Side airbag device

The present invention is provided with an inflator arranged on the occupant side of the side frame positioned on the side portion inside the seatback that generates expansion gas and an airbag that is expanded by the expansion gas and protects an occupant seated on the vehicle seat. The airbag includes a main chamber that deploys toward the front of the seatback, and a pre-chamber that houses the inflator inside and is connected to the occupant side of the main chamber. In addition, an internal tether having a front end part connected to the front portion of the pre-chamber and a rear end part connected to the rear portion of the pre-chamber are provided inside the pre-chamber.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a side airbag device equipped in a vehicle seat.

BACKGROUND ART

The provision of a vehicle with one or more airbags in order to protect the occupants thereof in the event of a vehicle accident is well known. These airbags include, for example, various forms such as: a so-called driver airbag which is deployed from near the center of the steering wheel so as to protect the driver; a curtain airbag which is deployed downward on the inner side of the window of an automobile so as to protect occupants during collisions in the transverse direction of a vehicle, as well as when overturning and during rollover accidents; and a side airbag which is deployed between the occupant and the side panel so as to protect the occupant upon impact in the transverse direction of a vehicle. The present invention relates to a side airbag device provided in a vehicle seat.

The side airbag device is stowed in the side support part of a seat, and thus the restriction in the installation region is large, and the compactness of the device is an important problem. Moreover, there is a demand for appropriate passenger protection performance due to improved deployment speed and stabilization of the deployed shape.

In recent years, side airbag devices have been proposed that combine a plurality of chambers to form an airbag. For example, there are systems with a pre-chamber with a relatively small capacity inside the main chamber (on the occupant side), as described in Patent Document 1.

In this manner of side airbag device, improving the initial restraint performance of the pre-chamber on the occupant is a problem.

There is also demand to reduce injury to occupants in so-called out-of-position (OOP) situations. For example, when a child leans his or her head on the side support part of the seat, impact is anticipated to be applied thereto from the airbag that deploys forward, particularly from the large-capacity main chamber. However, a conventional side airbag device can not be said to be sufficiently compatible with OOP.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

Patent Documents

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

In light of the conditions described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a side airbag device that contributes to improving initial restraint performance of the occupant.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a side airbag device capable of reducing the injury value to an OOP occupant.

Means to Solve the Problem

The following describes means for solving the problem described above and the effect thereof. In the present invention, when an occupant is seated in a seat in a regular posture, the direction the occupant faces (vehicle traveling direction) is referred to as the “front,” the opposite direction is referred to as the “rear,” and the direction indicating the coordinate axis is referred to as the “front-to-back direction.” Moreover, when the passenger is seated in the seat in a regular posture, the right of the passenger is referred to as the “right direction,” the left of the passenger is referred to as the “left direction,” and the direction indicating the coordinate axis is referred to as the “left and right direction.” Similarly, when the occupant is seated in the seat in a regular posture, the head direction (vertical up direction) of the occupant is referred to as “up,” the waist direction (vertical down direction) of the passenger is referred to as “down,” and the direction indicating the coordinate axis is referred to as the “vertical direction.”

In order to achieve the purpose as described above the present invention is a side airbag device stowed in the seatback of a vehicle seat, comprising:an inflator arranged on the occupant side of the side frame which is positioned on the side part inside the seatback, that generates expansion gas, and an airbag which expands due to said expansion gas and protects the occupant seated in the vehicle seat. The airbag includes a main chamber that deploys toward the front of the seatback, and a pre-chamber that houses the inflator inside and is connected to the occupant side of the main chamber. In addition, an internal tether having a front end part connected to the front portion of the pre-chamber and a rear end part connected to the rear portion of the pre-chamber are provided inside the pre-chamber.

Here, “main chamber that deploys towards the front of the seatback” is indicated but it goes without saying that while the main chamber deploys primarily toward the front, the bag expands so naturally there is expansion in the left and right width direction as well. In addition, “a pre-chamber connected to the occupant side of the main chamber” means that the pre-chamber is deployed between the main chamber and the occupant.

Note that in the present invention, the occupant is represented by a side impact dummy world SID (an adult male (175 cm in height and approximately 74 kg in weight) 50th percentile male side impact dummy).

In the present invention configured as described above, the internal tether extending in the front-rear direction is provided inside the pre-chamber. Therefore, when the airbag is deployed, broadening in the left and right width direction of the pre-chamber is restricted enabling ensuring sufficient width in the left-right direction of the pre-chamber. As a result, the pre-chamber quickly comes into contact with the occupant at the initial stage of airbag deployment, and movement of the occupant in the left-right direction can be reliably restrained. In addition, restriction of deployment of the pre-chamber toward the front by the internal tether also affects the main chamber, and the forward deployment of the main chamber is also restricted. Therefore, even in a so-called out-of-position (OOP) situation where the occupant is at the front of the side support portion of the seat, the injury value to the occupant can be reduced.

A front end part of the internal tether can be connected near a front edge of the pre-chamber.

The pre-chamber is configured with at least two panels including a first panel connected to the main chamber by a coupling part and a second panel provided on the occupant side, where the front edge of the pre-chamber is a sewn portion in the vehicle forward direction of the first panel and second panel, and this sewn portion is sewn together with the front end part of the internal tether.

A front end part of the internal tether can be connected near the center of the pre-chamber in the vertical direction. In this case, the forward deployment of the pre-chamber near the center is restricted, and the thickness in the left-right direction increases at that location enabling quickly restraining, for example, from the chest to the waist of the occupant.

The internal tether can be configured so as to extend diagonally upwards from the rear end part to the front end part with the front end part of this internal tether connected near the upper end of the pre-chamber. In this case, the forward deployment of the pre-chamber near the upper part is restricted, and the thickness in the left-right direction increases at that location enabling quickly restraining, for example, the shoulders of the occupant.

In addition, the internal tether can extend diagonally downwards from the rear end part to the front end part with the front end part of this internal tether connected near the lower end of the pre-chamber. In this case, the forward deployment of the pre-chamber near the lower part is restricted, and the thickness in the left-right direction increases at that location enabling quickly restraining, for example, the waist of the occupant.

A rear end part of the internal tether can be connected near a rear end of the pre-chamber.

A rear end part of the internal tether can be connected to the inflator.

The inflator is formed in a cylinder shape (columnar shape), and the rear end part of the internal tether can be connected so as to surround the periphery of the inflator.

A rectifying member for restricting the flow of the expansion gas can be arranged on the periphery of the inflator, and the rear end part of the internal tether can be arranged so as to surround the periphery of the rectifying member.

A rear end part of the internal tether connected to the inflator may be configured to function as a rectifying member that restricts flow of the expansion gas.

The width of the internal tether in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is smaller than the length of the inflator in the longitudinal direction.

The inflator can be configured so as to be secured to the side frame by a fastener and the rear end part of the internal tether can be fastened to the fastener of the inflator.

The length from the front end part to the rear end part of the internal tether is preferably shorter than the length of the pre-chamber before deployment in the extending direction of the internal tether. By setting the length of the internal tether shorter than the length of the corresponding portion of the pre-chamber in this manner, expansion of the pre-chamber can reliably be restricted in the front-rear direction.

The configuration can have the main chamber partitioned into a front chamber and a rear chamber and have the expansion gas pass from the pre-chamber through the rear chamber of the main chamber to reach the front chamber.

The configuration (resolution means) and action/effect of the present invention have been described above. The side airbag according to the present invention can be applied to the type that deploys to the door side (outside) of the seat or to the type that deploys to the side of the seat at the center of the vehicle. Note that a side airbag device of a type which is deployed on the vehicle center side of the seat, for example, is referred to as a far side airbag device, front center airbag, rear center airbag, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to accompanying drawings. Note that “front” indicated in the drawings indicates the front side (in the traveling direction) of a vehicle, “rear” indicates the rear of the vehicle (side opposite the traveling direction), “inside” indicates the inner side in the vehicle width direction (occupant side), and “outside” indicates the outer side in the vehicle width direction (door panel side).

FIG.1is a perspective view illustrating mainly the external shape of a vehicle seat to which the side airbag device20according to the present invention can be applied, with illustration of the side airbag device (20) omitted.FIG.2is a perspective view illustrating an internal structure (seat frame) functioning as a framework of the vehicle seat illustrated inFIG.1, with illustration of the side airbag device (20) omitted here as well.FIG.3is a schematic side surface view of the vehicle seat mounted with the side airbag device20according to the present invention, for example, illustrating a condition where the airbag device20is stowed on a side surface (near side) near a door as observed from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

As illustrated inFIG.1andFIG.2, from the viewpoint of components, a vehicle seat to which a side airbag device20according to the present invention can be applied includes a seat cushion2, or a portion for an occupant to sit on, a seatback1forming a backrest, and a headrest3connected to the upper end of the seatback1.

A seatback frame1fthat forms that framework of the seat is provided in the inner portion of the seatback1, a pad made of urethane foam or the like is provided on the surface and periphery thereof, and a surface skin (not illustrated) is provided. As for the seat cushion2, similar to the seatback1, a pad made of urethane foam or the like is provided on the upper surface and periphery of the seating frame2f, and a surface skin (not illustrated) is provided. The seating frame2fand the seatback frame1fare connected via a reclining mechanism4.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the seat back frame1fis configured into a frame shape by side frames10disposed laterally spaced apart and extending in the vertical direction, an upper frame connecting the upper ends of the side frames10, and a lower frame connecting the lower ends thereof. The headrest3is configured by providing a cushioned component outside a headrest frame.

FIG.4is a schematic diagram (side view) illustrating the deployed state of the airbag30(32,34) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.FIG.5(A), (B) are schematic views illustrating the deployed state of the airbag30, corresponding to the cross section in the A1-A1direction inFIG.4.FIG.6is an explanatory diagram illustrating the relationship between the pre-chamber34of the airbag30and the internal tether50.

The airbag device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is arranged on the occupant side of the side frame10positioned on the side portion inside the seatback1and is provided with an inflator35that generates expansion gas and the airbag30that is expanded by the expansion gas and protects the occupant seated on the vehicle seat. The airbag30includes a main chamber32that deploys toward the front of the seatback1, and a pre-chamber34that houses the inflator35inside and is connected to the occupant side of the main chamber32. Furthermore, an internal tether50having a front end part50aconnected to the front portion of the pre-chamber34and a rear end part50bconnected to the rear portion of the pre-chamber34are provided inside the pre-chamber34.

For example, a cylinder-type inflator having a cylindrical shape may be used as the inflator35. Two stud bolts37protrude from the periphery of the inflator35toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. These stud bolts37are attached (fastened and secured) to the side frame10using nuts. The inflator35has a plurality of circumferentially aligned gas jets (not shown), and gas is radially emitted from these gas jets.

An airbag control ECU (not shown) mounted on the vehicle is electrically connected to this inflator35. A satellite sensor (not shown) for detecting side collisions is electrically connected to this airbag control ECU. The inflator35can be configured to operate when the airbag control ECU detects a side collision based on a signal from this satellite sensor.

As illustrated inFIG.5(A)and (B), the main chamber32includes the inner main panel32alocated on the passenger side and an outer main panel32blocated on the opposite side from the occupant. Furthermore, these two panels32aand32bare stacked and the outer edge parts are sewn together to form the main chamber32.

The pre-chamber34is formed into a bag-like shape by, for example, overlapping two pre-chamber panels34aand34bof the same shape and sewing the periphery. A first panel34bis connected to the inner main panel32aby sewing at least around the inner vent V1. Note, as illustrated inFIG.6, the pre-chamber panels34aand34bcan be shaped such that the upper and lower portions of the front edge protrude forward.

As illustrated inFIG.5(A)and (B), the inner main panel32ahas a first inner vent V1, and the expansion gas inside the pre-chamber34is supplied via the first inner vent V1into the main chamber32. Note, reinforcement sewing is formed around the inner vent V1.

Also, an opening for inserting the inflator35and openings to allow the stud bolts37of the inflator35to pass through are formed near the rear edge part of the outer main panel32b.

As illustrated inFIG.5(A), (B), a baffle panel38is provided on the inside of the main chamber32and connected to the inner surface of the inner main panel32a. The baffle panel38allows the main chamber32to be divided into a forward main chamber32fand a rear main chamber32r.

A second inner vent V2is formed in the buffer panel38and expansion gas flows from the rear main chamber32rthrough this second inner vent V2to the front main chamber32f. Note, reinforcement sewing is formed around the inner vent V2.

The front end part50aof the internal tether50is connected to the front edge of the pre-chamber34, and the rear end part50bis connected so as to surround the periphery of the inflator35.

As illustrated inFIG.6, a length L0from the front end part50ato the rear end part50bof the internal tether50is set shorter than a length L1of the pre-chamber34before deployment in the direction that the internal tether50extends. By setting the length of the internal tether50shorter than the length of the corresponding portion of the pre-chamber34in this manner, expansion of the pre-chamber34can reliably be restricted in the front-rear direction.

The deployment shape of a front portion34xof the pre-chamber34differs between the aspect illustrated inFIG.5(A)and the aspect illustrated inFIG.5(B). InFIG.5(A), the front end of the pre-chamber34in the fully deployed state and the front end part50aof the internal tether50are relatively close to each other in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, inFIG.5(B), with the front portion34xof the pre-chamber34in a deployed state, the periphery of the sewn portion of the front end part50aof the internal tether50is configured to protrude forward. In other words, the connecting portion between the internal tether50and the pre-chamber34is recessed. In this manner, as illustrated inFIG.5(B), the shape of the front portion34xof the pre-chamber34can be achieved by further shortening the length L0of the internal tether50relative to the width (length) L1in the front-to-back direction of the pre-chamber panel34athat constitutes the pre-chamber34.

FIG.7(A), (B) andFIG.8(A)to (C) are explanatory diagrams illustrating an aspect of the positional relationship status between the pre-chamber34and the internal tether50of the airbag30according to Embodiment 1. In the aspect illustrated inFIG.7(A), the front end part50aof the internal tether50is connected to the upper end of the pre-chamber34. In the aspect illustrated inFIG.7(B), the front end part50aof the internal tether50is connected to the lower end of the pre-chamber34.

In the aspect illustrated inFIG.8(A), the shape of a pre-chamber234is different from that of the pre-chamber34illustrated inFIG.7, and only the lower end part protrudes forward. Furthermore, the front end part of an internal tether250can be connected near the center, upper end or lower end in the same manner as inFIG.6andFIG.7(A)and (B).

In the aspect illustrated inFIG.8(B), the shape of a pre-chamber334is different from that of the pre-chamber34illustrated inFIG.7, and only the upper end part protrudes forward. Furthermore, the front end part of an internal tether350can be connected near the center, upper end or lower end in the same manner as inFIG.6andFIG.7(A)and (B).

In the aspect illustrated inFIG.8(C), the shape of a pre-chamber434is different from that of the pre-chamber34illustrated inFIG.7and when viewed from the side, the chamber is formed into a rounded rectangle or ellipse, and no forward projecting portion is formed. Furthermore, the front end part of an internal tether450can be connected near the center, upper end or lower end in the same manner as inFIG.6andFIG.7(A)and (B).

In the present invention, when the front end part50aof the internal tether50(250,350,450) is connected near the center of the pre-chamber34in the vertical direction, the thickness in the horizontal direction increases at that location, and, for example, the occupant can quickly be restrained from the abdomen to the chest.

On the other hand, if configured such that the internal tether50(250,350,450) extends diagonally upward from the rear end part50bto the front end part50a, and the front end50aof the internal tether50(250,350,450) is connected near the upper end of the pre-chamber34(234,334,434), the thickness in the left-right direction increases at this location of the pre-chamber34(234,334,434), and, for example, the area near the shoulder of the occupant can quickly be restrained.

In addition, if configured such that the internal tether50(250,350,450) extends diagonally downward from the rear end part50bto the front end part50a, and the front end50aof the internal tether50(250,350,450) is connected near the lower end of the pre-chamber34(234,334,434), the thickness in the left-right direction increases at this location of the pre-chamber34(234,334,434), and, for example, the area near the waist of the occupant can quickly be restrained.

FIG.9(A)to (C) are explanatory diagrams (side views) illustrating aspects of a connecting portion between the internal tether50,550,650and the inflator35used in the side airbag device20according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

The aspect illustrated inFIG.9(A)corresponds to the structure illustrated inFIG.5and the rear end part50bof the internal tether50is connected so as to surround the periphery of the inflator35. The width of the internal tether50is set to be slightly narrower than the spacing between the two stud bolts37provided on the inflator35.

Similar to the aspect ofFIG.9(A), in the aspect illustrated inFIG.9(B), a rear end part550bof the internal tether550is connected so as to surround the periphery of the inflator35. The width of the internal tether550is set to be slightly narrower than the length of the inflator35. Furthermore, holes552are provided in the rear end part550bof the internal tether550for the two stud bolts37provided on the inflator35to penetrate through.

The aspect inFIG.9(C)differs fromFIG.9(A)and (B) in that a rear end part650bof the internal tether650is connected to the inflator35as a piece of cloth rather than in a bag shape. The width of the internal tether650is set to be slightly narrower than the length of the inflator35. Furthermore, holes652are provided in the rear end part650bof the internal tether650for the two stud bolts37provided on the inflator35to penetrate through.

FIG.10(A), (B) are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating the deployed state of an airbag (30) according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, corresponding to the cross section in the A1-A1direction ofFIG.4. The present Embodiment has many structural elements in common with Embodiment 1 described above, and corresponding or identical structural elements are denoted by the same explanatory codes, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

The difference between the present Embodiment and Embodiment 1 lies in the method of securing the front end part50aof the internal tether50arranged in the pre-chamber34. In the present Embodiment, the front edges of two panels34aand34bthat constitute the pre-chamber34are connected to each other by sewing90, and the front end part50aof the internal tether50is sewn together with the sewing90. In other words, the front edges of the two panels34a,34band the front end part50aof the internal tether50are sewn together. Thus, the manufacturing process (sewing process) can be simplified.

The deployment shape of a front portion34xof the pre-chamber34differs between the aspect illustrated inFIG.10(A)and the aspect illustrated inFIG.10(B). InFIG.10(B), with the front portion34xof the pre-chamber34in a deployed state, the periphery of the sewn location of the front end part50aof the internal tether50is configured to protrude forward. In other words, the connecting portion between the internal tether50and the pre-chamber34is recessed. In this manner, as illustrated inFIG.10(B), the shape of the front portion34xof the pre-chamber34can be achieved by further shortening the length L0of the internal tether50relative to the width (length) L1in the front-to-back direction of the pre-chamber panel34athat constitutes the pre-chamber34.

Note, in the present Embodiment, similar to Embodiment 1, it goes without saying that the variations illustrated inFIG.7toFIG.9can be applied.

FIG.11(A), (B) are cross-sectional views illustrating a part of the cross section (around the inflator) indicating the expanded state of the airbag according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the present Embodiment, means (860,970) for restricting gas flow are provided around the inflator35.

In the aspect illustrated inFIG.11(A), the rear end part850bof the internal tether850surrounds the inflator35, and a spacing860formed by the surrounding is used as the gas rectifying area. The size of the spacing860can be easily adjusted by changing the position of a sewing862. The gas discharged from the inflator35is guided vertically (perpendicular to the paper surface) by the rectifying area (860).

The deployment shape of the front portion34xof the pre-chamber34differs between the aspect illustrated inFIG.11(A)and the aspect illustrated inFIG.11(B). InFIG.11(A), the front end of the pre-chamber34in the fully deployed state and a front end part850aof an internal tether850are relatively close to each other in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, inFIG.11(B), with the front portion34xof the pre-chamber34in a deployed state, the periphery of the sewn portion of the front end part850aof the internal tether850is configured to protrude forward. In other words, the connecting portion between the internal tether850and the pre-chamber34is recessed. In this manner, as illustrated inFIG.11(B), the shape of the front portion34xof the pre-chamber34can be achieved by further shortening the length of the internal tether850L0relative to the width (length) L1in the front-to-back direction of the pre-chamber panel34athat constitutes the pre-chamber34.

FIG.12(A), (B) are cross-sectional views illustrating a part of the cross section (around the inflator) indicating the expanded state of the airbag according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the present Embodiment, a cylindrical rectifying tube970is arranged around the inflator35, and the outer periphery of the rectifying tube970is further surrounded by a rear end part950bof an internal tether950. Furthermore, the gas discharged from the inflator35is guided vertically (perpendicular to the paper surface) by the rectifying tube970. As in Embodiment 3 illustrated inFIG.12(A), (B), the rear end part950bof the internal tether950can be used as a rectifying region, and the width (height) of the rectifying tube970can be reduced. In other words, the gas guided by the rectifying tube970can be further guided by the rear end part950bof the internal tether950.

The deployment shape of the front portion34xof the pre-chamber34differs between the aspect illustrated inFIG.12(A)and the aspect illustrated inFIG.12(B). InFIG.12(A), the front end of the pre-chamber34in the fully deployed state and a front end part950aof the internal tether950are relatively close to each other in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, inFIG.12(B), with the front portion34xof the pre-chamber34in a deployed state, the periphery of the sewn portion of the front end part950aof the internal tether950is configured to protrude forward. In other words, the connecting portion between the internal tether950and the pre-chamber34is recessed. In this manner, as illustrated inFIG.12(B), the shape of the front portion34xof the pre-chamber34can be achieved by further shortening the length L0of the internal tether950relative to the width (length) L1in the front-to-back direction of the pre-chamber panel34athat constitutes the pre-chamber34.

Note that in the present Embodiment, similar to Embodiment 2 illustrated inFIG.10, tip end parts850a,950aof the internal tethers850,850can be sewn together at the front edges of the panels34a,34b.

FIG.13(A), (B) are schematic views illustrating the deployed state of an airbag according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, corresponding to the cross section in the A1-A1direction ofFIG.4. The present Embodiment has substantially the same structure as Embodiment 1 illustrated inFIG.5, but differs in that the main chamber32is not partitioned by a baffle panel (38). From the meaning of regulating the deployment shape of the pre-chamber34, Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 3 of the present invention are the same. However, in the case of Embodiment 1 illustrated inFIG.5, the main chamber32tends to expand in the lateral width direction. On the other hand, in the case of Embodiment 5 illustrated inFIG.13, the main chamber32can easily be deployed forward.

The deployment shape of the front portion34xof the pre-chamber34differs between the aspect illustrated inFIG.13(A)and the aspect illustrated inFIG.13(B). InFIG.13(A), the front end of the pre-chamber34in the fully deployed state and the front end part50aof the internal tether50are relatively close to each other in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, inFIG.13(B), with the front portion34xof the pre-chamber34in a deployed state, the periphery of the sewn portion of the front end part50aof the internal tether50is configured to protrude forward. In other words, the connecting portion between the internal tether50and the pre-chamber34is recessed. In this manner, as illustrated inFIG.13(B), the shape of the front portion34xof the pre-chamber34can be achieved by further shortening the length L0of the internal tether50relative to the width (length) L1in the front-to-back direction of the pre-chamber panel34athat constitutes the pre-chamber34.

Note that in the present Embodiment, similar to Embodiment 2 illustrated inFIG.10, tip end parts50aof the internal tethers50can be sewn together at the front edges of the panels34a,34b.

Effect

Embodiments of the present invention have been described and in the present invention configured as described above, the internal tether50extending in the front-rear direction is provided inside the pre-chamber34. Therefore, when the airbag30is deployed, broadening in the left and right width direction of the pre-chamber34is restricted enabling ensuring sufficient width in the left-right direction of the pre-chamber34. As a result, the pre-chamber34quickly comes into contact with the occupant at the initial stage of airbag30deployment, and movement of the occupant in the left-right direction can be reliably restrained. In addition, restriction of deployment of the pre-chamber34toward the front by the internal tether50also affects the main chamber32, and the forward deployment of the main chamber32is also restricted. Therefore, even in a so-called out-of-position (OOP) situation where the occupant is at the front of the side support portion of the seat, the injury value to the occupant can be reduced.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the abovementioned illustrative embodiments, many equivalent changes and variations will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the present disclosure. Therefore, the abovementioned illustrative embodiments of the present invention are presumably illustrative and not limiting. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the described embodiments may take on various modifications. For example, while a side airbag on the near side has been predominantly mentioned in the Description of the Preferred Embodiment, use is also possible with a far side airbag (surface on the far side from a vehicle door of a vehicle seat), in very small vehicles such as a single seat vehicle (irrespective of the presence of a door, a vehicle including parts with only one seat in a single row), and the like.