the like

In the airbag device 10 of the present embodiment, for example, when an impact is applied to the vehicle due to a side collision, rollover, or the like, the inflator 12 that receives a signal from a sensor injects gas into the first side airbag cushion 21. Thereby, the first side airbag cushion 21 is inflated and deployed. In addition, a part of the gas injected from the inflator 12 toward the first side airbag cushion 21 is supplied to the second side airbag cushion 22 through the gas duct 23. Thereby, the second side airbag cushion 22 is inflated and deployed. In the inflated state, the gas duct 23 connecting the first side airbag cushion 21 and the second side airbag cushion 22 is located in a range x below the head top of the occupant 5 in a height range of the upper portion of the seat 1. The first side airbag cushion 21 and the second side airbag cushion 22 face each other across the occupant 5.

After the distal side collision, the occupant 5 seated in the seat 1 moves largely laterally upward from the shoulder portion of the trunk, and collides with the second side bag cushion 22. At this time, the second side airbag cushion 22 is moved outward by the collision load of the occupant 5 in the height range of the upper portion of the seat 1 corresponding to the range from the shoulder to the upper side of the occupant 5. Then, with this movement, the first side airbag cushion 21 is laterally pulled up via the gas duct 23 and moves toward the occupant 5 side. When the occupant 5 moves to the opposite side of the initial stage of the collision, the occupant 5 collides with the first side airbag cushion 21. On the other hand, after the side collision on the near side, the first side airbag cushion 21 receives the collision load of the occupant 5 and moves to the outside, and along with this movement, the second side airbag cushion 22 is pulled laterally via the gas duct 23 and moves to the occupant 5 side.

In the present embodiment, the gas duct 23 is located within a height range where the occupant 5 collides initially. Thus, the lateral load acts directly on the gas duct 23. Therefore, the both side airbag cushions 21, 22 integrally move in the lateral direction as compared with, for example, an airbag in which the both side airbag cushions are connected above the head of the occupant. This shortens the distance of movement of the occupant 5 to the side opposite to the initial stage of collision until the occupant collides with the side airbag cushions 21, 22, and can restrain the occupant 5 early. Further, since the side airbag cushions 21, 22 against which the occupant 5 initially collides are pulled by the gas duct 23 to some extent, the amount of outward movement of the side airbag cushions 21, 22 is also suppressed, and the restraining performance on the side where the side collision occurs is improved. According to the present embodiment, the airbag device 10 in which the side airbag cushions 21 and 22 on both sides of the seat 1 are integrally operated at the time of a side collision can be realized.

In addition, when the vehicle turns on its side, the occupant 5 moves left and right according to the rotation of the vehicle. In this case as well, the airbag device 10 according to the present embodiment can restrain the occupant 5 early because the side airbag cushions 21 and 22 on both sides operate integrally.

However, in order to protect an occupant in a side collision, the following airbags are conventionally provided, respectively, that is: a curtain airbag that protects the head of an occupant in the event of a near-side collision; a near-side airbag that protects a range from a shoulder to a waist of an occupant in the event of a near-side collision; and a distal airbag that protects the head in the event of a distal collision. On the other hand, in the future, an airbag device capable of coping with automatic driving is demanded. In the automatic driving, it is conceivable that the occupant leans the backrest portion of the seat rearward to take a comfortable posture, or that the occupant switches the vehicle seat orientation forward and rearward. However, in order to cope with the automatic driving, the conventional airbag has to be configured so that the protection range of each airbag is required to be expanded, which causes problems in terms of cost and design.

In contrast, in the present embodiment, since the occupant 5 can be restrained early, the side airbag cushions 21 and 22 can be prevented from being increased in size, and the side airbag cushions 21 and 22 can be appropriately sized, so that the airbag 11 having a good design can be configured. Further, since the head

airbag cushion portions

31 and 32 are slightly inclined toward the head, the restraint performance can be improved by approaching the occupant 5 with respect to the restraint position of the head. Also, since the first side airbag cushion 21 takes the head to the abdomen of the occupant 5 as a protection range, the curtain airbag can be omitted. This eliminates the need to mount an airbag on the roof of the vehicle, and improves the degree of freedom in layout of the vehicle. In addition, according to the present embodiment, the cost and weight can be reduced as compared with the case where different side airbags are provided on both sides of the seat 1.

The airbag device 10 may be provided in either one of a front seat and a rear seat of the vehicle, or in a seat of the vehicle on which a single person sits. In addition, since the airbag device 10 does not depend on the vehicle layout, a part or all of the airbag device 10 can be modularized to be suitable for use in a plurality of vehicle types.

In addition, in the present embodiment, since the airbag 11 can be inflated as a whole by one inflator 12, an increase in the number of components of the airbag device 10 can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, in the inflated state of the airbag 11, the rear portion of the first head airbag cushion 31 and the rear portion of the second head airbag cushion 32 face each other across the headrest 4 of the seat 1 (see fig. 1C and 1D). In the event of a side collision, when the occupant 5 collides with the second side airbag cushion 22, the second side airbag cushion 22 rotates about the vertical axis of the rear end portion thereof, and moves to the outside of the seat 1. Then, as shown in fig. 5, the first head airbag cushion portion 31 of the first side airbag cushion 1 is pulled by the second side airbag cushion 22 via the gas duct 23 to collide with the side surface of the headrest 4. By this collision, the airbag 11 receives the reaction force from the headrest 4, and therefore the swing of the airbag 11 can be suppressed, and the restraining performance of the airbag 11 on the occupant 5 can be improved. Fig. 5 is a view of the airbag 11 in the inflated state, as viewed obliquely upward from the rear of the headrest 4.

In the present embodiment, the first side airbag cushion 21 to which the inflator 12 is attached is provided on the near side of the seat 1. Further, the two

outlets

18a, 18b of the gas guide 18 are opened to the upper air bag cushion 41a and the lower air bag cushion 41b on the proximal side. Therefore, in the event of a near-side collision, the first body airbag cushion 41 having a small time width before protecting the occupant 5 from the collision can be inflated and deployed before the other airbag cushion.

In the present embodiment, when the webbing 7 is stretched obliquely downward from the first side bag cushion 21 side toward the second side bag cushion 22 side on the body of the occupant 5 seated in the seat 1, the first side bag cushion 21 is interposed between the webbing 7 and the occupant 5 in the inflated state, as shown in fig. 6. The front portion of the first side airbag cushion 21 is blocked by the seat belt 7. Therefore, the reaction force from the first side airbag cushion 21 to the occupant 5 can act early, and the occupant 5 can be restrained early in the lateral and front directions. This effect can be obtained independently of the installation position (B-pillar, seat, etc.) of the upper anchor 17a of the webbing 7.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 7A, the gas pipe 23 in the inflated state is located near the front side of the support member 6. At this time, the gas duct 23 is received in the front side of the support member 6 at the upper end portion of the backrest 3, and for example, the

respective tabs

16b, 16c provided on the gas duct 23 are fixed to the upper portion of the upper end portion of the seat frame 1 a. As shown in fig. 7B, the position of the gas pipe 23 in the front-rear direction in the inflated state may be more forward than the position in fig. 7A. In the case of fig. 7B, each tab 16B, 16c is fixed to the front face side of the upper end portion of the seat frame 1 a. The side airbag cushions 21 and 22 are pressed forward as the gas duct 23 is forward, and movement of the side airbag cushions 21 and 22 rearward can be suppressed. As shown in fig. 7C, the position of the gas duct 23 in the expanded state in the front-rear direction may be the rear of the support member 6. At this time, the gas duct 23 is housed in the rear side of the support member 6 at the upper end portion of the backrest portion 3. Each

tab

16b, 16c is fixed to the rear side of the upper end portion of the seat frame 1 a. In the case where the gas duct 23 is located rearward of the support member 6, the gas duct 23 is not in contact with the neck of the occupant 5. Therefore, the gas duct 23 can be prevented from being flattened at the time of inflation and deployment due to contact with the neck of the occupant 5. In fig. 7A to C (b), the gas pipe 23 is shown with black.

First modification of the embodiment

In the present modification, in the flat state of the airbag 11, as shown in fig. 8 (a), the first head airbag cushion portion 31 and the second head airbag cushion portion 32 overlap each other. The head

airbag cushion portions

31 and 32 have a longer length in the lateral direction in the flat state than in the above-described embodiment.

In the production of the airbag 11 according to the present modification, the intermediate product 50 in which the front end side portion is not provided in each of the head

airbag cushion portions

31, 32 is produced by performing a sewing process of sewing a predetermined portion such as the outer peripheral portion in a state where the two base cloths are overlapped. As shown in fig. 8 (b), in the intermediate product 50, the head

airbag cushion portions

31 and 32 are provided with only the root side portions 51 and 52. The distal end sides of the root side portions 51, 52 are not sewn and open. A pair of

bag bodies

55, 56 corresponding to the distal end side portions of the head

airbag cushion portions

31, 32 are prepared. The

bag bodies

55, 56 are substantially rectangular or substantially square, and the outer peripheral portions thereof are sewn.

In the joining step after the sewing step, the

bag bodies

55, 56 are joined to the distal ends of the root side portions 51, 52 of the head

airbag cushion portions

31, 32 of the intermediate product 50, respectively. This completes the head

airbag cushion portions

31 and 32 and the airbag 11.

According to this modification, the height of each

head airbag cushion

31, 32 in the inflated state can be increased, and the range of protection for the head of the occupant 5 can be widened.

[ second modification of embodiment ]

The airbag 11 according to the present modification is configured by connecting the first bag portion 71 having the first side airbag cushion 21 and the second bag portion 72 having the second side airbag cushion 22 to each other by, for example, sewing. As shown in fig. 9, the first bag portion 71 has a portion (right portion in fig. 2) 23a of the gas duct 23. The second bag portion 72 has a remaining portion (left portion in fig. 2) 23b of the gas duct 23. The first pocket 71 and the second pocket 72 are connected to each other by sewing the front end portions of the

portions

23a and 23b, for example, so that the inside of the right portion 23a of the gas duct 23 is connected to the inside of the left portion 23b of the gas duct 23. Thus, as in fig. 8, the airbag 11 is manufactured in which the first head airbag cushion 31 and the second head airbag cushion 32 overlap each other.

Third modification of the embodiment

As shown in fig. 10, the airbag 11 according to the present modification uses only one of the fourth tabs 16d shown in fig. 2 as a tab for the fixing portion of the seat 1. The airbag 11 is fixed to the seat 1 only by the fourth tab 16d and the receiving portion 45 of the inflator 12. According to the present modification, since the number of attachment sites of the tab 16 in the seat frame 1a is small, the seat frame to be fitted with the airbag 11 is easily modified.

Fourth modification of the embodiment

The rear end portion of the second side airbag cushion 22 of the airbag 11 according to the present modification is fixed to the seat frame la at a position inside the second side airbag cushion 22 side surface lb in the seat frame la of the backrest portion 3. In fig. 11, the fourth tab 16d is fixed inside the side lb of the seat frame 1 a. In this case, in the front view of the seat 1, a majority of the rear portion 22a of the second side airbag cushion 22 is located inside the side lb of the seat frame la. Therefore, in the case where the second side airbag cushion 22 is pressed to the outside of the seat 1, as shown in fig. 12, the rear portion 22a of the second side airbag cushion 22 is pressed to the side portion of the seat 1. According to this modification, the distal restraining performance of the airbag 11 can be improved. In addition, the same fixing position can be applied to the first side airbag cushion 21. That is, the rear end portion of the first side airbag cushion 21 may be fixed to the seat frame la at a position inside the side surface of the seat frame la on the first side airbag cushion 21 side.

Fifth modification of embodiment

As shown in fig. 13, the airbag 11 according to the present modification has the same protective range in the height direction of the second body airbag cushion portion 42 of the second side airbag cushion 22 as the first body airbag cushion portion 41. The second body bag cushion portion 42 inflates and deploys from the side to cover a range from the shoulder to the abdomen of the occupant 5 in the normal seated position. Such an airbag 11 can be used for a single seat type ultra-small moving tool or the like. In fig. 13, the first side airbag cushion 21 and the second side airbag cushion 22 are symmetrical left and right, but may not be symmetrical left and right.

[ other variations ]

In the above embodiment, the connection member 23 that connects the first side airbag cushion 21 and the second side airbag cushion 22 may be a member in which gas cannot flow inside. The connection member 23 may employ a band portion using one piece of base cloth. In this case, the airbag device 10 may be configured such that the second inflator is attached to the second side airbag cushion 22, or may be configured such that the gas is supplied from one inflator to both side airbag cushions 21 and 22 by dividing the inflator into two lines.

In the above embodiment, the connection member 23 in the inflated state may be located in the range x below the head top of the occupant 5 within the height range of the upper portion of the seat 1, and may be located at a height corresponding to the chest of the occupant 5, for example. The connection member 23 in the inflated state extends along the surface of the backrest portion 3 in the width direction of the seat 1.

In the above embodiment, the airbag 11 may be configured such that the protection range of the first side airbag cushion 21 is from the head to the waist of the occupant 5.

In the above embodiment, the airbag 11 may be configured such that the protection range of the second side airbag cushion 22 is only the head, or such that the protection range reaches the abdomen or the waist. In addition, in the case where the center console of the vehicle is large, the space in which the second side airbag cushion 22 can be inflated and deployed is narrowed, but in this case, the second side airbag cushion 22 may be inflated and deployed along the upper surface of the center console.

In the above embodiment, the head

airbag cushion portions

31 and 32 may be provided only in one of the first side airbag cushion 21 and the second side airbag cushion 22.

Industrial applicability

The present invention is applicable to an airbag device or the like that protects the side of an occupant.

Symbol description

1 … seat 3 … backrest part

4 … headrest 5 … occupant

10 … airbag device 11 … airbag

12 … inflators 16 a-l 6d … tab (fixing portion)

21 … first side airbag cushion 22 … second side airbag cushion

23 … gas pipe (connecting component)

31 … first head airbag cushion (inner airbag cushion)

32 … second head airbag cushion (inner airbag cushion)

41 … first body airbag cushion (outer airbag cushion)

42 … second body airbag cushion (outer airbag cushion)

Claims

1. An airbag device is provided with:

an airbag, which has: a first side airbag cushion that inflates and deploys in a manner that covers a side portion of an occupant seated in a seat of a vehicle; a second side airbag cushion that inflates and deploys in a manner that covers the other side portion of the occupant; and a connecting member connecting the first side airbag cushion and the second side airbag cushion;

An inflator that injects gas that expands the airbag,

in the inflated state in which inflation and deployment of the airbag are completed, the connecting member is located at a height below the head top of the occupant in the height range of the seat upper portion, and extends in the width direction of the seat.

2. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein,

the connection member is a pipe through which gas can flow inside,

the inflator is mounted to the first side airbag cushion,

a portion of the gas emitted from the inflator toward the first side airbag cushion is supplied to the second side airbag cushion through the duct.

3. The airbag device according to claim 2, wherein,

the first side airbag cushion is arranged near the near side of the vehicle door for the seat,

the second side airbag cushion is disposed distally away from the seat door.

4. An airbag device according to any one of claim 1 to 3,

the first side airbag cushion has:

a first head airbag cushion portion that inflates and deploys in a manner that covers one side portion of the occupant head;

a first body airbag cushion portion that inflates and deploys in a manner that covers one side portion of the occupant's body,

The second side airbag cushion has:

and a second head airbag cushion portion that is inflated and deployed so as to cover the other side portion of the head.

5. The airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the first side airbag cushion has:

the second side airbag cushion has:

a second head airbag cushion portion that is inflated and deployed in a manner that covers the other side portion of the head;

and a second body airbag cushion portion that is inflated and deployed so as to cover the other side portion of the body.

6. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein,

in the inflated state, when an occupant seated in the seat collides with one of the first side bag cushion and the second side bag cushion, the other side bag cushion is pulled by the one side bag cushion via the connecting member, and collides with a side surface of a headrest of the seat.

7. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein,

In a flat state in which an unexpanded airbag is deployed and laid flat on a flat surface, one side fixed to the seat is set as a rear side and the opposite side is set as a front side in a direction orthogonal to a left-right direction of the airbag,

in the flat state, the first side airbag cushion is connected to one end of the connecting member extending in the left-right direction of the airbag, the second side airbag cushion is connected to the other end of the connecting member, and the front end of the connecting member is located at a position on the rear side of the front ends of the first side airbag cushion and the second side airbag cushion, respectively.

8. The airbag device according to claim 7, wherein,

the first side airbag cushion and the second side airbag cushion in the flat state have:

an outer bag cushion portion located outside the connecting member in the left-right direction of the airbag, and extending out toward the front side of the front end of the connecting member;

and an inner airbag cushion extending inward from a portion of the outer airbag cushion extending toward the front side.

9. The airbag device of claim 8 wherein,

in the flat state, the inner bag cushion portion of the first side bag cushion and the inner bag cushion portion of the second side bag cushion overlap each other.

10. The airbag device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein,

in a storage mode when the airbag is stored in the seat, the first side airbag cushion and the second side airbag cushion are respectively formed such that the inner side airbag cushion portion is wound up in a roll shape toward the outer side airbag cushion portion or the inner side airbag cushion portion is pressed into the outer side airbag cushion portion; or the inner bag cushion portion is wound or folded in a roll shape in a state of overlapping with the outer surface of the outer bag cushion portion.

11. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein,

the airbag is configured by connecting a first bag portion having the first side airbag cushion and a second bag portion having the second side airbag cushion to each other.

12. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein,

in the airbag, a fixing portion for the seat is provided on one of the first side airbag cushion and the second side airbag cushion, a housing portion for the inflator is provided on the other side,

the airbag is fixed to the seat by the fixing portion and the housing portion of the inflator.

13. The airbag device of claim 12 wherein,

in the airbag, a fixing portion to a seat is also provided on the connecting member.

14. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein,

the seat is provided with a headrest on the backrest part,

in the inflated state, the connecting member is located in front of or behind a gap between the backrest portion and the headrest.

15. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein,

in the inflated state, one rear end portion of the first side airbag cushion and the second side airbag cushion is fixed to the seat frame at a position inside a side surface of the seat back portion of the seat on the one side airbag cushion side, whereby when the one side airbag cushion is pressed to the outside of the seat, the rear portion of the one side airbag cushion is pressed to the side portion of the seat.

16. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein,

when the webbing straddles the body of an occupant seated in the seat obliquely downward from the first side bag cushion side toward the second side bag cushion side, the first side bag cushion is interposed between the webbing and the occupant in the inflated state.