JP2576673Y2 - Connection structure between base plate and airbag cover - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a base plate and an airbag device for an airbag device which is mounted in front of a passenger seat of an automobile and which instantaneously expands and deploys when a strong impact is applied to the vehicle to reduce the impact of the occupant. More particularly, the present invention relates to a connection structure between a base plate and an airbag cover, which has a simple structure, can be easily assembled and firmly connected, and can be automated.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in order to ensure the safety of occupants and the like,
In addition to the conventional seat belt device, when a large impact is applied to the vehicle, the impact is sensed and gas is introduced into the airbag, instantaneously inflating it into a balloon shape, and the airbag cushions the occupant's upper body. 2. Description of the Related Art An airbag device that supports and significantly reduces an impact force applied to a human body has been put to practical use.

As shown in FIG. 13, this type of airbag apparatus comprises a metal base plate 2 for airtightly supporting an airbag 1 made of a nylon cloth or the like folded into an appropriate size at the periphery of an opening. An airbag module for accommodating the airbag 1 and having an airbag cover 4 made of a flexible and elastic material fixed by rivets or the like with a peripheral upright wall portion 4a externally fitted to the peripheral side wall portion 2a of the base plate 2; 5 is provided. An inflator (gas generator) 6 is further attached to the opening of the airbag module 5, and is attached to, for example, a boss of a steering wheel in front of a passenger seat.

The airbag 1 is made of a nylon cloth or the like. For example, in the event of a vehicle collision, the inflator 6 is ignited by receiving a signal from a sensor for detecting the impact, and rapidly burning gas is discharged from the airbag 1. And the airbag 1 is instantly inflated. The airbag cover 4 is configured to be partially broken and expandable when the airbag 1 is inflated. When the airbag device operates as described above, the airbag cover 4 applies the inflation pressure of the airbag 1. As a result, the airbag 1 is configured so as to be ruptured and deployed, and expanded so that the airbag 1 jumps outward from the ruptured opening and can be largely inflated.

The above-described airbag module 5 is generally mounted on a steering wheel or the like through the following assembling process. That is, after the airbag 1 is airtightly attached to the periphery of the opening of the base plate 2 and the airbag 1 is folded compactly,
The airbag cover 4 is attached to the base plate 2 so as to accommodate the airbag. The installation of the airbag cover 4
In order to fix the positional relationship between the peripheral side wall portion 2a and the peripheral side wall portion 4a after slightly fitting the peripheral side wall portion 4a of the cover 4 outward to the peripheral side wall portion 2a of the base plate 2 while slightly expanding the same. Temporarily fix by temporary fixing means. Thereafter, the base plate 2 and the airbag cover 4 are firmly fixed to each other with a rivet or the like via the backing plate 7. Next, the inflator 6 is attached to the base plate 2 by appropriate means to form the module 5, and the base plate 2 of the module 5 is attached to a steering wheel (not shown).

Here, when the airbag cover 4 is externally fitted to the base plate 2 and attached, the two are temporarily fixed and then fixed with rivets or the like because the airbag 1 is attached to the base plate 2 in a folded state.
However, since the airbag cover 4 is pushed up from the inside, the positional relationship between the base plate 2 and the airbag cover 4 is liable to fluctuate, and this is prevented so that work such as riveting can be performed accurately and reliably.

Conventionally, many improvements have been made. One example is a connection structure between an airbag cover and a base plate disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-115968. FIG. 13 shows the connection structure. According to the drawing, one of the airbag cover 4 and the base plate 2 is placed on or near a line connecting a plurality of fixing portions such as rivets between the airbag cover 4 and the base plate 2. It has an engagement means including a projection 4b protruding from one member toward the other member and an engagement portion 2c provided on the other member engaging with the projection 4b. When the airbag cover 4 is externally fitted to the base plate 2 and attached thereto, usually, in addition to the engaging means, a contact plate 7 is used in the same manner as in the related art, and the base plate 2, the airbag cover 4 and the contact plate 7 After the user is temporarily stopped, the base plate 2 and the airbag cover 4 are firmly connected and fixed by rivets or the like.

Further, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 5-56675 discloses a connection structure between an airbag cover and a base plate. In the connection structure disclosed in the publication, a reinforcing plate obtained by bending a metal plate having elasticity into a substantially J-shaped cross section, in a state where the peripheral side wall of the base plate and the peripheral standing wall of the airbag cover are overlapped, Wrap those edges and pinch them. Further, a positioning claw is projected from a surface of the peripheral side wall portion of the base plate which is in elastic contact with the reinforcing plate, and a positioning hole to which the positioning claw is engaged is formed in a corresponding portion of the reinforcing plate. Before the base plate, the airbag cover and the reinforcing plate are connected and fixed with rivets or the like, the three members can be temporarily fixed.

[0009]

However, in the connection structure between the airbag cover and the base plate disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 4-115968, when the automation of the assembling process and press molding are taken into consideration. The protrusion is not formed on a base plate made of a metal material,
Desirably, it is formed on the airbag cover. Therefore, in general, an engaging hole or a concave portion is formed as the engaging means of the base plate, and a projection for engaging with the engaging means is formed at a corresponding inner surface position of the airbag cover.

The projections of the airbag cover are made of a synthetic resin material having a certain degree of hardness and elasticity while the base plate is made of metal. In this case, a metal shearing force acts on the projection, so that the projection is easily cut, and the function of temporary fixing may be lost.

Furthermore, the connection between the airbag cover and the base plate disclosed in the above publication is often performed manually by an operator, and the number of steps for assembling the airbag device is often large. Poor productivity. In addition, since a large number of rivets are used in full-scale fixing, the number of parts is increased, leading to an increase in cost.

In the connection structure of the airbag cover and the base plate disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-56675, the base plate and the reinforcing plate are engaged with the positioning claw and the positioning hole. The airbag cover is simply sandwiched between the reinforcing plate and the base plate by the elasticity generated between the opposing holding pieces of the reinforcing plate. Therefore, in order to strengthen the temporary fixation of the airbag cover and the base plate by the reinforcing plate, the elasticity generated between the opposing holding pieces of the reinforcing plate is increased, and the air generated by the reinforcing plate and the base plate is increased. The gripping force of the bag cover must be increased.
As a result, there arises a problem that workability when connecting the base plate and the airbag cover by the reinforcing plate is reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to employ a simple-structured connecting tool as a fixing means between a base plate and an airbag cover, and to reduce the number of connecting and fixing steps. Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to make it easy to automate the connection and fixation.A further object is to provide a strong fixation function even if a fixing means such as a rivet is eliminated, and to reduce the deployment force of the cover. An object of the present invention is to provide a connection structure between an airbag cover and a base plate that can ensure a large opposing force.

[0014]

That is, the object of the present invention is to form a pair of opposed metal plates made of an elastic metal plate .
And a rectangular flat plate connecting the two holding pieces.
Base plate cross section a substantially U-shaped, having opposing to the nip respectively supporting pieces <br/> resilient wear piece is formed connector, the engaging portion which engaged with the elastic-engaging pieces each of Ri Do from the combination of the vertical wall portion of the side wall portion and the airbag cover, elastic engagement Chakuhen of the connector in front of the base plate
The side wall portion and the upright wall portion of the airbag cover are respectively
While holding and holding, the two holding pieces
This is achieved by a connection structure between a base plate and an airbag cover, which is locally or entirely held in a combined state . Further, the above-mentioned object of eliminating the need for full-scale fixing with rivets or the like is achieved by making the elastic engaging piece an appropriate structure.

[0015]

In order to connect the peripheral side wall of the base plate and the peripheral standing wall of the airbag cover in an overlapped state, first, the airbag fixed to the peripheral outer surface of the central opening of the base plate by rivets or the like is compactly folded. Then, the side wall of the base plate is pushed along the inner surface of the upright wall of the airbag cover until the tip of the upright wall coincides with the side wall of the airbag cover so as to house the airbag inside the airbag cover. Subsequently, a pair of elastic holding pieces of the front and rear of the connecting tool are fitted to the overlapping end of the side wall of the base plate and the upright wall of the airbag cover.

At the time of the fitting, the elastic engaging pieces formed on the holding pieces are deformed so as to be elastically expanded, respectively, and after the engaging pieces formed on the side wall and the upright wall are overcome, the original shape is obtained. Then, each elastic engaging piece and the engaging portion are engaged with each other. By such engagement, the connecting tool is
When both the side wall and the standing wall are engaged and held,
Then, both are held in a polymerized state by the two holding pieces and temporarily fixed.
The connection form is stabilized, and the connection
At this time, the elastic engaging piece is
Does not come off easily in all directions. So the car behind
Accidentally dropped when transported to the mounting work section on the body
Or the airbag cover catches on peripheral equipment,
Because of being pulled against the base plate
Also does not come off easily.

[0017]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connection structure between a base plate and an airbag cover according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a connection structure between a base plate and an airbag cover in an airbag module which is a typical embodiment of the present invention.

The airbag module according to the present embodiment comprises:
A base plate 1 fixed to a boss portion of a steering wheel (not shown) via a base portion (not shown) as in the conventional case.
2, an airbag cover 14 also serving as a center pad of the steering wheel, and the base plate 12
And an airbag (not shown) which is folded and stored in a storage space formed by the airbag cover 14 and an inflator (not shown). The base plate 12 is formed of a square metal box having a circular opening 12c at the center of the bottom obtained by pressing a normal steel plate, and is an open end of an airbag (not shown) that is stored in a folded state. Is supported by the peripheral edge of the circular opening 12c, and a flange portion of an inflator (not shown) is supported and fixed to the circular opening 12c after the airbag 11 is attached.

In the present invention, the base plate 1 is used.
A dedicated connecting member 20 made of an elastic metal material is provided for connecting the airbag cover 2 and the airbag cover 14, and a book connected to the four peripheral edges of the base plate 12 and the airbag cover 14 by the connecting member 20, respectively. It has a side wall 12a and a standing wall 14a having a structure unique to the invention. A spring steel plate is used for the connecting tool 20 in the present embodiment, and is manufactured by press working. The structure of the connecting tool 20 includes two elongated rectangular flat plate portions 21 as clearly shown in FIGS. It has a pair of front and rear sandwiching pieces 22 that are bent at right angles in the same direction along the long sides.

According to the illustrated example, one of the holding pieces 22 has elastic engaging pieces 22b formed at both ends thereof through slit-shaped notches 22a, and is held between the engaging pieces 22b. The central portion is simply a flat plate portion 22c.
Three rivet insertion holes 22d are formed at regular intervals on a straight line at both ends and the center of 2c. The other holding piece 22 has both ends and a central part cut out, and the remaining part forms two elastic engaging pieces 22b. In the illustrated example, each of the elastic engaging pieces 22b is bent in a U-shape so as to protrude outward, and is bent such that the tip thereof is further inclined outward.

On the other hand, the peripheral side wall 12 of the base plate 12
a has two notches of a predetermined length in the other holding piece 22 of the connecting tool 20 and has two elastic engaging pieces 2 formed in the center.
One engaging ridge 12b for engaging with 2b protrudes toward the inner surface of the side wall. The engaging strip 12b has a V-shaped cross section similar to the cross-sectional shape of the elastic engaging piece 22b. Further, a portion corresponding to the rivet insertion hole 22d at a position below the engagement ridge 12b is also provided with a rivet insertion hole 12d.
Are formed.

The peripheral edge wall 14 of the airbag cover 14
a has a shape substantially equal to the planar shape of the peripheral side wall 12a of the base plate 12, and has elastic engaging pieces 22 at both ends of a holding piece 22 formed on one side of the connecting tool 20.
The projection 14 having a chevron cross-section is formed on the peripheral standing wall portion corresponding to b.
b is formed in a protruding manner, and each of the rivet insertion holes 22d and 12d in a flat surface portion sandwiched by the engagement projections 14b.
A rivet insertion hole 14c is formed at a position corresponding to d.

The peripheral side wall 12a of the base plate 12 and the peripheral standing wall 14a of the airbag cover 14 having the above configuration.
To connect them in a superposed state, first, the base plate 12
The airbag 11 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the central opening 12c by rivets or the like in a state of being compactly folded, and in this state, the airbag 11 is
The side wall 12a of the base plate 12 is pushed along the inner surface of the upright wall 14a of the airbag cover 14 until the tip of the upright wall 14a coincides with the inner wall of the upright wall 14a. With the holding piece 22 having the fastening piece 22b on the side of the base plate 12 and the holding piece 22 having two elastic fastening pieces 22b on both ends on the side of the airbag cover 14, the connecting member 20 is connected to the side wall 12a. From the end of the standing wall 14a.

At the time of the fitting, the elastic engaging pieces 22b are deformed so as to resiliently expand, respectively, get over the engaging ridges 12b formed on the side wall 12a, and then return to the original shape. As shown in FIG. 4, each elastic engagement piece 22b
And the engaging strip 12b and the engaging projection 14b are engaged with each other. By the engagement of the elastic attachment piece 22b, the connection
The tie 20 is moved back and forth with respect to the side wall 12a and the upright wall 14a.
And there is no displacement in the vertical direction.
Detachment from the side wall 12a and the upright wall 14a is prevented.
You. Furthermore, with in the present embodiment, the flat portion 22c is a surface supporting the central portion of the vertical wall 14a, said plate 2
2c is in contact with the edge of the engaging projection 14b of the standing wall 14a.
Then, on the side wall 12a and the upright wall 14a of the connecting tool 20,
The deviation in the left-right direction is reliably prevented.

As described above, the connecting member 20 is engaged with both the base plate 12 and the airbag cover 14 by the elastic engaging pieces 22b formed with the pair of front and rear holding pieces 22, respectively. In order to connect the airbag cover 14, the connecting device 20 is temporarily moved forward.
When it is fitted to the side wall 12a and the standing wall 14a, it is elastically engaged.
The piece 22b does not easily come off in all directions, and can be temporarily and firmly fixed in a state where both forms are maintained. Therefore, the temporarily fixed base plate 12
The airbag cover 14 can be connected to the base plate 12 and the airbag cover 14 even when the base plate 12 and the airbag cover 14 are accidentally dropped, for example, during transportation to a mounting work section with respect to the vehicle body, or when a slight impact is applied by peripheral equipment. It does not come off easily and does not hinder the subsequent work process.

The connection structure according to the present embodiment is used for temporary fixing because the drag when the airbag cover 14 breaks and deploys due to the pressure at the time of gas inflation of the airbag 11 is not sufficient. Connector 20
After completion of the fixing by the base plate 12,
The rivets 13 are inserted into the corresponding rivet insertion holes 12d, 14c, and 22d formed in the airbag cover 14 and the connector 20, and are firmly fixed.

FIG. 5 shows a modification of the above embodiment.
In the modification shown in FIG. 5, the airbag cover 14 and the connector 20 are the same as in the above embodiment, but the structure of the side wall 12a of the base plate 12 is different from the above embodiment. That is, in the above embodiment, the side wall 1 of the base plate 12 is used.
2a is divided into a plurality of (five) side wall pieces 12e through a plurality of (four) notches 12f in a vertical slit shape, and each side wall piece 12e is easily elastically deformed in a direction orthogonal to the side wall surface. doing. Further, the left and right end portions and the center side wall piece 12
e-1 is formed as a flat surface, and extends substantially in the horizontal direction substantially at the center of the two side wall pieces 12e-2 sandwiched between the side wall pieces 12e-1 so as to extend in the horizontal direction.
An L-shaped engagement ridge 112b that is attached to b is formed in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

In the modification shown in FIG. 6, the side wall 12a of the base plate 12 is formed as a flat surface as a whole, and there is no substantial difference from the embodiment shown in FIG. Of the side wall 12a to which the above-mentioned elastic engaging piece 22b is engaged is an engaging projection 12b '' having a mountain-shaped cross section.
Is formed by pressing.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an airbag module showing another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a connecting member made of an elastic metal material used for connecting a base plate and an airbag cover of the module. 9 is a front view of the connector, FIG. 10 is a rear view of the connector, FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view at the center of the connector, and FIG. 12 is a base plate and an airbag cover using the connector. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a connection state with the first embodiment. Note that members that are substantially the same as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The base plate 12 in this embodiment is
The open end of the airbag 11, which is formed of a square metal box having a circular opening 12c at the center of the bottom obtained by pressing a normal steel plate and is stored in a folded state, is formed in the same manner as in the above embodiment. The peripheral portion of the circular opening 12c is sandwiched and supported by the fixed frame 15, and a flange portion of an inflator (not shown) is supported and fixed to the circular opening 12c after the airbag 11 is attached.

In the present embodiment, the connecting member 120 is also shown in FIG.
In the same manner as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the spring steel plate is manufactured by press working, and the structure thereof has a U-shaped cross section as shown in FIGS. It has a pair of front and rear sandwiching pieces 122 bent at right angles in the same direction along the long sides.

The most characteristic part of this embodiment is that elastic cut-out pieces 122b which are obliquely cut and raised inward from the front ends of the pair of front and rear holding pieces 122 are provided to face each other. , And if necessary, the elastic cut and raised piece 1
Slit-shaped notches 122a are formed on both sides of 22b, and the holding piece 122 is divided into a plurality of pieces to facilitate elastic deformation.
The shape of the elastically cut and raised piece 122b preferably has a substantially J-shaped cross section with a slightly curved tip. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned shape is adopted for one of the elastic cut-and-raised pieces 122b cut inward from the pair of front and rear sandwiching pieces 122, respectively, and the other elastic cut-and-raised piece 122b has a simple flat shape. Is adopted. Such a shape is not particularly limited.

The side wall 12a of the base plate 12
Is not always configured as a flat surface as shown in FIG. 7 and may include a curved surface portion. In that case, the coupling tool 120 may be set to a length corresponding to the length of the flat surface so that the base plate 12 and the airbag cover 14 are locally sandwiched in a flat portion excluding the curved surface portion. is there.

On the other hand, the peripheral side wall 12 of the base plate 12
On the peripheral edge wall 14 a of the airbag cover 14, engagement holes 112 b and 114 b for engaging the elastic cut-out piece 122 b of the connecting tool 20 are formed. A point to be noted in this embodiment is that no rivet insertion hole is required in the peripheral side wall 12a and the peripheral standing wall 14a as in the above embodiment shown in FIG. This is because the elastic cut-out piece 122b and the engaging hole 112b
And 114b, the elastic cut and raised piece 12
2b is engaged with the engagement holes 112b and 114b in a penetrating state, so that the drag is sufficiently secured even when the airbag cover 14 is broken and deployed due to gas expansion of the airbag 11.

The peripheral side wall 12a of the base plate 12 having the above structure and the peripheral standing wall 14a of the airbag cover 14
In the same manner as in the above embodiment, first, the airbag 11 fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the central opening 12c of the base plate 12 with rivets or the like is compactly folded, and the airbag 11 is connected in a compact state. The side wall 12 a of the base plate 12 is attached to the inside of the airbag cover 14 so as to be housed inside the airbag cover 14.
Is pushed along the inner surface of the raised wall 14a until the distal end surface thereof contacts the L-shaped flange 112g formed at the distal end edge of the side wall 12a.
Thereby, the side wall 12a and the upright wall 14a are fitted from the front end so as to sandwich them.

At the time of this fitting, the elastic cut and raised piece 122b
Are pushed in while being deformed so as to be elastically expanded, and as shown in FIG. 12, respective elastically cut and raised pieces 122b are inserted into engaging holes 112b and 114b formed in the side wall 12a and the standing wall 14a. Hang from
The base plate 12 and the airbag cover 14 are firmly connected. Therefore, the connecting tool 120 is connected to the side wall.
12a and standing wall 14a, up and down, front and back and left and right
Deviation in all directions is securely prevented.
The base plate 12 and the airbag cover 14 have side walls.
12a and standing wall 14a are stably secured in a superposed state
Be held.

[0037]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the connection structure between the base plate and the airbag cover in the airbag device of the present invention, a dedicated connection tool is employed as a fixing means between the baseplate and the airbag cover. In one operation, the base plate and the airbag cover can be connected, and the number of connecting and fixing steps is reduced, which not only makes it easier to automate the steps, but also eliminates the use of rivets and other fixing means. since it is possible to achieve also reduce the number of components Te, tuna <br/> is that a significant reduction in cost. In addition, the connecting tool is base-played with elastic
Both the side wall of the airbag cover and the vertical wall of the airbag cover.
Respectively, and hold the two holding pieces together.
In the polymerized state, locally or completely,
The connection form is stably maintained, and the connection tool is once
When it is fitted to the side wall and standing wall, it will not come off easily.
No. Therefore, the connection structure of the present invention sufficiently exerts a preliminary or full-scale fixing function. Even if the repulsive force of the folded airbag acts on the base plate, at least the temporary fixing is ensured. Or a strong connection can be achieved in one operation without going through a temporary fixing step, and productivity can be significantly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a connection structure between a base plate and an airbag cover, which is a typical embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a main part of the connection structure.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the connection state between the base plate and the cover as viewed from the outside.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the connection state between the base plate and the cover as viewed from the inside.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view partially showing a modification of the connection structure between the base plate and the airbag cover.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view partially showing still another modified example of the connection structure between the base plate and the airbag cover.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a connection structure according to another representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view showing an example of a connector used in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the coupler.

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the connector.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a center part of the connecting tool.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a connection state between the base plate and the airbag cover by the connection tool of the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional airbag module.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 Base plate 12a, 112a Side wall 12b, 12b 'Engagement strip 12b' 'Engagement projection 12c Opening 12d Rivet insertion hole 12f Notch 13 Boss 14, 114 Airbag cover 14a, 114a Standing wall 14b Engagement projection 14c Rivet insertion hole 15 Fixed frame body 20, 120 Connector 21, 121 Rectangular flat plate portion 22, 122 Holding piece 22a, 122a Notch 22b Elastic engaging piece 22c Flat plate portion 22d Rivet insertion hole 112b Engagement hole 112d Notch 112e-1,112e- 2 Side wall piece 112g Flange 114b Engagement hole 122b Elastic cut and raised piece

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A connection structure between a peripheral side wall portion of a base plate and a peripheral standing wall portion of an airbag cover, comprising a metal plate having elasticity, and a pair of opposed sandwiches.
Cross section consisting of a rectangular plate connecting the holding piece and both holding pieces
Has a substantially U-shape, and a connecting member in which an elastic engaging piece is formed on each of the opposing holding pieces, and a side wall portion of a base plate and an air, each of which has an engaging portion that engages with the elastic engaging piece. The combination with the standing wall of the bag cover
Ri, elastic engagement Chakuhen of the connector is the side wall portion of the base plate
And the upright wall portion of the airbag cover is engaged and held, respectively.
And both are held in a polymerized state with the two holding pieces.
A connection structure between a base plate and an airbag cover, which is locally or entirely held .