Side airbag device

Abstract

A side airbag device having an airbag cushion that restrains an occupant by expanding and deploying and an inflator disposed on an inner side of the seat frame that supplies expansion gas to the airbag cushion; and a holding part that holds the airbag cushion. The airbag cushion includes an inner expanding portion internally containing the inflator and an outer expanding portion connected to the inner expanding portion and is disposed on an outer side of the seat frame by being folded back at a front edge portion of the seat frame. The outer expanding portion includes a folded portion of the airbag cushion. A forward portion of the holding part contacts an outer surface of the folded portion of the outer expanding portion, and a rearward portion is connected to the seat frame. Furthermore, the holding part is configured to cover a part of the outer expanding portion.

Claims

1. A side airbag device secured to a seat frame of a vehicle seat, comprising: an airbag cushion that restrains an occupant by expanding and deploying; an inflator disposed on an inner side of the seat frame and that supplies expansion gas to the airbag cushion; and a holding part that holds the airbag cushion, wherein the airbag cushion includes an inner expanding portion internally containing the inflator and an outer expanding portion connected to the inner expanding portion which is disposed to an outer side of the seat frame by being folded back at a front edge portion of the seat frame, wherein the outer expanding portion includes a folded portion of the airbag cushion, wherein a forward portion of the holding part contacts an outer surface of the folded portion of the outer expanding portion, and a rearward portion is connected to the seat frame, wherein the holding part covers a portion of the outer expanding portion, and wherein the holding part is configured by a holding fabric, the forward portion of the holding fabric is connected to an outer surface of the folded portion of the outer expanding portion, and a temporary sewn portion is formed extending in thickness direction of the folded portion and broken when the airbag cushion is deployed.

2. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the holding part is formed of resin, and a forward side of the seat frame is open.

3. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the temporary sewn portion is provided so as to pass through proximate a front end of the holding fabric and proximate a center of the folded portion in the thickness direction.

4. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the forward portion of the holding fabric includes a sewn portion that is sewn and secured to the airbag cushion, and a weak portion that can break when the airbag cushion expands and deploys is provided between the sewn portion and the rearward portion.

5. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein when the airbag cushion in a stowed state is viewed from a vehicle width direction, the temporary sewn portion extends in a vertical direction on a surface of the outer expanding portion.

6. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the inflator has a stud bolt penetrating to the outer side from the inner side of the seat frame, and a rear end of the holding fabric has a mounting hole that can be engaged with the stud bolt.

7. The side airbag device according to claim 6, wherein the holding fabric has a weak portion that can break during deployment of the airbag cushion between the temporary sewn portion and the mounting hole.

8. The side airbag device according to claim 7, wherein when the airbag cushion in a stowed state is viewed from a vehicle width direction, the temporary sewn portion extends in a vertical direction on a surface of the outer expanding portion, and the weak portion extends in the vertical direction roughly parallel to the temporary sewn portion.

9. The side airbag device according to claim 7, wherein the weak portion includes a slit or perforation.

10. The side airbag device according to claim 6, wherein the holding fabric has a slit between the mounting hole and the rear end.

11. The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the folded portion is formed in a bellows fold or rolled shape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view primarily illustrating an external shape of a vehicle seat according to the present invention, with an illustration of a side airbag device omitted.

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an internal structure (seat frame) functioning as a framework of the vehicle seat illustrated in FIG. 1, with an illustration of the side airbag device omitted.

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic side surface view of the vehicle seat according to the present invention, schematically illustrating a condition where the side airbag device is stored therein, observed from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

(4) FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the vehicle seat according to the present invention, illustrating a condition where the airbag cushion is deployed as observed from the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

(5) FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view illustrating the structure of the vehicle seat according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, corresponding to a part of a cross section along the line A1-A1 of FIG. 3.

(6) FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view illustrating a portion of FIG. 5 in an enlarged manner.

(7) FIG. 7 is a side surface view illustrating a schematic structure of the side airbag device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 8(A), (B) are schematic diagrams (cross sectional) illustrating a deployment operation of the side airbag device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 9(A), (B) are cross sectional and side surface views illustrating a structure of the main parts of the side airbag device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

(10) FIG. 10(A), (B) are cross sectional and side surface views illustrating a structure of the main parts of the side airbag device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

(11) FIG. 11(A), (B) are cross sectional and side surface views illustrating a structure of the main parts of the side airbag device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

(12) FIG. 12 is a side surface view illustrating a modified example of the present invention.

(13) FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view illustrating the main parts of the side airbag device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. 6 illustrating the side airbag device according to Embodiment 1.

(14) FIG. 14 is a modified example of Embodiment 5 illustrated in FIG. 13.

(15) FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view illustrating the structure of the vehicle seat according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention, corresponding to a part of a cross section along the line A1-A1 of FIG. 3.

(16) FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross sectional view illustrating a portion of FIG. 15 in an enlarged manner.

(17) FIG. 17 is a side surface view illustrating a schematic structure of the side airbag device according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(18) A side airbag device according to embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(19) FIG. 1 is a perspective view primarily illustrating an external shape of a vehicle seat according to the present invention, with an illustration of an airbag device (airbag module) 20 omitted. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an internal structure (seat frame) functioning as a framework of the vehicle seat illustrated in FIG. 1, with an illustration of the airbag device (airbag module) 20 omitted herein as well. FIG. 3 is a schematic side surface view of the vehicle seat according to the present invention, illustrating a condition where the airbag device (airbag module) 20 is stowed on a side surface (near side) near a left side seat door as observed from the outside in the vehicle width direction. FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the vehicle seat according to the present invention, illustrating a condition where the airbag cushion is deployed as observed from the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

(20) As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the vehicle seat in the present embodiment, when viewed as a part, is composed of a seat cushion 2 of a portion in which an occupant is seated, a seat back 1 forming a backrest, and a headrest 3 connected to the upper end of the seat back 1.

(21) As illustrated in FIG. 2, a seat back frame 1f forming a skeleton of the seat is provided inside the seat back 1, a pad 16 (see FIG. 5) made of a urethane foam material or the like is provided on a surface and periphery thereof, and a surface of the pad 16 is covered with a surface skin 14 such as leather, fabric, or the like. A seating frame 2f is provided on a bottom side of the seat cushion 2, and similar to the seat back 1, a pad made of a urethane foam material or the like is provided on an upper surface and periphery thereof, and a surface of the pad is covered by the surface skin 14 (FIG. 5) such as leather, fabric, or the like. The seating frame 2f and the seatback frame 1f are connected via a reclining mechanism 4.

(22) As illustrated in FIG. 2, the seat back frame 1f is configured into a frame shape by side frames 10 disposed laterally spaced apart and extending in the vertical direction, an upper frame connecting the upper ends of the side frames 10, and a lower frame connecting the lower ends thereof. The headrest 3 is configured by providing a cushioned member on an outer side of a headrest frame.

Embodiment 1

(23) FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view illustrating the structure of the vehicle seat according to the present invention, corresponding to part of a cross section in an A1-A1 direction of FIG. 3. The side frame 10 can be molded from a resin or a metal and have an L-shaped or U-shaped cross sectional shape, as illustrated in FIG. 5. An airbag module (side airbag device) 20 is secured to the side frame 10.

(24) As illustrated in FIG. 5, the seat back 1 includes a side supporting part 12 which swells in the vehicle traveling direction (vehicle front) on a vehicle width direction side portion (end portion). A urethane pad 16 is arranged inside the side supporting part 12, and the side airbag device 20 is stowed in a gap of the urethane pad 16. The side airbag device 20 includes: an airbag cushion 33 that restrains an occupant when expanded and deployed; and an inflator 30 that supplies expansion gas to the airbag cushion 33. The inflator 30 includes stud bolts 32 penetrating outward from the inner side of the seat frame 10.

(25) Seams 18, 22, 24 of the skin 14 of the seat back 1 are interwoven and connected by sewing. Note that the front seam 18 is configured so as to cleave open when the airbag cushion is deployed. Note that in FIG. 5, reference code 25 indicates a door trim.

(26) FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view illustrating a portion of FIG. in an enlarged manner, and clearly illustrates the features of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a side surface view illustrating a schematic structure of the side airbag device 20 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The side airbag device 20 according to the present invention has a holding fabric that holds the airbag cushion 33. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the holding fabric 40 is molded from a flexible rectangular fabric and is connected to a portion of the airbag cushion 33, but does not cover the entire airbag cushion 33.

(27) As illustrated in FIG. 6, the airbag cushion 33 includes an inner expanding portion 33a internally containing the inflator 33 and an outer expanding portion 33b connected to the inner expanding portion 33a which is disposed on an outer side of the seat frame 10 by being folded back at a front edge portion of the seat frame 10. The outer expanding portion 33b forms a folded portion of the airbag cushion 33. Note that the folded portion (33b) can be in a bellow fold or rolled shape.

(28) As illustrated in FIG. 7, a rear end 40b of the holding fabric 40 has a mounting hole 43 that can be engaged with a stud bolt 32. This eliminates the need for a special structure (mechanism) for securing the holding fabric 40, which makes the structure for retaining the shape of the airbag cushion 33 simpler.

(29) As illustrated in FIG. 6, a front end 40a of the holding fabric 40 is connected by sewing to an outer surface of the folded portion 35 of the outer expanding portion 33b. As described above, the rear end 40b of the holding fabric 40 is secured to the seat frame 10 by engaging the mounting hole 43 with the stud bolt 32 of the inflator 30.

(30) As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the side airbag device 20 according to the present invention further has a temporary sewn portion 42 formed, which extends in the thickness direction of the folded portion 35, is sewn to connect the front end 40a of the holding fabric 40 with the folded portion 35 (outer expanding portion 33b), and can be broken during deployment of the airbag cushion 33.

(31) As illustrated in FIG. 6, the temporary sewn portion 42 is provided so as to pass through a center vicinity of the folded portion 35 in the thickness direction. This enables the folded portion 35 to be reliably held in shape when the airbag cushion 33 is stowed.

(32) As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the airbag cushion 33 in a stowed state is viewed from the vehicle width direction, the temporary sewn portion 42 extends in the vertical direction on a surface of the outer expanding portion 33b (folded portion 35). With such a structure, the folded portion 35 of the airbag cushion 33 is held uniformly in the vertical direction, resulting in the stable deployment behavior of the airbag cushion 33.

Operation of Embodiment 1

(33) FIG. 8(A), (B) are schematic diagrams (cross sectional) illustrating a deployment behavior of the side airbag device 20 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. When the airbag device 20 is activated in the event of a vehicle collision or the like and expansion gas is discharged from the inflator 30, the inner expanding portion 33a of the airbag cushion 33 begins to expand first, followed by the outer expanding portion 33b.

(34) As illustrated in FIG. 8(A), when the outer expanding portion 33b begins to expand and deploy, the temporary sewn portion 42 sewn to the folded portion 35 breaks, and the temporary sewn portion 42 detaches from the airbag cushion 33. Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 8(B), the airbag cushion 33 continues to expand and fully deploy in a free state.

(35) According to the present embodiment as described above, the one end of the holding fabric 40 that holds the folded (compressed) airbag cushion 33 is connected to an outer surface of the folded portion 35 of the airbag cushion 33, a rear end is secured to the seat frame 10, and the temporary sewn portion 42 is formed, which extends in the thickness direction of the folded portion 35 and is sewn to the front end of the holding fabric 40. Therefore, the shape of the airbag cushion 33 folded (stowed) by the temporary sewn portion 42 is retained, thereby eliminating the need for a cover member or case that covers the entire airbag cushion 33.

(36) Furthermore, the temporary sewn portion 42 extends in the thickness direction of the folded portion 35 of the airbag cushion 33, and therefore, tension is applied to the temporary sewn portion 42 in the initial stage of deployment of the airbag cushion 33, causing the temporary sewn portion 42 to quickly break.

(37) Furthermore, the folded airbag cushion 33 is essentially held in shape by the temporary sewn portion 42, and therefore, there is also no interference between the airbag cushion 33 and the temporary sewn portion 42 once the temporary sewn portion 42 is broken.

Embodiment 2

(38) FIG. 9(A), (B) are cross sectional and side surface views illustrating a side airbag device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Note that the same reference codes are used for components that are identical or correspond to those in previously described embodiments, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

(39) In the present embodiment, a weak portion 150 is provided extending in the vertical direction roughly parallel to a temporary sewn portion 142 formed on a holding fabric 140 and extending in the vertical direction. The weak portion 150 can break during deployment of the airbag cushion 33. Note that the weak portion 150 can be a slit or perforation.

(40) As in the present embodiment, by providing the weak portion 150 in the holding fabric 140, it is possible to reliably pull the holding fabric 140 away from the airbag cushion 33 in an initial stage of deployment of the airbag cushion 33.

Embodiment 3

(41) FIG. 10(A), (B) are cross sectional and side surface views illustrating a side airbag device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Note that the same reference codes are used for components that are identical or correspond to those in previously described embodiments, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

(42) In the present embodiment, a weak portion 250 is provided extending in the vertical direction roughly parallel to a temporary sewn portion 242 formed on a holding fabric 240 and extending in the vertical direction. The temporary sewn portion 242 and the weak portion 250 can break during deployment of the airbag cushion 33. Note that the weak portion 250 can be a slit or perforation, similar to Embodiment 2.

(43) A difference between the present embodiment and Embodiment 2 described above is that in addition to the temporary sewn portion 242, a normal sewn portion 252 is provided. The sewn portion 252 is configured to connect a forward portion of the holding fabric 240 to an outermost circumferential portion of the outer expanding portion 33b of the folded airbag cushion 33. The temporary sewn portion 242 and the sewn portion 252 are fastened at two points, and therefore, a function of retaining the shape when attaching the folded airbag cushion 33 to the seat frame is further improved.

Embodiment 4

(44) FIG. 11(A), (B) are cross sectional and side surface views illustrating a side airbag device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Note that the same reference codes are used for components that are identical or correspond to those in previously described embodiments, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

(45) In the present embodiment, a weak portion 350 is provided extending in the vertical direction roughly parallel to a temporary sewn portion 342 formed on a holding fabric 340 and extending in the vertical direction. The temporary sewn portion 342 and the weak portion 350 can break during deployment of the airbag cushion 33. Note that the weak portion 350 can be a slit or perforation, similar to Embodiments 2 and 3. The sewn portion 352 connects a forward portion of the holding fabric 340 to an outermost circumferential portion of the outer expanding portion 33b of the folded airbag cushion 33.

(46) A difference between the present embodiment and Embodiment 3 described above is that the temporary sewn portion 342 is connected to the outer expanding portion 33b of the airbag cushion 33, but is not connected to the holding fabric 340. Similar to Embodiment 3, the temporary sewn portion 342 and the sewn portion 352 are fastened at two points, and therefore, a function of retaining the shape when attaching the folded airbag cushion 33 to the seat frame is further improved.

(47) FIG. 12 illustrates the configuration of another weak portion that can be applied to the holding fabric of the present invention. In this example, two slits 450 are formed between a rear edge portion 443 of the holding fabric 440 and the mounting holes 43, extending in the front-rear direction as weak portions that can be broken when the airbag cushion 33 is deployed.

Embodiment 5

(48) FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view illustrating the main parts of the side airbag device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. 6 illustrating the side airbag device according to Embodiment 1. In the present embodiment, brackets 652 and 654 for mounting an airbag device are employed, and a compressed airbag cushion 633 is secured to the side frame via the brackets 652 and 654.

(49) The brackets (652 and 654) are provided with a first plate 654, which is a flat plate extending in the vertical direction, and a second plate 652 through which two of the stud bolts 32 connected to the inflator 30 passes through and are directly secured to the side frame 10. These brackets 652, 654 are disposed such that the first plate 654 and second plate 652 are roughly orthogonal when viewed in a cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction, and are connected to each other by welding or the like.

(50) The first plate 654 of the bracket has a first surface 654a facing in the vehicle traveling direction, and a folded portion 635 of an outer expanding portion 633b of an airbag cushion 633 is disposed along the first surface 654a. Furthermore, when compressed airbag cushion 633 expands and deploys in the vehicle traveling direction, the first surface 654a of the first plate 654 is a reaction force surface, and thus the airbag cushion 633 reliably and quickly deploys forward.

(51) On the other hand, the second plate 652 of the bracket is disposed such that a portion of an inner expanding portion 633a of the airbag cushion 633 is in contact.

(52) In Embodiment 1 described above, the folded portion 35 of the airbag cushion 33 is disposed along a surface on the outer side of the seat frame 10, but in the present embodiment, the folded portion 635 is disposed in contact with the first plate 654 of the bracket. Furthermore, a front end 640a of the holding fabric 640 and the folded portion 635 are connected by a temporary sewn portion 642.

(53) Note that the weak portions employed in Embodiment 2 to Embodiment 4 described above can also be applied in the present embodiment and the modified example described below.

(54) FIG. 14 is a modified example of Embodiment 5 illustrated in FIG. 13, in which the direction in which a temporary sewn portion 742 extends is different, and other configurations are the same. In the modified example, an airbag cushion 733 is also secured to the side frame 10 via the brackets 652, 654.

(55) A front end 740a of a holding fabric 740 reaches the front of a folded portion 735 of the airbag cushion 733, and the front end 740a and folded portion 735 are connected by the temporary sewn portion 742. Herein, the temporary sewn portion 742 is provided to pass through the folded portion 735 in the front-rear direction.

Embodiment 6

(56) FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view illustrating the structure of the vehicle seat according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention, corresponding to a part of a cross section along the line A1-A1 of FIG. 3. FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross sectional view illustrating a portion of FIG. 15 in an enlarged manner, and clearly illustrates the features of the present embodiment. FIG. 17 is a side surface view illustrating a schematic structure of the side airbag device 820 according to the present embodiment. In the present example, structural elements identical or corresponding to those of Examples 1 to 5 are labeled with identical symbols, with redundant descriptions thereof omitted.

(57) The side airbag device 820 according to the present invention has a holding member 840 made of resin that holds the airbag cushion 33. As illustrated in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, the holding member 840 is generally rectangularly shaped when viewed from the side and is configured to cover a portion of the airbag cushion 33, similar to other embodiments.

(58) As illustrated in FIG. 17, a rear end 840b of the holding member 840 has a mounting hole 843 that can be engaged with a stud bolt 32. This eliminates the need for a special structure (mechanism) for securing the holding member 840, which makes the structure for retaining the shape of the airbag cushion 33 simpler.

(59) Also, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the front end 840a of the holding member 840 contacts along the outer surface of the folded portion 35 of the outer expanding portion 33b. As described above, the holding member 840 is secured to the seat frame 10 by engaging the mounting hole 843 in the rear end 840b of the holding member 840 with the stud bolt 32 of the inflator 30.

(60) In the present embodiment, when the airbag device 820 is activated when a vehicle collision or the like occurs and expansion gas is discharged from the inflator 30, the inner expanding portion 33a of the airbag cushion 33 begins to expand first, followed by the outer expanding portion 33b.

(61) When the outer expanding portion 33b starts to be inflated and deployed, the holding member 840 that is in contact with the folded portion 35 is deformed or broken, the front end 840a is widened, and the airbag cushion 33 is fully deployed forward.

(62) As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the holding member 840 made of resin is utilized, the airbag cushion 33 can be reliably retained by the rigidity of the holding member 840 itself. As a result, there is no need for temporary stitching or providing a weak portion as in a holding member made of cloth; therefore, simplification of the structure and simplification of the manufacturing process are anticipated.

(63) Although the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments, the present invention is not limited in any way to these embodiments, and can be changed as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. For example, while a side airbag on the near side has been predominantly mentioned in the embodiments described above, use is also possible with a far side airbag (surface on the far side from a vehicle door of a vehicle seat), in ultra compact vehicles such as a single seat vehicle (irrespective of the presence of a door, a vehicle including parts with only one seat in a single row), and the like.