JP3400922B2 - Airbag device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an airbag device in which an inflatable airbag is covered with a cover.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an air bag device provided in a boss portion of a steering wheel or the like in order to protect a driver of a vehicle from the impact of a collision. The airbag device is provided with an inflator that injects gas, a bag-shaped airbag that is folded and stored, a cover body that covers the airbag, and the inflator, the airbag, the cover body, and the like. And a base plate. When the airbag device detects a collision of the vehicle, that is, when the vehicle decelerates more than a predetermined speed, the inflator rapidly injects gas to inflate and deploy the airbag.
Due to this inflation pressure, the cover body is broken at a predetermined tear line to be deployed like a door, the airbag is projected from the cover body, and then the airbag is inflated and deployed in front of the occupant.

Further, the cover body is formed with a covering portion for covering the folded airbag and a mounting piece portion projecting downward from the covering portion, and is formed in a substantially box-like shape with an open lower surface. There is. The base plate also includes a base plate portion to which the inflator and the air bag are attached, and a support piece portion projecting downward from the base plate portion, and is formed in a substantially box shape with an open bottom surface. Then, in a state where the mounting piece portion is fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the supporting piece portion, the mounting piece portion, the supporting piece portion and the like are fixed by a large number of rivets, and the cover body is fixed to the base plate.

However, in such a structure in which a large number of rivets are used to fix the cover body, the number of parts is increased and the assembly process is complicated, and it is difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost. .

Regarding this point, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-144139.
The configuration described in Japanese Patent Publication is known. In this configuration, a pair of flat substantially U-shaped contact plates are arranged along the outer peripheral side of the mounting piece of the cover body fitted to the supporting piece of the base plate, and the supporting piece, the mounting piece, and The plate is integrally fixed with a large number of rivets.

However, in such a construction using the U-shaped contact plate, a large number of rivets are used, the number of parts increases, the assembly process becomes complicated, and it is difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost. Have

Further, for example, the structure described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-298031 is known. In this configuration, the supporting piece of the base plate and the mounting piece of the cover body are cylindrical, and the fastening piece is attached to the outer periphery of the mounting piece while the mounting piece is fitted to the outer periphery of the supporting piece. Then, the mounting piece is clamped and held between the supporting piece and the tightening band.

However, in the structure using the tightening band as described above, it is necessary to apply an appropriate tightening force when assembling the cover body to the base plate, and there is a problem that it is difficult to control the tightening strength. Further, there is no means for positioning the tightening band, and in order to securely tighten and fix the cover body, it is necessary to perform the tightening work while holding the tightening band in an accurate position, which makes the tightening work complicated. have. In addition, it is difficult to remove the cover body once it is tightened and fixed,
There is a problem that it becomes difficult to rework in the process. Further, in the case of an outer shape other than a shape such as a circular shape whose corners are arcuate, it is difficult to firmly fix it by tightening, and there is a problem that the shapes of the cover body and the base plate are limited.

Further, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-206511.
The configuration described in Japanese Patent Publication is known. This configuration
The side wall portion of the cover body is arranged on the outer side of the base plate, and the band is arranged on the outer periphery of the side wall portion. Then, after being loosely arranged, this band is heated at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time to be heat-shrinked to fix the cover body.

However, this Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-20651.
The configuration described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1 requires a step of heat-shrinking the strip, requires temperature control, etc., and has a problem of increasing manufacturing cost.

Further, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-109146.
The configuration described in Japanese Patent Publication is known. This configuration
A plurality of tongue pieces projecting downward from the cover body are arranged on the outer side of the base plate, and the outer circumferences of these tongue pieces are pressed by a ring-shaped plate.

However, this Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-10914
In the configuration described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6, a tongue portion of the cover body is formed with a protrusion toward the outer peripheral side, and it is difficult to attach the ring-shaped plate so as to engage with the protrusion. Have

[0013]

As described above, in the structure in which the cover body is fixed to the base plate with a large number of rivets, the number of parts is large and the work such as positioning is complicated,
It has a problem that it is difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost.

Further, in the structure using the tightening band, it is necessary to apply an appropriate tightening force when assembling the cover body to the base plate, and it is necessary to perform the tightening work while holding the tightening band in an accurate position. There is a problem that the tightening work becomes complicated. In addition, it is difficult to remove the work after it has been tightened and fixed, and the shape of the cover body and the base plate is limited.

The structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-206511 has a problem that the step of heating and shrinking the strip is required, the temperature control is required, and the manufacturing cost is increased.

Further, in the structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-109146, the tongue portion of the cover body is formed with a projection directed toward the outer peripheral side, and the ring-shaped plate is engaged with the projection so as to engage with the projection. The mounting process has a problem that it is difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device in which a cover body can be easily and firmly attached to a support member.

[0018]

Airbag device SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 請 Motomeko 1 described, the airbag is inflated and deployed by the inflow of gas, comprising a mounting piece portion having a substantially cylindrical, and a cover body covering the air bag A support member provided with a support portion facing the inner peripheral surface of the attachment piece portion, to which the airbag is attached,
Includes a fitting portion fitted on an outer peripheral surface of the mounting piece portion, comprises an annular member having a cylindrical, the annular member is engaging portion formed on the mounting piece portion, said An engagement receiving portion with which the engagement portion engages is formed as a through hole, and the fitting portion of the annular member
Has the same inner surface shape as the outer peripheral surface of the mounting piece.
The annular member is formed relatively to the cover body side.
When pushed, the annular member will move to the outer periphery of the mounting piece.
While being fitted to the surface, the engaging portion is attached to the engaging receiving portion.
Engages to hold the annular member in the cover body
It is what is done.

Further, in this structure, the cover body and the annular member are accurately positioned and easily assembled by the engagement of the engagement portion and the engagement receiving portion. Further, by fitting an annular member to the outer peripheral surface of the mounting piece portion having a substantially cylindrical shape with the support member facing the inner peripheral surface, the engagement between the engagement portion and the engagement receiving portion is maintained, and the cover The body is firmly fixed to the support member.

The airbag device according to a second aspect of the present invention is as follows.
An airbag apparatus 1 Symbol mounting, ring-like member or al inwardly
Opposite, together with the engagement portion is protruded toward the support member, said the support member is one in which concave relief to face the engaging portion is formed.

In this structure, when the support member or the annular member is inserted and fitted, the portion of the cover piece other than the engagement receiving portion is attached to the engaging portion projecting from the annular member. Although it comes into sliding contact and is deformed toward the support member , since the support member has a recessed recess, the part that is deformed by the recessed recess is received, and the mounting operation is facilitated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the airbag device according to the first or second aspect , in which the mounting piece portion,
The support portion and the annular member are engaged with each other.

In this structure, screws are used as necessary to attach the cover body, the support member support portion,
And by engaging the annular members with each other,
The cover body is firmly fixed.

An airbag apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the airbag apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects,
At least a part of the support portion and the annular member are in contact with each other and fixed.

In this structure, the support body of the support member and the annular member are abutted and fixed to each other without the cover body interposed therebetween, whereby the cover body is firmly sandwiched and fixed.

An airbag device according to a fifth aspect is the airbag device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects,
The annular member is provided with a fitting portion into which the mounting portion of the mounting bracket can be fitted.

Further, in this structure, the annular member is supported by the mounting portion of the mounting bracket for mounting the airbag device, deformation such as expansion in the circumferential direction is suppressed, and the cover body is firmly held.

The airbag device 請 Motomeko 6 wherein, in the airbag device of any one claim 1 to 5,
A bulging portion that bulges outward is formed on the support portion of the support member, and the mounting bracket is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the bulging portion.
Parts are in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mounting portion of the mounting bracket, and the outer circumferential surface of the mounting piece portion of the cover member, in which a substantially same plane.

In this structure, a simple ring-shaped annular member having no folding portion is used, and the annular member is closely attached to the outer peripheral surface of the mounting piece of the cover body and the outer peripheral surface of the bulging portion. It becomes possible to closely fit the outer peripheral surface of the mounting portion of the mounting bracket , and the cover body is easily and firmly held.

The air bag device according to claim 7, in the airbag device of any one claim 1 to 6,
The annular member is made of a plate material of a long, one end of the plate material, a lock receiving portion, substantially T-shape front end side becomes narrower
A through hole is formed, and at the other end , a substantially T-shaped insertion portion having a wide tip is formed as a locking piece.
It is formed, and the insertion part is inserted into the through hole and separated
It is formed into a tubular shape by being pulled to , locked and joined.

In this structure, the annular member is easily formed, deformation of the annular member in the extending direction is easily suppressed, and the cover body is easily and firmly held .

[0032]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of an airbag device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 7, reference numeral 1 denotes an airbag device, which is mounted on a steering wheel 2 of an automobile as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The steering wheel 2 is composed of a steering wheel main body 3, an airbag device 1 attached to the occupant side of the steering wheel main body 3, that is, the front side. The steering wheel 2 is attached to a steering shaft that is tilted so that it can be adjusted as appropriate, and is normally used in a tilted state. Hereinafter, the occupant side to which the airbag device 1 is attached is referred to as an upper side or a front side, The vehicle body side will be described as the lower side or the back side. Further, the steering wheel body 3 includes an annular rim portion 4, a boss portion 5 located inside the rim portion 4, the rim portion 4 and the boss portion 5.
And a plurality of spoke parts 6 in this embodiment, which are connected to each other. Then, at the bottom of the boss portion 5, a boss 5a fitted to the steering shaft and a boss plate 5b separately or integrally fixed to the boss 5a.
And a pair of mounting brackets 8 on both sides serving as airbag device mounting members are fixed to the boss plate 5b via a horn switch mechanism or the like, if necessary, with screws 8a. Cap bolt 9
The airbag device 1 is attached using. Further, the lower side of the boss portion 5 is covered with a lower cover 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the air bag device (air bag module) 1 includes a base plate 11 as a support member, a cover body (air bag cover) 12 attached to the base plate 11, and an air bag. The bag 15, an inflator 16, a retainer 17, and a band 18 as an annular member are included.

The base plate 11 has a substantially left-right symmetrical shape, and is formed by pressing a metal plate to form a substrate portion (flat plate portion) 21 having a substantially octagonal shape (planar diamond shape).
And a peripheral wall portion 22 as a support portion integrally bent (standing) downward from the outer peripheral portion of the base plate portion 21 to form a substantially box-like shape with the lower surface opened. A circular hole-shaped inflator insertion hole 23 is formed in a substantially central portion of the board portion 21, and a plurality of bolt through holes 24 are formed around the inflator insertion hole 23. There is. Further, the peripheral wall portion 22 has a polygonal cylindrical shape, and from the peripheral surface, the inner engaging piece 25 as an engaging portion cuts and rises toward the outside, that is, in the radial direction (radial direction), and integrally projects. It is set up. Further, the peripheral wall portion 22 is provided with bracket portions (mounting pieces) 27 located on both sides of the base plate 11 , and inside the bolt through holes 28 formed in the bracket portion 27, caulking or the like is performed to cap bolts. A square nut 29 to which 9 is screwed is fixed. Further, on the peripheral wall portion 22, the base plate 11
The elongated hole-shaped through holes 31 are formed at the front and the rear. Further, stoppers 32 are formed at the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 22 by bending outward at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction. Further, escape recesses 33 are formed at a plurality of predetermined positions on the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 22.

On the other hand, the cover body 12 is integrally formed of synthetic resin, for example, is formed by injection molding an olefinic thermoplastic elastomer using a mold, and is provided with a steering wheel body having four spoke portions. 3 has a contour as a center pad. That is, the cover body 12 covers a part of the boss portion 5 and the spoke portion 6 of the steering wheel body 3 on the front surface side, and vertically projects from the lower surface of the cover portion 41 (standing). The side wall portion 42 as an attached piece is integrally formed, and a portion surrounded by the covering portion 41 and the inside of the side wall portion 42 is an airbag storage portion (container portion) for storing the airbag 15. ), The fragile tear line 44 having a substantially H-shaped plane is recessed on the lower surface of the covering portion 41 so as to face the airbag storage portion and is formed thin.
Further, the side wall portion 42 of the cover body 12 has a polygonal cylindrical shape, and the shape of the inner surface is adapted to be fitted substantially conforming to the outer shape of the base plate portion 21 of the base plate 11. And this side wall
An inner engagement hole (first through hole) 46 as an engagement receiving portion that penetrates in the radial direction and an outer engagement hole (second through hole) 47 as an engagement receiving portion are respectively provided in 42. Plural rectangular holes are provided. Further, the side wall portion 42 is formed with locking protrusions 48 that are located in front of and behind the cover body 12 and that face inward, and are located on both sides of the cover body 12 and penetrate downward in both directions. A cutout portion 49 that is open at is formed.

Further, the airbag 15 is formed into a flat bag shape by, for example, stitching two base cloths together, and has a circular hole-shaped gas inlet port 15a through which the inflator 16 is inserted in the central bottom portion.
And a plurality of bolt through holes (mounting through holes) 15b are formed around the gas inlet 15a.

Further, the inflator 16 is provided with a substantially cylindrical main body portion 16a, and a mounting flange 16b is provided so as to project from the outer peripheral portion of the main body portion 16a. Then, positioned above the mounting flange 16b, together with the gas injection port 16c for injecting a gas into the main body portion 16a is formed with a plurality of mounting off
The lunge 16b has multiple bolt through holes (mounting holes) 16
d is formed. Also, from the bottom surface of the main body 16a,
The lead wire is led out, and an inflator cover made of synthetic resin or the like is fitted and attached if necessary.

Further, the retainer 17 is provided with a retainer body 17a having a substantially annular shape. And this retainer body 17
The a has a substantially U-shaped cross section with flange portions facing upward on the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side, and four stud bolts 17b are fixed to the retainer body 17a downward. . A nut 50 is screwed into each of the stud bolts 17b from the lower end side.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, the strip 18 is a polygonal shape in which the ends of the main body 53, which is a long plate such as a metal plate, face each other and are connected by the connecting portion 54. The cover body 12 is formed in a tubular shape (loop shape) having a predetermined shape.
A fitting portion 55 is formed so as to be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion 42. That is, the main body portion 53 is formed with a through hole 56 having a narrow width on the front end side as a lock receiving portion at one end and a lock piece portion at the other end. As a hammer-shaped (substantially T-shaped) insertion part 57 with a wide tip
Is formed, and as shown in FIG.
57 is inserted into the through hole 56, pulled in the separating direction and engaged with each other, as shown in FIG. 10B, spot welding is performed at three points A, so that the circumferential direction is predetermined. A band 18 having a length dimension is formed.

The fitting portion 55 of the band 18 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion 42 of the cover body 12, that is, the fitting portion 55.
The shape of the inner surface of the side wall is the same as the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 42.

Further, from a plurality of positions of the belt 18, an outer engaging piece 61 as an engaging portion is integrally projected by cutting and raising, and each outer engaging piece 61 is directed inward. The lower end edge of the stopper 62
Are formed. Furthermore, the recessed portions 64, which are located on both sides of the belt 18 and are recessed toward the inside, serve as fitting portions.
Are formed. A circular hole-shaped mounting through hole 65 is formed in the recess 64. Furthermore, this recess
On the upper end side of 64, the main body part that is continuous on both sides of this recess 64
A bridge portion 66 that smoothly connects 53 to the shape along the outer surface of the side wall portion 42 of the cover body 12 is formed.
An open slit 67 is formed between the concave portion 64 and the concave portion 64.
Further, a guide portion (inclined portion) 68 that is inclined upward outward is integrally formed on the upper edge of the belt 18 over substantially the entire circumference except the vicinity of the connecting portion 54.

In addition, as shown in FIG.
Of the parallel section 64a parallel to the main body section 53 in the circumferential width W
2 and the radial dimension of the crossing portion 64b located at both ends of the parallel portion 64a and perpendicular to the main body portion 53, that is, the fitting depth is D2, W2 is the steering wheel main body 3
Is equal to the width W1 of the mounting portion 8b provided on the tip side of the mounting bracket 8 on the side, and D2 is the mounting bracket 8
Is formed to have the same thickness as the mounting portion 8b. Also,
The mounting portion 8b of the mounting bracket 8 is provided with a circular mounting hole 8c corresponding to the mounting through hole 65 of the recess 64.

Next, the manufacturing process of the airbag device 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

First, the base plate 11, the cover body 12, the band 18 and the like are formed in a predetermined shape in advance.

Then, by deforming the gas inlet port 15a of the airbag 15 into an elliptical shape, the retainer 17 is inserted from the gas inlet port 15a to the inside of the airbag 15, and each stud bolt 17b is used for a bolt. The stud bolts 17b are pulled out to the outside from the through hole 15b, and then the stud bolts 17b are inserted into the bolt through holes 24 of the base plate 11 from above, so that the periphery of the gas inlet port 15a is pressed onto the base plate portion 21 of the base plate 11.

From this state, automatic assembly work is started by an automatic assembly machine driven by air pressure or the like. That is, first, the airbag 15 is folded into a petal shape around the main body portion 16a of the inflator 16 by the airbag folding machine, and the airbag 15 is attached to the base plate portion 21 of the base plate 11.
So that it fits within the outer shape of.

Then, in this state, the air bag 15 is folded and arranged from the upper side of the base plate 11 to the lower side, and the cover body 12 is automatically supplied or the like to be pushed over and pushed between the base plate 11 and the cover body 12. Airbag
15 is accommodated, and the side wall portion 42 is fitted on the outer peripheral portion of the substrate portion 21.
In this state, each inner engagement piece 25 of the base plate 11 engages with the inner engagement hole 46 of the cover body 12, and
The lower end portion of the side wall portion 42 abuts on the stopper 32 to regulate the amount of fitting, and further, the locking projection portion 48 projecting inside the side wall portion 42 engages with the through hole 31 to cause the cover body 12 to move to the base plate. Precisely positioned at 11 and retained and retained.

Subsequently, the belt 18 is automatically supplied to a predetermined position, and then fitted to the entire outer circumference of the side wall portion 42 of the cover body 12 by using a pneumatic press device (not shown) or the like. In this step, first, as shown in FIG. 11, the band 18 is arranged at a predetermined position with respect to the cover body 12, and the band 18 is relatively moved toward the cover body 12 side. Then, as shown in FIG. 12A, the guide portion 68 provided at the upper end edge of the belt 18 is slidably contacted with the side wall portion 42, etc.
The 18 is easily guided to the correct position. Then, when the band 18 is pushed in, as shown in FIG. 12B, the outer engagement piece 61 comes into contact with the lower end portion of the side wall portion 42 and presses it toward the inner peripheral side. Then, the base plate 11 corresponds to the position of the outer engaging piece 61.
Since the escape recess 33 is formed in the recess, the side wall portion 42 elastically deformed toward the inner peripheral side is smoothly received in the escape recess 33. Further, when the band 18 is pushed in, the outer engagement piece 61 is inserted into the outer engagement hole 47 as shown in FIG.
The side wall portion 42 is returned and deformed and engaged.

Then, in the state shown in FIG.
The outer engaging piece 61 engages with the outer engaging hole 47, and the belt 18
The stopper 62 at the lower end of the side wall contacts the lower end of the side wall part 42 to regulate the amount of fitting, and the recess 64 fits into the notch 49,
The belt 18 is accurately positioned and held by the cover body 12 so as not to come off.

At the same time, in this state, the side wall portion of the cover body 12
42 is sandwiched between the peripheral wall portion 22 of the base plate 11 and the band 18, the band 18 holds the engagement between the inner engagement piece 25 and the inner engagement hole 46, and the outer engagement piece 61 and the outer engagement hole. The base plate 11 holds the engagement with 47, and the cover body 12 is firmly attached to the base plate 11.

Subsequently, the upper portion of the main body portion 16a of the inflator 16 is pushed into the inflator insertion hole 23 and the gas inflow port 15a from the lower side of the base plate 11 to attach the mounting flange 16
Insert the stud bolt 17 of the retainer 17 into the bolt through hole 16d
Insert b, and screw nuts 50 under the stud bolts 17b to tighten them,
The base plate 11 and the airbag 15 are fastened together between the retainer body 17a and the mounting flange 16b, and the assembly of the airbag device 1 is completed.

Then, the airbag device 1 assembled as described above is attached to the mounting bracket 8 standing upright from the boss portion 5 of the steering wheel body 3. At this time, the mounting portion 8b of the mounting bracket 8 is attached to the base plate 11
Of the cap bolt 9 from the outside of the mounting portion 8b to the mounting through hole 8c of the mounting portion 8b and the mounting through hole 65 of the band 18 in this state.
It is screwed into the square nut 29 through the bolt through hole 28 of the bracket portion 27. In this state, the band 18 having the inner peripheral surface closely attached (fitted) to the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion 42 is tightened to the base plate 11 side by the cap bolt 9.

When a shock such as a collision is applied to the automobile, a control unit (not shown) actuates the inflator 16 to rapidly supply an inert gas such as nitrogen gas from the gas injection port 16c to the inside of the airbag 15. Then, due to this gas, the airbag 15 rapidly inflates and deploys, and the pressure of this inflation causes the covering portion 41 of the cover body 12 to break along the tear line 44 and project to the upper side of the cover body 12. Further, the airbag 15 is inflated and expanded widely in front of the occupant so as to absorb and relax the impact applied to the occupant.

When the airbag 15 is inflated, a force for expanding the side wall portion 42 in the circumferential direction is applied to the cover body 12, but this force is received by the band 18, and further, this band is received. The force that tries to spread 18 in the circumferential direction is received by the mounting bracket 8 of the steering wheel body 3, and the cover body 12 can be reliably held by the base plate 11. Further, the band 18 is recessed (folded), that is, drawn at the recessed portions 64, and has a shape that is easily deformed in the extending direction at this portion, but the upper side of each recessed portion 64 extends along the outer surface of the side wall portion 42. The bridge 66 is provided, and the recess 64
Since both sides of the cover 18 are connected at a substantially shortest distance, the cover body 12 can be firmly held against the force of expanding the belt 18 in the circumferential direction. In this way, the effect of preventing the circumferential dimension of the band 18 from being enlarged and holding the cover body 12 firmly is that the cover body is at least on the upper part of the band 18, that is, at the location on the protruding side of the airbag 15.
The same can be achieved by forming along the outer surface of 12 and not forming the folds.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the cover body 12 is fitted on the outer periphery of the base plate 11, and the band 18 is fitted on the outer periphery of the cover body 12, whereby the cover body is formed.
12 can be firmly held on the base plate 11, and the airbag device 1 can be easily assembled. Therefore, as compared with the configuration using a large number of rivets or tightening bands, workability can be improved, the number of parts can be reduced, the manufacturing can be automated, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

By engaging and connecting both ends of a metal plate or the like to the belt 18, a member having a fixed circumferential dimension can be easily manufactured, deformation in the pulling direction can be easily prevented, and the cover body can be easily prevented. Can hold 12 securely. Also, this obi 18
Is preliminarily formed in a shape to be fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion 42 of the cover body 12, thereby eliminating the need for management of tightening force, facilitating assembly, and various shapes such as a square tube shape. The present invention can be applied to an airbag device provided with a cover body provided with the side wall portion, and can improve versatility and reduce manufacturing cost.

Further, the base plate 11 and the cover body 12, and the cover body 12 and the belt 18 are engaged with each other by engaging pieces 2 which engage with each other.
Since 5, 61 and the engaging holes 46, 47 are provided, the positioning and holding can be performed easily and accurately. Further, since the belt 18 is provided with the slanted guide portion 68 at the upper end edge, it can be easily fitted to the outer periphery of the side wall portion 42, and the workability can be improved.

Further, in correspondence with the position of the outer engaging piece 61,
Since the escape recess 33 is formed in the base plate 11, the elastically deformed side wall portion 42 can be smoothly received in the escape recess 33, and the belt 18 can be smoothly pushed in, so that the airbag device 1 can be easily assembled. Can be

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9 and the like, the slit 67 is provided by opening between the concave portion 64 and the bridge portion 66, but the concave portion as the fitting portion is various. It is possible to take a shape, and for example, as shown in FIG. 13, it is also possible to form a concave portion 71 formed by pressing in a substantially box shape without forming a slit.

It is also possible to use a band having a substantially flat peripheral surface without forming these concave portions.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the band 81 as an annular member is not formed with a concave portion,
A simple peripheral surface 82 whose inner and outer peripheral surfaces are substantially flat is formed, while the base plate 84 is integrally formed with bulging portions 86 located on both sides and bulging outward, that is, in the radial direction. ing. The bulging portion 86 is formed with a bracket portion 87 to which the mounting bracket 8 of the steering wheel body 3 is closely attached and fixed.

The bulging portion 86 is the side wall portion of the cover body 12.
It fits into the notch 49 of 42 and the bracket 87 of this bulge 86
The outer surface of the mounting portion 8b of the mounting bracket 8 fixed to
It is formed to be substantially flush with the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion 42. The band 81 and the cap bolt 9 are arranged on the outer peripheral side of the side wall portion 42, that is, from the outer peripheral side, the head 9a of the cap bolt 9, the washer 9b, the band 81, the mounting bracket 8, and the base plate 84 are arranged in this order. They are arranged and fastened together.

In this embodiment, since the outer peripheral surfaces of the side wall portion 42 and the mounting bracket 8 are substantially flat surfaces, even if the band 81 having the substantially flat peripheral surface 82 is used, the entire circumference is almost the same. The cover body 12 can be held in close contact and the cover body 12 can be firmly held. Furthermore, when the band 81 having the substantially flat peripheral surface 82 is used as described above, since it can be configured in a simple ring shape without a bent portion or the like, it is possible to easily prevent a reduction in the holding force due to deformation or extension. The cover body 12 can be firmly held.

In addition, in the structure shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, as shown in FIG. 17, the outer peripheral surface (top surface) of the bulging portion 86.
Can be further projected outward so as to be substantially flush with the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion 42. Further, in this configuration, from the outer peripheral side, the head portion 9a of the cap bolt 9, the washer 9b, the mounting bracket 8, the band 81, and the base plate 84.
The same effect can be obtained by arranging in this order and fastening them integrally.

Further, the airbag device is not applied only to the steering wheel of an automobile, and is provided, for example, in an airbag device for a passenger occupant provided in an instrument panel core in front of a passenger seat or in a seat or a door. The present invention can be applied to an airbag device, and can also be applied to a moving body other than a vehicle such as an automobile that requires protection from impact.

[0067]

According to the airbag apparatus 請 Motomeko 1, wherein, according to the present invention, by forming the engagement portion to the annular member, the engaging portions on the mounting piece portion forms an engagement receiving portion for engaging, By engaging the engaging portion and the engaging receiving portion, the cover body and the annular member can be accurately positioned and easily assembled. Further, by fitting the annular member to the outer peripheral surface of the mounting piece portion having a substantially cylindrical shape with the support member facing the inner peripheral surface, the engagement between the engagement portion and the engagement receiving portion can be maintained, and the cover The body can be firmly fixed to the support member.

According to the airbag device of claim 2 ,
In addition to the claim 1 Symbol placement effect, whether we suited inwardly ring-shaped member
There, toward the support member projecting engagement portion, the support member by forming a concave relief to face the engaging portion,
When the support member or the annular member is inserted and fitted, the portion of the cover piece other than the engagement receiving portion is slidably contacted with the engaging portion projecting from the annular member to support it. Although it deforms toward the member , the support member has an escape recess,
The deformed portion is received by the escape recess, and the mounting operation can be facilitated.

According to the airbag device of claim 3 ,
In addition to the effect according to claim 1 or 2 , if necessary, using a screw or the like, a mounting piece portion of the cover body, a support portion of the support member,
And by engaging the annular members with each other,
The cover body can be firmly fixed.

According to the airbag device of claim 4 ,
In addition to the claims 1 to 3 Effect of any one described, without passing through the cover member, and a support portion and an annular member of the support member by fixing contact, it can be fixed firmly clamping the cover member.

According to the airbag device of claim 5 ,
In addition to the claims 1 to 4 the effect of any one described, the annular member, since the mounting portion of the mounting bracket is provided with a fitting portion fittable mounting for attaching the air bag device an annular member
The bracket can be supported by the mounting portion , deformation such as circumferential extension can be suppressed, and the cover body can be firmly held.

[0072] According to the air bag device of 請 Motomeko 6, wherein,
In addition to the claims 1 to 5 the effect of any one described, the support portion of the support member, forming a bulging portion that bulges to the outer peripheral side, the outer peripheral surface of the expanded portion, the mounting portion of the mounting bracket By making the outer peripheral surface of the mounting portion of this mounting bracket closely flush with the outer peripheral surface of the mounting piece portion of the cover body, a simple ring-shaped annular member having no folds is used. This annular member, the outer peripheral surface of the mounting piece of the cover body,
The cover body can be closely fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the mounting portion of the mounting bracket that is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the bulging portion, and the cover body can be easily and firmly held.

According to the airbag device of claim 7 ,
In addition to the claims 1 to 6 the effect of any one described, the annular member, at one end of the plate long as lock receiving portion, the distal end side
When a through hole having a substantially T shape with a narrow width is formed,
Moni, the other end portion, as the locking piece portion, it and tip wide
A substantially T-shaped insertion part is formed.
By inserting into the hole, pulling in the direction of separation, locking and joining, and forming into a tubular shape, the annular member can be easily formed and deformation of the annular member in the extension direction can be easily suppressed. Can be easily and firmly held .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of an airbag device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a steering wheel including the same airbag device.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the steering wheel taken along line I-I of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the above airbag device.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 4 of the above airbag device.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 4 of the above airbag device.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 4 of the airbag device.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an annular member of the same airbag device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a part of the attachment state of the annular member to the steering wheel body.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a manufacturing process of the same annular member.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an assembling process of the airbag device.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view explaining an assembling process of the airbag device.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a part of an annular member showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of an airbag device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an annular member of the above airbag device.

FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the airbag device is attached to the steering wheel body.

FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the airbag device according to another embodiment of the present invention is attached to a steering wheel body.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Airbag device 8 Mounting bracket 8b as an airbag device mounting member 8b Mounting portion 11 Base plate 12 as a supporting member 12 Cover body 15 Airbag 18 Belt 22 as an annular member 22 Peripheral wall portion 25 as a supporting portion Internal engagement as an engaging portion Joint piece 33 Escape recess 42 Side wall 46 as mounting piece 46 Inner engagement hole 47 as engagement receiving portion 47 Outer engagement hole 55 as engagement receiving portion Fitting portion 56 Through hole 57 as engagement receiving portion Insertion part 61 as stop part 61 Outer engagement piece 64 as engagement part Recessed part 86 as fitting part 86 Swelling part

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Sugiyama, 218 Aoshima-cho, Fuji-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan Plast Co., Ltd. (72) Yoshifumi Kamano 218, Aoshima-cho, Fuji-shi, Shizuoka, Japan (72) Invention Yoshinori Oguma, 218 Aoshima-cho, Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan Plaster Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A-1-109146 (JP, A) JP-A-6-206511 (JP, A) JP-A-5-105020 (JP, A) JP 7-96813 (JP, A) JP 6-298031 (JP, A) JP 7-9932 (JP, A) JP 5-185891 (JP, A) Kaihei 6-16102 (JP, A) JP 1-160757 (JP, A) JP 54-2519 (JP, A) Actual flat 5-12306 (JP, U) Actual flat 5-56675 ( (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60R 21/20

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. An airbag that is inflated and expanded by the inflow of gas, a mounting piece having a substantially cylindrical shape, a cover body that covers the airbag, and a support portion that faces an inner peripheral surface of the mounting piece. comprising a support member to which the airbag is attached, it includes a fitting portion fitted on an outer peripheral surface of the mounting piece portion, comprises an annular member having a cylindrical shape, and the annular member, the engaging portion There are formed, on the mounting piece portion, said engaging receiving portion engaging portion is engaged is formed as holes, the fitting portion of the annular member, the shape of the inner surface, said mount piece
Is formed in the same shape as the outer peripheral surface of the
The annular member is pushed relative to the cover body side.
Is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the mounting piece, and
The engagement portion engages with the engagement receiving portion, and the annular member
An airbag device that is retained and held by the bar body . 2. A ring-shaped member or al facing inwardly, with the engagement portion is protruded toward the support member, said the support member, the recess flank to face the engaging portion is formed airbag apparatus according to claim 1 Symbol mounting, characterized in that the. 3. The mounting piece portion, the support portion, and the annular member are
Claim respectively, characterized in that it engaged each other 1 or
Or the airbag device described in 2 . 4. A support and the annular member is at least partially to the claims 1, characterized in that fixed in contact with each other 3 airbag apparatus of any one described. Wherein the annular member is an air bag device according to claim 1 of <br/> stone 4 any one, wherein a mounting portion of the mounting bracket is provided with a fitting portion fittable. 6. A bulging portion bulging toward the outer peripheral side is formed on the supporting portion of the supporting member, and a mounting block is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the bulging portion.
The racket mounting part is in close contact and the mounting bracket is removed.
The outer circumferential surface of the biasing portion, and the outer peripheral surface of the mounting piece portion of the cover member, 5 or claims 1, characterized in that a substantially coplanar
An airbag device as described above. 7. The annular member is made of a long plate material, and one end portion of the plate material has a narrower width at a front end side as a lock receiving portion.
A through hole having a substantially T-shape is formed, and at the other end , a substantially T-shape having a wide tip as a locking piece is formed.
An insertion part is formed, and the insertion part is inserted into the through hole,
The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the airbag device is formed into a tubular shape by being pulled in a direction of separating from each other, locked and joined.