JP2003276552A - Airbag processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an airbag processing device for performing inflation and development process of an airbag device, and improving process efficiency with low costs. <P>SOLUTION: The airbag processing device 1 includes a vessel body 11 formed of a wheel of an automobile having a closed bottom part 11a and an opening part formed in an upper part, a gas filled type damper opening/closing mechanism 13 for maintaining an opening depending on opening and closing of a cover member 12 mounted between the vessel body 11 and the cover member 12, and a sound deadening member 14 for deadening a sound generated in development process of an airbag module 7 formed on the cover member 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention saves space when energizing and inflating an inflator of an unused / unactuated airbag device (hereinafter also referred to as "airbag module") removed from an automobile. The present invention relates to an improvement of an airbag processing apparatus which can be processed safely and cleanly in a work environment and can be manufactured at low cost.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a vehicle equipped with an airbag device on the steering wheel on the driver's side or the instrument panel on the passenger's side is discarded,
It is required to remove the airbag device in the inactive state and dispose of it. Such an airbag device is ignited by supplying an electric signal to an ignition unit constituting an inflator of an airbag module to ignite and burn a gas generating agent, and to inflate an airbag folded with inflation gas generated at that time. It is deployed and the airbag device is processed. In consideration of safety, the processing of such an airbag device is performed by exploding it in an enclosure formed of old tires or the like. However, when the frequency of such processing increases, a wide space is required, which is not only inconvenient, but also because it is performed in an open space, it is not preferable in terms of noise control and safety. Therefore, for example, as in the invention of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-264161 (hereinafter referred to as “first conventional device”) shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, inside the housing 1 in which the inflators A, B, and C are formed of soundproof walls. A structure in which an explosion is generated in a closed space is known. That is, the first conventional device positions and fixes the plurality of inflators A, B, C on the shelf 3 that is opened by opening the door 2. Set each inflator and connect the timer relays R1, R2, R via lead wires.
3 to the electrical circuit 4 having. By closing the door and turning on the switch SW by remote control, the inflators A, B and C are sequentially operated. In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, the utility model registration third
A device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 055950 (hereinafter referred to as "second conventional device").
Means that an air bag device D having an inflator integrated with the air bag is positioned and fixed by a fixing device inside the housing 5 as an air bag expansion processing device, and the lid is closed to turn on the micro switch 6, It is confirmed that the lid is closed by turning on the indicator lamp 7 of the indicator lamp circuit. Then, turn on the foot switch 8 from a distant position.
When N is applied, a current of a predetermined voltage is supplied to the airbag energizing circuit, the inflator is actuated, and the airbag is rapidly inflated and deployed.

[0003]

However, in the first conventional device, the air bag device is processed inside the housing 1. Therefore, although it is advantageous in terms of processing space, the soundproof provided on the inner wall of the housing. The walls are made of sand sandwiched with steel plates, etc., so they are effective as a soundproofing measure, but they not only increase the manufacturing cost but also provide a muffler in the exhaust duct installed on the ceiling of the housing. However, there is a problem that a part of the noise is radiated to the outside through the exhaust duct, and there is a certain limit in obtaining an effective soundproof effect. Further, since the inflators A, B, and C are automatically detonated and expanded by simply turning on the switch SW of the electric circuit 4, if the switch SW is accidentally turned on, Have a problem in terms of safety. Further, in the first conventional device, the airbag module (airbag device), that is, the structure in which the explosion deployment is performed in a mode having the inflator integrated with the airbag, the inflator unit must be detached from the airbag device each time. Therefore, there is also a problem that the inflator may be accidentally ignited during the removal work. On the other hand, the second conventional device has a structure for processing the airbag device unlike the one for processing the inflator alone like the first conventional device, but since it can process only one airbag device at a time,
There is a problem that a large amount of processing cannot be performed and the processing efficiency is reduced accordingly. In addition, since the second conventional device is not provided with a muffling means, there is a problem that it is difficult to smoothly absorb noise generated during processing. Further, in order to manufacture the casings 1 and 5 of each of the second conventional devices including the first conventional device, it is necessary to design to manufacture them, which causes a problem that the cost increases accordingly. Furthermore, although the second conventional device is configured to notify whether the lid is closed immediately before processing by whether the indicator light 7 is turned on by the micro switch 6 interlocking with the lid, the lid is closed once. rear,
If a person is near the processing unit, the foot switch 8
If the switch is turned on carelessly, the inflator will be detonated, which is a safety-unfavorable problem.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above problems, and saves space when an inflator of an unused / unactuated airbag device removed from an automobile is energized to inflate and deploy. It is an object of the present invention to provide an airbag processing device that expands and deploys the airbag device safely and cleanly, improves the processing efficiency, and is inexpensive in the work environment.

[0005]

The present invention has the following constitution to achieve the above object. That is, claim 1
In the airbag processing apparatus according to the invention described in the above, the airbag module is positioned and fixed inside the container body, sealed by a lid member hinged to the container body, and the air bag module is ignited by inflating the inflator. In an airbag processing apparatus for deploying a bag module, the container body is formed of an automobile wheel having a bottom closed and an opening upward, and the container body is provided between the container body and the lid member. A gas-filled damper opening / closing mechanism that holds the opening according to opening / closing is attached,
Further, the lid member is provided with a muffling member for silencing the sound generated during the deployment process of the airbag module. According to such a configuration, the container body is formed of a highly rigid automobile wheel, for example, a truck wheel, and therefore has sufficient rigidity necessary for safety processing. Therefore, when the airbag device is detonated and deployed. It reliably prevents scattering of debris generated on the surface, which is advantageous for safety, can be easily processed even in a small work space, and prevents noise from leaking to the outside smoothly by the sound deadening member provided on the lid member. Furthermore, the gas-filled damper opening / closing mechanism does not cause the opened lid member to be closed unexpectedly during the preparatory work, and in this respect as well, work that ensures the safety of the operator can be performed. A second aspect of the present invention relates to the airbag processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the lid member is formed of the vehicle wheel. According to this structure, not only the container body but also the lid member is formed by the wheel for the automobile, so that the strength of the lid member is ensured and the unnecessary automobile, for example, the wheel for the truck is used, which reduces the cost. Can be cheap. The invention of claim 3 is
The airbag processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the muffling member is formed by a muffler for an automobile. With such a configuration, for example, since the muffler used for a large truck is used, it can be reused as a recycled part, and thus a low cost product can be obtained. The invention according to claim 4 relates to the airbag processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an operation button is provided at the other end of the switch operation means having one end electrically connected to the inflator of the airbag module. A power source for supplying an ignition current to the inflator by operating the switch, and a safety release button for supplying an ignition current to the inflator only when the switch operating means is operated simultaneously with the operation button. Is characterized by. With such a configuration, even if the operation button is mistakenly operated, the inflator does not detonate unless the safety release button is operated, which is advantageous for safety. A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to the airbag processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, characterized in that a plurality of the airbag modules are simultaneously positioned and fixed to the container body. With this configuration, a plurality of airbag modules can be treated by one treatment, so that the treatment efficiency is remarkably improved.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
~ Detailed description will be given with reference to FIG. 7. 1 is an external perspective view of an airbag processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external side view of the airbag processing apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a lid member of the airbag processing apparatus of FIG. 5 is an external side view of the exterior of the airbag processing device showing a closed state, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged external perspective view of an essential part showing a state in which the airbag device is positioned and fixed to a fixture with the lid member of the airbag processing device open. 6 is an enlarged external perspective view of an essential part showing a state in which a fixture is provided inside the container, FIG.
FIG. 7 is an external perspective view showing a certain fixture, FIG. 7 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the fixture shown in FIG. 6 is fixed to the airbag device, and FIG. 8 is an electric circuit diagram of the switch operating means.

As shown in the figure, the constituent elements of the airbag processing apparatus 10 are a container body 11 and the container body 11.
Lid member 12 for opening and closing the opening of the lid, and lid member 1
It includes a gas-filled damper opening / closing mechanism 13 (hereinafter referred to as “damper”) that holds 2 at an arbitrary opening position, and a muffling member 14 (hereinafter referred to as “muffler”) provided on the lid member 12. Each of these components will be described below. The container body 11 is made by reusing a robust wheel used for an old tire of a truck wheel, and has a hole 11b at the bottom 11a.
Is a patch made of a steel plate having a predetermined thickness except for the wire harness insertion small hole 11c for routing the wire harness W pulled out from the airbag device to be processed to the control box 15 as an external switch operating means. Welded and completely closed. In addition, casters 11d are provided, for example, at four locations outside the container body 11 to allow free movement. Further, an air bag device mounting member 11e is fixed to the bottom portion 11a on the inner side of the container body 11 by welding, and air bag device mounting members 11f and 11g are fixed to the inner peripheral wall by welding, and the air bag device is attached to each of these mounting members. A small hole 11h through which a fastener such as a bolt used for positioning and fixing is inserted is provided. In this way, the mounting members 11e, 11f, and 11g have different shapes.
This is because it is considered that the airbag device to be processed can be attached according to the type, shape, size and the like. For example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the main body portion has a substantially cruciform shape, and the fastener attachment holes 16a and 16b formed in the fixed attachment 16 having sufficient strength and rigidity and the small hole 11h formed in the mounting member 11g are formed. It is aligned and fixed (Fig. 5). In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the fixed attachment 16 is positioned and fixed to the back portion 17a of the airbag device 17 by appropriately using fasteners such as bolts. Then, the main body central portion 16c of the fixed attachment 16 is set at a position corresponding to the inflator 17b (see FIG. 7).

Next, the lid member 12 will be described. The lid member 12 is formed of a robust truck wheel having the same size and shape as the container body 11, and is provided on the container body 11 via a hinge 18 so as to be openable and closable as shown in FIG. Further, a steel plate is patch-welded and sealed in the hole 12a of the wheel in the same manner as the container body 11, while a muffler 14 is provided in the center portion so as to penetrate inward. The muffler 14 is a muffler used for, for example, an exhaust pipe for a truck, and is fixed via a support member 14b that enhances the strength. A handle 12b for opening and closing is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the lid member 12.
And a stay 12d that swingably supports the locking hook 12c. The hook 12c is a pedal type, and by depressing the pedal portion 12e, the hook portion 12c engages and disengages with the locking portion 11i provided on the container body 11, and the lid member 12 completely locks the container body 11 in a locked state in which the lid member 12 is engaged. To maintain the condition.

The damper 13 includes a container body 11 and a lid member 12.
It has a piston-cylinder type structure that is provided between the handle 12b and the handle 12b, and the piston expands and contracts in the cylinder.
The damper 13 is a gas-filled damper in which, for example, nitrogen gas is filled, and assists to reduce the opening operation force when opening the lid member 12. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, no matter where the opening of the lid member 12 is, due to the repulsive force of the damper 13,
The lid member 12 is held at a position corresponding to its opening degree so that the lid member 12 is not accidentally closed. In addition, the container body 11 and the lid member 1
A left and right pair of tightening means 20 for firmly maintaining the hermetically sealed state are provided between the two. The tightening means 20 is
For example, it is formed by appropriately applying per se known means such as bolts and nuts. Reference numeral 21 denotes a battery which is set in the container body 11 and serves as a power source for inflator initiation.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the control box 15 includes a safety release button SW1 and an inflator 17 of each airbag processing apparatus 10 to be processed.
Operation buttons SW2 and SW3 connected to b1 and 17b2
And a relay R. Relay R has safety release button S
Only when W1 is turned on and the solenoid R2 is excited,
The movable contact R2 is formed so as to turn on and conduct. As a result, unless the safety release button SW1 is turned on, even if the operation buttons SW2 and SW3 are operated and turned on, the inflators 17b1 and 17b2 are blocked so that current does not flow from the battery 21 to prevent an accidental detonation. To do.

The operation of this embodiment will be described. Hook 1
2c is disengaged from the locking portion 11i, the lid member 12 is opened as shown in FIG. 3, and a predetermined fixed attachment 1 prepared as appropriate.
6 (see FIG. 6) is attached to the airbag device 17 (two airbag devices in this embodiment) to be processed (see FIG. 7). The airbag device 17 in such a state
Is positioned and fixed to the predetermined mounting members 11e, 11f, 11g shown in FIG. The wire harness W connected to the ignition portion of the inflator 17b of each airbag device 17 is routed to the outside of the container body 11, and the lid member 12 is closed against the repulsive force of the damper 13 to close the lid. Hook 12c to lock part 1
1i is locked and locked, and the lid member 12 is firmly fixed to the container body 11 by the tightening means 20. Next, the wired wire harness W is routed through the connector 22 to the predetermined operation buttons SW1 and SW of the control box 15.
2, connect to SW3 and connect (Fig. 8). When the wire harness W is connected to the control box 15 and the preparation for processing is completed, the inflator is operated away from the airbag processing apparatus 10. That is, control box 1
The safety release button SW1 of 5 is turned on to release safety, and in that state, the operation button SW2 is pushed to turn on.
Then, a current is supplied from the battery 21 to the inflator 17b1 to cause an explosion, and the first airbag device is expanded. Also, with the safety release button SW1 pressed,
When the operation button SW3 is pressed to turn it on, the inflator 17b2 is detonated and the second airbag device is deployed. After processing all airbag devices,
The hook 12c is disengaged from the locking portion 11i, the tightening means 20 is loosened to release the engagement, the lid member 12 is opened, and the expanded airbag device is removed from the container body 11 to deploy a series of airbag devices. The processing work is completed.

According to this embodiment, the container body 11, the lid member 12, and the muffler 14 of the airbag processing apparatus 10 are arranged.
Since the wheels and muffler, which are recycled products for robust trucks, are reused, it is possible to obtain a low-cost device while at the same time reliably preventing the scattering of debris during the deployment process of the airbag device. The damper 13 does not inadvertently close the lid member 12, and the inflator does not detonate unless the safety release button SW1 of the control box 15 is pressed, so that the processing work can be performed safely.
In addition, since the muffler 14 is installed, it is possible to secure a clean sound,
Further, it has various effects that it can be processed in a small work space.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the present embodiment, and design changes and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention. Even if it exists, it is included in the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, parts such as a truck wheel and a muffler are reused for the container body 11, the lid member 12, and the muffler 14.
Of course, it is also possible to use parts such as buses and passenger cars. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where two airbag devices are processed for expansion has been described as T. However, it is also possible to form so as to process more airbag devices, thereby further improving the processing efficiency. . Further, although the wheel is used as the lid member 12, it is also possible to apply one in which a normal steel plate is processed. Further, although the position set by the muffler 14 is the central portion of the lid member 12, the muffler 14 may be installed at a place other than that, for example, a peripheral portion of the lid member 14. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the airbag device is subjected to the deployment process, but it is also applicable to the case where the seatbelt tensioner including the inflator is also subjected to the detonation process, and the airbag module is applied. It can be applied to the case of processing a simple substance. Further, although the battery 21 is used as a power source in the above-mentioned embodiment, a household power source may be used instead to operate the control box 15. In addition, from the viewpoint of sound quality, a packing member may be appropriately provided at a joint portion between the container body 11 and the lid member 12 to enhance airtightness.

[0014]

According to the airbag processing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the container body has a highly rigid automobile wheel,
For example, since it is formed of a wheel for trucks, it has sufficient rigidity for safety processing, and thus reliably prevents scattering of debris generated when the airbag device is detonated and deployed, which is advantageous for safety. In addition, the processing can be performed easily even in a small work space, noise can be smoothly prevented from leaking to the outside by the sound deadening member provided on the lid member, and it was opened during the preparatory work by the gas filled damper opening / closing mechanism. The lid member does not unexpectedly close, and in this respect also, there is an effect that work can be performed while ensuring the safety of the operator.
According to the invention of claim 2, not only the container body,
Since the lid member is also formed by the wheel for the automobile, the strength of the lid member is secured and the wheel for the unnecessary automobile, for example, the truck is used, so that the cost can be reduced. Further, according to the invention of claim 3, since, for example, the muffler used for a large truck is used, it can be reused as a recycled part, and thus a low cost product can be obtained. Further, according to the invention of claim 4, even if the operation button is mistakenly operated, the inflator does not detonate unless the safety release button is operated, so that there is an advantage in safety. Further, according to the invention of claim 5, a plurality of airbag modules can be treated by one treatment, so that the treatment efficiency can be remarkably improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an airbag processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external side view of the airbag processing apparatus of FIG.

3 is an external side view of the airbag processing apparatus showing a state in which a lid member of the airbag processing apparatus of FIG. 2 is opened.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged external perspective view of a main part showing a state in which the airbag device is positioned and fixed to a fixture with the lid member of the airbag processing device opened.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged external perspective view of a main part showing a state in which a fixture is provided inside the container.

FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing a typical example of a fixture.

FIG. 7 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the fixture shown in FIG. 6 is fixed to an airbag device.

FIG. 8 is an electric circuit diagram of a switch operating means.

FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of a first conventional device.

FIG. 10 is an electric circuit diagram in the first conventional device.

FIG. 11 is an electric circuit diagram in the second conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Airbag processing device, 11 ... Container body, 11e,
11f, 11g ... Mounting member, 12 ... Lid member, 12c ... Hook, 13 ... Gas-filled damper opening / closing mechanism (damper), 1
4 ... Muffling member, 15 ... Switch operating means, 1
6 ... Fixed attachment, 17 ... Air bag device (air bag module), 17b, 17b1, 17b2 ... Inflator, 18 ... Hinge, 20 ... Tightening means, 21 ... Battery, SW1 ... Safety release button, SW2, SW3 ...
Operation button, W ... Wire harness,

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An airbag module is positioned and fixed inside a container body, is closed by a lid member hinged to the container body, and the airbag module is expanded by igniting an inflator of the airbag module. In the airbag processing apparatus, the container body is formed of an automobile wheel having a bottom portion that is closed and has an upper opening, and between the container body and the lid member,
A gas-filled damper opening / closing mechanism that holds the opening degree according to the opening / closing of the lid member is attached, and the lid member is further provided with a muffling member for silencing the sound generated during the expansion processing of the airbag module. Air bag processing equipment. 2. The airbag processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lid member is formed of the vehicle wheel. 3. The airbag processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sound deadening member is formed of a vehicle muffler. 4. A switch operating means, one end of which is electrically connected to an inflator of the airbag module, is connected to a power supply for supplying an ignition current to the inflator by operating an operation button, while the switch operation is performed. The airbag processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the means is provided with a safety release button for supplying an ignition current to the inflator only when operated simultaneously with the operation button. 5. The airbag processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the airbag modules are simultaneously positioned and fixed to the container body.