JP2011195044A - Actuator for airbag device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an actuator for an airbag device enhancing work efficiency of installation into an airbag device.SOLUTION: The actuator A is used for controlling during expansion of an airbag 18 of the airbag device M mounted in a vehicle. The actuator A includes: a lock member 35 for locking a front end 29b side of a connection member 29 extended from the airbag 18; and an actuator body 45 operating to release the lock state between the lock member 35 and the connection member 29. The lock member 35 is disposed on a fixing member 32 side fixing the airbag 18 to the vehicle body side. The actuator body 45 is a separate component from the lock member 35. When in operation, the actuator body moves the lock member 35 to release the lock with the connection member 29. The actuator body is attached to a fixing member 8 correspondingly to the lock member 35 disposed on the fixing member 32 side.

Description

  The present invention relates to an actuator for an airbag device used for internal pressure control, shape control, and the like when an airbag of an airbag device mounted on a vehicle is inflated.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an actuator has a configuration including a locking pin that locks a connecting member extending from an airbag, and an actuator body that moves the locking pin during operation to release the locked state with the connecting member. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

  In this conventional actuator, the connecting portion formed on the distal end side of the connecting member extending from the airbag is protruded from the storage member storing the folded airbag, and the actuator attached to the connecting member on the connecting portion. The connecting pin extending from the airbag is locked to the locking pin.

JP 2007-315504 A

  However, in the conventional actuator, when the actuator body is operated, the locking pin is moved while being separated from the actuator body side, but when the vehicle is mounted, the locking pin is projected from the actuator body. The actuator body is integrally formed. Therefore, when the conventional actuator is mounted on a vehicle together with the airbag device, the actuator main body is stored in the storage member while the locking pin protruding from the actuator main body is inserted into the connection portion of the connection member protruding from the storage member. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the length of the connecting member protruding from the storage member when the actuator body is attached (particularly when the connecting member is short, it is necessary to pull it out from the airbag). However, it is difficult to pull out the connecting member when the airbag is folded), and there is room for improvement in terms of improving the efficiency of assembling the airbag device.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an actuator for an airbag device that can increase the assembly work efficiency of the airbag device.

An airbag device actuator according to the present invention is an airbag device actuator used for internal pressure control and shape control of an airbag of an airbag device mounted on a vehicle,
A locking member that locks the distal end side of the connecting member extending from the airbag, and an actuator body that operates so as to be able to release the locking state of the locking member and the connecting member.
The locking member is disposed on the fixing member side that fixes the airbag to the vehicle body side,
The actuator body is configured as a separate member from the locking member, and is configured so that the locking member can be moved so as to release the locking with the connecting member during operation. It is characterized by being attached to a fixed member in correspondence with the member.

  In the airbag apparatus actuator of the present invention, the locking member for locking the connecting member extending from the airbag is formed on the fixing member side for fixing the airbag to the vehicle body side as a separate body from the actuator body. Thus, when connecting the folded airbag to the fixing member, the connecting member extending from the airbag can be simultaneously locked to the locking member. After that, the actuator body is attached to the fixed member side. At this time, since the tip of the connecting member is locked to the locking member disposed on the fixed member side, Since there is no need to adjust the length of the connecting member at the time of mounting operation to attach the actuator to the fixing member side, the actuator body can be attached to the fixing member side while simply corresponding to the locking member. Can be attached to. As a result, in the airbag apparatus actuator of the present invention, the operation of attaching the actuator body to the fixing member can be easily performed at a location different from the operation of connecting the airbag to the fixing member side. It is also possible to attach the actuator body to the fixed member side when transporting and mounting the airbag device on the vehicle in a state where the bag is connected to the fixed member side and in a semi-assembled state (subassembly). .

  Therefore, in the airbag apparatus actuator of the present invention, it is possible to improve the assembly work efficiency to the airbag apparatus.

  In the airbag apparatus actuator of the present invention, the locking member is arranged so as to protrude from the fixing member to the actuator body side, and from the locking pin that can be inserted into the locking hole formed in the connecting member, It is preferable to configure and move the actuator body so as to be separated from the actuator body when the actuator body is operated so as to release the locked state with the peripheral edge of the locking hole in the connecting member.

  In the airbag apparatus actuator having the above-described configuration, the engagement member for inserting the engagement pin is only formed in the connection member of the airbag, and a member that partially protrudes is not disposed. After the actuator main body is actuated, it is possible to prevent the connecting member from being caught by the base material constituting the airbag when the leading end of the connecting member is pulled into the airbag.

Further, in the airbag apparatus actuator having the above-described configuration, the actuator body includes a squib that is ignited during operation and can generate a driving gas, and a cover portion that covers an outer peripheral side of the squib,
It is preferable that the locking pin is arranged to be inserted through the insertion hole formed in the cover part so that the distal end side is inserted into the cover part and moved so as to come out of the insertion hole when the actuator body is operated. .

  In the airbag apparatus actuator having the above configuration, the locking pin can be moved quickly by using the pressure of the driving gas filled in the cover portion when the actuator body is operated. Can be made. Further, in the airbag apparatus actuator having the above-described configuration, since the tip of the locking pin is disposed in the cover portion of the actuator body when mounted on the vehicle, the locking pin is connected to the connecting member before the operation of the actuator body. Can be reliably prevented from coming out of the locking hole.

Furthermore, in the actuator for an airbag device having the above-described configuration, the locking pin is connected to the fixing member at least two locations that are substantially radial on the circumferential direction side by the connecting portion extending from the fixing member side, and the actuator body At the time of operation, the structure is pushed out so as to plastically deform the connection part,
It is preferable that the connection portion is configured to maintain the connection state with the fixing member after the actuator body is actuated.

  In the airbag apparatus actuator having the above-described configuration, the locking pin is supported on the fixed member side by the connecting portion disposed at a position that is substantially radial on the circumferential side. It is possible to stabilize the moving direction of the locking pin that moves so as to protrude (extrude) along the direction. Even after the actuator body is actuated, the locking pin is kept connected to the fixed member side by the connecting portion, so that the moved locking pin can be prevented from hitting the surrounding members.

Furthermore, in the airbag apparatus actuator having the above-described configuration, the fixing member is
A storage member for storing the airbag;
An attachment means for attaching the airbag to the storage member. The airbag is mounted inside the airbag while the attachment means protrudes outside when the airbag is folded, and the airbag is attached to the storage member. Members,
And comprising
It is preferable that the locking pin is formed on the mounting member.

  In the airbag apparatus actuator having the above-described configuration, since the airbag can be folded in a state where the distal end side of the connecting member is locked to the locking pin, the length dimension of the connecting member is the basis of the airbag. Even when the length is set shorter than that of the material, the airbag can be easily folded while maintaining the engagement between the distal end side of the connecting member and the engagement pin.

  Specifically, as the attachment member, a sheet metal retainer for attaching the airbag and the inflator for supplying the inflation gas to the airbag to the storage member can be exemplified.

It is a figure explaining the airbag apparatus for steering wheels in which the actuator which is one Embodiment of this invention is used. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the airbag apparatus for steering wheels in which the actuator of embodiment is used. It is a partial bottom view of the airbag apparatus for steering wheels in which the actuator of an embodiment is used. It is sectional drawing of the IV-IV site | part of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the VV site | part of FIG. It is a general | schematic disassembled perspective view which shows the retainer provided with the latching member in the actuator of embodiment, an actuator main body, and the attachment bracket which attaches an actuator main body to a bag holder. It is a perspective view of the state where the airbag controlled by the actuator of an embodiment was developed flat. It is the elements on larger scale which show the circumference | surroundings of the exhaust hole in the airbag of FIG. 7, and shows before opening and after opening. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows before and after the action | operation of the actuator of embodiment. It is the top view and sectional drawing which show the locking pin in the actuator of the other form of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An airbag apparatus actuator (hereinafter simply referred to as “actuator”) A according to the embodiment is used in an airbag apparatus M for a steering wheel mounted on a steering wheel W. The actuator A is configured so that its operation is controlled by the control device 62 shown in FIG. 1 together with the inflator 6 of the airbag device M.

  Note that the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions in the embodiment are based on the straight-ahead steering of the steering wheel W mounted on the vehicle unless otherwise specified. In the embodiment, the steering to which the steering wheel W is assembled The vertical direction along the axial direction of the shaft SS (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) is the vertical direction, the longitudinal direction of the vehicle that is the axial direction of the steering shaft SS is the longitudinal direction, and the vehicle is the axial direction of the steering shaft SS The left-right direction is the front-rear, up-down, left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 62 detects a distance between the driver wheel MD and the driver MD that can detect the physique and the seating position of the driver (occupant) MD seated on the seat SE. The position detection sensor 63 and the weight detection sensor 64 that can detect the weight of the driver MD are electrically connected to the collision detection sensor 65 that can detect the acceleration and acceleration direction of the vehicle. The electrical signals from the position detection sensor 63, the weight detection sensor 64, or the collision detection sensor 65 are input to operate the inflator 6 and the actuator A. In the case of the embodiment, the actuator A uses the inflation gas that has flowed into the airbag 18 so that the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag 18 can be suppressed when the airbag 18 is inflated when the airbag apparatus M is in operation. It is controlled and operated by the control device 62 so that the air bag 18 is exhausted to the outside and the airbag 18 is inflated in a suitable inflation mode.

  The airbag apparatus M is arrange | positioned at the upper part in the boss | hub part B of the center of the steering wheel W, as shown to FIG. The steering wheel W includes a ring portion R that is gripped at the time of steering, a boss portion B that is disposed at the center and connected to the steering shaft SS, and a predetermined number of spoke portions (not shown) that connect the boss portion B and the ring portion R. , And is configured. In addition, the steering wheel W includes an airbag device M and a steering wheel body 1 on the component parts.

  The steering wheel body 1 covers a cored bar 2 made of an aluminum alloy or the like disposed so as to connect each part such as a ring part R and a boss part B, and a cored bar 2 at a ring part R or a spoke part (not shown). The synthetic resin coating layer 3 and the synthetic resin lower cover 4 disposed below the boss portion B are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the airbag apparatus M stores and holds the airbag 18 that is folded and stored, the inflator 6 that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 18, and the airbag 18 and the inflator 6. A bag holder 8 serving as a storage member, a pad 13 serving as an airbag cover for covering the upper portion of the airbag 18 held and folded by the side wall 10 of the bag holder 8, and the airbag 18 and the inflator 6 And a retainer 32 as an attachment member for attachment to the motor.

  The inflator 6 includes a substantially cylindrical main body portion 6a having a plurality of gas discharge ports 6b for discharging inflation gas at the upper portion, and a substantially square plate-like flange portion 6c arranged to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 6a. And is configured. In the four corners of the flange portion 6c, insertion holes 6d for inserting bolts 33c described later of the retainer 32 are formed (see FIG. 5).

  The bag holder 8 as a storage member constitutes a fixing member for fixing the airbag 18 to the vehicle body side (steering wheel main body 1) side, and is made of sheet metal, and has a substantially square plate-shaped bottom wall portion 9. And a side wall 10 extending vertically from the periphery of the bottom wall 9. As shown in FIG. 2, an insertion hole 9 a is formed in the vicinity of the center of the bottom wall portion 9 so as to open in a circular shape and allow the main body portion 6 a of the inflator 6 to be inserted from below to above. Four insertion holes 9b through which the bolts 33c of the retainer 32 are inserted are formed at the periphery of the insertion hole 9a (see FIG. 5). In addition, in the case of the embodiment, the periphery of the insertion hole 9a is opened in a substantially circular shape so that a pin main body 40 of a locking pin 35 (to be described later) formed on the retainer 32 can be inserted. An insertion hole 9c is formed (see FIGS. 4 and 5). On the upper end of the side wall portion 10 of the bag holder 8, although not shown, attachment pieces extending outward are formed at portions near the four corners. A mounting board of a horn switch mechanism (not shown) is attached to the mounting piece. In the case of the embodiment, the bag holder 8 is attached and fixed to the core metal 2 of the steering wheel W by using the mounting board (not shown). The airbag apparatus M is mounted on the upper portion of the boss portion B of the steering wheel body 1 that is already attached to the steering shaft SS. Moreover, the side wall part 15 of the pad 13 is attached to the side wall part 10 of the bag holder 8 using the rivet 16 etc. (refer FIG. 2).

  The pad 13 is formed from a synthetic resin such as an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, and extends downward from the ceiling wall portion 14 covering the top of the boss portion B and the outer peripheral edge of the ceiling wall portion 14 as shown in FIG. And a substantially cylindrical side wall portion 15 that covers the outer peripheral side of the bag holder 8. The part inside the side wall part 15 in the ceiling wall part 14 is configured as a part that covers the upper part of the folded airbag 18, and the two door parts 15 a that are pushed when the airbag 18 is inflated and opened on both the front and rear sides, It is arranged. As described above, the side wall 15 of the pad 13 is attached to the side wall 10 of the bag holder 8 using the rivet 16.

  The airbag 18 is composed of a flexible woven fabric made of polyamide yarn, polyester yarn, or the like, and in the case of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. The expansion completion shape is shown as a bag shape by connecting the outer peripheral edges of the occupant side wall portion 26 arranged on the occupant side when the inflation is completed and the vehicle body side wall portion 19 arranged on the steering wheel W side when the inflation is completed. As shown by a two-dot chain line 1, the upper surface of the steering wheel W is formed in a substantially disc shape that can cover the entire surface. As shown in FIG. 7, an inflow opening 20 is formed in a circular shape at the center of the vehicle body side wall portion 19 in the airbag 18. The inflow opening 20 is a part for allowing the inflation gas discharged from the gas discharge port 6b of the inflator 6 to flow into the airbag 18 by inserting the main body 6a of the inflator 6 from below. At the periphery of the inflow opening 20, mounting holes 21 through which the bolts 33 c of the retainer 32 are inserted are formed at four locations. Further, an exhaust hole 24 having a circular opening is formed in a region in front of the inflow opening 20 in the vehicle body side wall portion 19. Between the exhaust hole 24 and the inflow opening 20, belts 29 extending from the flaps 28 that close the exhaust hole 24 are disposed in two places, the vicinity of the rear edge of the exhaust hole 24 and the vicinity of the front edge of the inflow opening 20. Slit-like insertion holes 23A and 23B formed along the left-right direction are formed so that they can be inserted. Also, a through hole 22 is formed on the front edge side of the inflow opening 20 between the inflow opening 20 and the insertion hole 23 </ b> B for projecting the pin body 40 of the locking pin 35 formed in the retainer 32. (See FIGS. 4 and 5).

  A flap 28 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the vehicle body side wall 19 in the airbag 18 so as to close the exhaust hole 24 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). In the case of the embodiment, the flap 28 is coupled to an edge portion (front edge side) of the exhaust hole 24 on the side away from the inflow opening 20. Specifically, the flap 28 is formed of a flexible woven fabric made of polyamide yarn, polyester yarn, or the like, like the airbag 18, and the outer shape can close the exhaust hole 24. One side (in the embodiment, the front side in the embodiment) that is substantially rectangular and is arranged away from the inflow opening 20 is coupled to the vehicle body side wall 19. When the flap 28 is pushed by the expansion gas to be introduced from the exhaust hole 24 with the coupling portion to the vehicle body side wall portion 19 as a hinge portion 28a, as shown in FIG. It is configured to open from the front end 28b (one side on the inflow opening 20 side) facing 28a.

  In the airbag 18 of the embodiment, a belt 29 as a connecting member that extends from the front end side toward the inflow opening 20 side is disposed on the flap 28. The belt 29 is formed of a belt-like cloth material made of flexible polyester yarn or the like, and the base portion 29a side is coupled to the vicinity of the tip 28b of the flap 28. From the hinge portion 28a of the flap 28, the hinge portion It arrange | positions so that it may extend along the direction (in the case of embodiment, the front-back direction) which is arrange | positioned facing 28a and goes to the front-end | tip 28b used as the front end side of an opening. A locking hole 29 c into which the pin body 40 (locking member of the actuator A) of the locking pin 35 formed on the retainer 32 can be inserted is formed on the front end 29 b side of the belt 29. As shown in FIG. 7, the belt 29 has a base portion 29a side which is the flap 28 side and a tip end 29b side which is the locking hole 29c side positioned on the outer peripheral side of the airbag 18, and an intermediate portion is As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the front end 29 b side is inserted into insertion holes 23 A and 23 B formed in the vehicle body side wall 19 of the airbag 18 so as to be positioned on the inner peripheral side of the airbag 18. The peripheral edge of the locking hole 29c formed in is fixed to the pin body 40 of the locking pin 35 and mounted on the vehicle. In the case of the embodiment, the tip 29 b of the belt 29 is connected to the bottom wall portion 9 of the bag holder 8 and the retainer on the outer peripheral side of the airbag 18 via the peripheral portion of the inflow opening 20 in the vehicle body side wall portion 19 of the airbag 18. 32, the periphery of the locking hole 29c is locked to the pin main body 40 of the locking pin 35 while being held by the presser plate portion 33a of the main body 33. The length dimension of the belt 29 is set to a dimension that allows the exhaust hole 24 to be closed by the flap 28 when the airbag 18 is inflated in a state where the pin body 40 is engaged with the periphery of the engagement hole 29c. In the case of the embodiment, the position of the through hole 22 formed in the airbag 18 and the locking hole 29c of the belt 29 are made to substantially coincide with each other in a state where the airbag 18 and the belt 29 are both deployed flat and overlapped. The dimensions are set.

  In the airbag 18 of the embodiment, when the airbag 18 is inflated with the peripheral edge of the locking hole 29c locked by the pin body 40 of the locking pin 35, the tip 28b side of the flap 28 is inserted into the insertion hole. The air bag 18 is inflated with the flap 28 closing the exhaust hole 24 as shown in A of FIG. On the other hand, when the air bag 18 is inflated in a state where the actuator A is activated and the pin body 40 is removed from the locking hole 29c, the flap 28 is pushed by the inflating gas that is about to flow out from the exhaust hole 24, As shown in FIG. 8B, while the belt 29 is moved through the insertion holes 23A and 23B, the flaps 28 are opened to open the exhaust holes, so that the inflation gas flows out of the airbag 18 from the exhaust holes 24. And the raise of the internal pressure of the airbag 18 can be suppressed. In the airbag 18 of the embodiment, the leading end 29 b of the belt 29 is connected to the bottom wall portion 9 of the bag holder 8 and the presser plate portion of the main body portion 33 in the retainer 32 through the peripheral portion of the inflow opening 20 in the vehicle body side wall portion 19. The pressing plate 33a is formed with a recess 33b that is recessed by the thickness of the belt 29 so that the belt 29 can be inserted (see FIG. 6). 4 and 5, since 29b is inserted into the recess 33b, if the pin body 40 is removed from the locking hole 29c, the tip 29b of the belt 29 is connected to the bottom wall 9 and the retainer. Thus, the flap 28 can be opened quickly.

  In the case of the embodiment, the control device 62 detects that the driver MD is too close to the steering wheel W based on a signal from the position detection sensor 63, or based on a signal from the weight detection sensor 64. In the case where it is detected that the driver MD is small, the control is performed so as to reduce the internal pressure of the airbag 18 at the time of inflation at the same time as or slightly delayed from the operation of the inflator 6 of the airbag device M. The device 62 will actuate the actuator A.

  The retainer 32 as an attachment member constitutes a fixing member for fixing the airbag 18 to the vehicle body side (steering wheel main body 1) side. The retainer 32 is made of sheet metal and has a main body 33 as shown in FIG. And a locking pin 35 as a locking member constituting the actuator. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the main body portion 33 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the airbag 18 and has a substantially square annular press plate portion 33 a that can press the periphery of the inflow opening 20 in the airbag 18. And bolts 33c as mounting means formed so as to protrude downward at the four corners of the pressing plate portion 33a. In the pressing plate portion 33a, the portion around the locking pin 35 is formed so as to float upward by the thickness of the belt 29 over the entire width direction of the pressing plate portion 33a, as shown in FIG. Yes. In other words, the portion around the locking pin 35 in the pressing plate portion 33a is configured to be recessed upward by the thickness of the belt 29 from the other portion of the pressing plate portion 33a. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the recess 33 b is configured so as to increase in width toward the outer peripheral edge of the presser plate portion 33 a, but the width dimension T <b> 1 of the region on the inner peripheral side that becomes narrow (see FIG. 6). ) Is larger than the width dimension T2 (see A in FIG. 8) of the belt 29 so that the belt 29 can be inserted. When the vehicle is mounted, the side wall portion of the airbag 18 is located in the region of the recess 33b. 19 is configured such that the front end 29b of the belt 29 that is locked to the pin body 40 of the locking pin 35 is inserted through the peripheral portion of the inflow opening 20 in FIG. reference). The retainer 32 is housed in the airbag 18 with the bolts 33c protruding from the attachment holes 21 of the airbag 18, and each bolt 33c is connected to the bottom wall portion of the bag holder 8 when attached to the bag holder 8. 9, the airbag 18 and the inflator 6 are fixedly attached to the bag holder 8 by protruding from the flange portion 6 c of the inflator 6 and fixing the nut 42.

  The actuator A is capable of releasing the locking pin 35 as a locking member for locking the front end 29b side of the belt 29 (connection member) extending from the airbag 18, and the locking state of the locking pin 35 and the belt 29. An actuator body 45 that operates. In the case of the embodiment, the actuator A is disposed at a position in front of the inflator 6 (see FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the locking pin 35 as the locking member is disposed in the front region of the main body 33 of the retainer 32. In the case of the embodiment, the locking pin 35 is arranged so as to protrude downward from the mounting seat 36 and a mounting seat 36 formed by cutting out a part of the holding plate portion 33a in the main body portion 33 of the retainer 32. And a pin main body 40 to be provided.

  The mounting seat 36 is formed integrally with the presser plate portion 33a, and the presser plate portion 33a is connected so that the substantially disc-shaped mounting plate portion 37 and the mounting plate portion 37 and the surrounding presser plate portion 33a are connected. And a connecting portion 38 extending from the side. In the case of the embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the connecting portion 38 is formed in two radial positions along the outer peripheral edge of the mounting plate portion 37 (the peripheral direction side of the pin main body 40). Has been. Each connection portion 38 is configured to be plastically deformed when the actuator main body 45 is operated, and to maintain the connection state between the pin main body 40 and the pressing plate portion 33a after the actuator main body 45 is operated. Specifically, in the embodiment, each connecting portion 38 has a substantially band-shaped outer shape and is curved and formed into a substantially inverted U-shaped cross section that protrudes upward from the intermediate portion. When the pin body 40 moves upward so as to be separated from the actuator body 45 during the operation of 45, it is plastically deformed so as to extend the curved state (see FIG. 9B). In the case of the embodiment, the mounting seat 36 is integrally formed with the presser plate portion 33a by pressing.

  The pin body 40 is formed so as to protrude downward from the mounting plate portion 37 with the outer shape being substantially cylindrical. In the case of the embodiment, the pin body 40 is made of metal and fixed to the mounting plate portion 37 by caulking. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pin body 40 has a bottom wall portion that passes through the through hole 22 of the airbag 18 and the insertion hole 9 c formed in the bottom wall portion 9 of the bag holder 8 when the vehicle is mounted. 9 is configured to be inserted into the cover portion 53 through an insertion hole 55a formed in a cover portion 53 described later of the actuator body 45. In the case of the embodiment, the pin body 40 has a length dimension such as an end face (tip face 40b) on the tip 40a side inserted in the cover portion 53, and a squib 46 of the actuator body 45 (head 49 of the holder 48). Are set to have a gap between them (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the actuator main body 45 includes a squib 46 that is ignited during operation and capable of generating driving gas, a holder 48 that holds the squib 46, and a cover portion that covers the outer peripheral side of the squib 46. 53. In the case of the embodiment, it is configured as a substantially columnar shape with the axial direction along the vertical direction.

  The squib 46 is formed on the upper end side of the holder 48 by inputting an electric signal from the control device 62 when the actuator main body 45 is operated and ignited to burn the explosive built in the main body portion 46 a. The drive gas G is discharged from the opening, and the terminal 46b disposed on the lower end side of the main body 46a is held by the holder 48 so as to be exposed to the outside. In the case of the embodiment, the squib 46 is electrically connected to the control device 62 by connecting a connector 52 (see a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4) connected to the terminal 46 b to a lead wire 52 a extending from the control device 62. It is connected.

  The holder 48 for holding the squib 46 is made of metal and is formed in a substantially columnar shape so as to cover the outer peripheral side of the squib 46 over substantially the entire area excluding the region of the terminal 46b. A head 49 that covers the outer peripheral side, a large-diameter flange portion 50 that is disposed below the head 49 and projects over the entire region along the circumferential direction, and a small diameter that is smaller than the flange portion 50 on the lower end side. Part 51. On the upper surface side of the head 49, an opening 49a is formed through which the driving gas G generated when the squib 46 is operated can be discharged.

  The cover 53 is made of sheet metal, and is configured to cover the outer peripheral side of the upper side of the squib 46 (the head 49 of the holder 48). More specifically, the cover portion 53 is configured as a substantially cylindrical shape extending from the upper surface side of the flange portion 50 in the holder 48, and is a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall portion capable of covering the circumferential side of the head portion 49 of the holder 48. 54 and a ceiling wall portion 55 formed so as to close the distal end side (upper end side) of the peripheral wall portion 54. In the case of the embodiment, the cover portion 53 is configured by fitting the base portion side (the lower end 54 a side) of the peripheral wall portion 54 into a fitting groove 50 a formed on the upper surface side of the flange portion 50 of the holder 48. , And a holder 48 that holds the squib 46. In the center of the ceiling wall portion 55 in the cover portion 53, an insertion hole 55a through which the pin main body 40 of the locking pin 35 can be inserted is formed. The inner diameter dimension of the insertion hole 55a is configured to be slightly larger than the outer diameter dimension of the pin main body 40 so as not to generate a gap as much as possible between the inner peripheral edge and the pin main body 40 in a state before operation. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the actuator main body 45 is attached to the bag holder 8 using an attachment bracket 57. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the mounting bracket 57 for attaching the actuator body 45 to the bag holder 8 is formed by bending a substantially strip-shaped sheet metal material into a substantially stepped shape. And a holding piece 58 formed substantially along the bottom wall 9 of the bag holder 8 and capable of holding the actuator body 45, and formed substantially along the bottom wall 9 of the bag holder 8 on the upper end side. An attachment piece 59 attached to the bag holder 8 is provided. The holding piece portion 58 has an insertion hole 58a through which the small diameter portion 51 of the holder 48 in the actuator main body 45 can be inserted. The peripheral edge 58b of the insertion hole 58a supports the lower surface 50b side of the flange portion 50 of the holder 48. It is configured. The holding piece portion 58 is configured to hold the actuator main body 45 by fixing a portion of the peripheral edge 58 b of the insertion hole 58 a through which the small diameter portion 51 is inserted to the lower surface 50 b of the flange portion 50 of the holder 48. The attachment piece 59 is formed with an insertion hole 59a into which one of the bolts 33c formed in the retainer 32 (in the embodiment, the bolt 33ca disposed at the front right corner) can be inserted. That is, in the case of the embodiment, the actuator main body 45 uses the retainer 32 that attaches the airbag 18 and the inflator 6 to the bag holder 8, together with the airbag 18 and the inflator 6, via the attachment piece portion 59 of the attachment bracket 57. , Attached to the bag holder 8.

  Next, mounting of the airbag device M and the actuator A of the embodiment on a vehicle will be described. First, the retainer 32 is disposed inside the airbag 18 from the inflow opening 20 so that the bolt 33c (33ca) and the pin body 40 protrude from the attachment hole 21 and the through hole 22. The pin body 40 protruding from the through hole 22 extends from the flap 28 that closes the exhaust hole 24, and is formed on the tip 29b side of the belt 29 in which the intermediate portion is inserted into the insertion holes 23A and 23B. The protrusion is made to protrude from the locking hole 29 c, and the periphery of the locking hole 29 c is locked by the pin body 40. The airbag 18 can be stored in the bag holder 8 while maintaining the locking state by the pin body 40 at the periphery of the locking hole 29c from the state where the vehicle body side wall portion 19 and the passenger side wall portion 26 are flatly deployed. The folded airbag 18 is wrapped around with a predetermined anti-collapse material so that it does not collapse. At this time, the bolt 33c (33ca) and the pin body 40 of the retainer 32 are protruded from the collapse preventing material. Next, each of the bolts 33c (33ca) of the retainer 32 is protruded from the insertion hole 9b, and the tip of the pin body 40 is protruded from the insertion hole 9c so that the airbag 18 is placed on the bottom wall portion 9 in the bag holder 8. A spring washer (not shown) is fitted to each bolt 33c (33ca), and the airbag 18 is temporarily fixed to the bag holder 8. Thereafter, the pad 13 is put on the bag holder 8, the side walls 10 and 15 are connected to each other using the rivets 16 and the like, and the pad 13 is attached to the bag holder 8. If a horn switch mechanism (not shown) is assembled, a temporary airbag assembly (subassembly) can be assembled.

  Thereafter, the main body portion 6a of the inflator 6 is inserted into the insertion hole 9a of the bottom wall portion 9 from below the bottom wall portion 9 of the bag holder 8 in the airbag temporary assembly, and then inserted into the insertion hole 6d of the flange portion 6c. The actuator main body 45 having the bolts 33c (33ca) of the retainer 32 passed therethrough and the mounting bracket 57 fixed in advance is attached while the tip end 40a of the pin main body 40 is inserted into the insertion hole 55a of the cover portion 53. If the bolts 33ca are passed through the insertion holes 59a of the mounting pieces 59 of the bracket 57 and the nuts 42 are fastened to the bolts 33c (33ca), the actuator A can be assembled and at the same time the airbag apparatus M is assembled. be able to. The airbag device M can be mounted on a vehicle if it is attached to the steering wheel main body 1 fastened to the steering shaft SS in advance using an attachment board (not shown) of the horn switch mechanism. When the airbag device M is mounted on the vehicle, the connector 52 disposed on the distal end side of the lead wire 52a extending from the control device 62 is connected to the terminal 46b of the squib 46 of the actuator body 45, and the inflator 6 is also connected. A predetermined lead wire electrically connected to the control device 62 is connected.

  In the actuator A of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, when the squib 46 is ignited in response to the operation signal from the control device 62, the internal explosive is burned to generate the driving gas G, and the actuator main body 45. The space surrounded by the squib 46 and the cover portion 53 is filled, and the front end surface 40b (lower surface) of the pin body 40 in the locking pin 35 is pushed upward. Then, the pin main body 40 moves upward so as to be separated from the actuator main body 45 while plastically deforming the connecting portion 38 so as to extend the curved state (see B in FIG. 9). Thereafter, the pin main body 40 of the locking pin 35 comes out of the locking hole 29c formed on the tip 29b side of the belt 29 and releases the locking of the belt 29. As shown in FIG. The flap 28 connected to the belt 29 opens the exhaust hole 24 of the airbag 18, and the inflation gas is exhausted from the exhaust hole 24. In the case of the embodiment, the pin body 40 moves upward so that the tip surface 40b is positioned above the surrounding presser plate portion 33a (see B in FIG. 9). The part 38 maintains the connection state between the pin main body 40 and the presser plate portion 33a.

  In the actuator A of the embodiment, the locking pin 35 (locking member) for locking the belt 29 as a connecting member extending from the airbag 18 is separated from the actuator main body 45 so that the airbag 18 is placed on the vehicle body side. Since it is formed on the fixing member side to be fixed, when the folded airbag 18 is connected to the fixing member, the belt 29 extending from the airbag 18 is simultaneously locked to the locking pin 35. be able to. If it demonstrates in detail, in the case of embodiment, the locking pin 35 is a fixing member, Comprising: It forms in the retainer 32 (attachment member) which attaches the airbag 18 to the bag holder 8 as a storage member. And the retainer 32 is arrange | positioned inside so that the pin main body 40 of the volt | bolt 33c and the locking pin 35 may protrude, and the pin main body 40 is inserted in the locking hole 29c by the side of the front-end | tip 29b of the belt 29 If the airbag 18 is folded and the folded airbag 18 is temporarily fixed to the bag holder 8 by protruding the bolts 33c of the retainer 32 from the bottom wall portion 9 and fitting spring washers, the belt 29 The front end 29b of the retainer 32 can be held between the presser plate portion 33a of the retainer 32 and the bottom wall portion 9 of the bag holder 8 so that the locked state with the locking pin 35 can be maintained. Thereafter, the actuator main body 45 is attached to the bag holder 8. At this time, the leading end 29 b of the belt 29 as a connecting member is disposed on the retainer 32 temporarily fixed to the bag holder 8. Therefore, it is not necessary to adjust the length of the connecting member when attaching the actuator to the fixed member side as in the prior art, and the actuator body 45 is simply connected to the locking pin. Since it only needs to be attached to the bag holder 8 while corresponding to 35, it can be quickly attached to the bag holder 8. As a result, in the actuator A of the embodiment, the attachment work of the actuator main body 45 to the bag holder 8 can be easily performed at a place different from the work of connecting the airbag 18 to the bag holder 8. The bag 18 is connected to the bag holder 8, and the pad 13 is connected to the bag holder 8 in a semi-assembled state (temporary airbag assembly), and the airbag device M is mounted on the vehicle. In this case, the actuator body 45 can be attached to the bag holder 8 together with the inflator 6 at the same work place. That is, in the actuator A of the embodiment, since the actuator main body 45 can be attached to the bag holder 8 almost simultaneously with the inflator 6, parts using explosives can be assembled at the same place, which is preferable.

  Therefore, in the actuator A of the embodiment, the assembly work efficiency to the airbag apparatus M can be increased.

  Further, in the actuator A of the embodiment, the engaging member is configured to protrude from the bag holder 8 as the fixing member toward the actuator main body 45, and can be inserted into the engaging hole 29 c formed in the belt 29. The pin main body 40 of the locking pin 35 is moved away from the actuator main body 45 when the actuator main body 45 is operated, and is engaged with the peripheral edge of the locking hole 29c of the belt 29. It is comprised so that a stop state may be cancelled | released. That is, in the actuator A of the embodiment, the belt 29 of the airbag 18 is only formed with a locking hole 29c through which the pin main body 40 of the locking pin 35 is inserted, and a member that protrudes largely partially. Therefore, when the tip 29b of the belt 29 is pulled into the interior of the airbag 18 after the actuator main body 45 is actuated, the base material (the embodiment of the embodiment) is configured. In this case, it is possible to prevent the vehicle body side wall portion 19 from being caught in the peripheral portions of the insertion holes 23A and 23B through which the belt 29 is inserted. Of course, if such a point is not taken into consideration, a protruding member is provided on the connecting member side of the airbag, and a locking hole for inserting the protruding member is provided on the locking member side. In addition, the airbag connecting member and the locking member may be formed of hook-shaped members that can be locked to each other.

  Furthermore, in the actuator A according to the embodiment, the actuator body 45 includes a squib 46 that is ignited during operation and can generate driving gas, and a cover 53 that covers the outer periphery of the squib 46. The pin main body 40 of the stop pin 35 is arranged so as to be inserted into the cover portion through the insertion hole 55a formed in the cover portion 53 so that the pin main body 40 can be removed from the insertion hole 55a when the actuator main body 45 is operated. It is configured to move to. Therefore, in the actuator A of the embodiment, when the actuator main body 45 is operated, the pin main body 40 of the locking pin 35 can be moved using the pressure of the driving gas G filled in the cover portion 53. The locking pin 35 can be moved quickly. Of course, if this point is not taken into account, the drive source of the actuator body is not limited to the squib, but includes fluids that include hydraulic pressure, hydraulic pressure, pneumatic pressure, or inflating gas pressure such as inflators. Piston cylinders using pressure, motors using their fluid pressure and electricity, electromagnetic solenoids, springs using urging force at the time of restoration, and the like can be used. In the actuator A of the embodiment, the tip 40a of the pin main body 40 of the locking pin 35 is disposed in the cover portion 53 of the actuator main body 45 in the vehicle mounting state. It is possible to reliably prevent the pin main body 40 from coming out of the locking hole 29c of the belt 29 as the connecting member.

  Furthermore, in the actuator A of the embodiment, the pin body 40 of the locking pin 35 has two press portions that are substantially radial on the circumferential direction side by the connecting portion 38 that extends from the retainer plate 33 a side. It is connected to 33a. That is, in the actuator A of the embodiment, the pin main body 40 of the locking pin 35 is supported on the fixed member side by the connecting portion 38 arranged at a position that is substantially radial on the circumferential direction side. During the operation of 45, the moving direction of the pin body 40 of the locking pin 35 that moves so as to protrude (push out) along the axial direction can be stabilized. Of course, if such a point is not taken into consideration, the locking pin may be configured to be connected to the holding plate portion side only at one location. Further, in the actuator A of the embodiment, the connecting portion 38 that connects the pin main body 40 to the holding plate portion 33a side is formed to be curved so that the intermediate portion protrudes upward, and when the actuator main body 45 is operated. Although it is plastically deformed so as to extend the curved state, the connected state with the presser plate portion 33a side is maintained even after the actuator main body 45 is actuated. That is, in the actuator A of the embodiment, the pin body 40 of the locking pin 35 is moved by the connection portion 38 because the connection with the holding plate portion 33a side is maintained by the connection portion 38 even after the actuator body 45 is actuated. It can suppress that the pin main body 40 contacts a surrounding member. If such a point is not taken into consideration, a connecting portion for connecting the locking pin to the presser plate portion side is formed by, for example, a presser plate portion and a lock-like member separate from the lock pin, and the like. It is good also as a structure which cancels | releases the connection state of a latching pin and a pressing board part at the time of movement of a pin.

  In addition, in embodiment, although the connection part 38 is formed in the circumference | surroundings of the pin main body 40 at two places which become radial, and is formed as a curved strip | belt shape which protrudes an intermediate part upwards, The external shape of the part is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 10, the connecting member 38A is formed at three locations that are substantially radial on the circumferential side, and is continuous from the presser plate 33a side. A structure that is formed and extends in a spiral shape around the pin body 40 and has a substantially band shape with a narrow width on the pin body 40 side and a wide width on the pressing plate portion 33a side may be used. The connecting member 38A has a flat plate shape that does not protrude upward and continues from the connecting member 38A. However, since the connecting member 38A is spirally curved, the edge portion of the presser plate portion 33a and the mounting plate portion 37 are connected. The length of the pin main body 40 can be pushed up while being plastically deformed in the vicinity of the connecting portion with the attachment plate portion 37 having a narrow width. Of course, the connecting member 38A curved in a spiral shape may be curved so that the intermediate portion protrudes upward.

  Furthermore, in the actuator A of the embodiment, the locking pin 35 is formed on the retainer 32 as an attachment member for attaching the airbag 18 to the bag holder 8. The retainer 32 is disposed inside the airbag 18 with a bolt 33c as an attaching means protruding outside when the airbag 18 is folded. At this time, the pin body 40 of the locking pin 35 is also disposed. Through the through hole 22, the air bag 18 protrudes to the outside. Therefore, in the actuator A of the embodiment, the airbag 18 can be folded in a state where the leading end 29b side of the belt 29 as the connecting member is locked to the locking pin 35. In particular, like the airbag 18 of the embodiment, a belt 29 as a connecting member is inserted through insertion holes 23A and 23B formed in the vehicle body side wall portion 19 so that the intermediate portion is positioned on the inner peripheral side of the airbag 18. In the case where the front end 29b side is configured to be positioned on the outer peripheral side of the airbag 18, in order to maintain the state in which the front end 29b side of the belt 29 protrudes from the insertion hole 23B when the airbag 18 is folded, Although it is necessary to use a clip or the like, in the actuator A of the embodiment, the airbag 18 is folded in a state where the retainer 32 is disposed inside and the leading end 29b side of the belt 29 is locked to the locking pin 35. Therefore, the airbag can be easily folded. Similarly, when an airbag having a configuration in which the length dimension of the connecting member is set shorter than the base material forming the airbag is used, the airbag is associated with the distal end side of the connecting member. It can be easily folded while maintaining the locking with the locking pin.

  In the embodiment, the retainer for attaching the airbag and the inflator to the bag holder is described as an example of the attachment member. However, for example, a bolt as an attachment means is formed on the flange portion of the inflator, and the retainer In an airbag device of a type that does not use, a locking pin may be formed on the flange portion of the inflator. In the airbag apparatus having such a configuration, the airbag is folded in a state where a part of the inflator is housed inside so that the bolt and the locking pin protrude. Of course, if the above points are not taken into consideration, the locking pin may be arranged on the bottom wall portion of the bag holder which is a storage member.

  In the embodiment, the mounting bracket 57 for attaching the actuator main body 45 to the bag holder 8 is fastened using the bolt 33 ca of the retainer 32. This eliminates the need for attachment means for attaching the actuator body to the bag holder (housing member) side, thereby reducing the number of parts and reducing the weight. Of course, the actuator main body may be configured to be attached to the bag holder at a part different from the retainer.

  In the airbag apparatus M of the embodiment, a belt 29 as a connecting member extending from the airbag 18 is connected to a flap 28 that can close the exhaust hole 24 formed in the vehicle body side wall portion 19 of the airbag 18. The actuator A is used for controlling the internal pressure of the airbag 18. Of course, the application of the actuator is not limited to this. The connecting member extending from the airbag is used as a tether for regulating the outer shape of the airbag when it is inflated, and the actuator is used for controlling the shape of the airbag. Also good. In addition, the airbag apparatus which can use the actuator of this invention is not limited to the thing for steering wheels, You may use the actuator of this invention for the airbag apparatus for passenger seats.

6 ... Inflator,
8: Bag holder (fixing member, storage member),
13 ... Pad (airbag cover),
18 ... Airbag,
22 ... through hole,
24 ... exhaust hole,
28 ... Flap,
29 ... belt (connection member),
29b ... tip,
29c ... locking hole,
32 ... Retainer (fixing member, mounting member),
33 ... body part,
33c ... bolt (attachment means),
35 ... locking pin (locking member),
38 ... connection part,
40 ... pin body,
40a ... tip,
40b ... tip surface,
45 ... Actuator body,
46 ... Squibb,
53. Cover part,
55a ... insertion hole,
62 ... Control device,
G: Gas for driving,
M ... airbag device,
W ... Steering wheel,
A: Actuator.

Claims (6)

An actuator for an airbag device used for control during inflation of an airbag of an airbag device mounted on a vehicle,
A locking member that locks the distal end side of the connecting member extending from the airbag, and an actuator main body that operates so as to be able to release the locking state between the locking member and the connecting member.
The locking member is disposed on a fixing member side that fixes the airbag to the vehicle body side,
The actuator body is configured separately from the locking member so that the locking member can be moved so as to release the locking with the connecting member during operation, and is arranged on the fixed member side. An actuator for an air bag device, wherein the actuator is attached to the fixing member in correspondence with the locking member provided.   The locking member is arranged to protrude from the fixing member to the actuator main body side, and includes a locking pin that can be inserted into a locking hole formed in the coupling member. 2. The air according to claim 1, wherein the air is configured to move away from the actuator body during operation to release a locking state with a locking hole peripheral edge of the connecting member. Actuator for bag device. The actuator main body is configured to include a squib that is ignited during operation and capable of generating driving gas, and a cover portion that covers an outer peripheral side of the squib,
The locking pin is disposed so as to be inserted into the cover part through the insertion hole formed in the cover part, and moves so as to come out of the insertion hole when the actuator body is operated. The actuator for an airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the actuator is an airbag device. The locking pin is configured to be connected to the fixing member at least two locations that are substantially radial on the circumferential side by a connecting portion extending from the fixing member side, and when the actuator body is operated. , And is configured to be extruded so as to plastically deform the connecting portion,
4. The airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the connection portion maintains a connection state between the locking pin and the fixing member after the actuator body is actuated. 5. Actuator. The fixing member is
A storage member for storing the airbag;
The airbag has an attachment means for attaching the airbag to the storage member. When the airbag is folded, the airbag is disposed inside the airbag with the attachment means protruding outside. An attachment member for attaching the storage member to the storage member;
And is configured to include
The actuator for an airbag device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the locking pin is provided on the attachment member.   6. The airbag apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the attachment member is a sheet metal retainer for attaching the airbag and an inflator that supplies inflation gas to the airbag to the storage member. Actuator.

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