JP6127963B2 - Actuator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an actuator that operates by generating a working gas by combustion gas during operation, and is mounted on a vehicle such as a hood flip-up device that lifts a hood panel when receiving a pedestrian as a protection object. The present invention relates to an actuator suitably used for an automobile safety device.

  Conventional actuators of this type include those used in hood jumping devices that lift the hood panel, and are configured as a piston cylinder type that uses combustion gas generated by igniting the gas generator as the working gas. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). In this actuator, the piston rod is slidable in the cylinder, and the hood panel as a receiving material for receiving the pedestrian as the object to be protected extends from the piston portion and protrudes out of the cylinder. And a support rod portion that supports the rod so as to move up to the receiving position. In this actuator, during operation, the piston rod lifts the hood panel supported by the support rod portion while moving the piston portion forward through the cylinder to the top dead center. And after the piston rod has advanced to the top dead center, the backward movement is restricted by the lock mechanism.

  The actuator locking mechanism includes a lock ring that can be expanded in diameter and stored in a storage groove on the outer peripheral surface side of the piston portion, an annular groove (locking step portion) provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the cylinder, and a piston portion. And a taper-shaped taper regulating surface arranged at an edge on the forward movement side on the bottom surface of the storage groove. When the lock mechanism is activated, when the piston part moves forward to top dead center, the lock ring expands in diameter, and then the piston part moves backward to the lock position. So that the outer peripheral side portion on the backward movement side is brought into contact with the locking restricting surface of the annular groove so that the backward movement is restricted and the outer diameter side is restricted from being further expanded in diameter. In addition, it is brought into contact with the outer peripheral regulating surface which is the bottom surface of the annular groove, and the inner side surface on the forward movement side in the inner circumferential side portion is brought into contact with the taper regulating surface of the piston portion, so that the reduced diameter state is also regulated. . Therefore, the lock ring is locked so as to be sandwiched between the locking restriction surface of the annular groove (locking step portion) of the cylinder and the taper restriction surface of the piston portion, and on the forward movement side of the lock ring. The piston part with which the taper regulating surface is brought into contact with the inner side surface is also locked, and the backward movement of the piston rod is regulated.

JP 2009-262853 A

  However, in the conventional actuator, the gas generator and the piston portion of the piston rod are arranged in parallel along the axis of the actuator so as to face each other in the cylinder. The operating stroke of the actuator is the distance that the piston moves to the ceiling wall in the cylinder, and the actuator is at least the length of the operating stroke of the piston rod and the length of the gas generator. Composed of dimensions and was long.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an actuator that can be configured in a compact manner even when a gas generator that generates ignition gas by ignition is used as a drive source. .

An actuator according to the present invention includes a gas generator that generates a working gas during operation,
A storage side for storing and holding the gas generator;
A pressing side portion that is pressed by the working gas generated from the gas generator and relatively moves forward away from the storage side portion;
Composed of
An actuator configured to prevent a backward movement of the pressing side portion after a forward movement by a lock mechanism during operation;
The storage side portion is configured to store and hold the gas generator by providing an opening end through which the working gas flows out on the tip side,
The pressing side portion covers a ceiling wall portion covering the opening end side of the storage side portion, and an outer periphery of the storage side portion from the outer peripheral edge of the ceiling wall portion to at least the vicinity of the arrangement position of the gas generator. And a peripheral wall portion that extends,
The locking mechanism is
The storage side lock is placed on the outer peripheral side of the storage side portion near the opening end so as to face each other in the direction orthogonal to the axis of the actuator at the lock position that prevents the back side movement of the pressing side portion after the forward movement. Disposing a constituent part, and disposing a pressing side lock constituent part on the inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall part of the pressing side part,
An annular lock ring made of an elastically deformable wire having a circular cross section is sandwiched between the storage side lock constituent part and the pressing side lock constituent part to prevent the pressing side part from retreating. ,
A storage groove for storing the lock ring by being elastically deformed in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the actuator is disposed on one of the storage side lock component and the pressing side lock component,
The lock ring which is restored from the state stored in the storage groove at a position facing the storage groove after the forward movement of the pressing side part in the other of the storage side lock constituent part and the pressing side lock constituent part. An annular groove capable of storing
The annular groove has a bottom surface that comes into contact with the lock ring when restored in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the actuator, and a locking restriction extending from the edge of the bottom surface to the lock ring side in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the actuator. And a depth dimension of the annular groove to the bottom surface is made smaller than a diameter dimension of the circular cross section of the lock ring,
The storage groove includes a taper regulating surface extending obliquely so as to intersect with the axis of the actuator so as to expand the storage groove from the edge of the bottom surface of the storage groove at the lock position;
The locking restricting surface and the taper restricting surface are disposed so as to face each other substantially along the backward movement direction of the pressing side portion with the lock ring interposed at the lock position ,
The storage-side lock component is configured by providing the annular groove on the outer peripheral side near the opening end of the storage side,
The pressing-side lock constituting portion is provided with the storage groove on the inner peripheral side of the distal end portion of the peripheral side wall portion of the pressing side portion away from the ceiling wall portion, and the taper regulating surface is provided in the storage groove. It is arranged to be arranged on the forward movement side edge of the pressing side part,
The lock ring is slidable on the outer peripheral surface side of the storage side portion, is expanded in diameter and stored in the storage groove,
The annular groove is
The bottom surface is an inner peripheral restriction surface that comes into contact with an inner peripheral side portion at the time of restoration of the lock ring disposed at the lock position,
The locking restricting surface is disposed on an edge of the pressing side portion on the retreating side of the inner circumferential restricting surface of the annular groove .

  In the actuator according to the present invention, during operation, the gas generator disposed on the storage side portion generates the operation gas, and the operation gas presses the ceiling wall portion of the pressing side portion from the opening end of the storage side portion. Thus, the pressure side part can move the distal end part of the peripheral wall part from the original part side where the gas generator on the storage side part is arranged to the vicinity of the opening end, and the actuator is extended, Operation is complete.

  In this actuator, the operating stroke can be secured at least from the vicinity of the position where the gas generator on the storage side is located to the vicinity of the opening end, the gas generator is disposed in the cylinder of the cylinder type, and Compared to the specification in which the piston portion of the piston rod is disposed so as to face the gas generator, it is possible to ensure a long operation stroke at least by the length of the gas generator. Conversely, if an equivalent operation stroke can be secured, the length of the actuator can be shortened.

  In addition, the ceiling wall of the pressing side portion whose outer diameter is larger than the opening end so that the portion that directly receives the pressing force of the working gas during operation covers the opening end of the storage side portion where the gas generator is disposed If the outer diameter of the gas generator is equal, the pressure receiving area is larger than the pressure receiving area of the piston portion of the inner diameter of the cylinder in the conventional cylinder type actuator. Therefore, when using a gas generator that burns explosives and instantaneously generates a high-pressure working gas, it is easy to ensure a large output even if the actuator has a small diameter because the pressure receiving area is large.

  In the above configuration, a long operating stroke can be secured even if the actuator is shortened, and a large output can be secured without increasing the thickness of the actuator. For example, near the hinge mechanism of a hood panel of a vehicle.

  Further, in the actuator according to the present invention, even after the operation is completed, even if the pressing side portion tries to move backward, if the lock side is arranged at the lock position, the lock ring stored in the storage groove is connected to the axis of the actuator. It restores in the orthogonal direction, is stored in the annular groove so as to be detached from the storage groove, and hits the bottom surface of the annular groove. At this time, since the diameter dimension of the circular cross section of the actuator is larger than the depth dimension of the annular groove, the lock ring protrudes from the peripheral surface of the peripheral edge of the annular groove in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the actuator. Therefore, even if the pressing side portion attempts to move backward, the lock ring is positioned between the annular groove locking restriction surface and the taper restriction surface of the storage groove disposed so as to face each other along the backward movement direction of the pressing side portion. It is in a state of being pinched. And the clamping state inclines so that a taper control surface may expand a storage groove. Therefore, when the locking restricting surface and the taper restricting surface when the pressing side part moves backward, the lock ring is attached in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the actuator that is detached from the storage groove at the time of restoration. Maintaining the force, it is guided by the taper regulating surface and pressed against the bottom surface side of the annular groove, or is pressed against the locking regulation surface of the annular groove and pressed against the taper regulating surface side, and is guided by the taper regulating surface. While pressed against the bottom surface of the annular groove, this prevents deformation in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the actuator (diameter or diameter expansion), that is, movement away from the annular groove and returning to the storage groove. Is done.

  In such a state, the lock ring is in contact with the bottom surface of the annular groove between the inclined taper regulating surface and the locking regulation surface of the annular groove, even if the pressing side portion tries to move backward. The pin is locked so that movement along the axis of the actuator is restricted, and the pressing side is locked so as to be pinched between the inclined taper regulating surface and the locking regulation surface of the annular groove. The locked ring prevents the backward movement.

  Therefore, the actuator according to the present invention can be configured in a compact manner even when a gas generator that generates a working gas during operation is used. Further, in the actuator according to the present invention, the pressing mechanism stably moves forward by the lock mechanism having a simple configuration including the lock ring, the bottom surface of the annular groove, the locking restriction surface, and the taper restriction surface of the storage groove. The backward movement of the side portion can be regulated, and for example, the separation distance between the storage side connection portion of the vehicle connected to the storage side portion and the press side connection portion of the vehicle connected to the pressing side portion is maintained. be able to.

Further, in the actuator according to the present invention, when the pressing side portion completes the forward movement and reaches the lock position, the locking mechanism is expanded and stored in the storage groove in the pressing side lock component of the pressing side portion. The lock ring is reduced in diameter so as to be detached from the storage groove, is stored in the annular groove in the storage-side lock constituent part of the storage side part, and abuts on the inner peripheral regulating surface that is the bottom surface of the annular groove. When the pressing side portion attempts to move backward, the taper regulating surface in the storing groove on the pressing side portion pushes the lock ring toward the locking regulating surface side of the annular groove on the storing side portion, and the locking ring engages with the annular groove. Locked to the stop regulating surface. The lock ring has its inner peripheral side portion in contact with the inner peripheral restriction surface of the annular groove to restrict the diameter reduction state, and the outer side surface on the forward movement side in the outer peripheral side portion of the lock ring is the pressing side portion. As a result, the lock ring has an annular groove (inner circumference regulating surface and locking regulating surface) on the storage side portion and a taper regulating surface on the pressing side portion. Accordingly, the pressing side portion that is brought into contact with the outer surface of the lock ring on the forward movement side is also locked at the lock position. Thus, the backward movement of the pressing side portion is restricted.

In the actuator according to the present invention, on the outer peripheral side of the opening end of the storage side portion, a flange portion provided with a sealing material that slides on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion of the pressing side portion is projected,
The flange portion serves as a regulating surface that abuts the surface on the backward movement side of the pressing side portion with the inner peripheral side portion of the tip portion away from the ceiling wall portion in the peripheral wall portion of the pressing side portion during forward movement. It is desirable that the stopper is configured as a stopper for restricting forward movement of the pressing side portion.

  In such a configuration, when the actuator is actuated, even if the inner peripheral side portion of the distal end portion of the peripheral wall portion of the pressing side portion increases the inertial force to move forward and tries to move further forward from the lock position, the storage side portion It comes into contact with the stopper on the opening end side of the lens and is stably stopped at the locked position.

  Further, in the above configuration, when the pressing side portion moves forward, the storage portion of the discharged working gas is surrounded by the ceiling wall portion of the pressing side portion, the peripheral wall portion, and the storage side portion on the opening end side. The gas sealing performance is ensured by the sealing material that is configured by the portion and is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the opening end of the storage side portion and slides on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion. And the sealing material is arranged not on the inner peripheral side of the storage side part containing the gas generator but on the flange part on the outer peripheral side of the opening end, so that it is difficult to be exposed to the high temperature working gas and the performance is deteriorated. The pressure side portion can be moved forward with a stable pressing force, and the actuator can ensure a stable output.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle showing a mounted state of a hood flip-up device using an actuator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vehicle carrying the hood flip-up apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vehicle which shows the time of the action | operation of the actuator of the hood flip-up apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the actuator of 1st Embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the time of the action | operation of the actuator of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial longitudinal sectional view of the actuator of the first embodiment, showing the vicinity of the lock ring before operation. FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial longitudinal sectional view of the actuator of the first embodiment, showing the vicinity of the lock ring after operation. It is the top view and perspective view of a locking ring used for the locking mechanism for extension prevention of the actuator of a 1st embodiment. It is the top view and perspective view of a lock ring used for the lock mechanism of the actuator of a 1st embodiment. It is an expansion partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the actuator of 1st Embodiment, and shows the operation state of the opening end vicinity of the storage side part before and behind completion | finish of operation | movement in order. It is an expanded partial sectional view explaining the operation state of the lock mechanism when the operation of the actuator of the first embodiment is completed. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the actuator of the modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the actuator of the other modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the time of the action | operation of the actuator shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the head protection apparatus using the actuator shown in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the modification of the actuator shown in FIG. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vehicle which shows the time of the action | operation of the actuator of 2nd Embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the actuator of 2nd Embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the time of the action | operation of the actuator of 2nd Embodiment, and shows the state rotated 90 degrees around the shaft center from the state shown in FIG. It is an expanded partial sectional view explaining the operation state of the lock mechanism when the operation of the actuator of the second embodiment is completed.

  Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the actuator 21 of the first embodiment is a hood flip-up device (hereinafter referred to as “safety device”). (Abbreviated as “bounce-up device”) U1 and disposed in the hinge mechanism 11 on the rear end 10c side of the hood panel 10 in the vehicle V.

  In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the front-rear and up-and-down directions coincide with the front-and-rear and up-and-down directions of the vehicle V (see FIG. 1), respectively. The left and right directions are matched.

  In the case of the first embodiment, the front bumper 5 of the vehicle V is provided with a sensor 6 capable of detecting or predicting a collision with a pedestrian as shown in FIG. When a control circuit (not shown) to which a signal is input detects a collision between the vehicle V and a pedestrian based on a signal from the sensor 6, the gun 21 (not shown) of the gas generator 70 of the actuator 21 is ignited and activated. By generating the working gas G, the actuator 21 is operated to drive the flip-up device U1 (see FIGS. 3 and 5).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hood panel 10 is disposed so as to cover the upper part of the engine room ER in the vehicle V, and is disposed in the vicinity of the rear end 10 c on both the left and right edges 10 d and 10 e. The hinge mechanism 11 is connected to the vehicle body (body) 1 side of the vehicle V so as to be openable and closable with a front opening. The hood panel 10 is made of a sheet metal made of an aluminum alloy or the like, and includes an outer panel 10a on the upper surface side and an inner panel 10b that is positioned on the lower surface side and has improved strength than the outer panel 10a. The food panel 10 is configured to be plastically deformable so that it can absorb the kinetic energy of the pedestrian when receiving the pedestrian. In the first embodiment, when the vehicle V collides with the pedestrian, the actuator 21 is operated, and, as shown in FIG. 3, between the rear end 10 c of the raised hood panel 10 and the engine room ER. Moreover, since the deformation space S can be formed, the amount of plastic deformation during bending plastic deformation can be increased, and the hood panel 10 can absorb a large amount of pedestrian kinetic energy.

  The hinge mechanism 11 is disposed on the rear edge 10c side of the left edge 10d and the right edge 10e of the hood panel 10, respectively. The hinge mechanism 11 includes a hinge base 12 fixed to the body 1 side below the rear end 10c of the hood panel 10, a mounting plate 15 disposed on the lower surface side of the rear end 10c of the hood panel 10, and a hinge base. 12 and a hinge arm 14 pivotally supported by the mounting plate 15. Specifically, the hinge base 12 is fixed to a mounting flange 2a connected to the hood ridge rein hose 2 on the body 1 side. The hinge mechanism 11 is configured to open around the pivotal support portion on the base end 14a side, which is the hinge base 12 side of the hinge arm 14, when the hood panel 10 is normally used (see the two points in FIG. 2). (See chain line).

  In addition, this hinge arm 14 is arrange | positioned so that the front-end | tip 14b may extend ahead from the base part end 14a, and the base part end 14a is connected with the rear-end side of the hinge base 12 using the support shaft 13, The support shaft 13 can be rotated about the rotation center, and the tip 14b side is also connected to the front end side of the mounting plate 15 using the support shaft 16, and the support shaft 16 is rotated about the rotation shaft. Is possible. The left and right support shafts 13 and 16 are arranged so that the axial direction thereof follows the left and right direction of the vehicle V, respectively. However, during normal use, when the actuator 21 connected to each connecting portion 14c, 15a between the hinge arm 14 and the mounting plate 15 is the first embodiment, the locking mechanism for preventing extension (extension preventing locking mechanism). The hinge arm 14 does not rotate with respect to the mounting plate 15 because it does not extend due to the FR. Therefore, the hood panel 10 is opened and closed with the portion of the support shaft 13 as the center of rotation when opening and closing in normal use. That is, when the hood panel 10 is opened, as shown by a two-dot chain line from a solid line in FIG. 2, the front end 10 f of the hood panel 10 along with the distal end 14 b side of each hinge arm 14 with the left and right support shafts 13 as the rotation center. As the side rises, the hood panel 10 can be opened by the front opening, and when the front end 10f side is lowered, the hood panel 10 is closed by rotating around the support shaft 13 as a rotation center.

  Further, the left and right hinge mechanisms 11 are arranged in a bilaterally symmetric shape, and both ends (connecting portions 25) of the actuator 21 are respectively connected to the connecting portions 14c and 15a on the surface of the hinge arm 14 and the mounting plate 15 on the engine room ER side. , 65) are connected. The connecting portion 14c of the hinge arm 14 to the actuator 21 is disposed closer to the tip 14b side than the intermediate portion between the base end 14a and the tip 14b, and the connecting portion 15a of the mounting plate 15 to the actuator 21 is Further, it is arranged behind the support shaft 16.

  A known hood lock mechanism 8 is disposed on the front end 10 f side of the hood panel 10. The hood lock mechanism 8 includes a lock striker 8a that is fixed to the lower surface of the front end 10f of the hood panel 10, and a latch 8b that is disposed on the body 1 side and engages the lock striker 8a. The latch 8b is configured so that the locked lock striker 8a cannot be released unless the lever (not shown) is operated. Even when the rear end 10c of the hood panel 10 is raised, the front end 10f of the hood panel 10 is The latch 8b that locks the lock striker 8a does not rise away from the body 1 side.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a cowl 7 comprising a highly rigid cowl panel 7a on the body 1 side and a synthetic resin cowl louver 7b above the cowl panel 7a is provided behind the hood panel 10. Arranged. The cowl louver 7b is disposed so that the rear end side is connected to the lower portion 3a side of the front windshield 3. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, front pillars 4 and 4 are disposed on the left and right sides of the front windshield 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the actuator 21 of the first embodiment includes a gas generator 70 that generates a working gas G during operation, a storage side portion 22 that stores and holds the gas generator 70, and a gas A pressing side portion 52 (also referred to as a moving side portion) that is pressed by the working gas G generated from the generator 70 and relatively moves forward away from the storage side portion 22 to extend the actuator 21; It is prepared for. In the first embodiment, when the gas generator 70 generates the working gas G during operation, the actuator 21 is extended by moving the pressing side portion 52 obliquely upward and rearward relative to the storage side portion 22. Then, the connecting portions 14c and 15a between the hinge arm 14 and the mounting plate 15 are separated from each other. At this time, the crossing angle θ0 between the hinge arm 14 and the mounting plate 15 increases, and the hood panel 10 raises the rear end 10c without raising the front end 10f locked to the latch 8b. It becomes.

  The gas generator 70 ignites a predetermined gunpowder (not shown) during operation, and generates a working gas G by burning the gunpowder itself or by further burning the gas generating agent ignited by the gunpowder. A generator or the like is used, and a lead wire 70c for inputting an ignition electric signal from a control circuit (not shown) is connected to the base side away from the tip 70a for discharging the working gas G. And, when the gas generator 70 inputs an ignition electric signal from a control circuit (not shown), the built-in explosive is ignited and burned, and the gas generating agent is also burned appropriately to generate combustion gas, The combustion gas is discharged as a working gas G from the tip 70 a and supplied to the ceiling wall portion 53 of the pressing side portion 52. In the case of the first embodiment, the gas generator 70 is a resin made of synthetic resin made of polyamide or the like so as to be housed in the inner case 27 of the housing side portion 22 with the lead wire 70c protruding. It is configured as an assembly 75 integrally formed with the portion 72, and is configured to be housed in the inner case 27 as the assembly 75.

  This assembly 75 is inserted from the opening 27c on the base end 24a side of the inner case 27 (the storage side portion 22), and the flange portion 70b of the gas generator 70 is applied to a step 38 described later of the inner case 27. Then, an oval tubular stopper 44 is fitted into a through hole 72a provided in the resin portion 72 to prevent it from being removed, and is stored and held in the storage side portion 22 (inner case 27). The stopper 44 is fitted and fixed in the assembly hole 40 opened in the inner case 27.

  The storage side portion 22 is formed from a metal inner case 27 made of substantially cylindrical steel or the like, and is circular in order to allow the working gas G to flow out to the front end side (the upper end side shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). The gas generator 70 is disposed on the side of the base portion 24 away from the opening end 23, and the base portion end 24a side is connected to the hinge arm 14 side. The connecting portion 25 connected to the hinge arm 14 side includes a connecting hole portion 25a, and the hinge arm 14 is utilized using a shaft support (shaft support pin) 18 inserted into the connecting hole portion 25a. The connecting portion 14c is rotatably connected. The shaft support 18 passes through the connecting hole 25a and is rotatably connected to the connecting portion 14c of the hinge arm 14. In the case of the first embodiment, the connecting hole portion 25a penetrates the inner peripheral side of the stopper 44 fixed to the assembly hole 40 of the inner case 27 for storing and holding (preventing the assembly) 75. Utilizes holes.

  The inner case 27 constituting the storage side portion 22 has a flange portion 28 projecting toward the tip (opening end 23) side of the outer peripheral surface 27a, and toward the opening end 23 side toward the base portion 24 side of the inner peripheral surface 27b. A step 38 for narrowing the inner diameter is provided. As described above, the flange portion 70 b of the gas generator 70 covered with the resin portion 72 is in contact with the step 38. In addition, between the inner peripheral surface 27b of the inner case 27 and the assembly body 75, a rubber annular packing 47 is provided to ensure airtightness on the gas generator 70 side.

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 7, and 10, an annular groove 29 is formed in the flange portion 28 on the outer peripheral surface 27 a side, and the annular groove 29 ensures gas sealing performance when the pressing side portion 52 moves forward. An annular seal material (packing / O-ring) 46 made of rubber is inserted.

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 7, 10, and 11, in the vicinity of the flange portion 28 on the outer peripheral surface 27 a side, a reverse prevention lock mechanism BR <b> 1 for preventing the pressing side portion 52 from retreating when the operation of the actuator 21 is completed. An annular groove (locking step portion) 30 is formed as the storage-side lock constituting portion RH1 constituting the. In the annular groove 30, a stepped surface rising from the bottom surface (inner peripheral restriction surface) 32 of the annular groove 30 on the side away from the flange portion 28 is used as a locking restriction surface 31 for locking a lock ring 63 described later.

  The step surface on the annular groove 30 side of the flange portion 28 stops the distal end portion 54 a side of the pressing side portion 52 when the actuator 21 is operated, and becomes a regulating surface 28 a for preventing the pressing side portion 52 from coming off. Maximum extension (maximum operating stroke) will be limited. Therefore, the flange portion 28 functions as a stopper when the pressing side portion 52 moves forward.

  An annular groove 35 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 27a of the inner case 27 at a position closer to the base end 24a than the gas generator 70 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The annular groove 35 is provided with a locking ring 37 as a temporary locking locking portion made of an elastically deformable spring plate E-ring (see FIG. 8).

  This locking ring 37 constitutes a locking mechanism FR as a locking mechanism for preventing the actuator 21 from extending. When the hood panel 10 is normally opened and closed, the locking ring 37 is stored in the annular groove 35 as a pressing state. The side portion 52 abuts on the distal end side flange portion 56 of the ring holder 55 on the distal end portion 54 a side, and restricts the forward movement of the pressing side portion 52. When the gas generator 70 generates the working gas G, the distal end side flange 56 pushes the locking ring 37 and locks using the edge 35a on the forward movement side of the annular groove 35. The ring 37 is expanded in diameter and detached from the annular groove 35, so that the locked state that restricts the forward movement of the pressing side portion 52 is released. Then, the pressing side portion 52 receives the pressure of the working gas G and moves forward.

  In the case of the first embodiment, the locking ring 37 is pushed to the position of the annular groove 30 by the distal end side flange 56 when the pushing side portion 52 is advanced, and together with the lock ring 63, the annular groove 30. (See FIGS. 10 and 11).

  The locking mechanism FR as an extension preventing locking mechanism includes a locking ring 37 as a temporary locking locking portion, and an annular groove in the storage side portion 22 that has an edge 35a for expanding the diameter and stores the locking ring 37. 35 and a latched portion that is locked to the locking ring 37 accommodated in the annular groove 35 and that contacts the locking ring 37 so as to release the locking of the locking ring 37. The distal end side flange portion 56 is configured. The deformation stress that expands the locking ring 37 so that the locking ring 37 is released from the annular groove 35 by being pressed by the distal end side flange portion 56 as a locked portion that is also used for unlocking is the opening and closing of the hood panel 10 that is normally used. The moment that the connecting portions 14c and 15a of the hinge arm 14 and the mounting plate 15 are sometimes separated from each other can be sufficiently resisted, and when the gas generator 70 is operated, the diameter can be increased by being pressed by the distal end side flange portion 56. Is set.

  Further, as described above, the inner case 27 is provided with the assembly hole 40 orthogonal to the axis C of the actuator 21 on the base end 24a side so that the stopper 44 can be fitted and fixed. ing.

  Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface 27a of the inner case 27 is pressed against the inner periphery of the end edge 54ae of the tip end portion 54a of the pressing side portion 52, and is designed to prevent water from entering the pressing side portion 52 and preventing dust from entering. A packing 48 made of an annular rubber or the like is disposed.

  The pressing side portion 52 of the actuator 21 is made of metal such as steel, and at least the gas generator 70 is arranged from the ceiling wall portion 53 that covers the opening end 23 side of the storage side portion 22 and the outer peripheral edge of the ceiling wall portion 53. A substantially cylindrical peripheral wall portion 54 extending to the retreating side of the pressing side portion 52, that is, the lower side of FIGS. 4 and 5 so as to cover the outer periphery of the storage side portion 22 up to the base portion 24 side of the position. Configured.

  In the ceiling wall portion 53, a connecting portion 65 connected to the mounting plate 15 having a round hole-like connecting hole portion 65 a is disposed on the upper surface side away from the opening end 23. The connecting portion 65 is rotatably connected to the connecting portion 15a of the mounting plate 15 by using a shaft support (shaft support pin) 19 inserted into the connecting hole portion 65a. The shaft support 19 penetrates through the connecting hole 65a and is rotatably connected to the connecting portion 15a of the mounting plate 15.

  The peripheral wall portion 54 is configured such that the inner peripheral surface 54 b up to the ring holder 55 provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the tip end portion 54 a that is separated from the ceiling wall portion 53 can slide with the sealing material 46 on the outer peripheral surface side of the storage side portion 22. In addition, it is configured in a smooth circular arc surface concentric with the axis C of the actuator 21 so that the gas sealability can be secured and moved forward.

  The ring holder 55 is caulked and fixed to the inner peripheral side of the distal end portion 54a of the peripheral wall portion 54 as a substantially cylindrical member made of metal such as steel, and in order from the forward movement side (upper side) of the pressing side portion 52. The front end side flange portion 56, a storage groove 57 that stores the lock ring 63 on the inner peripheral side, and a smooth circular arcuate guide surface 61 that is concentric with the axis C are configured.

  The distal end side flange portion 56 is configured so that the inner diameter dimension is slightly larger than the outer diameter dimension of the outer peripheral surface 27 a between the annular groove 30 and the annular groove 35 of the storage side section 22. 35 is set so as to abut against the locking ring 37 housed in 35 and to be able to push the locking ring 37 away from the annular groove 35 when the actuator 21 is operated. It is set so as to come into contact with a flange portion 28 as a stopper of the storage side portion 22 with a locking ring 37 interposed therebetween (see FIGS. 10 and 11).

  The guide surface 61 is slidable on the outer peripheral surface 27 a between the annular grooves 30 and 35 of the storage side portion 22, and guides the forward movement of the pressing side portion 52 along the axis C.

  As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 10, and 11, the storage groove 57 is a pressing-side lock component RM <b> 1 that constitutes a retraction preventing lock mechanism BR <b> 1 that restricts the retreating movement of the pressing side 52 after the operation of the actuator 21 is completed. The lock ring 63 is accommodated. The storage groove 57 as the pressing side lock component RM1 is an annular groove 30 as the storage side lock component RH1 of the storage side 22 when the pressing side 52 is arranged in the vicinity of the lock position RP after completion of the forward movement. And face each other in the direction perpendicular to the axis C.

  The storage groove 57 is substantially parallel to the axis C of the actuator 21 from the taper regulating surface 58 whose diameter is enlarged from the distal end side flange 56 side and the edge of the taper regulating surface 58 on the receding side (the lower side in FIGS. 4 to 7). A bottom surface 59 and a step surface 60 extending from the edge of the bottom surface 59 on the receding side to the axis C side, and configured to expand toward the axis C side.

  In the first embodiment, the taper regulating surface 58 is an inclined surface that decreases in diameter from the bottom surface 59 to the forward side (the upper side in FIGS. 4 to 7). Reference) is 45 °.

  The lock ring 63 is composed of a C-ring made of spring steel or the like having a circular cross section that can be elastically deformed (see FIG. 9), and slidably contacts the outer peripheral surface 27a of the storage side portion 22 so that the diameter can be reduced. In the expanded state, it is stored in the storage groove 57, and when the forward movement of the pressing side portion 52 is completed, it is restored so as to be reduced in diameter and stored in the annular groove 30 of the storage side portion 22. The lock ring 63 has a cross-sectional diameter dimension D1 and a depth dimension (dimension between the inner circumferential regulating surface 32 and the outer circumferential surface 27a) B1 up to the locking regulating surface 31 of the annular groove 30 of the storage side portion 22. It is larger, and half of the diameter dimension D1 (radius dimension) R1 is set to be substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the depth dimension B1 of the annular groove 30 (see FIG. 11).

  That is, when the lock ring 63 is stored in the annular groove 30, the lock ring 63 (outer peripheral part 63 b) protrudes from the outer peripheral surface 27 a of the storage side part 22 so as to hit the inner peripheral restriction surface 32 of the annular groove 30. The diameter dimension D1 is set larger than the depth dimension B1 of the annular groove 30. Further, when the lock ring 63 is housed in the annular groove 30 and the pressing side portion 52 tries to move backward after completion of the forward movement, the taper regulating surface 58 of the distal end side flange portion 56 of the pressing side portion 52 is formed in the annular groove 30. The radial dimension R1 is substantially equal to the depth dimension B1 of the annular groove 30 so that the lock ring 63 does not come off the latching restriction surface 31 even if it comes into contact with the stored lock ring 63, and does not come off the latching regulation surface 31. Or, it is set slightly smaller.

  Even when the pressing side portion 52 after completion of the forward movement is about to move backward, the taper regulating surface 58 of the distal end side flange portion 56 of the pressing side portion 52 is accommodated in the annular groove 30 at the lock position RP of the pressing side portion 52. Since the inner peripheral side portion 63a of the lock ring 63 hits the outer peripheral side portion 63b of the lock ring 63 and is locked so as not to be disengaged from the locking restricting surface 31, the backward movement of the pressing side portion 52 is prevented. The That is, in the case of the first embodiment, the annular groove 30 constituting the storage-side lock constituent part RH1 provided with the locking restriction surface 31 and the inner peripheral restriction surface 32 in the storage side part 22, and the storage groove 57 of the pressing side part 52. The lock side (retracting restricting material) 63 urged in the diameter reducing direction housed in the taper, and the taper regulating surface 58 of the housing groove 57 constituting the pressure side lock constituting portion RM1 in the pressure side portion 52, the pressing side portion. 52 is configured to prevent the backward movement after the completion of the forward movement 52.

  In the first embodiment, the lead wires 70c and 70c of the actuator 21 are connected to a control circuit (not shown), and the connecting portions 25 and 65 are connected to the left and right hinge mechanisms of the hood panel 10 using the shaft supports 18 and 19, respectively. 11, the actuator 21 can be disposed in the hinge mechanism 11 and the flip-up device U1 can be mounted on the vehicle V. it can.

  In the flip-up device U1 of the first embodiment after being mounted on the vehicle V, when the actuator 21 is activated, the gas generator 70 generates the working gas G, and the pressing force of the working gas G causes the FIG. As indicated by a solid line from the two-dot chain line, or as shown in FIGS. 4 to 5, the pressing side portion 52 of the actuator 21 is separated from the storage side portion 22, and the actuator 21 extends. And since the extending actuator 21 widens the intersection angle θ0 between the mounting plate 15 and the hinge arm 14, the rear end 10c side of the hood panel 10 rises, and the hood panel 10 can secure a wide deformation space S, By plastic deformation with a large amount of deformation, the impact can be reduced and a pedestrian can be received.

  In the case of the first embodiment, the actuator 21 can raise the rear end 10c of the hood panel 10 by about 80 mm by setting the operation stroke SL to about 40 mm.

  During this operation, in the actuator 21 of the first embodiment, the gas generator 70 disposed on the storage side portion 22 is ignited to generate the operation gas G, and the operation gas G is opened at the open end 23 of the storage side portion 22. Since the flow flows so as to press the ceiling wall portion 53 of the pressing side portion 52, the pressing side portion 52 slides the peripheral wall portion 54 on the outer peripheral surface 27a of the storage side portion 22, and the distal end portion 54a of the peripheral wall portion 54. Can be moved from the base portion 24 side where the gas generator 70 of the storage side portion 22 is disposed to the vicinity of the opening end 23, and as a storage side connection portion of the vehicle V connected to the storage side portion 22. The actuator 21 is extended so that the connecting portion 14c of the hinge arm 14 and the connecting portion 15a of the mounting plate 15 as the pressing side connecting portion of the vehicle V connected to the pressing side portion 52 are separated from each other. The operation is complete To.

  In this actuator 21, the operating stroke SL can be secured at least from the vicinity of the arrangement position of the gas generator 70 (near the annular groove 35) to the vicinity of the opening end 23 (flange portion 28 as a stopper) of the storage side portion 22. Compared to the specification in which the gas generator is disposed in a conventional cylinder type cylinder and the piston portion of the piston rod is disposed so as to face the gas generator, at least the length of the gas generator 70 is longer. For this reason, the operating stroke SL can be secured long.

  In other words, in the first embodiment, in the direction orthogonal to the axis C, the main body 71 of the gas generator 70 containing explosives and ignition device (not shown) and a part of the lead wire 70c are the parts of the pressing side portion 52. 52b and the length of the overlapping portion is increased along the axis C, so that the operating stroke SL can be secured longer. Conversely, even if the operating stroke SL is equivalent to the conventional type, the length of the actuator 21 The dimension L1 can be shortened.

  In addition, the portion that directly receives the pressing force of the working gas G during operation covers the opening end 23 of the storage side portion 22 in which the gas generator 70 is disposed, and has a larger outer diameter than the opening end 23. If it is the ceiling wall part 53 of the side part 52 and the outer diameter dimension of the gas generator 70 is equal, the pressure receiving area will become larger than the pressure receiving area of the piston part of the internal diameter dimension of the cylinder in the conventional cylinder type actuator. Therefore, when using the gas generator 70 that burns explosives and instantaneously generates a high-pressure working gas G, it is easy to ensure a large output even if the actuator 21 has a small diameter because the pressure receiving area is large.

  As a result, in the above configuration, a long operation stroke SL can be secured even if the actuator 21 is shortened, and a large output can be secured without increasing the thickness of the actuator 21, so that the actuator 21 is compactly configured. The mounting space is small, for example, near the hinge mechanism 11 of the hood panel 10 of the vehicle V according to the first embodiment.

  Moreover, in the actuator 21 of the first embodiment, even after the operation is completed, even if the pressing side portion 52 tries to move backward, the backward movement is restricted by the lock mechanism BR1 as shown in FIGS. The That is, the lock mechanism BR1 is arranged so that the pressing side portion 52 completes the forward movement and the portion of the lock ring 63 stored in the storage groove 57 of the ring holder 55 in the tip end portion 54a is disposed at the position of the annular groove 30. When the lock position RP is reached, the lock ring 63 housed in the housing groove 57 of the pressing side portion 52 is reduced in diameter from the housing groove 57 so as to contact the inner peripheral regulating surface 32 of the annular groove 30. To restore from the expanded state. Therefore, when the pressing side portion 52 tries to move backward, as shown in FIG. 10C and FIG. 11C, the taper regulating surface 58 of the pressing side portion 52 causes the lock ring 63 to lock the annular groove 30. The lock ring 63 is pushed toward the side 31 and is brought into contact with the locking regulation surface 31 to be restricted from moving backward. Furthermore, the lock ring 63 is brought into contact with the inner circumferential restriction surface 32 of the annular groove 30 so that the inner side surface 63aa of the inner circumferential portion 63a is further restricted in diameter reduction state, and the outer circumferential portion 63b. The outer side surface 63ba on the forward movement side in this is brought into contact with the taper regulating surface 58 of the pressing side portion 52, and the diameter-expanded state is also restricted. As a result, the lock ring 63 is pressed against the annular groove 30 of the storage side portion 22. At the lock position RP between the side portion 52 and the taper regulating surface 58, the side portion 52 is locked so as to be stably held, and accordingly, the taper regulating surface 58 is brought into contact with the outer side surface 63ba of the lock ring 63 on the forward movement side. The pressing side portion 52 that has been pressed is also locked at the lock position RP, and the backward movement of the pressing side portion 52 is restricted.

  Therefore, the actuator 21 of the first embodiment can be configured compactly even if the gas generator 70 that generates the working gas G during operation is used. In the actuator 21 of the first embodiment, the lock ring 63, the bottom surface (inner peripheral restriction surface) 32 of the annular groove 30, the locking restriction surface 31, and the taper restriction surface 58 of the storage groove 57 are provided. With this locking mechanism BR1, the backward movement of the pressing side portion 52 that has moved forward can be regulated stably. Therefore, in the first embodiment, after the operation is completed, the connection portion 14c of the hinge arm 14 as the storage side connection portion of the vehicle V connected to the storage side portion 22 and the vehicle V connected to the pressing side portion 52 are connected. The mutual separation distance with the connection part 15a of the attachment plate 15 as a press side connection site | part can be maintained.

  And in the actuator 21 of 1st Embodiment, the flange part 28 which provided the sealing material 46 which slides to the internal peripheral surface 54b of the surrounding wall part 54 of the press side part 52 in the outer peripheral side of the opening end 23 of the storage side part 22 is provided. The flange portion 28 connects the side surface (regulation surface) 28a on the retreating side of the pressing side portion 52 to the annular groove 30, and the distal end side flange portion 56 of the distal end portion 54a of the peripheral wall portion 54. The stopper ring 37 is used as a stopper that is in contact with and abuts to restrict the forward movement of the pressing side portion 52.

  Therefore, in the actuator 21 of the first embodiment, during operation, the distal end side flange portion 56 as the inner peripheral side portion of the distal end portion 54a of the peripheral wall portion 54 of the pressing side portion 52 increases the inertial force that moves forward, Even if it is going to move further forward than the lock position RP, the locking ring 37 is interposed, and it comes into contact with the regulating surface 28a of the flange portion 28 as a stopper on the forward movement side of the annular groove 30, and is stable at the lock position RP. Stopped. Of course, even if the lock ring 63 moves forward by inertia force while reducing the diameter, the locking ring 37 is interposed on the restriction surface 28a of the flange portion 28 extending outward from the inner peripheral restriction surface 32 of the annular groove 30. , Abutting and being stably stored in the annular groove 30, the subsequent backward movement can be regulated smoothly.

  Further, in the configuration of the first embodiment, when the pressing side portion 52 moves forward, the storage site for the discharged working gas G is the ceiling wall portion 53, the peripheral wall portion 54, and the opening of the pressing side portion 52. It is constituted by a portion surrounded by the storage side portion 22 on the end 23 side, and is disposed on the outer peripheral surface 27a side of the opening end 23 of the storage side portion 22 and is slid on the inner peripheral surface 54b of the peripheral wall portion 54. Thus, the gas sealing property is ensured. The sealing material 46 is disposed not on the inner peripheral side of the storage side portion 22 in which the gas generator 70 is stored, but on the flange portion 28 on the outer peripheral side of the opening end 23, and is exposed to the high temperature working gas G. It is difficult to suppress the deterioration of the performance, maintains a good gas sealing property, the pressing side portion 52 can move forward with a stable pressing force, and the actuator 21 can secure a stable output.

  Further, the actuator 21 of the first embodiment allows the forward movement of the pressing side portion 52 with respect to the storage side portion 22 when the working gas G is generated between the storage side portion 22 and the pressing side portion 52. A locking mechanism FR that locks the pressing side portion 52 with respect to the storage side portion 22 is disposed. That is, the actuator 21 prevents unnecessary extension by the locking mechanism FR and does not widen the crossing angle θ0 between the mounting plate 15 and the hinge arm 14, so that the hood panel 10 can be opened and closed normally. This can be suitably used for the flip-up device U1, coupled with the fact that it can be configured compactly and does not make the mounting space bulky.

  In particular, in the first embodiment, the actuator 21 before the operation is moved from the connecting portion 14c on the hinge arm 14 side to the connecting portion 15a on the mounting plate 15 side in the horizontal direction obliquely rearward upward rather than in the vertical direction. Therefore, the flip-up device U1 can be suitably mounted on the vehicle V that can reduce the mounting space in the vertical direction, has a large engine room ER, and has no space in the height direction around the hinge mechanism 11.

  In the first embodiment, the distal end 70 a for discharging the working gas G of the gas generator 70 is spaced apart from the opening end 23 of the storage side portion 22, but the gas generator 70 protrudes from the opening end 23. If the main body part of the gas generator 70 is disposed away from the opening end 23 toward the base portion 24 side, the opening end 23 is brought close to the tip 70a, for example, as in the actuator 21A shown in FIG. Further, the opening end 23 and the tip 70a may be arranged to coincide with each other. However, as in the first embodiment, between the tip 70a of the gas generator 70 and the open end 23, that is, between the tip 70a of the gas generator 70 and the ceiling wall portion 53 of the pressing side portion 52, Before the pressing side portion 52 moves forward, the ceiling wall portion 53 is greatly separated from the opening end 23 so as to provide a storage chamber 80 that can store the working gas G. The volume change rate between the leading end 70a and the ceiling wall portion 53 is reduced by the amount of the storage chamber 80 having a large volume before the forward movement, and the operation is made of combustion gas in the middle of the forward movement of the pressing side portion 52. The reduction of the pressure of the gas G can be suppressed, and the actuator 21 can exert a large pressing force even in the vicinity of the advance completion position of the pressing side portion 52 to move the pressing side portion 52 forward.

  In the first embodiment, the connecting portion 25 of the storage side portion 22 of the actuator 21 is connected to the hinge arm 14 side, and the connecting portion 65 of the pressing side portion 52 is connected to the mounting plate 15 side. The connecting portion 25 of the storage side portion 22 may be connected to the connecting portion 15a of the mounting plate 15, and the connecting portion 65 of the pressing side portion 52 may be connected to the connecting portion 14c of the hinge arm 14.

  Moreover, in 1st Embodiment, the case where the connection part 65 connected with the connection part 15a of the attachment plate 15 as a press side connection part was provided in the front end side at the time of the forward movement of the press side part 52 was shown. However, like the actuator 21B shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the pressing side portion 52B extends to the outer peripheral surface 54c side of the peripheral wall portion 54 in the direction perpendicular to the axis C, and the pressing side connecting portion (connecting portion) 204a. You may arrange | position the connection part 65B which consists of a placket connected with.

  In the actuator 21B, the storage side portion 22B is also provided with a connecting portion 25B made of a placket connected to the storage side connecting portion (connecting portion) 205a on the base end 24a side away from the opening end 23. ing. These connecting portions 65B and 25B are connected and fixed to the corresponding connecting portions 205a and 204a by connecting tools 206 such as bolts and nuts inserted into the connecting holes 65a and 25a.

  The actuator 21B is used for the head protection device H1 mounted on the headrest 203 at the upper end of the backrest portion 201 of the vehicle seat 200, and is to be protected at the time of a rear-end collision caused by a rear-end collision on the rear surface of the vehicle. Operate to catch the occupant's head as an object. The headrest 203 is disposed at the upper end of the backrest portion 201 using the stay 202, the front portion 204 is connected and supported to the pressing side portion 52B using the connecting portions 204a and 65B, and the rear portion 205 is supported. It is supported by 202 and is connected to the storage side portion 22B using the connecting portions 205a and 25B.

  Therefore, when the actuator 21B is operated, the front portion 204 that is in close contact with the rear portion 205 is drawn forward. The head protection device H1 is provided with a sensor capable of detecting a rear collision of the vehicle near a rear bumper (not shown) of the vehicle, and a predetermined control device that receives a signal from the sensor generates a gas. The device 70 is configured to operate.

  In this actuator 21B, the configuration of the connecting portions 25B and 65B is different from the connecting portions 25 and 65 of the actuator 21 of the first embodiment, but the other parts including the lock mechanism BR1 and the locking mechanism FR are the same. In the configuration, members and parts similar to those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In this actuator 21B, the connecting portion 65B of the pressing side portion 52B with the pressing side connecting portion 204a is projected from the outer peripheral surface 54c in the direction orthogonal to the axis C, so that the axis C of the actuator 21B is provided. Since the connecting portion 65B is not arranged in the length direction along the length of the actuator 21B, the length dimension LB of the actuator 21B can be further reduced.

  Further, in this actuator 21B, the connecting portion 25B of the storage-side connecting portion 205a of the storage side portion 22B is also provided in a direction perpendicular to the axis C from the outer peripheral surface 27a on the base portion end 24a side. It becomes possible to keep the dimension LB short.

  In the actuator 21B, the connection holes 25a and 65B are provided with connection holes 25a and 65a for inserting the connection tools 206 such as bolts. It is good also as a connection part, and it is not limited to the example of a figure, The structure of a connection part can employ | adopt various things.

  Further, in this actuator 21B, the tip 70a for discharging the working gas G of the gas generator 70 is made to substantially coincide with the opening end 23 of the storage side portion 22B. However, as in the actuator 21B ′ shown in FIG. A space may be provided between the opening end 23 and the tip 70a of the gas generator 70 so as to provide the chamber 80.

  Further, in the first embodiment, with respect to the lock mechanism BR1, the storage-side lock component RH1 and the pressing of the storage-side portion 22 that are opposed to each other in the orthogonal direction to the axis C at the lock position RP after the pressing-side portion 52 is moved forward. As the pressing-side lock constituent portion RM1 of the side portion 52, the storage-side locking constituent portion RH1 is configured by an annular groove 30 having a bottom surface (inner peripheral restriction surface) 32 and a locking restriction surface 31, and the pressing-side lock. The component portion RM1 is configured by a storage groove 57 having a taper regulating surface 58, and the lock ring 63 stored in the storage groove 57 is slid toward the outer peripheral surface 27a side of the storage side portion 22 so as to reduce the diameter when restored. In order to be movable, it is stored in the storage groove 57 in an expanded state. However, when the pressing side portion after the forward movement is arranged at the lock position, the locking side surface is interposed between the locking restriction surface and the taper restriction surface so that the lock ring can be clamped. If it is the structure arrange | positioned so that it may mutually oppose along substantially the backward movement direction, as shown to the actuator 21C of 2nd Embodiment shown to FIGS. 17-20, the storage side lock | rock of the storage side part 22C The component part RH2 is composed of a storage groove 49 having a taper restricting surface 49a for accommodating the lock ring 63C, and the pressing side lock constituting part RM2 of the pressing side portion 52C is composed of a bottom surface (outer periphery restricting surface) 69 and a locking restricting surface. And an annular groove 67 having 68.

  In addition, in this actuator 21C, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the site | part and member similar to the actuator 21 of 1st Embodiment unless there is particular notice, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The actuator 21C of the second embodiment is used for the hood flip-up device U2, and a connecting portion 65C made of a bolt is fixed to the outer peripheral surface 54c of the peripheral wall portion 54 of the pressing side portion (moving side portion) 52C. Has been. The connecting portion 65C is inserted into a connecting hole 15b as the connecting portion 15a of the mounting plate 15 of the hinge mechanism 11, is fastened to the nut 15c, and is rotatably connected to the mounting plate 15.

  Further, the connecting portion 25C of the storage side portion 22C includes a hexagonal hole-shaped connecting hole portion 25a. The shaft support 18C is inserted into the connecting hole portion 25a, and the nut 18e is inserted into the male screw portion 18a of the shaft support 18C. Fastened and connected to the shaft support 18C.

  The shaft support 18C includes male screw portions 18a and 18b at both ends, a deformed portion 18c inserted into the connecting hole portion 25a, a cylindrical large-diameter portion 18d at a portion between the male screw portions 18a and 18b, It is configured with. The deformed portion 18c has a hexagonal column shape so as to be fitted into the hexagonal hole-shaped connecting hole portion 25a. The male screw portion 18b is inserted into the connecting hole 14d in the connecting portion 14c of the hinge arm 14, and is fastened to the hinge arm 14 by being fastened with a nut 14e.

  Therefore, in the actuator 21C of the second embodiment, the shaft support 18C and the nuts 18e and 14e are used to be rotatably connected to the connecting portion 14c of the hinge arm 14, and the nut 15c is used to It will be connected with the connection part 15a of the attachment plate 15 so that rotation is possible.

  Further, in the actuator 21C, like the actuator 21 of the first embodiment, the storage side portion 22C is provided with an opening end 23 through which the working gas G flows out on the tip side to store and hold the gas generator 70. It is configured. The pressing side portion 52C has a ceiling wall portion 53 that covers the opening end 23 side of the storage side portion 22C, and the outer periphery of the storage side portion 22C from the outer peripheral edge of the ceiling wall portion 53 to at least the vicinity of the position where the gas generator 70 is disposed. And a peripheral wall portion 54 that slides on the outer peripheral surface side of the storage side portion 22C while ensuring gas sealing performance.

  In this actuator 21C, of course, the gas generator 70 similar to that of the first embodiment approaches the moving center axis (axis) C side from the inner peripheral surface 54b of the pressing side portion 52C, and is disposed before the operation. It is stored and held in the storage side portion 22C so as to overlap a part 52b of the pressing side portion 52C in the state and the direction perpendicular to the movement center axis C.

  In addition, the actuator 21C includes a locking mechanism FR as an extension preventing lock mechanism, as in the first embodiment. That is, the locking mechanism FR includes a locking ring 37 formed of an E ring as a temporary locking locking portion, and an annular groove 35 of the storage side portion 22C that has an edge 35a that expands in diameter and stores the locking ring 37. And a latched portion that is locked to the locking ring 37 accommodated in the annular groove 35 and that contacts the locking ring 37 so as to release the locking of the locking ring 37. A distal end side flange portion 56. The deformation stress that expands the locking ring 37 so that the locking ring 37 is released from the annular groove 35 by being pressed by the distal end side flange portion 56 as a locked portion that is also used for unlocking is the opening and closing of the hood panel 10 that is normally used. The moment that the connecting portions 14c and 15a of the hinge arm 14 and the mounting plate 15 are sometimes separated from each other can be sufficiently resisted, and when the gas generator 70 is operated, the diameter can be increased by being pressed by the distal end side flange portion 56. Is set.

  And the actuator 21C of 2nd Embodiment is provided with lock mechanism BR2 for back prevention which controls the back movement of the press side part 52C after completion | finish of operation | movement like 1st Embodiment. However, unlike the first embodiment, the lock ring 63C made of a C-ring made of elastically deformable spring steel or the like having a circular cross section has a storage groove provided in the flange portion 28C of the storage side portion 22C so that the diameter can be increased. 49, an annular groove 67 for locking the lock ring 63C at the time of diameter expansion is provided on the pressing side portion 52C side.

  The storage groove 49 constituting the storage-side lock component RH2 has a locking ring 37 interposed between the ring holder 55C disposed at the tip 54a of the peripheral wall 54 of the pressing side 52C in the storage side 22C. It is disposed on the flange portion 28C that functions as a stopper that comes into contact. The storage groove 49 is disposed between the retaining surface 28a that functions as a stopper and the annular groove 29 in which the sealing material 46 is stored. The storage groove 49 has a step surface 49c extending in the direction orthogonal to the axis C from the edge on the annular groove 29 side of the bottom surface 49b on the axis C side, and approximately 45 from the edge on the regulation surface 28a side of the bottom surface 49b to the backward movement side. And a taper regulating surface 49a that expands at an inclination angle of ° (see FIG. 20).

  Further, the annular groove 67 constituting the pressing side lock constituting portion RM2 is formed adjacent to the ring holder 55C on the inner peripheral surface 54b side of the pressing side portion 52C and is parallel to the axis C serving as the bottom surface of the annular groove 67. An outer peripheral restriction surface 69 that is an arcuate surface, and a tapered locking restriction surface 68 that is reduced in diameter from the forward movement side edge of the outer peripheral restriction surface 69 to the forward movement side and that is continuous with the inner peripheral surface 54b. Configured.

  In the lock mechanism BR2 for retreating prevention, the lock ring 63C is housed in the housing groove 49 in a reduced diameter state in contact with the inner peripheral surface 54b of the pressing side part 52C so that the diameter can be increased. When the movement is completed, as shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the diameter is expanded and stored in the annular groove 67 of the pressing side portion 52 </ b> C. The lock ring 63 </ b> C has a cross-sectional diameter dimension D <b> 2 larger than the depth dimension B <b> 2 from the inner peripheral surface 54 b of the annular groove 67, and a half (radial dimension) of the diameter dimension D <b> 2 of the outer peripheral regulating surface 69. It is set to be substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the depth dimension B2.

  Therefore, when the lock ring 63C is housed in the annular groove 67, the lock ring 63C (inner peripheral portion 63a) protrudes from the inner peripheral surface 54b of the pressing side portion 52C when it hits the outer peripheral restriction surface 69 of the annular groove 67. Further, when the lock ring 63C is housed in the annular groove 67 and the pressing side portion 52C attempts to move backward after the forward movement is completed, the lock side 63C is locked even if the locking regulating surface 68 of the pressing side portion 52C hits the lock ring 63C. The ring 63C hits the taper regulating surface 49a and does not move, and the lock ring 63C is locked (locked) between the locking regulating surface 68 and the taper regulating surface 49a (see C in FIG. 20).

  As a result, even if the pressing side portion 52C after the completion of the forward movement is about to move backward, at the lock position RP of the pressing side portion 52C, the taper regulating surface 49a of the storage side portion 22C is stored in the annular ring 67. The lock ring 63C is locked so that it does not come off from the locking regulating surface 68 because it hits the inner circumferential side portion 63a and the outer circumferential side portion 63b of the lock ring 63C is not expanded by the outer circumferential regulating surface 69. In other words, the lock ring 63C is stably held at the lock position between the annular groove 67 (the outer periphery regulating surface 69 and the locking regulating surface 68) of the pressing side portion 52C and the taper regulating surface 49a of the storage side portion 22C. Accordingly, the pressing side portion 52C in which the locking restricting surface 68 and the outer periphery restricting surface 69 are brought into contact with the outer peripheral side portion 63b on the forward movement side of the lock ring 63C is also locked at the lock position RP. Thus, the backward movement of the pressing side portion 52C is restricted.

Of course, in the hood flip-up device U2, when the actuator 21C is operated, the gas generator 70 generates the operating gas G, and depending on the pressing force of the operating gas G, FIG. 18 to FIG. 19 or FIG. As indicated by the solid line from the two-dot chain line, the pressing side portion 52C of the actuator 21C moves away from the storage side portion 22C, and the actuator 21C extends. And since the extending actuator 21C widens the intersection angle θ0 between the mounting plate 15 and the hinge arm 14, the rear end 10c side of the hood panel 10 rises, and the hood panel 10 can secure a wide deformation space S, By plastic deformation with a large amount of deformation, the impact can be reduced and the pedestrian can be received. And, in the actuator 21C of the second embodiment, the same actions and effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, in the actuator 21C of the second embodiment, the connecting portion 65C projects from the axis C in the orthogonal direction, the length dimension L2 can be made compact, and the hood panel 10 of the vehicle V with a small mounting space can be provided. The hood flip-up device U2 mounted near the hinge mechanism 11 can be suitably used.

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the lock ring 63C of the lock mechanism BR2 for preventing retreat is disposed at a portion of the flange portion 28C that performs a stopper function in the storage side portion 22C, and the lock ring 63C is placed in the storage groove 49. In the retracted state, the pressing side portion 52C is fitted, but the portion that slides with the lock ring 63C is the inner peripheral surface 54b side that is not exposed on the outer surface of the pressing side portion 52C, and the portion is damaged. Even if it attaches, it can suppress generation | occurrence | production of rust etc. combined with the packing 48 being arrange | positioned at the time of assembly completion.

  In each embodiment, the storage side portions 22, 22B, 22C and the pressing side portions 52, 52B, 52C are provided with predetermined connection portions 25, 25B, 25C, 65, 65B, 65C, and the storage side connection portions. 14c, 205a and the pressing side connecting portions 15a, 204a are connected before the operation, but at least one of the storage side portions 22, 22B, 22C and the pressing side portions 52, 52B, 52C. Are connected and fixed to a fixed-side connecting portion (fixed-side connecting portion), and the other of the storage side portions 22, 22B, 22C and the pressing side portions 52, 52B, 52C is separated from the fixed-side connecting portion before operation. It is arranged away from the movable side connection part (connection part), and is configured to contact (connect / connect) the movable side connection part during operation to support or move the movable side connection part. May be. In such a configuration, the lead wire 70c for inputting the ignition electric signal to the gas generator 70 needs to be disposed. Therefore, in consideration of the space for movement and operation, the storage side portions 22 and 22B are provided. , 22C side storage side connection part is a fixed side connection part, the pressing side parts 52, 52B, 52C side is arranged away from the movable side connection part (connection part), and contacts the movable side connection part during operation. It is desirable to have a configuration that connects (connects and connects).

  Furthermore, in the actuators 21, 21A, 21B, 21B ′, and 21C of each embodiment, the case where the hood panel 10 is used for the flip-up devices U1 and U2 and the head protection device H1 is illustrated as an example. The present invention is used as an actuator for connecting a storage side portion and a pressing side portion to a front knee support panel and an instrument panel hose on the body side and moving the knee support panel rearward at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle. Also good. Furthermore, the actuator of the present invention is not limited to each embodiment as long as the gas generator is operated to move the pressing side portion forward at a predetermined time, and can be used for various automobile safety devices.

21, 21A, 21B, 21B ', 21C ... Actuator, 22, 22B, 22C ... Storage side, 23 ... (tip) open end, 24 ... base, 27a ... outer peripheral surface, 28, 28C ... (stopper) flange , 30, 67 ... annular groove, 31, 68 ... locking restricting surface, 32, 69 ... bottom surface (32 ... inner periphery restricting surface, 69 ... outer periphery restricting surface), 46 ... sealing material, 52, 52B, 52C ... pressing side 53, ceiling wall, 54 ... peripheral wall, 54a ... tip, 54b ... inner peripheral surface / sliding surface, 49, 57 ... storage groove, 49a, 58 ... taper regulating surface, 49b, 59 ... bottom surface, 56 ... (Inner peripheral part of the peripheral wall part of the pressing side part) Tip side part, 63, 63C ... Lock ring, 63a ... Inner peripheral part, 63b ... Outer peripheral part, 70 ... Gas generator, G ... Working gas,
RH1, RH2... Storage side lock component, RM1, RM2... Press side lock component, BR1, BR2.

Claims (2)

A gas generator for generating working gas during operation;
A storage side for storing and holding the gas generator;
A pressing side portion that is pressed by the working gas generated from the gas generator and relatively moves forward away from the storage side portion;
Composed of
An actuator configured to prevent a backward movement of the pressing side portion after a forward movement by a lock mechanism during operation;
The storage side portion is configured to store and hold the gas generator by providing an opening end through which the working gas flows out on the tip side,
The pressing side portion covers a ceiling wall portion covering the opening end side of the storage side portion, and an outer periphery of the storage side portion from the outer peripheral edge of the ceiling wall portion to at least the vicinity of the arrangement position of the gas generator. And a peripheral wall portion that extends,
The locking mechanism is
The storage side lock is placed on the outer peripheral side of the storage side portion near the opening end so as to face each other in the direction orthogonal to the axis of the actuator at the lock position that prevents the back side movement of the pressing side portion after the forward movement. Disposing a constituent part, and disposing a pressing side lock constituent part on the inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall part of the pressing side part,
An annular lock ring made of an elastically deformable wire having a circular cross section is sandwiched between the storage side lock constituent part and the pressing side lock constituent part to prevent the pressing side part from retreating. ,
A storage groove for storing the lock ring by being elastically deformed in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the actuator is disposed on one of the storage side lock component and the pressing side lock component,
The lock ring which is restored from the state stored in the storage groove at a position facing the storage groove after the forward movement of the pressing side part in the other of the storage side lock constituent part and the pressing side lock constituent part. An annular groove capable of storing
The annular groove has a bottom surface that comes into contact with the lock ring when restored in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the actuator, and a locking restriction extending from the edge of the bottom surface to the lock ring side in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the actuator. And a depth dimension of the annular groove to the bottom surface is made smaller than a diameter dimension of the circular cross section of the lock ring,
The storage groove includes a taper regulating surface extending obliquely so as to intersect with the axis of the actuator so as to expand the storage groove from the edge of the bottom surface of the storage groove at the lock position;
The locking restricting surface and the taper restricting surface are disposed so as to face each other substantially along the backward movement direction of the pressing side portion with the lock ring interposed at the lock position ,
The storage-side lock component is configured by providing the annular groove on the outer peripheral side near the opening end of the storage side,
The pressing-side lock constituting portion is provided with the storage groove on the inner peripheral side of the distal end portion of the peripheral side wall portion of the pressing side portion away from the ceiling wall portion, and the taper regulating surface is provided in the storage groove. It is arranged to be arranged on the forward movement side edge of the pressing side part,
The lock ring is slidable on the outer peripheral surface side of the storage side portion, is expanded in diameter and stored in the storage groove,
The annular groove is
The bottom surface is an inner peripheral restriction surface that comes into contact with an inner peripheral side portion at the time of restoration of the lock ring disposed at the lock position,
The actuator, wherein the locking restricting surface is disposed on an edge of the pressing side portion on the retreating side of the inner circumferential restricting surface of the annular groove . On the outer peripheral side of the opening end of the storage side part, a flange part provided with a sealing material that slides on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall part of the pressing side part is projected,
The flange portion serves as a regulating surface that abuts the surface on the backward movement side of the pressing side portion with the inner peripheral side portion of the tip portion away from the ceiling wall portion in the peripheral wall portion of the pressing side portion during forward movement. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured as a stopper that restricts forward movement of the pressing side portion.

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