JP2003182497A - Airbag door - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily open an airbag door which is located on a curved part of an interior trim member of a vehicle and curved on the whole when an airbag device is operated. <P>SOLUTION: In the airbag door 30 which is located on the curved part of the interior trim member 10 and curved on the whole, a slit 44 of the required length extending along a hinge line 28 is locally opened at a predetermined position of the hinge line 28. The airbag door 30 is easily and smoothly opened when the airbag device is operated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an airbag door, and more specifically, it is curved at a curved portion of an interior member of a vehicle to have a curved shape as a whole, and a hinge line formed on the interior member of the vehicle provides The present invention relates to an airbag door that opens to the outside of a vehicle interior member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, most passenger cars are equipped with a driver-seat airbag device and a passenger-seat airbag device as standard equipment in order to protect an occupant from an impact such as a collision. It has become. Of these, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, the passenger side airbag device is installed in a state of being housed inside the passenger side of an instrument panel 10 that is assembled in front of a passenger compartment as a vehicle interior member. . Therefore, the instrument panel 10 is provided with an airbag door 30 that can be opened to the passenger compartment side at a portion corresponding to the airbag device 40, and the airbag 4 that has started to inflate when the airbag device 40 operates.
When the pressing force of 2 is applied, the airbag door 30 is displaced open to the passenger compartment, thereby defining the airbag passage port 32 that allows passage of the airbag 42.

The instrument panel 10 includes, for example, a synthetic resin panel base material 12 injection-molded into a required shape, a skin material 14 attached to the outside of the panel base material 12, and the panel base material 12. And a cushioning material 16 interposed between the skin material 14 and a three-layer type (however, a single-layer type comprising only the panel base material 12, the panel base material 12 and the base material 12). A two-layer type in which the outer skin material 14 is applied to the outer surface is also implemented). In such an instrument panel 10, the panel base material 12 is made of PP (polypropylene) or ASG in order to mount various in-vehicle devices and units.
When the airbag door 30 is integrally formed with the panel base material 12, it is formed of a relatively hard synthetic resin material such as When the pressing force is applied, the airbag door 30 is torn open with a larger load than at room temperature, and the inflation direction of the airbag 42 may be stabilized at the allowable lower limit level.

Therefore, the airbag door 30 is preferably formed of a relatively soft and flexible synthetic resin material such as TPO (olefin thermoplastic elastomer) or a rigid steel material. Mounting port 1 formed separately from the panel substrate 12 and provided on the substrate 12
It is provided as a door molding member 20 attached to the vehicle 8. The door molding member 20 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is made of the above-mentioned synthetic resin, and is a plate-shaped portion 22 provided with the airbag door 30 and the plate-shaped portion 22 integrally formed with the mounting member. Faces the back side of the panel substrate 12 through the mouth 18,
It is composed of a connecting tube portion 24 that is locked to the airbag device 40.

Here, the airbag door 30 is formed from a single door panel having an outer contour defined by a line to be cleaved extending substantially in a U shape and a hinge line formed between the ends of the line to be cleaved. One-sided open type (not shown),
A double-opening type which is composed of two door panels with an outer contour defined by a planned cleavage line extending in a substantially H shape and a hinge line formed between the ends of the planned cleavage line.
(Not shown) was the mainstream. However, in the case of a to-be-disrupted line formed to extend in a U-shape or an H-shape, the breakage may not proceed smoothly at a portion bent at a substantially right angle, which hinders proper opening of the airbag door 30. And due to this, the airbag 42
There was a possibility that the expansion direction of the above would reach the lower limit level. For this reason, recently, as shown in FIG. 9, four door panels 3 are provided by a planned tearing line 26 extending substantially Y-shaped.
0a, 30b, 30c, 30d, and an airbag door 30 whose outer contour is defined by a hinge line 28
Is being proposed and is being implemented. In the airbag door 30 as described above, the breakage that has occurred in the central tear line 26a in the tear line 26 smoothly progresses to the oblique tear lines 26b, and the respective door panels 30a, 3 are separated.
0b, 30c and 30d are opened at the hinge line 28.

[0006]

By the way, since the instrument panel 10 is a maximum size vehicle interior member that greatly affects the atmosphere, texture, etc. in the passenger compartment, it has a design in which a number of constituent surfaces are combined in a complicated manner. In many cases, the airbag door 30 is located at a curved front surface portion (non-planar surface portion) shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Therefore, the plate-shaped portion 22 of the door molding member 20 is formed in a curved plate shape that matches the curved surface shape of the panel base material 12, and accordingly, the door panels 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d of the airbag door 30 are also formed. It has a curved shape as a whole. Therefore, the plate-shaped portion 2 of the door molding member 20
When 2 is formed in a curved plate shape, as is clear from FIG. 10, the door lines 30a, 30b before and after opening in the front-back direction (for convenience, referred to as “X direction” in the drawing) have hinge lines 28 (28a). Since it extends in a straight line, the hinge portion 3 is pressed when the pressing force of the airbag 42 is applied.
At 4 it becomes easy to bend and open. However, the left and right door panels 30c and 30d, which are opened in the left-right direction (referred to as "Y direction" in the drawing), have hinge lines 28 (2
Since 8b) extends in a curved shape (does not extend in a straight line shape), it becomes difficult for the hinge portion 34 to easily bend even if the pressing force of the airbag 42 is applied. There is.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, hinge lines 28 (28a, 28a,
28b) is provided with a strip-shaped thin portion 36, and the hinge portion 3 is provided.
Although a measure for reducing the strength of No. 4 is adopted, the state in which both end portions of the door panels 30c and 30d are stretched when bent is still unresolved, and the door panel 30 still remains.
In the current situation, the c and 30d are not easily bent. Therefore, the door panels 30c and 30d are attached to the hinge line 2
If the door panel 3 does not bend properly along
Since 0c and 30d will stop opening in the posture of extending to the airbag passage port 32 (FIG. 10), they interfere with the airbag 42 that expands while passing through the passage port 32, and There was a risk that the deployment would not be as intended.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed in order to suitably solve the above-mentioned problems, and when the airbag device is in operation, even if the vehicle interior member is located at a curved portion and has a curved shape as a whole. An object of the present invention is to provide an airbag door that can be easily opened.

[0009]

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the intended object, the present invention provides a curved surface as a whole by being located at a curved portion of a vehicle interior member. In the airbag door whose outer contour is formed by the hinge line formed in the above, by partially opening a slit of a required length along the hinge line, the opening of the airbag door at the time of operation of the airbag device is performed. It is characterized in that it is configured to be easy.

[0010]

Another object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the intended purpose is to provide a curved surface as a whole by being located at a curved surface portion of a vehicle interior member. In an airbag door in which an outer contour is formed by a hinge line and a planned cleavage line formed in an interior member, by partially opening a slit of a required length along the hinge line, the airbag device operates at the time of operation. It is characterized in that it is configured to facilitate opening of the airbag door.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, an air bag door according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiment, the instrument panel having the shape shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, that is, the instrument panel 1 having the curved surface portion which is lowered frontward
0 is illustrated, and the four door panels 30a, 30 located on the curved surface portion of the panel base material 12 of the panel 10 are illustrated.
The airbag door 30 composed of b, 30c and 30d will be described. Therefore, the same parts and portions as those forming the instrument panel 10 and the conventional door molding member 20 shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 will be described with the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a partially omitted plan view showing a door molding member having an air bag door according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention attached to a panel base material of an instrument panel, and FIG. II-II line sectional view of FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is III-I of FIG.
It is a II sectional view. The door molding member 20 provided with the airbag door 30 of the embodiment is formed of a relatively soft and flexible synthetic resin material such as TPO (olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer), and has a basic shape and size. It is the same as the conventional door molding member 20 shown in FIG.
The plate-like portion 22 provided with the airbag door 30 and the plate-like portion 22 that is integrally formed and faces the back side of the panel substrate 12 through the mounting opening 18, and the airbag device 40.
And a connecting tube portion 24 that is locked to the. Then, with respect to the mounting opening 18 provided in the panel base material 12, the outer edge frame 23 and the connecting tubular portion 24 in the plate-shaped portion 22.
It is mounted and fixed in a state of being locked by the locking claws 25 protruding from or is mechanically mounted and fixed by using the screw 27 (in the embodiment, a case where both mounting modes are used together is exemplified. Exist).

The plate-shaped portion 22 has an airbag door 30.
A rectangular hinge line 28 is formed along the outer contour of the door, and two Y-shaped tear lines 26 are formed inside the hinge line 28. The four door panels 30a, 30b, 30c, An airbag door 30 composed of 30d is formed. As a result, when the pressing force of the airbag 42 is applied to the back surface of the plate-shaped portion 22, the central cleavage line 26a and the oblique cleavage lines 26b in the planned cleavage line 26 are sequentially broken,
Each door panel 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d is allowed to be opened and displaced while being bent at the hinge line 28 (28a, 28b).

In the door molding member 20 of the embodiment, the hinge line 28 (28a, 28a, 28a, 28a, 28a, 28b) extending between the outer edge frame 23 of the plate-like portion 22 having a curved surface as a whole and the respective door panels 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d. 28b), a slit 44 having a required length is partially opened, and thereby the formation length of the hinge portion 34 extending along the hinge line 28 (28a, 28b) is shortened. Specifically, assuming that the outer contour of the airbag door 30 is rectangular, the slits 44, 4 of the required length are formed at the corners of the hinge line 28 that defines the outer contour.
4 has been opened, so that each door panel 30a, 3
0b, 30c, and 30d are connected to the outer edge frame 23 by the hinge portion 34 having a required length formed at the end edge intermediate portion thereof. In addition, since the slits 44 are opened at the corners of the hinge line 28, each door panel 30
A, 30b, 30c, and 30d are both edges of the outer edge frame 23.
Completely separated from. In addition, a strip-shaped thin portion 36 along the hinge line 28 is provided at an intermediate portion of each of the shortened hinge portions 34, and the strength of the hinge portion 34 is further reduced (conventional). same as).

Here, the slits 44 may be opened at a suitable time when the door molding member 20 is molded or after molding, and after the door molding member 20 is attached to the panel base material 12 and the cushion material 16 is molded. . However, in the above case, before forming the cushion material 16, the slit 4 is formed.
It is necessary to carry out a sealing process to prevent the foaming stock solution from leaking from No. 4.

In the airbag door 30 of such an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the door panels 30a, 30b which are opened in the front-rear direction (X direction in the drawing) of the instrument panel 10 are hinge lines 28a. Is extended in a straight line, and the strength of the hinge portion 34 is shortened and reduced in thickness.
When a pressing force of 2 is applied, the hinge line 28a is very easily bent and opened. On the other hand, in the door panels 30c and 30d which are opened in the left-right direction (Y direction in the drawing) of the instrument panel 10, the hinge line 28b extends in a curved shape (not in a straight line shape).
Even so, since the strength of the hinge portion 34 is reduced due to shortening and thinning, the hinge line 28b easily bends and opens when the pressing force of the airbag 42 is applied. Moreover, the door panels 30c and 30d are separated from the outer edge frame 23 at both end edge side portions thereof, and
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the airbag 42 is opened by receiving the pressing force of the airbag 42, it is appropriately displaced above the upper surface of the outer edge frame 23 as shown in FIGS. , This ensures a smooth and reliable opening.

As described above, in the airbag door 30 of the embodiment, the hinge line 28 (28a, 28a) that defines the outer contour is formed.
Partly open the slit 44 of the required length along b),
The formation length of the hinge portion 34 was shortened. Therefore, the plate-like portion 22 and the respective door panels 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d of the airbag door 30 provided on the plate-like portion 22 have a curved surface shape as a whole, whereby the hinge line 28
Even if b and 28b extend in a curved shape, when the pressing force of the airbag 42, which has begun to expand when the airbag device 40 is activated, is applied to the back surface of the plate-shaped portion 22, each door panel 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d are hinge lines 28
It becomes easy to bend and open with a and 28b. Therefore, not only the front and rear door panels 30a and 30b, but also the left and right door panels 30c and 30d do not stop opening in the posture in which they extend to the airbag passage 32. Therefore, each of the door panels 30a, 30b, 30c, 30
Since d is prevented from interfering with the airbag 42 that inflates while passing through the airbag passage port 32, the airbag 42 can be deployed as intended.

In the above embodiment, the airbag door 30 provided in the simple plate-like portion 22 which is straight in the X direction and curved in the Y direction has been exemplified.
Depending on the shape of 0, the plate-like portion 22 may have a relatively complicated shape that is curved in the X direction and also in the Y direction. However, even with such a shape, since the formation length of each hinge portion 34 is shortened, the airbag 42 is
When the pressing force of each door panel 30a, 30b,
30c and 30d are easily bent and opened.
Further, even if the shape is such that there is an appropriate step in the X direction and / or the Y direction, when the pressing force of the airbag 42 is applied, the door panels 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d.
Will be properly bent to open.

In the airbag door 30 of the above embodiment, the slits 4 are formed at the corners of the hinge line 28 having a rectangular shape.
Although the case where the openings 44 and 44 are opened has been illustrated, for example, as shown in FIG.
6 may be additionally provided. By doing so, the strength is reduced by further shortening the formation length of the hinge portion 34, and the door panels 30a, 30b, 30
Since the regulation of the outer edge frame 23 with respect to c and 30d is further reduced, for example, even when the hinge line 28 has a large degree of bending, it is possible to easily bend the hinge line 28. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, slits 44, 44 having a required length are formed in the rectangular hinge line 28 at a portion avoiding a corner portion, and the respective door panels 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d are formed.
You may make it provide the narrow hinge part 34,34 on both sides of the edge. Even with this configuration, each hinge part 3
In addition to shortening the formation length of 4 and lowering the strength,
Since the restriction of the outer edge frame 23 on the door panels 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d can be reduced, the hinge line 2
Even if 8 (28a, 28b) extends in a curved shape, easy bending is possible.

In the above embodiment, the airbag door 30 is also provided.
With respect to the hinge line 28 of, the case where the slit 44 is opened also in the hinge line 28a extending linearly is illustrated, but this slit 44 is at least the panel base material 12.
It may be formed only on the hinge line 28b that extends in a curved shape along the curved surface part.

In the embodiment, the door molding member 20 is made of TP.
Although illustrated as being made of synthetic resin such as O, the door molding member 2
0 may be formed of a metal material such as steel or aluminum. Further, when the airbag door 30 is made of synthetic resin, it is preferable to attach a steel-made door reinforcing member which is separately formed. However, in the present embodiment, for convenience of description, the illustration and description are omitted. Omitted.

In the above embodiment, the hinge line 28 is used.
Although the airbag door 30 whose outer contour is defined by (28a, 28b) has been illustrated, the airbag door to which the present application is directed has a configuration in which the hinge line 28 and the line to be split 26 define the outer contour. Things are also included. Specifically, an airbag door having an outer contour defined by a planned cleavage line 26 extending substantially in a U shape and a hinge line 28 formed between the ends of the planned cleavage line 26.
(One-sided opening type composed of one door panel), a planned cleavage line 26 extending in a substantially H shape, and a hinge line 2 extending between the ends of the planned cleavage line 26.
8 is an airbag door whose outer contour is defined by 8 (a double-door type door door composed of two door panels).

Further, in the above embodiment, the air bag door 30 provided on the door molding member 20 formed separately from the panel base material 12 is illustrated. However, the air bag door of the present application is a curved surface portion of the panel base material 12. Airbag doors installed directly in the vehicle are also targeted.

[0024]

As described above, according to the airbag door of the present invention, even if the airbag door is located at the curved surface portion of the vehicle interior member and has a curved surface as a whole, the slit having the required length is formed along the hinge line. By opening the door, there is an advantage that the opening of the airbag door can be facilitated when the airbag device is activated. In particular, even if the hinge line extends in a curved shape along the curved surface portion of the vehicle interior member, when the pressing force of the airbag is applied, the airbag door is easily bent and opened. Therefore, it is possible to preferably prevent the opening and stopping of the airbag door in a posture in which the airbag door extends to the airbag passage opening. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the airbag door from interfering with the airbag, so that the airbag can be inflated smoothly, which is a beneficial effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially omitted plan view showing a door molding member provided with an airbag door according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a state in which a skin material and a cushion material are attached to a panel base material of an instrument panel (not shown). Is.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.

3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which each door panel is easily bent and opened when a pressing force of an airbag is applied.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV of FIG. 4, wherein even if the airbag door (door panel) has a curved surface as a whole, each door panel is formed by partially opening a slit along a hinge line. Shows that it can be easily bent and opened.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a door molding member provided with an airbag door according to another example.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a door molding member provided with an airbag door according to another example.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of an instrument panel provided with an airbag door.

FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an instrument panel provided with an airbag door.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional door molding member provided with an air bag door, in which a door panel is easily bent and opened when a hinge line extends in a straight line, If the line extends in a curved shape, it indicates that the door panel is difficult to bend at the hinge line and cannot be properly opened.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a door molding member provided with a conventional airbag door in which the strength of the hinge portion is reduced.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Instrument panel (vehicle interior material) 26 Expected cleavage line 28 Hinge line 30 airbag door 44 slits

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Toshiyasu Funato             Aichi Prefecture Anjo City Imaikecho 3 1-336 Stock             Inoac Corporation Anjo Business             In-house (72) Inventor Kenji Ogawa             1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Toyota Auto             Car Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toshinori Kunishima             25 Araco, Kamifujiike, Yoshiwara-cho, Toyota-shi, Aichi             Within the corporation F-term (reference) 3D044 BA07 BA12 BA14 BA16 BB01                       BC01 BC02 BC13 BC30 BD01                 3D054 AA07 AA14 BB09 BB16 BB23

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An airbag in which a curved surface is formed as a whole by being positioned at a curved surface portion of a vehicle interior member (10), and an outer contour is formed by a hinge line (28) formed on the vehicle interior member (10). In the door (30), a slit (44) having a required length is partially opened along the hinge line (28) to facilitate the opening of the airbag door (30) when the airbag device is operated. An airbag door characterized in that 2. The hinge line (28) defining the outer contour of the airbag door (30) has a rectangular outer contour.
The airbag door according to claim 1, wherein a slit (44) having the required length is provided at a corner portion of the airbag door. 3. The airbag line (30) has a rectangular outer contour, and a hinge line (28) defining the outer contour.
2. The airbag door according to claim 1, wherein the slit (44) having the required length is formed in a portion of the vehicle which avoids the corner portion. 4. The vehicle interior member (10) has a curved surface as a whole by being located at a curved surface portion, and the hinge line (28) and the planned cleavage line (26) formed on the vehicle interior member (10) externally In the airbag door (30) having a contour, by partially opening a slit (44) of a required length along the hinge line (28), the airbag door (during operation of the airbag device ( An airbag door characterized in that it is configured to facilitate the opening of (30). 5. The hinge line of the airbag door (30)
With respect to (28), especially the hinge line (28) is a vehicle interior member.
The airbag door according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the slit (44) of the required length is formed in a curved portion along the curved surface portion (10).