JP2022118494A - Vehicle side airbag device and occupant protection device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To improve the initial restraint performance of the head. [Solution] In a vehicle side airbag device 40, a head chamber 46A has a rear duct portion 46A1 that inflates and deploys toward the head H side of an occupant P relative to a shoulder belt 32A of a seat belt 32, and a front portion 46A2 that inflates and deploys from the rear duct portion 46A1 toward the front side of the vehicle by passing through the upper side of the shoulder belt 32A, and at least in the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the front portion 46A2, a lower end LE of the front portion 46A2 is located above the shoulder belt 32A when viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction. [Selected Figure] Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle side airbag device and an occupant protection device provided with the device.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-200000 discloses a vehicle side airbag device that is mounted on a vehicle width direction outer side portion of a seat back of a vehicle seat. This vehicle side airbag device has a head protection expansion portion (head chamber) and a waist protection expansion portion (lumbar chamber). The head chamber is inflated and deployed laterally of the occupant's head, and the waist chamber is inflated and deployed laterally of the occupant's waist. A similar technique is also disclosed in Patent Document 2 below.

JP 2011-105107 A WO2011/016107

None of the above prior arts disclose the relationship between the side airbag and the seat belt. When the seat belt is of a general three-point type, the side airbags of the prior arts are inflated and deployed outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the shoulder belt of the seat belt. In this case, the head chamber of the side airbag inflates and deploys away from the occupant's head to the outside in the vehicle width direction, resulting in a time lag before the head is restrained by the head chamber. Therefore, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of improving the initial restraint performance of the head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle side airbag device and an occupant protection device capable of improving the initial restraint performance of the head.

A vehicle side airbag device according to a first aspect is a vehicle side airbag mounted on a vehicle width direction outer side portion of a seat back of a vehicle seat in which an occupant is restrained using a three-point seat belt. A device comprising: an inflator that generates gas when a side collision of a vehicle is detected or predicted; a side airbag that inflates and deploys laterally of the seat belt and has an upper head chamber and a lower lower chamber, wherein the head chamber inflates toward the occupant's head side with respect to the shoulder belt of the seat belt. and a front portion that inflates and deploys from the rear portion toward the vehicle front side through the vehicle upper side of the shoulder belt. It is located on the upper side of the vehicle than the shoulder belt when viewed from the direction.

In the first mode, the occupant is restrained in the vehicle seat using a three-point seat belt. A vehicle side airbag device is mounted on the vehicle width direction outer side portion of the seat back of the vehicle seat. In this vehicle side airbag device, gas is generated from the inflator when a side collision of the vehicle is detected or predicted, and the gas is supplied to the side airbag. As a result, the side airbag is inflated and deployed from the side portion to the side of the occupant. The side airbag has an upper head chamber and a lower lower chamber, and the rear portion of the head chamber inflates and deploys toward the occupant's head with respect to the shoulder belt of the seat belt. The front portion of the head chamber passes through the vehicle upper side of the shoulder belt and inflates and deploys from the rear portion toward the vehicle front side. As a result, the rear and front portions of the head chamber inflate and deploy close to the occupant's head on the outside in the vehicle width direction. Moreover, at least at the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the front portion of the head chamber, the lower end of the front portion is located on the vehicle upper side of the shoulder belt as viewed in the vehicle front-rear direction. As a result, it is possible to prevent the front portion of the head chamber from being unintentionally caught on the shoulder belt at the initial stage of inflation and deployment. As a result, the front part of the head chamber can be inflated and deployed quickly and appropriately, and the sides of the occupant's head can be sufficiently covered with the head chamber, so that the initial restraint performance of the head can be improved. can be done.

A second aspect of the vehicle side airbag device according to the first aspect is that the lower end of the front portion is positioned at a height equal to or higher than the upper end of the frame of the seatback when the front portion is in a fully inflated and deployed state. do.

In the second aspect, in the fully inflated and deployed state of the front portion of the head chamber, the lower end of the front portion is located at a height equal to or higher than the upper end of the frame of the seat back. By setting the height of the lower end of the front portion in this way, it is possible to effectively prevent the front portion from being unintentionally caught on the shoulder belt at the initial stage of inflation and deployment.

A vehicle side airbag device of a third aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the front portion includes a front upper portion that inflates and deploys from the rear portion toward the vehicle front side, and a front portion that inflates and deploys from the front upper portion toward the vehicle lower side. In the folded side airbag having a lower portion, the front lower portion is folded toward the front upper portion.

In the third aspect, the side airbag stored in the vehicle width direction outer side portion of the seatback in a folded state has the front lower portion of the front portion of the head chamber folded toward the front upper portion side. At the initial stage of inflation and deployment, the front portion of the head chamber is inflated and deployed from the rear portion of the head chamber toward the vehicle front side through the shoulder belt while the front lower portion is folded toward the front upper side of the vehicle. . Thereafter, the folded front lower portion expands and deploys toward the vehicle lower side as the internal pressure of the head chamber rises. As a result, even if the head chamber is set large in the vertical dimension of the front part, it can be inflated and deployed toward the front of the vehicle over the shoulder belt, so that the head can be more appropriately protected. Become.

In a vehicle side airbag device of a fourth aspect, in the third aspect, the front lower portion and the front upper portion are sewn together by tear seams while the front lower portion is folded toward the front upper portion.

In the fourth aspect, in the front part of the head chamber, the lower front part is folded toward the upper front part, and in the folded state, the lower front part and the upper front part are sewn together with a tear seam. As a result, when the front portion of the head chamber inflates and deploys toward the vehicle front side through the shoulder belt, the front lower portion can be easily maintained in a folded state toward the front upper portion, and the inflation and deployment can be performed. Stabilize. After that, the tear seam is cut as the internal pressure of the head chamber rises, so that the front lower portion can be inflated and deployed toward the vehicle lower side.

A vehicle side airbag device according to a fifth aspect is the vehicle side airbag device according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, wherein the front end of the rear portion of the head chamber in the completed state of inflation and deployment of the side airbag are spaced apart from the shoulder belt on the rear side of the vehicle.

According to the fifth aspect, in the fully inflated and deployed state of the side airbag, the front end of the rear portion of the head chamber is arranged away from the shoulder belt toward the vehicle rear side. By setting the position of the front end of the rear portion in this way, it is possible to prevent the rear portion from being accidentally caught by the shoulder belt during inflation and deployment.

An occupant protection device according to a sixth aspect includes a vehicle seat having a seat cushion and a seat back, a vehicle seat belt device having a three-point seat belt for restraining an occupant to the vehicle seat, and the seat back. A side airbag device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is mounted on a side portion on the outside in the width direction of the vehicle.

According to the sixth aspect, the occupant is restrained on the vehicle seat having the seat cushion and the seat back by the three-point seat belt of the vehicle seat belt device. A side airbag device for a vehicle is mounted on a side portion of the seat back on the outside in the vehicle width direction. Since this vehicle side airbag device is of any one of the first to fifth aspects, the above-described functions and effects can be obtained.

As described above, the vehicle side airbag device and the occupant protection device according to the present invention can improve the initial restraint performance of the head.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which the side airbag is inflated and deployed in the passenger protection device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which side airbags are inflated and deployed in the occupant protection device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cut surface along line F3-F3 of FIG. 2; FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of the side airbag in the occupant protection system according to the second embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining how to fold the head chamber. FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a state in the middle of inflation and deployment of the side airbag in the second embodiment; FIG. 5B is a schematic side view showing a state in which the side airbag is inflated and deployed further than the state shown in FIG. 5A; FIG. 5B is a schematic side view showing a state in which the side airbag is inflated and deployed further than the state shown in FIG. 5B; FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a side airbag in an occupant protection system according to a third embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining how to fold a head chamber and sewing with tear seams.

<First embodiment>
An occupant protection device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. An arrow FR indicated appropriately in each figure indicates the front of the vehicle, an arrow UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle, and an arrow LH (OUT) indicates the left side of the vehicle (outward in the width direction of the vehicle). . In the following description, when simply using front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions, front-rear in the vehicle front-rear direction, left and right in the vehicle left-right direction (vehicle width direction), and up and down in the vehicle vertical direction will be indicated unless otherwise specified. . Also, in each drawing, some reference numerals may be omitted to make the drawing easier to see.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an occupant protection device 10 according to this embodiment includes a vehicle seat 12, a vehicle seatbelt device 30, and a vehicle side airbag device 40. As shown in FIGS. The vehicle seat 12 is, for example, a driver's seat of a left-hand drive vehicle or a passenger's seat of a right-hand drive vehicle, and is arranged on the left side of the vehicle interior. The front-rear direction, left-right direction (width direction), and vertical direction of the vehicle seat 12 coincide with the front-rear direction, left-right direction (width direction), and vertical direction of the vehicle. When the vehicle seat 12 is arranged on the right side of the vehicle interior, the configuration is bilaterally symmetrical with the present embodiment. Hereinafter, configurations of the vehicle seat 12, the vehicle seatbelt device 30, and the vehicle side airbag device 40 will be described in order, and then the main part of the present embodiment will be described.

(Structure of vehicle seat)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the vehicle seat 12 includes a seat cushion 14 that supports the buttocks and thighs of an occupant P seated on the vehicle seat 12 , and a rear end portion of the seat cushion 14 . and a headrest 22 connected to the upper end of the seat back 16 and supporting the head H of the occupant P. The seat cushion 14 is connected to the floor of the vehicle body via a slide mechanism (not shown), and is adjustable in front-rear position with respect to the vehicle body. The seat back 16 is connected to the seat cushion 14 via a reclining mechanism (not shown) and is adjustable in inclination angle with respect to the seat cushion 14 .

1 and 2, a dummy P for the collision test is seated on the vehicle seat 12 instead of the actual passenger. This dummy P is a World Side Impact Dummy (WorldSID) AM50 (50th percentile of American adult males). The dummy P is seated on the vehicle seat 12 by a seating method specified in the side collision test method. The longitudinal position of the vehicle seat 12 with respect to the vehicle and the inclination angle of the seat back 16 with respect to the seat cushion 14 are adjusted to the reference set positions corresponding to the seating method described above. In this state, the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom directions of the seat back 16 match the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom directions of the vehicle. 1 and 2, the head Hs of the SID 2s when the dummy sitting on the vehicle seat 10 is the SID 2s is illustrated by a two-dot chain line. Hereinafter, when simply referred to as "the head H", it means the head H and the head Hs.

As shown in FIG. 1, the seat back 16 includes a seat back frame 18, which is a frame, a seat back pad (not shown) covering the seat back frame 18, and a seat back skin 20 covering the seat back pad. I have. The seat back frame 18 is made of metal or resin, for example, and the seat back pad is made of foam such as urethane foam. The seat back cover 20 is constructed by sewing together a plurality of cover pieces made of, for example, cloth material (woven fabric), knit material (knitted fabric), synthetic leather, leather, or the like.

The seatback frame 18 includes an outer side frame 18A extending in the vehicle vertical direction within a vehicle width direction outer side portion 16A of the seat back 16 and a vehicle width direction inner side portion 16B of the seat back 16. and an inner side frame (not shown) extending in a direction. The seatback frame 18 includes an upper frame (not shown) that connects upper ends of the outer side frame 18A and the inner side frame, and a lower frame (not shown) that connects lower ends of the outer side frame 18A and the inner side frame in the seat width direction. and a lower frame. In the following description, the side portion 16A is referred to as the "outer side portion 16A".

(Structure of vehicle seat belt device)
As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle seat belt device 30 includes a three-point seat belt (webbing) 32 for restraining an occupant. 1 shows only the shoulder belt 32A, which is part of the seat belt 32. As shown in FIG.

One longitudinal end (not shown) of the seat belt 32 is engaged with an anchor plate (not shown) fixed to the vehicle body floor or the like on the vehicle width direction outer side (left side in this case) of the vehicle seat 12 . The other end portion (not shown) of the seat belt 32 is engaged with a winding shaft (not shown) of a retractor (not shown) disposed under a B-pillar (not shown) or the like. An intermediate portion of the seat belt 32 is passed through a shoulder anchor 34 (see FIG. 1; not shown in FIG. 2) disposed on the upper portion of the B-pillar and folded back. This shoulder anchor 34 is an adjustable shoulder anchor whose arrangement height with respect to the B-pillar can be adjusted.

A tongue plate (not shown) is slidably attached to a portion of the seat belt 32 between the shoulder anchor 34 and the anchor plate. The tongue plate is connected to a buckle device (not shown) attached to the lower end portion of the vehicle seat 12 or the like on the vehicle width direction inner side (here, right side) with respect to the vehicle seat 12 . As a result, the occupant P wears the seat belt 32 . In this seat belt wearing state, the chest C and abdomen B of the occupant P are restrained by the shoulder belt 32A, which is a portion of the seat belt 32 between the shoulder anchor 34 and the tongue plate. In this seat belt wearing state, the lumbar region W of the occupant P is restrained by a lap belt (not shown) which is a portion of the seat belt 32 between the tongue plate and the anchor plate.

(Structure of vehicle side airbag device)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the vehicle side airbag device 40 includes an inflator 44 , a side airbag 46 and a duct (sock) 48 . The inflator 44 operates to generate gas, and the side airbag 46 is supplied with gas from the inflator 44 and inflates and deploys to the side of the occupant P (state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). The duct 48 is housed inside the side airbag 46 and distributes the gas generated from the inflator 44 to the upper and lower portions of the side airbag 46 .

The side airbag 46 is folded in a predetermined manner together with the duct 48 housed inside, is modularized together with the inflator 44 , and is housed inside the outer side portion 16A of the seat back 16 . In the following description, the front, rear, top and bottom directions of the side airbag 46 are the directions when the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed, and are substantially the same as the front, rear, top and bottom directions of the seat back 16 .

As shown in FIG. 1, the inflator 44 is a so-called cylinder type inflator and is formed in a cylindrical shape. The inflator 44 is disposed outside the outer side frame 18A in the width direction of the vehicle in such a posture that its axial direction is along the height direction of the seat back 16, that is, in a posture inclined forward and downward. The inflator 44 is arranged at a height near the abdomen B of the occupant P as an example. A pair of upper and lower stud bolts (not shown) protrude inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer peripheral portion of the inflator 44 . These stud bolts pass through the outer side frame 18A. Nuts (not shown) are screwed onto these stud bolts. Thus, the inflator 44 is attached to the outer side frame 18A. A stud bolt projecting from the outer peripheral portion of the inflator 44 to the rear side of the vehicle may pass through a bracket or the like fixed to the outer side frame 18A from the front side of the vehicle and be screwed into a nut (so-called back tightening). good.

An ejection portion 44A is provided at the upper end portion or the lower end portion (here, the lower end portion) of the inflator 44 . The ejection portion 44A is formed with, for example, a plurality of gas ejection ports arranged in the circumferential direction of the inflator 44, and when the inflator 44 is activated (operated), gas is radially ejected from the plurality of gas ejection ports. . A side collision ECU 60 mounted on the vehicle is electrically connected to the inflator 44, as shown in FIG. A side impact sensor 62 for detecting a side impact is electrically connected to the side impact ECU 60 . The side collision ECU 60 is configured to activate the inflator 44 when detecting (inevitable) side collision based on the signal from the side collision sensor 62 . When a collision prediction sensor (pre-crash sensor) for predicting (predicting) a side collision is electrically connected to the side collision ECU 60, the side collision ECU 60 detects a side collision based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor. The configuration may be such that the inflator 44 is activated when predicted.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the side airbag 46 is supplied with gas from the inflator 44 and is inflated and deployed between the occupant P and the side portion of the vehicle body (not shown). The side airbag 46 is formed into a bag shape by overlapping two sheets of base fabric, which are cut out of, for example, a nylon-based or polyester-based cloth material, and sewing the outer peripheral edges of the base fabrics. Note that the method of manufacturing the side airbag 46 is not limited to the above, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the side airbag 46 may be manufactured by folding a sheet of base cloth in two and sewing the outer peripheral edge of the base cloth. Further, for example, the side airbag 46 may be manufactured by a tubular weaving method (so-called OPW method) using an automatic loom.

The side airbag 46 inflates and deploys in a long shape having a longitudinal direction in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The side airbag 46 is sized to restrain the head H to the waist W of the occupant P. As shown in FIG. The side airbag 46 integrally includes an upper head chamber 46A that restrains the head H of the occupant P and a lower lower chamber 46B that restrains the shoulder S to the waist W of the occupant P.

In this inflated and deployed state of the side airbag 46, the front edge portion of the lower chamber 46B is inclined forward downward. Since the front edge of the lower chamber 46B and the upper arm A of the occupant P are in sliding contact with each other, the upper arm A is pushed upward around the shoulder S. This prevents the upper arm A from being caught between the chest C and abdomen B and the lower chamber 46B.

An inflator connection portion 46C extends toward the rear side of the vehicle from the lower portion of the rear edge portion of the lower chamber 46B (here, the height of the waist W and abdomen B of the occupant P). An insertion port for the inflator 44 is formed in the upper end portion of the inflator connection portion 46C, and the lower end portion of the inflator 44 is inserted into the inflator connection portion 46C through the insertion port.

A head chamber 46A of the side airbag 46 inflates and deploys in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the vehicle width direction. The inflated and deployed head chamber 46A contacts or closely opposes the head H of the occupant P from the outside in the vehicle width direction. The head chamber 46A is composed of a rear duct portion 46A1, a front upper portion 46A21 and a front lower portion 46A22. The rear duct portion 46A1 constitutes the rear portion of the head chamber 46A, and the front upper portion 46A21 and the front lower portion 46A22 constitute the front portion 46A2 of the head chamber 46A. The front portion 46A2 has a sufficiently large expansion width in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle compared to the rear duct portion 46A1.

The rear duct portion 46A1 inflates and deploys from the upper end portion of the lower chamber 46B toward the upper side of the vehicle, and has a duct shape (substantially cylindrical shape) whose axial direction is the vertical direction of the vehicle. The rear duct portion 46A1 inflates and deploys toward the head H of the occupant P with respect to the shoulder belt 32A of the seat belt 32 . The inflated and deployed rear duct portion 46A1 is arranged outside the head H in the vehicle width direction and on the vehicle rear side. The front upper portion 46A21 is inflated and deployed from the upper portion of the rear duct portion 46A1 to the vehicle front side through the vehicle upper side of the shoulder belt 32A, and has a long shape whose longitudinal direction is the vehicle front-rear direction. The front lower part 46A22 is inflated and deployed from the front part side of the front upper part 46A21 toward the vehicle lower side and the vehicle rear side, and has a long shape whose longitudinal direction is the vehicle front-rear direction. The front upper portion 46A21 and the front lower portion 46A22 are inflated and deployed from the head H to the front side of the vehicle.

The front upper portion 46A21 and the front lower portion 46A22 are partitioned on the rear side by sewn portions where the base cloth of the side airbag 46 is sewn. Further, the front lower part 46A22 and the rear duct part 46A1 are also partitioned by the sewn part. The sewn portion is formed by extending a part of the sewn portion forming the outer peripheral edge of the side airbag 46, for example. When the side airbag 46 is manufactured by a so-called OPW construction method, a partition portion that replaces the above-described sewn portion is formed by the OPW construction method.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the duct 48 is housed inside the side airbag 46 . The duct 48 has the function of guiding the gas from the inflator 44 to the upper and lower parts of the side airbag 46 (that is, the head chamber 46A and the lower chamber 46B). The duct 48 includes a duct body portion 48A formed in the shape of a truncated triangular pyramid, and an inflator connection portion 48B extending from the lower portion of the duct body portion 48A toward the vehicle rear side.

The duct main body portion 48A is accommodated in the rear portion of the lower chamber 46B with its axial direction along the height direction of the seat back 16 . An upper outlet 50, which is an upper opening, is formed at the upper end of the duct main body 48A, and a lower outlet 52, which is a lower opening, is formed at the lower end of the duct main body 48A. It is The upper spout 50 opens into the rear portion 46A1 of the head chamber 46A. The lower ejection port 52 is formed sufficiently larger than the upper ejection port 50 and opens in the lower portion of the lower chamber 46B.

The inflator connection portion 48B is housed within the inflator connection portion 46C of the side airbag 46 and overlaps the inside of the inflator connection portion 46C. An insertion port for the inflator 44 is formed at the upper end of the inflator connecting portion 48B. This insertion port is arranged inside an insertion port formed in the upper end portion of the inflator connection portion 46C, and the lower end portion of the inflator 44 is inserted into the inflator connection portion 48B through the insertion port.

The inflator 44, the side airbag 46 and the duct 48 are modularized as described above and housed in the outer side portion 16A. In this stored state, the lower portion and the vertical intermediate portion of the folded side airbag 46 extend in the height direction of the seatback 16 along the vehicle width direction outer surface of the outer side frame 18A. In this stored state, the upper portion of the folded side airbag 46 extends from the shoulder of the seat back 16 inward in the vehicle width direction. The upper end portion of the folded side airbag 46 is arranged inside the shoulder belt 32A in the vehicle width direction.

In the vehicle side airbag device 40 configured as described above, when the inflator 44 is actuated, gas ejected from the ejection portion 44A of the inflator 44 flows from the inflator connection portion 48B into the duct body portion 48A. The gas that has flowed into the duct body portion 48A is jetted into the side airbag 46 from the lower jet port 52 and the upper jet port 50 of the duct body portion 48A. As a result, the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed to the side of the occupant P.

During this inflation and deployment, burst line portions (parts to be split) set in the seat back skin 20 are split at least one of the front surface and side surface of the outer side portion 16A and the upper surface of the outer side portion 16A. . Due to this opening, the side airbag 46 is inflated and deployed to the outside of the outer side portion 16A. The lower chamber 46B of the side airbag 46 inflates and deploys to the sides of the shoulder S, chest C, abdomen B, and waist W of the occupant P. expands and deploys laterally.

When the head chamber 46A inflates and deploys, the rear duct portion 46A1, which is the rear portion of the head chamber 46A, first inflates and deploys toward the head H of the occupant P with respect to the shoulder belt 32A of the seat belt 32. As shown in FIG. Next, the front upper portion 46A21, which is the upper portion of the front portion 46A2 of the head chamber 46A, inflates and deploys from the upper portion of the rear duct portion 46A1 to the vehicle front side through the shoulder belt 32A on the vehicle upper side. Thereafter, a front lower portion 46A22, which is a lower portion of the front portion 46A2 of the head chamber 46A, is inflated and deployed from the front upper portion 46A21 toward the vehicle lower side.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the head chamber 46A is in the fully inflated and deployed state, the lower end LE of the front portion 46A2 is positioned above the shoulder belt 32A as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. inside in the width direction). Further, the head chamber 46A is formed so that the lower end LE of the front portion 46A2 is located at a height equal to or higher than the upper end 18U of the seat back frame 18 (equivalent height here) in the fully inflated and deployed state. ing. The height of the upper end 18U of the seat back frame 18 is made equal to the height of the lower end of the chin J of the SID 2s seated on the vehicle seat 12 in the normal sitting posture. The height h (see FIG. 1) from the lower end of the buttocks to the lower end of the chin J of the SID 2s seated on the vehicle seat 12 in the normal sitting posture is about 562 mm.

The above-described positional relationship between the lower end LE of the front lower portion 46A22 and the shoulder belt 32A is such that the shoulder anchor 34 is positioned at the uppermost position, which is the highest position in the height adjustment range with respect to the B-pillar, and the vehicle seat 12 is positioned with respect to the vehicle body. It is configured to be maintained even in a state of being positioned at the frontmost position, which is the foremost position in the forward/backward slide adjustment range.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when the side airbag 46 is fully inflated and deployed, the front end FE of the rear duct portion 46A1 of the head chamber 46A is separated from the shoulder belt 32A toward the vehicle rear side. It is configured to be placed as This state is maintained even when the shoulder anchor 34 is positioned at the uppermost position and the vehicle seat 12 is positioned at the frontmost position.

<Action and effect>
Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, the occupant P is restrained by the vehicle seat 12 using a three-point seat belt 32 . A vehicle side airbag device 40 is mounted on the outer side portion 16A of the seat back 16 of the vehicle seat 12 . In this vehicle side airbag device 40 , when the side collision ECU 60 detects a side collision from a signal from the side collision sensor 62 , the inflator 44 is activated by the side collision ECU 60 . As a result, the gas generated from the inflator 44 flows into the duct body portion 48A of the duct 48 via the inflator connecting portion 48B of the duct 48. As shown in FIG. The gas that has flowed into the duct body portion 48A is jetted into the side airbag 46 from an upper jet port 50 and a lower jet port 52 formed at the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the duct body portion 48A. As a result, the upper head chamber 46A is inflated and deployed laterally of the head H of the occupant P, and the lower lower chamber 46B is inflated laterally of the shoulders S, chest C, abdomen B and waist W of the occupant P. expand.

When the head chamber 46A is inflated and deployed, the rear duct portion 46A1 is first inflated and deployed toward the head H side of the occupant P with respect to the shoulder belt 32A of the seat belt 32. As shown in FIG. A front portion 46A2 of the head chamber 46A passes through the vehicle upper side of the shoulder belt 32A and inflates and deploys from the upper portion of the rear duct portion 46A1 toward the vehicle front side. As a result, the head chamber 46A approaches or contacts the head H of the occupant P on the outside in the vehicle width direction and is inflated and deployed. The head chamber 46A is formed such that the lower end LE of the front portion 46A2 is located on the vehicle upper side of the shoulder belt 32A when viewed in the vehicle front-rear direction in the fully inflated and deployed state. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent the front portion 46A2 of the head chamber 46A from being unintentionally caught on the shoulder belt 32A at the initial stage of inflation and deployment. As a result, the front portion 46A2 of the head chamber 46A can be inflated and deployed early and appropriately, and the sides of the head H of the occupant P can be sufficiently covered with the head chamber 46A. Constraint performance can be improved.

Moreover, since the head H receives a reaction force from the shoulder belt 32A via the head chamber 46A that inflates and deploys toward the head H side with respect to the shoulder belt 32A, the internal pressure of the head chamber 46A can be set low. As a result, the thickness (capacity) of the head chamber portion 46A in the vehicle width direction can be reduced, which contributes to early expansion and deployment of the head chamber 46A. Further, since the head chamber 46A can be held down by the shoulder belt 32A, the head H can be restrained without delay even in an oblique side collision, for example.

Further, in the present embodiment, the lower end LE of the front portion 46A2 of the head chamber 46A is located at a height equal to or higher than the upper end 18U of the seatback frame 18 when the front portion 46A2 of the head chamber 46A is inflated and deployed. By setting the height of the lower end LE of the front portion 46A2 in this way, it is possible to effectively prevent the front portion 46A2 from being accidentally caught on the shoulder belt 32A at the initial stage of inflation and deployment.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the side airbag 46 is fully inflated and deployed, the front end of the rear duct portion 46A1 of the head chamber 46A is spaced rearward of the vehicle from the shoulder belt 32A (see FIG. 3). ). By setting the position of the front end FE of the rear duct portion 46A1 in this way, it is possible to prevent the rear duct portion 46A1 from accidentally getting caught on the shoulder belt 32A during inflation and deployment. As a result, the subsequent inflation and deployment of the front portion 46A2 can be stabilized.

Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are assigned to the configurations and actions that are basically the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

<Second embodiment>
FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the side airbag 46 is being folded in the occupant protection system 10 according to the second embodiment of the invention. 4 to 6, illustration of the inflator connecting portion 46C is omitted. In this embodiment, when the side airbag 46 is folded, the front lower part 46A22 of the head chamber 46A is folded toward the front upper part 46A21 as shown in FIG. Specifically, the front lower part 46A22 is folded inside the front upper part 46A21. After that, the head chamber 46A and the lower chamber 46B are folded by a predetermined folding method such as roll folding or bellows folding.

In this embodiment, when the head chamber 46A is inflated and deployed, the rear duct portion 46A1 is first inflated and deployed from the upper end of the lower chamber 46B toward the upper side of the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 5A. Next, the front portion 46A2 inflates and deploys from the upper portion of the rear duct portion 46A1 to the vehicle front side through the shoulder belt 32A on the vehicle upper side. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5B, the front portion 46A2 is inflated and deployed while the front lower portion 46A22 remains folded inside the front upper portion 46A21. That is, at the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the front portion 46A2, the front lower portion 46A22 remains folded inside the front upper portion 46A21. As a result, the front portion 46A2 is effectively prevented from being carelessly caught on the shoulder belt 32A at the initial stage of inflation and deployment.

Thereafter, as the internal pressure of the head chamber 46A rises, the folded front lower portion 46A22 inflates and deploys toward the vehicle lower side, as shown in FIG. 5C. As a result, the vertical dimension of the front portion 46A2 is enlarged. With this configuration, even if the head chamber 46A has a large vertical dimension of the front portion 46A2, it can ride over the shoulder belt 32A and inflate and deploy toward the front of the vehicle. can be better protected. Moreover, the front lower part 46A22 that has been folded inside the front upper part 46A21 inflates and deploys toward the lower side of the vehicle (inflates and deploys directly downward). 32A and careless interference can be suppressed.

In the second embodiment, the front lower part 46A22 is folded inside the front upper part 46A21. However, the configuration is not limited to this. You may make a structure which can be piled up. This point also applies to the third embodiment described below.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in which the side airbag 46 of the occupant protection device 10 according to the third embodiment of the invention is being folded. In this embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, when the side airbag 46 is folded, the front lower part 46A22 of the head chamber 46A is folded toward the front upper part 46A21. In this state, the front upper portion 46A21 and the front lower portion 46A22 are sewn by the tear seam TS. After that, the head chamber 46A and the lower chamber 46B are folded by a predetermined folding method such as roll folding or bellows folding.

Also in this embodiment, when the front portion 46A2 of the head chamber 46A is initially inflated and deployed, the front lower portion 46A22 remains folded inside the front upper portion 46A21. Getting caught in preparation is effectively suppressed. Moreover, since the folded state is maintained by the tear seams TS, the inflation and deployment of the front portion 46A2 are stabilized. Thereafter, the tear seam TS is cut as the internal pressure of the front chamber 46A2 rises, so that the front lower portion 46A22 inflates and deploys toward the vehicle lower side.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the shape and size of the side airbag 46 and the duct 48 are merely examples, and can be changed as appropriate.

In addition, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, it goes without saying that the scope of rights of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 occupant protection device 12 vehicle seat 14 seat cushion 16 seat back 16A outer side portion (outer side portion in the vehicle width direction)
18A Outer side frame (side frame)
30 Vehicle seat belt device 32 Three-point seat belt 32A Shoulder belt 40 Vehicle side airbag device 44 Inflator 46 Side airbag 46A Head chamber 46B Lower chamber 46A1 Rear portion 46A2 Front portion 46A21 Front upper portion 46A22 Front lower portion P Occupant H head

Claims (6)

A vehicular side airbag device mounted on a laterally outer side portion of a seat back of a vehicular seat in which an occupant is restrained using a three-point seat belt,
an inflator that generates gas when a side collision of the vehicle is detected or predicted;
The side air is accommodated in the side portion in a folded state, receives gas supplied from the inflator, inflates and deploys from the side portion toward the side of the occupant, and has an upper head chamber and a lower lower chamber. a bag and
with
The head chamber has a rear portion that inflates and deploys toward the occupant's head with respect to the shoulder belt of the seat belt, and a front portion that passes through the vehicle upper side of the shoulder belt and inflates and deploys from the rear portion toward the vehicle front side. death,
A side airbag device for a vehicle, wherein a lower end of the front portion is located on a vehicle upper side than the shoulder belt as viewed in the front-rear direction of the vehicle at least at an initial stage of inflation and deployment of the front portion. 2. The side airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein in the completed inflation and deployment state of the front portion, the lower end of the front portion is located at a height equal to or higher than the upper end of the frame of the seatback. The front portion has a front upper portion that inflates and deploys from the rear portion toward the vehicle front side, and a front lower portion that inflates and deploys from the front upper portion toward the vehicle lower side,
3. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the side airbag in the folded state has the front lower portion folded toward the front upper portion. 4. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 3, wherein the front lower portion and the front upper portion are sewn together with a tear seam in a state where the front lower portion is folded toward the front upper portion. 5. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a front end of the rear portion of the head chamber is spaced rearward of the vehicle with respect to the shoulder belt when the side airbag is fully inflated and deployed. The vehicle side airbag device described. a vehicle seat having a seat cushion and a seat back;
a vehicle seat belt device having a three-point seat belt for restraining an occupant in the vehicle seat;
a vehicle side airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is mounted on a side portion of the seat back on the outside in the vehicle width direction;
Occupant protection device with

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