JP2001063509A - Automotive side airbag device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] The present invention has improved seat durability and serviceability as compared with an airbag device of a seat interior type, can improve the appearance of a vehicle interior by a seat cover, and can improve the appearance of a seat. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle side airbag device that can smoothly inflate an airbag in a normal function at any position. SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a vehicle side airbag device 20 including seats 6 and 7 slidable along the front-rear direction of a vehicle body, and a seat cushion 12 forming the seats 6 and 7 and a front and rear side portion 2a of the vehicle body. , 2b and the side doors 3, 4, a side airbag module 19 movable in the same direction as the sliding direction of the seats 6, 7 is provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a side airbag device for a motor vehicle, and more particularly to a side airbag device provided in relation to a seat slidable along the longitudinal direction of a vehicle body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent automobiles, when a relatively large impact force acts on the vehicle body from the side of the vehicle, a normally contracted side airbag is inflated, and the inflated side airbag is used as a seat. A configuration is employed in which a shock force from the side is reduced by being interposed between a seated occupant and the vehicle body. Such side airbag devices are installed in various places in a vehicle interior, for example,
An airbag is provided inside a side portion such as a seat back or a headrest so that a fiber structure at an inflated portion is easily broken (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 58-130850, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-356246).
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-230591), and an airbag is provided on a vehicle body located between a driver seat and a front passenger seat of a front seat. (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 3-2814)
No. 58) is presented.

[0003]

Among such conventional side airbag devices, the one in which an airbag is provided on the side of a seatback, a headrest and a seat cushion has a durability in a fiber structure of an airbag mounting portion. , The airbag may not be inflated normally due to a change over time. Also, this type of
When a user or the like covers the entire seat with a commercially available seat cover and attempts to enhance the appearance of the vehicle interior, the seat cover will block the inflation opening of the airbag.
The side airbag device does not operate. Furthermore, when a part of the body of the occupant sitting on the seat is in contact with the airbag mounting portion, the airbag does not inflate smoothly and has a problem that it is difficult to function normally.

On the other hand, among the conventional side airbag devices, those in which an airbag is mounted on the vehicle body side, since the airbag device is fixed to the vehicle body side, the seated occupant can fit the body size. When the front seat is slid along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body and adjusted to an optimum driving position, a comfortable seating position, and the like, the positions of the occupant and the side airbag device relatively change. Generally, since it is important in design that the center of the airbag coincides with the center of the occupant's body or the center of the head of the side airbag device, the airbag to be installed is If it is not formed large, it is difficult to exert the function as designed.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object the purpose of improving the durability and serviceability of a seat as compared with an airbag device of a seat interior type, and providing a seat cover with a seat cover. It is an object of the present invention to provide a side airbag device for an automobile that can improve the appearance and can smoothly inflate the airbag in a normal functioning state regardless of the position of the seat.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a side airbag apparatus for an automobile having a seat slidable in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle body. A side airbag module that is movable in the same direction as the sliding direction of the seat is disposed between the seat cushion and the vehicle body side. Further, in the present invention, the side airbag module is connected to a seat cushion or a seat rail, and is configured to move on a slide rail provided substantially parallel to the seat rail. Further, in the present invention, the side airbag module includes a casing containing the contracted airbag and the inflator, and the upper portion of the casing on the airbag bulging side is formed into an inclined surface or a curved surface. . In the present invention, the side airbag module is provided with a cover member used as an airbag inflation guide, and the cover member covers the lower side of the seat cushion and the side airbag module.

In the present invention, a lid having a fulcrum provided on the seat side is rotatably mounted on the upper portion of the side airbag module, and the lid uses a part of the seat cushion as a stopper. Used as an airbag inflation guide. Further, in the present invention, a lid having a fulcrum provided on the side of the vehicle body is rotatably mounted on the upper portion of the side airbag module, and the upper surface of the lid descends from the seat cushion toward the side of the vehicle body. It is formed in an inclined surface or a curved surface shape. In the present invention, the side portion of the seat cushion located on the side airbag module side is concavely curved toward the center of the seat.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 show a first embodiment of a side airbag device for an automobile according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a relatively large impact force is applied to the left and right sides 2a and 2b of the vehicle body and the front and rear side doors 3 and 4 of the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. The sensing sensors 5 for detecting the reception are individually or individually provided in a plurality of arrangements, and these sensing sensors 5 are electrically connected to microcomputers of a detection and diagnosis module (SDM) to be described later. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, such an automobile 1 includes front seats 6 and 7 slidable in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body. A seat airbag module 9 is provided, and a passenger airbag module 11 is provided in an instrument panel tray 10 at a position in front of the passenger seat 7.

The front seats 6 and 7 each include a seat cushion 12 on which the occupant M sits, a seat back 13 for receiving the back of the occupant M, and a headrest 14 for receiving the head of the occupant M. Around the seat belt 15 for restraining the seated occupant M,
Is provided. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, a pair of left and right leg members 16 extending downward are arranged on the lower surfaces of the seat cushions 12 of the front seats 6 and 7 at intervals in the width direction. A pair of left and right seat rails 18 extending in the front-rear direction are arranged on the upper surface of the floor 17 located below the front seats 6 and 7 at intervals corresponding to the leg members 16. For this reason, the front seats 6 and 7 are slidable in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body by placing and engaging the lower end portions of the leg members 16 on the seat rails 18.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, sliding of the front seats 6, 7 is provided between the seat cushions 12 of the front seats 6, 7 and front left and right front side doors (vehicle side portions) 3. A side airbag device 20 including a side airbag module 19 that is movable in the same direction (the direction of the arrow X ′ in FIG. 5) (the direction of the arrow X ′ in FIG. 5) is installed. The side airbag module 19 of the side airbag device 20 is connected to a side surface of the seat cushion 12 via a link member (link portion) 21 and provided substantially parallel to the seat rail 18.
It is configured to move on the slide rail 22 of the book, and is always linked to the sliding movement of the front seats 6 and 7. For this reason, a guide groove 23 that engages with the slide rail 22 is provided at the center of the lower surface of the casing (described later) of the side airbag module 19 along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. Here, examples of the link member 21 include an engagement pin, a screw, a magnet, and the like, but other means may be used as long as the side airbag module 19 can be securely attached to the seat cushion 12. In addition, the slide rail 22 is supported by the support bracket 2.
It is installed on the floor 17 along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body using 2a or the like.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the side airbag module 19 includes a box-shaped casing 26 containing a contracted airbag 24 and an inflator (gas generator) 25. The upper portion of the casing 26 on the airbag inflating side (side door 3 side) has a seat cushion 12 to reduce a flat surface as much as possible.
Is formed in an inclined surface shape (or a curved surface shape) that descends toward the side door 3 side, and the belongings such as the umbrella 27 carried by the occupant M into the vehicle cabin are placed on the upper part, and the airbag 24 is inflated. It does not hinder. Reference numeral 28 in FIG. 5 is a commercially available seat cover that covers the entire driver's seat 6.

In the automobile 1 provided with the side airbag device 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the seat cushion 12 and the front side door 3 are located on the sides of the seat cushion 12 of the front seats 6 and 7. A side airbag module 19 is disposed between the two. The side airbag module 19 is connected to the side surface of the seat cushion 12 by a link member 21, and the guide groove 23 of the casing 26 is movably engaged with the slide rail 22. When the front seats 6, 7 on the seat rail 18 are slid rearward or forward of the vehicle body according to the size of the occupant M, the side air on the slide rail 22 is interlocked with this. The bag module 19 also always moves in the same direction as the sliding direction of the front seats 6 and 7, and the airbag 2 Fuselage the center of the occupant M (or head)
Can be matched to the center.

Therefore, when a relatively large impact force acts on the side portions 2a and 2b and the side doors 3 and 4 of the vehicle 1 from the side of the vehicle, the sensing sensor 5 detects the impact force, and the detection force is detected. The signal is sent to the SDM microcomputer shown in FIG. In this microcomputer, the impact force detected by the sensing sensor 5 is monitored and compared with a preset value (impact force for inflating and deploying the airbag 24). When the impact force detected by the sensing sensor 5 exceeds this value, the microcomputer is sent to the inflator 25 of the side airbag module 19 to operate the inflator 25. Along with this, the airbag 24 expands and deploys in a normally functioning state (see FIGS. 2 and 4). The side airbag module 19 and the SDM or the like are connected by a harness H or the like. When a relatively large impact force acts on the front of the vehicle 1 from the front of the vehicle, the sensing sensor detects the deceleration due to the impact force, and the detection signal is sent to the SDM microcomputer shown in FIG. . This microcomputer, like the side airbag, has a driver airbag module 9.
Then, the passenger airbag module 11 is operated, and the driver airbag and the passenger airbag are inflated and deployed.

In the casing 26 of the side airbag module 19, the upper portion on the airbag bulging side (the side door 3 side) is formed in an inclined surface shape that descends from the seat cushion 12 toward the side door 3 side. Therefore, even if the belongings such as the umbrella 27 are brought into the vehicle cabin, the umbrella 27 is moved toward the side door 3 without being placed on the upper portion of the casing 26 and does not hinder the inflation of the airbag 24. Further, even if the side airbag device 20 is operated, the front seats 6 and 7 are not damaged unlike the related art, so that replacement of the seats is easy and serviceability can be improved. Moreover, front seats 6, 7
Can be freely dressed up by the seat cover 28 because the operation of the side airbag device 20 is not affected even if the whole of the vehicle is covered with the commercially available seat cover 28.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the side airbag device for an automobile according to the present invention. The side airbag module 19 of the side airbag device 20 according to this embodiment includes a stay 29 of a link member, 30 and leg member 1
The front seat 6 is connected to a seat rail 18 via the front seat 6 so that the front seats 6 and 7 always slide. For this reason, the stays 29 and 30 are formed in an L-shaped cross section. One of the stays 29 is fixed to the facing surface of the casing 26, and the other stay 30 is fixed to the facing surface of the leg member 16. Both stays 29 and 30 are bolts 3
1 and a welding nut 32.
Note that the stays 29 and 30 may be fitted into parts other than the bolt 31 and the welding nut 32 and connected by means such as a magnet.
The side airbag device 20 of the present embodiment holds the side airbag module 19 from above with the casing 26.
The guide groove 23 is fitted into and engaged with the slide rail 22 on the floor 17, and the bolts 31 are screwed and fastened to the welding nuts 32 in a state where the stays 29 and 30 are overlapped.

Further, the side airbag module 1
A lid 34 having a fulcrum 33 provided on the front side door (vehicle body side) 3 side is rotatably mounted on the upper part of the casing 26 of the ninth 9, and the lid 34 opens and closes the upper opening of the casing 26. It is configured as follows.
Moreover, the upper surface of the lid 34 is formed in a curved surface shape (or an inclined surface shape) that descends from the seat cushion 12 toward the front side door 3. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In the side airbag device 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a curved lid 34 is rotatably mounted on the upper part of the casing 26 of the side airbag module 19, and the fulcrum 33 of the lid 34 is Since the door 34 is provided on the front side door (vehicle body side) 3 side, even if the front side door 3 or the like is deformed toward the passenger compartment, the opened lid 34 secures the inflated area of the airbag 24. Meanwhile, the curved surface can guide the airbag 24 to an obliquely upper position on the occupant M side. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a modification of the second embodiment. 8, a plate 35 is used as a link member instead of the stays 29 and 30, the bolt 31 and the welding nut 32 of the second embodiment, and the tip of the plate 35 protruding from the opposing surface of the casing 26. The portion is connected to the facing surface of the leg member 16 by welding or the like. Therefore, the side airbag module 19 is connected to the seat rail 18 via the plate 35 and the leg member 16, and is always linked to the sliding movement of the front seats 6, 7.

In the second modification shown in FIG. 9, a pair of left and right engagement pieces 36 are provided on the lower surface of the casing 26 in place of the guide grooves 23 of the second embodiment. , Casing 3 engaging piece 3
6 is movably installed by engaging with the slide rail 22. For this reason, a pair of left and right engagement pieces 3
Numerals 6 are arranged at intervals corresponding to the width of the slide rail 22. On the other hand, the fulcrum 33 of the lid 34 attached to the upper part of the casing 26 is provided at a lower position near the floor 17 side, so that the probability of the deformation of the front side door 3 or the like affecting the fulcrum 33 of the lid 34 decreases. It is planned. In such a modified example, as in the second embodiment, the fulcrum 33 of the lid 34 is provided on the front side door 3 side, and the upper part of the lid 34 is formed in a curved surface shape (or an inclined surface shape). Therefore, the side airbag device 2 is driven by the impact force F from the side of the vehicle.
When the 0 is activated, the airbag 24 is easily guided obliquely in the direction of the occupant M, and even if the front side door 3 or the like is deformed toward the passenger compartment, a space for opening the lid 34 is secured by the curved surface. can do.

FIG. 10 shows a third embodiment of the vehicle side airbag device according to the present invention. The side airbag module 19 of the side airbag device 20 according to this embodiment includes an airbag inflation guide. A cover member 37 to be used is provided, and the lower side of the seat cushion 12 and the side airbag module 19 are covered with the cover member 37. This cover member 37 is
The rail cover of the slide rail 22 is integrally formed with the rail cover. The upper portion is bent obliquely upward from the outer surface of the casing 26 of the side airbag module 19 toward the front seats 6 and 7. It is formed to protrude. A lid 34 having a fulcrum 33 provided on the front side door (vehicle body side) 3 side is rotatably mounted on the upper part of the casing 26 of the side airbag module 19. Other configurations are as described in the first section above.
This is the same as in the second embodiment. In the side airbag device 20 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, a cover whose upper portion is bent obliquely upward from the outer surface of the casing 26 toward the front seats 6 and 7 using the rail cover of the slide rail 22. Since the member 37 is provided in the side airbag module 19, the inflating airbag 24 can be easily guided toward the occupant M without increasing the number of parts, and the airbag 24 functions reliably. In addition to the above, the cover member 37 covers the lower part of the seat cushion 12 and the side airbag module 19 to improve the appearance.
Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first and second embodiments.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a fourth embodiment of the side airbag device for an automobile according to the present invention.
The side airbag module 19 of the side airbag device 20 according to the present embodiment is provided with a cover member 37 having the same structure as the third embodiment and used as an airbag inflation guide. Also, the side airbag module 1
A lid 34 provided with a fulcrum 33 on the front seats 6 and 7 side is rotatably mounted on the upper part of the casing 26 of the front seat 9.
7, and the seat cushion 12 is used as a stopper of the lid 34. Other configurations are the same as those of the first to third embodiments. In the side airbag device 20 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention,
Using the rail cover of the slide rail 22, a cover member 37 whose upper portion is bent obliquely upward from the outer surface of the casing 26 toward the front seats 6 and 7 is provided on the side airbag module 19, while the lid 34 is provided.
Since the fulcrum 33 is provided on the front seats 6 and 7 side, the same effect as in the third embodiment can be obtained, and even if the front side door 3 or the like is greatly deformed toward the passenger compartment, The lid 34 can be more reliably opened. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first and second embodiments.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a fifth embodiment of the side airbag device for an automobile according to the present invention.
In the present embodiment, a side portion of the seat cushion 12 located on the side airbag module 19 side of the side airbag device 20, and an intermediate portion in the front-rear direction is recessed toward the center of the seat by an L dimension. The concave portion 38 has a gentle curved surface. In FIG. 14, reference numeral 39 denotes a fixture for the sievert 15. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment. The fifth of the present invention
In the side airbag device 20 according to the embodiment, a curved surface-shaped concave portion 38 is provided on the side portion of the seat cushion 12 located on the side airbag module 19 side toward the center of the seat by an L dimension. , 7
Even if the center-to-center distance S between the side airbag module 19 and the side airbag module 19 is shortened, that is, even if the side airbag module 19 is brought closer to the seat cushion 12 side, the stay 2
The bolts 9 and 30 can be tightened, the seat cushion 12 does not hinder the inflation of the airbag 24, and the airbag 24 can easily approach the occupant M on the trunk side. Therefore, the side airbag device 20 of the present embodiment is
In particular, it is advantageous when applied to a light and small car having a small vehicle width.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible based on the technical idea of the present invention. is there. For example, the side airbag device 20 of the present invention can be applied not only to the front seats 6 and 7, but also to a middle seat and a rear seat that can slide in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body.

[0025]

As described above, the vehicle side airbag device according to the present invention has a seat slidable in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and comprises a seat cushion and a vehicle body side portion constituting the seat. A side airbag module that is movable in the same direction as the sliding direction of the seat is disposed between the seat and the seat, so that the seat can function normally irrespective of the inflation of the airbag regardless of the position of the seat. be able to. In addition, the side airbag device of the present invention has improved durability of the seat (skin, fiber structure) as compared with a conventional seat interior type airbag device,
Since the seat is not damaged by the operation of the side airbag module, the seat can be easily replaced and the serviceability can be improved. Furthermore, the side airbag device of the present invention does not affect the operation of the side airbag module even when the entire seat is covered with a commercially available seat cover, so that the interior of the vehicle interior can be freely dressed according to the hobby of the user or the like. By doing so, the appearance can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire vehicle to which a side airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle interior in which the side airbag device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided, as viewed from the rear right side.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vehicle interior in which the side airbag device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided, as viewed from the upper rear.

FIG. 4 is a view taken in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view as seen from the arrow B in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an operation system of an airbag device installed in various places in a vehicle cabin of an automobile.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a vehicle interior in which a side airbag device according to a second embodiment of the present invention is provided, as viewed from the rear of the vehicle body.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a side airbag device according to a first modification of the second embodiment as viewed from the rear of the vehicle body.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a vehicle interior in which a side airbag device according to a second modification of the second embodiment is provided, as viewed from the rear of the vehicle body.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a vehicle interior provided with a side airbag device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rear of a vehicle body.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a vehicle interior in which a side airbag device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is provided, as viewed from the rear of the vehicle body.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a portion C in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front view of a vehicle cabin provided with a side airbag device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rear of a vehicle body.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a vehicle interior provided with a side airbag device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automobile 2a, 2b Front and rear sides of vehicle body 3, 4 Side door 5 Detecting sensor 6, 7 Front seat 12 Seat cushion 16 Leg member 17 Floor 18 Seat rail 19 Side airbag module 20 Side airbag device 21 Link member 22 Slide rail 23 Guide groove 24 Airbag 25 Inflator 26 Casing 29, 30 Stay 31 Bolt 32 Welding nut 33 Support point 34 Lid 35 Plate 36 Engagement piece 37 Cover member 38 Recess

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A side airbag device for an automobile having a seat slidable in the front-rear direction of a vehicle body, between a seat cushion constituting the seat and a side of the vehicle body, in the same direction as the sliding direction of the seat. A side airbag device for an automobile, comprising a side airbag module movable to the side. 2. The side airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the side airbag module is connected to a seat cushion or a seat rail, and is configured to move on a slide rail provided substantially parallel to the seat rail. 4. The side airbag device for an automobile according to claim 1. 3. The side airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the side airbag module includes a casing housing the contracted airbag and the inflator, and an upper portion of the casing on the airbag bulging side is formed to have an inclined surface or a curved surface. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 4. The side airbag module includes:
3. The side airbag device for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein a cover member used as an airbag inflation guide is provided, and the cover member covers a portion below the seat cushion and a side airbag module. . 5. A lid having a fulcrum provided on the seat side is rotatably mounted on an upper portion of the side airbag module, and the lid uses a part of the seat cushion as a stopper to thereby guide the airbag inflation guide. The vehicle side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the side airbag device is used as a vehicle. 6. A lid having a fulcrum provided on a side of the vehicle body side is rotatably mounted on an upper portion of the side airbag module, and an upper surface of the lid is inclined downward from a seat cushion toward the side of the vehicle body. The side airbag device for an automobile according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the side airbag device is formed into a surface or a curved surface. 7. The seat cushion according to claim 1, wherein a side portion of the seat cushion located on the side of the side airbag module is concavely curved toward the center of the seat.
A side airbag device for an automobile according to any one of the above.