JP2020112252A - Actuator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an actuator that can be easily formed in a resource-saving manner.SOLUTION: An actuator includes: an inner member 21 that has a cylindrical case 22 holding a gas generator 40 generating working gas F at working inside, and opens a tip end portion 22a of the case so as to discharge the working gas generated from the gas generator from a tip end; and an outer member 50 that has a head portion 51 covering an opening 23 of the case, and a cylindrical cover portion 60 extending from an outer peripheral edge of the head portion so as to cover an outer peripheral surface side of the case, and makes the working gas generated from the gas generator flow into an inner peripheral surface 60a side of the cover portion on a back surface 56 side of the head portion to move forward separately from the inner member. The head portion 51 and the cover portion 60 of the outer member are formed from members separated from each other. The outer member 51 is formed by uniting united portions 53 and 62 provided corresponding to the head portion and the cover portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an actuator actuated by a working gas generated by a gas generator, for example, a hood flip-up device that is actuated to lift a hood panel when receiving a pedestrian as a protection target, The present invention relates to an actuator that is preferably used in a vehicle safety device mounted on a vehicle.

Conventionally, in this kind of actuator, there is one used for a hood flip-up device for lifting a hood panel, and an inner member provided with a gas generator that generates a working gas at the time of operation and an inner member are covered. The outer member is disposed and moves forward by the working gas generated by the gas generator to lift the hood panel (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). The inner member has a cylindrical case that holds the gas generator therein, and the front end portion of the case is opened so that the working gas generated from the gas generator can be discharged from the front end. The outer member has a head portion that covers the opening of the case of the inner member, and a cylindrical cover portion that extends from the outer peripheral edge of the head portion so as to cover the outer peripheral surface side of the case, and is generated from the gas generator. The working gas is caused to flow into the inner peripheral side of the cover portion on the back surface side of the head portion and move forward so as to be separated from the inner member. In this actuator, the base portion side of the inner member case away from the opening and the head portion of the outer member are respectively attached to predetermined portions of the hinge mechanism of the hood panel so that the hood panel can be lifted during operation. It was connected.

JP, 2005-123868, A JP, 2017-180668, A

However, in the conventional actuator, the outer member having the head portion and the cover portion is formed from one metal block material by using forging and cutting. That is, in the outer member, the cover has a cylindrical shape, and after the block material is forged and shaped to some extent so as to approximate the substantially cylindrical shape of the cover, after the shape of the block is reached to the vicinity of the head. Since it is formed by cutting, the processing man-hour and the processing cost increase, and the amount of cutting waste to be discarded increases, which is not resource saving and there is room for improvement.

The present invention solves the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an actuator that can be formed easily and in a resource-saving manner.

An actuator according to the present invention has a cylindrical case that internally holds a gas generator that generates a working gas at the time of operation, and the working gas generated from the gas generator can be discharged from the tip, An inner member having an opening at the tip of the case,
A head portion that covers the opening of the case, and a cylindrical cover portion that extends from the outer peripheral edge of the head portion so as to cover the outer peripheral surface side of the case, and are for operation generated from the gas generator. An outer member that causes gas to flow into the inner peripheral surface side of the cover portion on the back surface side of the head portion and moves forward so as to be separated from the inner member,
An actuator configured with:
The head portion and the cover portion of the outer member are formed from separate members from each other,
It is characterized in that the outer member is formed by joining the joining portions provided corresponding to the head portion and the cover portion.

In the actuator according to the present invention, the outer member is formed by coupling the coupling portions provided correspondingly to the head portion and the cover portion to each other, and the tubular cover portion is formed from a solid block material. Since the pipe member can be formed without forming the pipe member, the man-hours and the processing cost of the outer member can be reduced, and further, the processing waste can be reduced, resulting in resource saving. Further, the outer member is formed by combining the head portion and the cover portion, and when the volume of the storage chamber that stores the working gas discharged from the gas generator in the initial stage of operation is adjusted, the cover portion is used. It is possible to easily adjust the closing surface that closes the opening of the inner member in the head portion by denting or protruding without changing the above. Further, the outer member is formed by combining the head portion and the cover portion, and even when the shape of the head portion is changed according to the shape of the member pressed when the actuator operates, the cover portion is As much as possible, there is no need to change and it is easy to deal with.

Therefore, with the actuator according to the present invention, it is possible to easily and resource-savingly form, and it is also possible to easily deal with the case where the design of the head portion is changed.

Then, in the actuator according to the present invention, the head portion of the outer member includes a coupling shaft portion serving as the coupling portion on a base portion side, and the coupling shaft portion has a coupling concave portion that is recessed from an outer peripheral surface side. ,
The cover portion of the outer member is provided at its tip end with a tubular coupling tubular portion as the coupling portion that covers the outer periphery of the coupling shaft portion, and the coupling tubular portion is the coupling concave portion of the coupling shaft portion. It is preferable that a fitting convex portion that fits in the coupling shaft portion is provided and is coupled to the coupling shaft portion.

With such a configuration, regarding the coupling between the head portion and the cover portion, the coupling cylinder portion on the tip end side of the cover portion is covered with the coupling shaft portion on the base portion side of the head portion so that the coupling cylinder portion is reduced in diameter. If the fitting convex portion formed by crimping is fitted into the coupling concave portion, the coupling shaft portion can be coupled to the coupling cylindrical portion, and even if the head portion and the cover portion are separate bodies, simply, The head part and the cover part can be combined.

Further, in the actuator according to the present invention, the case of the inner member is formed of a metal pipe material, and a general tubular portion disposed on the outer peripheral side of the gas generator, and the general tubular portion The distal end portion is disposed on the distal end side and has a diameter that is larger than that of the general cylindrical portion.
The cover portion of the outer member is formed of a metal pipe material, and the inner peripheral surface of the outer member is slidable toward the outer peripheral surface of the general tubular portion on the base side away from the head portion, and the diameter is reduced. The reduced diameter portion is arranged,
When the outer cylindrical member of the inner member and the reduced diameter portion of the outer member move forward when the outer member moves during operation, the reduced diameter portion is brought into contact with the distal end cylindrical portion of the outer member, It is desirable to configure a stopper mechanism that stops the forward movement.

In such a configuration, at the time of operation, the reduced diameter portion of the outer member that has moved forward comes into contact with the distal end tubular portion of the inner member by a predetermined operating stroke, and the head portion of the outer member stops moving, A device constructed using the actuator according to the present invention can be operated smoothly. Further, since the case of the inner member and the cover portion of the outer member are formed of a metal pipe material, a tip that easily expands in diameter from the general cylindrical portion of the case of the inner member by using forging processing. It is possible to form a tubular portion or a reduced diameter portion in the cover portion of the outer member.

Further, in the actuator according to the present invention, the outer member is waterproof between the inner peripheral surface of the coupling cylinder portion of the cover portion and the outer peripheral surface of the coupling shaft portion of the head portion over the entire circumference. It is desirable that the annular sealing material is provided.

In such a configuration, the waterproof sealing material is disposed between the joint portion between the head portion and the cover portion that covers the opening of the inner member in the outer member of the actuator, and the seal member tries to enter from that portion. Rainwater does not enter the opening side of the inner member, and the deterioration of the contents of the gas generator can be prevented. In addition, if a sealing material is placed between the joint between the head and cover, it is possible to prevent the working gas discharged from the gas generator during operation from leaking outside the outer member. The predetermined pressure of the gas can be stably ensured, and the outer member can move forward by the predetermined driving force.

Further, in the actuator according to the present invention, the cover portion of the outer member is expanded at an end edge of the reduced diameter portion separated from the head portion so as to open a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the general cylindrical portion. Equipped with a diameter expansion tube part,
It is preferable that an annular seal material having waterproofness is disposed over the entire circumference between the inner peripheral surface of the expanded cylindrical portion and the outer peripheral surface of the general cylindrical portion.

In such a configuration, rainwater that attempts to enter from the open end side of the cover portion is prevented by the sealing material between the outer peripheral surface of the general cylindrical portion of the case of the inner member of the actuator and the inner peripheral surface of the cover portion of the outer member. It is possible to prevent the contents of the gas generator from being deteriorated without entering the head portion side of the cover portion. Also, since dust can be prevented from entering, the sliding surface between the reduced diameter portion of the cover portion and the outer peripheral surface of the general tubular portion can also maintain a smooth state, and the reduced diameter portion of the cover portion can be maintained during operation. Since the outer peripheral surface of the general cylindrical portion can be smoothly slid, the actuator can stably exert a predetermined driving force.

Further, in the method for manufacturing an actuator of the present invention, the method has a cylindrical case that internally holds a gas generator that generates a working gas during operation, and discharges the working gas generated from the gas generator from the tip. Possible, an inner member having an opening at the front end of the case,
A head portion that covers the opening of the case, and a cylindrical cover portion that extends from the outer peripheral edge of the head portion so as to cover the outer peripheral surface side of the case, and are for operation generated from the gas generator. An outer member that causes gas to flow into the inner peripheral surface side of the cover portion on the back surface side of the head portion and moves forward so as to move away from the inner member,
A method for manufacturing an actuator comprising:
The case of the inner member and the cover portion of the outer member are each formed from a metal pipe material and are formed by using forging.
The head portion of the outer member is formed from a metal block material by using forging and cutting,
It is characterized in that the outer member is formed by joining the joining portions provided corresponding to the head portion and the cover portion to each other.

In the method for manufacturing an actuator of the present invention, the case that holds the gas generator in the inner member inside has a tubular structure such that the working gas generated from the gas generator is discharged from the opening at the tip end. It is formed from a metal pipe material by using a forging process, and can be formed without using cutting process for generating cutting scraps as much as possible, so that it can be easily manufactured with resource saving. Further, in the outer member, the head portion is formed from a metal block material by using forging and cutting, and the cover portion is forged from a metal pipe material as described above. Since the outer member is formed by using the processing, the outer member can be easily manufactured in a resource-saving manner. Further, the outer member is formed by combining the separate head part and cover part, and even when the shape of the head part is changed according to the shape of the member pressed when the actuator operates, the cover part It can be easily dealt with without changing parts.

Therefore, in the actuator manufacturing method according to the present invention, the actuator can be manufactured easily and in a resource-saving manner.

FIG. 3 is a schematic partial vertical cross-sectional view of a vehicle for explaining an operating state of a hood flip-up device using an actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the actuator of the embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view after the operation of the actuator of the embodiment. It is a schematic exploded perspective view of the actuator of an embodiment. It is a figure explaining the process of forming the head part of the outer member of an embodiment. It is a figure explaining the process of forming the cover part of the outer member of embodiment. It is a figure explaining the process of couple|bonding the cover part and head part in the outer member of embodiment. It is a figure explaining the process of forming the case of the inner member of embodiment. It is an actuator showing a modified example of the embodiment, in which the volume of the storage chamber is adjusted. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the actuator of the other modification of embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The actuator 20 of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, is a hood flip-up device (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a “bounce-up device”) as a safety device for an automobile. (Abbreviated) U, and is disposed in the hinge mechanism 9 on the rear end 7c side of the hood panel 7 of the vehicle V.

A front bumper (not shown) of the vehicle V is provided with a sensor capable of detecting or predicting a collision with a pedestrian, and a control circuit (not shown) for inputting a signal from this sensor is provided from the sensor. When a collision between the vehicle V and a pedestrian is detected on the basis of the signal of No. 1, by igniting a gunpowder (not shown) in the gas generator 40 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) of the actuator 20 to generate the working gas G. , The actuator 20 is operated, and the flip-up device U is operated so as to raise the rear end 7c of the hood panel 7.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hood panel 7 is arranged so as to cover an upper part of the engine room ER of the vehicle V, and the hinge mechanism 9 arranged on both left and right sides near the rear end 7c causes the hood panel 7 to move. It is connected to the vehicle body 1 side so as to be openable and closable by opening the front (see the double-dotted chain line A in FIG. 1). The hood panel 7 is made of a metal plate made of steel, aluminum alloy, or the like, and includes an outer panel 7a on the upper surface side and an inner panel 7b located on the lower surface side and having a higher strength than the outer panel 7a. The hood panel 7 is configured to be plastically deformable so as to absorb the kinetic energy of the pedestrian when receiving the pedestrian. Then, in the embodiment, when the vehicle V collides with a pedestrian, the actuator 20 is actuated and, as shown in FIG. 1B, between the rear end 7c of the raised hood panel 7 and the engine room ER. In addition, since the deformation space S can be formed, the amount of plastic deformation during bending plastic deformation can be increased, and the hood panel 7 can absorb a large amount of kinetic energy of a pedestrian.

The hinge mechanisms 9 are arranged on the left and right sides of the rear end 7c of the hood panel 7, respectively. The hinge mechanism 9 includes a hinge base 10 fixed to the body 1 side below the rear end 7c of the hood panel 7, a mounting plate 13 arranged on the lower surface side of the rear end 7c of the hood panel 7, and a hinge base 10. And a hinge arm 12 pivotally supported by a mounting plate 13. The hinge base 10 is fixed to a mounting flange 2 that is connected to a hood ridge reinforcement hose on the body 1 side. Then, the hinge mechanism 9 is configured to open with the support shaft 11 connecting the hinge arm 12 and the hinge base 10 as the center of rotation when the hood panel 7 is opened for normal use (see the chain double-dashed line A in FIG. 1). ..

The hinge arm 12 is arranged such that the tip extends forward from the base end, and the base end is connected to the rear end side of the hinge base 10 using the support shaft 11. 11 is rotatable about the center of rotation, and the tip side is also connected to the front end side of the mounting plate 13 using the support shaft 14, and is rotatable about the support shaft 14 as the center of rotation. The left and right support shafts 11 and 14 are arranged so that their axial directions are along the left and right direction of the vehicle V, respectively. However, during normal use, since the hinge arm 12 and the mounting plate 13 are connected by the shear pin 15 that can be broken when the actuator 20 is actuated, rotation about the support shaft 14 cannot be performed, and the hood panel 7 is At the time of opening and closing for normal use, the part of the support shaft 11 is used as the center of rotation for opening and closing. That is, when the hood panel 7 is opened, the front end side of the hood panel 7 is raised about the left and right support shafts 11 as the center of rotation as shown by the solid line in FIG. The panel 7 can be opened by opening it forward, and if the front end side is lowered, the panel 7 is rotated around the support shaft 11 and the hood panel 7 is closed.

Further, the left and right hinge mechanisms 9 are arranged symmetrically, and the shaft support pins 17 and 18 are used at the portions of the hinge arm 12 and the mounting plate 13 on the engine room ER side, respectively. Both ends (portions of the connection holes 21a and 50a, see FIGS. 2 and 3) are connected.

A known hood lock mechanism is provided on the front end side of the hood panel 7. The hood lock mechanism includes a lock striker fixed to the lower surface of the front end of the hood panel 7, and a latch arranged on the body 1 side to lock the lock striker. The latch is a lever (not shown). It is configured so that the locked lock striker cannot be unlocked without any operation. Even when the rear end 7c of the hood panel 7 is lifted, the front end of the hood panel 7 locks the lock striker of the hood lock mechanism. The latch does not lift away from the body 1 side. Then, when the actuator 20 operates and extends, the shear pin 15 is broken, the mutual intersection angle between the hinge arm 12 and the mounting plate 13 increases, and the hood panel 7 is locked at the front end of the hood lock mechanism. Without raising the side, the rear end 7c is raised as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.

Further, behind the hood panel 7, as shown in FIG. 1, is a cowl 5 including a highly rigid cowl panel 5a on the body 1 side and a synthetic resin cowl louver 5b above the cowl panel 5a. It is set up. The cowl louver 5b is arranged so that the rear end side is connected to the lower side of the front windshield 3.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the actuator 20 according to the embodiment includes an inner member 21 in which a gas generator 40 that generates a working gas G at the time of operation is arranged, and an operating member generated from the gas generator 40. The outer member 50 is moved forward by the gas G so as to move away from the inner member 21.

The inner member 21 includes a gas generator 40 and a cylindrical case 22 that holds the gas generator 40 therein. Further, the inner member 21 is configured so that the gas generator 40 can be positioned and held in the case 22. A holder 31 is provided. The inner member 21 is provided with a connection hole 21a through which the shaft support pin 17 is inserted, on the end side away from the gas generator 40.

The holder 31 is provided with a pin socket 38 for connecting the terminal pin 40d of the gas generator 40 and a lead wire 39 for inputting an operation signal to the gas generator 40, and the socket portion provided with the pin socket 38. 32, an extension spacer portion 34 that holds the lead wire 39 and protrudes to the outside of the case 22, and a packing 33 that improves waterproofness of the socket portion 32 and the extension spacer portion 34. The socket portion 32 and the extension spacer portion 34 are made of synthetic resin such as polyamide, and the packing 33 is made of rubber. Further, the extension spacer portion 34 is configured to be divided into two in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the case 22, and is configured to sandwich the lead wire 39 on the division surface. The extension spacer portion 34 is formed with the case 22 and an assembling hole 21b through which the rivet 42 for fixing the holder 31 to the case 22 is inserted.

The gas generator 40, when activated, ignites a predetermined explosive (not shown), and generates a working gas G from the tip 40a by burning the explosive itself or by burning the gas generant which is further ignited by the explosive. Micro gas generators are used. Further, in the gas generator 40, the terminal pin 40d is provided so as to project from the base portion 40b, and the flange portion 40c is provided so as to project on the outer periphery in the vicinity of the base portion 40b. In the gas generator 40, the locking ring 36 fitted to the inner peripheral surface 27b of the case 22 presses the collar portion 40c to insert the terminal pin 40d into the pin socket 38 of the socket portion 32. It is positioned and retained within. A seal ring 37 is also arranged around the terminal pin 40d.

The case 22 is formed of a metal case pipe 80 made of metal such as steel (see FIG. 8), and the working gas G generated from the gas generator 40 is discharged to the tip 22a. An opening 23 is provided. The case 22 is configured to include a distal end cylinder portion 24 having an opening 23 and a cylindrical general cylinder portion 27 on the side away from the opening 23.

The distal end tubular portion 24 has a cylindrical shape whose diameter is increased from that of the general tubular portion 27 so as to increase the inner and outer diameters thereof, and a step portion 25 which is expanded from the general tubular portion 27 is provided on the side of the opened general tubular portion 27. It is arranged. In the case of the embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 24a of the distal end tubular portion 24 serves as a sliding surface that slides on an inner peripheral surface 60c of a cover portion 60 of the outer member 50, which will be described later, when the actuator 20 operates.

In the general tubular portion 27, the gas generator 40 and the holder 31 are disposed on the inner peripheral surface 27c side up to the portion near the step portion 25, and the shaft support pin is provided on the base portion side away from the opening 23. A connection hole 21a through which the rivet 42 is inserted and an assembly hole 21b through which the rivet 42 is inserted are provided, and an insertion portion 29 through which the lead wire 39 is projected is opened on the end edge side.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the case 22 is forged (for example, upset forging or die forging) from the case pipe material 80 to form the enlarged distal end tubular portion 24, Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, cutting processing (for example, drilling processing) is performed to form the connecting hole 21a, the assembling hole 21b, and the insertion portion 29, and is manufactured.

Then, the inner member 21 attaches each terminal pin to the holder 31 in which the socket portion 32 having the pin socket 38 to which the lead wire 39 is connected, the seal ring 37, the packing 33, and the extension spacer portion 34 are assembled. 40d is fitted into the pin socket 38, the gas generator 40 is assembled, and the assembled body is inserted into the case 22 from the base side away from the opening 23. Then, the portion of the lead wire 39 protruding from the extension spacer portion 34 is fitted into the insertion portion 29 so that the assembling holes 21b of the case 22 and the holder 31 are aligned with each other and penetrate the assembling holes 21b. When the rivet 42 is passed through and the rivet 42 is fastened to the case 22, the holder 31 having the gas generator 40 can be fixed in the case 22. Then, the inner member 21 can be manufactured by fitting the locking ring 36 around the collar portion 40c through the opening 23 and fixing the gas generator 40 in the case 22.

The outer member 50 includes a head portion 51 that covers the opening of the case 22, and a cylindrical cover portion 60 that extends from the outer peripheral edge of the head portion 51 so as to cover the outer peripheral surface 27a side of the case 22. The working gas G generated from the gas generator 40 is caused to flow into the inner peripheral surface side of the cover portion 60 on the rear surface side of the head portion 51 and moves forward so as to be separated from the inner member 21. The outer member 50 has a connecting hole 50a formed in the head portion 51, into which the shaft support pin 18 for connecting to the mounting plate 13 of the hinge mechanism 9 is inserted.

In the outer member 50, the head portion 51 and the cover portion 60 are formed as separate members from each other, and the coupling shaft portion 53 and the coupling cylinder portion 62, which are correspondingly provided coupling portions, are coupled to each other. Let it be formed.

The head portion 51 is formed of a block material 83 for a head portion made of metal such as steel (see FIG. 5), and has a rectangular plate-shaped main body portion 52 on the tip side and a substantially columnar shape on the base side. And a coupling shaft portion 53. The main body portion 52 is configured to include a connection hole 50a into which the shaft support pin 18 of the hinge mechanism 9 is inserted. The coupling shaft portion 53 has a coupling recess 54, which is recessed in a ring shape from the outer circumferential surface 53a side, on the outer peripheral surface 53a, and a ring-shaped storage groove 53b in which a ring-shaped sealing material 71 is disposed. The storage groove 53b is arranged between the coupling recess 54 and the main body 52.

The cover portion 60 is formed from a cylindrical pipe material 88 for a cover portion, which is made of metal such as steel (FIG. 6), and has a tip portion 60a that covers the outer periphery of the coupling shaft portion 53 of the head portion 51. The joint cylindrical portion 62 is provided with a fitting convex portion 63 that fits into the joint concave portion 54 of the joint shaft portion 53, and is joined to the joint shaft portion 53. Further, the cover portion 60 is provided with a sliding surface 64a slidable on the outer peripheral surface 27a of the general tubular portion 27 on the side of the base portion 60b away from the head portion 51 so as to reduce the inner diameter. A reduced diameter portion 64 having a substantially cylindrical shape is arranged. The reduced diameter portion 64 has a shape in which the stepped portion 65 on the tip end 60a side of the cover portion 60 is brought into contact with the stepped portion 25 of the inner member 21 when the outer member 50 moves forward (see FIG. 3).

Therefore, the step portion 25 of the distal end tubular portion 24 of the inner member 21 and the step portion 65 of the reduced diameter portion 64 of the outer member 50 are different from each other when the outer member 50 moves forward when the actuator 20 operates. A stopper mechanism SS that brings the portion 65 into contact with the step portion 25 of the distal end tubular portion 24 to stop the forward movement of the outer member 50 is configured.

In addition, the cover portion 60 of the outer member 50 has an inner diameter such that a gap H is formed between the outer peripheral surface 27a of the general tubular portion 27 of the inner member 21 and the edge of the reduced diameter portion 64 that is separated from the head portion 51. A diameter-expanding cylinder portion 67 that expands the diameter to expand the diameter is provided. Then, on the inner peripheral surface 67a side of the expanded diameter tubular portion 67, between the outer peripheral surface 27a of the general tubular portion 27 and the outer peripheral surface 27a of the general tubular portion 27, a waterproof rubber annular ring is filled so as to fill the gap H. The sealing material 72 is provided. The sealing material 72 is disposed so as to be fixed to the cover portion 60 side, and slides on the sliding surface 27b on the outer peripheral surface 27a side of the general tubular portion 27 of the inner member 21 when the actuator 20 operates. (See FIG. 3).

Further, a ring-shaped rubber sealing material 71 is housed in the housing groove 53b provided in the coupling shaft portion 53 of the head portion 51, and the inner peripheral surface 62a of the coupling cylinder portion 62 of the cover portion 60 and the head. The outer peripheral surface 53a of the coupling shaft portion 53 of the portion 51 is configured to ensure waterproofness over the entire circumference.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the head portion 51 of the outer member 50 is formed by forging (for example, die forging) from a head portion block material 83 made of metal such as steel having a predetermined columnar shape. The outer shapes of the main body 52 having no connecting hole 21a and the coupling shaft 53 having no housing groove 53b are shaped, and then the connecting hole 21a and the housing groove 53b are formed as shown in FIG. 5C. , And is manufactured by cutting (for example, the connecting hole 21a is drilled, and the storage groove 53b is turned).

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the cover portion 60 is a state in which the fitting convex portion 63 is not provided by forging from the cover portion pipe material 88 made of a metal such as a cylindrical steel. The connecting cylinder portion 62 and the reduced diameter portion 64 are formed, and then, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the connecting shaft portion 53 of the head portion 51 in which the sealing material 71 is housed in the housing groove 53b is attached to the cover portion 60. The fitting convex portion 63 is not formed, and the fitting convex portion 63 is fitted into the joining cylindrical portion 62, and the fitting tubular portion 62 is caulked so as to reduce the diameter. By forming the fitting convex portion 63 to be fitted, the joining tubular portion 62 and the joining shaft portion 53 can be joined, and the outer member 50 can be manufactured.

However, the outer member 50 is manufactured by forming the reduced diameter portion 64 and the fitting convex portion 63 of the cover portion 60 while being assembled to the inner member 21. That is, first, in the state of the pipe member 88 in which the reduced diameter portion 64 and the fitting convex portion 63 are not formed, the pipe member 88 is fitted into the inner member 21 so as to cover the inner member 21, and The seal member 72 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface 60c side of the 60b side, and the base portion 60b side is caulked so as to reduce the diameter on the outer peripheral surface 27c side of the general tubular portion 27 of the inner member 21, and the reduced diameter portion 64. And the expanded diameter cylindrical portion 67 are formed, and the sealing material 72 is arranged on the inner peripheral surface 67a side of the expanded diameter cylindrical portion 67. Next, the coupling cylinder portion 62 of the cover portion 60 before the formation of the fitting protrusion 63 is arranged at the position of the tip portion 22a of the case 22 of the inner member 21, and the inner peripheral surface of the coupling cylinder portion 62 is further arranged. On the side of 62a, the coupling shaft portion 53 of the head portion 51 in which the sealing material 71 is fitted in the storage groove 53b is arranged, and the coupling cylinder portion 62 is caulked so as to reduce the diameter, and the cover portion 60 is The outer member 50 can be manufactured by forming the fitting convex portion 63 that fits into the coupling concave portion 54, and at the same time, the actuator 20 in which the outer member 50 is assembled to the inner member 21 can be assembled.

In the actuator 20 assembled as described above, the lead wire 39 is connected to a control circuit (not shown), and the connection holes 21a and 50a are formed in the attachment plate 13 and the hinge arm 12 of the left and right hinge mechanisms 9 of the hood panel 7. If the parts of the inner member 21 and the outer member 50 (the parts of the connection holes 21a, 50a) at both ends of the actuator 20 are connected while the shaft support pins 17, 18 are inserted into the vehicle, the flip-up device U can be connected to the vehicle V. Can be mounted on.

After the flip-up device U is mounted on the vehicle V, if the actuator 20 of the embodiment operates and the gas generator 40 generates the working gas G, the working gas G is generated in the head portion 51 of the outer member 50. The storage chamber 75 on the inner peripheral side of the cover portion 60 on the back surface 56 side is filled with the working gas G, the pressure of the working gas G is received by the head portion 51, and the solid line from the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 1B. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sliding surface 64a on the inner peripheral surface side of the reduced diameter portion 64 slides with the outer peripheral surface 27a of the case 22 of the inner member 21 as the sliding surface 27b, and The inner peripheral surface 60c of the cover portion 60 of the outer member 50 is slid on the outer peripheral surface 24a of the distal end tubular portion 24 of the member 21, the outer member 50 moves forward with respect to the inner member 21, and the actuator 20 expands. Then, the shear pin 15 is broken to widen the intersection angle between the mounting plate 13 and the hinge arm 12, so that the rear end 7c side of the hood panel 7 rises, and the hood panel 7 can secure a wide deformation space S, By the plastic deformation with a large amount of deformation, it is possible to absorb the impact and receive a pedestrian.

Then, in the actuator 20 of the embodiment, the outer member 50 is formed by connecting the connecting portions 53 and 62 provided correspondingly to the head portion 51 and the cover portion 60 to each other, and has a cylindrical cover portion. Since 60 can be formed from the pipe material 88 without being formed from a solid block material, the man-hours and processing cost of the outer member 50 can be reduced, and further, processing waste can be reduced, resulting in resource saving. .. Further, the outer member 50 is formed by connecting the head portion 51 and the cover portion 60 to each other, and has a volume of the storage chamber 75 for storing the working gas G discharged from the gas generator 40 in the initial stage of the operation. When adjusting, the closing surface 56 that closes the opening 23 of the inner member 21 in the head portion 51 can be easily adjusted by denting or protruding without changing the cover portion 60.

For example, like the actuator 20A shown in FIG. 9A, a convex portion 56a is provided on the closing surface 56A that closes the opening 23 of the inner member 21 in the head portion 51A of the outer member 50A so as to narrow the volume of the storage chamber 75A. Then, when the actuator 20A is actuated, the pressing force of the outer member 50 is increased, or as in the actuator 20B shown in FIG. 9B, the head member 51B of the outer member 50B is closed by closing the opening 23 of the inner member 21. By providing the surface 56B with the recessed portion 56b, the volume of the storage chamber 75B can be increased and the pressing force of the outer member 50 can be reduced when the actuator 20B is operated.

Furthermore, when the outer member 50 is formed by combining the head portion 51 and the cover portion 60, and the shape of the head portion 51 is changed in accordance with the shape of the member pressed when the actuator 20 is actuated. However, the cover portion 60 does not need to be changed as much as possible and can be easily dealt with.

For example, like the actuator 20C shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body portion 52C of the head portion 51C does not have the connecting hole 50a provided in the head portion 51 of the embodiment, but has a flat top surface. If the head portion 51 of the actuator 20 is exchanged with the one provided with the pressing surface 52a, the pressing surface 52a is brought into contact with the receiving seat 19a of the predetermined pressing member 19 when the actuator 20C is operated, and the receiving seat 19a. The pressing member 19 provided with can be moved to a predetermined position.

Therefore, the actuator 20 of the embodiment can be formed easily and in a resource-saving manner, and further, when the design of the head portion 51 is changed, it can be easily dealt with.

Further, in the actuator 20 of the embodiment, the head portion 51 of the outer member 50 includes the coupling shaft portion 53 as the coupling portion on the base side, and the coupling shaft portion 53 has the coupling recess 54 recessed from the outer peripheral surface 53a side. Have In addition, the cover portion 60 of the outer member 50 is provided with a tubular coupling tubular portion 62 as a coupling portion that covers the outer periphery of the coupling shaft portion 53 at the tip end portion 60 a, and the coupling tubular portion 62 connects the coupling shaft portion 53. A fitting convex portion 63 that fits into the concave portion 54 is provided and is coupled to the coupling shaft portion 53.

Therefore, in the actuator 20 of the embodiment, regarding the coupling between the head portion 51 and the cover portion 60, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the coupling cylinder portion 62 on the tip portion 60a side of the cover portion 60 is connected to the head portion 51. If the fitting convex portion 63 that is formed by covering the coupling shaft portion 53 on the side of the base portion and crimping so as to reduce the diameter of the coupling tubular portion 62 is fitted into the coupling concave portion 54, the coupling shaft portion 53 is joined. The head part 51 and the cover part 60 can be easily combined even if the head part 51 and the cover part 60 are separate bodies.

The head portion and the cover portion are coupled to each other by crimping accompanied by plastic deformation as in the embodiment, and as in the actuator 20D shown in FIG. 10, the coupling shaft portion 53D of the head portion 51D in the outer member 50D. The external thread 53 may be provided on the outer peripheral surface 53a, and the internal thread 62c may be provided on the inner peripheral surface 62a of the coupling tubular portion 62D of the cover portion 60D, and the coupling shaft portion 53C may be coupled to the coupling tubular portion 62C by screw coupling.

Further, welding may be used to connect the corresponding connecting portions of the head portion and the cover portion of the outer member to each other.

Further, in the actuator 20 of the embodiment, the case 22 of the inner member 21 is formed of the metal pipe material 80, and the general tubular portion 27 and the general tubular portion disposed on the outer peripheral side of the gas generator 40. The distal end tubular portion 24 is arranged on the distal end side of 27 and has a diameter larger than that of the general tubular portion 27. Further, the cover portion 60 of the outer member 50 is formed of the metal pipe material 88, and the inner peripheral surface 64 a slides on the outer peripheral surface 27 a of the general tubular portion 27 toward the base portion side away from the head portion 51. A reduced diameter portion 64 having a reduced diameter is disposed so as to be slidable on the surface 27b. Then, when the outer cylindrical member 24 of the inner member 21 and the reduced diameter portion 64 of the outer member 50 move forward when the outer member 50 moves during operation, the stepped portion 65 of the reduced diameter portion 64 is moved to the stepped portion 25 of the distal end cylindrical portion 24. And a stopper mechanism SS for stopping the forward movement of the outer member 50.

Therefore, in the embodiment, at the time of operation, the reduced diameter portion 64 of the outer member 50, which has moved forward by a predetermined operation stroke, comes into contact with the stepped portion 25 of the distal end tubular portion 24 of the inner member 21, and the head of the outer member 50 is contacted. The part 51 stops moving. As a result, the hood flip-up device U configured to mount the actuator 20 of the embodiment can be operated smoothly. Since the case 22 of the inner member 21 and the cover portion 60 of the outer member 50 are formed of the metal pipe members 80 and 88, the case 22 of the inner member 21 can be easily formed by using forging. It is possible to form the distal end tubular portion 24 that expands in diameter from the general tubular portion 27 in FIG.

Further, in the actuator 20 of the embodiment, the waterproof property is provided over the entire circumference between the inner peripheral surface 62a of the coupling cylinder portion 62 of the cover portion 60 of the outer member 50 and the outer peripheral surface 53a of the coupling shaft portion 53 of the head portion 51. A ring-shaped sealing material 71 having is provided.

Therefore, in the embodiment, the waterproof sealing material 71 is provided between the joint portions 53 and 62 of the head portion 51 and the cover portion 60 that cover the opening 23 of the inner member 21 of the outer member 50 of the actuator 20. Therefore, the rainwater that tries to enter from that portion does not enter the opening 23 side of the inner member 21, and the alteration of the contents of the gas generator 40 can be prevented. Further, if the sealing material 71 is disposed between the connecting portions 53 and 62 of the head portion 51 and the cover portion 60, the working gas G discharged from the gas generator 40 during operation is discharged to the outside of the outer member 50. Since it is possible to prevent leakage of the working gas G, the predetermined pressure of the working gas G can be stably secured, and the outer member 50 can move forward by a predetermined driving force.

Further, in the actuator 20 of the embodiment, the cover portion 60 of the outer member 50 opens a gap H between the outer peripheral surface 27a of the general tubular portion 27 and the end portion of the reduced diameter portion 64 which is separated from the head portion 51. In order to fill the gap H between the inner peripheral surface 67a of the diameter expanding cylindrical portion 67 and the outer peripheral surface 27a of the general cylindrical portion 27, the waterproof property is provided. An annular sealing material 72 having the same is disposed.

Therefore, in the embodiment, the seal member 72 between the outer peripheral surface 27a of the general tubular portion 27 of the case 22 of the inner member 21 of the actuator 20 and the inner peripheral surface 60c of the cover portion 60 of the outer member 50 prevents the cover portion 60 from being covered. Rainwater that tries to enter from the open end side does not enter the head part 51 side of the cover part 60, so that the deterioration of the contents of the gas generator 40 can be prevented. Further, since dust can be prevented from entering, the sliding surfaces 64a and 27b of the reduced diameter portion 64 of the cover portion 60 and the outer peripheral surface 27a of the general tubular portion 27 can also maintain a smooth state, and during operation, The reduced diameter portion 64 of the cover portion 60 can smoothly slide on the outer peripheral surface 27a of the general cylindrical portion 27, and the actuator 20 can stably exert a predetermined driving force.

In the case of the embodiment, the inner peripheral surface 60c of the cover portion 60 of the outer member 50 is also prevented from entering the outer peripheral surface 24a of the distal end cylindrical portion 24 of the case 22 of the inner member 21 by preventing the dust from entering by the sealing material 72. , It can slide smoothly.

Then, in the manufacturing method of the actuator 20 of the embodiment, the actuator 20 is configured to include the inner member 21 and the outer member 50. The inner member 21 has a cylindrical case 22 that internally holds a gas generator 40 that generates a working gas G during operation, so that the working gas G generated from the gas generator 40 can be discharged from the tip. The front end 22a of the case 22 is opened. The outer member 50 includes a head portion 51 that covers the opening 23 of the case 22, and a cylindrical cover portion 60 that extends from the outer peripheral edge of the head portion 51 so as to cover the outer peripheral surface 27a side of the case 22. The working gas G generated from the generator 40 is caused to flow into the inner peripheral surface 60c side of the cover portion 60 on the back surface side of the head portion 51, and moves forward so as to be separated from the inner member 21. Further, in the embodiment, the case 22 of the inner member 21 and the cover portion 60 of the outer member 50 are made of metal pipe material 80, as shown in A and B of FIG. 6 and A and B of FIG. 7, respectively. It is formed from 88 and is formed using a forging process. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the head portion 51 of the outer member 50 is formed from a metal block material 83 by using forging and cutting. Then, as shown in C and D of FIG. 6, the outer member 50 is formed by coupling the coupling portions 53 and 62 provided corresponding to the head portion 51 and the cover portion 60, respectively, and the actuator is formed. 20 are manufactured.

In the method of manufacturing the actuator 20 of the embodiment, the case 22 that holds the gas generator 40 in the inner member 21 discharges the working gas G generated from the gas generator 40 through the opening 23 of the tip portion 22a. Even if it has a cylindrical structure, it is formed from the metal pipe material 80 by using forging processing, and it can be formed without using cutting processing that generates cutting scraps as much as possible, so it is resource-saving and simple. Can be manufactured. Further, in the outer member 50, the head portion 51 is formed from the metal block material 83 by using forging and cutting, and the cover portion 60 is, as described above, the metal pipe. Since the outer member 50 is formed from the material 88 by using forging, the outer member 50 can be easily manufactured in a resource saving manner.

Therefore, according to the manufacturing method of the actuator 20 of the embodiment, the actuator 20 can be manufactured easily and with resource saving.

In addition, in the embodiment, the connection hole 21a and the storage groove 53b are formed by cutting, but other processing (non-cutting) may be performed. For example, the connection hole 21a may be formed by punching by pressing. Alternatively, the storage groove 53b may be formed by rolling.

Further, in the actuator 20 of the embodiment, the case where the hood panel 7 is used for the flip-up device U for flipping up is illustrated, but the headrest is divided into two parts, and the front part of the headrest is moved forward when the vehicle collides. A knee that connects the inner member and the outer member to the head protection device, the knee support panel in front of the seated driver, and the instrument panel in the body side, and moves the knee support panel rearward in the case of a frontal collision of the vehicle. The present invention may be applied to an actuator of a protection device. Further, the actuator of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment as long as it has a configuration in which the gas generator is actuated at a predetermined time to move the outer member relative to the inner member, and various automobile safety devices are provided. Can be used for

20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D... Actuator 21, 21D... Inner member, 22... Case, 22a... Tip part, 23... Opening, 24... Tip cylinder part, 25... (Stopper) step part, 27... General cylinder Part, 27a... Outer peripheral surface, 27b... Sliding surface, 40... Gas generator, 50, 50A, 50B, 50C, 51D... Outer member, 51, 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D... Head part, 53, 53D... ( (Coupling part) Coupling shaft part, 53a... Outer peripheral surface, 54... Coupling concave part, 56, 56A, 56B... (Back surface) Closure surface, 60, 60D... Cover part, 60a... Tip part, 60c... Inner peripheral surface, 62, 62D ... (coupling portion) coupling cylindrical portion, 62a... inner peripheral surface, 63... fitting convex portion, 64... reduced diameter portion, 64a... (inner peripheral surface) sliding surface, 65... (stopper) step portion, 67... expansion Diameter cylindrical portion, 67a... Inner peripheral surface, 71, 72... Sealing material,
80...Case pipe material, 83...Head block material, 88...Cover pipe material,
H... gap, SS... stopper mechanism, G... working gas.

Claims (6)

It has a cylindrical case that internally holds a gas generator that generates a working gas during operation, and the working gas generated from the gas generator can be discharged from the tip, and the tip of the case is opened. Inner member
A head portion that covers the opening of the case, and a cylindrical cover portion that extends from the outer peripheral edge of the head portion so as to cover the outer peripheral surface side of the case, and are for operation generated from the gas generator. An outer member that causes gas to flow into the inner peripheral surface side of the cover portion on the back surface side of the head portion and moves forward so as to move away from the inner member,
An actuator configured with:
The head portion and the cover portion of the outer member are formed from separate members from each other,
The actuator is characterized in that the outer member is formed by connecting the connecting portions provided corresponding to the head portion and the cover portion to each other. The head portion of the outer member includes a coupling shaft portion as the coupling portion on the base side, and the coupling shaft portion has a coupling recess recessed from the outer peripheral surface side,
The cover portion of the outer member is provided at its tip end with a tubular coupling tubular portion as the coupling portion that covers the outer periphery of the coupling shaft portion, and the coupling tubular portion is the coupling concave portion of the coupling shaft portion. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is provided with a fitting convex portion that is fitted to the coupling shaft portion and is coupled to the coupling shaft portion. The case of the inner member is formed of a pipe material made of metal, and is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the gas generator, and a general cylindrical portion is arranged on the tip side of the general cylindrical portion. And a distal end tubular portion having a diameter larger than that of the tubular portion,
The cover portion of the outer member is formed of a metal pipe material, and the inner peripheral surface of the outer member is slidable toward the outer peripheral surface of the general tubular portion on the base side away from the head portion, and the diameter is reduced. The reduced diameter portion is arranged,
When the outer cylindrical member of the inner member and the reduced diameter portion of the outer member move forward when the outer member moves during operation, the reduced diameter portion is brought into contact with the distal end cylindrical portion of the outer member, The actuator according to claim 1 or 2, which constitutes a stopper mechanism for stopping the forward movement. Between the inner peripheral surface of the coupling cylinder portion of the cover portion of the outer member and the outer peripheral surface of the coupling shaft portion of the head portion, a waterproof annular sealing material is disposed over the entire circumference. The actuator according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The cover portion of the outer member is provided with a diameter-expanding tubular portion that expands at an end edge of the diameter-reducing portion away from the head portion so as to open a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the general tubular portion,
4. A ring-shaped sealing material having waterproofness is arranged over the entire circumference between the inner peripheral surface of the expanded cylindrical portion and the outer peripheral surface of the general cylindrical portion. The actuator according to claim 4. It has a cylindrical case that internally holds a gas generator that generates a working gas during operation, and the working gas generated from the gas generator can be discharged from the tip, and the tip of the case is opened. Inner member
A head portion that covers the opening of the case, and a cylindrical cover portion that extends from the outer peripheral edge of the head portion so as to cover the outer peripheral surface side of the case, and are for operation generated from the gas generator. An outer member that causes gas to flow into the inner peripheral surface side of the cover portion on the back surface side of the head portion and moves forward so as to move away from the inner member,
A method for manufacturing an actuator comprising:
The case of the inner member and the cover portion of the outer member are each formed from a metal pipe material and are formed by using forging.
The head portion of the outer member is formed from a metal block material by using forging and cutting,
The method for manufacturing an actuator, wherein the outer member is formed by joining the joining portions provided corresponding to the head portion and the cover portion to each other.

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