JP2003341458A - Air bag door opening structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To moderate shock when an air bag door collides with the outer face of a vehicle interior member. <P>SOLUTION: The edge of a door reinforcing plate 22 fixed to the rear side of the air bag door 14 is connected to the inner wall of a fixing bracket 24 connected to an air bag device 50 via a required-length variable supporting portion 26 end-joined thereto in a semicircular dimension allowable condition. In a gap 32 formed between the inner wall of the fixing bracket 24 and the variable supporting portion 26 in the dimension allowable condition, a deformable body 40 exists which is compression deformable with the narrowing pressure of the fixing bracket 24 and the variable supporting portion 26. When the door reinforcing plate 22 and the air bag door 14 are opened after receiving the thrust of an air bag 52, the deformable body 40 undergoes the narrowing pressure of the fixing bracket 24 and the variable supporting portion 26 to deenergize the door reinforcing plate 22 and the air bag door 14 from being fully opened. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air bag door opening structure, and more particularly, to a fixed support portion for a door reinforcing portion and an air bag door which receive a pressing force of the air bag when the air bag device is operated. The present invention relates to an opening structure of an airbag door, which is supported by a variable support portion that is displaced toward the inner wall of the airbag while being opened.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Most automobiles produced in recent years are equipped with a driver airbag device and a passenger airbag device as standard equipment in order to ensure passenger safety in the event of a collision accident. Among them, the passenger airbag system is housed inside an instrument panel 10 as a vehicle interior member installed in front of a passenger compartment, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, for example. Therefore, an airbag 52 that is always formed as a part of the instrument panel 10 at a portion of the instrument panel 10 corresponding to the airbag device 50 and is inflated when the airbag device 50 operates. An airbag door 14 is provided that opens to the passenger compartment side when a pressing force of (1) is received. The airbag door 14 is formed separately from the panel base material 12 constituting the instrument panel 10 and is retrofitted to the panel base material 12 (referred to as "visible type"), or the panel base material. A type (“invisible type”), etc., which is integrally formed with 12 so as not to be recognized from the outside before opening, is selectively implemented.

The airbag door 14 provided on the instrument panel 10 illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 is of the latter invisible type, and is a planned tear line extending along the outer edge line on the back surface of the panel substrate 12. 16 (outer edge planned cleavage line 16a and central planned cleavage line 16b). That is, in the airbag door 14, when the pressing force of the airbag 52 is applied to the back surface during operation of the airbag device 50, the outer edge planned cleavage line 16a and the central planned cleavage line 16b are sequentially broken, so that the panel Separated from the base material 12, opening is allowed.

Here, the panel substrate 12 is, for example, PP.
The airbag 5 is made of a relatively hard synthetic resin material such as (polypropylene) or ASG, especially at low temperatures.
When a strong pressing force of 2 is applied, it may be damaged by the impact. Therefore, the other side of the insert member (door reinforcing member) 20 which is connected to the airbag device 50 on one side is connected to the back surface of the airbag door 14 and the door peripheral portion 18 on the other side.
By fixing it to the back surface of the airbag, measures are taken to prevent damage and scattering of the airbag door 14 and the door peripheral portion 18. The insert member 20 is made of, for example, metal such as steel or synthetic resin such as TPO (olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer).

Here, in the instrument panel 10 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a double-open type having an airbag door 14 that opens to the windshield 54 side and an airbag door 14 that opens to the passenger seat side is adopted. Therefore, the insert member 20 is embodied such that the respective airbag doors 14 and 14 can be opened in a double-opened manner (in FIG. 12, a metallic member is illustrated). That is, the insert member 20 is provided inside the instrument panel 10 and the door reinforcing plates (door reinforcement portions) 22 and 22 fixed to the back side of the airbag doors 14 and 14 provided on the instrument panel 10. The airbag device 50 and the door peripheral portion 1
Fixed brackets (fixed support parts) fixed to the back of 8 respectively
24, and a variable support portion 26 of a required length that is end-joined to the edge portions of the door reinforcing plates 22 and 22 and the inner wall portion of the fixed bracket 24 in a dimensional allowance state (a state of being appropriately relaxed). There is. The metal insert member 20 has a support plate 28 that is welded or screw-fixed to the inner wall portion of the fixed bracket 24, and the door reinforcing plate 22 is attached to the support plate 28 via the variable support portion 26. Are integrally connected to each other, and the support plate 28 is fixed to the inner wall portion of the fixing bracket 24, whereby the door reinforcing plate 22
Are supported by the fixed bracket 24.

The variable support portion 26 is provided in the airbag device 5
When 0 is not in operation, the cross sectional shape is in a substantially semi-circular shape, which is in a dimensional allowance state, and the pressing force of the airbag 52 is applied to the door reinforcing plate 22 by the operation of the airbag device 50, and the outer edge is When the planned tear line 16a breaks, it is deformed to an extended state while being displaced toward the inner wall portion side of the fixed bracket 24, and the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 are floated by a required amount (Fig. 1
(A dashed line is shown in 3). When the variable support portion 26 is deformed to the expanded state, the center tear line 16b is broken by the pressing force of the airbag 52, and then the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 are connected to the variable support portion 26. While being supported by 26, it is opened completely (shown by a solid line in FIG. 13). That is, the airbag device 50
When the variable support portion 26 is deformed from the dimensional allowance state to the extended state at the time of the operation, the interference between the base end 14a of each airbag door 14 and the panel base material 12 during the opening is avoided. There is.

[0007]

By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional air bag door opening structure, the expansion of the door reinforcing plate 22 when the opening mode of each of the air bag doors 14, 14 changes to the expanded state. Determined by length.
For example, when the extension length of the variable support portion 26 is set shorter than the optimum length, the airbag 5
Door reinforcement plate 22 and airbag door 1 by pressing 2
Since the floating amount of No. 4 becomes small, the base end 14a of the airbag door 14 in the middle of opening eventually comes into contact with the panel base material 12 even if the variable support portion 26 is deformed to the extended state,
Subsequent opening of the airbag door 14 will be restricted (indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 14). Therefore, when the airbag door 14 is stopped without being sufficiently opened, the airbag 52 which is inflated and deployed comes into contact with the airbag door 14, and thus the inflation behavior of the airbag 52 is hindered. It is feared that the occupant protection function cannot be fully exerted. Further, when the pressing force of the airbag 52 is further applied to the airbag door 14 whose opening is regulated, the engaging portion between the airbag door 14 and the door reinforcing plate 22 (the illustrated attachment The protrusion 30) may be damaged and the airbag door 14 may be blown toward the passenger seat.

On the other hand, when the extension length of the variable support portion 26 is set longer than the optimum length, the flying amount of the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 due to the pressing of the airbag 52 becomes large. So the airbag door 1
It is possible to avoid contact between the base end 14 a of No. 4 and the panel base material 12. However, when the variable support portion 26 is set to be longer as described above, the airbag door 14 which receives the pressing force of the airbag 52 is suddenly opened to the full open position as shown by the solid line in FIG. , Almost decelerating against the outer surface of the door peripheral portion 18 of the panel base material 12,
It becomes a violent collision without being depressed. However, the door peripheral portion 18 is, as described above, the insert member 20 whose one end side is connected to the airbag device 50.
Since it is supported from the back side by the fixing bracket 24 and its elastic deformation is restricted, it is almost impossible to absorb the impact caused by the collision of the airbag doors 14, 14. For this reason,
The airbag door 14 that has crashed into the door peripheral portion 18 is closed in the closing direction by its reaction as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG.
It jumps back (in the direction of the broken arrow).

At this time, the bounce speed and the bounce amount of the airbag door 14 increase as the speed and the momentum of the collision with the door peripheral portion 18 increase. In particular, when the airbag door 14 located on the passenger seat side bounces in the closing direction and stops at the degree shown in the figure (inclination angle is 30 to 40 degrees),
There is a fear that the open end 14b contacts the inflating airbag 52 and impairs the occupant protection function of the airbag 52.
Further, since the open end 14b of the airbag door 14 is directed toward the occupant seat side, in the event that the occupant is thrown forward, the head (not shown) of the occupant will be exposed to the air. It is also feared that it may collide with the open end 14b of the bag door 14 and induce the occurrence of a secondary disaster.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed in order to preferably solve the above-mentioned problems, and an airbag door provided in an interior member of a vehicle and a door reinforcement portion fixed to the back surface of the airbag door have an airbag. The airbag constructed so as to be able to reduce the force when the entire surface is opened by receiving the pressing force of the airbag, so that the impact when the airbag door collides with the outer surface of the vehicle interior member is mitigated. It is intended to provide an opening structure for a door.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems and to achieve a desired object, the present invention provides a door reinforcement portion fixed to a back side of an airbag door provided at a required position of a vehicle interior member. A fixed support portion connected to the airbag device provided inside the vehicle interior member, and a required length for end-joining the end edge portion of the door reinforcement portion and the inner wall portion of the fixed support portion in a dimensional allowance state. A variable support part for displacing the door reinforcing part and the airbag door, which receive a pressing force of the airbag during operation of the airbag device, toward the inner wall part side of the fixed support part. In the opening structure of the airbag door, which is supported and is opened entirely, the fixing is performed in the gap defined between the inner wall portion of the fixed support portion and the variable support portion in the dimension margin state. Support and variable support A deformable body that is capable of being compressed and deformed by the sandwiching force of the air bag is present, and the energy for opening the door reinforcement portion and the airbag door based on the pressing force of the airbag is compressed by the fixed support portion and the variable support portion. Partially absorbs by deformation, thereby reducing the force of the door reinforcing portion and the airbag door that are trying to open the entire surface, and mitigating the impact when the airbag door collides with the outer surface of the vehicle interior member. It is characterized in that it is configured to obtain.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, an air bag door opening structure according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings with reference to preferred embodiments. The open structure of the airbag door according to the present embodiment may utilize an insert member, one of which is connected to the airbag device 50 and the other of which is fixed to the rear surface of the airbag door 14 and the rear surface of the door peripheral portion 18. It is assumed. Therefore, each of the embodiments described below corresponds to a double-opening type including two airbag doors 14 and 14 provided on the panel base material 12 of the instrument panel 10 which is a vehicle interior member. The insert member which can open 14 and 14 in a double opening mode is illustrated. Therefore, the same members and parts as those already described in the section of the prior art described with reference to FIGS.

[0013]

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows an instrument panel 10 showing an open structure of an airbag door according to a first embodiment, broken away at a portion where the airbag doors 14, 14 provided on a panel substrate 12 are formed. FIG. The instrument panel 10 shown in the drawing is of a single-layer type including a panel base material 12 made of synthetic resin and formed in a required shape from polypropylene (PP), ASG, or the like. When installed in front of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the airbag device 50 firmly fixed to a vehicle body component such as a reinforcement bar is
It is in a state of being covered and stored as a whole.

In the instrument panel 10, each of the airbag doors 14, 14 has a planned outer edge cleavage line 16a and a central planned cleavage line 16b on the back surface of the panel substrate 12 at a position corresponding to the airbag device 50. By extending the “day” -shaped planned cleavage line 16 consisting of, it is integrally formed with the panel base material 12 and always constitutes a part of the base material 12. The respective airbag doors 14, 14 are allowed to be integrally separated from the panel base material 12 by breaking the outer edge tear line 16a, and are separated from each other by breaking the central tear line 16b. Come to do. Here, the planned tear line 16 is a portion whose thickness is made smaller than general portions of the airbag doors 14 and 14 and the panel substrate 12 by the concave groove extending on the back surface of the panel substrate 12, and the airbag door 14 When the pressing force of the air bag 52 is applied to the back surface of the airbag 14, the stress is concentrated so that it is easily broken.

The insert member 20 implemented in the opening structure of the airbag door according to the first embodiment is a metal molding member configured to open the two airbag doors 14 and 14 in a double opening manner. Basically, it has the same structure as the conventional one shown in FIG. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the insert member 20 includes a door reinforcement plate (door reinforcement plate) fixed to the back side of each airbag door 14, 14 provided on the panel base material 12 of the instrument panel 10. 22) and the instrument panel 10
A cylindrical fixed bracket (fixed support portion) 24 connected to the back surfaces of the airbag device 50 and the door peripheral portion 18 provided inside the vehicle, and end edges of the door reinforcing plates 22 and 22 and the fixed bracket. It is composed of an inner wall portion 24 and a variable support portion 26 having a required length, which is joined at the end portion in a dimension allowance state (so-called relaxed state). And each door reinforcement plate 2
2 is integrally formed with a support plate 28 welded or fixed to the inner wall of the fixed bracket 24 via the variable support portion 26, and the support plate 28 is fixed to the fixed bracket 24. It is arranged inside the fixing bracket 24 by being fixed to the inner wall portion.

The variable support portion 26 is provided in the airbag device 5
When 0 is not in operation, the cross-sectional shape is in a substantially semi-circular shape, which is a dimensional margin state (relaxed state).
When the pressing force of the airbag 52 is applied to the door reinforcing plate 22 by the operation of 0, and the outer edge rupturable line 16a is broken, it is deformed to the extended state while being displaced toward the inner wall portion side of the fixing bracket 24. Then, the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 are floated by a required amount (two-dot chain line is shown in FIG. 3). And the variable support portion 26
Functions as a hinge portion that supports the door reinforcement plate 22 and the airbag door 14 that are displaced when the center tear line 16b is broken by the pressing force of the airbag 52 when deformed to the stretched state (shown by a solid line in FIG. 3). ).

The opening structure of the airbag door according to the first embodiment, which is premised on fixing the insert member 20 to the back surface, has an inner wall portion of the fixing bracket 24 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. And the variable support portion 26 in the dimension allowance state, a gap 32 defined between the fixed bracket 24 and the variable support portion 26 is compressed and deformed in a contracted manner by the holding pressure. The deformable body 40 to be obtained is present. Therefore, the energy for opening the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 based on the pressing force of the airbag 52 is partially absorbed by the compressive deformation of the deformable body 40 by the fixing bracket 24 and the variable support portion 26 ( (The consumption) of the door reinforcing plate 22 and the air bag door 14 to open the entire surface, and when the air bag door 14 collides with the outer surface of the panel base material 12 of the instrument panel 10. It is configured to absorb shock.

The deformable body 40 of the first embodiment is, for example, a foam or a porous body made of a resin such as an appropriate rubber, plastic or urethane material, and the gap 32.
The rod-shaped deformable body 42 is a round rod having a circular cross-section and is formed into a shape that can be set in the shape described above. Particularly, when an external force is applied from the lateral direction, it is easily elastically compressed and deformed. That is, when the rod-shaped deformable body 42 set in the gap 32 is pinched by the fixed bracket 24 and the variable support portion 26, the rod-shaped deformable body 42 is elastically compressed and deformed by the pinching force (FIGS. 3 and 4). ).

[0019]

[Operation of the First Embodiment] The insert member 20 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, by arranging the door reinforcing plates 22 and 22 inside the opening of the fixed bracket 24 (the support plate 28 in which the variable supporting portion 26 is integrally formed on the door reinforcing plate 22 is By being welded to the inner wall of the fixing bracket 24), it can be constructed and handled as a single member. When the support plate 28 is fixed to the fixed bracket 24, the rod-shaped deformable body is provided in the gap 32 defined between the inner wall portion of the fixed bracket 24 and the variable support portion 26 in the dimension margin state. 42 (deformable body 40) is inserted and set.

Then, the fixing bracket 24 is fixed by caulking to the back surface of the door peripheral portion 18 in the panel base material 12, while the door reinforcing plates 22 and 22 are caulked to the back surfaces of the corresponding airbag doors 14 and 14, respectively. Attach and fix. The airbag device 5 is attached to the vehicle body in front of the passenger compartment.
0 is installed, the instrument panel 10 to which the insert member 20 is attached is attached to the front of the passenger compartment, and the insert member 20 is locked and connected to the inflator of the airbag device 50.

Under this condition, the air bag device 50 is operated and the pressing force of the air bag 52 is applied to the door reinforcing plate 2.
When applied to the back surface of each airbag door 14 via 2, the pressing force of the airbag 52 is applied to the outer edge tear line 1
Concentrated on 6a, the outer edge cleavage line 16a is broken. Then, when the breakage at the planned outer edge tear line 16a is completed, the respective door reinforcing plates 22 and 22 and the airbag doors 14 and 14 are in a semi-circular dimensional allowance state. The bracket 24 is gradually displaced from the panel base material 12 by being deformed to the extended state while being displaced toward the inner wall side of the bracket 24. At this time, when the variable support portion 26 that deforms to the extended state is displaced toward the inner wall portion side of the fixed bracket 24, the rod-shaped deformable body 42 is pinched by the variable support portion 26 and the fixed bracket 24. Therefore, the rod-shaped deformable body 42 is elastically deformed compressively by the clamping force at this time.
(Figure 3).

Then, when the variable support portion 26 is deformed to the extended state, the center tear line 16b is broken by the pressing force of the airbag 52, and the center tear line 16b is broken.
When the break at b is completed, each of the door reinforcing plates 22, 22
And the airbag doors 14, 14 are the variable support portion 2
It is opened to the windshield 54 side and the passenger seat side in a state of being supported by 6 (shown by a solid line in FIG. 3). At this time, as the opening displacement amount of the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 increases, the variable support portion 26 is pulled and further displaced toward the inner wall portion side of the fixing bracket 24. The clamping force on the rod-shaped deformable body 42 gradually increases, and the amount of compressive deformation of the rod-shaped deformable body 42 gradually increases (FIG. 4).

That is, in the opening structure of the first embodiment, a part of the energy for opening the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 based on the pressing force of the airbag 52 is transferred by the fixing bracket 24 and the variable support portion 26. Since it is absorbed by elastic compression deformation of the rod-shaped deformable body 42, the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 that are trying to open the entire surface can be deenergized. Therefore, the impact when the airbag door 14 collides with the outer surface of the door peripheral portion 18 of the panel base material 12 in the instrument panel 10 can be significantly mitigated, so that the airbag door 14 and / or the panel base material 12 can be reduced. The damage of the building is prevented, and the occurrence of secondary disaster due to scattering of fragments is avoided. Since the airbag door 14 collides with the door peripheral portion 18 in a deenergized state, it rarely bounces in the closing direction, and even if it bounces, its bounce amount is small, so that the airbag door 14 While the inflation failure of the airbag 52 caused by the contact of the airbag 14 with the airbag 52 is prevented, the occurrence of the secondary disaster due to the occupant colliding with the open end 14b of the airbag door 14 is preferably avoided. .

In the open structure of the first embodiment, the shape of the variable support portion 26 in the dimensional allowance state and the length in the extended state, the physical properties (hardness, elasticity, etc.) and shape of the rod-shaped deformable body 42 are determined. By appropriately changing the size and the like, it is possible to set the airbag door 14 so as not to collide with the outer surface of the door peripheral portion 18 of the panel base material 12.

[0025]

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 5 shows an instrument panel 10 showing an open structure of an air bag door according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with the air bag doors 14, 14 provided on the panel base material 12 cut away. FIG. The panel base material 12 of the instrument panel 10 and the panel base material 12
The airbag door 14 and the like provided in the above are basically the same as those in the first embodiment.

The insert member 20 used in the opening structure of the airbag door according to the second embodiment is made of synthetic resin (TPO or the like) configured to open the two airbag doors 14 and 14 in a double-opened manner. Is an integrally molded member. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the insert member 20 is a door reinforcing plate that is welded and fixed to the back side of each airbag door 14, 14 provided on the panel base material 12 of the instrument panel 10 by a vibration welding technique or the like. (Door reinforcement part) 22,22
Is connected to the airbag device 50 provided inside the instrument panel 10 and the door peripheral portion 1
Tubular fixed bracket portion that is welded and fixed to the rear surface of 8
(Fixed support portion) 24, a variable support portion 26 of a required length that is end-joined to the edge portions of the door reinforcing plates 22 and 22 and the inner wall portion of the fixed bracket portion 24 in a dimensional allowance state (relaxed state).
It consists of and. Such an insert member 20
Are integrally molded based on, for example, an injection molding technique.

The variable support portion 26 is provided in the airbag device 5
When 0 is not in operation, the cross-sectional shape is in a substantially L-shape and is in a dimensional allowance state (relaxed state).
When the pressing force of the air bag 52 is applied to the door reinforcing plate 22 by the operation of 0, and the outer edge rupturable line 16a is broken, it is deformed to the extended state while being displaced toward the inner wall portion side of the fixed bracket portion 24. Then, the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 are floated by a required amount (shown by a chain double-dashed line in FIG. 6). And the variable support portion 26
Functions as a hinge portion that supports the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 that are displaced when the center tear line 16b is broken by the pressing force of the airbag 52 when deformed to the stretched state (shown by a solid line in FIG. 6). ).

As shown in FIG. 5, the opening structure of the air bag door according to the second embodiment, which is premised on fixing the insert member 20 to the back surface, has the inner wall portion of the fixing bracket portion 24 and the inner wall portion, as shown in FIG. Deformation capable of compressively deforming in a gap 32 defined between the variable support portion 26 in the dimension allowance state when the pressure is clamped by the fixed bracket 24 and the variable support portion 26 by the clamping pressure. The body 40 is present. Therefore, the door reinforcing plate 22 based on the pressing force of the airbag 52 is activated by the operation of the airbag device 50.
And the energy to open the airbag door 14,
By compressing and deforming the deformable body 40 by the fixing bracket 24 and the variable supporting portion 26, the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 are partially absorbed (consumed), thereby reducing the energy of the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14. The airbag door 1
4 is a panel base material 12 of the instrument panel 10.
It is configured so as to be able to absorb the impact when it collides with the outer surface of the.

The deformable body 40 of the second embodiment is, for example, a foamed body or a porous body such as hard urethane foamed and molded from an appropriate urethane material, and has a cross section formed in a shape that can be set in the gap 32. The rod-shaped deformable body 44 has a rectangular rectangular rod shape, and is easily crushed and deformed by compression when an external force is applied particularly from the lateral direction. That is, when the rod-shaped deformable body 44 set in the gap 32 is pinched by the fixed bracket 24 and the variable support portion 26, the rod-shaped deformed body 44 is crushed and deformed by the pinching force.
(FIG. 6, FIG. 7).

[0030]

[Operation of Second Embodiment] Even in the open structure of the second embodiment, when the variable support portion 26 is deformed to the extended state (indicated by a chain double-dashed line in FIG. 6), the center tear line is projected by the pressing force of the airbag 52. 16b becomes to be broken, and when the breaking at the central planned tear line 16b is completed, each of the door reinforcing plates 2
2, 22 and the airbag doors 14, 14 are suddenly opened to the windshield 54 side and the passenger seat side while being supported by the variable support portion 26 (shown by solid lines in FIG. 6). At this time, as the opening displacement amount of the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 increases, the variable support portion 26 is pulled and further displaced toward the inner wall portion side of the fixed bracket portion 24. The clamping force on the rod-shaped deformable body 44 gradually increases, and the amount of compressive deformation of the rod-shaped deformable body 44 gradually increases (FIG. 7).

That is, in the opening structure of the second embodiment, a part of the energy for opening the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 based on the pressing force of the airbag 52 is generated by the fixed bracket portion 24 and the variable support portion 26. Since it is absorbed by the crushing compressive deformation of the rod-shaped deformable body 44,
The door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 which are about to be fully opened can be deenergized. Therefore, the impact when the airbag door 14 collides with the outer surface of the door peripheral portion 18 of the panel base material 12 in the instrument panel 10 can be significantly mitigated, so that the airbag door 14 and / or the panel base material 12 can be reduced. The damage of the building is prevented, and the occurrence of secondary disaster due to scattering of fragments is avoided. Since the airbag door 14 collides with the door peripheral portion 18 in a deenergized state, it rarely bounces in the closing direction, and even if it bounces, its bounce amount is small, so that the airbag door 14 While the inflation failure of the airbag 52 caused by the contact of the airbag 14 with the airbag 52 is prevented, the occurrence of the secondary disaster due to the occupant colliding with the open end 14b of the airbag door 14 is preferably avoided. .

In the open structure of the second embodiment, the first
Similar to the embodiment, the shape of the variable support portion 26 in the dimension allowance state and the length in the extended state, the rod-shaped deformable body 44.
By appropriately changing the physical properties (hardness, etc.), shape, size, etc., it is possible to set the airbag door 14 so as not to collide with the outer surface of the door peripheral portion 18 of the panel base material 12.

[0033]

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 8 is an instrument panel 10 showing an open structure of an airbag door according to a third embodiment of the present invention, with the airbag doors 14, 14 provided on the panel substrate 12 cut away. FIG. The panel base material 12 of the instrument panel 10 and the panel base material 12
The airbag door 14 and the like provided in the first embodiment are basically the same as those in the first and second embodiments.

The insert member 20 used in the opening structure of the airbag door according to the third embodiment is basically the same as that of the second embodiment, and is made of synthetic resin (TPO).
Etc.) is an integrally molded member. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the insert member 20 is welded and fixed to the back side of each airbag door 14, 14 provided on the panel base material 12 of the instrument panel 10 by a vibration welding technique or the like. Cylindrical fixing brackets that are connected to the door reinforcing plates (door reinforcing portions) 22, 22 and the airbag device 50 provided inside the instrument panel 10 and are fixed by welding to the back surface of the door peripheral portion 18. Part (fixed support part)
24 and the end edge portions of the door reinforcing plates 22 and 22 and the inner wall portion of the fixed bracket portion 24 have a dimensional allowance state (a loose state).
And a variable support portion 26 having a required length joined at the ends.

The variable support portion 26 is provided in the airbag device 5
When 0 is not in operation, the cross-sectional shape is in a substantially L-shape and is in a dimensional allowance state (relaxed state).
When the pressing force of the air bag 52 is applied to the door reinforcing plate 22 by the operation of 0, and the outer edge rupturable line 16a is broken, it is deformed to the extended state while being displaced toward the inner wall portion side of the fixed bracket portion 24. Then, the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 are floated by a required amount. Then, the variable support portion 26 is deformed to the stretched state, and the center tear line 16b is broken by the pressing force of the airbag 52.
When it breaks, it functions as a hinge portion that supports the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 that are displaced open.

In the open structure of the third embodiment, the fixed bracket 24 and the variable bracket 26 are provided in the gap 32 defined between the inner wall portion of the fixed bracket portion 24 and the variable support portion 26 in the dimension margin state. There is a deformable body 40 that can be deformed in a contracted manner by the clamping pressure when it is clamped by the support portion 26. As shown in FIG. 9, the deformable body 40 of the third embodiment is a rib-shaped deformable body 46 that is integrally formed on the inner wall portion of the fixed bracket portion 24 and extends into the gap 32.
And the fixed bracket portion 24 and the variable support portion 2
When the rib-shaped deformable body 46 is pinched by 6, the rib-shaped deformable body 46 is capable of buckling and compressively deforming (FIG. 10). It should be noted that the amount of energy absorption due to compressive deformation can be adjusted by changing the number of the rib-shaped deformable bodies 46, the shape, the buckling strength, etc. The case where the deformable bodies 40 are formed at required intervals is illustrated.

[0037]

[Operation of the third embodiment] Even in the open structure of the third embodiment, when the variable support portion 26 is deformed to the extended state, the central tear line 16b is broken by the pressing force of the airbag 52, When the rupture along the central tear line 16b is completed, the respective door reinforcing plates 22 and 22 and the airbag doors 14 and 14 are supported by the variable support portion 26 at a stretch to the windshield 54 side and the passenger seat side. Open. At this time, as the opening displacement amount of the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 increases, the variable support portion 26 is pulled and further displaced toward the inner wall portion side of the fixed bracket portion 24. The sandwiching force applied to each rib-shaped deformable body 46 gradually increases, and the amount of compressive deformation of the rib-shaped deformable body 46 gradually increases.

That is, in the opening structure of the third embodiment, a part of the energy for opening the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 based on the pressing force of the airbag 52 is generated by the fixed bracket portion 24 and the variable support portion 26. Since the rib-like deformable body 46 is absorbed by the buckling compressive deformation, the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 which are to be opened over the entire surface can be deenergized. Therefore, the impact when the airbag door 14 collides with the outer surface of the door peripheral portion 18 of the panel base material 12 of the instrument panel 10 can be significantly mitigated.
And / or the damage of the panel base material 12 is prevented, and the occurrence of a secondary disaster due to scattering of fragments is avoided. Since the airbag door 14 collides with the door peripheral portion 18 in a deenergized state, it rarely bounces in the closing direction, and even if it bounces, its bounce amount is small, so that the airbag door 14 While the inflation failure of the airbag 52 caused by the contact of the airbag 14 with the airbag 52 is prevented, the occurrence of the secondary disaster due to the occupant colliding with the open end 14b of the airbag door 14 is preferably avoided. .

As in the case of the first embodiment, the shape of the variable support portion 26 in the dimensional allowance state and the length in the extended state, the buckling strength of the rib-like deformable body 46, the shape and size, etc. are appropriately set. It is possible to set the airbag door 14 so as not to collide with the outer surface of the door peripheral portion 18 of the panel base material 12 by changing the above.

Here, the rib-shaped deformable body 46 as the deformable body 40 exemplified in the third embodiment may be applied to the metallic insert member 20 exemplified in the first embodiment.
That is, if a part of the wall portion of the fixing bracket 24 is bent and molded, a rib-shaped deformable body as the deformable body 40 can be formed.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the double-opening type opening structure composed of the two airbag doors 14 and 14 is illustrated. However, the opening structure of the airbag door of the present application is a piece composed of one airbag door. The present invention can be applied to an open type or a 4-way open type including four airbag doors.

On the other hand, in the opening structure of the air bag door of the above-described embodiment, the opening of the door reinforcing plate 22 and the air bag door 14 causes the [outer edge rupturable line 16a is broken → the variable support portion 2].
It has been described on the premise that the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 float until the 6 deforms to the extended state, and the central tear line 16b breaks. However, the opening structure of the airbag door of the present application can obtain the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment even when the opening of the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 proceeds through a process other than the above. . Specifically, even when the opening of the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 14 progresses through the process of [the central planned tear line 16b is broken → the outer edge planned tear line 16a is broken], it is still different from the case of the above embodiment. It is possible to obtain the same effect. Furthermore, the door reinforcing plate 22 and the airbag door 1
Even when the opening of No. 4 progresses by [the central planned cleavage line 16b and the outer peripheral planned cleavage line 16a are broken at substantially the same time], it is possible to obtain the same effect as in the case of the above-mentioned embodiment.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the single-layer type instrument panel 10 is exemplified, but the open structure of the airbag door of the present invention is a two-layer type instrument panel comprising the panel base material 12 and the skin material. The present invention can also be applied to an airbag door provided in a three-layer type instrument panel including the airbag door provided in the above, the panel substrate 12, the skin material and the cushion material.

Further, the airbag door capable of implementing the open structure of the present application is not limited to the one provided on the instrument panel 10 but also the one provided on the door panel, the pillar garnish or the like.

[0045]

As described above, according to the opening structure of the airbag door according to the present invention, a part of energy for opening the door reinforcing portion and the airbag door based on the pressing force of the airbag is fixedly supported. Since the deformable body is compressed and deformed by the variable support portion, the door reinforcement portion and the airbag door, which are to be opened over the entire surface, can be favorably deenergized. Therefore, the impact when the airbag door collides with the outer surface of the vehicle interior member can be greatly mitigated, so that the airbag door and / or the vehicle interior member is prevented from being damaged, and a secondary disaster occurs due to scattering of debris. Has the advantage of being avoided. Since the airbag door collides with the vehicle interior member in the deenergized state, it rarely jumps back in the closing direction,
Even if it bounces back, the amount of bounce is small,
While preventing the airbag from inflating due to the contact of the airbag door with the airbag, it is also possible to suitably avoid occurrence of secondary disaster due to collision of an occupant with the airbag door. Produce an effect. The deformable body is
When it is pinched by the fixed support part and the variable support part, it can be elastically compressed and deformed, and it can be crushed and compressed.
Alternatively, a unit that is integrally formed with the fixed support unit and is capable of buckling and compressive deformation can be implemented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an instrument panel showing an open structure of an airbag door according to a first embodiment of the present invention, broken away at a portion where an airbag door provided on a panel base material is formed.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an insert member and a deformable body in an exploded state.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing an initial stage of inflation of the airbag, in which the deformable support portion in the dimensional allowance state is deformed to an expanded state by the pressing force of the airbag and then supported by the deformable support portion. It shows that the door reinforcing plate and the airbag door are opened in the opened state.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a state where the airbag is further inflated from the state of FIG. 3, in which a part of energy for opening the door reinforcing plate and the airbag door is elastically compressed and deformed by the deformable body. By absorbing with, the energy of the door reinforcing plate and the airbag door that are about to be opened are reduced.
This shows that the impact when the airbag door collides with the outer surface of the panel base material can be mitigated.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an instrument panel showing an open structure of an airbag door according to a second embodiment of the present invention, broken away at a portion where an airbag door provided on a panel base material is formed.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing an initial stage of inflation of the airbag, in which the deformable support portion in the dimensional allowance state is deformed to the extended state by the pressing force of the airbag and then supported by the deformable support portion. It shows that the door reinforcement and the airbag door are opened in the opened state.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state where the airbag is further inflated from the state of FIG. 6, in which a part of energy for opening the door reinforcing plate and the airbag door is crushed and compressed by the deformable body. By absorbing with, the energy of the door reinforcing plate and the airbag door that are about to be opened are reduced.
This shows that the impact when the airbag door collides with the outer surface of the panel base material can be mitigated.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an instrument panel showing an open structure of an airbag door according to a third embodiment of the present invention, broken away at a formation portion of an airbag door provided on a panel base material.

9 is a schematic perspective view showing the insert member shown in FIG. 8 with a part thereof cut away.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a state where the airbag is inflated, in which part of energy for opening the door reinforcing plate and the airbag door is absorbed by the buckling compression deformation of the deformable body. It is shown that the door reinforcing plate and the airbag door that are about to open the entire surface are de-energized, so that the impact when the airbag door collides with the outer surface of the panel base material can be mitigated.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the instrument panel cut away at a portion where an airbag door is formed.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing an opening structure of a conventional airbag door, broken away at a portion of the panel base material where the airbag door is formed.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing an initial stage of inflation of an airbag in a conventional airbag door opening structure, in which a deformable support portion that is in a dimensional allowance state is deformed to an extended state by a pressing force of the airbag. After that, the door reinforcing plate and the airbag door are opened while being supported by the deformable supporting portion.

14 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a state where the airbag is further inflated from the state of FIG. 13, and inconvenience that opening of the airbag door is restricted when the extension length of the variable support portion is set to be short. And when the extension length of the variable support portion is set to be long, the airbag door violently collides with the outer surface of the panel base material, causing inconveniences such as damage or bounce of the airbag door. And are shown at the same time.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 instrument panel (vehicle interior member) 14 airbag door, 22 door reinforcing plate (door reinforcing portion) 24 fixed bracket (fixed supporting portion), 26 variable supporting portion 32 gap, 40 deformable body 42 rod-shaped deformable body, 44 rod-shaped deformable body Body 46 rib-like deformed body, 52 airbag

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A door reinforcement portion (22) fixed to the back side of an airbag door (14) provided at a required position of a vehicle interior member (10).
A fixed support portion (24) connected to an airbag device provided inside the vehicle interior member (10), an edge of the door reinforcement portion (22) and an inner wall portion of the fixed support portion (24). A variable support portion (26) of a required length that is joined to the end portion in a slack state, and the door reinforcing portion (22) and the air receiving portion (22) that receives the pressing force of the airbag (52) during the operation of the airbag device. Bag door (14)
In the opening structure of the airbag door, which is configured to be fully opened while being supported by the variable support portion (26) which is displaced toward the inner wall portion side of the fixed support portion (24), In the gap (32) defined between the inner wall portion of (24) and the variable support portion (26) in the dimension margin state, the clamping force of the fixed support portion (24) and the variable support portion (26) A deformable body (40) capable of being compressed and deformed by the presence of the deformable body (40), and the door reinforcing portion (2) based on the pressing force of the airbag (52).
2) and the energy for opening the airbag door (14) is partially absorbed by the compressive deformation of the deformable body (40) by the fixed support portion (24) and the variable support portion (26), thereby opening the entire surface. By attempting to deenergize the door reinforcement portion (22) and the airbag door (14) to be attempted, the impact when the airbag door (14) collides with the outer surface of the vehicle interior member (10) is mitigated. An open structure for an airbag door, characterized in that it is configured to obtain. 2. The rod-shaped deformable body (42, 44), wherein the deformable body (40) is made of foam such as rubber, plastic or urethane.
The opening of the airbag door according to claim 1, wherein the air bag door can be elastically or crushed by compression when being pinched by the fixed support portion (24) and the variable support portion (26). Construction. 3. The deformable body (40) comprises the fixed support portion (24).
A rib-shaped deformable body (46) integrally formed on the inner wall portion of the rib and extending into the gap (32), when the rib-shaped deformable body (46) is clamped by the fixed support portion (24) and the variable support portion (26). The airbag door open structure according to claim 1, wherein the airbag door can be buckled and compressed.