U.S. patent application number 17/121945 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-16 for airbag and seat apparatus for vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to AISIN CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is AISIN CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Masaaki HASEGAWA, Yasuhito KUREMATSU, Satoshi MASUDA, Ryosuke MIZUNO, Makoto SAKAI, Tomokazu SEKI, Tsuyoshi YAMAMOTO.
Application Number | 20220185219 17/121945 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220185219 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KUREMATSU; Yasuhito ; et
al. |
June 16, 2022 |
AIRBAG AND SEAT APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE
Abstract
An airbag includes plural bag portions respectively including
two sheet members attached to each other, and a welded portion at
which the sheet members being in contact with each other are
attached to each other. The welded portion includes a communication
hole penetrating the sheet members to communicate the bag portions,
and a rib portion arranged radially outward of the communication
hole, the rib portion protruding in the thickness direction from a
welded surface of the welded portion. The rib portion includes an
annular rib surrounding the communication hole, and a cutout
portion provided at the annular rib. The rib portion includes
plural radial ribs arranged radially inward of the annular rib, the
plural radial ribs radially surrounding the communication hole and
extending in a radial direction of the communication hole. At least
one of the radial ribs is arranged at a position radially away from
the communication hole.
Inventors: |
KUREMATSU; Yasuhito;
(Kariya-shi, JP) ; MASUDA; Satoshi; (Kariya-shi,
JP) ; SEKI; Tomokazu; (Kariya-shi, JP) ;
HASEGAWA; Masaaki; (Kariya-shi, JP) ; YAMAMOTO;
Tsuyoshi; (Kariya-shi, JP) ; MIZUNO; Ryosuke;
(Kariya-shi, JP) ; SAKAI; Makoto; (Kariya-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AISIN CORPORATION |
Kariya |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
AISIN CORPORATION
Kariya
JP
|
Appl. No.: |
17/121945 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2020 |
International
Class: |
B60R 21/207 20060101
B60R021/207; B60R 21/2334 20060101 B60R021/2334 |
Claims
1. An airbag, comprising: a plurality of bag portions respectively
including two sheet members which are attached to each other, the
plurality of bag portions arranged to be overlapped with each other
in a thickness direction of the sheet member; and a welded portion
at which the sheet members being in contact with each other are
attached to each other, the sheet members of the bag portions
arranged to be overlapped with each other in the thickness
direction; wherein the welded portion includes a communication hole
penetrating the sheet members which are in contact with each other
to communicate the bag portions which are arranged to be overlapped
with each other; and a rib portion arranged radially outward of the
communication hole, the rib portion protruding in the thickness
direction from a welded surface of the welded portion, the rib
portion includes an annular rib surrounding the communication hole;
and a cutout portion provided at the annular rib, the rib portion
includes a plurality of radial ribs which is arranged radially
inward of the annular rib, the plurality of radial ribs radially
surrounding the communication hole and extending in a radial
direction of the communication hole, and at least one of the radial
ribs is radially separated from the communication hole by a
predetermined distance.
2. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein all of the radial ribs
are radially separated from the communication hole by the
predetermined distance.
3. An airbag, comprising: a plurality of bag portions respectively
including two sheet members which are attached to each other, the
plurality of bag portions arranged to be overlapped with each other
in a thickness direction of the sheet member; and a welded portion
at which the sheet members being in contact with each other are
attached to each other, the sheet members of the bag portions
arranged to be overlapped with each other in the thickness
direction; wherein the welded portion includes a communication hole
penetrating the sheet members which are in contact with each other
to communicate the bag portions which are arranged to be overlapped
with each other; and a rib portion arranged radially outward of the
communication hole, the rib portion protruding in the thickness
direction from a welded surface of the welded portion, the rib
portion includes an annular rib surrounding the communication hole;
and a cutout portion provided at the annular rib, the rib portion
includes a plurality of radial ribs which is arranged radially
inward of the annular rib, the plurality of radial ribs radially
surrounding the communication hole and extending in a radial
direction of the communication hole, the plurality of radial ribs
including a first radial rib and a second radial rib; the first
radial rib and the second radial rib each includes a distance from
the communication hole, the distances which are different from each
other; and the first radial rib and the second radial rib are
arranged alternately along a circumferential direction of the
communication hole.
4. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the cutout portion is
arranged at a position displaced with respect to the at least one
of the radial ribs in a circumferential direction of the annular
rib.
5. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the
radial ribs protrudes in the thickness direction with respect to
the annular rib.
6. The airbag according to claim 5, wherein the at least one of the
radial ribs is configured to increase a protruding amount thereof
in the thickness direction toward radially inward thereof.
7. A seat apparatus for a vehicle comprising an airbag arranged
inside a seat surface of a seat, the airbag including; a plurality
of bag portions respectively including two sheet members which are
attached to each other, the plurality of bag portions arranged to
be overlapped with each other in a thickness direction of the sheet
member; and a welded portion at which the sheet members being in
contact with each other are attached to each other, the sheet
members of the bag portions arranged to be overlapped with each
other in the thickness direction; wherein the welded portion
includes a communication hole penetrating the sheet members which
are in contact with each other to communicate the bag portions
which are arranged to be overlapped with each other; and a rib
portion arranged radially outward of the communication hole, the
rib portion protruding in the thickness direction from a welded
surface of the welded portion, the rib portion includes an annular
rib surrounding the communication hole; and a cutout portion
provided at the annular rib, the rib portion includes a plurality
of radial ribs which is arranged radially inward of the annular
rib, the plurality of radial ribs radially surrounding the
communication hole and extending in a radial direction of the
communication hole, and at least one of the radial ribs is radially
separated from the communication hole by a predetermined
distance.
8. The seat apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the rib portion
protrudes in one direction of the thickness direction; and the
airbag is arranged inside the seat surface in a state where the
welded surface including the rib portion faces the seat surface.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based on and claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119 to Japanese Patent Application 2019-146748, filed
on Aug. 8, 2019, the entire content of which is incorporated herein
by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure generally relates to an airbag and a seat
apparatus for a vehicle.
BACKGROUND DISCUSSION
[0003] A known airbag including plural bag portions formed by two
sheet members which are attached to each other are overlapped with
each other in a thickness direction of the sheet member is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,630,532B (hereinafter referred to as
Patent reference 1). For example, the airbag disclosed in Patent
reference 1 includes the plural bag portions arranged to be
overlapped with each other in a thickness direction of the sheet
member. The airbag includes a welded portion at which the sheet
members being in contact with each other are attached, the sheet
members of the airbag portions arranged to be overlapped with each
other in the thickness direction of the sheet member. The welded
portion includes a communication hole and plural rib portions. The
communication hole communicates the bag portions arranged to be
overlapped with each other in the thickness direction by
penetrating the sheet members which are attached with each other.
The plural rib portions are aligned radially to surround the
communication hole.
[0004] That is, air may be difficult to be introduced between the
two sheet members which are attached with each other in the
thickness direction when the air starts to be introduced to the bag
portion introduced with air via the communication hole which is
provided at the welded portion. However, according to the
aforementioned configuration, each of the rib portions provided at
the welded portion includes an air path arranged between the rib
portions which are adjacent to each other in a circumferential
direction, the air path extending from the communication hole. The
airbag disclosed in Patent reference 1 may smoothly and speedily
fill the air into each of the bag portions.
[0005] However, any components of industrial products such as a
vehicle are always required to improve the performance thereof. The
airbag disclosed in Patent reference 1 may not always satisfy
evolving requirement level.
[0006] A need thus exists for an airbag and a seat apparatus for a
vehicle which is not susceptible to the drawback mentioned
above.
SUMMARY
[0007] According to an aspect of the disclosure, an airbag includes
plural bag portions respectively including two sheet members which
are attached to each other, the plural bag portions arranged to be
overlapped with each other in a thickness direction of the sheet
member, and a welded portion at which the sheet members being in
contact with each other are attached to each other, the sheet
members of the bag portions arranged to be overlapped with each
other in the thickness direction. The welded portion includes a
communication hole penetrating the sheet members which are in
contact with each other to communicate the bag portions which are
arranged to be overlapped with each other, and a rib portion
arranged radially outward of the communication hole, the rib
portion protruding in the thickness direction from a welded surface
of the welded portion. The rib portion includes an annular rib
surrounding the communication hole, and a cutout portion provided
at the annular rib. The rib portion includes a plurality of radial
ribs which is arranged radially inward of the annular rib, the
plurality of radial ribs radially surrounding the communication
hole and extending in a radial direction of the communication hole.
At least one of the radial ribs is arranged at a position radially
away from the communication hole.
[0008] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a seat
apparatus for a vehicle includes an airbag arranged inside a seat
surface of a seat, the airbag including includes plural bag
portions respectively including two sheet members which are
attached to each other, the plural bag portions arranged to be
overlapped with each other in a thickness direction of the sheet
member, and a welded portion at which the sheet members being in
contact with each other are attached to each other, the sheet
members of the bag portions arranged to be overlapped with each
other in the thickness direction. The welded portion includes a
communication hole penetrating the sheet members which are in
contact with each other to communicate the bag portions which are
arranged to be overlapped with each other, and a rib portion
arranged radially outward of the communication hole, the rib
portion protruding in the thickness direction from a welded surface
of the welded portion. The rib portion includes an annular rib
surrounding the communication hole, and a cutout portion provided
at the annular rib. The rib portion includes a plurality of radial
ribs which is arranged radially inward of the annular rib, the
plurality of radial ribs radially surrounding the communication
hole and extending in a radial direction of the communication hole.
At least one of the radial ribs is arranged at a position radially
away from the communication hole.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The foregoing and additional features and characteristics of
this disclosure will become more apparent from the following
detailed description considered with the reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat including
airbags inside a seat surface according to an embodiment disclosed
here;
[0011] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the vehicle seat
including another type of airbags inside the seat surface;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a seat
apparatus:
[0013] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the airbags:
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the airbags;
[0015] FIG. 6 is another cross sectional view of the airbags;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a welded portion:
[0017] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the welded portion:
[0018] FIG. 9 is another cross sectional view of the welded
portion:
[0019] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an airbag assembly or an
airbag assy;
[0020] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the airbag
assembly;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of a welded portion of a
modified example of the embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of a welded portion of
still another modified example of the embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a plan view of a welded portion of still another
modified example of the embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 15 is a plan view of a welded portion of still another
modified example of the embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 16 is a plan view of a welded portion of still another
modified example of the embodiment; and
[0026] FIG. 17 a plan view of a welded portion of still another
modified example of the embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] An embodiment of an airbag and a seat apparatus for a
vehicle will hereunder be explained with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a seat 1 for the vehicle includes a seat
cushion 2, and a seatback 3 provided at a rear end portion of the
seat cushion 2. A headrest 4 is provided at an upper end of the
seatback 3.
[0028] The seatback 3 includes side portions 3a, 3b which extend or
expand forward. The seat cushion 2 includes side portions 2a, 2b
which extend or expand upward. The seat 1 of the embodiment secures
and maintains favorable seating posture of a passenger.
[0029] The seat 1 includes plural airbags 10 changing the support
shape of the seat 1 by inflating or expanding and deflating or
contracting within the seat cushion 2 and the seatback 3. The seat
1 also includes plural airbags 20 pressing seat surfaces 1x from
inside of the seat cushion 2 and the seatback 3, respectively, by
inflating and deflating within the seat cushion 2 and the seatback
3. In the embodiment, a seat apparatus 30 may change the support
shape of the seat 1 and offer refreshment effect to the passenger
seated on the seat 1.
[0030] Specifically, the seat 1 of the embodiment includes the
dedicated airbags 10 for the seat support in the seatback 3 at
positions supporting a shoulder portion, a lower back portion, and
a lower end portion of a seatback surface 3s. The positions of the
airbags 10 may be referred to as, for example, a shoulder portion,
a lumbar portion, and a back pelvis portion. The dedicated airbags
10 for the seat support are provided at positions supporting the
side portions 3a, 3b of the seatback 3. The dedicated airbags 10
for the seat support are provided inside the rear end portion of
the seat surface 2s and inside the side portions 2a, 2b of the seat
cushion 2.
[0031] The plural airbags 20 for refreshment are provided inside
the seatback 3 so as to be aligned along the seatback surface 3s.
The seat cushion 2 includes the plural airbags 20 for massaging
function so as to be aligned along a seat surface 2s. In
particular, the airbags 20 of the seatback 3 are aligned in two
rows along the upper-lower direction of the seatback surface 3s.
The airbags 20 of the seat cushion 2 are aligned in two rows along
the front-rear direction of the seat surface 2s.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the seat apparatus 30 of the embodiment
includes an air pump 31 pumping air to the airbags 10 for the seat
support and the airbags 20 for massaging function. Furthermore, an
intake and exhaust valve apparatus 32 is provided between the air
pump 31 and the airbags 10, 20. A control unit 33 of the seat
apparatus 30 of the embodiment controls the operation of the air
pump 31 and the intake and exhaust valve apparatus 32.
[0033] Specifically, the air pump 31 of the embodiment is an
electric pump including or using a motor 34 as a drive source. The
intake and exhaust valve apparatus 32 is connected to the airbags
20 and the air pump 31 via air tubes 35 which each is made of resin
having flexibility. That is, in the seat apparatus 30 of the
embodiment, air paths (intake and exhaust flow paths Lo)
communicating the airbags 10, 20 and the air pump 31 are provided
by inner paths of the air tubes 35 and the intake and exhaust valve
apparatus 32. An intake valve 36 and an exhaust valve 37 of the
intake and exhaust valve apparatus 32 of the embodiment are
arranged at some positions of the intake and exhaust flow paths
Lo.
[0034] An operation input signal Scr relative to an operation
switch 38, an ignition signal Sig or a door lock signal Sdl
provided at the seat 1 are inputted to the control unit 33 of the
embodiment. The control unit 33 of the embodiment controls the
operation of the air pump 31 and the intake and exhaust valve
apparatus 32 so as to inflate and deflate the airbags 10, 20 based
on control signals.
[0035] Specifically, the control unit 33 of the embodiment detects
an inner pressure P of the airbags 10 for the seat support and
maintains a target value of the inner pressure P. The inner
pressure target value is updated by a user or a passenger who sets
favorable seat support shape by using the operation switch 38
provided at the seat 1. The control unit 33 of the embodiment
controls the operation of the air pump 31 and the intake and
exhaust valve apparatus 32 so as to conform the inner pressure P of
the airbags 10 to the inner pressure target value when the vehicle
starts moving, for example, when the ignition is turned on, and the
airbags 10 for the seat support inflate.
[0036] The control unit 33 of the embodiment switches the airbags
20 for massaging function to be inflated based on a predetermined
movement of the passenger. According to the seat apparatus 30 of
the embodiment, the passenger seated on the seat 1 may obtain
desired refreshment effect.
[0037] The airbags 20 for refreshment of the seat apparatus 30 of
the embodiment will hereunder be explained.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the airbag 20 for refreshment of
the seat apparatus 30 of the embodiment includes plural bag
portions 50 respectively formed by two sheet members 40, 40 which
are attached to each other. In particular, the airbag 20 of the
embodiment includes a first bag portion 51 and a second bag portion
52 both serving as the bag portions 50. The airbag 20 includes a
configuration in which the first bag portion 51 and the second bag
portion 52 are overlapped with each other in the thickness
direction of the sheet member 40. The airbag 20 of the embodiment
inflates largely in the thickness direction of the sheet member
40.
[0039] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, according to the airbag 20
of the embodiment, the first bag portion 51 and the second bag
portion 52 each is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a
plan view when seen in the thickness direction of the sheet members
40. The first bag portion 51 of the airbag 20 of the embodiment
includes the substantially rectangular shape larger than the second
bag portion 52. As shown in FIG. 5, in the seat apparatus 30 of the
embodiment, the airbags 20 are arranged inside the seat surface 1x
in a state where the second bag portion 52 faces the seat surface
1x.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, in the airbag 20 of the embodiment,
sheet members 40 of the bag portions 50 each is made from a
flexible resin material. The bag portions 50 of the embodiment each
is formed such that peripheral rim portions of the sheet members
40, 40 that are overlapped with each other in the thickness
direction are welded to be attached with each other.
[0041] The sheet members 40, 40 are welded by, for example, high
frequency welding. FIG. 4 shows welded portions a, 13 provided at
the peripheral rim portions of the sheet members 40, 40 with a
hatching pattern.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the airbag 20 of the embodiment
includes welded portions 60 at which sheet members 40a, 40b which
are in contact with each other are attached to each other, the
sheet members 40a, 40b of the first bag portion 51 and the second
bag portion 52, respectively, which are arranged to be overlapped
with each other in the thickness direction of the sheet member 40.
The welded portion 60 includes a communication hole 65
communicating the first bag portion 51 and the second bag portion
52 by penetrating the sheet members 40a, 40b. In the airbag 20 of
the embodiment, the air filled in the first bag portion 51 and the
second bag portion 52 flows therebetween via the communication hole
65 provided at the welded portion 60.
[0043] In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, the airbag 20 of the
embodiment includes a substantially cylindrical air tube 67 having
an end which is inserted in an inner space of the first bag portion
51 so as to be sandwiched between the sheet members 40, 40 when the
sheet members 40, 40 configuring the first bag portion 51 are
heat-welded. In the airbag 20 of the embodiment, the first bag
portion 51 includes an extending portion 68 provided to extend a
side of the first bag portion 51 which is formed in the
quadrilateral shape, and the extending portion 68 includes the air
tube 67 at a distal end portion thereof. In the airbag 20 of the
embodiment, the air tube 67 is configured to be used at the intake
and exhaust flow paths Lo.
[0044] That is, in the airbag 20 of the embodiment, the air
introduced to the first bag portion 51 via the air tube 67 is
introduced to the second bag portion 52 via the communication hole
65 provided at the welded portion 60. In the airbag 20 of the
embodiment, the first bag portion 51 and the second bag portion 52
are configured to inflate by the introduction of the air.
[0045] In the airbag 20 of the embodiment, the air in the first bag
portion 51 is discharged outside thereof via the air tube 67. The
air filled in the second bag portion 52 is introduced to the first
bag portion 51 via the communication hole 65 provided at the welded
portion 60 to be discharged outside of the airbag 20 via the air
tube 67. According to the airbag 20 of the embodiment, the first
bag portion 51 and the second bag portion 52 deflate by the
discharge of the air.
[0046] In particular, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the welded portion
60 of the embodiment includes a substantially circular shape in a
plan view when seen from the thickness direction of the sheet
member 40. The welded portion 60 includes the communication hole 65
at a center part of the welded portion 60 which is formed in the
circular shape. The welded portion 60 includes a rib portion 70
protruding in the thickness direction of the sheet member 40 from a
welded surface Sb of the second bag portion 52 of a welded surface
Sa of the first bag portion 51 (lower in FIGS. 7 and 9) and the
welded surface Sb of the second bag portion 52 (upper in FIGS. 7
and 9). The welded portion 60 of the embodiment is configured to
secure an air flow path introducing air from the first bag portion
51 which is arranged upstream to the second bag portion 52 which is
arranged downstream via the communication hole 65 by the rib
portion 70 provided radially outward of the communication hole
65.
[0047] Specifically, the rib portion 70 of the embodiment includes
an annular rib 71 and plural radial ribs 72. The annular rib 71
includes a substantially annular outer shape and surrounds radially
outward of the communication hole 65. The radial ribs 72 are
radially arranged to surround the communication hole 65 at
positions radially inward of the annular rib 71. The radial ribs 72
of the rib portion of the embodiment each is arranged radially
outward of the communication hole 65 and formed in a substantially
linear shape extending in a radial direction thereof. The rib
portion 70 of the embodiment includes, for example the eight radial
ribs 72 arranged equiangularly in the circumferential direction of
the communication hole 65. The rib portion 70 of the embodiment
includes, for example, four cutout portions 73 arranged
equiangularly in the circumferential direction of the annular rib
71 at positions displaced with respect to the radial ribs 72 in the
circumferential direction.
[0048] That is, in the welded portion 60 of the embodiment, the air
introduced from the first bag portion 51 to the second bag portion
52 via the communication hole 65 is introduced to a clearance
arranged between the radial ribs 72 which are adjacent to each
other in the circumferential direction. In a case where, for
example, the air within the airbag 20 is discharged, that is, in a
case where the airbag 20 of the embodiment is in the completely
deflated state, the air filled in the first bag portion 51 is
introduced to the second airbag portion 52 via the communication
hole 65.
[0049] In the airbag 20 of the embodiment, the sheet members 40c,
40d configuring the first bag portion 51 and the second bag portion
52 by being attached to the sheet members 40a, 40b, respectively,
the sheet members 40a, 40b which are adjacent to each other, face
the communication hole 65 provided at the welded portion 60 in the
thickness direction of the sheet member 40. Accordingly, in a case
where, for example, the airbag 20 is in the fully deflated state,
the sheet member 40d of the second bag portion 52 arranged
downstream while sandwiching the communication hole 65 with the
first bag portion 51 may block the communication hole 65 facing in
the thickness direction of the sheet member 40d. Accordingly, the
first bag portion 51 and the second bag portion 52 may not smoothly
inflate.
[0050] That is, for example, in a case where the airbag 20 inflates
from the fully-deflated state, only the first bag portion 51 in
which the air is introduced via the air tube 67 may inflate by the
sheet member 40d of the second bag portion 52 which blocks the
communication hole 65. This state maintains until the air pressure
level of the first bag portion 51 increases greater than the force
for pressing the sheet member 40d of the second bag portion 52
toward the communication hole 65, that is, an atmosphere pressure
level.
[0051] In a case where the sheet member 40d blocking the
communication hole 65 is detached or separated from the
communication hole 65, the large amount of air is introduced from
the first bag portion 51 to the second bag portion 52. Thus, the
second bag portion 52 abruptly inflates and may generate noise.
[0052] To consider this, the welded portion 60 of the embodiment is
configured such that the annular rib 71 surrounding radially
outward of the communication hole 65 is in contact with the sheet
member 40d facing the communication hole 65 to form a clearance
between the sheet member 40d and the communication hole 65.
Accordingly, the airbag 20 of the embodiment may inhibit the sheet
member 40d from blocking the communication hole 65.
[0053] The welded portion 60 of the embodiment is configured such
that, in a state where the sheet member 40d is in contact with the
annular rib 71, the air introduced to the second bag portion 52 via
the communication hole 65 is discharged outside from an inner side
of the annular rib 71 via the cutout portion 73. The airbag 20 of
the embodiment secures the flow path of the air introduced to the
second bag portion 52 which is arranged downstream from the first
bag portion 51 which is arranged upstream via the communication
hole 65, and may smoothly inflate the first bag portion 51 and the
second bag portion 52.
[0054] More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the seat
apparatus 30 of the embodiment includes an airbag assembly 75 or an
airbag assy 75 for refreshment, the airbag assembly 75 integrally
formed with the plural airbags 20 including the aforementioned
configuration.
[0055] In particular, the airbag assembly 75 of the seat apparatus
30 of the embodiment includes a subassembly or subassy 77 and a
subassembly, or subassy 78. The subassembly 77 has, for example,
the three airbags 20 which are integrally provided. The subassembly
78 has, for example, the two airbags 20 which are integrally
provided. Each of the subassemblies 77, 78 includes a sheet member
80a and a sheet member 80c. The sheet member 80a is integrally
provided with the sheet member 40a of the two sheet members 40a,
40c configuring the first bag portion 51 of the airbag 20, the
sheet member 40a in which the welded portion 60 having the
communication hole 65 is provided. The sheet member 80c is
integrally provided with the sheet member 40c of the two sheet
members 40a, 40c configuring the first bag portion 51 of the airbag
20. That is, the seat apparatus 30 of the embodiment is provided
with the first bag portion 51 of the airbag 20 having the
subassemblies 77, 78 by overlapping the sheet member 80a and the
sheet member 80c in the thickness direction thereof and by
heat-welding the sheet member 80a and the sheet member 80c. The
subassemblies 77, 78 of the embodiment are configured such that the
sheet members 40b, 40d which configure the second bag portions 52
are stacked on the sheet member 80a by the number of sets
corresponding to the number of the airbags 20 which are integrally
provided.
[0056] The airbag assembly 75 of the seat apparatus 30 of the
embodiment is provided per arrangement segment set or specified at
the right and left of the seat cushion 2, the seatback 3, and the
seat 1. In the seat apparatus 30 of the embodiment, an airbag
assembly 75a including, for example, the five airbags 20 by
linearly connecting the subassemblies 77, 78 is arranged at the
arrangement segment which is set at the right and left of the
seatback 3. The subassembly 77 including, for example, the three
airbags 20 is arranged as the airbag assembly 75 at the arrangement
segment which is set at the right and left of the seat cushion
2.
[0057] The airbag assembly 75 of the seat apparatus 30 of the
embodiment is arranged at each of the segments in a state where the
second bag portion 52 of the airbag 20 faces the seat surface 1x.
Accordingly, the airbag 20 of the seat apparatus 30 of the
embodiment is arranged inside the seat surface 1x in a state where
a welded surface Sb of the welded portion 60 having the rib portion
70 faces the seat surface 1x.
[0058] That is, the seat 1 of the vehicle may be partially applied
with a large load relative to the seat surface 1x in a case where
the passenger puts or touches his/her hand on the seat surface 2s
or the seatback surface 3s. Accordingly, the sheet member 40d of
the airbag 20 arranged inside the seat surface 1x is deflected so
that the sheet member 40d may block the communication hole 65 of
the welded portion 60 facing the sheet member 40d in the thickness
direction.
[0059] However, in the seat apparatus 30 of the embodiment, even in
this case, the rib portion 70 provided at the welded surface Sb
facing the seat surface 1x may inhibit the sheet member 40d from
blocking the communication hole 65. In the seat apparatus 30 of the
embodiment, the airbag 20 smoothly inflates by securing the flow
path of the air introduced to the second bag portion 52 arranged
downstream from the first bag portion 51 arranged upstream by
sandwiching the communication hole 65 therebetween.
[0060] The advantage and effect of the embodiment will hereunder be
explained.
[0061] According to the aforementioned embodiment, the airbag 10,
20 includes the plural bag portions 51, 52 respectively including
two sheet members 40, 40 which are attached to each other, the
plural bag portions 51, 52 arranged to be overlapped with each
other in the thickness direction of the sheet member 40, 40, and
the welded portion 60, 60B, 60C at which the sheet members 40, 40
being in contact with each other are attached to each other, the
sheet members 40, 40 of the bag portions 51, 52 arranged to be
overlapped with each other in the thickness direction of the sheet
member 40, 40. The welded portion 60, 60B, 60C includes the
communication hole 65 penetrating the sheet members 40, 40 which
are in contact with each other to communicate the bag portions 51,
52 which are arranged to be overlapped with each other, and the rib
portion 70, 708, 70C arranged radially outward of the communication
hole 65, the rib portion 70, 70B, 70C protruding in the thickness
direction from a welded surface 75, 75a of the welded portion 60,
60B, 60C. The rib portion 70, 70B, 70C includes the annular rib 71
surrounding the communication hole 65, and a cutout portion 73
provided at the annular rib.
[0062] That is, the first bag portion 51 and the second bag portion
52 respectively formed by the attachment of the two sheet members
40, 40 are overlapped in the thickness direction of the sheet
member 40, and the sheet members 40c, 40d which are attached to the
sheet members 40a, 40b, respectively, the sheet members 40a, 40b
which are in contact with each other, face the communication hole
65 provided at the welded portion 60. Thus, for example, in a case
where the air within the airbag 20 is discharged, that is, the
airbag 20 is in fully deflated state, the sheet member 40d of the
second bag portion 52 arranged downstream by sandwiching the
communication hole 65 with respect to the first bag portion 51 may
block the communication hole 65 which faces in the thickness
direction when the airbag 20 is filled with air.
[0063] However, according to the embodiment, the annular rib 71
surrounding radially outward of the communication hole 65 is in
contact with the sheet member 40d which faces the communication
hole 65, and the clearance is provided between the sheet member 40d
and the communication hole 65. Thus, the communication hole 65 may
be inhibited from being blocked by the sheet member 40d.
[0064] In a state where the sheet member 40d is in contact with the
annular rib 71, the air introduced to the second bag portion 52 via
the communication hole 65 is discharged outside from the inner side
of the annular rib 71 via the cutout portion 73. Accordingly, the
flow path of the air introduced to the second bag portion 52 which
is arranged downstream of the first bag portion 51 which is
arranged upstream via the communication hole 65 may be secured to
smoothly inflate the first bag portion 51 and the second bag
portion 52.
[0065] According to the aforementioned embodiment, the rib portion
70, 70B, 70C includes the plural radial ribs 72, 72B, 72C which are
arranged radially inward of the annular rib 71, the plural radial
ribs 72, 72B, 72C radially surrounding the communication hole 65
and extending in the radial direction of the communication hole
65.
[0066] According to the aforementioned configuration, the air
introduced to the second bag portion 52 from the first bag portion
51 via the communication hole 65 is introduced to the clearance
arranged between the radial ribs 72 which are adjacent to each
other in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, the flow path
of the air introduced to the second bag portion 52 which is
arranged downstream of the first bag portion 51 from the first bag
portion 51 which is arranged upstream of the second bag portion 52
via the communication hole 65 may be effectively secured.
[0067] According to the aforementioned embodiment, the cutout
portion 73 is arranged at the position displaced with respect to
the radial rib 72, 72B, 72C in the circumferential direction of the
annular rib 71.
[0068] According to the aforementioned configuration, the air
introduced to the second bag portion 52 from the first bag portion
51 via the communication hole 65 may be further smoothly discharged
outside from inside the annular rib 71 via the cutout portion
73.
[0069] According to the aforementioned embodiment, the radial rib
72, 72B, 72C protrudes in the thickness direction relative to the
annular rib 71. The airbag 20 of the seat apparatus 30 for the
vehicle is arranged inside the seat surface 1x in a state where the
welded surface Sb of the welded portion 60 having the lib portion
70 faces the seat surface 1x.
[0070] That is, the seat 1 of the vehicle may be partially applied
with a large load relative to the seat surface 1x in a case where
the passenger puts or touches his/her hand on the seat surface 2s
or the seatback surface 3s. Accordingly, the sheet member 40d of
the airbag 20 arranged inside the seat surface 1x is deflected so
that the sheet member 40d may block the communication hole 65 of
the welded portion 60 facing the sheet member 40d in the thickness
direction.
[0071] However, even in this case, the rib portion 70 provided at
the welded surface Sb facing the seat surface 1x may inhibit the
sheet member 40d from blocking the communication hole 65.
Accordingly, the first bag portion 51 and the second bag portion 52
smoothly inflate by securing the flow path of the air introduced to
the second bag portion 52 arranged downstream from the first bag
portion 51 arranged upstream via the communication hole 65.
[0072] Only one side of the rib portion 70 protrudes in the
thickness direction of the sheet member 40, meaning that the rib
portion 70 may be easily formed. The rib portion 70 may include the
large protruding amount. Accordingly, the flow path of the air
introduced to the second bag portion 52 which is arranged
downstream of the first bag portion 51 from the first bag portion
51 which is arranged upstream of the second bag portion 52 via the
communication hole 65 may be further effectively secured.
[0073] The aforementioned embodiment may be modified as
follows.
[0074] In the aforementioned embodiment, the rib portion 70
includes the annular rib 71 and the eight radial ribs 72 arranged
radially inward of the annular rib 71. The annular rib 71 includes
the four cutout portions 73 arranged equiangularly in the
circumferential direction of the annular rib 71 at the positions
displaced with respect to the radial ribs 72 in the circumferential
direction. Alternatively, the respective numbers of radial ribs 72
and the cutout portions 73 may be freely changed. For example, the
cutout portions 73 may be one. The cutout portions 73 may be
arranged so as to overlap the positions of the radial ribs 72 in
the circumferential direction. The rib portion 70 does not have to
include the radial ribs 72.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 12, a rib portion 70B of a welded portion
60B may include configuration in which each of the radial ribs 72B
protrudes more than the annular rib 71 in the thickness direction
of the sheet member 40. That is, as such, a protruding amount H of
each of the radial ribs 72B increases based on the welded surface
Sb having the rib portion 70B, and the radial ribs 72B come in
contact with the sheet member 40d facing the communication hole 65
in advance with respect to the annular rib 71. Accordingly, the
clearance between the sheet member 40d and the annular rib 71 may
effectively secure the flow path of the air introduced to the
second bag portion 52 which is arranged downstream of the first bag
portion 51 from the first bag portion 51 which is arranged upstream
of the second bag portion 52 via the communication hole 65.
[0076] As shown in FIG. 13, a rib portion 70C of a welded portion
60C is configured such that the protruding amount H of each of
radial ribs 72C may increase toward radially inward thereof.
Accordingly, the flow path of the air introduced to the second bag
portion 52 which is arranged downstream of the first bag portion 51
from the first bag portion 51 which is arranged upstream of the
second bag portion 52 via the communication hole 65 may be further
effectively secured.
[0077] The number and the shape of the radial ribs 72 may be freely
changed.
[0078] For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the four radial ribs 72
may be substantially equally spaced from each other to include a
cross shape as a rib portion 70D of a welded portion 60D.
[0079] Furthermore, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, each of
radial ribs 72E may be extended in a circumferential direction to
include a substantially fan shape as a rib portion 70E of a welded
portion 60E.
[0080] The orientation of each of the radial ribs 72 may be freely
changed. The radial ribs 72 do not have to be equally spaced from
each other in the circumferential direction. The rib portion 70
does not have to include the radial ribs 72.
[0081] At least one of the radial ribs 72 may be oriented at a
position radially apart from the communication hole 65.
[0082] For example, a rib portion 70F of a welded portion 60F shown
in FIG. 16 incudes first radial ribs 72Fa and second radial ribs
72Fb which each includes a distance D from the communication hole
65 in the radial direction, the distances D different from each
other. The first radial ribs 72Fa and the second radial ribs 72Fb
are arranged alternately along the circumferential direction of the
communication hole 65.
[0083] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, the rib portion 70F
includes the first radial ribs 72Fa which each includes
substantially the same shape of each of the radial ribs 72 of the
above-described first embodiment, and the second radial ribs 72Fb
which are oriented at the positions away from the communication
hole 65 with respect to the first radial ribs 72Fa. A distance D
from the communication hole 65 to the first radial rib 72Fa is
substantially zero (The distance D is nearly equal to 0). That is,
a radially-inner-end of the first radial rib 72 in the longitudinal
direction is arranged at the circumferential rim of the
communication hole 65. The second radial rib 72Fb includes a
protruding shape extending linearly as the shape of the first
radial rib 72Fa is, and a length L in the radial direction is set
shorter than the first radial rib 72Fa. Furthermore, the second
radial rib 72Fb is arranged a the position radially away from the
communication hole 62 by the distance D corresponding to the
difference of the length L thereof with respect to that of the
first radial rib 72Fa. The rib portion 70F of another example
includes the four first radial ribs 72Fa and the four second radial
ribs 72Fb which are arranged alternately in the circumferential
direction of the communication hole 65.
[0084] That is, when the welded portion 60 is formed by using a
welding die, a melting material of a sheet member 42 may be out of
a recessed portion of the welding die which forms the shape of the
radial rib 72. Thus, the flow of the air flowing in the clearance
between the radial ribs 72 may be blocked by a wall portion which
connects the radial ribs 72 adjacent to each other in the
circumferential direction and which happens to be formed at the
circumferential rim of the communication hole 65.
[0085] However, the second radial ribs 72Fb which are radially away
from the communication hole 65 is provided to inhibit the wall
portion from being formed when forming the welded portion 60, at
least in the circumferential direction of the position where the
second radial ribs 72Fb are provided, the wall portion which may
connect the first and second radial ribs 72Fa, 72Fb which are
adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.
Accordingly, the air path flowing between the first and second
radial ribs 72Fa, 72Fb from the communication hole 65 may be
secured.
[0086] Specifically, the first and second radial ribs 72Fa, 72Fb
which include different distances D from the communication hole 65
are alternately oriented, and the communication hole 65 may be
efficiently prevented from being blocked by the sheet member 40d by
each of the first radial ribs 72Fa including the radially-inner end
in the longitudinal direction which is arranged adjacent to the
communication hole 65, the first radial ribs 72Fa having the
shorter distance D from the communication hole 65 than the second
radial ribs 72Fb have.
[0087] The second radial ribs 72Fb having the longer distance D
from the communication hole 65 than the first radial ribs 72Fa and
not having the radially-inner end in the longitudinal direction at
the circumference of the communication hole 65 may have the first
radial ribs 72Fa include wider space adjacent thereto in the
circumferential direction. Accordingly, the air path flowing
between the first and second radial ribs 72Fa, 72Fb from the
communication hole 65 may be efficiently secured.
[0088] Alternatively, all radial ribs 72G may be arranged at
positions radially away from the communication hole 65 as a rib
portion 70G of a welded portion 60G as shown in FIG. 17. This
configuration may also efficiently secure the air path flowing
between the radial ribs 72G from the communication hole 65.
[0089] Furthermore, the length L of the radial ribs 72 extending
radially and the distance D from the communication hole 65 may be
freely set. For example, the rib portion 70F shown in FIG. 16 may
include the first radial ribs 72Fa which are arranged away from the
communication hole 65.
[0090] In the aforementioned embodiment, the airbag 20 which
inflates is configured such that the first bag portion 51 is
arranged upstream of the second bag portion 52, the second bag
portion 52 is arranged downstream of the first bag portion 51, and
the communication hole 65 is sandwiched by the first bag portion 51
and the second bag portion 52. Alternatively, the second bag
portion 52 may be arranged upstream of the first bag portion 51 and
the first bag portion 51 may be arranged downstream of the second
bag portion 52. In this case, the first bag portion 51 arranged
downstream of the second bag portion 52 may be provided with the
rib portion 70 at the welded surface Sa.
[0091] According to the aforementioned embodiment, the rib portion
70 protrudes only in one direction of the thickness direction of
the sheet member 40. Alternatively, the rib portion 70 protrudes in
the opposing directions in the thickness direction. That is, the
rib portions 70 may be provided at the welded surface Sa at the
first bag portion 51 and the welded surface Sb at the second bag
portion 52.
[0092] In the aforementioned embodiment, the airbag 20 includes the
first bag portion 51 and the second bag portion 52 which are
arranged to be overlapped with each other in the thickness
direction of the sheet member 40. Alternatively, for example, the
three and more bag portions 50 may be arranged to be overlapped
with each other in the thickness direction of the sheet member 40.
That is, in this case, the welded portion 60 is provided at each of
the sheet members 40, 40 of the bag portion 50 which are overlapped
with each other in the thickness direction thereof, the sheet
members 40, 40 which are in contact with each other. In this case,
when seen in a plan view from the thickness direction of the sheet
member 40, the welded portion 60 may be arranged to be overlapped
with each other, or may be arranged to be displaced from each
other.
[0093] The material, the shape, and the attachment method of the
sheet members 40 configuring the bag portions 50 of the airbag 20
may be freely changed.
[0094] In the aforementioned embodiment, the airbag 20 for
refreshment configuring the seat apparatus 30 of the seat 1 of the
vehicle is concretely explained. Alternatively, the disclosure may
be applied to the airbag 10 for the seat support. This disclosure
may also be applied to airbags other than the airbags for the seat
apparatus 30.
[0095] The principles, preferred embodiment and mode of operation
of the present invention have been described in the foregoing
specification. However, the invention which is intended to be
protected is not to be construed as limited to the particular
embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein
are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.
Variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents
employed, without departing from the spirit of the present
invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such
variations, changes and equivalents which fall within the spirit
and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims, be
embraced thereby.
* * * * *