JP2006306314A - Punched air bag retaining member and method for assembling air bag - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily support air bag module parts to a supporting structure. <P>SOLUTION: A bracket is provided which connects an air bag sub assembly to the supporting structure such as a steering wheel frame. The bracket has a basic part and at least two retaining members extending from the basic part. The retaining members are integrally formed with the basic part from the same material as the material for the basic part. The retaining member relates to a method for forming the bracket. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automotive steering wheel airbag assembly, and more particularly to a method of forming a mechanism for coupling an airbag subassembly to a steering wheel subassembly.

  Modern vehicles include a variety of occupant safety restraint systems, including driver side airbags (DAB). Conventional such DAB systems have been attached to the steering wheel frame by nut and bolt fastener assemblies. Some manufacturers combine these DAB systems to the steering wheel frame with retaining pins to improve assembly time. The retaining pins are typically cold formed one by one on solid round steel pins and pressed or welded to the bracket of the airbag module. In order to couple the airbag module to the support structure, the retaining pin includes an outer peripheral groove that is coupled to the spring clip of the support structure. Solid retaining pins are generally an effective coupling means for DAB systems, while avoiding the separate formation of solid pins and reducing the number of parts required to couple the airbag module to the support structure. However, there is a need for improvements to reduce the cost and weight of the airbag subassembly and increase ease of manufacture by providing a pin that can couple the airbag module to an existing support structure. .

  In order to address some of the above problems, manufacturers have manufactured airbag brackets for airbag modules with flat mounting members. Such flat mounting members can be bent or moved during assembly or over time in a manner that causes the bracket to break or cause the member to become misaligned. Produced. Any misalignment of the flat mounting member impairs the fit and finish of the airbag module within the steering wheel. Using a flat mounting member in a conventional support structure requires a round bushing, which requires extra parts and increases assembly time. Also, when used in conventional assemblies, the amount of material behind the slot that houses the spring clip is minimized, causing the problem that detonation of the air bag module may fail. As such, these airbag modules having brackets with flat mounting members do not adequately address all of the above issues and require extra parts and assembly time to couple the airbag module to the support structure. .

  The present invention includes several features that address the above-mentioned drawbacks. For example, one aspect of the present invention is a bracket that includes an integral retaining member connected to a hole in the support structure. In view of the above, the present invention includes an airbag assembly having a base formed from a material and at least two retaining members formed integrally with the base from the same material as the base and extending from the base. Concerning the bracket for. The retaining member includes a surface formed to define a cavity extending substantially perpendicular to the base. The base defines an inflator opening between the retaining members. The retaining member further defines a retaining cavity having a first mating surface and a second mating surface in the retaining cavity. A cavity extending from the base is at least partially located between the first and second mating surfaces.

  The invention also relates to a method of forming a bracket of an airbag subassembly for holding an airbag module in a support structure. The method includes stamping a sheet metal to define an opening and a stamping holding member extending into the opening, and stamping to form a retaining member for coupling the sheet metal to a support structure. Bending the work holding member. The stamping holding member also defines a holding cavity by stamping the sheet metal. The step of bending the punching holding member includes stamping the punching holding member so that the punching holding member is substantially perpendicular to the sheet metal to define a surface defining the cavity extending perpendicular to the sheet metal. Curling the stamped holding member to form.

  According to the present invention, the parts of the airbag module to the support structure can be easily supported by the simple member.

  The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.

  As seen in the drawings, the airbag subassembly 10 of the present invention includes a support structure 20 and an airbag module 50 coupled to the support structure. The airbag module 50 generally includes a bracket 60 for coupling the airbag module to the support structure 20. Fastener assembly 58 couples inflator 52, airbag 54, and cover 56 to bracket 60. The support structure 20 is generally a horn module 30 or a steering wheel frame 28. The bracket 60 includes an integral holding member 70 having a structure that is inserted into the hole 22 defined by the support structure 20. The holding member is held on the support structure by the holding mechanism. The holding member 70 and the holding mechanism cooperate to facilitate assembly of the airbag module 50 to the support structure 20.

  The support structure 20 is formed from various parts, but is generally formed from the steering wheel frame 28, the horn module 30 coupled to the steering wheel frame, or another member (not shown) coupled to the steering wheel frame. The The steering wheel frame 28 generally includes the receiving hub 18, the spoke 16, and the rim 14. The spoke 16 connects the rim 14 to the hub 18. The horn module 30 is formed in various structures and includes other parts such as a horn contact not shown. The horn module 30 is preferably fixed to the steering wheel frame 28 at the receiving hub 18. The horn module 30 functions together with the airbag module 50 so that the force applied to the entire airbag module closes the circuit that fits with the vehicle horn. The support structure 20 defines a hole 22 for receiving the retaining member 70. In the embodiment in which the bracket 60 is coupled to the steering wheel frame 28, the airbag subassembly 10 includes a horn module 30, and the horn module includes a pin housing portion 32 for allowing the holding member 70 to pass (FIG. 12).

  The support structure 20 further includes a holding mechanism 40 and a holding mechanism holder (not shown). The holding mechanism 40 and the holding mechanism holder can take various shapes that allow the holding member 70 and thus the airbag module 50 to be coupled to the support structure 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the holding member 70 is detachably coupled to the holding mechanism 40. 1-4 and 9-12, the retention mechanism 40 is a spring clip that can removably couple the retention member to the support structure. More specifically, the holding mechanism 40 is an elastically deformable elastic metal having a first leg portion 42, a second leg portion (not shown), and a bent portion (not shown) connecting the first and second leg portions. Generally formed from a spring rod. When the holding mechanism 40 is assembled to the holder, the first and second legs apply preload to the holding mechanism holder in the rest position. In the rest position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9, the holding mechanism 40, specifically the first leg 42, partially blocks the hole 22. The holding mechanism 40, particularly the first leg portion 42, can move in the left-right direction in FIG. 3, and does not move in the vertical direction in FIG.

  As is well known in the art, the airbag module 50 includes a front cover 56, an airbag 54, and an inflator 52. The front cover 56 is generally structured to be an aesthetically preferred cover over the airbag assembly and is formed and mounted in a manner generally known in the art. The inflator 52 and the airbag 54 are also formed as is well known in the art and take various structures depending on the application.

  The airbag module 50 further includes a retainer ring 48, a sealing plate 66 and a housing 68, each forming a bracket 60. 1 to 8, the sealing plate 66 is illustrated as forming the bracket 60, and the housing is illustrated as forming the bracket 60 in FIGS. 9 to 11. In FIG. 13, the retainer ring 48 is shown as a bracket 60. As is well known in the art, the retainer ring 48 holds the bag 54 in the inflator 52 and the housing 68. The sealing plate 66 is optional and is generally used to prevent gas from the inflator 52 from leaking out of the bag 54 during detonation. The housing 68 holds each part together with the retainer ring, and becomes a surface for mounting the cover 56. The bracket 60 generally includes a base 62 that defines an inflator opening 64 from which the retaining member 70 extends. The bracket, in particular the base 62, may have almost any shape as required. 1-3, the sealing plate 66, the housing 70, and the retainer ring 48 each include an inflator opening 64 and a fastener passage 76. The fastener passage 76 is configured to pass the fastener assembly 58 to assemble the airbag module as a unit that is easily assembled and then coupled to the support structure 20. Depending on the structure, when the sealing plate 66 or the housing 68 is located between the bracket 60 and the support structure 20, the housing or the sealing plate has a structure that allows the holding member 70 to pass through the hole 22 without contact. . As shown in FIG. 1, when the sealing plate 66 is a bracket 60, the housing 68 includes a pin accommodating portion 32 for allowing the hole 22 of the support structure 20 to pass through the holding member 70.

  The holding member 70 extends from the base 62 and is formed integrally with the base from the same material as the base 62. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 62 forms a plane in which the holding member 70 extends substantially vertically. The holding member includes a first portion 86 extending from the base portion 62 and a second portion 88 having a structure extending from the first portion and coupled to the holding mechanism 40. Each retaining member 70 includes a surface 72 that is formed to define a cavity 74 that extends generally perpendicular to the base 62. The size and shape of the surface 72 and the cavity 74 defined by the surface can be varied. The surface 72 and cavity 74 may also vary between the first and second portions 86, 88 or in the first and second portions. 1-4 and 8, the surface 72 is semicircular or arcuate at least for the first portion, and in the second portion 88 as shown as circular in FIGS. Extend to different shapes. 5, 5A and 9-10 having a first leg 100, a second leg 102 that is angled with respect to the first leg, and a central leg 104 between the first and second legs. The surface 72 may take on a variety of other shapes or structures, such as the surface 72 illustrated in FIG. Of course, other shapes such as hexagons, octagons, or portions thereof may be used as long as the retaining member 70 is securely coupled to the hole 22.

  The surface 72, more specifically the second part, defines a holding cavity (holding cavity, holding recess) 80 having a structure for receiving the holding mechanism 40, more specifically the first leg 42. The retaining member 70 further defines a first mating surface 82 and a second mating surface 84 in the retaining cavity 80. In the illustrated embodiment, when the first leg 42 of the holding mechanism 40 is disposed in the holding cavity 80 to couple the holding member 70 to the horn module 30, the first leg 42 is first and first. 2 is fitted to the fitting surfaces 82 and 84. The first and second mating surfaces improve the fit and finish of the assembled airbag by separating the mating points and more accurately and accurately positioning and retaining the retaining member relative to the steering wheel frame 28 So as to be separated by cavities 74. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 9-11, the first leg 100 includes a first mating surface 82 and the second leg 102 defines a second mating surface 84. In the illustrated embodiment, the holding member 70 and the hole 22 are shown to have an aligned shape. One skilled in the art will recognize that in some embodiments, the angled retention member may fit into a circular hole or some other shape that does not match the shape of the retention member. The alignment shape helps to hold the airbag module 50 in the specified position, but any shape and size may be used for the holes as the holding mechanism 40 can hold the holding member in the specified position. In the preferred embodiment, the retaining member 70 includes at least three contact areas 71 (each vertex of the cross-sectional triangle of the retaining member 70 of FIG. 5A) 71. The contact range 71 positions the assembled airbag 10 on the steering wheel frame with proper fitting and finishing. In FIGS. 9 and 10, three contact areas 71 are illustrated, and the illustrated angular holding members are inserted into the round holes. Each range 71 is located where the holding member approaches the hole 22. In the embodiment seen in FIGS. 1-8, the round retaining member 70 inserted into the round hole 22 has an infinite number of contact areas.

  The retaining member 70 further includes an insertion point 90, a lip 92, and a contact surface 94 for moving the retaining mechanism 40 from the rest position until the retaining mechanism 40 moves to the retaining cavity 80 in the mating position during assembly. The insertion point 90 may have a variety of shapes and configurations, but generally includes an angled surface 91 that assists in moving the retention mechanism 40 from the rest position. When the retaining member 70 is further disposed in the hole 22, the retaining mechanism passes over the lip 92 and slides on the contact surface 94 until the retaining mechanism is disposed in the retaining cavity.

  The bracket 60 is formed by various techniques, but is generally formed after being punched from a flat metal thin plate. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket 60 is first stamped from a sheet metal to form a flat metal base 2 that defines an inflator opening 64, and the stamped holding member 4 is moved to the inflator opening. Extend (FIG. 6). The stamped retaining member 4 extends outwardly from the flat metal base, but the amount of material used is reduced by utilizing the portion of the metal that is normally removed to form the inflator opening 64. Needless to say. The flat metal base 2 is formed from a single sheet metal by a number of punching processes. In the illustrated embodiment, the inflator opening 64, the base 62, and the punching holding member are formed by a single punching process. 4 and the holding cavity 80 are defined.

  In the illustrated embodiment, after the flat metal base 2 is formed on the bracket 60, the stamped holding member 4 is partially molded by curling to form the molded holding member 6 (FIG. 7). . The molded holding member 6 takes any of the shapes described above, or a shape that can be used to define a cavity 74 in the surface 72. After the molded holding member 6 is curled, the molded holding member is stamped to form a holding member 70 as seen in FIG. Further shaping of the holding member 70 is performed, such as that illustrated in FIG. 1, to impart a circular shape to the holding member along the second portion 88. It is understood that the above steps may be performed in different orders that yield the same result, or that additional steps may be provided depending on the technology, process, and shape of the bracket in forming the bracket 60. A skilled person would admit.

  In the fourth embodiment, the horn module 30 functions as the bracket 60 and the steering wheel frame 28 functions as the support structure 20. As shown in FIG. 14, the horn module 30 includes a holding member 70, and the fastener assembly 58 attaches the housing 68, the airbag 54, and the retainer ring 48 to the horn module 30. As with all embodiments, the sealing plate 66 is optional.

  In the above description, embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the following claims, from these descriptions, the accompanying drawings, and the claims. You will easily recognize it.

  According to the present invention, since the support of the airbag module component to the support structure can be easily performed by a simple member, the production efficiency of the occupant safety restraint system can be improved.

It is a disassembled perspective view of the airbag subassembly of this invention. It is a perspective view of the air bag subassembly after an assembly by which a part of air bag module was drawn with the dotted line. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the airbag subassembly taken along line 3-3 of FIG. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a sealing plate showing a generally cylindrical holding member. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of a sealing plate with an angled retention member. It is a perspective view of the holding member of FIG. It is a bottom view of the bracket before a holding member is shape | molded. It is a perspective view of the bracket which shows the state by which one side of the holding member was shape | molded. It is a perspective view of the bracket which shows the state by which one side of the holding member was stamped. It is a disassembled perspective view of a 1st alternative example. It is a perspective view after the assembly of the first alternative embodiment. FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a first alternative embodiment taken along line 11-11 of FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a second alternative embodiment showing the holding member coupled to the steering wheel. FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a third alternative embodiment showing a retainer ring as a bracket. It is a disassembled perspective view of the 4th alternative example which shows the horn module as a bracket.

Explanation of symbols

2 Metal Base 10 Airbag Subassembly 14 Rim 16 Spoke 18 Housing Hub 20 Support Structure 22 Hole 28 Steering Wheel Frame 30 Horn Module 32 Pin Housing 40 Holding Mechanism 42 First Leg 48 Retainer Ring 50 Airbag Module 52 Inflator 54 Airbag 56 Cover 58 Fastener assembly 60 Bracket 62 Base 64 Inflator opening 66 Sealing plate 68 Housing 70 Holding member 71 Contact range 72 Surface 74 Cavity 76 Fastener passage 80 Holding cavity 82 First fitting surface 84 Second fitting surface 86 Holding member first part 88 Holding member second part 90 Insertion point 92 Lip 94 Contact range 100 First leg part 102 Second leg part 104 Central leg part

Claims (19)

The base,
At least two holding members extending from the base, the holding members being formed integrally with the base from the same metal plate material as the material of the base, and extending substantially perpendicular to the base A bracket for an air bag subassembly comprising: a retaining member including a surface formed to define a cavity to be communicated.   The bracket of claim 1, wherein the base defines an inflator opening between the retaining members. The surface is an arcuate surface;
The retaining member further defines a retaining cavity;
The bracket of claim 1, wherein the retaining member defines a first mating surface and a second mating surface in the retaining cavity.   The bracket of claim 3, wherein each of the retaining members includes an insertion point and a lip, the insertion point extending from the base by a distance greater than the lip.   The surface includes a first leg, a second leg angled with respect to the first leg, and a central leg disposed between the first and second legs. 1 bracket. A support structure having at least two holes;
A bracket having a base and at least two holding members extending from the base, wherein the holding member is integrally formed with the base from the same metal plate material as the base, and the holding member Including a surface formed to define a cavity extending substantially perpendicular to the base, the bracket being applied such that the retaining member penetrates the hole in the support structure; An airbag subassembly comprising: A holding mechanism coupled to the support structure to engage the holding member and couple the bracket to the support structure;
The retaining member defines a retaining cavity, the retaining mechanism is positionable in the retaining cavity, the retaining member defines a first mating surface and a second mating surface in the retaining cavity;
The airbag subassembly of claim 6, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a mating position, and the retaining mechanism mates with the first and second mating surfaces at the mating position.   When the holding mechanism includes a rest position, the holding member includes an insertion point, a contact surface, and a lip between the contact surface and the insertion point, and the holding member is inserted into the hole. The airbag sub of claim 7, wherein the insertion point, the lip, and the contact surface move the holding mechanism from the rest position and the holding mechanism is disposed in the holding cavity at the mating position. assembly.   The airbag subassembly of claim 7, wherein the retention mechanism partially occludes the hole in the rest position.   The airbag subassembly of claim 6, wherein the bracket is a sealing plate.   A housing between the sealing plate and the support structure, the housing defining at least two pin receptacles for passing the retaining member through the housing and into the hole of the support structure; The airbag subassembly of claim 10.   The airbag subassembly of claim 6, wherein the bracket is a housing.   The airbag subassembly of claim 6, wherein the bracket is a retainer ring.   The airbag subassembly of claim 6, wherein the bracket defines an inflator opening between the retaining members.   The airbag subassembly of claim 14 wherein the support structure is a horn bracket.   The airbag subassembly of claim 14, wherein the support structure is a steering wheel frame.   16. The airbag sub of claim 15, further comprising a horn bracket between the support structure and the bracket, the horn bracket defining at least two pin receptacles for passing the retaining member through the hole. assembly.   The airbag subassembly of claim 6, wherein the support structure is a steering wheel frame and the bracket is a horn bracket.   The airbag subassembly of claim 6, wherein the retaining member includes at least three contact areas for mating with the holes.

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