Patent Description:
As used in this application, "up" and "upper" refer to the head direction of an occupant seated in a normal position in the seat, and "down" and "lower" refer to the foot direction of the same occupant. In addition, "front" and "forward" refer to the frontward direction of an occupant seated in a normal position in the seat, and "rear" and "rearward" refer to the back direction of the same occupant. Moreover, the "width direction" means the directions toward the left hand and right hand of an occupant seated in a normal position in the seat. Note that a "normal position" in the description above refers to a position along which the entire back of the occupant is in contact with the backrest of the seat at a center position in the width direction of the seat cushion that constitutes the seat. Furthermore, "occupant" in the above description assumes an AM50 (a 50th percentile of an adult male in US) of World SID (Word Side Impact Dummy).

For example, upon a side impact, a side airbag device that suppresses movement of the occupant toward the part where the impact is applied is configured such that a signal transmitted by a sensor that detects the impact activates an inflator so as to generate gas in order to expand and deploy a cushion to the side of the occupant seated in a vehicle seat.

The side airbag device is, as illustrated in <FIG>, for example, a cushion <NUM> with an inflator <NUM> stowed therein that is stowed inside a side part of the backrest portion (hereinafter seatback SB) of a seat S in a state of being folded in a bellows shape in front-to-back direction of the vehicle. Note that, in <FIG>, <FIG> represents the airbag module having the inflator <NUM> stowed in the cushion <NUM>, 3a represents a stud bolt, for example two thereof, provided in a protruding state in the longitudinal direction on the outer periphery of the inflator <NUM>, and <NUM> represents a nut to attach to the stud bolt 3a. In addition, SF indicates a side frame built in both left and right sides of the seat back SB, and SD indicates a side door.

In order to maintain the folded state of the cushion while the side airbag device is being assembled, being transported to a vehicle manufacturer, being assembled to a vehicle, and during standard usage of a vehicle, as illustrated in <FIG>, a soft cover <NUM> is wound around an outer peripheral portion of the airbag module <NUM>.

A hole 5c provided in a first end 5a of the soft cover <NUM> is mated and engaged with the stud bolt 3a of the inflator <NUM>. Thereafter, a second end 5b is wound from the side the inflator <NUM> is stowed in so as to surround the folded side of the cushion <NUM>, and mating a hole 5d provided on the second end 5b to the stud bolt 3a of the inflator <NUM> enables the soft cover <NUM> to be wound around the airbag module <NUM>.

However, in the case of the winding of the soft cover <NUM>, when the airbag module <NUM> is assembled to a vehicle, a folded part 2f on the seat side in proximity to the inflator <NUM> is caught between a side frame SF and the inflator stowing portion of the cushion <NUM> due to the tensile force (arrow A). In this case, damage occurs to the portion of the cushion <NUM> that is caught.

Therefore, a technique for resolving the disadvantages has been proposed in Patent Document <NUM>. The technology proposed in Patent Document <NUM> includes, as illustrated in <FIG>, a protective flap <NUM> arranged on the side frame SF side of the airbag module <NUM> that includes the folded part 2f on the seat side of the cushion <NUM> in proximity to the inflator <NUM>. Note that the protective flap <NUM> is provided with a hole 6a for inserting the stud bolt 3a of the inflator <NUM> and is sewn to the soft cover <NUM> and the cushion <NUM> so there is no deviation in placement position.

Patent Document <NUM> <CIT> Specification, Patent Document <NUM> <CIT>.

However, in the case of the technology proposed in Patent Document <NUM>, the protective flap can effectively prevent the cushion from getting caught, but there is a disadvantage that the protective wrap is additionally required, and this increases the number of steps for manufacturing of the airbag module. In addition, there is concern that the cushion getting caught may occur due to manufacturing variations. In Patent Document <NUM> it is further disclosed a side airbag comprising the features of the preamble of claim <NUM>.

A problem to be solved by the present invention is that the cushion may get caught between the side frame and the inflator stowing portion when assembling the airbag module with the soft cover wound around the outer periphery to a vehicle.

On the other hand, in the case of the side airbag device proposed in Patent Document <NUM>, the cushion getting caught can be effectively prevented, but the protective wrap is additionally required, and the number of assembly steps of the airbag module increases. In addition, the cushion getting caught may occur due to manufacturing variations.

An object of the present invention is to effectively prevent the cushion from getting caught without requiring an extra component besides the soft cover when assembling the airbag module to a vehicle.

The present invention is a side airbag device for suppressing movement of an occupant in a vehicle collision and protecting the occupant provided with an airbag module having an inflator stowed in a cushion attached to a frame of a seat.

In the side airbag device of the present invention, a soft cover is wound around the outer periphery of the airbag module.

Furthermore, with the present invention,
an important feature is that the soft cover includes:.

With the airbag module constituting the side airbag device according to the present invention,.

In the present invention, when attaching the airbag module to the frame of the seat, the folded portion of the cushion on the frame side close to the inflator is pulled away from the attachment portion of the inflator to the frame by the tensile force acting on the soft cover. Therefore, effectively preventing the folded portion of the cushion from being caught between the frame and the inflator stowed in the cushion.

In the present invention, the first side part of the soft cover should have a sewn portion sewn to the cushion near the stowing portion of the inflator of the cushion or have an insertion hole for the stud bolt of the inflator. Because in the case of such a configuration, when attaching the airbag module to the frame, the folded portion of the cushion on the frame side close to the inflator is pulled away from the attachment portion of the inflator to the frame by the first side part of the soft cover.

According to the present invention, there is a space between the folded portion on the first side part of the soft cover which is the frame side close to the inflator, and the stowing portion of the inflator. This is because, when attaching the airbag module to the frame, even a portion of the folded cushion is likely to be caught between the frame and inflator stowing portion of the cushion, a portion thereof moves due to the presence of the space, and may avoid getting caught.

With the present invention, when attaching the airbag module to the seat frame, the folded portion of the cushion on the frame side in proximity to the inflator is pulled away from the portion where the inflator attaches to the frame. Therefore, the folded portion can be effectively prevented from being caught between the frame and the inflator stowing portion of the cushion.

An object of the present invention is to prevent a cushion from getting caught without requiring an extra component in addition to a soft cover when assembling an airbag module to a vehicle.

The object of the present invention is achieved by winding the soft cover that is wrapped around the airbag module from a frame and an inflator stowing portion of the cushion along a side surface of the cushion frame to an end part toward the front of the vehicle, then along the side surface of the cushion on the side opposite the frame to an end part toward the rear of the vehicle.

An embodiment of the present invention is described below using the attached diagrams. Note that the explanations of the embodiments below are examples of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, the application, and the uses thereof.

As described in <FIG>, a side airbag device <NUM> is attached to side frame SF arranged on both the left and right sides of the seat back SB, for example, which functions as a framework of the seat S. In addition, in the Embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the side airbag device <NUM> is attached to the side door SD side of the side frame SF. In the present Embodiment, "seat side" in the following description means the same direction as "frame side".

The side airbag device <NUM> includes, for example, an airbag module <NUM> where a cushion <NUM> in which an inflator <NUM> is stowed is folded in the front-to-back direction of the vehicle and the folded state is maintained by winding a soft cover <NUM> around the outer periphery thereof.

The cushion <NUM> is formed longer in the up-down direction than the front-to-back direction in order to cover an upper body of an occupant from the side, and for example, formed in a bag shape by sewing outer periphery portions of <NUM> pierces of base material panels together to increase thickness in the left-right direction.

Additionally, the inflator <NUM> is configured to receive a signal from a sensor and discharge gas into the interior of the cushion <NUM> from a gas discharge hole provided on the outer surface thereof.

Furthermore, the airbag module <NUM> is attached to the side frame SF on the side door SD side, for example, using two stud bolts 3a provided at appropriate intervals in a protruding manner in the longitudinal direction of the exterior surface of the inflator <NUM> opposite the gas discharge hole.

Regarding the side airbag device <NUM> of the present invention, the form of the soft cover <NUM> and the manufacturing method of the airbag module differ significantly from that of the side airbag device having the airbag module <NUM> with a conventional soft cover wound thereon.

In other words, except for an engaging part 11e described below, the soft cover <NUM> used in the present invention is attached to the side frame SF and has a length in the vertical direction corresponding in general to the length of the cushion <NUM> in a folded state in the vertical direction of the vehicle. On the other hand, in the front-rear direction of the vehicle in the state where the airbag module <NUM> is attached to the side frame SF, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first side part 11a, the front end part 11b, the second side part 11c, the rear end part 11d, and the engaging part 11e are continuously provided from the rear to the front of the vehicle.

The first side part 11a extends from the side frame SF and the inflator <NUM> stowing portion of the cushion <NUM> along a side surface 2a of the folded cushion <NUM> on the frame side (seat side) toward the front of the vehicle and is a portion that covers the side surface 2a. In the Embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the insertion hole 11f of the stud bolt 3a of the inflator <NUM> is provided on the first side part 11a.

In addition, the front end part 11b is a part that extends continuously from the front end of the first side part 11a and covers an end part toward the front of the vehicle 2b of the folded cushion <NUM> of the airbag module <NUM> in a state attached to the side frame SF.

In addition, the second side part 11c is a part that extends continuously from the front end part 11b toward the rear of the vehicle along a side surface 2c on a side of the folded cushion <NUM> of the airbag module <NUM> on the side opposite that of the frame (side opposite the seat S) and covers the side surface 2c.

In addition, the rear end part 11d is a part that extends continuously from the second side part 11c and covers the end part toward rear end of vehicle 2d of the folded cushion <NUM> of the airbag module <NUM> in the attached state.

In addition, the engaging part 11e is a part that extends continuously from the rear end part 11d, overlaps with a portion of the first side part 11a and the outside thereof, and is engaged to the stud bolt 3a of the inflator <NUM>. In the Embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, an insertion hole <NUM> for the stud bolt 3a of the inflator <NUM> is provided in the engagement part.

Note that, as understood from <FIG> illustrating the expanded view, the front end part 11b refers to the entire region between the first side part 11a and the second side part 11c, and is positioned on the front surface of the airbag module <NUM> in a state where the soft cover <NUM> is wound around the outer periphery of the airbag device <NUM>. Similarly, the rear end part 11d refers to the entire region between the second side part 11c and the engaging part 11e, and is positioned on the rear surface of the airbag module <NUM> in a state where the soft cover <NUM> is wound around the outer periphery of the airbag device <NUM>.

The airbag module <NUM> including the soft cover <NUM> having the above configuration is assembled and manufactured in the following order. Note that in the present embodiment, "seat side" in the following description means the same direction as "frame side".

First, the protruding hole 2e of the stud bolt 3a provided in the stowing portion where the inflator <NUM> of the cushion <NUM> is stowed and the insertion hole 11f provided on the first side part 11a of the soft cover <NUM> are aligned. Then, in the aligned state, the soft cover <NUM> is sewn to the cushion <NUM> on the front end part 11b side of the insertion hole 11f and side opposite the front end part 11b. The reference <NUM> in <FIG> indicates the sewn part of the soft cover <NUM> and cushion <NUM>. In the present Embodiment, providing at least one sewn part <NUM> on the each of the insertion holes 11f for the stud bolts 3a in the vehicle front-to-back direction increases the strength of the stitches of the soft cover <NUM> and cushion <NUM>.

After the inflator <NUM> is stowed in the cushion <NUM> with the soft cover <NUM> sewn to the aforementioned stowing portion, as illustrated in <FIG>, for example, the cushion <NUM> main body portion is folded into a bellows shape in the front-back direction of the vehicle, and the leading end is folded into a roll shape.

Next, the first side part 11a, the front end part 11b, the second side part 11c, and the rear end part 11d of the soft cover <NUM> are wound so as to cover each of the frame side (seat side) surface 2a, the end part toward front end of vehicle 2b, the side surface 2c on the side opposite the frame (side opposite the seat S), and the end part toward rear end of vehicle 2d of the cushion <NUM>.

Thereafter, in a state where the engaging part 11e is overlapped with a portion of the first side part 11a and the outside thereof towards the rear of the vehicle, the stud bolt 3a of the inflator <NUM> is inserted into the insertion hole <NUM> provided on the engaging part 11e, and engaged.

When assembling the airbag module <NUM> in the order above, in the Embodiment of <FIG>, a space <NUM> is formed between the frame side close to the inflator <NUM> of the cushion <NUM> main body portion, in other words, the folded part 2f of first side part 11a of the soft cover <NUM>, and the stowing portion of the inflator <NUM>.

When the airbag module <NUM> assembled by the method above is assembled into the side frame SF, the folded part 2f on the frame side of the cushion <NUM> close to the inflator <NUM> is pulled in a direction (arrow B) away from the portion of the side frame SF that the inflator <NUM> is attached to.

Therefore, a portion of the folded part 2f of the cushion <NUM> can effectively be prevented from being caught between the side frame SF and the inflator <NUM> stowed in the cushion <NUM>. Even if the folded part 2f getting caught between the side frame SF and the inflator <NUM> stowing portion of the cushion <NUM> is likely, a portion thereof moves due to the presence of the space <NUM>, and getting caught is less likely to occur.

Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the examples described above and the Embodiments may be appropriately changed within the scope of the technical concepts described in each claim.

In other words, the side airbag device and the airbag module manufacturing method described above are preferred examples of the present invention, and Embodiments other than these examples are included. Unless particularly limited in the specification of the present application, the shape, size, configuration, arrangement, and the like of the detailed parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings do not restrict the present invention. Furthermore, expressions and terms used in the specification of the present application are for the purpose of description and are not limiting unless otherwise specified.

For example, in the embodiment described above, the side airbag device <NUM> is attached to the side door SD side of the side frame SF, but as illustrated in <FIG>, the side airbag device <NUM> may be attached to the side frame SF on the center side in the vehicle width direction. In the case of a modified example of <FIG> related to the Embodiment described with left and right inverted and setting the frame side to the first side part 11a and the side opposite side the frame as the second side part 11c, winding the soft cover <NUM> in the direction of the arrow B in <FIG> (opposite direction of the Embodiment described above) enables implementation of the present invention and obtaining the same effect as the effect described above.

For example, in the Embodiment described above, the side airbag device <NUM> (airbag module <NUM>) of the present invention is provided on a side closer to the side door SD (near side) of the seat S, but may be provided on the center side in the vehicle width direction (far side).

Additionally, in the Embodiment described above, the insertion hole 11f of the stud bolt 3a is provided on the first side part 11a of the soft cover <NUM>, but if the stud bolt 3a can penetrate through the first side part 11a, a cutout <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> may be provided.

In addition, in the Embodiment described above, the positioning of the soft cover <NUM> on the cushion <NUM> is set by the insertion hole 11f for the stud bolt 3a provided on the first side part 11a of the soft cover <NUM> and the sewn part <NUM>. However, as long as the positioning can be reliably set, employing of only one of the foregoing is feasible. Additionally, the positioning can also be set by adhering the soft cover <NUM> and the cushion <NUM>.

Additionally, in the Embodiment described above, the length of the soft cover <NUM> in the up-down direction corresponds generally to the length of the cushion <NUM> attached to the side frame SF in the folded state in the up-down direction of the vehicle. However, as long as the folded state of the cushion <NUM> can be maintained during standard use of the vehicle, the length of the soft cover <NUM> in the up-down direction may be shorter than the length in the up-down direction of the vehicle of the cushion <NUM> in the folded state.

In addition, in the Embodiment described above, the cushion <NUM> is folded in a bellows shape and a roll shape in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, but may be folded in a bellows shape in the front-rear direction of the vehicle as illustrated in <FIG>. In addition, as illustrated in <FIG>, folding in a bellows shape in the width direction of the vehicle is also feasible. Further, folding in a roll shape is also feasible.

In addition, the present invention can also be applied to a self-driving vehicle having a high degree of freedom with respect to the orientation of the seat, such that the orientation of the seat is not fixed in the vehicle travel direction, and can be rotated <NUM>° degrees until facing in the reverse direction of the vehicle travel direction.

Claim 1:
A side airbag device (<NUM>) for suppressing movement of an occupant in a vehicle collision and protecting the occupant, provided with an airbag module (<NUM>) having an inflator (<NUM>) stowed in a folded cushion (<NUM>) attached to a frame of a vehicle seat, comprising:
a soft cover (<NUM>) wound around an outer periphery of the airbag module (<NUM>); wherein
the soft cover (<NUM>) includes:
a first side part (11a) extending from the stowing portion of the inflator (<NUM>) in the cushion (<NUM>) along the side surface of the folded cushion (<NUM>) on the frame side toward the front of the vehicle,
a front end part (11b) extending continuously from a front end of the first side part (11a) and wound around the end part of the cushion (<NUM>) towards the front of the vehicle,
a second side part (11c) extending continuously from the front end part (11b) along a side surface of the cushion (<NUM>) on the side opposite the frame and extending toward the rear of the vehicle,
a rear end part (11d) extending continuously from the second side part (11c) and wound around a rear end part (2d) of the cushion (<NUM>) towards the rear of the vehicle, characterized by
an engaging part (11e) extending continuously from the rear end part (11d), overlapping with a portion of the first side part (11a), and engaged to a stud bolt (3a) of the inflator (<NUM>) wherein
- a space (<NUM>) is included between a folded portion (2F) of the folded cushion (<NUM>) and the first side part (11a) side of the soft cover (<NUM>) close to the inflator (<NUM>) and the inflator stowing portion.