JP7762276B2 - Side airbag device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a side airbag device. More specifically, it relates to a side airbag device that inflates and deploys to the side of an occupant in the event of a collision of a vehicle such as an automobile.

Side airbag devices are known that prevent an occupant from moving inward in the vehicle width direction and coming into contact with an occupant seated next to them during a vehicle collision (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The airbag device described in Patent Document 1 includes a lower folded portion, which is a folded portion of the lower region that is below the vehicle when the airbag is inflated and deployed; an upper folded portion, which is a folded portion of the upper region that is above the vehicle; and an intermediate folded portion, which is a folded portion of the intermediate region that is intermediate between the lower and upper regions. The intermediate folded portion is rolled up around the side of the seatback opposite the inner side in the vehicle width direction when the airbag is inflated and deployed, and also wraps around the upper folded portion. Due to these features, the airbag device described in Patent Document 1 unfolds the rolled fold along the occupant's arm when the airbag passes beside the occupant's arm during inflation and deployment, making it less likely for the airbag to deviate away from the occupant.

Special table 2017-100634 publication

Side airbag devices are stored in a folded state, and in the event of a vehicle collision, the airbag unfolds and inflates when exposed to gas. Side airbag devices inflate and deploy between a vehicle component such as a console box and the occupant during a vehicle collision, and it is desirable for the airbag to inflate and deploy without moving away from the occupant. If the airbag is pushed by the occupant's arm during inflation and deployment, the airbag may inflate and deploy away from the occupant, reducing its restraining force.

In the case of the airbag device described in Patent Document 1, the airbag has a lower folded portion, an upper folded portion, and an intermediate folded portion. The intermediate folded portion is, for example, a roll-folded portion that wraps around the accordion-folded upper folded portion, and the process is complex, with many folds. This makes the airbag folding process cumbersome during the airbag device manufacturing process.

The present invention was made in light of the above-mentioned current situation, and aims to provide a side airbag device that has a simple folding structure and is less likely to deflect away from the occupant when inflated and deployed.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, one aspect of the present invention is a side airbag device that is attached to the side of a seat back of a vehicle seat and inflates and deploys to the side of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat and above a console box provided on the vehicle widthwise inner side of the vehicle seat, the device comprising: an inflator that is attached to the side of the seat back and generates gas; and a bag-shaped airbag that is inflated and deployed by the gas from the inflator, the airbag having a gas outlet hole for the inflator arranged therein and configured to inflate and deploy to the side of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat and above a console box provided on the vehicle widthwise inner side of the vehicle seat. This side airbag device has a first inflation section that inflates and deploys to the side of the occupant's torso, and a second inflation section that communicates with the first inflation section and inflates and deploys to the side of the occupant's head by gas that flows in from the first inflation section. At least a portion of the first inflation section inflates and deploys above the console box and contacts the upper surface of the console box. When the airbag is in a folded state, the second inflation section is folded over the first inflation section so that it is positioned more inward in the vehicle width direction than the first inflation section.

The present invention provides a side airbag device that has a simple folding structure and is less likely to deflect away from the occupant when inflated and deployed.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention when an occupant is restrained by an airbag as viewed from the front of the vehicle. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention when an occupant is restrained by an airbag as viewed from the side of the vehicle. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a three-dimensional shape of a side airbag device according to a first embodiment when inflated and deployed. FIG. 1A to 1C are first diagrams illustrating a folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a second diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed line shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 10 is a third diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a fourth diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a fifth diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sixth diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a seventh diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an eighth diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. 5B is a schematic diagram showing a first modification of the folding method of the first inflatable portion shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed line shown in FIG. 12A. 5B is a schematic diagram showing a second modification of the folding method of the first inflatable portion shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed line shown in FIG. 13A. 5B is a schematic diagram showing a third modified example of the folding method of the first inflatable portion shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed line shown in FIG. 14A. 5B is a schematic diagram showing a fourth modified example of the folding method of the first inflatable portion shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed line shown in FIG. 15A. 1 is a schematic diagram of a side airbag device according to a first embodiment mounted on a vehicle seat, as viewed from the side of the vehicle. 1A to 1C are first diagrams illustrating a process in which the side airbag device according to the first embodiment inflates and deploys. FIG. 10 is a second diagram illustrating the process of inflation and deployment of the side airbag device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a third diagram illustrating the process of inflation and deployment of the side airbag device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a fourth diagram illustrating the process of inflation and deployment of the side airbag device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side airbag device according to a second embodiment when an occupant is restrained by an airbag as viewed from the front of the vehicle. 10A to 10C are first diagrams illustrating a folding process of the airbag according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a second diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the second embodiment. 20B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed line shown in FIG. 20A. FIG. 10 is a third diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the second embodiment.

Unless otherwise specified, directions in this specification are based on the vehicle. For example, "forward" refers to the front direction of the vehicle, "rearward" refers to the rear direction of the vehicle, "upward" refers to the top direction of the vehicle, "downward" refers to the bottom direction of the vehicle, and "sideward" refers to the inside direction in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the arrow FR shown as appropriate in each figure indicates the front direction of the vehicle, the arrow RE indicates the rear direction of the vehicle, the arrow UP indicates the top direction of the vehicle, the arrow DOWN indicates the bottom direction of the vehicle, the arrow IN indicates the inside direction in the vehicle width direction, and the arrow OUT indicates the outside direction in the vehicle width direction. Note that components located inside the vehicle seat are illustrated with the vehicle seat seen through.

[Embodiment 1]
A side airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the side airbag device according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which an occupant is restrained by an airbag, as viewed from the front of the vehicle. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the side airbag device according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which an occupant is restrained by an airbag, as viewed from the side of the vehicle.

1 and 2, the side airbag device 1 of the first embodiment is inflated and deployed to the side of an occupant 40 seated in a vehicle seat (vehicle seat) 50 and above a console box 60 provided on the inner side of the vehicle seat 50 in the vehicle width direction. The side airbag device 1 of the first embodiment includes an inflator 10 and an airbag 20, and is attached to the side (the inner side in the vehicle width direction) of a seat back (backrest portion) 51 of the vehicle seat 50. The vehicle seat 50 may be, for example, the driver's seat or passenger seat of the vehicle.

When the vehicle collides with an obstacle (e.g., another vehicle) and the inflator 10 is activated, gas is generated from the inflator 10. Examples of such collisions include a side collision in which the side of the vehicle collides with an obstacle, and an oblique collision in which the vehicle collides with an obstacle from diagonally ahead. Specifically, in the side collision, an obstacle collides with the vehicle side wall that faces the vehicle side wall 70 shown in FIG. 1 in the vehicle width direction (when the vehicle seat 50 is the driver's seat, the vehicle body portion located outboard of the passenger seat in the vehicle width direction).

Gas generated by the inflator 10 is introduced into the airbag 20, causing the airbag 20 to inflate as it unfolds. When the surface of the seatback 51 is ruptured by the force applied by the inflated airbag 20, the airbag 20 inflates and deploys to the side of the occupant 40 seated in the vehicle seat 50 and above the console box 60, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, to protect the side of the occupant 40. An airbag 20 that inflates and deploys in this manner is also called a far-side airbag.

In the drawings used to explain embodiments of the present invention, a World-SID (World Side Impact Dummy) 40 is seated in a vehicle seat 50. The seating position of the World-SID dummy 40 is determined by the side impact test method (ECE R95) currently adopted in Japan and Europe, or the side impact test method (FMVSS214) currently adopted in the United States. The position and size of the airbag 20 upon inflation and deployment (hereinafter simply referred to as "inflation and deployment") are set according to the positions of the torso 41, waist 42, head 43, arms 44, shoulders 45, etc. of the World-SID dummy 40 as shown in Figure 1. The World-SID dummy 40 is referred to as the "occupant 40."

The airbag 20 is a bag-shaped airbag that inflates and deploys using gas from the inflator 10. As shown in FIG. 1, it has a first inflation section 20a that inflates and deploys to the side of the torso 41 of the occupant 40, and a second inflation section 20b that inflates and deploys to the side of the head 43 of the occupant 40. The second inflation section 20b is in communication with the first inflation section 20a. The airbag 20 may be a single, undivided air chamber, and the first inflation section 20a and the second inflation section 20b may each be part of the single air chamber. The first inflation section 20a and the second inflation section 20b only need to be in communication at least partially. For example, the interior of a single, bag-shaped airbag may be divided into multiple different air chambers, and the first inflation section 20a and the second inflation section 20b may each include a different air chamber.

The following describes an example in which the airbag 20 has a single, undivided air chamber inside, and the first inflation section 20a and the second inflation section 20b are each part of the single air chamber. Figure 3 is a perspective view that schematically shows the three-dimensional shape of the side airbag device of embodiment 1 when inflated and deployed.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the gas outlets 11 of the inflator 10 are arranged in the first inflation section 20a. It is sufficient for the inflator 10 to have at least the gas outlets 11 arranged in the first inflation section 20a. The entire inflator 10 may be arranged inside the airbag 20, or a gas inlet hole may be provided in the first inflation section 20a and the inflator 10 may be arranged outside the airbag 20 so that the gas inlet hole and the gas outlets 11 are in communication. By arranging the gas outlets 11 of the inflator 10 in the first inflation section 20a, the airbag 20 begins to inflate and deploy from the first inflation section 20a.

As shown in FIG. 1 , at least a portion 21 of the first inflation portion 20a (hereinafter also referred to as the portion 21 of the first inflation portion 20a) inflates and deploys above the console box 60 and contacts the upper surface of the console box 60. The portion 21 of the first inflation portion 20a preferably inflates and deploys along the upper surface of the console box 60 from the occupant 40 side toward the center in the vehicle width direction while in contact with the upper surface of the console box 60. When observed from the front of the vehicle, the portion 21 of the first inflation portion 20a preferably inflates and deploys beyond the console box 60 to the center in the vehicle width direction. It is sufficient for the portion 21 of the first inflation portion 20a to overlap the upper surface of the console box 60 to an extent that the upper surface of the console box 60 can support the airbag 20 when inflated and deployed, but it is preferable for the portion 21 of the first inflation portion 20a to cover the console box 60 in the vehicle width direction. The portion 21 of the first inflation portion 20a may be a protrusion that inflates toward the center in the vehicle width direction on the opposite side of the occupant 40.

The second inflation section 20b is at least partially connected to the first inflation section 20a and is inflated and deployed to the side of the head 43 of the occupant 40 by the gas flowing in from the first inflation section 20a. Because the first inflation section 20a and the second inflation section 20b are at least partially connected, the second inflation section 20b is inflated and deployed after the first inflation section 20a by the gas flowing in from the first inflation section 20a. The second inflation section 20b receives the head 43 of the occupant 40. The head 43 of the occupant 40 may be received by a flat portion of the second inflation section 20b, or the upper end of the second inflation section 20b may receive the head 43 of the occupant 40.

The airbag 20 has an occupant-side panel 23 that is positioned on the occupant 40 side when inflated and deployed, a central panel 24 that is positioned opposite the occupant-side panel 23, and a connecting panel 25 that connects the outer edge of the occupant-side panel 23 to the outer edge of the central panel 24. The central panel 24 is positioned on the inside in the vehicle width direction when inflated and deployed. When inflated and deployed, an air chamber is formed surrounded by the occupant-side panel 23, the central panel 24, and the connecting panel 25. The connecting panel 25 may be a single strip-shaped panel, or may be made up of multiple panels joined together.

It is preferable that the width of the connecting panel 25 that constitutes the first inflation section 20a be wider than the width of the connecting panel 25 that constitutes the second inflation section 20b. When inflated and deployed, the width in the vehicle width direction of the part 21 of the first inflation section 20a that contacts the upper surface of the console box 60 can be wider than the width in the vehicle width direction of the second inflation section 20b.

A portion of the occupant-side panel 23 and a portion of the central-side panel 24 may be sewn together by a seam 26. By providing the seam 26, the thickness of the airbag 20 when inflated and deployed in the vehicle width direction can be adjusted. The occupant-side panel 23 may be provided with an inflator mounting hole 22 for mounting the inflator 10, or may have a notch 28 formed therein for inserting the inflator into the airbag.

The inflator 10 is attached to the side of the seat back 51 and generates gas. The inflator 10 is activated when the vehicle crashes. Specifically, when a collision detection sensor installed in the vehicle detects a vehicle collision, the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) calculates the signal sent from the collision detection sensor and determines the level of the collision. If the determined level of the collision corresponds to a level that requires the airbag 20 to inflate, the inflator 10 is ignited, and gas is generated by a chemical reaction caused by combustion. As a result, the gas generated by the inflator 10 is introduced into the first inflation section 20a of the airbag 20 through the gas outlet 11.

The type of inflator 10 is not particularly limited, and examples include pyrotechnic inflators that use gas generated by burning a gas generating agent, stored inflators that use compressed gas, and hybrid inflators that use a mixture of gas generated by burning a gas generating agent and compressed gas.

The console box 60 is provided on the inner side of the vehicle seat 50 in the vehicle width direction. For example, the console box 60 is provided between the driver's seat and the passenger seat in the center of the vehicle width direction inside the vehicle. The console box 60 may function as an armrest that supports the arms 44 of the occupant 40 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

The vehicle side wall 70 is not particularly limited to any part of the vehicle body located on the outer side of the vehicle width direction (opposite the console box 60) of the occupant 40 seated in the vehicle seat 50, and is a general term for side doors, pillars, side windows, etc.

The method for folding the airbag 20 in the airbag device of embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 4 to 11. Figures 4 to 11 are first to eighth figures illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to embodiment 1. In Figures 4 to 11, the airbag 20 is positioned so that the front of each figure is on the inside in the vehicle width direction when the side airbag device 1 is attached to the side of the seat back 51.

First, the connecting panel 25 is inserted between the occupant-side panel 23 and the central panel 24. Figure 4 is the first diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to the first embodiment. In Figure 4, the airbag 20 is positioned so that the central panel 24, which is positioned on the inner side in the vehicle width direction when inflated and deployed, is the front, and the occupant-side panel 23, which is positioned on the occupant 40 side when inflated and deployed, is the back. The first inflatable section 20a is positioned downward (DOWN), and the second inflatable section 20b is positioned upward (UP). The portion of the connecting panel 25 that forms the portion 21 that comes into contact with the top surface of the console box 60 when inflated and deployed is not inserted between the occupant-side panel 23 and the central panel 24, but is folded in the next step.

Next, the first inflation section 20a is folded. Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed line shown in Figure 5A. As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, a portion 21 of the first inflation section 20a that inflates and deploys above the console box 60 may be folded upward from below the vehicle. Note that, as shown in Figure 5A, the length of the airbag device 1 in the vertical direction of the vehicle when the airbag 20 is in the folded state may be adjusted by folding the lower portion of the first inflation section 20a upward.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the second inflation portion 20b is folded from the upper UP to the lower DOWN of the vehicle on the side of the central panel 24, which is positioned on the inner side in the vehicle width direction when inflated and deployed. The second inflation portion 20b is folded over the first inflation portion 20a so that it is positioned at the front in FIG. 6, i.e., on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. By folding in this manner, when the airbag 20 is in the folded state, the second inflation portion 20b is folded over the first inflation portion 20a so that it is positioned more inward in the vehicle width direction than the first inflation portion 20a. The second inflation portion 20b does not need to overlap the entire first inflation portion 20a, but it is preferable that it overlap at least a portion 21 of the first inflation portion 20a.

During inflation and deployment, the first inflation section 20a, where the gas outlet 11 of the inflator 10 is located, inflates before the second inflation section 20b, and a portion 21 of the first inflation section 20a inflates and deploys along the top surface of the console box 60 so as to come into contact with the top surface of the console box 60. Therefore, by folding the second inflation section 20b over the first inflation section 20a, the first inflation section 20a inflates and deploys while pushing the overlapping second inflation section 20b upward toward the vehicle. This allows the second inflation section 20b to also inflate and deploy toward the vehicle's top. Furthermore, because the first inflation section 20a and the second inflation section 20b are folded on the vehicle width inward relative to the occupant 40, in other words, on the opposite side of the occupant 40, the airbag 20 is prevented from being pinched between the occupant 40 and the console box 60 during inflation and deployment.

The airbag 20 preferably has a first fold line 30 that folds the second inflation portion 20b downward (DOWN) of the vehicle so that it overlaps the first inflation portion 20a. The second inflation portion 20b is folded over the first inflation portion 20a along the first fold line 30. Note that the boundary between the first inflation portion 20a and the second inflation portion 20b does not have to coincide with the first fold line 30.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7 , the first inflation portion 20a and the second inflation portion 20b are folded from the front (FR) of the vehicle toward the rear (RE) of the vehicle. It is preferable that, in the folded state of the airbag 20, the side airbag device 1 is further folded from the front (FR) of the vehicle toward the rear (RE) of the vehicle with the first inflation portion 20a and the second inflation portion 20b overlapping each other. That is, it is preferable that the airbag 20 has a second fold line 31a that folds the first inflation portion 20a and the second inflation portion 20b back from the front (FR) of the vehicle toward the rear (RE) of the vehicle. This reduces the number of times the airbag 20 needs to be folded from the front (FR) of the vehicle toward the rear (RE) of the vehicle. It is sufficient that the first inflation portion 20a and the second inflation portion 20b at least partially overlap each other.

The airbag 20 may be folded at least once along the second fold line 31a from the front (FR) of the vehicle toward the rear (RE) of the vehicle. However, after folding along the second fold line 31a, the first inflation section 20a and the second inflation section 20b may be folded multiple times from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle, as shown in Figures 8 to 11. Figures 8 to 11 illustrate folding from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle along the second fold line 31b, second fold line 31c, second fold line 31d, and second fold line 31e. The folding method after folding along the second fold line 31a is not particularly limited; the number of folds may vary, and the airbag may be folded in a roll or accordion-like manner from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle.

The folding method of the first inflation section 20a is not limited to that shown in Figures 5A and 5B. Figures 12A, 13A, 14A, and 15A are schematic diagrams showing variants 1 to 4 of the folding method of the first inflation section shown in Figure 5A, respectively. In Figures 12A, 13A, 14A, and 15A, the airbag 20 is positioned so that the central panel 24, which is positioned on the inner side of the vehicle width direction when inflated and deployed, is the front, and the occupant-side panel 23, which is positioned on the occupant 40 side when inflated and deployed, is the back. Figures 12B, 13B, 14B, and 15B are cross-sectional views taken along the dashed dotted lines shown in Figures 12A, 13A, 14A, and 15A, respectively. As in variant 1 shown in Figures 12A and 12B, a portion 21 of the first inflation section 20a that inflates and deploys above the console box 60 may be folded flat. As in Variation 2 shown in Figures 13A and 13B, the first inflatable section 20a may be folded upward, and then a portion of the folded-up first inflatable section 20a may be folded downward. As in Variation 3 shown in Figure 14A, the first inflatable section 20a may be rolled upward so as to be rolled up. As in Variation 4 shown in Figure 15A, the first inflatable section 20a may be folded flat as in Figure 5A, and then the lower side may be folded upward so as to overlap.

Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the side airbag device of embodiment 1 mounted on a vehicle seat, viewed from the side of the vehicle. As shown in Figure 16, before inflation and deployment, the airbag 20 is fixed in a folded state to the side of the seatback 51 (e.g., the side frame 52), and is stored together with a cushion pad, covered by the skin of the seatback 51.

The first fold line 30 is preferably located below the shoulder 45 of the occupant 40 (the center of the shoulder 45 of the occupant 40 (the center of rotation of the shoulder of the internationally standardized side impact dummy)). By locating the first fold line 30 below the center of the shoulder 45 of the occupant 40, the first inflation section 20a inflates and deploys along the underside of the arm 44 of the occupant 40. The second inflation section 20b inflates and deploys by being pushed upward in reaction to the first inflation section 20a, so that the second inflation section 20b inflates and deploys along the side of the arm 44 and shoulder 45 of the occupant 40 while being pressed against the occupant 40.

The first fold line 30 is preferably located above the top surface of the console box 60. By locating the first fold line 30 above the top surface of the console box 60, it is possible to prevent the airbag 20 from being pinched between the occupant 40 and the console box 60 when it inflates and deploys.

The inflator 10 is, for example, a cylindrical gas generator, and is arranged along the extension direction (height direction) of the seat back 51. A pair of bolts 12 protrude from the top and bottom of the inflator 10, and are fixed to the side of the seat back 51 (for example, the side frame 52) through inflator mounting holes 22 provided in the airbag 20.

The process by which the side airbag device 1 inflates and deploys will be described below using Figures 17A-D and Figure 1. Figures 17A-D are first to fourth diagrams illustrating the process by which the side airbag device according to embodiment 1 inflates and deploys. When the vehicle collides with an obstacle and the inflator 10 is activated, gas generated by the inflator 10 is introduced into the first inflation section 20a through the gas outlets 11. As shown in Figure 17A, the force applied by the inflated airbag 20 breaks the surface skin of the seatback 51. Specifically, when gas is generated from the inflator 10, the portion of the first inflation section 20a where the gas outlets 11 are located inflates. Further gas introduced through the gas outlets 11 unfolds the rolled folded section, and the gas flows into the unfolded portion of the first inflation section 20a, causing the first inflation section 20a to begin to inflate. As a result, the airbag 20 begins to inflate and deploy forward of the vehicle, starting from the unfolded portion.

As shown in Figure 17B, the first inflation section 20a inflates and deploys to the side of the torso 41 of the occupant 40. The first inflation section 20a inflates and deploys so as to come into contact with the top surface of the console box 60 while pushing up the second inflation section 20b, which overlaps with the first inflation section 20a in the folded state.

As shown in Figure 17C, the second inflation section 20b is inflated and deployed following the first inflation section 20a by the gas flowing in from the first inflation section 20a. When a portion 21 of the first inflation section 20a comes into contact with the upper surface of the console box 60, the second inflation section 20b rebounds against the first inflation section 20a, which is supported by the console box 60, and inflates and deploys toward the top of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 17D, the second inflation section 20b rebounds from the first inflation section 20a supported by the console box 60, and while being pressed against the occupant 40, it inflates and deploys further upward along the arms 44 and shoulders 45 of the occupant 40. Because the second inflation section 20b inflates and deploys from the inside in the vehicle width direction so as to avoid the arms 44 and shoulders 45 of the occupant 40, it is possible to prevent the airbag 20 from being flipped up by the arms 44 of the occupant 40.

Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the airbag 20 receives the side of the torso 41 of the occupant 40 with the first inflation section 20a, and receives the head 43 of the occupant 40 with the second inflation section 20b. Because part 21 of the first inflation section 20a contacts the top surface of the console box 60, the airbag 20 is less likely to deviate downward from the vehicle or inward in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, because the second inflation section 20b restrains the arms 44 of the occupant 40, the occupant 40 can be sufficiently restrained.

[Embodiment 2]
The side airbag device of the second embodiment includes a plurality of bag-shaped airbags. Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating the side airbag device of the second embodiment when an occupant is restrained by the airbag, as viewed from the front of the vehicle. As shown in Fig. 18 , in the airbag device of the second embodiment, the airbag 20 includes a first inflation portion 20a and a second inflation portion 20b, and the first inflation portion 20a and the second inflation portion 20b are different bag-shaped airbags. As shown in Fig. 18 and Fig. 20B described below, the first inflation portion 20a and the second inflation portion 20b are in communication with each other via a gas communication hole 27. During inflation and deployment, the first inflation portion 20a, in which the gas ejection holes 11 of the inflator 10 are arranged, inflates and deploys, and gas flows into the second inflation portion 20b through the gas communication hole 27, causing the second inflation portion 20b to inflate and deploy.

The first inflation section 20a may have an occupant-side panel 23, a central panel 24, and a connecting panel 25, as in embodiment 1. The second inflation section 20b may have an occupant-side panel 123 that is positioned on the occupant 40 side when inflated and deployed, and a central panel 124 that is positioned opposite the occupant-side panel 23.

The method for folding the airbag 20 in the airbag device of embodiment 2 will be described below with reference to Figures 19 to 21. Figures 19 to 21 are first to third diagrams illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to embodiment 2. In Figures 19, 20A, and 21, the airbag 20 is positioned so that the front of each diagram is on the inner side in the vehicle width direction when the side airbag device 1 is attached to the side of the seat back 51. Figure 20B is a cross-sectional view taken along the dashed line shown in Figure 20A.

In embodiment 2, the bag-shaped airbag that constitutes the first inflation section 20a and the bag-shaped airbag that constitutes the second inflation section 20b are overlapping and sewn together. As shown in Figure 19, when the first inflation section 20a is positioned on the front side, the second inflation section 20b, located on the back side, is folded upward from the bottom.

Next, as shown in Figures 20A and 20B, a portion 21 of the first inflation section 20a is folded flat. The folding method shown in Figures 20A and 20B corresponds to Variation 1 of Embodiment 1. In order to adjust the length of the airbag device 1 in the vertical direction of the vehicle when it is folded, the lower portion of the first inflation section 20a may be folded upward.

Next, as shown in FIG. 21, the second inflation portion 20b is folded from the upper UP to the lower DOWN of the vehicle, overlapping the first inflation portion 20a, so that it is positioned at the front of FIG. 21, i.e., on the inside in the vehicle width direction. It is preferable that the second inflation portion 20b overlaps at least a portion 21 of the first inflation portion 20a. It is preferable that the airbag 20 has a first fold line 30 that folds the second inflation portion 20b downward DOWN of the vehicle so that it overlaps the first inflation portion 20a.

Then, as shown in the fourth diagram illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to embodiment 1 in Figure 7 above, the first inflation section 20a and the second inflation section 20b are folded from the front (FR) of the vehicle toward the rear (RE) of the vehicle along the second fold line 31a. The folding method after folding along the second fold line 31a is not particularly limited, and the number of folds may vary, or the airbag may be folded in a roll fold or accordion fold from the front to the rear of the vehicle. However, as shown in the fifth to eighth diagrams illustrating the folding process of the airbag according to embodiment 1 in Figures 8 to 11 above, the first inflation section 20a and the second inflation section 20b may be folded multiple times from the front to the rear of the vehicle.

1: Side airbag device 10: Inflator 11: Gas ejection hole 12: Bolt 20: Airbag 20a: First inflation section 20b: Second inflation section 21: Part of first inflation section 22: Inflator mounting hole 23, 123: Occupant side panel 24, 124: Center side panel 25: Connecting panel 26: Stitched section 27: Gas circulation hole 28: Cut 30: First fold lines 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31e: Second fold line 40: Occupant (internationally unified side impact dummy)
41: Torso 42: Waist 43: Head 44: Arms 45: Shoulders 50: Vehicle seat 51: Seat back (backrest)
52: Side frame 60: Console box 70: Vehicle side wall

Claims (4)

A side airbag device attached to a side of a seat back of a vehicle seat, inflated and deployed to the side of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat and above a console box provided on an inner side of the vehicle seat in a vehicle width direction,
an inflator attached to a side portion of the seat back and configured to generate gas;
a bag-shaped airbag that is inflated and deployed by the gas of the inflator,
the airbag has a first inflation section in which a gas ejection hole of the inflator is arranged and which inflates and deploys to the side of the torso of the occupant, and a second inflation section which is in communication with the first inflation section and inflates and deploys to the side of the head of the occupant by gas flowing in from the first inflation section,
a part of the first inflation section being loose and folded over another part of the first inflation section when the airbag is in a flattened state before the airbag is filled with gas;
When the airbag is inflated and deployed, the portion of the first inflation section inflates and deploys above the console box and comes into contact with an upper surface of the console box,
A side airbag device characterized in that, when the airbag is in a folded state, the second inflation portion is folded directly over the portion of the first inflation portion so as to be positioned more inward in the vehicle width direction than the portion of the first inflation portion. 2. The side airbag device according to claim 1,
A side airbag device characterized in that, in the folded state of the airbag, the first inflation portion and the second inflation portion are further folded from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle while overlapping each other. 3. The side airbag device according to claim 2,
A side airbag device characterized in that the airbag has a first fold line that folds the second inflation portion toward the bottom of the vehicle so as to overlap with the portion of the first inflation portion, and a second fold line that folds the first inflation portion and the second inflation portion from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle. 4. The side airbag device according to claim 3,
The side airbag device is characterized in that the first fold line is provided below the shoulder of the occupant.