Abstract:
A molded foam member manufacturing method including: a first process of placing a foam molded first portion and a rigid member in a second portion forming mold, and pressing and fixing the rigid member against the second portion forming mold; and a second process of pouring a second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material into the second portion forming mold and foam molding a second portion so as to surround at least a portion of the rigid member and to form an integral unit with the first portion.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a manufacturing method for a molded foam member and a shock absorbing member. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Shock absorbing members formed from molded foam members such as hard polyurethane foams are attached to automobile doors in order to absorb impact energy in the event of a side-on collision. 
         [0003]    Structures have been proposed for improving shock absorption performance by providing a rigid member with higher rigidity than a molded foam member at an impact receiving face of the molded foam member. For example, shock absorbing members exist that have a structure in which a molded foam member is affixed to one face of a rigid member such as an iron plate. 
         [0004]    Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2011-121485 describes a configuration in which a molded foam member is formed at both faces of an iron plate in a structure in which the iron plate is provided with through holes, through which foam moldable resin flows. 
         [0005]    However, during molding of the molded foam member, there is a concern of the iron plate being lifted up by foaming pressure of a foaming agent, and of positional displacement arising between the molded foam member and the iron plate inside the mold. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0006]    In consideration of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to suppress positional displacement of a rigid plate due to foaming pressure, and to mold a molded foam member with good precision at both faces of the rigid plate. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0007]    A molded foam member manufacturing method according to a first aspect includes: a first process of placing a foam molded first molded body and a rigid plate in a forming mold, and pressing and fixing the rigid plate against the first molded body: and a second process of pouring a foaming agent into the forming mold and foam molding a second molded body so as to surround at least a portion of the rigid plate and to form an integral unit with the first molded body. 
         [0008]    In this molded foam member manufacturing method, the foam molded first molded body and the rigid plate are placed in the forming mold, and the foaming agent is poured in to foam mold the second molded body, thereby rendering a process to affix the first molded body and the second molded body to the rigid plate unnecessary. Moreover, since the rigid plate is pressed against and fixed to the first molded body, the rigid plate is not lifted up by foaming pressure, and the first molded body supports the rigid plate during placement, thereby enabling relative positional displacement between the first molded body, the rigid plate, and the second molded body to be suppressed. 
         [0009]    In a molded foam member manufacturing method according to a second aspect, when closing an upper mold configuring the forming mold so as to form a cavity, the rigid plate is pressed against a lower mold configuring the forming mold by a restriction protrusion provided at the upper mold. 
         [0010]    In this molded foam member manufacturing method, the rigid plate is pressed against the lower mold by the restriction protrusion provided at the upper mold when the foaming agent is poured into the mold the second molded body is foam molded, thereby enabling the rigid plate to be suppressed from being lifted up by the foaming pressure. 
         [0011]    In a molded foam member manufacturing method according to a third aspect, the first molded body is formed with a support protrusion supporting the rigid plate. 
         [0012]    In this molded foam member manufacturing method, the support protrusion provided at the first molded body supports the rigid plate, thereby enabling positional displacement between the rigid plate and the first molded body to be suppressed. 
         [0013]    In a molded foam member manufacturing method according to a fourth aspect, the support protrusion is positioned so as to oppose the restriction protrusion in plan view. 
         [0014]    In this molded foam member manufacturing method, the support protrusion and the restriction protrusion support the rigid plate from each side, thereby enabling the rigid plate to be stably fixed. 
         [0015]    In a molded foam member manufacturing method according to a fifth aspect, a recess is provided at the first molded body that contacts the rigid plate, and in the process in which the foaming agent is poured into the forming mold, the foaming agent that has flowed around the rigid plate flows into the recess. 
         [0016]    In this molded foam member manufacturing method, liquid foaming agent that has flowed around the rigid plate flows into the recess provided at the first molded body when the foaming agent is poured into the mold and the second molded body is foam molded, thereby enabling overflow of the foaming agent to be suppressed from flowing to an outer peripheral face of the first molded body and foaming between the mold and the first molded body. 
         [0017]    In a molded foam member manufacturing method according to a sixth aspect, a magnet is provided in the forming mold for adhering to an exposed portion of the rigid plate. 
         [0018]    In this molded foam member manufacturing method, for example, positioning the rigid plate configured from a magnetic material using the adhesion of the magnet disposed in the mold enables the positioning precision of the rigid plate to be improved. 
         [0019]    A shock absorbing member according to a seventh aspect is manufactured using the molded foam member manufacturing method of any one of claim  1  to claim  6 . 
         [0020]    This shock absorbing member enables impact force to be absorbed in two stages by the first molded body and the second molded body. After one of the molded bodies has absorbed impact and been squashed, the impact is transmitted to the other molded body through the rigid plate, enabling the other molded body to absorb the impact while maintaining a constant orientation. The rigid plate is suppressed from lifting up at such times, thereby enabling an improvement in positioning precision. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0021]    Due to the above configuration, the present invention is capable of suppressing positional displacement of a rigid plate due to foaming pressure, and also capable of molding a molded foam member with good precision at both faces of the rigid plate. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a molded foam member according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a cross-section of the molded foam member illustrated in  FIG. 1 , as seen from line II-II. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a cross-section of a second portion of the molded foam member illustrated in  FIG. 1 , as seen from line III-III in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a first portion of the molded foam member illustrated in  FIG. 1 , as viewed along a joining direction of a rigid member. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a cross-section of a second portion forming mold in manufacture of the molded foam member illustrated in  FIG. 1 , as seen from line V-V. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a cross-section of a second portion forming mold in manufacture of the molded foam member illustrated in  FIG. 1 , viewed at line III-III in  FIG. 2  from the side of a first portion. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a cross-section of a second portion forming mold in manufacture of the molded foam member illustrated in  FIG. 1 , as seen from line VII-VII in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a cross-section of a second portion forming mold, illustrating a manufacturing method of the molded foam member illustrated in  FIG. 1 , as seen from line V-V in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a cross-section illustrating the molded foam member manufacturing method illustrated in  FIG. 8 , illustrating a process following that of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a cross-section illustrating the molded foam member manufacturing method illustrated in  FIG. 8 , illustrating a process following that of  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    Explanation follows regarding the structure of a manufacturing method of a molded foam member according to an exemplary embodiment, with reference to the drawings. 
         [0033]    Explanation follows regarding an exemplary embodiment, with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following exemplary embodiment, explanation is given regarding an example in which a shock absorbing member (abbreviated below to “EA member”) attached to the inside an automobile door is employed as the molded foam member. However, the present invention is also applicable to other molded foam members and their manufacturing methods. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an EA member  1  (shock absorbing member) serving as a molded foam member according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  are respective cross-sections of the EA member. Note that  FIG. 2  is a cross-section taken along lines II-II in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 3  is a cross-section taken along line III-III in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating a first portion  11  (first molded body) of the EA member.  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 10  are respective cross-sections of a mold, and illustrate a manufacturing method of the EA member (metal molds are preferable; however, other materials may also be employed). Note that  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 8  to  FIG. 10  respectively illustrate cross-sections of a portion along line V-V in  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-section of a portion along line VI-VI in  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-section of a portion along line VII-VII in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0035]    EA Member  1  Configuration 
         [0036]    In the present exemplary embodiment, a lower face of the EA member  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  faces a door inner face when the EA member  1  is attached inside the door. For simplicity, in the following explanation, the door inner face side of the EA member  1  (the lower side in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ) is referred to as the base end side, and the opposite side to door trim (the upper side in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ) is referred to as the leading end side. The direction from the base end side toward the leading end side (or the opposite direction thereto) is referred to as the thickness direction. 
         [0037]    The EA member  1  includes an EA member body  2 , serving as a molded foam member that is foam molded from a synthetic resin raw material such as a hard polyurethane, and a rigid member  3  (rigid plate), serving as an embedded member that is at least partially embedded in the EA member body  2 . 
         [0038]    In the present exemplary embodiment, the EA member body  2  includes a large thickness portion  2   a  that has a large thickness (a large size from the base end side to the leading end side), and a small thickness portion  2   b  that has a smaller thickness than the large thickness portion  2   a . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the large thickness portion  2   a  and the small thickness portion  2   b  are respectively disposed adjacent to each other in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction. For simplicity, in the following explanation the direction in which the large thickness portion  2   a  and the small thickness portion  2   b  are adjacent to each other is referred to as the length direction of the EA member body  2 , and a direction orthogonal to both the length direction and the thickness direction is referred to as the width direction of the EA member body  2 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , respective base end side end faces (referred to below as the base end faces) of the large thickness portion  2   a  and the small thickness portion  2   b  are contiguous to each other in a substantially coplanar shape, and a leading end side end face of the small thickness portion  2   b  (referred to below as the leading end face) is at a step back toward the base end side compared to the leading end face of the large thickness portion  2   a . Note that the shape of the EA member body  2  is not limited thereto. 
         [0039]    In the present exemplary embodiment, due to the presence of rigid member restraint protrusions  22   a  (restriction protrusions) in a second portion forming mold  20  (forming mold, referred to below simply as “mold”) during a second portion forming process, described later, side faces of both width direction end sides of the base end side of the large thickness portion  2   a  are respectively formed with recesses  4  due to the side faces of the large thickness portion  2   a  being formed with indentations in the shape of the rigid member restraint protrusions  22   a . Note that the shape of the EA member body  2  is not limited thereto. 
         [0040]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , in the present exemplary embodiment, a rigid member  3  (rigid plate) is a metal plate member disposed straddling between the large thickness portion  2   a  and the small thickness portion  2   b . One portion of the rigid member  3  is embedded in the large thickness portion  2   a , and another portion of the rigid member  3  is embedded in the small thickness portion  2   b . The surface of the rigid member  3  is partially exposed. 
         [0041]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , in the present exemplary embodiment, the rigid member  3  has a flat plate shape, and a plate face thereof is disposed in a direction substantially parallel to leading end faces of both the large thickness portion  2   a  and the small thickness portion  2   b . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in the present exemplary embodiment, a portion of the rigid member  3  is disposed so as to cover across the leading end face of the small thickness portion  2   b , and is effectively embedded inside the small thickness portion  2   b  by its own thickness, such that the plate face (referred to below as the leading end side plate face) of the rigid member  3  is exposed at the leading end face of the small thickness portion  2   b . The exposed leading end side plate face of the rigid member  3  and the leading end face of the small thickness portion  2   b  have substantially coplanar profiles. Note that the placement of the rigid member  3  is not limited thereto, and for example, the rigid member  3  may be embedded in the small thickness portion  2   b  such that at least a portion of the leading end side plate face is covered by the foamed synthetic resin configuring the small thickness portion  2   b.    
         [0042]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , a portion of the rigid member  3  is embedded in the large thickness portion  2   a  partway along the thickness direction. In the present exemplary embodiment, the side of the rigid member  3  that is embedded in the large thickness portion  2   a  is provided with a through hole  3   a  penetrating the rigid member  3  in the thickness direction. During the second portion forming process, described later, second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U (foaming agent) that is fed in further to the base end side (the side of a second portion  12 , described later) of the large thickness portion  2   a  than the rigid member  3  is also fed in to a leading end side (the side of a first portion  11 , described later) of the large thickness portion  2   a  through the through hole  3   a . Moreover, second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U that is fed in further to the leading end side of the large thickness portion  2   a  than the rigid member  3  and foamed, expands as far as the base end side of the large thickness portion  2   a  through the through hole  3   a.    
         [0043]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , in the present exemplary embodiment, an outer peripheral edge of the rigid member  3  is not exposed, and is embedded within the EA member body  2 . Note that the outer peripheral edge may also be exposed rather than embedded. 
         [0044]    Namely, in the present exemplary embodiment, during a placement process, described later, when the rigid member  3  is being placed inside the mold  20 , configuration is made such that a gap  11   e , illustrated in  FIG. 3 , is formed between the outer peripheral edge of the rigid member  3  and a cavity inner face of the mold  20 . Accordingly, in the second portion forming process, around the foaming time, the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U is able to flow through the gap  11   e  from the base end side to the leading end side of the rigid member  3  in the large thickness portion  2   a , or vice-versa. Side peripheral faces of the EA member body  2  are formed from foamed synthetic resin due to the gap  11   e  being filled with foamed synthetic resin. 
         [0045]    Note that in a state in which the rigid member  3  has been placed in the mold  20 , the gap  11   e  between the outer peripheral edge of the rigid member  3  and the cavity inner face of the mold  20  is in a range of from 5 mm to 50 mm, and in particular, is preferably in a range of from 10 mm to 20 mm. 
         [0046]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , in the present exemplary embodiment, small holes  3   b  are provided on the small thickness portion  2   b  side of the rigid member  3 . The small holes  3   b  are preferably through holes that penetrate the rigid member  3 , but may be recesses with non-penetrating shapes. In the second portion forming process, the foamed synthetic resin enters the small holes  3   b , thereby improving the join strength between the rigid member  3  and the small thickness portion  2   b . The diameter of each of the small holes  3   b  is from 1 mm to 10 mm, and in particular, is preferably from 2 mm to 5 mm. As illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , in the present exemplary embodiment, three of the small holes  3   b  are provided with circular shapes along edges on the two sides of the rigid member  3 ; however, the shape, number, and placement of the small holes  3   b  are not particularly limited. 
         [0047]    Examples of materials for configuring the rigid member  3  include sheet metal such as an iron plate or an aluminum plate, or a resin plate. An iron plate is particularly preferably employed. The thickness of the rigid member  3  is preferably in a range of from 0.3 mm to 5.0 mm, and is more preferably in a range of from 0.6 mm to 1.6 mm. 
         [0048]    The configuration and placement of the rigid member  3  are not limited to the above. For example, outer peripheral edges of the rigid member  3  may be at least partially exposed at the side peripheral faces of the EA member body  2 . A portion of the rigid member  3  may extend out to the outside of the EA member body  2 . For example, configuration may be made in which a peripheral edge portion is provided with notches, or a portion of an end face may be pressed against the inside of the cavity such that the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U does not enter. In the second portion forming process, configuration may be made such that the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U is made to flow between the outer peripheral edge of the rigid member  3  mentioned above and the cavity inner face of the mold  20  through the gap  11   e . Outer peripheral edges of the rigid member  3  may be at least partially exposed at the side peripheral faces of the EA member body  2 . A portion of the rigid member  3  may extend out to the outside of the EA member body  2 . The rigid member  3  may be configured with a shape other than a flat plate shape. The rigid member  3  may be configured with a shape other than a flat plate shape. 
         [0049]    In the present exemplary embodiment, a portion of the large thickness portion  2   a  of the EA member body  2  that is further to the leading end side than a thickness direction intermediate portion configures the first portion  11 , this being prepared in a first portion preparation process, described later. A portion of the large thickness portion  2   a  of the EA member body  2  that is further to the base end side than the thickness direction intermediate portion, and the small thickness portion  2   b , are formed integrally to one another as the foam molded second portion  12  (second molded body) during the second portion forming process, described later. The first portion  11  and the second portion  12  are adjacent to each other, and during the second portion forming process, the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U contacts the first portion  11  so as to form a welded body. In  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the reference numeral  13  indicates a boundary portion between the first portion  11  and the second portion  12 . 
         [0050]    In the present exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the first portion  11  configures a portion of the large thickness portion  2   a  that is further to the leading end side of the large thickness portion  2   a  than the rigid member  3  embedded in the large thickness portion  2   a . Namely, the rigid member  3  is not embedded in the first portion  11 , and is separated by a specific spacing therefrom. This spacing is preferably approximately 0.5 mm to 10 mm, and is 5 mm in the present exemplary embodiment. The rigid member  3  is, as a whole, embedded in the second portion  12  at the vicinity of the boundary between the first portion  11  and the second portion  12 . Note that the partitioned structure of the first portion  11  and the second portion  12  is not limited thereto. 
         [0051]      FIG. 4  illustrates the first portion  11  prior to being integrated together with the second portion  12 . In  FIG. 4 , the first portion  11  is shown with a second portion  12 -boundary face (referred to below simply as “boundary face”)  11   a  facing upward. 
         [0052]    In the present exemplary embodiment, when the first portion  11  has been placed in a space corresponding to the first portion inside the cavity of the mold  20  during the placement process, described later, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , at least a portion of the boundary face  11   a  is configured so as to be separated from an opposing face of the rigid member  3  that is placed in a space corresponding to the rigid member inside the cavity. 
         [0053]    In the present exemplary embodiment, the boundary face  11   a  of the first portion  11  is provided with a recess  11   b  that is sunken by approximately 1 mm to 10 mm in a direction away from the rigid member  3 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the depth of the recess  11   b  is 5 mm. The recess  11   b  is provided at a position separated from outer peripheral edges of the boundary face  11   a , toward a central side of the boundary face  11   a . Further to the peripheral outside than the recess  11   b , the boundary face  11   a  is configured with an embankment-shaped portion  11   c  that is a step higher toward the rigid member  3  side. The embankment-shaped portion  11   c  is formed following the outer peripheral edges of the boundary face  11   a  so as to enclose the entire periphery of the recess  11   b . In the present exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the embankment-shaped portion  11   c  is configured with a height such that a crest thereof does not contact the rigid member  3  during the placement process. 
         [0054]    In the second portion forming process, the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U fed in further to the second portion  12  side than the rigid member  3  passes the gap  11   e  between the rigid member  3  and the cavity inner face of the mold  20 , and flows around to the first portion  11  side of the rigid member  3 . Configuration is made such that when this occurs, the embankment-shaped portion  11   c  formed around the outer peripheral edge of the boundary face  11   a  prevents or suppresses the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U from entering between a side peripheral face of the first portion  11  and the cavity inner face of the mold  20 , such that the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U remains within the recess  11   b . Note that the boundary face  11   a  of the first portion  11  is not limited to such a shape. 
         [0055]    In the present exemplary embodiment, the boundary face  11   a  of the first portion  11  is provided with rigid member support protrusions  11   d  (support protrusions) protruding out toward the second portion  12  side. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the rigid member support protrusions  11   d  have a height that contacts the leading end side plate face of the rigid member  3  when the first portion  11  has been placed in the space corresponding to the first portion in the cavity of the mold  20 , and the rigid member  3  has been placed in the space corresponding to the rigid member in the cavity of the mold  20 . 
         [0056]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in the present exemplary embodiment, the rigid member support protrusions  11   d  are disposed at both width direction end sides of the boundary face  11   a . Each of the rigid member support protrusions  11   d  projects out further to the second portion  12  side than the crest of the embankment-shaped portion  11   c . A face of each of the rigid member support protrusions  11   d  on the opposite side to the recess  11   b  is exposed at an outer face of the EA member body  2 . Note that the number and placement of the rigid member support protrusions  11   d  are not limited thereto. 
         [0057]    Second Portion Forming Mold  20  Configuration 
         [0058]    The internal profile of the cavity of the second portion forming mold  20  has a shape corresponding to the overall external profile of the EA member body  2 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 10 , in the present exemplary embodiment, the mold  20  includes a lower mold  21  and an upper mold  22 . Note that the mold  20  may also include a mold core or the like if required. The lower mold  21  mainly configures a cavity bottom face and side peripheral faces, and the upper mold  22  mainly configures a cavity top face. In the present exemplary embodiment, the EA member body  2  is formed with its leading end side facing downward in the cavity of the mold  20 . Namely, the leading end face of the EA member body  2  is formed by the cavity bottom face of the lower mold  21 , the side peripheral faces of the EA member body  2  are formed by the cavity side peripheral faces of the lower mold  21 , and the base end face of the EA member body  2  is formed by the cavity top face of the upper mold  22 . A large depth portion  21   a  with a comparatively large depth, corresponding to the large thickness portion  2   a  of the EA member body  2 , and a small depth portion  21   b  with a depth smaller than the large depth portion  21   a , corresponding to the small thickness portion  2   b  of the EA member body  2 , are formed inside the cavity of the lower mold  21 . 
         [0059]    Inside the cavity of the mold  20 , in the large depth portion  21   a , a space from partway in the depth direction (a position slightly lower than the bottom face of the small depth portion  21   b ) to the bottom face configures the space corresponding to the first portion, in which the first portion  11  of the EA member body  2  is placed. A space spanning from the bottom face of the small depth portion  21   b  to an equivalent depth (above the first portion  11 ) inside the large depth portion  21   a  configures the space corresponding to the rigid member  3  embedded in the EA member body  2 . The bottom face of the small depth portion  21   b  may be provided with fasteners  23  (magnets) to fasten the rigid member  3  disposed at the bottom face. Note that the fasteners  23  are not limited to magnets. The remaining space inside the cavity of the mold  20  configures a space corresponding to the second portion in which the second portion  12  of the EA member body  2  is formed. 
         [0060]    In the present exemplary embodiment, the cavity top face of the upper mold  22  is provided with the rigid member restraint protrusions  22   a  projecting out into the cavity of the lower mold  21 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the rigid member restraint protrusions  22   a  are configured so as to contact the rigid member  3  from above when the lower mold  21  and the upper mold  22  are closed after the placement process. In the present exemplary embodiment, the cavity top face of the upper mold  22  is provided with two of the rigid member restraint protrusions  22   a  with positional relationships corresponding to the respective rigid member support protrusions  11   d  of the first portion  11 . 
         [0061]    Each of the rigid member restraint protrusions  22   a  is configured such that a side face thereof overlaps with the cavity side peripheral face of the lower mold  21  when the lower mold  21  and the upper mold  22  are closed, such that the foamed synthetic resin effectively does not enter between the respective rigid member restraint protrusions  22   a  and the cavity side peripheral faces of the lower mold  21 . Note that the number, placement, and configuration of the rigid member restraint protrusions  22   a  are not limited to those described here. 
         [0062]    EA Member  1  Manufacturing Method 
         [0063]    The following first portion preparation process, placement process, and second portion forming process are performed during manufacture of the EA member  1 . Note that the first portion-forming synthetic resin raw material configuring the first portion  11  and the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material configuring the second portion  12  may have the same composition as each other, or may have different compositions to each other. 
         [0064]    (1) First Portion Preparation Process 
         [0065]    Foam molding of the first portion  11  is performed in advance, separately to the second portion  12 . The first portion  11  may be formed using a similar method to one generally used for molding a single molded foam member. Namely, for example, a mold may be preferably employed without any issues arising as long as the mold employed to form the first portion  11  is a mold (not illustrated in the drawings) in which the internal profile of the cavity has a shape corresponding to the external profile of the first portion  11 . 
         [0066]    (2) Placement Process 
         [0067]    In the placement process, first, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the first portion  11  that was pre-prepared in the first portion preparation process is inserted and placed at the far side (the space corresponding to the first portion, toward the bottom of the figure) of the large depth portion  21   a  inside the cavity of the lower mold  21  configuring the second portion forming mold  20 . Next, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the rigid member  3  is placed above the first portion  11  such that another half side of the rigid member  3  is superimposed on the bottom face of the small depth portion  21   b  (the small depth portion  21   b  side of the space corresponding to the rigid member), and one half side of the rigid member  3  juts out into the large depth portion  21   a  (the large depth portion  21   a  side of the space corresponding to the rigid member). When this is performed, the one half side of the rigid member  3  sits on the respective rigid member support protrusions  11   d  of the first portion  11 . The other half side of the rigid member  3  is fastened to the bottom face of the small depth portion  21   b  by the fasteners  23 , these being magnets or the like. 
         [0068]    (3) Second Portion Forming Process 
         [0069]    Next, the second portion  12  is foam molded. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U is fed into the space corresponding to the second portion inside the cavity of the mold  20  (for example above the rigid member  3 ), and the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U is foamed after the upper mold  22  is covered over the lower mold  21  to close the mold. 
         [0070]    When closing the mold, the respective rigid member restraint protrusions  22   a  of the upper mold  22  are contacted from above by the rigid member  3 . The respective rigid member restraint protrusions  22   a  of the upper mold  22  restrain the rigid member  3 , which is also restrained by the first portion  11  below the rigid member  3  that is in contact through the rigid member support protrusions  11   d.    
         [0071]    Since the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U has low viscosity immediately after being fed into the space corresponding to the second portion, some of the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U flows over the rigid member  3  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , and passes through the gap  11   e  between the rigid member  3  and the cavity inner face of the mold  20  to flow around to the lower side of the rigid member  3  (above the boundary face  11   a  of the first portion  11 ). Note that when feeding in the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U, the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U may, for example, be fed in above the boundary face  11   a  of the first portion  11  directly through the gap  11   e . Accordingly, the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U that has flowed around to the lower side of the rigid member  3  is received into the recess  11   b  provided at the first portion  11 , where it collects without overflowing. There is accordingly no concern of overflow of the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U seeping between the first portion  11  and the cavity inner face and being foamed therein, thus affecting the shape of the first portion  11 . 
         [0072]    As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U that has been fed in above the boundary face  11   a  of the first portion  11  is foamed, filling in between the first portion  11  and the rigid member  3 . Since the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U contacts the boundary face  11   a  of the first portion  11 , the second portion  12  that is formed by foaming the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U thermally welds to the first portion  11  to form a single unit. Some of the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U foamed at the lower side of the rigid member  3  expands as far as the upper side of the rigid member  3  through the gap  11   e  between the rigid member  3  and the cavity inner face of the mold  20 . The remaining second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U is foamed at the upper side of the rigid member  3 , and expands so as to fill the space corresponding to the second portion, together with the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U from the lower side of the rigid member  3 . 
         [0073]    When this occurs, each of the rigid member restraint protrusions  22   a  of the upper mold  22  described above restrain the rigid member  3 , which is also restrained by the first portion  11  below the rigid member  3  that is in contact through the rigid member support protrusions  11   d , thereby enabling positional displacement and the like of the rigid member  3  and the first portion  11  due to expansion of the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U to be prevented. 
         [0074]    As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , filling the space corresponding to the second portion with the foamed synthetic resin formed by foaming the second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material U forms the second portion  12  and completes molding of the overall EA member body  2 , as well as embedding the rigid member  3  inside the second portion  12  so as to integrate the rigid member  3  together with the second portion  12 . 
         [0075]    After the foamed synthetic resin has cured, the lower mold  21  and the upper mold  22  are opened and the EA member body  2  is demolded. The surface of the EA member body  2  is then finished as necessary to complete the EA member  1 . 
         [0076]    Note that configuration may be made in which the first portion  11  is mass-produced in advance, and only the second portion forming process is performed on the actual EA member production line, or configuration may be made in which the first portion preparation process and the second portion forming process are performed in sequence in a single production cycle of the EA member. 
         [0077]    The respective exemplary embodiments described above are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention may be configured differently from in the above description. For example, in the exemplary embodiment described above, the rigid member  3  serving as an embedded member is partially exposed at an external face of the EA member body  2  serving as a molded foam body. However, the rigid member  3  may be provided so as to be completely embedded within the EA member body  2 , or an entire face of the rigid member  3  may be exposed. The shape of the EA member body  2  may also be set freely. 
         [0078]    The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-159774, filed on Jul. 31, 2013, is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
         [0079]    All cited documents, patent applications and technical standards mentioned in the present specification are incorporated by reference in the present specification to the same extent as if the individual cited document, patent application, or technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
       EXPLANATION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           1  EA member 
           2  EA member body (shock absorbing member) 
           3  rigid member (rigid plate) 
           11  first portion (first molded body) 
           11   a  boundary face 
           11   b  recess 
           11   c  embankment-shaped portion 
           11   d  rigid member support protrusions (support protrusion) 
           11   e  gap 
           12  second portion (second molded body) 
           20  second portion forming mold 
           21  lower mold 
           22  upper mold 
         U Second portion-forming synthetic resin raw material (foaming agent) 
           22   a  rigid member restraint protrusions (restriction protrusion) 
           23  fastener (magnet)