JP5104681B2 - Steering wheel with airbag device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering wheel with an airbag device provided with an airbag device for protecting the head of an occupant seated in a driver's seat of a vehicle and the vicinity thereof.

As a steering wheel with an airbag device, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a steering wheel body that is fixed to a steering shaft with a horn switch mechanism interposed in a steering wheel body is proposed. ing. In an airbag device, an airbag and an inflator for inflating and deploying the airbag are assembled to a metal bag holder, and a resin pad is also assembled to the bag holder so as to cover the airbag. . That is, a part of the airbag and the inflator is accommodated in the accommodation space formed by the pad and the bag holder.
JP 2004-284414 A

  By the way, even in the same type of vehicle, the size of the inflator may be changed along with the change of the normal size or the large size of the airbag due to the difference in specifications among countries.

  In this case, if the size of the accommodation space formed by the pad and the bag holder is set so that a large-sized airbag can be accommodated, the specification for accommodating the large-sized airbag naturally has a gap between the pad and the airbag. Is appropriate, and the pad that forms the design surface on the driver side is not greatly recessed by pressing the driver's hand or the like. On the other hand, in the specification that accommodates a normal-size airbag, a large gap is generated between the pad and the airbag, so the pad is greatly dented due to the driver's hand pressing, etc., and the driver feels uncomfortable. And the problem of giving a low quality feeling arises.

  Therefore, it is possible to prepare different types of pad and bag holders (dimensions) according to the size of the airbag, but on the other hand, multiple types of pads and bag holders are required for each specification even if the model is the same type, Problems such as an increase in cost will occur.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the object thereof is to provide an airbag device that can cope with the same component even when the size of the airbag is different and can prevent an increase in the number of component types. To provide a steering wheel.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a steering wheel with an airbag device in which an airbag device is assembled by interposing a horn switch mechanism in a steering wheel body, wherein the airbag device includes: A bag in which an airbag and an inflator for inflating and deploying the airbag are assembled to a bag holder to which the horn switch mechanism is assembled, and a pad that covers the airbag is assembled, and the airbag is formed by the bag holder and the pad. The bag holder is assembled on both the front and back sides so that the assembly parts of the pad and the horn switch mechanism are symmetrical with respect to the center line in the width direction of the holder. The airbag and the inflator can be configured. The pedestal portion to be fixed is configured to protrude from the assembly portion to one side in the arrangement direction of the airbag and the pad so that the protruding direction can be selected so as to protrude or be recessed in the bag housing space side. The gist of this is.

  According to the present invention, the bag holder of the airbag device is configured so that each assembly portion of the pad and the horn switch mechanism can be assembled on both the front and back sides with respect to the center line in the width direction of the holder. The projecting direction can be selected so that the pedestal for fixing the bag protrudes to one side (one side in the arrangement direction of the airbag and the pad) from the assembly and protrudes or is recessed in the bag housing space. Composed. In other words, when using a normal size airbag or inflator, the bag holder is attached so that its pedestal protrudes toward the bag storage space, and the bag storage space is narrowed according to the normal size. When using a size airbag or inflator, the pedestal is attached so as to be recessed in the bag storage space, and the bag storage space is widened according to the large size. Thereby, while using the same parts for the bag holder and the pad, the gap between the airbag and the pad can be made appropriate regardless of the size.

  The gist of the invention described in claim 2 is that, in the steering wheel with an airbag device according to claim 1, the bag holder is manufactured by pressing a metal plate.

In the present invention, the bag holder can be easily manufactured because it is manufactured by pressing a metal plate.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the steering wheel with an airbag device according to the first or second aspect, the bag holder includes the pad and the horn switch mechanism that are assembled on the same plane. The gist of this is.

  In the present invention, the bag holder has a simple shape and is easy to manufacture because the assembly parts of the pad and the horn switch mechanism are configured on the same plane. In particular, if it is applied to a bag holder manufactured by press processing according to the above-mentioned claims, it is only necessary to perform press processing of each assembly portion on the same plane portion, and the press processing is facilitated. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the steering wheel with an airbag device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the pad is erected in a substantially rectangular ring shape and is associated with each of the front end surfaces of each side. The gist of the present invention is that a housing wall portion having a pawl is formed, and the bag holder has a pawl locking hole that engages with the locking pawl as an assembly portion with the pad.

  According to the present invention, the locking claws formed on the front end surfaces of the respective sides of the storage wall portion erected in a substantially rectangular ring shape on the pad are locked by the claw locking holes formed in the bag holder so that the pad is Assembled. That is, the bag holder can be handled with a simple shape by simply providing a claw locking hole as an assembly with the pad. In particular, when applied to a bag holder produced by press processing according to the above-mentioned claims, it is only necessary to press the claw locking hole (hole shape). .

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the steering wheel with an airbag device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the bag holder serves as an assembly portion with the horn switch mechanism. The gist of the present invention is to have a mounting hole for mounting without using a fastening member.

  In this invention, the bag holder is formed with an attachment hole to which the horn switch mechanism is attached without using a fastening member. That is, the bag holder can be handled with a simple shape by simply providing an attachment hole as an assembly part with the horn switch mechanism. In particular, if applied to a bag holder manufactured by the press processing of the above-mentioned claims, the attachment hole (hole shape) may be pressed, and the press processing becomes easy.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even if the size of an airbag differs, it can respond with the same components and can provide the steering wheel with an airbag apparatus which can prevent the increase in a component kind.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the steering wheel 10 of the present embodiment has an airbag device (airbag module) 20 integrally assembled at the center of a steering wheel main body 11 that a driver grips to steer a vehicle. It is configured. As shown in FIG. 2, the steering wheel body 11 is fixed to a steering shaft (not shown) by a boss portion 12a of the core metal 12, and a mounting portion for mounting the airbag device 20 around the boss portion 12a. 12b is configured. Each mounting portion 12b is provided at a total of three locations, one on each of the left and right sides of the boss portion 12a and one below the boss portion 12a, and each mounting portion 12b is provided with a clip 13. Each mounting portion 12b is mounted with a snap fit structure in which the three horn switch mechanisms 15 shown in FIG. The airbag device 20 is supported with respect to the core metal 12 via the horn switch mechanism 15.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the airbag device 20 includes a bag holder 21, an airbag 22, an inflator 23, and a pad 24. The bag holder 21 is formed by pressing a metal plate and has a substantially rectangular shape. The peripheral portion of the bag holder 21 is configured as a substantially rectangular annular peripheral assembly portion 21 a having respective assembly portions for assembling the pad 24 and the horn switch mechanism 15.

  Here, the pad 24 is made of resin molding, and has an outer skin portion 24a whose surface forms a design surface, and an accommodation wall portion 24b that is erected in a substantially rectangular ring shape on the back surface side of the outer skin portion 24a. The storage wall portion 24b forms a bag storage space X mainly composed of the airbag 22 with the inner surface of the outer skin portion 24a surrounded by the storage wall portion 24b and the bag holder 21. A thin-walled portion 24c that is pushed and broken when the airbag 22 is inflated and deployed is formed in a portion of the outer skin portion 24a that forms the accommodation space X.

  Five locking claws 24d having a rectangular plate shape are integrally formed on the front end surface of the storage wall portion 24b. Specifically, the upper wall portion, the left side wall portion, and the right side wall portion of the storage wall portion 24b are formed. Each one is provided and two are provided on the lower side wall. Each locking claw 24d is formed in a wide width of a predetermined length, and a locking projection 24e protruding outward from the outer surface is formed at the tip of each locking claw 24d. In addition, a rectangular plate-shaped caulking piece 24f is integrally formed on the front end surface of each corner of the housing wall 24b.

  On the other hand, the bag holder 21 has a rectangular ring-shaped peripheral assembling portion 21a in which claw locking holes 21b corresponding to the respective locking claws 24d of the pad 24 have upper side portions, left side portions, and right side portions. One on each side and two on the lower side. Each claw locking hole 21 b is formed in a long hole shape corresponding to each wide locking claw 24 d in the side direction of the bag holder 21, and is formed through the front and back of the bag holder 21. The end portions of the respective locking claws 24d are inserted and locked in the respective claw locking holes 21b. At that time, each locking claw 24d is bent and inserted inward by the amount of the locking projection 24e. After the insertion, the locking claw 24d returns to its shape and the locking projection 24e is locked to the peripheral edge of the claw locking hole 21b. Thus, the locking claw 24d is prevented from coming off in the anti-insertion direction.

  In addition, slit-shaped caulking insertion holes 21c through which the respective caulking pieces 24f are inserted are formed through the respective corners of the bag holder 21. Each caulking piece 24f is inserted into each caulking insertion hole 21c, and so-called thermal caulking is performed in which the tip end portion of the caulking piece 24f is crushed by heating (see FIG. 3). The pad 24 is fixed to the bag holder 21 by the heat caulking of each caulking piece 24f and the locking claws 24d being locked.

  Further, in the vicinity of the upper side of the left side and the right side of the peripheral assembly part 21a of the bag holder 21, a portion between the claw locking hole 21b and the caulking insertion hole 21c is paired with the lower side. At the intermediate portion between the claw locking holes 21b provided in parallel, mounting portions 21d for mounting the horn switch mechanism 15 are formed. A mounting hole 21e for mounting the horn switch mechanism 15 is formed through each mounting portion 21d. A reinforcing rib 21f that is bent to one side surface (one side in the arrangement direction of the airbag 22 and the pad 24) is formed on substantially the entire periphery of the outer peripheral edge of the peripheral assembly portion 21a.

  The inside of the rectangular annular peripheral assembly 21a provided on the bag holder 21 projects a predetermined amount from the peripheral assembly 21a to one side of the bag holder 21 (one side in the arrangement direction of the airbag 22 and the pad 24). A substantially square pedestal portion 21g is formed (recessed by a predetermined amount from the peripheral assembly portion 21a on the other side surface). A circular opening 21h is formed at the center of the pedestal 21g, and a total of four screw insertion holes 21i are formed on the diagonal of the square pedestal 21g at the periphery of the opening 21h. ing. A part of the cylindrical inflator 23 is inserted into and attached to the base 21g.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the bag holder 21 according to the present embodiment has a line symmetrical shape with respect to the center line L1 in the width direction, that is, a claw locking hole 21b, a caulking insertion hole 21c, a screw insertion hole 21i, and an attachment. The arrangement of the portions 21d and the like and their individual shapes are formed symmetrically with respect to the center line L1, and the holes 21b, 21c, 21i and the attachment portions 21d are used in the same manner on both the front and back sides of the bag holder 21. It is configured to be possible.

  The inflator 23 has a flange portion 23a in a cylindrical main body, and four attachment pieces 23b are further extended radially outwardly at an equal angular interval on the flange portion 23a. Each mounting piece 23 b has a screw insertion hole 23 c corresponding to the screw insertion hole 21 i of the bag holder 21. The inflator 23 is configured as a gas ejection portion 23x that ejects an expansion gas on one side from the flange portion 23a. The inflator 23 is inserted into the opening 21h of the bag holder 21 from the opposite side so that the gas ejection portion 23x protrudes toward the bag housing space X, and the flange portion 23a abuts on the peripheral portion of the opening 21h. And attached together with a ring retainer 25 described later.

  The ring retainer 25 has a circular opening 25a equivalent to the opening 21h of the bag holder 21 into which the gas ejection part 23x of the inflator 23 is inserted, and is inserted through each screw insertion hole 21i of the bag holder 21 4 There are two mounting screws 25b. The ring retainer 25 is attached with an opening portion of an airbag 22 that is folded so as to be inflatable and deployable. The ring retainer 25 to which the airbag 22 is attached is inserted into the screw insertion holes 21i and 23c of the bag holder 21 and the inflator 23 from the bag housing space X side, and the attachment screws 25b are inserted into the attachment screws 25b. The nut 26 is screwed, and the airbag 22 is fixed to the bag holder 21 via the ring retainer 25. At the same time, the inflator 23 is also fixed to the bag holder 21.

  Three horn switch mechanisms 15 are provided in the steering wheel 10 of the present embodiment. The horn switch mechanism 15 includes a metal fixed pin 15a, a resin movable mounting portion 15b that holds a contact member (not shown), and a coil spring. 15c. The horn switch mechanism 15 is assembled so that the movable mounting portion 15b is movable in the axial direction with respect to the fixed pin 15a, and the movable mounting portion 15b is so-called with respect to the mounting hole 21e of the mounting portion 21d provided in the bag holder 21. The fixing pin 15a is similarly attached to the attaching portion 12b of the core metal 12 of the steering wheel body 11 shown in FIG. 2 by so-called snap fitting. At this time, the coil spring 15c is interposed between the movable mounting portion 15b and the mounting portion 12b of the cored bar 12, and is held by the movable mounting unit 15b so as to be separated from the cored bar 12. The entire airbag device 20 is supported through the bag holder 21 so that the contact member and the fixing pin 15a are not in contact with each other. When the airbag device 20 is tilted with respect to the steering wheel body 11, the movable mounting portion 15b of at least one horn switch mechanism 15 operates against the urging force of the coil spring 15c, and the contact member is the horn switch. The horn switch is turned on in contact with a part of the fixing pin 15a.

  By the way, in the airbag apparatus 20 of this embodiment, the airbag 22 uses either the normal size (A) or the large size (B), and the inflator 23 is accordingly the normal size (A) or the large size (B). Whichever of these is used, the bag holder 21 and the pad 24 constituting the airbag device 20 can be handled by the same component. 5 shows a case where a normal size (A) is used, and FIG. 6 shows a case where a large size (B) is used.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when the normal size (A) airbag 22 and inflator 23 are used, the bag holder 21 and the pad so that the base portion 21g of the bag holder 21 protrudes toward the bag housing space X side. 24 is fixed. Thereby, since the bag storage space X becomes narrow according to the normal size (A), the gap between the airbag 22 and the outer skin portion 24a of the pad 24 is appropriate.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when using a large size (B) airbag 22 and inflator 23, the pedestal portion 21 g of the bag holder 21 protrudes to the side opposite to the bag housing space X (the pedestal portion). The bag holder 21 and the pad 24 are fixed so that 21 g is recessed on the bag housing space X side. Thereby, since the bag storage space X is widened according to the large size (B), the gap between the airbag 22 and the outer skin portion 24a of the pad 24 is appropriate also in this case.

  In this way, by using only the same parts for the bag holder 21 and the pad 24, the outer skin portion 24a of the airbag 22 and the pad 24 can be obtained simply by changing the mounting direction of the bag holder 21 in accordance with the sizes of the airbag 22 and the inflator 23. It is possible to make each of the gaps appropriate for any size.

Next, characteristic effects of the present embodiment will be described.
(1) In the present embodiment, the bag holder 21 of the airbag device 20 includes the peripheral assembly portion 21a having the respective assembly portions (claw locking holes 21b, attachment portions 21d) of the pad 24 and the horn switch mechanism 15. The holder 21 is configured so that it can be assembled to both the front and back as a line symmetry with respect to the center line L1 in the width direction. Also, the protruding direction can be selected so that it protrudes to one side surface (one side in the arrangement direction of the airbag 22 and the pad 24) and protrudes or is recessed on the bag housing space X side. That is, the bag holder 21 is attached so that the base portion 21g protrudes toward the bag housing space X when the normal size (A) airbag 22 or inflator 23 is used. When the large-size (B) airbag 22 or inflator 23 is used, the pedestal 21g is attached so as to be recessed on the bag accommodating space X side. The bag storage space X is widened according to the large size (B). Thereby, while using the same components for the bag holder 21 and the pad 24, the gap between the airbag 22 and the pad 24 can be made appropriate regardless of which size is used.

(2) In this embodiment, since the bag holder 21 is produced by the press work of a metal plate, it can be produced easily.
(3) In the present embodiment, the bag holder 21 has the shape of the bag holder 21 because the pawl locking holes 21b and the mounting portions 21d, which are the assembly portions of the pad 24 and the horn switch mechanism 15, are on the same plane. Is easy to manufacture. In particular, by applying to the bag holder 21 of the present embodiment manufactured by press working, it is only necessary to press the claw locking hole 21b and the mounting portion 21d on the same plane portion, and the press work becomes easy. Therefore, its significance is great.

  (4) In the present embodiment, the locking claw 24 d formed on each of the front end surfaces of each side of the receiving wall portion 24 b erected in a substantially rectangular ring shape on the pad 24 is a claw locking formed on the bag holder 21. The pad 24 is assembled in the hole 21b. That is, the bag holder 21 can be handled with a simple shape by simply providing the claw locking hole 21b as an assembly portion with the pad 24. In particular, by applying to the bag holder 21 of the present embodiment manufactured by press working, it is only necessary to press the claw locking hole 21b (hole shape), and the press work becomes easy. Is big.

  (5) In this embodiment, the bag holder 21 is formed with an attachment hole 21e to which the horn switch mechanism 15 is attached without using a fastening member. That is, the bag holder 21 can cope with a simple shape by simply providing the attachment hole 21e as an assembly portion with the horn switch mechanism 15. In particular, by applying to the bag holder 21 of the present embodiment produced by press working, it is only necessary to press the attachment hole 21e (hole shape), and the press work is facilitated. .

In addition, you may change embodiment of this invention as follows.
-You may change suitably the structure of the bag holder 21 of the said embodiment. For example, the pad 24 and the horn switch mechanism 15 are assembled in a hole shape such as the claw locking hole 21b and the mounting hole 21e as the assembly part, but may be configured in an assembly part other than the hole such as a protrusion. Moreover, you may change suitably arrangement | positioning of the nail | claw latching hole 21b, the attachment hole 21e, etc.

  In the above embodiment, the bag holder 21 manufactured by press working is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a bag holder 21 manufactured by other than press working such as die casting may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the horn switch mechanism 15 is assembled to the bag holder 21 and the horn switch mechanism 15 is directly mounted on the steering wheel main body 11 (core metal 12). An intermediate member configured for mounting on the main body 11 (core metal 12) may be used, and the horn switch mechanism 15 assembled to the bag holder 21 may be assembled to the intermediate member.

  In the above embodiment, the three horn switch mechanisms 15 are used. However, the number is not limited to this, and for example, two horn switch mechanisms 15 may be used. Further, a tightening member such as a screw and a nut may be used for assembling the horn switch mechanism 15.

It is a front view of the steering wheel in this embodiment. It is a front view which shows a part of steering wheel main body. It is a perspective view from the back side of an airbag apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view from the back side of an airbag apparatus. It is sectional drawing of the airbag apparatus at the time of use of a normal size airbag. It is sectional drawing of the airbag apparatus at the time of large sized airbag use.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Steering wheel, 11 ... Steering wheel main body, 15 ... Horn switch mechanism, 20 ... Airbag device, 21 ... Bag holder, 21a ... Peripheral assembly part (assembly part), 21b ... Claw locking hole (assembly part) ), 21d ... Mounting part (assembly part), 21e ... Mounting hole (assembly part), 21g ... Pedestal part, 22 ... Air bag, 23 ... Inflator, 24 ... Pad, 24b ... Housing wall part, 24d ... Locking Nail, X: bag housing space, L1: width direction center line.

Claims (5)

In a steering wheel with an airbag device in which an airbag device is assembled by interposing a horn switch mechanism in the steering wheel body,
The airbag device is configured to assemble an airbag and an inflator for inflating and deploying the airbag to a bag holder to which the horn switch mechanism is assembled, and a pad that covers the airbag, and the airbag and the bag holder. It is configured to be accommodated in a bag accommodating space formed by the pad,
The bag holder is configured so that the assembly parts of the pad and the horn switch mechanism can be assembled on both the front and back sides with respect to the center line in the width direction of the holder, and the airbag and the inflator are fixed. The pedestal portion is configured to be selectable in a protruding direction so that the pedestal portion protrudes to one side in the arrangement direction of the airbag and the pad from the assembly portion and protrudes or is recessed in the bag housing space side. A steering wheel with an airbag device. In the steering wheel with an airbag device according to claim 1,
A steering wheel with an airbag device, wherein the bag holder is manufactured by pressing a metal plate. In the steering wheel with an airbag device according to claim 1 or 2,
The steering wheel with an airbag apparatus, wherein the pad holder and the assembly parts of the pad and the horn switch mechanism are configured on the same plane. In the steering wheel with an airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The pad is formed with an accommodating wall portion standing in a substantially rectangular annular shape and having a locking claw on each of the front end surfaces of each side,
A steering wheel with an airbag device, wherein the bag holder has a claw engagement hole that engages with the engagement claw as an assembly portion with the pad. In the steering wheel with an airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The steering wheel with an airbag device, wherein the bag holder has an attachment hole for mounting without using a fastening member with the horn switch mechanism as an assembly portion with the horn switch mechanism.

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