JP3743264B2 - Airbag processing method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an airbag processing method and apparatus that are preferable for use in disposal of an in-vehicle airbag apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When a car is disposed of as a scrap car, a recoverable metal material or the like is collected and regenerated after an airbag device attached to the car is operated. This is to treat the gas generating agent used in the airbag device.
[0003]
Conventionally, this type of airbag processing method includes a method of forcibly deploying and processing the airbag while it is mounted on the vehicle, or an old tire that has been stacked by removing the airbag module from the vehicle. A method of forcibly unfolding and processing a bag is known. There has also been proposed a method in which an unactuated airbag module is put into a melting furnace and treated (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-132015).
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described conventional airbag processing method has the following problems. That is, in the method of forcibly deploying the airbag while it is mounted on the vehicle, a large amount of gas is generated at the time of deployment and the noise at the time of deployment is remarkably large. Moreover, since the gas generated when the airbag is deployed in the vehicle may fill the passenger compartment, there is a problem that the next operation cannot be performed immediately.
[0005]
On the other hand, in the method of removing the airbag module from the vehicle and forcibly deploying it in the old tire, it takes time to work because the airbag module cannot be removed unless the worker understands the complicated vehicle structure. There's a problem. In addition, for safety reasons, the operator needs to push the operation switch a few tens of meters away from the airbag, and the noise during deployment is remarkably loud, so that a processing facility is required in a wide area away from the city area. . For this reason, there exists a problem that the effort and expense which convey an airbag module to the place of processing equipment increase.
[0006]
Furthermore, in the method in which an unoperated airbag module is introduced into the melting furnace and forcedly deployed, the airbag will burst, so a large and strong melting furnace that can withstand the blast and explosion noise during deployment is provided. Necessary and costly unrealistic.
[0007]
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-1019, a plurality of airbag devices are mounted on a vehicle, and a starting electric circuit of the airbag device is operated to be deployed in a lump without taking time and effort for deployment. Although the method of doing is proposed, the problem of the gas and noise which generate | occur | produce in that case is not solved at all.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art as described above, and is an airbag excellent in processing workability, soundproofing, windproofing, and gasproofing when being processed in a state of being mounted on a vehicle. It is an object to provide a processing method and apparatus.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(1) In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, in an airbag processing method for operating and processing an airbag device that is no longer needed while being mounted on a vehicle, An airbag processing method is provided that covers a vehicle part including the device, forms a substantially sealed space around the airbag device, and operates the airbag device in the substantially sealed space.
Although not particularly limited, in the present method, a first opening provided on one end side, through which the steering wheel is inserted, a clamp for tightening the periphery of the first opening to the shaft or column cover of the steering wheel, and the first opening A housing having a second opening provided on the other end side with respect to the one end side provided with a hook and a hook hooked on the instrument panel is prepared, and a steering wheel is inserted into the first opening of the housing Then, the peripheral edge of the first opening is fastened to the steering wheel shaft or column cover using a clamp, and the second opening is opposed to the instrument panel on the passenger seat side, and the driver's seat airbag provided on the steering wheel The vehicle part including the device and the passenger seat airbag device provided on the passenger seat side is covered from the vehicle interior side with the housing, and the housing is used with the hook. Fixed to Nsu torr instrument panel, a substantially closed space formed around the along the instrument panel both of the airbag device, actuating the airbag system in the substantially closed space is preferable.
[0010]
In this case, although not particularly limited, it is more preferable that the substantially sealed space is surrounded by a casing made of a soundproof wall .
[0011]
In the airbag processing method of the present invention, the airbag apparatus is operated in a substantially sealed space for processing, so even when processing while mounted on a vehicle, noise during processing is reduced and safety is remarkably improved. To do. In addition, compared with the conventional method of removing and processing the airbag device, the work time is shortened to the extent that the removal work is unnecessary, which is advantageous in terms of cost.
[0012]
Is not particularly limited in the present invention, after the operation of at least the air bag device, it is more preferable to exhaust the gas in substantially sealed space.
[0013]
By forcibly exhausting the gas in the substantially sealed space, it is possible to immediately perform the following operations such as removal of the processed airbag and installation setup of the airbag to be processed next.
[0014]
In the above invention, the number of airbag devices to be processed in a substantially sealed space is not limited at all, and it is possible to process one airbag device or simultaneously process a plurality of airbag devices. Is within. In particular, when a plurality of airbag devices are operated and processed in a substantially sealed space, the processing time per unit is shortened, which is advantageous in terms of cost.
[0015]
(2) In order to achieve the above object, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in an airbag processing apparatus for operating and processing an airbag apparatus that is no longer needed while being mounted on a vehicle, Provided is an airbag processing apparatus comprising: a casing that covers a vehicle part including the apparatus and that forms a substantially sealed space around the airbag apparatus; and an exhaust apparatus that exhausts gas in the casing. Is done.
Although not particularly limited, the housing of the present invention is provided on one end side, a first opening through which the steering wheel is inserted, a clamp that tightens the periphery of the first opening to the shaft part of the steering wheel or the column cover, A second opening provided on the other end side with respect to one end provided with one opening, a driver airbag device provided on the steering wheel, and a passenger airbag device provided on the passenger seat side; It is preferable to form a substantially sealed space around both airbag devices along the instrument panel, and a hook that is hooked to the instrument panel in a state where vehicle parts including It is preferable to have an exhaust device that exhausts the gas in the housing.
[0016]
In this case, although not particularly limited , the housing is more preferably surrounded by a soundproof wall.
[0017]
In the airbag processing apparatus of the present invention, since the airbag apparatus is operated and processed in a housing that forms a substantially sealed space, noise during processing is reduced and safety is ensured even when processing while mounted on a vehicle. Is also significantly improved. In addition, compared with the conventional method of removing and processing the airbag device, the work time is shortened to the extent that the removal work is unnecessary, which is advantageous in terms of cost.
[0018]
Moreover, the generated gas can be immediately processed by forcibly exhausting the gas in the casing which is a substantially sealed space using the exhaust device.
[0019]
In particular, the exhaust device of the present invention preferably has a zeolite filter. When the zeolite filter is used, a specific gas generated from the airbag can be surely removed, and a suitable environment can be provided even if the airbag apparatus is processed in a large amount.
[0020]
In the above invention, the specific configuration of the housing forming the substantially sealed space is not particularly limited.
[0021]
For example, a housing of the present invention includes an opening through which a steering wheel is inserted, and a clamp that fastens the periphery of the opening to a shaft portion or a column cover of the steering wheel, and at least a driver's seat airbag device provided in the steering wheel. It is characterized by covering.
[0022]
The driver's seat airbag device is often provided on the steering wheel, but when covering the driver's seat airbag device with the housing, the steering wheel is inserted into the opening and the periphery of the opening is clamped using a clamp. By tightening the shaft portion or the column cover, the housing can be mounted by one-touch work, and the work time can be shortened. Further, the housing can be firmly fixed, and can be used universally regardless of the vehicle model specification.
[0023]
The casing of the present invention includes a hook for fixing the casing to the defroster of the instrument panel, and covers at least the passenger seat airbag device provided on the passenger seat side of the instrument panel.
[0024]
The passenger seat airbag device is often installed on the front of the instrument panel, but when covering the passenger seat airbag device with the casing, the hook is hooked on the defroster, and the casing is mounted with a one-touch operation. Work time can be reduced. Further, the housing can be firmly fixed, and can be used universally regardless of the vehicle model specification.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention , since the air bag device is operated and processed in a substantially sealed space, the noise during the processing is reduced and the safety is remarkably improved even when the processing is performed while the vehicle is mounted on the vehicle. In addition, compared with the conventional method of removing and processing the airbag device, the work time is shortened to the extent that the removal work is unnecessary, which is advantageous in terms of cost. Moreover, the generated gas can be immediately processed by forcibly exhausting the gas in the casing which is a substantially sealed space using the exhaust device.
[0026]
In addition to this, by operating a plurality of airbag devices in a substantially sealed space for processing, the processing time per unit is shortened, which is advantageous in terms of cost.
[0027]
Further, since the exhaust device has the zeolite filter, the specific gas generated from the airbag can be surely removed, and a suitable environment can be provided even if the airbag is processed in a large amount.
[0028]
Furthermore, according to the present invention , the housing can be mounted by one-touch work, and the work time can be shortened. Further, the housing can be firmly fixed, and can be used universally regardless of the vehicle model specification.
[0029]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the structure of the airbag device to be processed according to the present invention will be described. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a steering wheel showing an example of a driver's seat airbag device, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an inflator thereof, and FIG. 3 is a passenger's seat airbag device (the same applies to a side airbag device and a rear seat airbag device). FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the inflator.
[0030]
The driver seat airbag device 5A shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the passenger seat airbag device 5B shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 have the same basic structure if they are electric airbags, and are gas bags. It has the airbag 51 and the inflator 52 for inflating this.
[0031]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the airbag 51 is folded and accommodated in the steering STR and the instrument panel IST, and is mounted so as to wrap a through hole 522 of the housing 521 of the inflator 52 described later. Thus, the gas generated in the inflator 52 is introduced into the airbag 51 and inflated.
[0032]
The inflator 52 includes a squib (igniter) 523 that is ignited by an operation electric signal from a deceleration sensor at the time of a car collision, an enhancer (transfer agent) 524 that is ignited and burned by a flame generated by the squib 523, and a flame generated by the enhancer 524. And a gas generating agent 525 that generates gas by being ignited and combusted by heat.
[0033]
For example, in the inflator 52 of the driver's seat airbag device 5A shown in FIG. 2, a squib 523 and an enhancer 524 are provided in the center of a cylindrical housing 521, and a gas generating agent 525 is filled in the surrounding combustion chamber 526. Further, a screen 527 is provided around the periphery. When an operation signal is input from the lead wire 528 shown in the figure, the squib 523 is ignited, and the enhancer 524 is ignited and combusted by this flame. Further, this flame and heat are transferred to the combustion chamber 526 through the through hole 529. The gas generating agent 525 is ignited and burned. The gas generated by the ignition combustion of the gas generating agent 525 passes through the screen 527 and flows out from the plurality of through holes 522 provided around the housing 521, and inflates the airbag 51 shown in FIG. .
[0034]
In the inflator 52 of the passenger airbag device 5B shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. ing. Further, a gas generating agent 525 is loaded in the combustion chamber 526 around the enhancer 524, and a screen 527 is provided around the gas generating agent 525.
[0035]
Even in the passenger seat inflator 52, when an operation signal is input from the lead wire 528 shown in the figure, the squib 523 is ignited, the enhancer 524 is ignited and burned by this flame, and the flame and heat pass through the through hole 529. And enters the combustion chamber 526 to ignite and burn the gas generating agent 525. The gas generated by the ignition combustion of the gas generating agent 525 passes through the screen 527 and flows out from the plurality of through holes 522 provided around the housing 521, and inflates the airbag 51 shown in FIG. .
[0036]
Next, the airbag processing apparatus 1 for deploying the airbag apparatuses 5A and 5B as described above will be described.
5 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the airbag processing apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a housing of the embodiment, FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 6, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the VIII-VIII line of FIG.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 5, the airbag processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 11 formed of a soundproof wall, and openings 111 and 114 are provided on one main surface thereof. Although the specific structure of a soundproof wall is not specifically limited, What sandwiched the sand with the steel plate can be used. At this time, it is desirable to provide fire resistance. In addition, the shape of the housing | casing 11 is not specifically limited, Considering the shape of the general instrument panel of a vehicle, it is desirable to set it as the shape applicable to various vehicle types.
[0038]
The opening 111 of the housing 11 shown in FIG. 6 is sized to allow the vehicle steering wheel STR to be inserted, and a flexible flange is formed at the opening edge of the opening 111. The clamp 112 shown in the figure is attached to the flange, and the steering wheel STR is inserted into the opening 111 as shown in FIG. 7, and then the casing 11 is closed by tightening the clamp. The clamp 112 has a semi-ring-shaped member that can be opened and closed by a hinge, and is locked by a hook attached to the tip. However, the specific configuration of the clamp 112 according to the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it can close the opening 111 of the housing 11.
[0039]
Further, an opening 114 is also formed at the other end of the housing 11, and as shown in FIG. 8, a passenger seat airbag device provided on the passenger seat side of the instrument panel IST via the opening 114. 5B can be covered. In the vicinity of the opening 114, hooks 113, 113 that can be hooked on the opening of the defroster DEF of the instrument panel IST are provided, whereby the casing 11 is firmly fixed.
[0040]
An exhaust duct 12 is provided on one side of the casing, and the gas in the casing 11 is sucked by the blower 14. The exhaust duct 12 is provided with a filter 13, and the filter material used for the filter 13 is not particularly limited, but in this example, a filter material coated with zeolite is used. By using zeolite, components such as Cl ₂ , H ₂ S, NO ₂ , NH ₃ , and Na generated in the housing 11 can be suitably removed.
[0041]
In order to operate the driver seat airbag device 5A and the passenger seat airbag device 5B using the airbag processing device 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the housing 11 is first mounted on the vehicle as shown in FIG. Bring it indoors and attach it to the front of the instrument panel IST. At this time, the steering wheel STR is inserted into the opening 111 of the housing 11, the flange 111a is tightened with the clamp 112, the opening 111 is closed, and the other opening 114 is placed on the passenger seat side of the instrument panel IST. The hooks 113 are hooked on the opening of the defroster DEF. The housing 11 can be firmly attached to the instrument panel IST by such an operation.
[0042]
As a result, a substantially sealed space S including the driver's seat airbag device 5A and the passenger's seat airbag device 5B is formed in the housing 11, so that a current is supplied to the operating circuit of the airbag device connected in advance. Flush and generate unactuated gas to deploy the airbag. At this time, since the inside of the housing 11 is sealed with a soundproof wall, noise at the time of gas generation and generated gas will not leak to the outside. Moreover, since the airbag apparatuses 5A and 5B are covered with the casing 11 when the casing 11 is set, it is extremely safe for the operator.
[0043]
When the operation of the inflator 52 is finished, the blower 14 is operated to send the gas in the housing 11 to the filter 13. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the gas generated from the inflator 52 from leaking into the vehicle interior, and to maintain the work environment.
[0044]
The embodiment described above is described for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and is not described for limiting the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiment is intended to include all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a steering showing an example of a driver's seat airbag device to be processed according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the inflator shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an instrument panel showing another example of a passenger airbag device to be processed according to the present invention.
4 is a cross-sectional view showing the inflator shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the airbag processing apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a housing of the airbag processing apparatus according to the present invention.
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG.
8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Airbag processing apparatus 11 ... Housing | casing 111 ... Opening part 112 ... Clamp 113 ... Hook 12 ... Exhaust duct (exhaust device)
13 ... Filter (exhaust device 14 ... Blower (exhaust device)
5A ... Driver's seat airbag device 5B ... Passenger seat airbag device S ... Almost sealed space

Claims (8)

In the airbag processing method of operating and processing an airbag device that is no longer needed while mounted on a vehicle,
A first opening provided on one end side, through which the steering wheel is inserted, a clamp for tightening a peripheral edge of the first opening to a shaft portion or a column cover of the steering wheel, and one end side provided with the first opening a second opening provided at the other end, the housing having a hook hooked to the instrument panel and prepared for,
A steering wheel is inserted through the first opening of the housing;
Tightening the periphery of the first opening to the shaft or column cover of the steering wheel using the clamp,
The second opening is opposed to the instrument panel on the passenger seat side,
Covering a vehicle component including a driver's seat airbag device provided on the steering wheel and a passenger's seat airbag device provided on the passenger seat side from the vehicle interior side with the casing,
The housing is fixed to the instrument panel using the hook, and a substantially sealed space is formed around the airbag devices along the instrument panel.
A method for processing an airbag, wherein the airbag device is operated in the substantially sealed space. The airbag processing method according to claim 1, wherein the substantially sealed space is surrounded by a housing made of a soundproof wall .   The method for processing an airbag according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gas in the substantially sealed space is exhausted at least after the operation of the airbag device. The airbag processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein two airbag devices are operated in the substantially sealed space for processing. In an airbag processing apparatus that operates by processing an airbag apparatus that is no longer needed in a state of being mounted on a vehicle,
A first opening provided on one end side, through which the steering wheel is inserted, a clamp for tightening a peripheral edge of the first opening to a shaft portion or a column cover of the steering wheel, and one end side provided with the first opening the second opening provided at the other end and the vehicle interior side of the vehicle parts, including a passenger airbag apparatus provided in the driver's seat airbag device and the passenger seat side provided on the steering wheel with respect to A hook that is hooked to the instrument panel in a state of covering from the casing, and a housing that forms a substantially sealed space around the airbag device along the instrument panel,
An air bag processing apparatus comprising: an exhaust device that exhausts the gas in the housing.   The airbag processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the hook fixes the housing to a defroster of an instrument panel. The airbag processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the casing is made of a soundproof wall .   The airbag processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the exhaust device includes a zeolite filter.

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