JP2004175305A - Cover of airbag device - Google Patents

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Publication number
JP2004175305A
JP2004175305A JP2002346434A JP2002346434A JP2004175305A JP 2004175305 A JP2004175305 A JP 2004175305A JP 2002346434 A JP2002346434 A JP 2002346434A JP 2002346434 A JP2002346434 A JP 2002346434A JP 2004175305 A JP2004175305 A JP 2004175305A
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JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
rib
welding
airbag
support
vibration
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
JP2002346434A
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Japanese (ja)
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JP3923004B2 (en
Inventor
Sadayuki Kawakami
貞之 河上
Takahiro Suwama
貴博 諏訪間
Shuji Yamada
修司 山田
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Nihon Plast Co Ltd
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Nihon Plast Co Ltd
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Publication date
Application filed by Nihon Plast Co Ltd filed Critical Nihon Plast Co Ltd
Priority to JP2002346434A priority Critical patent/JP3923004B2/en
Priority to US10/667,376 priority patent/US7093849B2/en
Priority to EP03021562A priority patent/EP1403148B1/en
Priority to DE60328571T priority patent/DE60328571D1/en
Publication of JP2004175305A publication Critical patent/JP2004175305A/en
Priority to US11/481,006 priority patent/US7229095B2/en
Priority to US11/744,569 priority patent/US7770915B2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of JP3923004B2 publication Critical patent/JP3923004B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/712—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined the composition of one of the parts to be joined being different from the composition of the other part
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/06—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using friction, e.g. spin welding
    • B29C65/0609—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using friction, e.g. spin welding characterised by the movement of the parts to be joined
    • B29C65/0618—Linear
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/114—Single butt joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/13—Single flanged joints; Fin-type joints; Single hem joints; Edge joints; Interpenetrating fingered joints; Other specific particular designs of joint cross-sections not provided for in groups B29C66/11 - B29C66/12
    • B29C66/131—Single flanged joints, i.e. one of the parts to be joined being rigid and flanged in the joint area
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/302—Particular design of joint configurations the area to be joined comprising melt initiators
    • B29C66/3022—Particular design of joint configurations the area to be joined comprising melt initiators said melt initiators being integral with at least one of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/30223—Particular design of joint configurations the area to be joined comprising melt initiators said melt initiators being integral with at least one of the parts to be joined said melt initiators being rib-like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/53—Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
    • B29C66/532—Joining single elements to the wall of tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/54—Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-shells, to form hollow articles, e.g. for making balls, containers; Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-cylinders, to form tubular articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/731—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/7315—Mechanical properties
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/739—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/7392—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic
    • B29C66/73921—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/30—Vehicles, e.g. ships or aircraft, or body parts thereof
    • B29L2031/3005—Body finishings
    • B29L2031/3038—Air bag covers

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)
  • Instrument Panels (AREA)

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cover of an airbag device provided with a predetermined, uniform welded strength and easily vibration-welded. <P>SOLUTION: A welding rib 46 is protruded to a joining part of a lid 21 and an inner piece 22 from the inner piece 22 toward the lid 21. A first rib part 51 is formed in the vibration direction when the lid 21 and the inner piece 22 are vibration-welded. A second rib 52 is formed along the direction almost orthogonal to the first rib 51. A portion of the first rib 51 is made two times in width dimension as large as the second rib 52. Uniform welded strength of the lid 21 and the inner piece 22 can be obtained and the lid 21 and the inner piece 22 are easily vibration-welded. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、例えば、自動車の助手席乗員用のエアバッグ装置のカバー体に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、例えば、自動車の内装材であるインストルメントパネル（以下、インパネという）の内側すなわち裏面側に配置される助手席乗員用のエアバッグ装置が知られている。このエアバッグ装置は、箱状のリテーナ内に、折り畳まれたエアバッグと、このエアバッグを膨張させるインフレータとを収納している。また、リテーナ上側の開口部は、インパネに沿って取り付けられるカバー体により覆われている。さらに、このカバー体には、平面略Ｃ字状などの破断可能なテアラインが形成され、このテアラインに囲まれた部分が扉予定部として区画形成されている。そして、このエアバッグの下部は、インパネの内側に配置されたリインフォースに固定され、リテーナの上部は、カバー体の裏面側に一体に形成された支持体としての取付片に係止されている。そして、自動車の衝突時には、インフレータからガスを噴射してエアバッグを膨張させ、このエアバッグの膨張の圧力によりテアラインを破断し、テアラインを形成していない部分をヒンジとしてカバー体を扉状に展開させて突出口を形成し、この突出口からエアバッグを膨張させ、乗員に加わる衝撃を緩和するようになっている。
【０００３】
この点、例えばカバー体をインパネと一体に形成し、すなわち、インパネの裏面側に前後一対の取付片を形成するとともに、これら取付片の裏面側に溝状のテアラインを形成した、いわゆるシームレスインストルメントパネル（以下、シームレスインパネという）が知られている。この種のシームレスインパネは、リッドとも呼ばれる表皮体としてのパネル体に閉ループ状のテアラインにて扉予定部および非展開部を区画形成し、これら扉予定部および非展開部の裏面に、インナーとも呼ばれる支持体としてのバッキング部材が配置される。このバッキング部材は、扉予定部の裏面に溶着される扉補強部、非展開部の裏面に溶着される固定部、および、これら扉補強部および固定部を連結する弾性変形可能なヒンジ部を備えている。
【０００４】
さらに、エアバッグ装置の作動時には、エアバッグの膨張の圧力により裏当部材を介して扉予定部の全面が押し上げられ、テアラインの破断により、扉予定部がインパネの他の部分から切り離されて突出口を形成する。またさらに、切り離された扉予定部は、ヒンジ部を支点として回動し、外側に展開するようになっている。
【０００５】
そして、この種のシームレスインパネとして、フィラー入りポリプロピレン樹脂などを基材としてパネル体およびバッキング部材を形成し、バッキング部材の表面に円柱状の溶着リブを複数設け、この溶着リブを振動させて溶解させて溶解樹脂とし、この溶解樹脂にてパネル体およびバッキング部材を溶着した構成も知られている（例えば、特許文献１参照。）。
【０００６】
また、この種のシームレスインパネとしては、パネル体およびバッキング部材を、例えばオレフィン系の熱可塑性樹脂で形成し、バッキング部材のパネル体側である表面側における扉補強部の一部および固定部の全体に、扉予定部の長手方向に沿った細長直方体状の溶着リブを突出させて設け、この溶着リブを振動させて溶解させて溶解樹脂とし、この溶解樹脂にてパネル体およびバッキング部材を溶着した構成が知られている（例えば、特許文献２参照。）。
【０００７】
さらに、この種のシームレスインパネとして、熱可塑性のウレタンにて形成されたパネル体およびバッキング部材のいずれか一方を、溶着接合部を形成するように振動溶着させた構成も知られている（例えば、特許文献３参照。）。
【０００８】
【特許文献１】
特開２００２−１２１１６号公報（第３−４頁、図３および図４）
【０００９】
【特許文献２】
特開２００１−２９４１１４号公報（第３頁、図２および図３）
【００１０】
【特許文献３】
特表２００２−５０７１７２号公報（第８頁、図１）
【００１１】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
一般に、上述のエアバッグ装置のカバー体のように、パネル体とバッキング部材とは、役割上異なる材質で形成されることが多く、適切な設計および条件で振動溶着しなければ所定の溶着強度を得ることが容易でない。そして、溶着強度が不足すると、扉予定部の展開が円滑でないことがある。
【００１２】
一方で、溶着強度を向上させるために溶着リブを設けすぎると、振動溶着の際に比較的大きなエネルギが必要になり、溶着時のエネルギによりパネル体の外観に影響を与えたり、あるいは振動溶着のための設備の能力を向上させたりなど、カバー体の商品性およびコストに大きな影響を与える。
【００１３】
したがって、所定の溶着強度を得ることができ、かつ容易に振動溶着可能なカバー体のより一層の改善が望まれている。
【００１４】
本発明はこのような点に鑑みなされたもので、所定の均一な溶着強度が得られ、かつ容易に振動溶着できるエアバッグ装置のカバー体を提供することを目的とする。
【００１５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１記載のエアバッグ装置のカバー体は、折り畳んで収納されたエアバッグを覆うとともに、このエアバッグの膨張時にこのエアバッグが突出する突出口が形成されるエアバッグ装置のカバー体であって、前記エアバッグの膨張時の圧力で破断する破断部を備えた表皮体と、この表皮体の裏面側に少なくとも一部が振動溶着される支持体とを具備し、前記表皮体および支持体の接合される部分に、これら表皮体および支持体のいずれか一方から他方に向けて突出し、これら表皮体および支持体の振動溶着の際に溶解してこれら表皮体および支持体を接合する溶着リブを備え、この溶着リブは、表皮体および支持体の振動溶着の際の振動方向に沿って設けられた第１のリブ部と、この第１のリブ部に交差する方向に沿って設けられた第２のリブ部とを有し、前記第１のリブ部の少なくとも一部は、前記第２のリブ部の幅寸法の１倍以上３倍以下の幅寸法を有するものである。
【００１６】
そして、表皮体および支持体の接合される部分にこれら表皮体および支持体のいずれか一方から他方に向けて突出して設けた溶着リブに、表皮体および支持体の振動溶着の際の振動方向に沿って設けられた第１のリブ部と、この第１のリブ部に交差する方向に沿って設けられた第２のリブ部とを設け、第１のリブ部の少なくとも一部の幅寸法を、第２のリブ部の幅寸法の１倍未満とすると、溶着強度が小さくなり、溶着工程における強度管理が煩雑になるとの問題があり、反対に第２のリブ部の幅寸法の３倍より大きくすると、表皮体と支持体との振動溶着に大きなエネルギを要し、その大きなエネルギを均一に印加するのが容易ではないので、第２のリブ部の幅寸法の１倍以上３倍以下とすることにより、溶着リブを振動溶着の際の振動方向と交差する方向に補強する。
【００１７】
請求項２記載のエアバッグ装置のカバー体は、請求項１記載のエアバッグ装置のカバー体において、破断部は、閉ループ状に形成され、溶着リブの第１のリブ部は、前記破断部の少なくとも一部に沿って設けられ、前記溶着リブは、所定の方向に沿って、第２のリブ部と同幅に設けられた第３のリブ部を備えたものである。
【００１８】
そして、閉ループ状に形成された破断部の少なくとも一部に沿って、溶着リブの第１のリブ部を設け、この溶着リブに、所定の方向に沿って、第２のリブ部と同幅の第３のリブ部を設けることにより、閉ループ状の破断部の近傍の溶着強度を向上し、エアバッグの膨張時にこのエアバッグの突出口が円滑に形成される。
【００１９】
請求項３記載のエアバッグ装置のカバー体は、折り畳んで収納されたエアバッグを覆うとともに、このエアバッグの膨張時にこのエアバッグが突出する突出口が形成されるエアバッグ装置のカバー体であって、表皮体と、この表皮体の裏面側に少なくとも一部が振動溶着される支持体とを具備し、前記表皮体および支持体の接合される部分に、これら表皮体および支持体のいずれか一方から他方に向けて突出し、これら表皮体および支持体の振動溶着の際に溶解してこれら表皮体および支持体を接合する溶着リブを備え、前記表皮体は、前記エアバッグに対向する扉予定部と、この扉予定部を囲む非展開部と、これら扉予定部と非展開部とを区画し前記エアバッグの膨張時の圧力で破断する破断部とを備え、前記支持体は、溶着振動の際に溶解した前記溶着リブにて前記非展開部に接合される固定部と、溶着振動の際に溶解した前記溶着リブにて前記扉予定部に接合される扉補強部と、前記破断部を横断してこれら固定部と扉補強部とを一体に連結する変形可能なヒンジ部とを備え、前記溶着リブは、前記破断部の近傍の部分が高密度に形成されたものである。
【００２０】
そして、表皮体に、扉予定部と非展開部とを区画しエアバッグの膨張時の圧力で破断する破断部を設け、表皮体および支持体のいずれか一方から他方に向けて突出し、これら表皮体および支持体の振動溶着の際に溶解してこれら表皮体および支持体を接合する溶着リブを、破断部の近傍の部分を高密度にして設ける。この結果、表皮体と支持体とは、破断部の近傍で所定の均一な溶着強度が得られ、かつ破断部の近傍以外の部分では溶着リブの密度が小さいため表皮体および支持体の振動溶着の際に大きな溶着エネルギを必要とせず、容易に振動溶着される。
【００２１】
請求項４記載のエアバッグ装置のカバー体は、請求項１ないし３いずれか一記載のエアバッグ装置のカバー体において、溶着リブは、表皮体および支持体の接合される部分の面積の１０％以上３０％以下の面積を有するものである。
【００２２】
そして、溶着リブを表皮体および支持体の接合される部分の面積の１０％未満にすると、溶着強度が小さくなり、溶着工程における強度管理が煩雑になるとの問題があり、反対に溶着リブを表皮体および支持体の接合される部分の面積の３０％より大きくすると表皮体と支持体との振動溶着に大きなエネルギを要し、その大きなエネルギを均一に印加するのが容易でないので、溶着リブを表皮体および支持体の接合される部分の面積の１０％以上３０％以下の面積とすることにより、溶着強度が向上し、かつ溶着リブが容易に溶着される。
【００２３】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明のエアバッグ装置のカバー体の一実施の形態の構成を図１ないし図４を参照して説明する。
【００２４】
図４において、１は自動車のインストルメントパネル部（以下、インパネ部１という）で、このインパネ部１は、車室の前部に車幅方向の略全長にわたり設けられ、このインパネ部１の上方には、フロントウィンドウガラス２が位置している。
【００２５】
そして、このインパネ部１の内部には、助手席の乗員に対向して、エアバッグ装置３が設置されている。このエアバッグ装置３は、リテーナとも呼ばれるケース体５と、このケース体５の下部のリアクションキャニスタ６内に収納されたインフレータ７と、ケース体５の上部のエアバッグ収納部８に折り畳んで収納されたエアバッグ９と、このケース体５の上部の開口部１０を覆う車両用内装材としてのカバー体１１とを備えている。そして、このエアバッグ装置３は、ケース体５のリアクションキャニスタ６をブラケット１４を介して自動車の車体の一部であるリインフォース１５に固定して取り付けられている。また、ケース体５のエアバッグ収納部８とリアクションキャニスタ６との間は、上下に連通するガス噴出口１６ａを設けたミッドリテーナ１６で区画されている。さらに、ケース体５のエアバッグ収納部８の前面及び後面には、断面略Ｃ字状などのフック１８が取り付けられている。なお、本実施の形態では、インフレータ７は燃焼タイプ（パイロタイプ）であるが、ガスを圧縮して貯留するタイプなど、他種のインフレータを用いることもできる。
【００２６】
そして、カバー体１１は、いわゆる継ぎ目なしインストルメントパネル、すなわちシームレスインストルメントパネル（以下、シームレスインパネという）を構成する表皮体としてのパネル体であるリッド２１と、このリッド２１の下面である裏面に振動溶着にて接合された支持体としての裏当部材、すなわちバッキング部材であるインナ２２とを備えている。
【００２７】
リッド２１は、インパネ部１の表面側を一体的に覆い、すなわち、車室の前部に車幅方向の略全長にわたり設けられている。このリッド２１は、例えばタルク（滑石）などの添加剤を加えた硬質のポリプロピレン樹脂などによる射出成形品である。
【００２８】
さらに、リッド２１の裏面側には、図１および図３に示すように、ケース体５のエアバッグ収納部８の開口部１０に略対向して、破断部としてのテアライン２４が閉ループ状である四角形枠状に形成されている。このテアライン２４により非展開部２５に囲まれた平面長方形状の扉予定部２６が区画形成されている。ここで、テアライン２４は、テア溝、破断予定線、開裂予定薄肉溝などとも呼ばれる破断可能な弱部であり、金型にて射出成形時に形成、あるいは射出成形後にフライス刃などの回転刃により彫刻し、熱刃により刻印し、あるいはレーザビームにより溝加工してもよい。
【００２９】
そして、テアライン２４の断面は、図３に示すように上方に向けて鋭角状に形成された略三角形状となっている。
【００３０】
一方、インナ２２は、例えばＴＰＯ樹脂（サーモプラスチックオレフィン）などの軟質樹脂製で、扉予定部２６よりも大きい平面形状を有し、テアライン２４の内側及び外側に固着され、すなわち、リッド２１の裏面の扉予定部２６およびこの扉予定部２６の周囲の非展開部２５に結合されている。
【００３１】
そして、このインナ２２は、扉予定部２６とほぼ等しい平面形状を有する略平板状の基板部３１と、この基板部３１に対して交差する方向である下方に設けられた連結片である四角筒状の交差壁部３２とが一体に形成されている。
【００３２】
ここで、基板部３１には、リッド２１のテアライン２４に対向する部位に沿って、小さい幅のスリット状の切断部３４が閉ループ状に形成され、非展開部２５に振動溶着にて接合される固定部としての枠状の周縁補強部３５と、扉予定部２６に振動溶着にて接合される平板状の扉補強部３６とが区画形成されている。
【００３３】
さらに、テアライン２４の前側の辺部に対向する部位には、テアライン２４を跨ぎ、周縁補強部３５と各扉補強部３６とを連結する変形可能なヒンジ部３７が形成されている。そして、このヒンジ部３７には、下方に膨出するように湾曲した断面弧状、さらには断面略Ｕ字状の湾曲部であるヒンジ本体部３８が設けられ、このヒンジ本体部３８に囲まれた部分がポケット部４０となっている。
【００３４】
また、ヒンジ部３７のヒンジ本体部３８は、テアライン２４に対して相対的に内側すなわち扉予定部２６の内周側に偏倚する位置関係にある。
【００３５】
さらに、ポケット部４０は、テアライン２４を跨いで設けられており、幅寸法である前後方向の寸法が、リッド２１の厚さ寸法よりも若干大きく形成されている。またさらに、ポケット部４０は、テアライン２４に対して相対的に内側すなわち扉予定部２６の内周側に偏倚する位置関係にある。
【００３６】
一方、インナ２２の交差壁部３２は、テアライン２４の外周側に近接した位置に沿って、下方に向かい四角筒状に突出して設けられている。この交差壁部３２の前後に対向する面部には、それぞれ四角状の角孔であるリテーナ固定穴としての取付孔４５が複数形成されており、これら取付孔４５に、ケース体５の各フック１８が係止されている。すなわち、カバー体１１は、エアバッグ装置３のケース体５に連結固定されている。
【００３７】
さらに、インナ２２のリッド２１に対向する面には、溶着リブ４６が複数設けられている。これら溶着リブ４６は、第１のリブ部５１、第２のリブ部５２および第３のリブ部５３を備えている。これら各リブ部５１，５２，５３は、突出寸法である高さ寸法が例えば１〜３ｍｍ、好ましくは２ｍｍに形成されている。また、第２のリブ部５２および第３のリブ部５３は、幅寸法が例えば１〜３ｍｍ、好ましくは１ｍｍに形成されている。
【００３８】
ここで、第１のリブ部５１は、リッド２１およびインナ２２の振動溶着の際の振動方向であるインナ２２の長手方向、すなわち自動車の幅方向に対して、±３０°以内の角度を有するように、言い換えれば自動車の幅方向に沿って形成されている。
また、第１のリブ部５１は、図１および図２に示すように、周縁補強部３５および扉補強部３６に、互いに隣接するリブ同士の間隔であるピッチが、例えば３〜１０ｍｍにそれぞれ形成されている。周縁補強部３５に形成された第１のリブ部５１は、切断部３４の前側の辺部の前方に形成された前側固定リブ部５４、切断部３４の後側の辺部の後方に形成された後側固定リブ部５５、切断部３４の両側の辺部の側方に形成された側部固定リブ部５６を備えている。
【００３９】
これら前側固定リブ部５４および後側固定リブ部５５は、それぞれ切断部３４の前後の辺部に沿って、この切断部３４の前後の辺部の全長にわたってそれぞれ形成されている。また、これら前側固定リブ部５４および後側固定リブ部５５は、インナ２２の前後方向について互いに線対称に形成されている。さらに、これら前側固定リブ部５４および後側固定リブ部５５は、切断部３４の近傍であるテアライン２４の近傍、具体的にはテアライン２４から少なくとも２０ｍｍ以内、好ましくは１０ｍｍ以内に位置する部分が第２のリブ部５２および第３のリブ部５３の幅寸法の１倍以上３倍以下、好ましくは２倍である２ｍｍの幅寸法を有しており、ピッチが３〜５ｍｍに形成されている。
【００４０】
またさらに、側部固定リブ部５６は、切断部３４の側部の辺部の前側の側方に形成された側部前側固定リブ部６１、切断部３４の側部の辺部の後側の側方に形成された側部後側固定リブ部６２、および、これら側部前側固定リブ部６１と側部後側固定リブ部６２との間に形成された中間固定リブ部６３を備えている。側部前側固定リブ部６１および側部後側固定リブ部６２は、それぞれ前側固定リブ部５４および後側固定リブ部５５から離間されており、これら前側固定リブ部５４および後側固定リブ部５５の切断部３４側と略等しいピッチを有している。そして、中間固定リブ部６３は、側部前側固定リブ部６１および側部後側固定リブ部６２よりもピッチが広く形成されており、切断部３４の両側の辺部における前後方向の中心域の近傍は、若干ピッチが狭くなっている。
【００４１】
また、扉補強部３６に形成された第１のリブ部５１は、切断部３４の前側の辺部の後方に形成された前側展開リブ部６４、切断部３４の後側の辺部の前方に形成された後側展開リブ部６５、および、前側展開リブ部６４および後側展開リブ部６５の間に形成された展開リブ６６を備えている。これら前側展開リブ部６４および後側展開リブ部６５は、側部前側固定リブ部６１の間および側部後側固定リブ部６２の間に、これら側部前側固定リブ部６１および側部後側固定リブ部６２の延長上に沿って形成されており、これら側部前側固定リブ部６１および側部後側固定リブ部６２と略等しいピッチを有している。
【００４２】
さらに、展開リブ６６は、前側展開リブ部６４および後側展開リブ部６５よりも幅寸法が小さく形成されている。またさらに、展開リブ６６は、前側展開リブ部６４および後側展開リブ部６５よりもピッチが広く形成され、扉補強部３６の前後方向の中心域では、ピッチが若干狭くなるように形成されている。
【００４３】
一方、第２のリブ部５２は、第１のリブ部５１に略直交する方向である前後方向に沿って形成されている。したがって、第２のリブ部５２は、振動溶着の際の振動方向に対して±６０°以上の角度を有するように形成されている。また、第２のリブ部５２は、第１のリブ部５１よりも小さい幅寸法を有している。さらに、第２のリブ部５２は、扉補強部３６全体および周縁補強部３５における切断部３４の両側の辺部の近傍に形成されている。この第２のリブ部５２は、切断部３４の近傍であるテアライン２４の近傍、具体的にはテアライン２４から少なくとも２０ｍｍ以内、好ましくは１０ｍｍ以内に位置する部分のピッチが、３〜１０ｍｍ、好ましくは４ｍｍに形成されている。
【００４４】
また、扉補強部３６の幅方向の中心域に形成された第２のリブ部５２は、切断部３４の近傍に位置した部分よりもピッチが広く形成されている。
【００４５】
したがって、テアライン２４の近傍は、前側固定リブ部５４、後側固定リブ部５５、側部前側固定リブ部６１、側部後側固定リブ部６２および第２のリブ部５２により、テアライン２４の近傍以外の部分よりも溶着リブ４６が高密度に形成されている。
【００４６】
さらに、第３のリブ部５３は、所定の方向である第２のリブ部５２と平行な方向に沿って形成されており、第２のリブ部５２と略等しい幅寸法を有している。この第３のリブ部５３は、周縁補強部３５に形成され、ピッチが５〜３０ｍｍ、好ましくは５ｍｍに形成されている。
【００４７】
この結果、溶着リブ４６は、格子状に形成されている。また、上記一実施の形態においては、リッド２１およびインナ２２が接合される部分であるインナ２２の溶着範囲、すなわちリッド２１の裏面に対向したインナ２２の上面の面積は、例えば６６０ｃｍ２に形成され、溶着される溶着リブ４６の総面積は１５０ｃｍ２に形成されているため、溶着リブ４６は、インナ２２の上面の面積の２２．７％を占めている。したがって、溶着リブ４６は、リッド２１の裏面に対向したインナ２２の上面の面積の１０％以上３０％以下の面積を有している。
【００４８】
次に、上記一実施の形態のカバー体１１の組立動作を説明する。
【００４９】
リッド２１およびインナ２２を振動溶着機に設置し、リッド２１を固定した状態で、インナ２２の周縁補強部３５および扉補強部３６をリッド２１の非展開部２５および扉予定部２６に位置合わせして、インナ２２をリッド２１の裏面に押し付けた後、このインナ２２を長手方向に振動させる。
【００５０】
このとき、互いに接触する溶着リブ４６とリッド２１の平坦な接合面とのうち、ＴＰＯ樹脂からなる溶着リブ４６の第１のリブ部５１が溶解して溶解樹脂となり、リッド２１とインナ２２との間に溶着層である接合部が形成される。
【００５１】
この後、インナ２２の振動を停止させると、溶解樹脂の接合部が冷却されて固化することで、リッド２１とインナ２２とが互いに接合されてカバー体１１が形成される。
【００５２】
次に、上記一実施の形態のエアバッグ９の展開挙動を説明する。
【００５３】
本実施の形態のエアバッグ装置３を装着した自動車が衝突すると、インフレータ７からガス噴出口１６ａを介してエアバッグ９へガスが噴出される。すると、エアバッグ９は、ケース体５内で膨張して、その膨張力により、インナ２２およびリッド２１の扉予定部２６が上方に押し上げられる。この時、エアバッグ９の膨張力が作用することで、テアライン２４が全長にわたって確実に破断し、扉予定部２６がリッド２１の他の部分からそれぞれ切り離される。
【００５４】
そして、扉予定部２６を切り離した状態で、扉予定部２６はいわば円滑にスイングアップし、エアバッグ９の突出口を形成することができる。さらに、この突出口から突出したエアバッグ９は、図４に２点鎖線９ａで示すように、フロントウィンドウガラス２に沿って膨張展開し、助手席の乗員を保護する。
【００５５】
また、扉予定部２６および扉補強部３６は、破断により形成されたリッド２１の扉予定部２６の周縁補強部３５側の端縁部が下側すなわちヒンジ部３７側にそれぞれ大きく膨出することなく、ヒンジ部３７が上方向に弾性変形しつつ扉予定部２６を支えて保持する。同時に、扉予定部２６の端縁部がポケット部４０内に引き込まれて収容され、扉予定部２６が立ち上がってエアバッグ９の突出口が開成される。
【００５６】
上述したように、上記一実施の形態によれば、振動溶着の際の振動方向に沿って形成した第１のリブ部５１に交差する方向に第２のリブ部５２および第３のリブ部５３を形成し、第１のリブ部５１を第２のリブ部５２および第３のリブ部５３の幅寸法の２倍に形成する。この結果、溶着リブ４６を振動溶着の際の振動方向と交差する方向に補強して、第１のリブ部５１の幅寸法を第２のリブ部５２および第３のリブ部５３の幅寸法の１倍未満とした場合よりも溶着強度を向上して所定の溶着強度を得ることができ、溶着工程における強度管理が容易になり、かつ第１のリブ部５１の幅寸法を第２のリブ部５２および第３のリブ部５３の幅寸法の３倍より大きくした場合、例えばリッド２１およびインナ２２を、いわゆるべた溶着した場合などよりも溶着エネルギが小さくて済むとともに局所的な溶着エネルギの集中を防止でき、リッド２１およびインナ２２を容易かつ確実に振動溶着できる。
【００５７】
また、溶着リブ４６が、リッド２１およびインナ２２の接合される部分の面積の１０％以上３０％以下の面積を有することにより、溶着リブ４６をリッド２１およびインナ２２の接合される部分の面積の１０％以下にした場合よりも溶着強度を向上できて溶着工程における強度管理が容易になり、かつ溶着リブ４６をリッド２１およびインナ２２の接合される部分の面積の３０％より大きくした場合よりもリッド２１およびインナ２２の振動溶着に必要なエネルギが小さくて済み、このエネルギを容易に均一に印加できるので、リッド２１およびインナ２２を容易に溶着できる。
【００５８】
さらに、切断部３４の前後の辺部の前後部、すなわちリッド２１およびインナ２２を溶着した際のテアライン２４の前後の辺部の外方に沿って第１のリブ部５１の前側固定リブ部５４および後側固定リブ部５５を形成し、テアライン２４の前後の辺部の外方に第２のリブ部５２と平行、かつこの第２のリブ部５２と略等しい幅寸法に第３のリブ部５３を形成する。この結果、閉ループ状のテアライン２４の近傍の外側で溶着強度を向上して所定の溶着強度を得ることができ、エアバッグ９の膨張時にこのエアバッグ９の膨張の圧力によりテアライン２４が確実に破断し、扉予定部２６を円滑に展開してエアバッグ９の突出口を円滑に形成できる。
【００５９】
またさらに、テアライン２４の近傍以外の部分では、溶着リブ４６の密度が小さいため、リッド２１およびインナ２２を容易に振動溶着できる。
【００６０】
そして、リッド２１およびインナ２２の溶着エネルギが小さくて済むので、振動溶着機が比較的安価なものであってもリッド２１およびインナ２２を確実に振動溶着でき、振動溶着機をランクダウンできて、製造コストを低減できる。
【００６１】
また、リッド２１およびインナ２２の溶着時の溶着熱量を必要最小限に抑えることができ、溶着熱量によりリッド２１の外観に影響を与えたり、リッド２１を変形させたりすることを防止できる。
【００６２】
さらに、リッド２１およびインナ２２の溶着強度を向上できるため、カバー体１１の製品設計の自由度を向上できる。
【００６３】
またさらに、リッド２１およびインナ２２の振動溶着の条件範囲が広がり、カバー体１１の製造安定性、歩留まり、信頼性を向上できる。
【００６４】
なお、上記一実施の形態において、リッド２１に、枠状のテアライン２４に加え、前後方向の中央部に両側方向に伸びるテアラインを形成して、扉予定部２６を一対形成するとともに、インナ２２についても、略Ｈ字状の切断部３４により扉補強部３６を一対形成し、これら扉補強部３６をそれぞれ前後の周縁補強部３５にヒンジ部３７で連結して、いわゆる観音開き様式でエアバッグ９の突出口を形成することもできる。
【００６５】
また、溶着リブ４６の側部固定リブ部５６の一部の幅寸法を１ｍｍとする構成にもできる。
【００６６】
さらに、溶着リブ４６の第３のリブ部５３における、切断部３４の前側の辺部の前方に位置した部分を、幅方向の中央部の６０％のピッチのみ１０ｍｍとし、その他の部分のピッチを２０ｍｍとする構成にもできる。
【００６７】
またさらに、上記一実施の形態では、インパネ部１の助手席乗員用のエアバッグ装置３のカバー体１１について説明したが、自動車の内装パネルとして他の場所に設置されるエアバッグ装置のカバー体に適用することもできる。
【００６８】
そして、テアライン２４は、閉ループ状に限定されるものではない。
【００６９】
また、上記各リブ部５１，５２，５３の幅寸法、高さ寸法、あるいはピッチなどは、上記所定の数値範囲内で自由に設定できる。
【００７０】
【発明の効果】
請求項１記載のエアバッグ装置のカバー体によれば、溶着リブを振動溶着の際の振動方向と交差する方向に補強して、表皮体および支持体の溶着強度を向上できるとともに表皮体および支持体を容易に振動溶着できる。
【００７１】
請求項２記載のエアバッグ装置のカバー体によれば、請求項１記載のエアバッグ装置のカバー体の効果に加え、閉ループ状の破断部の近傍の溶着強度を向上し、エアバッグの膨張時にこのエアバッグの突出口を円滑に形成できる。
【００７２】
請求項３記載のエアバッグ装置のカバー体によれば、表皮体と支持体とは、破断部の近傍で所定の均一な溶着強度を得ることができ、かつ破断部の近傍以外の部分では溶着リブの密度が小さいため表皮体および支持体の振動溶着の際に大きな溶着エネルギを必要とせず、容易に振動溶着できる。
【００７３】
請求項４記載のエアバッグ装置のカバー体によれば、請求項１ないし３いずれか一記載のエアバッグ装置のカバー体の効果に加え、表皮体および支持体の溶着強度を向上できるとともに表皮体および支持体を容易に溶着できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明のエアバッグ装置のカバー体の一実施の形態を示す斜視図である。
【図２】同上エアバッグ装置のカバー体の支持体を示す平面図である。
【図３】同上エアバッグ装置のカバー体の一部を示す縦断側面図である。
【図４】同上エアバッグ装置のカバー体を備えたエアバッグ装置を示す断面図である。
【符号の説明】
３ エアバッグ装置
９ エアバッグ
１１ カバー体
２１ 表皮体としてのリッド
２２ 支持体としてのインナ
２４ 破断部としてのテアライン
２５ 非展開部
２６ 扉予定部
３５ 固定部としての周縁補強部
３６ 扉補強部
３７ ヒンジ部
４６ 溶着リブ
５１ 第１のリブ部
５２ 第２のリブ部
５３ 第３のリブ部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cover body of an airbag device for a passenger in a passenger seat of an automobile, for example.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, an airbag device for a passenger on a passenger seat that is disposed inside an instrument panel (hereinafter referred to as an instrument panel) that is an interior material of an automobile, that is, on the back side is known. In this airbag device, a folded airbag and an inflator that inflates the airbag are housed in a box-shaped retainer. The opening on the upper side of the retainer is covered with a cover body attached along the instrument panel. Further, a tearable tear line such as a substantially C-shaped plane is formed on the cover body, and a portion surrounded by the tear line is defined as a planned door portion. And the lower part of this airbag is fixed to the reinforcements arrange | positioned inside an instrument panel, and the upper part of a retainer is latched by the attachment piece as a support body integrally formed in the back surface side of the cover body. In the event of a car collision, the airbag is inflated by injecting gas from the inflator, the tear line is broken by the inflation pressure of the airbag, and the cover body is deployed in a door shape with the portion where the tear line is not formed as a hinge Thus, a projecting port is formed, and the airbag is inflated from the projecting port, so that the impact applied to the occupant is mitigated.
[0003]
In this respect, for example, a so-called seamless instrument in which the cover body is formed integrally with the instrument panel, that is, a pair of front and rear mounting pieces is formed on the back side of the instrument panel, and a grooved tear line is formed on the back side of these mounting pieces. Panels (hereinafter referred to as seamless instrument panels) are known. This type of seamless instrument panel has a panel body, which is also called a lid, formed with a closed loop tear line to define a predetermined door portion and a non-expanded portion, and is also referred to as an inner side on the back surface of the predetermined door portion and the non-expanded portion. A backing member as a support is disposed. The backing member includes a door reinforcing portion welded to the back surface of the planned door portion, a fixing portion welded to the back surface of the non-deployed portion, and an elastically deformable hinge portion connecting the door reinforcing portion and the fixing portion. ing.
[0004]
Further, when the airbag device is operated, the entire surface of the planned door is pushed up through the backing member due to the inflation pressure of the airbag, and the planned door is separated from the other part of the instrument panel by the break of the tear line. Forming a mouth. Furthermore, the separated door planned portion is rotated about the hinge portion as a fulcrum and is expanded outward.
[0005]
Then, as this type of seamless instrument panel, a panel body and a backing member are formed using a filler-filled polypropylene resin as a base material, and a plurality of cylindrical welding ribs are provided on the surface of the backing member, and the welding ribs are vibrated and melted. There is also known a configuration in which a panel body and a backing member are welded with a melted resin and the melted resin is used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0006]
Further, as this type of seamless instrument panel, the panel body and the backing member are formed of, for example, an olefin-based thermoplastic resin, and a part of the door reinforcing portion and the entire fixing portion on the surface side that is the panel body side of the backing member are formed. A structure in which an elongated rectangular parallelepiped-shaped welding rib extending along the longitudinal direction of the planned door portion is provided, and the welding rib is vibrated and melted to form a melted resin, and the panel body and the backing member are welded with the melted resin. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).
[0007]
Furthermore, as this type of seamless instrument panel, there is also known a configuration in which either one of a panel body and a backing member formed of thermoplastic urethane is vibration welded so as to form a welded joint (for example, (See Patent Document 3).
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-12116 A (page 3-4, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4)
[0009]
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-294114 A (page 3, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3)
[0010]
[Patent Document 3]
Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2002-507172 (page 8, FIG. 1)
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Generally, like the cover body of the airbag device described above, the panel body and the backing member are often formed of different materials because of their roles, and a predetermined welding strength is obtained unless vibration welding is performed under appropriate design and conditions. Not easy to get. If the welding strength is insufficient, the planned door portion may not be smoothly developed.
[0012]
On the other hand, if too many welding ribs are provided to improve the welding strength, a relatively large amount of energy is required during vibration welding, and the appearance of the panel body may be affected by the energy during welding, or vibration welding may occur. This greatly affects the product quality and cost of the cover body.
[0013]
Therefore, it is desired to further improve the cover body that can obtain a predetermined welding strength and can be easily vibration welded.
[0014]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cover body of an airbag apparatus that can obtain a predetermined uniform welding strength and can be easily vibration welded.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The cover body of the airbag device according to claim 1 is a cover body of the airbag device in which the airbag housed in a folded state is covered and a protruding opening is formed through which the airbag projects when the airbag is inflated. And a support body that is at least partially vibration welded to the back surface side of the skin body, the skin body and the support body. A welding rib that protrudes from one of the epidermis and the support to the other and is melted during vibration welding of the epidermis and the support to join the epidermis and the support The weld rib is provided along a direction intersecting the first rib portion and a first rib portion provided along a vibration direction at the time of vibration welding of the skin body and the support body. Second And a blanking portion, wherein at least a portion of said first rib portion, and has a 3-fold less width than 1 times the width of the second rib portion.
[0016]
Then, on the welding rib provided protruding from one of the skin body and the support body to the other at the portion where the skin body and the support body are joined, in the vibration direction during vibration welding of the skin body and the support body A first rib portion provided along the second rib portion and a second rib portion provided along a direction intersecting the first rib portion, and the width dimension of at least a part of the first rib portion is set. If the width dimension of the second rib portion is less than one time, there is a problem that the welding strength becomes small and the strength management in the welding process becomes complicated, and conversely, it is more than three times the width dimension of the second rib portion. If it is increased, a large amount of energy is required for vibration welding between the skin body and the support body, and it is not easy to apply the large energy uniformly, so that the width dimension of the second rib portion is not less than 1 and not more than 3 times. The vibration method during vibration welding of the welding rib To reinforce in a direction intersecting with.
[0017]
The cover body of the airbag device according to claim 2 is the cover body of the airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the break portion is formed in a closed loop shape, and the first rib portion of the welding rib is the portion of the break portion. The weld rib is provided along at least a part, and includes a third rib portion provided in the same width as the second rib portion along a predetermined direction.
[0018]
A first rib portion of the welding rib is provided along at least a part of the fracture portion formed in a closed loop shape, and the welding rib has the same width as the second rib portion along a predetermined direction. By providing the third rib portion, the welding strength in the vicinity of the closed loop-shaped fracture portion is improved, and the protruding port of the airbag is smoothly formed when the airbag is inflated.
[0019]
The cover body of the airbag device according to claim 3 is a cover body of the airbag device in which the airbag housed in a folded state is covered and a protruding opening is formed through which the airbag projects when the airbag is inflated. An epidermis body and a support body that is at least partially vibration welded to the back side of the epidermis body, and the epidermis body and the part to which the support body is joined are either of the epidermis body or the support body. Protruding from one side to the other, it is provided with welding ribs that are melted during vibration welding of the epidermis body and the support body to join the epidermis body and the support body, and the epidermis body is a door that faces the airbag And a non-deployed portion surrounding the planned door portion, and a break portion that divides the planned door portion and the non-deployed portion and is broken by the pressure at the time of inflation of the airbag. Melt when A fixed portion joined to the non-deployed portion by the weld rib, a door reinforcing portion joined to the planned door portion by the weld rib melted during welding vibration, and across the fracture portion. A deformable hinge portion that integrally connects the fixed portion and the door reinforcing portion is provided, and the weld rib is formed with a portion in the vicinity of the fracture portion at a high density.
[0020]
Then, the skin body is provided with a breaking portion that partitions the planned door portion and the non-deployed portion and breaks by the pressure when the airbag is inflated, and projects from one of the skin body and the support body toward the other. A welding rib that is melted during vibration welding of the body and the support and joins the epidermis and the support is provided at a high density in the vicinity of the fracture portion. As a result, the skin body and the support body can obtain a predetermined uniform welding strength in the vicinity of the rupture portion, and the weld rib density is small in a portion other than the vicinity of the rupture portion. In this case, large welding energy is not required and vibration welding is easily performed.
[0021]
The cover body of the airbag device according to claim 4 is the cover body of the airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the welding rib is 10% of an area of a portion where the skin body and the support body are joined. It has an area of 30% or less.
[0022]
And, if the welding rib is made less than 10% of the area of the part where the skin body and the support body are joined, there is a problem that the welding strength becomes small and the strength management in the welding process becomes complicated. If it is larger than 30% of the area where the body and the support are joined, vibration welding between the skin body and the support requires a large amount of energy, and it is not easy to apply the large energy uniformly. By setting the area to be 10% or more and 30% or less of the area of the portion where the epidermis and the support are joined, the welding strength is improved and the welding rib is easily welded.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the configuration of an embodiment of a cover body of an airbag device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0024]
In FIG. 4, reference numeral 1 denotes an instrument panel portion of an automobile (hereinafter referred to as an instrument panel portion 1). The instrument panel portion 1 is provided at the front portion of the passenger compartment over the substantially entire length in the vehicle width direction, The front window glass 2 is located in the front.
[0025]
And in this instrument panel part 1, the airbag apparatus 3 is installed facing the passenger | crew of a passenger seat. The airbag device 3 is folded and stored in a case body 5, also called a retainer, an inflator 7 housed in a reaction canister 6 below the case body 5, and an airbag housing portion 8 above the case body 5. The air bag 9 and a cover body 11 as an interior material for a vehicle that covers the opening 10 at the top of the case body 5 are provided. The airbag device 3 is attached by fixing the reaction canister 6 of the case body 5 to a reinforcement 15 that is a part of a vehicle body of a car via a bracket 14. Further, the air bag storage portion 8 of the case body 5 and the reaction canister 6 are partitioned by a mid retainer 16 provided with a gas jet port 16a communicating vertically. Further, hooks 18 having a substantially C-shaped cross section are attached to the front surface and the rear surface of the airbag housing portion 8 of the case body 5. In the present embodiment, the inflator 7 is a combustion type (pyro type), but other types of inflators such as a type in which gas is compressed and stored can also be used.
[0026]
The cover body 11 includes a lid 21 that is a panel body as a so-called seamless instrument panel, that is, a seamless instrument panel (hereinafter referred to as a seamless instrument panel), and a back surface that is a lower surface of the lid 21. A backing member as a support joined by vibration welding, that is, an inner 22 as a backing member is provided.
[0027]
The lid 21 integrally covers the surface side of the instrument panel portion 1, that is, is provided on the front portion of the passenger compartment over substantially the entire length in the vehicle width direction. The lid 21 is an injection molded product made of a hard polypropylene resin to which an additive such as talc (talc) is added.
[0028]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a tear line 24 as a fracture portion is in a closed loop shape on the back surface side of the lid 21 so as to be substantially opposed to the opening 10 of the airbag storage portion 8 of the case body 5. It is formed in a rectangular frame shape. A flat rectangular door planned portion 26 surrounded by the non-deployed portion 25 is partitioned by the tear line 24. Here, the tear line 24 is a weak part that can be broken, also called a tear groove, a planned fracture line, or a thin-thick groove, and is formed by injection molding with a mold or engraved with a rotary blade such as a milling blade after injection molding. However, it may be engraved with a hot blade or grooved with a laser beam.
[0029]
The section of the tear line 24 has a substantially triangular shape formed in an acute angle upward as shown in FIG.
[0030]
On the other hand, the inner 22 is made of a soft resin such as TPO resin (thermoplastic olefin) and has a planar shape larger than the planned door portion 26 and is fixed to the inside and outside of the tear line 24, that is, the back surface of the lid 21. And the non-expanded portion 25 around the planned door portion 26.
[0031]
The inner 22 has a substantially flat substrate portion 31 having a plane shape substantially equal to the planned door portion 26 and a rectangular tube which is a connecting piece provided below in a direction intersecting the substrate portion 31. The cross wall portion 32 is formed integrally.
[0032]
Here, a slit-like cut portion 34 having a small width is formed in a closed loop shape along the portion of the lid 21 that faces the tear line 24 of the lid 21, and is joined to the non-deployment portion 25 by vibration welding. A frame-shaped peripheral edge reinforcing portion 35 as a fixed portion and a flat door reinforcing portion 36 joined to the planned door portion 26 by vibration welding are partitioned.
[0033]
Furthermore, a deformable hinge portion 37 is formed at a portion facing the front side portion of the tear line 24 so as to straddle the tear line 24 and connect the peripheral reinforcing portion 35 and each door reinforcing portion 36. The hinge portion 37 is provided with a hinge main body portion 38 which is a curved portion having a cross-sectional arc shape curved so as to bulge downward, and further has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and is surrounded by the hinge main body portion 38. The portion is a pocket portion 40.
[0034]
Further, the hinge main body portion 38 of the hinge portion 37 has a positional relationship that is biased toward the inside relative to the tear line 24, that is, the inner peripheral side of the planned door portion 26.
[0035]
Further, the pocket portion 40 is provided across the tear line 24, and the dimension in the front-rear direction, which is the width dimension, is formed slightly larger than the thickness dimension of the lid 21. Furthermore, the pocket portion 40 is in a positional relationship that is biased toward the inner side relative to the tear line 24, that is, the inner peripheral side of the planned door portion 26.
[0036]
On the other hand, the intersecting wall portion 32 of the inner 22 is provided so as to protrude downward in a rectangular tube shape along a position close to the outer peripheral side of the tear line 24. A plurality of attachment holes 45 as retainer fixing holes, which are square holes, are formed on the front and rear surfaces of the intersecting wall portion 32, and the hooks 18 of the case body 5 are formed in the attachment holes 45. Is locked. That is, the cover body 11 is connected and fixed to the case body 5 of the airbag device 3.
[0037]
Furthermore, a plurality of welding ribs 46 are provided on the surface of the inner 22 that faces the lid 21. These welding ribs 46 include a first rib portion 51, a second rib portion 52, and a third rib portion 53. Each of these rib portions 51, 52, 53 is formed with a height dimension as a protruding dimension of, for example, 1 to 3 mm, preferably 2 mm. The second rib portion 52 and the third rib portion 53 are formed to have a width dimension of, for example, 1 to 3 mm, preferably 1 mm.
[0038]
Here, the first rib portion 51 has an angle within ± 30 ° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the inner 22 which is the vibration direction at the time of vibration welding of the lid 21 and the inner 22, that is, the width direction of the automobile. In other words, it is formed along the width direction of the automobile.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first rib portion 51 is formed in the peripheral reinforcing portion 35 and the door reinforcing portion 36 so that the pitch that is the interval between adjacent ribs is 3 to 10 mm, for example. Has been. The first rib portion 51 formed on the peripheral reinforcing portion 35 is formed behind the front side fixing rib portion 54 formed in front of the front side portion of the cutting portion 34 and the rear side portion of the cutting portion 34. In addition, a rear fixing rib portion 55 and side fixing rib portions 56 formed on the sides of both sides of the cutting portion 34 are provided.
[0039]
The front side fixing rib portion 54 and the rear side fixing rib portion 55 are respectively formed along the front and rear side portions of the cutting portion 34 over the entire length of the front and rear side portions of the cutting portion 34. Further, the front side fixing rib portion 54 and the rear side fixing rib portion 55 are formed in line symmetry with respect to the front-rear direction of the inner 22. Further, the front side fixing rib portion 54 and the rear side fixing rib portion 55 have a portion located in the vicinity of the tear line 24 in the vicinity of the cutting portion 34, specifically, at least within 20 mm, preferably within 10 mm from the tear line 24. The second rib portion 52 and the third rib portion 53 have a width dimension of 2 mm, which is 1 to 3 times, preferably 2 times, the width dimension, and a pitch of 3 to 5 mm.
[0040]
Still further, the side fixing rib portion 56 includes a side front fixing rib portion 61 formed on the front side of the side portion of the cutting portion 34 and a rear side portion of the side portion of the cutting portion 34. A side rear fixing rib 62 formed laterally and an intermediate fixing rib 63 formed between the side front fixing rib 61 and the side rear fixing rib 62 are provided. . The side front fixing rib portion 61 and the side rear fixing rib portion 62 are spaced apart from the front fixing rib portion 54 and the rear fixing rib portion 55, respectively, and the front fixing rib portion 54 and the rear fixing rib portion 55 are separated from each other. The pitch is substantially equal to the cut portion 34 side. The intermediate fixing rib portion 63 is formed with a wider pitch than the side front fixing rib portion 61 and the side rear fixing rib portion 62, and the center region in the front-rear direction in the side portions on both sides of the cutting portion 34 is formed. In the vicinity, the pitch is slightly narrowed.
[0041]
Further, the first rib portion 51 formed on the door reinforcing portion 36 has a front development rib portion 64 formed on the rear side of the front side portion of the cutting portion 34 and a front side of the rear side portion of the cutting portion 34. The rear development rib portion 65 is formed, and the development rib 66 is formed between the front development rib portion 64 and the rear development rib portion 65. The front development rib portion 64 and the rear development rib portion 65 are arranged between the front side fixing rib portion 61 and the rear side fixing rib portion 62 between the front side fixing rib portion 61 and the rear side portion of the side portion. It is formed along the extension of the fixed rib portion 62 and has a pitch substantially equal to the side front fixed rib portion 61 and the side rear fixed rib portion 62.
[0042]
Further, the development rib 66 is formed to have a smaller width dimension than the front development rib portion 64 and the rear development rib portion 65. Furthermore, the development rib 66 is formed with a wider pitch than the front development rib portion 64 and the rear development rib portion 65, and is formed so that the pitch is slightly narrower in the central region in the front-rear direction of the door reinforcement portion 36. Yes.
[0043]
On the other hand, the second rib portion 52 is formed along the front-rear direction which is a direction substantially orthogonal to the first rib portion 51. Therefore, the second rib portion 52 is formed to have an angle of ± 60 ° or more with respect to the vibration direction at the time of vibration welding. Further, the second rib portion 52 has a smaller width dimension than the first rib portion 51. Further, the second rib portion 52 is formed in the vicinity of the side portions on both sides of the cut portion 34 in the entire door reinforcing portion 36 and the peripheral reinforcing portion 35. The second rib portion 52 has a pitch of 3 to 10 mm, preferably in the vicinity of the tear line 24 in the vicinity of the cutting portion 34, specifically, at least 20 mm, preferably within 10 mm from the tear line 24. It is formed to 4 mm.
[0044]
Further, the second rib portion 52 formed in the center region in the width direction of the door reinforcing portion 36 is formed with a wider pitch than a portion located in the vicinity of the cutting portion 34.
[0045]
Accordingly, the vicinity of the tear line 24 is in the vicinity of the tear line 24 by the front fixing rib portion 54, the rear fixing rib portion 55, the side front fixing rib portion 61, the side rear fixing rib portion 62, and the second rib portion 52. The welding ribs 46 are formed at a higher density than other portions.
[0046]
Further, the third rib portion 53 is formed along a direction parallel to the second rib portion 52 which is a predetermined direction, and has a width dimension substantially equal to that of the second rib portion 52. The third rib portion 53 is formed in the peripheral reinforcing portion 35 and has a pitch of 5 to 30 mm, preferably 5 mm.
[0047]
As a result, the welding ribs 46 are formed in a lattice shape. Moreover, in the said one Embodiment, the welding range of the inner 22 which is the part to which the lid 21 and the inner 22 are joined, ie, the area of the upper surface of the inner 22 facing the back surface of the lid 21, is 660 cm, for example. 2 The total area of the welding ribs 46 formed and welded is 150 cm. 2 Therefore, the welding rib 46 occupies 22.7% of the area of the upper surface of the inner 22. Therefore, the welding rib 46 has an area of 10% or more and 30% or less of the area of the upper surface of the inner 22 facing the back surface of the lid 21.
[0048]
Next, the assembly operation of the cover body 11 according to the embodiment will be described.
[0049]
With the lid 21 and the inner 22 installed in the vibration welding machine and with the lid 21 fixed, the peripheral reinforcing portion 35 and the door reinforcing portion 36 of the inner 22 are aligned with the non-deployed portion 25 and the planned door portion 26 of the lid 21. After the inner 22 is pressed against the back surface of the lid 21, the inner 22 is vibrated in the longitudinal direction.
[0050]
At this time, the first rib portion 51 of the welding rib 46 made of TPO resin is melted out of the welding rib 46 and the flat joint surface of the lid 21 that are in contact with each other, so that the molten resin is formed. A joint portion, which is a weld layer, is formed therebetween.
[0051]
Thereafter, when the vibration of the inner 22 is stopped, the joint portion of the melted resin is cooled and solidified, whereby the lid 21 and the inner 22 are joined to each other to form the cover body 11.
[0052]
Next, the deployment behavior of the airbag 9 according to the embodiment will be described.
[0053]
When an automobile equipped with the airbag device 3 of the present embodiment collides, gas is ejected from the inflator 7 to the airbag 9 via the gas ejection port 16a. Then, the airbag 9 is inflated in the case body 5, and the inner 22 and the planned door portion 26 of the lid 21 are pushed upward by the inflating force. At this time, the inflation force of the airbag 9 acts, whereby the tear line 24 is reliably broken over the entire length, and the planned door portion 26 is separated from the other portions of the lid 21.
[0054]
And the door planned part 26 can be swung up smoothly in the state which cut | disconnected the door planned part 26, and can form the protrusion port of the airbag 9. FIG. Further, as shown by a two-dot chain line 9a in FIG. 4, the airbag 9 protruding from the protruding opening is inflated and deployed along the front window glass 2 to protect the passenger in the passenger seat.
[0055]
Moreover, the edge part by the side of the peripheral reinforcement part 35 side of the planned door part 26 of the lid 21 of the lid 21 formed by fracture | rupture expands the lower part, ie, the hinge part 37 side, respectively. The hinge portion 37 supports and holds the planned door portion 26 while elastically deforming upward. At the same time, the end edge portion of the planned door portion 26 is drawn into and accommodated in the pocket portion 40, the planned door portion 26 rises, and the protruding opening of the airbag 9 is opened.
[0056]
As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the second rib portion 52 and the third rib portion 53 extend in a direction intersecting with the first rib portion 51 formed along the vibration direction at the time of vibration welding. The first rib portion 51 is formed to be twice the width dimension of the second rib portion 52 and the third rib portion 53. As a result, the welding rib 46 is reinforced in the direction crossing the vibration direction at the time of vibration welding, and the width dimension of the first rib part 51 is set to the width dimension of the second rib part 52 and the third rib part 53. The welding strength can be improved and a predetermined welding strength can be obtained as compared with the case of less than 1 times, the strength management in the welding process is facilitated, and the width of the first rib portion 51 is set to the second rib portion. When the width dimension of the 52 and the third rib portion 53 is larger than three times, the welding energy can be smaller than the case where the lid 21 and the inner 22 are so-called solid welding, for example, and the concentration of the local welding energy is reduced. The lid 21 and the inner 22 can be easily and reliably vibration welded.
[0057]
Further, since the welding rib 46 has an area of 10% or more and 30% or less of the area of the portion where the lid 21 and the inner 22 are joined, the area of the area where the lid 21 and the inner 22 are joined is reduced. The welding strength can be improved as compared with the case of 10% or less, the strength management in the welding process is facilitated, and the welding rib 46 is larger than 30% of the area of the portion where the lid 21 and the inner 22 are joined. Since the energy required for vibration welding of the lid 21 and the inner 22 is small, and this energy can be applied easily and uniformly, the lid 21 and the inner 22 can be easily welded.
[0058]
Furthermore, the front side fixed rib portion 54 of the first rib portion 51 along the front and rear portions of the front and rear sides of the cutting portion 34, that is, the outer sides of the front and rear sides of the tear line 24 when the lid 21 and the inner 22 are welded. And a rear-side fixing rib portion 55, the third rib portion being parallel to the second rib portion 52 on the outer side of the front and rear sides of the tear line 24 and having a width dimension substantially equal to the second rib portion 52. 53 is formed. As a result, the welding strength can be improved outside the vicinity of the closed loop tear line 24 to obtain a predetermined welding strength, and the tear line 24 is reliably broken by the inflation pressure of the airbag 9 when the airbag 9 is inflated. In addition, the projected door 26 can be smoothly deployed to smoothly form the protruding opening of the airbag 9.
[0059]
Furthermore, since the density of the welding ribs 46 is small in a portion other than the vicinity of the tear line 24, the lid 21 and the inner 22 can be easily vibration welded.
[0060]
And since the welding energy of the lid 21 and the inner 22 is small, even if the vibration welding machine is relatively inexpensive, the lid 21 and the inner 22 can be reliably vibration welded, and the vibration welding machine can be ranked down. Manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0061]
In addition, the amount of heat of welding at the time of welding the lid 21 and the inner 22 can be suppressed to the minimum necessary, and the appearance of the lid 21 can be prevented from being affected by the amount of heat of welding, and the lid 21 can be prevented from being deformed.
[0062]
Furthermore, since the welding strength of the lid 21 and the inner 22 can be improved, the degree of freedom in product design of the cover body 11 can be improved.
[0063]
Furthermore, the range of conditions for vibration welding of the lid 21 and the inner 22 is expanded, and the manufacturing stability, yield, and reliability of the cover body 11 can be improved.
[0064]
In the above embodiment, in addition to the frame-shaped tear line 24, a tear line extending in both directions is formed in the center part in the front-rear direction on the lid 21, and a pair of planned door portions 26 are formed. In addition, a pair of door reinforcing portions 36 are formed by substantially H-shaped cutting portions 34, and these door reinforcing portions 36 are connected to the front and rear peripheral edge reinforcing portions 35 by hinge portions 37, respectively, so that the airbag 9 can be opened in a so-called double door manner. A protruding port can also be formed.
[0065]
Further, the width of a part of the side fixing rib portion 56 of the welding rib 46 may be 1 mm.
[0066]
Further, in the third rib portion 53 of the welding rib 46, the portion located in front of the side portion on the front side of the cut portion 34 is set to 10 mm only at a pitch of 60% of the central portion in the width direction, and the pitches of the other portions are set. It can also be set as 20 mm.
[0067]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the cover body 11 of the airbag device 3 for the passenger on the passenger seat of the instrument panel section 1 has been described. However, the cover body of the airbag device installed in another place as an automobile interior panel It can also be applied to.
[0068]
The tear line 24 is not limited to a closed loop shape.
[0069]
Further, the width dimension, the height dimension, or the pitch of each of the rib portions 51, 52, 53 can be freely set within the predetermined numerical range.
[0070]
【The invention's effect】
According to the cover body of the airbag device according to claim 1, the welding rib can be reinforced in the direction intersecting with the vibration direction at the time of vibration welding so that the welding strength of the skin body and the support body can be improved and the skin body and the support body can be improved. The body can be easily vibration welded.
[0071]
According to the cover body of the airbag device according to claim 2, in addition to the effect of the cover body of the airbag device according to claim 1, the welding strength in the vicinity of the closed loop-shaped fracture portion is improved, and when the airbag is inflated The protrusion of the airbag can be formed smoothly.
[0072]
According to the cover body of the airbag device according to claim 3, the skin body and the support body can obtain a predetermined uniform welding strength in the vicinity of the fracture portion and are welded in a portion other than the vicinity of the fracture portion. Since the density of the ribs is small, large welding energy is not required for vibration welding of the skin body and the support body, and vibration welding can be easily performed.
[0073]
According to the cover body of the airbag device according to claim 4, in addition to the effect of the cover body of the airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the welding strength of the skin body and the support body can be improved and the skin body And the support can be easily welded.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a cover body of an airbag device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a support body of the cover body of the airbag device.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing a part of the cover body of the airbag device.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an airbag apparatus provided with a cover body of the airbag apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
3 Airbag device
9 Airbag
11 Cover body
21 Lid as epidermis
22 Inner as support
24 Tear line as fracture
25 Non-deployment part
26 Planned door
35 Peripheral reinforcement as a fixed part
36 Door reinforcement
37 Hinge part
46 welding ribs
51 1st rib part
52 2nd rib part
53 Third rib

Claims (4)

折り畳んで収納されたエアバッグを覆うとともに、このエアバッグの膨張時にこのエアバッグが突出する突出口が形成されるエアバッグ装置のカバー体であって、
前記エアバッグの膨張時の圧力で破断する破断部を備えた表皮体と、この表皮体の裏面側に少なくとも一部が振動溶着される支持体とを具備し、
前記表皮体および支持体の接合される部分に、これら表皮体および支持体のいずれか一方から他方に向けて突出し、これら表皮体および支持体の振動溶着の際に溶解してこれら表皮体および支持体を接合する溶着リブを備え、
この溶着リブは、表皮体および支持体の振動溶着の際の振動方向に沿って設けられた第１のリブ部と、この第１のリブ部に交差する方向に沿って設けられた第２のリブ部とを有し、
前記第１のリブ部の少なくとも一部は、前記第２のリブ部の幅寸法の１倍以上３倍以下の幅寸法を有する
ことを特徴とするエアバッグ装置のカバー体。A cover body for an airbag device that covers an airbag stored in a folded state and that has a protruding opening through which the airbag protrudes when the airbag is inflated.
Comprising a skin body provided with a rupture portion that is ruptured by the pressure at the time of inflation of the airbag, and a support body at least partially vibration welded to the back surface side of the skin body,
At the part where the epidermis and the support are joined, the epidermis and the support protrude from one of the epidermis and the support toward the other, and are dissolved during vibration welding of the epidermis and the support. With welding ribs to join the body,
The welding rib includes a first rib portion provided along a vibration direction at the time of vibration welding of the skin body and the support body, and a second rib provided along a direction intersecting the first rib portion. Having a rib part,
At least a part of the first rib portion has a width dimension that is not less than 1 and not more than 3 times the width dimension of the second rib portion. 破断部は、閉ループ状に形成され、
溶着リブの第１のリブ部は、前記破断部の少なくとも一部に沿って設けられ、
前記溶着リブは、所定の方向に沿って、第２のリブ部と同幅に設けられた第３のリブ部を備えた
ことを特徴とする請求項１記載のエアバッグ装置のカバー体。The rupture part is formed in a closed loop shape,
The first rib portion of the welding rib is provided along at least a part of the fracture portion,
The cover body for an airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the welding rib includes a third rib portion provided in the same width as the second rib portion along a predetermined direction. 折り畳んで収納されたエアバッグを覆うとともに、このエアバッグの膨張時にこのエアバッグが突出する突出口が形成されるエアバッグ装置のカバー体であって、
表皮体と、この表皮体の裏面側に少なくとも一部が振動溶着される支持体とを具備し、
前記表皮体および支持体の接合される部分に、これら表皮体および支持体のいずれか一方から他方に向けて突出し、これら表皮体および支持体の振動溶着の際に溶解してこれら表皮体および支持体を接合する溶着リブを備え、
前記表皮体は、前記エアバッグに対向する扉予定部と、この扉予定部を囲む非展開部と、これら扉予定部と非展開部とを区画し前記エアバッグの膨張時の圧力で破断する破断部とを備え、
前記支持体は、溶着振動の際に溶解した前記溶着リブにて前記非展開部に接合される固定部と、溶着振動の際に溶解した前記溶着リブにて前記扉予定部に接合される扉補強部と、前記破断部を横断してこれら固定部と扉補強部とを一体に連結する変形可能なヒンジ部とを備え、
前記溶着リブは、前記破断部の近傍の部分が高密度に形成された
ことを特徴とするエアバッグ装置のカバー体。A cover body for an airbag device that covers an airbag stored in a folded state and that has a protruding opening through which the airbag protrudes when the airbag is inflated.
Comprising a skin and a support that is vibration welded at least partially on the back side of the skin,
At the part where the epidermis and the support are joined, the epidermis and the support protrude from one of the epidermis and the support toward the other, and are dissolved during vibration welding of the epidermis and the support. With welding ribs to join the body,
The skin body divides the planned door portion facing the airbag, the non-deployment portion surrounding the planned door portion, the planned door portion and the non-deployment portion, and is broken by the pressure when the airbag is inflated. With a breaking portion,
The support includes a fixed portion joined to the non-deployed portion by the welding rib melted during welding vibration, and a door joined to the planned door portion by the welding rib melted during welding vibration. A reinforcing portion, and a deformable hinge portion that integrally connects the fixing portion and the door reinforcing portion across the fracture portion;
The cover body of the airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the weld rib is formed at a high density in the vicinity of the fracture portion. 溶着リブは、表皮体および支持体の接合される部分の面積の１０％以上３０％以下の面積を有する
ことを特徴とする請求項１ないし３いずれか一記載のエアバッグ装置のカバー体。The cover body of an airbag apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the welding rib has an area of 10% or more and 30% or less of an area of a portion where the skin body and the support body are joined.
JP2002346434A 2002-09-24 2002-11-28 Cover body of airbag device Expired - Fee Related JP3923004B2 (en)

Priority Applications (6)

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JP2002346434A JP3923004B2 (en) 2002-11-28 2002-11-28 Cover body of airbag device
US10/667,376 US7093849B2 (en) 2002-09-24 2003-09-23 Cover body for air bag apparatus
EP03021562A EP1403148B1 (en) 2002-09-24 2003-09-24 Cover for air bag module
DE60328571T DE60328571D1 (en) 2002-09-24 2003-09-24 Cover for a gas bag module
US11/481,006 US7229095B2 (en) 2002-09-24 2006-07-06 Cover body for air bag apparatus
US11/744,569 US7770915B2 (en) 2002-09-24 2007-05-04 Cover body for air bag apparatus

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