JP4051250B2

JP4051250B2 - Improved structure of break opening in automotive airbag device

Info

Publication number: JP4051250B2
Application number: JP2002283743A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 満雄安田; 祐輔石黒
Original assignee: Sanko Gosei Ltd
Current assignee: Sanko Gosei Ltd
Priority date: 2002-09-27
Filing date: 2002-09-27
Publication date: 2008-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-27
Also published as: JP2004114919A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、自動車などの車両の衝突時に助手席，運転席の乗員を正面，側面衝突から保護して、安全性を確保するための自動車用エアーバッグ装置に関し、特に、エアーバッグ膨張展開用の内装カバーに形成する破断開放部の改良構造に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
自動車などの車両に適用される助手席用，運転席用及び左右側柱用のエアーバッグ装置は、基本的に、エアーバッグと、このエアーバッグを折り畳んだ状態で収容するエアーバッグケースと、エアーバッグを膨張展開するインフレータを備え、車両内装カバーによって被覆配設される構成になっている。
そして、自動車の内装カバーは、一般的にポリプロピレン等の合成樹脂材により一体成形されたパネルコアーの表面を覆うポリプロピレン等の合成樹脂製のパネル状のインストルメントカバー（以下内装カバーという）によって構成されている。
【０００３】
本件出願人は先に内装カバーの表面に開口部の破断線を見にくくしたシームレスタイプの助手席用エアーバッグ装置を提案している。
【０００４】
即ち、図１は助手席用エアーバッグ装置の単板状の内装カバー３にエアーバッグ膨張展開用の破断開放部３０を形成した状態を示す部分拡大説明図で、図２は図１のＡ−Ａ線に沿う概略断面図である。
【０００５】
図１及び図２において、前記内装カバー３には、図示しないレーザ発生手段からパルス状に発生するレーザを内装カバー３の裏面側からその裏面に固着した補強用板材１０，１０の外形縁部に沿って相対移動しながら照射することにより、内装カバー３を貫通する貫通孔を破線状または点線状に形成した破断溝３０ａ，３０ｂ，３０ｃを形成することで、エアーバッグケース５の開口部５ａの大きさに対応するエアーバッグ膨張展開用の破断開放部３０が形成される。
また、前記破断開放部３０は長手方向に形成した破断溝３０ｂによって、前，後の破断開放部３１，３２となりエアーバッグ膨張展開時に、観音開き状態に分割分離されて開放されるようになっている。
【０００６】
そして、前記エアーバッグ膨張展開時に、内装カバー３の破断開放部３０がエアーバッグ４により前記内装カバー３より切り離されるが、前記内装カバー３の前記破断開放部３０の裏面には、前記一対の補強板材１０，１０の一端水平面が熔着等の手段により固着され、その各他端１０ａ，１０ａが、ヒンジ部１１，１１を介して折り曲げられて垂下し、かつ前記エアーバッグケース５の開口部５ａの形状幅より僅かに大きな間隔幅を有する前記内装カバー３の裏面に形成した一対の補強リブ１２に前記ケース５の前後壁面５ｂ，５ｂに取付けられたフック部３６を介して係止された構成とすることで、エアーバッグ膨張展開時に観音開きされた内装カバー３の破断開放部３０が飛散しないようになっており、乗員の車両衝突時の衝撃を緩和し、かつ破断開放部３０による打撲等の原因による危険を未然に防止するようにした自動車用エアーバッグ装置を提供している。
なお、１３は、一対の補強リブ１２の前記内装カバー３の裏面連結部分に形成した成形時の引け防止を兼ねた薄肉部であって、エアーバッグ膨張展開時に、観音開きされた内装カバー３の破断開放部３０から折損分離されるように構成したものである。
【０００７】
上記のように構成された自動車用エアーバッグ装置において、車両が衝突した際には、その衝突時の衝撃力をセンサで検出し、このセンサで検出した衝撃力が予め定めた値以上になった否かをＣＰＵ等からなる制御装置で判定し、設定値以上と判定された時に制御装置から出力される信号によりインフレータを動作させて所定のガスを発生させ、このガスをエアーバッグに供給することにより、エアーバッグを急速に膨張展開させる。
【０００８】
すなわち、エアーバッグが膨張展開することにより、その圧力で内装カバー３の破断開放部３０が内側から押圧されると、破断開放部３０が脆弱部である破断溝３０ａ，３０ｂ，３０ｃに沿い破断されて内装カバー３から分離さるとともに、この分離された前，後の破断開放部３１，３２は補強板材１０，１０のそれぞれのヒンジ部１１を支点に内装カバー３の外方へ開かれる。
これと同時に、エアーバッグ４は開かれた破断開放部３０から内装カバー３の外方へ膨張展開され、この膨張展開されたエアーバッグの緩衝作用で、助手席の乗員の胸部，頭部を支えることにより、乗員を車両衝突時の衝撃力から保護するようにしている。
【０００９】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで、前記内装カバー３の破断開放部３０は、左右長尺方向中央に形成される破断溝３０ｂと左右の前後短尺方向の破断溝３０ｃとの交点は直交しているため、図３に示すように、前記内装カバー３の破断開放部３０がエアーバッグ４の膨張によって観音開き状態になった場合、前，後の破断開放部３１，３２の破断溝３０ｃと破断溝３０ｂとの交点となる前，後の破断開放部３１，３２の角部３０ｄはそれぞれ角張った鋭角が形成されることになり、乗員に思わぬ損傷を与える不具合が考えられる。
【００１０】
また、エアーバッグ４の膨張時に、破断開放部３０の破断面がぎざぎざになり、破断面にシャープなエッジができる等の変形が生じ安全性に欠ける惧れがある。
また、前述の発明では、内装カバー３の破断開放部３０が設けられる開口周縁の前，後短尺方向である左右側には、下方裏面に何等補強が施されていないため、内装カバー３の上面からの押圧力には弱く、乗車中に誤って負荷を掛けると破断開放部３０が凹んだり、開口周縁が変形してしまい外観上好ましくないという問題点がある。
【００１１】
本発明は、上記のような従来の課題を解決するためになされたもので、本発明の第１の目的は、前記内装カバーの破断開放部の裏面側に、上面に前記破断開放部の開口とほぼ同様な開口部を有し、且つ前記内装カバーの破断開放部の外周縁すべての裏面を保持するようにした破断開口部用の補強枠を配設し、前記補強枠に補強板材及び前記エアーバッグケースにそれぞれ形成した連結部を一体に固定した構成とすることで、内装カバーの破断開放部及びその外周縁近傍の上方からの押圧負荷に対し耐圧性を備えると共に、エアーバッグケースを含む諸装置の取付けが容易で、且つ破断開口部の破断面に生じるシャープなエッヂをできにくくして、安全性及び耐圧性の高い破断開放部を備えた自動車用エアーバッグ装置における破断開放部の改良構造を目的とする。
【００１２】
本発明の第２の目的は、前記破断開放部の左，右側方に形成される破断溝と中央破断溝との交差部に、前記中央破断溝側に突出する交差部先端が湾曲状となる突出部を設け、且つ前記前，後破断開放部の回動後の開放開口部の縁部に残存する前記突出部が前記エアーバッグケースの開口部領域内に突出しないように補強枠上面に位置することで、エアーバッグ膨張展開時に観音開きに回動した後の、前，後破断開放部の周縁角部に生じるシャープなエッジ形状を軽減又はなくすることで角部の折損による飛散の防止、並びに乗員の安全を確保し、且つ前記突出部の先端がエアーバッグケースより膨張するエアーバッグに触れることがなくエアーバッグに損傷を与えることのない自動車用エアーバッグ装置における破断開放部の改良構造を目的とする。
【００１３】
【課題を解決するための手段】
前記目的を達成するために本発明の請求項１に記載の発明は、車両内装カバーによって被覆されたフロント部、ハンドル中央部及び側柱部の少なくとも１個所に配設された、インフレータからのガスにより膨張展開されるエアーバッグを折り畳んだ状態で収容すると共に、前記内装カバーの裏面と対向する個所に開口部を有するエアーバッグケースを配設し、前記エアーバッグケースの開口部と相対向する前記カバーの裏面位置に脆弱部分を破断溝により形成した破断開放部と、該破断開放部に対応する形状の補強板材とを備え、前記破断開放部には、その裏面に前後方向に対峙させた一対の前記補強板材が固定され観音開き状態に分離分割可能に構成され、前記破断開放部の外周縁の裏面に、上面に前記破断開放部の開口とほぼ同様な開口を有する破断開口部用の補強枠を固定し、かつ補強枠の開口部内に位置させて前記補強板材を固定した自動車用エアーバッグ装置において、
前記破断開放部の左，右側方に形成される破断溝と中央破断溝との交差部に、前記中央破断溝側に突出する交差部の先端が湾曲状となる突出部を設け、且つ前記前，後破断開放部の回動後の開放開口部の縁部に残存する前記突出部が前記補強枠上面に位置し、前記突出部の先端がエアーバッグケースの開口部領域内に突出しないようにしたことを特徴とする。
請求項２の発明は、請求項１記載の自動車用エアーバッグ装置にける破断開放部の改良構造において、前記前，後破断開放部の回動後の開放開口部の縁部に残存する前記突出部は、縁部からの突出長が３〜１０mmであることを特徴とする。
【００１５】
【発明の実施の形態】
次に、本発明の実施の形態について、図面を参照して説明する。
図４は本発明にかかる自動車用エアーバッグ装置における破断開放部の改良構造に係る実施形態を示す助手席用に適用したエアーバッグ装置の要部断面図、図５は図４の要部の分解斜視図、図６はエアーバッグ装置を上部より見た要部の概略平面図、図７は本発明にかかる自動車用エアーバッグ装置における破断開放部の改良構造の作動状態を示す概略図である。
【００１６】
図４及び図５において、３はインストルメントパネルコアー２の表面を覆うインストルメントパネルカバー（以下内装カバーという）で、これらはポリプロピレン等の合成樹脂材により一体成形された樹脂成形品から構成されている。前記内装カバー３はタッピングねじ等の適宜の手段により車両の骨組み（図示せず）に固定されたインストルメントパネルコアー２に固定される。
【００１７】
前記内装カバー３の左側部分の助手席（日本車対応）と対向する箇所には、図４に示すように、金属製のエアーバッグケース５が収容される収容部２０が隔壁部材２１により形成されている。なお、外国車対応の場合は前記構成と対称位置に設けられる。
前記隔壁部材２１は、ケース５等の内装カバー３への組み付けを容易にするために図示しない複数のタッピングねじにより車両の骨組みに着脱可能に固定される構成になっている。
また、前記収容部２０と相対向する内装カバー３の箇所には、エアーバッグ４の膨張展開時に開放される破断開放部３０が形成されている。
この破断開放部３０は、ケース５の開口部５ａとほぼ同一面積で長方形状をなしており、後述するレーザ加工によって形成された破断溝３０ａ，３０ｂ，３０ｃによって破断されると共に、破断開放部３０の長尺方向中央に形成した脆弱部である中央破断溝３０ｂから２分割可能に形成された前，後破断開放部３１，３２からなっている。
【００１８】
前記内装カバー３の裏面には、図５に示すように、前記破断開放部３０のほぼ外周囲にそって上面５０ａに開口部５１を有する破断開放部用の補強枠５０を配設し、この補強枠５０の長尺方向の前，後側壁５０ｃ，５０ｄの下方端に折り曲げ形成した水平基端部５０ｅ，５０ｆには、後述の補強板材１０及びバッグケース５を結合する複数の係合孔５２が形成されている。
また、前記水平基端部５０ｅ，５０ｆよりさらに延長して前，後互いに下向き，上向きの逆方向に折曲形成された取付部５０ｇ，５０ｈが設けられている。
そして、前記各取付部５０ｇ，５０ｈは、前記内装カバー３の裏面に突設したボス部６０及び６１にそれぞれねじ６２によって固定される。
更に、前記上面５０ａの開口部５１を除く左右の上面部には、複数の長穴５３が形成されており、前記内装カバー３の裏面側に形成した突起部（図示せず）を嵌合させて熱熔着するようにしている。
さらに、開口部５１の内面の全周囲には、前記上面５０ａより下方に直角に折り曲げた垂下縁部５０ｂが設けられている。
前記エアーバッグケース５内には、エアーバッグ４が折り畳んだ状態で収納されており、このエアーバッグ４には、隔壁部材２１の外側に配設される図示省略のインフレータ（ガス発生器）にガス吹き込みパイプ２２を通して接続されている。
また、エアーバッグケース５の上方開口部５ａの４隅部には連結部５ｂが形成され、前記補強枠５０の係合孔５２とねじ６３により連結される。
【００１９】
前記内装カバー３に形成される破断開放部３０は、前記内装カバー３の下部に配設された前記ケース５の開口部５ａと相対向して形成されたものであって、前記破断開放部３０の左右方向に延びるほぼ中央部に形成された中央破断溝３０ｂから分割される前，後破断開放部３１，３２よりなるものであるが、前記補強枠５０の開口部５１の内側に位置するように破断溝３０ａが形成されている。
【００２０】
なお、前記中央破断溝３０ｂで２分割される前，後破断開放部３１，３２は、前記中央破断溝３０ｂで破断開放部を均一の大きさに分割してあるが、前記車両の助手席側の後破断開放部３２をフロントガラス４０側の前破断開放部３１より僅かに小さい面積の破断開放部となるように中央破断溝３０ｂを片寄らせて形成してもよい。
【００２１】
前記破断開放部３０の破断溝３０ａ，３０ｃ及び中央破断溝３０ｂは、レーザ発生手段（図示せず）から発生するパルス状のレーザを前記内装カバー３の裏面側から破断開放部３０の左右長手方向の輪郭および中央部分に相対移動させながら照射した脆弱部となる。
そして、この発明の実施形態にあっては、前記破断開放部３０の左，右側方に形成される破断溝３０ｃと中央破断溝３０ｂとの交差部に、前記中央破断溝３０ｂ側に突出する交差部先端が湾曲状となる突出部３０ｅを設け、且つ前記前，後破断開放部の回動後の開放開口部の縁部に残存する前記突出部が前記補強枠上面に位置し、前記突出部の先端がエアーバッグケースの開口部領域内に突出しないようになっている。
【００２２】
また、前記前，後破断開放部の回動後の開放開口部の縁部に残存する突出部３０ｅは、縁部からの突出長が３〜１０mmであることが好ましい。上記構成によれば、前記突出部３０ｅがエアーバッグケース５より膨張するエアーバッグ４に触れることがなくエアーバッグ４を損傷することもない。
【００２３】
更に又、前記分割されるそれぞれの前，後破断開放部３１，３２の裏面にはそれぞれ補強板材３３，３３の水平本体部３３ａ，３３ａを熔着により固着し、前記本体部３３ａ，３３ａに連接するヒンジ部３４から下方に折曲げ延長された前，後側壁面３３ｂ，３３ｂには連結部３５と取付部３７とを備え、該連結部３５は前記エアーバッグケース５の連結部５ｂと一体に前記補強枠５０の水平基端部５０ｅの係合孔５２にねじ６３によって固定され、前記取付部３７は前記補強枠５０取付部５０ｇ，５０ｈと共に、前記内装カバー３のボス部６０，６１にそれぞれねじ６２で固定されるようになっている。
【００２４】
また、前記補強板材３３，３３の水平本体部３３ａ，３３ａには、複数の長孔３３ｃが形成され、内装カバー３の破断開放部３０の裏面に形成した突隆部３ｃが嵌合されて熱熔着により固定されるようになっている。
【００２５】
次に、内装カバー３に破断開放部３０を形成する場合について説明する。
エアーバッグ４の膨張展開時に破断する破断開放部３０の破断溝３０ａ，３０ｃ及び中央破断溝３０ｂを内装カバー３に形成するに際しては、図示省略した周知のレーザ発生手段から所定の周波数、例えば７ｋＨｚのパルス状のレーザ（出力＝１〜３ｋＷ）を一定の周期で間欠的に発生させ、このレーザを内装カバー３の裏面側から、前記破断開放部３０の左，右側方に形成される破断溝３０ｃと中央破断溝３０ｂとの交差部に、前記中央破断溝３０ｂ側に突出する交差部先端が湾曲状となる突出部３０ｅを形成しながら、その裏面に固着する補強板材３３の外形縁部に沿って所定の速度で相対移動しながら照射することで形成したものである。
これにより、内装カバー３には、相対移動速度とレーザ発生手段からのレーザ発生パターンに応じて破断溝状の脆弱部を有する破断開放部３０が形成される。
【００２６】
以上のように構成された、本発明の実施形態に係る助手席用のエアーバッグ装置における破断開放部の改良によれば、自動車などの車両が衝突した際には、その衝突時の衝撃力をセンサで検出し、このセンサで検出した衝撃力が予め定めた値以上になった否かをＣＰＵ等からなる制御装置で判定し、設定値以上と判定された時に制御装置から出力される信号によりインフレータを動作させて所定のガスを発生させ、このガスをエアーバッグ４に供給することにより、エアーバッグ４を急速に膨張展開させる（図７参照）。
【００２７】
そして、エアーバッグ４の膨張展開初期時には、補強板材３３に圧力が掛かるが、補強板材３３の側壁３３ｂより延長された取付部３７が破断開口部用の補強枠５０の係合孔５２に離れた位置に固定されることで形成されるヒンジ伸び代Ｄにより、補強板材３３の側壁３３ｂが図７に示すように変形し、かつ補強枠５０の垂下縁部５０ｂに規制されながら初期の圧力を吸収し、しかる後に、ヒンジ部３４を介して外方に展開するため、内装カバー３の破断開放部３０展開後の破断開口部を広げる力が抑制され、破断部に生じるささくれ現象を予防し、奇麗な破断面を提供できる。
【００２８】
また、前記補強板材３３の上方への移動に対する圧力負担が軽減され、前記補強板材３３の変形に伴う前，後破断開放部３１，３２との熔着部に対する負担を少なくすることで熔着部の剥離を防止し、前，後破断開放部３１，３２の飛散を防止する。
【００２９】
さらに、内装カバー３の破断開放部３０の外周縁に配設した開口部補強枠５０によって、上方からの押圧力に対して耐圧性が増し、エアーバッグ装置の不使用時における内装カバー３の割れ，歪み等の変形を防止できる。
さらにまた、内装カバ―３の裏面にエアーバッグ装置を配備する場合には、補強枠５０の取付部５０ｇ，５０ｅと補強板材３３の取付部３７とをボス部６０，６１にねじ止し、しかる後に、内装カバー３の突隆部３ｃと熱熔着作業ができるため、熔着時に発生する取付けずれ、或いはがたつきが防止でき、作業能率の向上が図れる。
【００３０】
上述の実施例ではエアーバッグ装置を助手席用のものについて説明したが、ハンドル中央部、側柱部などに配設するエアーバッグ装置についても適用できることは勿論である。
なお、前記実施形態では、破断開放部が観音開きに開口する構成に付いて説明したが、これに限られることなく、内装カバー内面に熔着される補強板材の構成が若干異なるが、破断開放部が片開き構成のものについても適用できることは勿論である。
【００３１】
また、前述の実施形態では、前記破断開放部３０の左，右側方に形成される破断溝３０ｃと中央破断溝３０ｂとの交差部に、前記中央破断溝３０ｂ側に突出する交差先端部が湾曲状となる突出部３０ｅを設けた構成としたが、図９に示すように、前記破断開放部３０の左，右側方に形成される破断溝３０ｃと中央破断溝３０ｂとの交差によって生じる前，後破断開放部３１，３２の回動側角部が、エアーババッグの膨張による破断時に完全に面取りを行った湾曲状となるように、破断溝３０ｃの前記中央破断溝３０ｂ側に突出する交差先端部が尖鋭状となる突出部３０ｅを設けた構成としても良いことは勿論である。
【発明の効果】
上記のように本発明の自動車用エアーバッグ装置における破断開放部の改良構造によれば、破断開放部の外周縁の裏面に、上面に前記破断開放部の開口とほぼ同様な開口を有する破断開口部用の補強枠を固定し、かつ補強枠の開口部内に位置させて前記補強板材を固定し、前記補強枠に前記補強板材及び前記エアーバッグケースの連結部を共に固定すると共に、前記破断開放部の左，右側方の破断溝と中央破断溝との交差部に、前記中央破断溝側に突出する交差部先端が湾曲状となる突出部を設けた構成としたので、エアーバッグ膨張展開時に観音開きに回動した後の前，後破断開放部の周縁角部に生じるシャープなエッジ形状を軽減またはなくすことができ、破断開放部の角部の折損による飛散が防止でき、乗員の安全が確保できる。
また、前記前，後破断開放部の回動後の開放開口部の縁部に残る中央破断溝の端部が頂点となる突出部が、エアーバッグケースの開口部領域内に突出しないように補強枠上面に位置するようにした構成としたので、前記突出部の先端がエアーバッグケースより膨張するエアーバッグに触れることがなくエアーバッグを損傷することもない。
また、破断開放部をレーザー照射によって破断溝による脆弱部を形成するときに接続誤差を吸収し、確実にコーナー部を脆弱に形成できる。
また、前記補強板材の上方への移動に対する圧力負担が軽減され、前記補強板材の変形に伴う前，後破断開放部との熔着部に対する負担を少なくすることで熔着部の剥離を防止し、前，後破断開放部の飛散を確実に防止することができる。さらに、上方からの押圧力に対して耐圧性が増し、エアーバッグ装置の不使用時における内装カバーの割れ，歪み等の変形を防止できる。
【００３２】
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】従来におけるインストルメントパネルカバーにエアーバック膨張展開用の開放部を形成した場合の説明図。
【図２】図１のＡ―Ａ線縦断面図。
【図３】従来の助手席用エアーバッグ装置の単板状の内装カバーにエアーバッグ膨張展開用の破断開放部を形成した状態を示す部分拡大説明図。
【図４】本発明にかかる自動車用エアーバッグ装置における破断開放部の改良に係る実施形態を示す助手席用に適用したエアーバッグ装置の要部断面図。
【図５】図４の要部の分解斜視図。
【図６】本発明にかかる自動車用エアーバッグ装置における破断開放部の改良に係る要部概略平面図。
【図７】本発明にかかる自動車用エアーバッグ装置における破断開放部の改良に係る作動状態を示す概略斜視図。
【図８】本発明にかかる自動車用エアーバッグ装置における破断開放部の改良に係る作動状態を示す概略断面図。
【図９】本発明に係る自動車用エアーバッグ装置における破断開放部の改良に係る破断開放部の変形例を示す概略平面図。
【符号の説明】
２インストルメントパネルコアー
３内装カバー（インストルメントパネル）
３ｂ水平面
４エアーバッグ
５エアーバックケース
５ａ開口部
５ｂ，５ｂ前，後側壁
５ｃ，５ｃ左，右側端面
１２補強リブ
１２ａ，１２ａ前，後側壁
１２ｂ，１２ｂ左，右側壁
２０収容部
２１隔壁部材
３０破断開放部
３０ａ左右方向の破断溝
３０ｂ中央破断溝
３０ｃ前後方向の破断溝
３０ｅ突出部
３１，３２前，後破断開放部
３３，３３補強板材
３３ａ，３３ａ水平本体部
３４ヒンジ部
３５連結部
３７取付部
５０破断開口部の補強枠
５０ａ上面
５０ｂ垂下縁部
５０ｃ，５０ｄ前，後側壁
５０ｅ，５０ｆ水平基端部
５０ｇ，５０ｈ取付部
５１開口部
５２係合孔
５３長孔
６０，６１ボス部
６２，６３ねじ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an air bag device for an automobile for protecting passengers in a passenger seat and a driver's seat from front and side collisions at the time of a collision of a vehicle such as an automobile and ensuring safety, in particular, for inflating and deploying an airbag. The present invention relates to an improved structure of a break opening portion formed in an interior cover.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Airbag devices for passenger seats, driver seats, and left and right side pillars applied to vehicles such as automobiles are basically an air bag, an air bag case that accommodates the air bag in a folded state, and an air bag. An inflator for inflating and deploying the bag is provided, and the bag is covered with a vehicle interior cover.
The interior cover of an automobile is generally constituted by a panel-like instrument cover made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene (hereinafter referred to as an interior cover) covering the surface of a panel core integrally formed of a synthetic resin material such as polypropylene. Yes.
[0003]
The applicant of the present application has previously proposed a seamless type airbag device for a passenger seat that makes it difficult to see the broken line of the opening on the surface of the interior cover.
[0004]
1 is a partially enlarged explanatory view showing a state in which a break opening part 30 for inflating and deploying an airbag is formed on a single-plate interior cover 3 of an airbag device for a passenger seat, and FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing in alignment with A line.
[0005]
1 and 2, the interior cover 3 has a laser generated in a pulse form from a laser generating means (not shown) on the outer edge of the reinforcing plates 10 and 10 fixed to the rear surface of the interior cover 3 from the rear surface side. By irradiating while relatively moving along, the breaking grooves 30a, 30b, 30c in which the through-holes penetrating the interior cover 3 are formed in the shape of broken lines or dotted lines are formed, so that the openings 5a of the airbag case 5 are formed. A break opening portion 30 for inflating and deploying the airbag corresponding to the size is formed.
Further, the break opening portion 30 is formed into a front and rear break opening portions 31 and 32 by a break groove 30b formed in the longitudinal direction, and is divided and separated into a double door opening state when the airbag is inflated and deployed. .
[0006]
When the airbag is inflated and deployed, the break opening portion 30 of the interior cover 3 is separated from the interior cover 3 by the airbag 4, and the pair of reinforcements are formed on the back surface of the break opening portion 30 of the interior cover 3. One horizontal plane of the plate members 10 and 10 is fixed by means such as welding, and the other ends 10a and 10a are bent and hung through the hinge portions 11 and 11 and the opening 5a of the airbag case 5 is suspended. A structure in which a pair of reinforcing ribs 12 formed on the back surface of the interior cover 3 having a gap width slightly larger than the shape width of the case 5 is locked via hook portions 36 attached to the front and rear wall surfaces 5b and 5b of the case 5. By doing so, the break opening part 30 of the interior cover 3 that has been opened with the air bag inflated and deployed is prevented from scattering, reducing the impact of the occupant when the vehicle collides. And it provides an automobile air bag apparatus that to prevent the danger by the cause bruising due fracture-opening section 30.
Reference numeral 13 denotes a thin-walled portion formed on the back surface connecting portion of the interior cover 3 of the pair of reinforcing ribs 12 and serving as an anti-shrinkage at the time of molding. This is configured to be separated from the opening 30 by breakage.
[0007]
In the automobile airbag device configured as described above, when a vehicle collides, the impact force at the time of the collision is detected by a sensor, and the impact force detected by this sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. A control device comprising a CPU or the like is used to determine whether or not, a predetermined gas is generated by operating an inflator in response to a signal output from the control device when it is determined that the set value is exceeded, and this gas is supplied to the airbag. Thus, the air bag is rapidly inflated and deployed.
[0008]
That is, when the air bag is inflated and deployed, when the fracture opening portion 30 of the interior cover 3 is pressed from the inside by the pressure, the fracture opening portion 30 is broken along the fracture grooves 30a, 30b, and 30c which are weak portions. In addition to being separated from the interior cover 3, the separated opening portions 31 and 32 before and after the separation are opened to the outside of the interior cover 3 with the hinge portions 11 of the reinforcing plate members 10 and 10 as fulcrums.
At the same time, the airbag 4 is inflated and deployed from the opened break opening portion 30 to the outside of the interior cover 3, and the chest and head of the passenger in the passenger seat are supported by the cushioning action of the inflated and deployed airbag. Thus, the occupant is protected from the impact force at the time of the vehicle collision.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, since the breaking open part 30 of the said interior cover 3 is orthogonal to the intersection of the breaking groove 30b formed in the center in the left-right long direction and the breaking groove 30c in the front-rear short direction, as shown in FIG. In addition, when the break opening portion 30 of the interior cover 3 is in a double-speech state due to the expansion of the airbag 4, before the intersection between the break groove 30c and the break groove 30b of the front and rear break opening portions 31, 32, The corner portions 30d of the subsequent break open portions 31 and 32 are each formed with an acute angle, which may cause a problem of unexpected damage to the passenger.
[0010]
Further, when the airbag 4 is inflated, the fractured surface of the fracture opening 30 becomes jagged, and there is a possibility that the fractured surface may be deformed such as a sharp edge, resulting in lack of safety.
Further, in the above-described invention, since no reinforcement is applied to the lower back surface on the left and right sides in the short rear direction before and at the periphery of the opening where the fracture opening 30 of the interior cover 3 is provided, the upper surface of the interior cover 3 is not provided. There is a problem that it is weak to the pressure from the side, and if the load is accidentally applied while riding, the fracture opening 30 is recessed or the peripheral edge of the opening is deformed, which is not preferable in appearance.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described conventional problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide an opening on the upper surface on the rear surface side of the fracture opening portion of the interior cover and on the upper surface thereof. A reinforcing frame for a rupture opening that has substantially the same opening as that of the inner cover and that holds the entire back surface of the outer peripheral edge of the rupture opening of the interior cover. By having a structure in which the connecting portions formed on the airbag case are fixed integrally, it has pressure resistance against a pressing load from above the fracture opening portion of the interior cover and the outer periphery thereof, and includes the airbag case. mounting only the various devices easier, and to hardly be a sharp edge that occurs fracture surface of the fracture opening of the fracture-opening section in an automobile air bag device having a high fracture-opening section safety and pressure resistance Break Structure for the purpose of.
[0012]
A second object of the present invention, the left of the fracture-opening section, the intersection of the fracture groove and the center fracture groove formed on the right side, cross tip which projects into the center fracture groove side has a curved shape Provided with a protrusion and positioned on the upper surface of the reinforcing frame so that the protrusion remaining on the edge of the opening opening after the rotation of the front and rear breaking opening does not protrude into the opening area of the airbag case By reducing or eliminating the sharp edge shape that occurs at the peripheral corners of the front and rear break open parts after turning to the double doors when the airbag is inflated and deployed, prevention of scattering due to breakage of the corners, and ensuring passenger safety, and purpose of improving the structure of the fracture-opening section in the protruding portion of the tip air bag system for an automobile that does not damage the air bag without touching the air bag inflated from the air bag case To.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a gas from an inflator disposed in at least one of a front portion, a handle central portion and a side column portion covered with a vehicle interior cover. The airbag that is inflated and deployed is accommodated in a folded state, and an airbag case having an opening at a location facing the back surface of the interior cover is disposed, and the airbag case is opposed to the opening of the airbag case. A pair of rupture opening portions, each of which has a fragile portion formed by a rupture groove at a back surface position of the cover, and a reinforcing plate material having a shape corresponding to the rupture opening portion; the reinforcing plate is separated dividable structure in double doors state is fixed, on the rear surface of the outer peripheral edge of the fracture-opening section, substantially the same opening as the opening of the fracture-opening section on the upper surface of the A reinforcing frame for fracture aperture having fixed, and the automotive air bag system in which it is positioned in the opening to secure the reinforcing plate of the reinforcement frame,
Provided at the intersection between the fracture groove and the central fracture groove formed on the left and right sides of the fracture opening portion is a projection having a curved end at the intersection projecting toward the central fracture groove, and the front The protrusion remaining at the edge of the open opening after the opening of the rear break open part is positioned on the upper surface of the reinforcing frame so that the tip of the protrusion does not protrude into the opening area of the airbag case. It is characterized by that.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the improved structure of the opening portion for breaking in the automobile airbag device according to the first aspect, the protrusion remaining at the edge of the opening portion after the front and rear breaking opening portions are rotated. The part is characterized in that the protruding length from the edge part is 3 to 10 mm.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of an air bag device which is applied to a passenger of an embodiment according to the improved structure of the fracture-opening section in an automobile air bag system according to the present invention, decomposition of the main part of FIG. 5 FIG. 4 FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the main part of the airbag device as viewed from above, and FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the operating state of the improved structure of the break open portion in the automotive airbag device according to the present invention.
[0016]
4 and 5, reference numeral 3 denotes an instrument panel cover (hereinafter referred to as an interior cover) that covers the surface of the instrument panel core 2, and these are composed of a resin molded product integrally formed of a synthetic resin material such as polypropylene. Yes. The interior cover 3 is fixed to an instrument panel core 2 fixed to a vehicle framework (not shown) by appropriate means such as a tapping screw.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 4, a housing portion 20 for housing a metal airbag case 5 is formed by a partition wall member 21 at a location facing the passenger seat (for Japanese cars) on the left side portion of the interior cover 3. ing. In the case of corresponding to foreign cars, it is provided at a position symmetrical to the above configuration.
The partition member 21 is configured to be detachably fixed to a vehicle framework by a plurality of tapping screws (not shown) in order to facilitate the assembly of the case 5 and the like to the interior cover 3.
In addition, a break open portion 30 that is opened when the airbag 4 is inflated and deployed is formed at a location of the interior cover 3 that faces the housing portion 20.
The fracture opening 30 has a rectangular shape with substantially the same area as the opening 5a of the case 5, and is broken by fracture grooves 30a, 30b, 30c formed by laser processing to be described later. It consists of front and rear break opening portions 31 and 32 formed so as to be split into two from a central break groove 30b which is a fragile portion formed at the center in the longitudinal direction.
[0018]
The back surface of the interior cover 3, as shown in FIG. 5, provided with reinforcing frame 50 for breaking open release portion having an opening 51 on the upper surface 50a substantially along the outer periphery of the fracture-opening section 30, A plurality of engagement holes for connecting a reinforcing plate member 10 and a bag case 5 to be described later are formed in horizontal base end portions 50e and 50f formed by bending at the lower ends of the front and rear side walls 50c and 50d in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing frame 50. 52 is formed.
Further, there are provided mounting portions 50g and 50h which are further extended from the horizontal base end portions 50e and 50f and bent in the opposite direction of the front and rear sides downward and upward.
The mounting portions 50g and 50h are fixed to the boss portions 60 and 61 protruding from the back surface of the interior cover 3 by screws 62, respectively.
Further, a plurality of elongated holes 53 are formed in the left and right upper surface portions excluding the opening 51 of the upper surface 50a, and a protrusion (not shown) formed on the back surface side of the interior cover 3 is fitted. Heat welding.
Furthermore, a drooping edge portion 50b bent at a right angle below the upper surface 50a is provided around the entire inner surface of the opening 51.
An airbag 4 is stored in a folded state in the airbag case 5, and gas is supplied to an inflator (gas generator) (not shown) disposed outside the partition member 21 in the airbag 4. It is connected through a blow pipe 22.
Further, connecting portions 5 b are formed at the four corners of the upper opening 5 a of the airbag case 5, and are connected to the engagement holes 52 of the reinforcing frame 50 by screws 63.
[0019]
The break opening part 30 formed in the interior cover 3 is formed opposite to the opening part 5 a of the case 5 disposed in the lower part of the interior cover 3. The front and rear break open portions 31 and 32 are divided from a central break groove 30b formed in a substantially central portion extending in the left-right direction, but are located inside the opening 51 of the reinforcing frame 50. A fracture groove 30a is formed in the upper part.
[0020]
It should be noted that the front and rear break open portions 31 and 32 are divided into uniform sizes by the central break groove 30b before and after being divided into two by the central break groove 30b. The central breaking groove 30b may be formed so as to be offset so that the rear breaking opening 32 is a breaking opening having a slightly smaller area than the front breaking opening 31 on the windshield 40 side.
[0021]
The breaking grooves 30a and 30c and the central breaking groove 30b of the breaking open portion 30 are formed in such a manner that a pulsed laser generated from laser generating means (not shown) is transmitted from the back side of the interior cover 3 to the left and right longitudinal direction of the breaking opening portion 30. It becomes a weak part irradiated while moving relatively to the outline and the central part of.
In the embodiment of the present invention, an intersection projecting toward the central fracture groove 30b at the intersection of the fracture groove 30c and the central fracture groove 30b formed on the left and right sides of the fracture opening 30 is provided. A protrusion 30e having a curved tip is provided, and the protrusion remaining on the edge of the open opening after rotation of the front and rear break open portions is located on the upper surface of the reinforcing frame, and the protrusion The front end of the air bag case does not protrude into the opening area of the air bag case.
[0022]
Moreover, it is preferable that the protrusion part 30e which remains in the edge part of the opening part after rotation of the said front and back fracture | rupture opening part is 3-10 mm from the edge part. According to the said structure, the said protrusion 30e does not touch the airbag 4 which expand | swells from the airbag case 5, and the airbag 4 is not damaged.
[0023]
Furthermore, horizontal main body portions 33a and 33a of reinforcing plate members 33 and 33 are fixed to the back surfaces of the respective front and rear break opening portions 31 and 32 by welding, and are connected to the main body portions 33a and 33a. The front and rear side wall surfaces 33b and 33b that are bent and extended downward from the hinge portion 34 are provided with a connecting portion 35 and a mounting portion 37, and the connecting portion 35 is integrated with the connecting portion 5b of the airbag case 5. The mounting portion 37 is fixed to the engaging hole 52 of the horizontal base end portion 50e of the reinforcing frame 50 with a screw 63, and the mounting portion 37 is connected to the boss portions 60 and 61 of the interior cover 3 together with the reinforcing frame 50 mounting portions 50g and 50h, respectively. It is fixed with a screw 62.
[0024]
A plurality of elongated holes 33c are formed in the horizontal main body portions 33a and 33a of the reinforcing plate members 33 and 33, and a protruding portion 3c formed on the back surface of the fracture opening portion 30 of the interior cover 3 is fitted into the horizontal plate portions 33a and 33a. It is fixed by welding.
[0025]
Next, the case where the breaking open part 30 is formed in the interior cover 3 will be described.
When the inner cover 3 is formed with the breaking grooves 30a and 30c and the central breaking groove 30b of the breaking opening 30 that breaks when the airbag 4 is inflated and deployed, a known frequency of, for example, 7 kHz is generated from well-known laser generating means (not shown). A pulsed laser (output = 1 to 3 kW) is intermittently generated at a constant cycle, and this laser is generated from the rear surface side of the interior cover 3 to the left and right sides of the fracture opening portion 30. At the intersecting portion between the center breaking groove 30b and the center breaking groove 30b, a protruding portion 30e having a curved end is projected along the outer edge of the reinforcing plate 33 fixed to the back surface thereof. Thus, irradiation is performed while moving at a predetermined speed.
As a result, the interior cover 3 is formed with a break opening portion 30 having a break groove-like weak portion in accordance with the relative movement speed and the laser generation pattern from the laser generation means.
[0026]
According to the improvement of the break opening part in the airbag device for the passenger seat according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, when a vehicle such as an automobile collides, the impact force at the time of the collision is reduced. The controller detects whether or not the impact force detected by the sensor is greater than or equal to a predetermined value by a control device such as a CPU, and the signal output from the control device when determined to be greater than or equal to the set value. By operating the inflator to generate a predetermined gas and supplying this gas to the airbag 4, the airbag 4 is rapidly inflated and deployed (see FIG. 7).
[0027]
At the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag 4, pressure is applied to the reinforcing plate 33, but the attachment portion 37 extended from the side wall 33b of the reinforcing plate 33 is separated from the engagement hole 52 of the reinforcing frame 50 for the fracture opening. The side wall 33b of the reinforcing plate 33 is deformed as shown in FIG. 7 by the hinge extension D formed by being fixed at the position, and the initial pressure is absorbed while being regulated by the hanging edge portion 50b of the reinforcing frame 50. Then, since it expands outward through the hinge part 34, the force of expanding the break opening part after the break open part 30 of the interior cover 3 is expanded is suppressed, and the scrunching phenomenon that occurs in the break part is prevented and is beautiful. Can provide an appropriate fracture surface.
[0028]
In addition, the pressure burden on the upward movement of the reinforcing plate member 33 is reduced, and the burden on the welded portion with the front and rear break opening portions 31 and 32 accompanying the deformation of the reinforcing plate member 33 is reduced, thereby reducing the welding portion. , And the front and rear break open portions 31 and 32 are prevented from scattering.
[0029]
Further, the opening reinforcement frame 50 disposed on the outer peripheral edge of the fracture opening portion 30 of the interior cover 3 increases the pressure resistance against the pressing force from above, and the interior cover 3 is cracked when the airbag apparatus is not used. , Deformation such as distortion can be prevented.
Furthermore, when the airbag device is provided on the back surface of the interior cover 3, the attachment portions 50g and 50e of the reinforcement frame 50 and the attachment portion 37 of the reinforcement plate 33 are screwed to the boss portions 60 and 61, respectively. Later, heat welding work can be performed with the protruding portion 3c of the interior cover 3, so that mounting displacement or rattling that occurs during welding can be prevented, and work efficiency can be improved.
[0030]
In the above-described embodiment, the airbag apparatus for the passenger seat has been described. However, it is needless to say that the present invention can also be applied to an airbag apparatus disposed in the handle central portion, the side column portion, or the like.
In the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the configuration in which the break opening portion is opened in the double doors. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the configuration of the reinforcing plate material welded to the inner surface of the interior cover is slightly different. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to a single-open configuration.
[0031]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the intersection tip portion protruding toward the central fracture groove 30b is curved at the intersection of the fracture groove 30c and the central fracture groove 30b formed on the left and right sides of the fracture opening portion 30. As shown in FIG. 9, the protrusion 30e is formed in a shape before the breakage 30c formed on the left and right sides of the breakage opening 30 and the central breakage groove 30b. Intersection projecting toward the central breaking groove 30b side of the breaking groove 30c so that the turning side corners of the rear breaking opening parts 31, 32 have a curved shape that is completely chamfered when the airbag breaks due to inflation. Of course, it is good also as a structure which provided the protrusion part 30e from which a front-end | tip part becomes sharp.
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the improved structure of the break opening portion in the automobile airbag device of the present invention, the break opening having the opening substantially the same as the opening of the break opening portion on the upper surface on the back surface of the outer peripheral edge of the break opening portion. Fixing the reinforcing frame for the part, and positioning the reinforcing plate member in the opening of the reinforcing frame, fixing the reinforcing plate member and the connecting portion of the airbag case together to the reinforcing frame, and releasing the breakage left parts, the intersection of the fracture groove and the center fracture groove on the right side, since the configuration intersecting tip which projects into the center fracture groove side is provided with a projecting portion to be curved, when the air bag inflated and expanded The sharp edge shape that occurs at the peripheral corners of the front and rear break opening parts after turning to the double doors can be reduced or eliminated, and scattering due to breakage of the corner parts of the break opening parts can be prevented, ensuring passenger safety. it can.
In addition, the projecting portion whose end portion of the central breaking groove remaining at the edge of the opening opening after the rotation of the front and rear breaking opening portions is a vertex is reinforced so as not to protrude into the opening region of the airbag case. Since it was set as the structure located on the frame upper surface, the front-end | tip of the said protrusion part does not touch the airbag which expand | swells from an airbag case, and an airbag is not damaged.
Further, when forming the fragile portion due to the rupture groove by laser irradiation at the break opening portion, the connection error is absorbed, and the corner portion can be surely formed fragile.
In addition, the pressure burden on the upward movement of the reinforcing plate material is reduced, and peeling of the welded portion is prevented by reducing the load on the welded portion with the opening portion before and after the break due to deformation of the reinforcing plate material. It is possible to reliably prevent the front and rear break open parts from being scattered. Furthermore, pressure resistance is increased against the pressing force from above, and deformation such as cracking and distortion of the interior cover when the airbag apparatus is not used can be prevented.
[0032]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram in the case where an opening portion for expanding and deploying an airbag is formed on a conventional instrument panel cover.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged explanatory view showing a state in which a break opening portion for inflating and deploying an airbag is formed on a single-plate interior cover of a conventional passenger airbag device.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a principal part of an airbag device applied to a passenger seat, showing an embodiment relating to improvement of a break open portion in an automotive airbag device according to the present invention.
5 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of an essential part relating to improvement of a break open part in an automobile airbag device according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing an operating state related to improvement of a break open portion in the automotive airbag device according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an operating state related to improvement of a break open portion in the automotive airbag device according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing a modified example of the break opening part according to the improvement of the break opening part in the automobile airbag device according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Instrument panel core 3 Interior cover (instrument panel)
3b the horizontal plane 4 air over bag 5 airbag case 5a openings 5b, 5b front and rear side walls 5c, 5c left, right end surface 12 the reinforcing ribs 12a, 12a front and rear side walls 12b, 12b left, right side wall 20 housing portion 21 partition wall member 30 break open portion 30a left and right break groove 30b central break groove 30c front and rear break groove 30e protrusion 31, 32 front and rear break open portions 33, 33 reinforcing plate members 33a, 33a horizontal body portion 34 hinge portion 35 connecting portion 37 Mounting portion 50 Reinforcing frame for break opening 50a Top surface 50b Hanging edge portion 50c, 50d Front and rear side walls 50e, 50f Horizontal base end portion 50g, 50h Mounting portion 51 Opening portion 52 Engaging hole 53 Long hole 60, 61 Boss portion 62 , 63 screws

Claims

An airbag that is inflated and deployed by gas from an inflator and is disposed in at least one of a front part, a handle central part, and a side pillar part covered with a vehicle interior cover is accommodated in a folded state, and the interior cover An air bag case having an opening at a location facing the back surface of the cover, and a break opening portion in which a fragile portion is formed by a break groove at the back surface position of the cover opposite to the opening of the air bag case, and a reinforcing plate having a shape corresponding to the fracture-opening section, the the fracture-opening section, a pair of the reinforcing plate material is facing in the longitudinal direction on the rear surface is configured to be separable split double doors state is fixed, the break A reinforcing frame for a breaking opening having an opening substantially the same as the opening of the breaking opening on the upper surface is fixed to the back surface of the outer peripheral edge of the opening, and the opening of the reinforcing frame In automotive air bag device fixing the reinforcing plate material is positioned,
Provided at the intersection between the fracture groove and the central fracture groove formed on the left and right sides of the fracture opening portion is a projection having a curved end at the intersection projecting toward the central fracture groove, and the front The protrusion remaining on the edge of the open opening after the opening of the rear break opening is positioned on the upper surface of the reinforcing frame so that the tip of the protrusion does not protrude into the opening area of the airbag case. Improved structure of the break opening part in an automobile air bag device characterized by

The front, the projecting portion remaining at the edge of the open opening after pivoting of the rear fracture-opening section, automobile according to claim 1, wherein the projecting length from the edge is characterized by a 3~10mm An improved structure of a break opening portion in an air bag device.