JP2009040328A - Side airbag device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a side airbag device capable of preventing an occupant from having uncomfortable feeling when inserting a hand between a rear seat and the side airbag device. <P>SOLUTION: This side airbag device 14 is provided with an airbag 41 stored in a section sandwiched in between a body 15 of a vehicle 10 and the rear seat 11, an outer cover 20 having a first wall part 22 having such a shape that covers an inner side of a vehicle interior of the section and a second wall part 23 having such a shape that extends along a side face of the rear seat 11, and an inner cover 30. A face on a rear seat 11 side of this device 14 is formed by a face on a rear seat 11 side of the second wall part 23 and a face on a rear seat 11 side of a side wall part 35 of the inner cover 30. The outer cover 20 and the inner cover 30 are formed into such a shape that does not cause a step between the face on the rear seat 11 side of the second wall part 23 and the face on the rear seat 11 side of the side wall part 35. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a side airbag device provided to alleviate an impact applied from the side of a vehicle.

  The side airbag device is usually provided with an airbag that inflates and deploys between a side wall portion of a vehicle body and an occupant seated on a seat in the vehicle interior. When a predetermined impact or more is applied from the side of the vehicle, gas is supplied to the inside of the airbag and the airbag is inflated and deployed instantaneously, thereby mitigating the influence of the impact on the occupant. It is like that.

  As such a side airbag device, for example, a device described in Patent Document 1 is known. This device is mounted in the gap between the rear seat of the vehicle and the body. Specifically, the airbag in a folded state is stored in a portion sandwiched between the rear seat and the body. In addition, a cover is provided at a portion sandwiched between the rear seat and the body, and the cover has a shape in which one surface is exposed to the interior of the vehicle interior, and the interior of the portion where the airbag is accommodated And a second wall portion extending from the first wall portion toward the case side along the side surface of the rear seat.

Incidentally, in the above apparatus, the cover is formed of a resin, and the cover is formed with a thinner part (thin part) than the other part. This thin-walled portion is a portion that breaks due to pressure acting as the airbag is inflated, except for a portion of the cover that passes through the airbag when the airbag is inflated. It extends so as to surround. In the above apparatus, when the airbag is inflated, the thin portion of the cover is broken, and the broken portion is opened to the inside of the vehicle interior so that an opening is formed in the cover. Swells up.
JP 2006-88774 A

  Here, in the above-described side airbag device, for example, a portion exposed in the vehicle interior of the cover is expected to exhibit high designability, and a portion corresponding to the rear seat side of the airbag of the cover The function required for each part of the cover is different, for example, it is expected that the overhanging of the airbag toward the rear seat side is expected to be accurately suppressed. In order to meet such a demand, it is conceivable to form a specific part of the cover separately from the cover.

  However, if a part of the cover is simply formed separately from the cover, a step is formed between the cover and the separate member when the cover and the member formed separately are assembled. And when such a level | step difference is formed in the surface at the side of the back seat of a side airbag apparatus, when a passenger | crew's hand is inserted between a back seat and a side airbag apparatus, a hand will touch such a level | step difference. This may cause discomfort to the passenger.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to suppress discomfort to the passenger when a hand is inserted between the rear seat and the side airbag device. The object is to provide a side airbag device.

Hereinafter, means for achieving the above-described object and its operation and effects will be described.
The invention according to claim 1 covers the airbag housed in a folded state in a portion sandwiched between a vehicle body and a rear seat of the vehicle, and a vehicle interior side of the sandwiched portion. A first wall portion having a shape and one surface exposed in the vehicle interior, and a second wall shape extending from the first wall portion along the side surface of the rear seat toward the side where the airbag is stored. A side airbag device comprising a cover having a wall portion, further comprising a wall member formed separately from the cover, wherein the rear seat side surface of the device is a second side of the cover. It is formed by the rear seat side surface of the wall portion and the rear seat side surface of the wall member, and at least in the first wall portion side portion of the rear seat side surface of the device The surface of the second seat on the rear seat side and the front of the wall member Said cover and said wall member to form a step does not occur between the rear seat side surface is formed as its gist.

  According to the said structure, it can suppress that a level | step difference is formed in the part of the 1st wall part side, ie, the vehicle interior side, among the surfaces of the rear seat side of a side airbag apparatus, and a rear seat and side air When a hand is inserted between the bag device and the occupant, discomfort can be suppressed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the side airbag device according to the first aspect, the cover and the wall member are surfaces on the rear seat side of the second wall portion in a portion on the first wall portion side. And the rear member side surface of the wall member are formed in a shape extending in the same plane.

According to the said structure, it can suppress suitably that a level | step difference is formed in the part by the side of a vehicle interior among the surfaces by the side of the rear seat of a side airbag apparatus.
The wall member is a side airbag device further comprising a case that is provided in the sandwiched portion and accommodates an airbag, as defined in claim 3, and the wall portion on the rear seat side of the case Can be adopted.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the side airbag device according to the third aspect, wherein the side airbag device is provided on a wall portion of the case that constitutes a part of a surface of the rear seat side of the device, and the rear seat side of the device. The gist is that at least a part of the surface on the back side of the surface is formed in a shape recessed toward the rear seat side from the surrounding surface.

  According to the above configuration, the internal space of the case is increased as compared with the case where no recess is formed on the back side surface of the rear seat side surface that forms a part of the rear seat side surface of the side airbag device. This makes it possible to increase the degree of freedom for storing and inflating the airbag.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the side airbag device according to the fourth aspect, the case and the cover are formed such that a surface on the rear seat side of the device is a surface on the rear seat side of the case. The gist of the invention is that the case is formed in an overlapping shape in a state where the case is disposed on the side where the airbag is stored from the cover.

  According to the above configuration, the case is disposed on the side where the airbag is housed from the cover at the edge of the portion where the rear seat side surface of the side airbag device is formed by the rear seat side surface of the case. In such a device, the case and the cover overlap each other, and the internal space of the case can be increased while avoiding a reduction in the thickness of the case in the above portion.

  In addition, the structure of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, as in claim 6, is provided on at least a part of the rear seat side surface of the side airbag device and on the first wall side. This part can be applied to an apparatus in which the second part is formed by the second wall part and the remaining part is formed by the wall member.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the side airbag device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the second wall portion and the wall of the cover that form a surface on the rear seat side of the device. The gist is that at least the first wall portion side portion of the wall portion on the rear seat side of the member is formed of a resin material.

  When one of the cover and the wall member is formed of a material other than a resin material such as a metal material, when the hand is inserted between the rear seat and the side airbag device, the tactile sensation that the hand receives is Since it changes greatly in the boundary part with a wall member, this may give a passenger discomfort.

  In this regard, according to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the change in the tactile sensation in the vehicle interior side portion of the boundary portion between the cover and the wall member, and it is possible to suppress discomfort to the passenger. .

  According to the side airbag device of the present invention, it is possible to suppress discomfort to the occupant when a hand is inserted between the rear seat and the side airbag device.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a side airbag device according to the present invention is embodied will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a structure around a rear seat of a vehicle on which a side airbag device according to the present embodiment is mounted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a rear seat 11 is attached to the rear side of the vehicle 10 in the passenger compartment. The rear seat 11 includes a stool portion 12 and a backrest portion 13. The side airbag device 14 according to the present embodiment is provided at a portion sandwiched between a body 15 of the vehicle 10 (specifically, a vehicle interior side wall) and a backrest 13 of the rear seat 11. Yes. In the present embodiment, one side airbag device 14 is provided on each side of the rear seat 11 in the vehicle width direction.

  The side airbag device 14 includes a case in which a folded airbag (not shown) is accommodated, and an outer cover 20 that covers the vehicle interior side of the case. The case is disposed in a portion sandwiched between the body 15 of the vehicle 10 and the backrest portion 13 of the rear seat 11, and the outer cover 20 is attached so as to cover almost the entire portion. The case is composed of a housing portion 34 of the inner cover 30 and a box 50, both of which will be described later.

FIG. 2 shows the structure around the rear seat 11 when the airbag 41 is deployed.
As shown in FIG. 2, in the side airbag device 14, when a predetermined impact or more is applied to the body 15 of the vehicle 10, a part of the outer cover 20 is caused by the pressure acting when the airbag 41 is inflated. The opening 21 is formed in the outer cover 20 by being broken. The airbag 41 bulges from the opening portion 21 toward a portion between the body 15 of the vehicle 10 and the occupant seated on the rear seat 11.

FIG. 3 shows a side structure of the side airbag device 14, and FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective structure of the side airbag device 14.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the side airbag device 14 includes the outer cover 20, the inner cover 30, the airbag assembly 40, the box 50, and the pressing member 60. Hereinafter, the details of the outer cover 20, the inner cover 30, the airbag assembly 40, the box 50, and the pressing member 60 will be described in order.

First, the outer cover 20 will be described.
The outer cover 20 includes a first wall portion 22 and a second wall portion 23 that are both formed in a substantially long plate shape, and a boundary portion between the first wall portion 22 and the second wall portion 23 is bent. Is formed. The outer cover 20 has a first wall portion 22 covering the vehicle interior side of a portion sandwiched between the body 15 (see FIG. 1) of the vehicle 10 and the backrest portion 13 of the rear seat 11, and one surface of the outer cover 20 is in the vehicle interior. It is attached to the vehicle 10 so as to be exposed to form a design surface. Further, the outer cover 20 is configured so that the second wall portion 23 extends along the side surface of the backrest portion 13 of the rear seat 11 from the first wall portion 22 toward the side where the airbag assembly 40 is accommodated. 10 is attached. The outer cover 20 is made of a relatively inexpensive resin material (for example, polypropylene (PP)).

  In addition, a thin portion 24 that is thinner than other portions is formed at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the outer cover 20. The thin portion 24 is formed as a portion that is expected to be broken when the airbag 41 is inflated in order to form the opening portion 21 (see FIG. 2) in the outer cover 20. In the present embodiment, the portion of the outer cover 20 corresponding to the opening portion 21 (the portion indicated by A in FIGS. 3 and 4) is a part of the first wall portion 22 and the second wall portion 23. It is composed of a part. The length of the second wall portion 23 of the outer cover 20 corresponding to the portion A (for example, the length indicated by W1 in FIG. 3) is the length of the other portion (for example, the length indicated by W2 in FIG. 3). ) And the tip Ap of the part A is set to the end of the part A on the rear seat 11 side. In view of this point, in the present embodiment, the thin portion 24 extends to a portion of the periphery of the portion A excluding the tip of the second wall portion 23. That is, the thin portion 24 is not formed on the entire end portion of the opening portion 21 on the rear seat 11 side, and the entire end portion is not connected to the other portion of the outer cover 20. When the airbag 41 is inflated, the outer cover 20 is broken along the thin portion 24, whereby the opening portion 21 is formed in the outer cover 20.

  The thin-walled portion 24 forms a groove by cutting on the surface of the outer cover 20 on the side where the airbag assembly 40 is housed after the outer cover 20 is integrally formed by molding using a mold. Formed by. Incidentally, it is possible to form the thin wall portion on the outer cover by molding using a mold. However, if such a forming method is adopted, there is a risk that the degree of freedom of the shape of decorative irregularities (for example, embossing) formed on the surface of the outer cover may be limited, and the surface of the outer cover is linearly recessed. A phenomenon (so-called sink) is likely to occur. Therefore, in this Embodiment, the formation method which forms the thin part 24 by cutting is employ | adopted.

  In FIG. 5, the part A corresponding to the said opening part 21 of the outer cover 20 is expanded and shown. 5A shows a view of the portion A as viewed from the side where the airbag assembly 40 (see FIG. 2) is housed, and FIG. 5B shows the portion A in FIG. The cross-sectional structure along line BB is shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), the side where the airbag assembly 40 is stored at the boundary portion between the first wall portion 22 and the second wall portion 23 in the portion A of the outer cover 20. In this position, a plurality of (five in the present embodiment) ribs 25 are formed. As these ribs 25, convex portions extending linearly in the width direction of the substantially long outer cover 20 are formed at equal intervals. Each rib 25 has a shape that connects the first wall portion 22 and the second wall portion 23 of the outer cover 20 and has a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape in the longitudinal direction of the outer cover 20. Is formed.

Next, the inner cover 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
6A to 6C show the side structure of the inner cover 30, and FIG. 7 shows the cross-sectional structure of the inner cover 30. 6B shows the structure of the inner cover 30 viewed from the direction of arrow C in FIG. 6A, and FIG. 6C shows the structure of the inner cover 30 viewed from the direction of arrow D in FIG. Each is shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the inner cover 30 includes a fixed portion 31, a door portion 32, a hinge portion 33, and a housing portion 34. The inner cover 30 is integrally formed of a relatively soft resin material (for example, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPO)).

  The fixing part 31 is a part fixed to the outer cover 20. The fixing portion 31 is formed so that the inner edge thereof has a shape along the edge of the portion corresponding to the opening portion 21 of the outer cover 20 (specifically, the outer edge of the thin portion 24). (Specifically, it is fixed to “SP1” in FIG. 4). In addition, a plurality (three in the present embodiment) of convex portions 31 a extending linearly are formed on the surface of the fixed portion 31 on the outer cover 20 side. As a method for fixing the fixing portion 31 and the outer cover 20, a vibration welding method or an ultrasonic welding method is used. When fixing, the protruding end of the convex portion 31a of the fixing portion 31 and the surface of the outer cover 20 on the side where the airbag assembly 40 is stored are welded.

  The door portion 32 is formed in a thin plate shape, and is fixed to a portion corresponding to the opening portion 21 of the outer cover 20 (specifically, a portion indicated by “SP2” in FIG. 5A). In addition, a plurality of (in the present embodiment, five) convex portions 32 a extending linearly are formed on the surface of the door portion 32 on the outer cover 20 side. In addition, as a method of fixing the door part 32 and the outer cover 20, a vibration welding method or an ultrasonic welding method is used. When fixing, the protruding end of the convex portion 32a of the door portion 32 and the surface of the outer cover 20 on the side where the airbag assembly 40 is housed are welded.

  The hinge portion 33 has a substantially C-shaped cross section and extends linearly, and has one end connected to the fixed portion 31 and the other end connected to the door portion 32. The inner cover 30 is attached to the outer cover 20 such that a portion of the thin portion 24 extending in the longitudinal direction of the outer cover 20 and the hinge portion 33 extend at the same portion.

  The hinge portion 33 is elastically deformed when the thin portion 24 of the outer cover 20 is broken when the airbag 41 is inflated. By this elastic deformation, the portion corresponding to the opening portion 21 of the outer cover 20 is rotated together with the door portion 32 so that the door is opened to the vehicle interior side with the hinge portion 33 as a fulcrum. As a result of this rotation, the opening 21 (see FIG. 2) formed in the outer cover 20 is greatly opened.

  The housing part 34 constitutes a part of the case for storing the airbag assembly 40 (specifically, a part of the case on the outer cover 20 side). The airbag 41 is inflated when the airbag 41 is inflated. It is for guiding to the opening part 21 of the outer cover 20. Specifically, the housing portion 34 includes a side wall portion 35 having a shape surrounding a portion through which the airbag 41 passes, and the side wall portion 35 is formed to extend from the fixing portion 31 as a starting point. . Further, a plurality (four in this embodiment) of through holes (fitting holes 36) are formed in a portion (wall portion 35a) disposed on the side of the rear seat 11 of the side wall portion 35. In addition, a plurality (five in this embodiment) of through holes (locking holes 37) are formed in a portion (wall portion 35b) disposed on the side far from the rear seat 11 of the side wall portion 35. Yes. The wall portion 35a functions to restrict the airbag 41 from protruding toward the rear seat 11 when the airbag 41 is inflated. The fitting hole 36 and the locking hole 37 are for fixing a box 50 described later to the inner cover 30.

  In the present embodiment, such a wall portion 35a on the rear seat 11 side of the inner cover 30 forms a part of the wall portion on the rear seat 11 side of the side airbag device 14 (see FIG. 3). Specifically, it is in a part of the wall portion of the side airbag device 14 on the rear seat 11 side, and the portion of the outer cover 20 on the first wall portion 22 side is formed by the second wall portion 23 of the outer cover 20. In addition, a portion farther from the first wall portion 22 than the end portion of the second wall portion 23 is formed by the wall portion 35 a of the inner cover 30. In the present embodiment, the side wall portion 35 of the inner cover 30 functions as a wall member.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the outer cover 20 (specifically, the second wall portion 23) forming the surface of the side airbag device 14 on the rear seat 11 side and the inner cover 30 ( Specifically, the outer cover 20 and the inner cover 30 are formed so that the wall 35a) and the surface on the rear seat 11 side extend on the same plane.

  FIG. 8 schematically shows an end surface structure of a cross section of the wall portion on the rear seat 11 side of the side airbag device 14. 8A shows the structure of the outer cover 20 in the longitudinal direction, and FIG. 8B shows the structure of the outer cover 20 in the width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, at the edge of the portion where the surface of the side airbag device 14 on the rear seat 11 side is formed by the surface of the wall 35a of the inner cover 30 on the rear seat 11 side, The outer cover 20 and the inner cover 30 are disposed so that 35a overlaps with the second wall portion 23 disposed on the side where the airbag 41 is accommodated.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a portion of the wall portion 35 a of the inner cover 30 that constitutes the side surface of the side airbag device 14 on the side of the rear seat 11, the rear seat The entire central portion of the back surface Fb of the 11th surface Fa is formed in a shape that is recessed from the surrounding surface Fc. Specifically, the thickness of each part of the wall part 35a is formed to be substantially the same, and the part of the outer cover 20 on the first wall part 22 side (protruding part 35c) is formed in a shape protruding to the rear seat 11 side. (See FIGS. 6A and 6C). As shown in FIG. 8 (b), the surface Fa on the rear seat 11 side of the protruding portion 35c and the surface Fd on the rear seat 11 side of the second wall portion 23 of the outer cover 20 are flush with each other (in the same figure). The outer cover 20 and the inner cover 30 are formed so as to extend in a plane indicated by “Fx”.

  The inner cover 30 is integrally formed by molding using a mold. Incidentally, it is also possible to integrally form the outer cover and the inner cover by molding using a single mold. However, when such a forming method is adopted, the mold used for the formation has a very complicated structure. In general, when a resin molded product is formed using a mold having a complicated structure when forming a resin molded product, the resin molded product is configured by using two molds having a simple structure. Compared with the case where the two divided bodies are formed separately, the cost required for the formation becomes higher. In view of this point, in the present embodiment, the outer cover 20 and the inner cover 30 are separately molded using different molds.

Next, the airbag assembly 40 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 shows the internal structure of the airbag assembly 40.
As shown in FIG. 9, the airbag assembly 40 is configured such that an airbag 41 and a retainer 42 are stored in a storage bag 43. The retainer 42 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and an inflator (not shown) that generates gas for inflating the airbag 41 is fixed therein. The retainer 42 is inserted into the airbag 41. Further, the airbag 41 in which the retainer 42 is inserted is stored in the storage bag 43 in a folded state. A plurality (two in this embodiment) of fixing screws 45 are attached to the retainer 42. The fixing screw 45 is used when the airbag assembly 40 is fixed to a box 50 to be described later. The front end portion of the fixing screw 45 protrudes to the outside in a state of passing through the airbag 41 and the storage bag 43 together. Yes.

Next, the box 50 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10 shows a specific shape of the box 50. 10A is a side view of the box 50, FIG. 10B is a view of the box 50 viewed from the direction of arrow E in FIG. 10A, and FIG. 10C is a view of the box 50 in the arrow of FIG. The structures viewed from the F direction are shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C, the box 50 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape, and includes a bottom wall portion 51 and a side wall portion 52 having four wall portions. ing. The airbag assembly 40 is fixed inside a space (housing portion 53) surrounded by the wall portions 51 and 52 of the box 50. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality (two in this embodiment) of through holes 54 are formed in the bottom wall portion 51 of the box 50, and the airbag assembly 40 is formed in these through holes 54. The airbag assembly 40 is fixed to the box 50 by screwing the nut 55 into the fixing screw 45 in a state where the fixing screw 45 is inserted. The box 50 is formed by pressing a metal plate material and then bending it.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10C, the side wall 52 of the box 50 has a plurality of fitting protrusions 56 that protrude outwardly on the side of the rear seat 11 (this embodiment). In the form of four) is formed. The fitting protrusions 56 have shapes that fit into the fitting holes 36 at positions corresponding to the plurality of fitting holes 36 (see FIG. 6C) formed in the wall portion 35a of the inner cover 30. Each is formed.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b), a plurality of hooks 57 having a U-shaped cross section are provided on the side wall 52 of the box 50 on the body 15 side of the vehicle 10 (in this embodiment, five hooks 57). One) is provided. These hooks 57 have shapes that engage with the locking holes 37 at positions corresponding to the plurality of locking holes 37 formed in the wall 35b (see FIG. 6B) of the inner cover 30. Each is formed.

  In the side airbag device 14, the hook 57 of the box 50 is hooked and locked in the locking hole 37 of the inner cover 30, and the fitting protrusion 56 of the box 50 is fitted to the fitting hole 36 of the inner cover 30. The box 50 is fixed to the inner cover 30 by being fitted into the inner cover 30.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C, the box 50 is integrally formed with two brackets 58 and 59 extending outward. The box 50 is attached to the vehicle 10 by fixing these brackets 58 and 59 to the body 15 of the vehicle 10.

  As shown in FIG. 10 (c), each fitting projection 56 is formed with an insertion hole 56a through which an elongated flat plate-like member extending along the side wall 52 of the box 50 can be inserted. Yes. These insertion holes 56a are formed at positions that are exposed to the outside when the fitting protrusions 56 of the box 50 are fitted into the fitting holes 36 of the inner cover 30 (see FIG. 3). The insertion hole 56a is for preventing the fitting projection 56 from being detached from the fitting hole 36 after fitting the fitting projection 56 of the box 50 into the fitting hole 36 of the inner cover 30. Yes, a part of the pressing member 60 described later is inserted.

Next, the pressing member 60 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, the pressing member 60 includes two wall portions 61 and 62, and a boundary portion between the wall portions 61 and 62 is formed in an L-shaped cross section that is bent at a substantially right angle. One wall portion 61 is formed in a comb shape having a plurality of (four in this embodiment) comb teeth 63 extending in parallel at equal intervals, and the other wall portion 62 has two insertion holes. 64 is formed. The pressing member 60 is for preventing the fitting protrusion 56 of the box 50 from coming off from the fitting hole 36 of the inner cover 30, similarly to the insertion hole 56 a. The pressing member 60 is formed by punching a metal plate material by pressing and then bending it. And the pressing member 60 is fixed as follows.

FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional structure of the side airbag device 14.
As shown in FIG. 11, when the pressing member 60 is fixed, first, the fixing screw 45 of the airbag assembly 40 is inserted into the through hole 54 of the box 50 and the box 50 is fixed to the inner cover 30. Each comb-tooth piece 63 of the member 60 is inserted into the insertion hole 56 a of the fitting protrusion 56 of the box 50, and the fixing screw 45 is inserted into the insertion hole 64 of the pressing member 60. Thereafter, a nut 55 is screwed onto the fixing screw 45. Thereby, the pressing member 60 is fixed to the box 50 together with the airbag assembly 40.

Hereinafter, the operation | movement aspect of the side airbag apparatus 14 is demonstrated, referring FIG. 11 and FIG.
FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional structure of the side airbag device 14.

  12A shows the structure immediately after the start of inflation of the airbag 41, and FIG. 12B shows the structure in a state where the opening of the airbag 41 is advanced and the opening 21 is formed in the outer cover 20. Yes. Incidentally, FIG. 11 described above shows a cross-sectional structure of the side airbag device 14 when the airbag 41 is not inflated.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when an impact is not applied to the body 15 of the vehicle 10, the airbag 41 is stored in the box 50 in a folded state. When a predetermined impact or more is applied to the body 15 of the vehicle 10 and the impact is detected by an impact sensor (not shown), gas is ejected from the inflator inside the retainer 42. Thereby, the gas is filled in the airbag 41 thereafter, and the airbag 41 is inflated. At this time, the airbag 41 is guided by the side wall portion 52 of the box 50 and the housing portion 34 of the inner cover 30 and deformed so as to expand toward the outer cover 20 (specifically, the door portion 32 of the inner cover 30). To do.

  And as shown to Fig.12 (a), when the airbag 41 expand | swells to some extent, when the airbag 41 presses, a high pressure comes to act on the outer cover 20, the inner cover 30, and the box 50. FIG. . As a result, a tensile stress acts on each part of the outer cover 20, the inner cover 30, and the box 50. At this time, although the housing portion 34 and the box 50 of the inner cover 30 are slightly deformed, the airbag 41 is continuously supported. On the other hand, when the tensile stress acting on the outer cover 20 is increased, the outer cover 20 is broken at a portion where the thickness is formed thin and the strength is set low (the thin portion 24).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12B, the broken portion (the portion corresponding to the opening portion 21 of the outer cover 20) is pressed by the inflating airbag 41, so that the inner cover 30 The hinge portion 33 is also pivoted together with the door portion 32 of the inner cover 30 so that the door is opened to the vehicle interior side. Then, the opening portion 21 formed in the outer cover 20 is greatly opened by this rotation, and the airbag 41 is inflated into the vehicle interior through the opening portion 21. The airbag 41 is deployed between the body 15 of the vehicle 10 and an occupant seated on the rear seat 11 (see FIG. 2).

Hereinafter, the operation of the side airbag device 14 according to the present embodiment will be described.
In the side airbag device 14, the thin portion 24 of the outer cover 20 is broken by the pressure acting when the airbag 41 is inflated to form an opening portion 21 in the outer cover 20. The airbag 41 bulges out. In the present embodiment, the entire end portion on the rear seat 11 side in the portion corresponding to the opening portion 21 in the outer cover 20 is constituted by the end portion of the outer cover 20. As a result, the apparatus according to the present embodiment has a structure in which a thin portion is not formed on the entire end portion on the rear seat 11 side in the portion corresponding to the opening portion 21, and the end portion is the outer cover before the airbag is inflated. It is the structure which is not connected with the other part of 20. For this reason, the outer cover 20 is formed on the outer cover 20 as compared with a device using an outer cover (those illustrated in FIG. 13) in which a thin portion is formed at an end portion on the rear seat 11 side in a portion corresponding to the opening portion 21. The total extension of the thin-walled portion 24 can be shortened, and the timing at which each portion of the thin-walled portion 24 breaks and the position at which the outer cover 20 actually breaks can be easily set. Therefore, when the airbag 41 is inflated, the timing at which the opening portion 21 opens and the actual opening shape of the opening portion 21 can be made close to the previously expected mode, and the airbag 41 can be suitably deployed. To be able to.

  Here, in the outer cover 20, when the end portion on the rear seat 11 side in the portion corresponding to the opening portion 21, that is, the end portion of the outer cover 20 is arranged in a portion exposed in the vehicle interior, this makes it look good. There is a possibility that the design of the outer cover 20 may be deteriorated, such as a decrease, or the improvement of the design of the outer cover 20 may be hindered.

  In the present embodiment, of the first wall portion 22 and the second wall portion 23 constituting the outer cover 20, the side surface of the rear seat 11 is directed from the first wall portion 22 toward the side where the airbag 41 is stored. An end portion on the rear seat 11 side in a portion corresponding to the opening portion 21 is formed in the second wall portion 23 extending along the direction. Therefore, the end portion on the rear seat 11 side in the portion corresponding to the opening portion 21 is arranged in a portion that is not exposed in the vehicle interior, and a part of the periphery of the portion corresponding to the opening portion is disposed on the outer cover 20. The fall of the design property of the outer cover 20 by comprising by this edge part can be suppressed.

  A high pressure acts on the portion of the outer cover 20 corresponding to the opening portion 21 when the airbag 41 is inflated. In the side airbag device 14, since there is a boundary portion between the first wall portion 22 and the second wall portion 23, that is, a bent portion, in such a portion where high pressure acts, the same portion and the peripheral portion thereof are air bags. There is a possibility that the bag 41 may be unnecessarily deformed or missing during the expansion process of the bag 41. This causes the opening timing of the opening portion 21 when the airbag 41 is inflated and the actual opening shape of the opening portion 21 to become unstable.

  In the present embodiment, in the portion corresponding to the opening portion 21 of the outer cover 20, at the position on the side where the airbag 41 is stored in the boundary portion between the first wall portion 22 and the second wall portion 23. A plurality of ribs 25 are formed. By forming such ribs 25, the boundary portion between the first wall portion 22 and the second wall portion 23 is reinforced, so that unnecessary deformation and loss of the boundary portion and its peripheral portion can be suppressed. . Moreover, since the airbag 41 is prevented from entering the boundary portion formed in the bent shape by the rib 25, the airbag 41 is also restrained from being caught at the boundary portion. Become.

  In the present embodiment, convex portions extending linearly in the width direction of the outer cover 20 are formed as the plurality of ribs 25. The ribs 25 are ribs extending along the bulging direction when the portion corresponding to the opening portion 21 of the outer cover 20 is pushed open by the airbag 41 and the airbag 41 bulges from the opening portion 21. Become. Therefore, when the airbag 41 is inflated, the movement of the airbag 41 in a direction intersecting the rib 25 is restricted at a portion where the airbag 41 is in contact with the rib 25, and the direction (rib) The air bag 41 can be accurately inflated in the extending direction 25).

  Further, for example, the outer cover 20 is expected to exhibit a high design, and the rear seat 11 of the airbag 41 is provided in a case (specifically, the housing portion 34 of the inner cover 30) that stores the airbag 41. The required function differs between the outer cover 20 and the case, such as expected to suppress the overhang to the side accurately. In view of this point, in the side airbag device 14 according to the present embodiment, the outer cover 20 and the inner cover 30 are formed of different materials. Accordingly, the outer cover 20 is formed of a material capable of exhibiting high design properties, and the inner cover 30 formed of a material different from the outer cover 20 is used to project the airbag 41 toward the rear seat 11 side. The airbag 41 can be suitably deployed with appropriate suppression.

  The side airbag device 14 has a rear seat 11 side surface formed by the outer cover 20 and the inner cover 30. Therefore, when the outer cover 20 and the inner cover 30 are simply assembled, a step is formed at the boundary portion between them. And when such a level | step difference is formed, when a passenger | crew's hand is inserted between the backseat 11 and the side airbag apparatus 14, there exists a possibility of giving a passenger | crew discomfort by a hand touching the level | step difference. There is.

  In the present embodiment, the surface on the rear seat 11 side of the outer cover 20 forming the surface on the rear seat 11 side of the side airbag device 14 and the surface on the rear seat 11 side of the inner cover 30 are the same plane (see FIG. The outer cover 20 and the inner cover 30 are formed so as to extend on the plane Fx) in FIG. Thereby, it can suppress that a level | step difference is formed in the surface at the side of the rear seat 11 of the side airbag apparatus 14, and when a hand is inserted between the rear seat 11 and the side airbag apparatus 14, it is a passenger | crew. It is possible to suppress discomfort in the body.

  Further, when one of the outer cover 20 and the inner cover 30 is formed of a material other than a resin material such as a metal material, when a hand is inserted between the rear seat 11 and the side airbag device 14, Since the tactile sensation that the hand receives changes greatly at the boundary portion between the outer cover 20 and the inner cover 30, this may cause discomfort to the occupant.

  In the present embodiment, both the outer cover 20 and the inner cover 30 are formed of a resin material. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the change in the tactile sensation in the portion on the vehicle interior side of the boundary portion between the outer cover 20 and the inner cover 30, and it is possible to suitably suppress the passenger from feeling uncomfortable.

  Note that, in the side airbag device 14, the inner cover 30 is more than the airbag 41 than the outer cover 20 at the edge of the portion where the surface on the rear seat 11 side is formed by the surface on the rear seat 11 side of the inner cover 30. The inner cover 30 and the outer cover 20 are overlapped with each other in a state where the inner cover 30 and the outer cover 20 are disposed.

  In such a side airbag device 14, the surface of the rear seat 11 side of the outer cover 20 forming the surface of the rear seat 11 side and the surface of the inner cover 30 on the rear seat 11 side extend on the same plane. As described above, in forming the outer cover 20 and the inner cover 30, the following configuration may be employed. That is, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the surface Fb in the wall portion 35a of the inner cover 30 is formed in a plane, and the side airbag in the wall portion 35a is formed. It is possible to employ a configuration in which the thickness of the portion constituting the side surface of the device 14 on the rear seat 11 side is increased. However, in this case, the internal space of the case for storing the airbag 41 (specifically, the housing portion 34 and the box 50 of the inner cover 30) becomes small.

  In this respect, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a portion constituting the side surface of the side airbag device 14 on the rear seat 11 side in the wall portion 35 a of the inner cover 30. (In detail, in the protruding portion 35c), the entire central portion of the surface Fb on the back side of the surface Fa on the rear seat 11 side is formed in a shape recessed from the surrounding surface Fc. Therefore, for example, compared to a configuration in which the concave portion is not formed on the surface Fb, such as a configuration in which the surface Fb is a plane (configuration indicated by a two-dot chain line in the drawing), the internal space of the case that houses the airbag 41 is reduced. It is possible to increase the degree of freedom, and the degree of freedom for storing and inflating the airbag 41 can be increased. Moreover, the wall 35a of the inner cover 30 is not reduced in thickness when the internal space of the case for storing the airbag 41 is enlarged.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the effects described below can be obtained.
(1) In the portion on the first wall portion 22 side of the outer cover 20 on the surface on the rear seat 11 side of the side airbag device 14, the surface on the rear seat 11 side and the inner cover on the second wall portion 23 of the outer cover 20. The outer cover 20 and the inner cover 30 are formed so that the surface on the rear seat 11 side of the 30 extends on the same plane. Therefore, it can suppress that a level | step difference is formed in the part of the 1st wall part 22 side, ie, the vehicle interior side, among the surfaces by the side of the rear seat 11 of the side airbag apparatus 14, and the rear seat 11 and side air When a hand is inserted between the bag device 14 and the occupant, discomfort can be suppressed.

  (2) The entire center portion of the surface Fb on the back side of the surface Fa on the rear seat 11 side in the wall portion 35a of the inner cover 30 that constitutes a part of the surface on the rear seat 11 side of the side airbag device 14, The shape is formed so as to be recessed toward the rear seat 11 from the surrounding surface Fc. Therefore, compared with the case where the concave portion is not formed on the surface Fb, it is possible to enlarge the internal space of the case in which the airbag 41 is stored, and the degree of freedom for storing and inflating the airbag 41 is increased. can do.

  (3) The airbag 41 is accommodated in the inner cover 30 from the outer cover 20 at the edge of the portion where the surface of the side airbag device 14 on the rear seat 11 side is formed by the surface of the inner cover 30 on the rear seat 11 side. The inner cover 30 and the outer cover 20 overlap each other in a state where the inner cover 30 and the outer cover 20 are disposed, and the airbag 41 is accommodated while avoiding a decrease in the thickness of the inner cover 30. The internal space of the case can be increased.

  (4) Since the outer cover 20 and the inner cover 30 that form the surface of the side airbag device 14 on the rear seat 11 side are both formed of a resin material, it is preferable to suppress discomfort to the passenger. Can do.

The embodiment described above may be modified as follows.
The inner cover 30 and the box 50 may be integrally formed, for example, by integrally forming with the same material by molding using a single mold. According to such a configuration, the number of parts of the side airbag device can be reduced. Further, by integrally forming the inner cover 30 and the box 50 with a resin material, the weight can be reduced as compared with an apparatus provided with the box 50 formed of a metal material.

  In the above embodiment, the opening portion 21 is opened by rotating the portion corresponding to the opening portion 21 of the outer cover 20 through elastic deformation of the hinge portion 33 of the inner cover 30. Not limited to this, the airbag 41 is configured so that a part of the outer cover 20 remains without being broken when the airbag 41 is inflated, and a part corresponding to the opening part 21 of the outer cover 20 is formed by elastically deforming the remaining part. The opening 21 may be opened by turning. In the case of adopting such a configuration, a part of the door portion 32 and the hinge portion 33 of the inner cover 30 and the thin portion 24 of the outer cover 20 can be omitted.

  -Not only the central part of the surface Fb of the wall part 35a of the inner cover 30 is formed in a shape recessed from the surrounding surface Fc, but only a part of the central part of the surface Fb is recessed from the surrounding surface Fc. You may make it form in a shape. It is also possible to omit such depressions.

  If the surface on the rear seat 11 side of the outer cover 20 forming the surface on the rear seat 11 side of the side airbag device 14 and the surface on the rear seat 11 side of the inner cover 30 are the same surface, You may make it employ | adopt surfaces other than a plane as an extending surface. Note that such an extended surface may be a smoothly curved surface such as a curved surface.

  The outer cover 20 and the outer cover 20 and the rear cover 11 side surface forming the rear seat 11 side surface of the side airbag device 14 and the inner cover 30 on the rear seat 11 side surface extend on different surfaces. The inner cover 30 may be formed. In addition, in the above configuration, in order to prevent the passenger from feeling uncomfortable when a hand is inserted between the rear seat 11 and the side airbag device 14, no step is formed at the boundary between the surfaces. Thus, it is desirable to form the outer cover 20 and the inner cover 30.

  Of the wall portion on the rear seat side of the side airbag device 14, a portion farther from the first wall portion 22 than the end portion of the second wall portion 23 of the outer cover 20 is caused by the wall portion 35 a of the inner cover 30. Instead of forming, a member (wall member) formed separately from the outer cover 20 and the inner cover 30 may be used. In the same configuration, a hand is inserted between the rear seat 11 and the side airbag device 14 by forming the outer cover 20 and the wall member so that no step is formed at the boundary between the outer cover 20 and the wall member. In this case, it is possible to prevent the passenger from feeling uncomfortable.

The extending direction of the rib 25 of the outer cover 20 may be set to a direction other than the direction along the bulging direction of the airbag 41.
-The rib 25 of the outer cover 20 can be omitted.

  In the apparatus according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the end portion on the rear seat 11 side corresponding to the opening portion of the outer cover 70 (the portion indicated by “Gp” in the figure) is the first wall. The present invention can also be applied to a device formed at the boundary portion between the portion 22 and the second wall portion 23 with the configuration being appropriately changed. The device according to the present embodiment can also be applied to a device in which the end Hp on the rear seat 11 side corresponding to the opening portion of the outer cover 80 is formed on the first wall portion 22 as shown in FIG. It is. Furthermore, the device according to the present embodiment is not limited to the device in which the end Gp (FIG. 14) and the end Hp (FIG. 15) are cut in advance, and the end Gp (FIG. 14) and the end. The present invention can also be applied to an apparatus in which a thin portion is formed in Hp (FIG. 15). The point is that the rear seat 11 side surface of the device is formed by the rear seat 11 side surface of the second wall portion 23 of the outer cover 20 and the inner seat 30 (or wall member) rear seat 11 side surface. If so, the apparatus according to the present embodiment can be applied.

  The present invention can also be applied to a side airbag device provided in a portion sandwiched between a vehicle body and a seat portion of a rear seat.

1 is a schematic view showing a structure around a rear seat of a vehicle on which a side airbag device according to an embodiment embodying the present invention is mounted. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a structure around a rear seat of a vehicle in a state where an airbag is deployed. The side view which shows the side structure of a side airbag apparatus. The disassembled perspective view which shows the disassembled perspective structure of a side airbag apparatus. (A) Side view (b) Sectional drawing which expands and shows the structure of the part corresponding to the opening part of an outer cover. (A)-(c) The side view which shows the side structure of an inner cover. Sectional drawing which shows the cross-section of an inner cover. The end view which shows the end surface structure of the cross section about the wall part by the side of the rear seat of (a), (b) side airbag apparatus. The fragmentary sectional view which shows the fragmentary sectional structure of an airbag assembly. (A)-(c) The side view which shows the side structure of a box. Sectional drawing which shows the cross-section of the side airbag apparatus when the airbag is not inflating. (A), (b) Sectional drawing which shows the cross-section of the side airbag apparatus in the expansion | swelling process of an airbag. The perspective view which shows the perspective structure of the outer cover used for the airbag apparatus of a comparative example. The perspective view which shows the perspective structure of the outer cover used for other embodiment. The perspective view which shows the perspective structure of the outer cover used for other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Vehicle, 11 ... Back seat, 12 ... Seat part, 13 ... Backrest part, 14 ... Side airbag apparatus, 15 ... Body, 20, 70, 80 ... Outer cover, 21 ... Opening part, 22 ... 1st wall part 23 ... 2nd wall part, 24 ... Thin part, 25 ... Rib, 30 ... Inner cover, 31 ... Fixed part, 31a ... Convex part, 32 ... Door part, 32a ... Convex part, 33 ... Hinge part, 34 ... Housing 35, side wall, 35a, 35b ... wall, 35c ... projecting part, 36 ... fitting hole, 37 ... locking hole, 40 ... airbag assembly, 41 ... airbag, 42 ... inflator, 43 ... storage bag 44 ... Retainer, 45 ... Fixing screw, 50 ... Box, 51 ... Bottom wall portion, 52 ... Side wall portion, 53 ... Storage portion, 54 ... Through hole, 55 ... Nut, 56 ... Fitting projection, 56a ... Insertion hole , 57 ... Hook, 58, 59 ... Bra Tsu DOO, 60 ... presser member, 61 ... wall portion, 62 ... wall portion, 63 ... comb-tooth segments 64 ... insertion hole.

Claims (7)

An airbag that is stored in a folded state between a vehicle body and a rear seat of the vehicle, and a shape that covers the vehicle interior side of the sandwiched portion, and one surface is the vehicle interior And a second wall portion having a shape extending along a side surface of the rear seat from the first wall portion toward the side where the airbag is accommodated. A side airbag device comprising:
A wall member formed separately from the cover;
The rear seat side surface of the device is formed by the rear seat side surface of the second wall portion of the cover and the rear seat side surface of the wall member,
A step between the rear seat side surface of the second wall portion and the rear seat side surface of the wall member in at least a portion of the rear seat side surface of the device on the first wall side. The side airbag device is characterized in that the cover and the wall member are formed in a shape that does not cause any problems. In the side airbag device according to claim 1,
The cover and the wall member are formed in a shape in which a surface on the rear seat side of the second wall portion and a surface on the rear seat side of the wall member extend on the same surface in a portion on the first wall portion side. A side airbag device characterized by comprising: In the side airbag device according to claim 1 or 2,
A case that is provided in the sandwiched portion and that accommodates the airbag;
The side airbag device, wherein the wall member is a wall portion on the rear seat side of the case. In the side airbag device according to claim 3,
At least a part of the back surface of the rear seat side surface of the case constituting a part of the rear seat side surface of the apparatus is closer to the rear seat side than the surrounding surface. A side airbag device characterized by being formed in a recessed shape. In the side airbag device according to claim 4,
In the case and the cover, the air bag is accommodated in the case from the cover at the edge of the portion where the surface on the rear seat side of the device is formed by the surface on the rear seat side of the case. Each side airbag device is formed in an overlapping shape in a state of being disposed on the side. In the side airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
At least part of the rear seat side surface of the device, the first wall side portion is formed by the second wall portion, and the remaining portion is formed by the wall member. A side airbag device characterized by that. In the side airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The second wall portion of the cover that forms the surface of the rear seat side of the device and at least the first wall portion side portion of the wall portion of the rear seat side of the wall member are both formed of a resin material. A side airbag device characterized by being made.

Images