JP7420615B2 - Inflator mounting jig and airbag device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an inflator mounting jig and an airbag device, and more particularly to an inflator mounting jig and an airbag device used when the position of an inflator mounting hole is misaligned.

2. Description of the Related Art Vehicles such as automobiles are often equipped with an airbag device that inflates and deploys an airbag between an occupant and a vehicle body structure to absorb impact on the occupant in the event of an emergency such as a vehicle collision. The airbag is inflated and deployed by inflation gas supplied from an inflator. The inflator is configured to be ignited based on a signal from an electronic control unit (ECU) and generate inflation gas.

For example, as described in Patent Document 1, a disk-shaped inflator including a substantially cylindrical main body and a flange disposed on the main body is generally in circulation. When assembling an inflator with such a configuration into an airbag module, stack the retainer, flange, airbag (base fabric), and bag ring in this order, aligning the mounting holes of each component, and insert the retainer into the mounting hole. A structure in which bolts are inserted and tightened with nuts is often adopted.

JP2015-30328A

By the way, the positions of the mounting holes of each of the above-mentioned parts are designed to match when stacked. Therefore, if the specifications such as the capacity and size of the inflator are subsequently changed, the position of the mounting hole on the inflator flange will shift, causing the problem that the existing inflator cannot be used. .

If such a change in specifications occurs, it is necessary to change the position of the bolt fixed to the bag ring or the position of the mounting hole for the retainer, etc., which increases work time and man-hours. It becomes a factor of cost increase.

The present invention was devised in view of this problem, and even if the mounting hole of the inflator flange is misaligned, the inflator can be installed in an airbag module without changing the design of existing parts. An object of the present invention is to provide an inflator mounting jig and an airbag device that can be assembled.

According to the present invention, an airbag that is inflated and deployed in an emergency, an inflator that supplies inflation gas to the airbag, a flange portion disposed on the inflator, and a retainer that supports the airbag and the inflator; An inflator mounting jig for use in an airbag device, comprising: a fastener inserted into a through hole formed in each of the airbag and the retainer, the flange portion being between the flange portion and the retainer. An inflator mounting jig comprising: a recess that is arranged to sandwich the flange portion, a mounting hole that communicates with the through hole, and an opening that allows the inflator to be inserted. provided.

The inflator mounting jig includes a first plate having the mounting hole and the opening, and a second plate having a punching hole formed in a shape that follows the outer shape including the flange portion and the through hole. The recess may be formed by overlapping the first plate and the second plate.

Further, the first plate may include a cutout or a through hole that can communicate with the die-cutting hole.

Further, the recess, the attachment hole, and the opening may be formed in one plate. At this time, the plate may have a substantially uniform wall thickness.

Further, the inflator mounting jig may include a protrusion that can be engaged with a through hole formed in advance in the flange portion.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an airbag device characterized in that it includes an inflator mounting jig having the above-described configuration.

According to the above-described inflator mounting jig and airbag device according to the present invention, the inflator mounting jig includes a recess through which the flange portion of the inflator can be positioned, and a mounting hole through which a fastener can be inserted. Therefore, the flange portion of the inflator can be sandwiched and fixed between the retainer and the inflator mounting jig without using the inflator mounting hole.

Therefore, according to the present invention, even if the mounting hole of the flange portion of the inflator is misaligned, the inflator can be assembled into the airbag module without changing the design of existing parts.

FIG. 1 is a exploded view of parts showing an airbag device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an inflator mounting jig, in which (A) shows a first plate and (B) shows a second plate. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing a state in which an inflator is placed on an inflator mounting jig, in which (A) is a plan view, (B) is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3(A), and (C) is a portion of the airbag device. It is a sectional view. It is a perspective view showing a modification of the inflator mounting jig according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an inflator mounting jig according to a second embodiment, in which (A) is a plan view, (B) is a cross-sectional view of the inflator installed, and (C) is a partial cross-sectional view of the airbag device. be. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an inflator mounting jig according to a third embodiment, in which (A) is a plan view and (B) is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 6(A). 7(A) is a plan view, and FIG. 7(B) is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 7(A). FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7(B). Here, FIG. 1 is a exploded view of parts showing an airbag device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the inflator mounting jig, in which (A) shows the first plate and (B) shows the second plate. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the state in which the inflator is placed on the inflator mounting jig, where (A) is a plan view, (B) is a sectional view taken along the line BB in Figure 3 (A), and (C) is an air FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the bag device.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, an airbag device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes an airbag 2 that is inflated and deployed in an emergency, an inflator 3 that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 2, and an inflator. 3, a retainer 4 that supports the airbag 2 and the inflator 3, a fastener 5 that is inserted into the through holes 22 and 44 formed in the airbag 2 and the retainer 4, respectively, and It includes a bag ring 6 that holds the bag 2 between it and the retainer 4, a horn plate 7 that supports the retainer 4 in a vertically movable manner, and a module cover 8 that is fixed to the retainer 4 so as to cover the air bag 2. ing.

The airbag 2 is normally housed in the module cover 8 in a folded state. The folded airbag 2 may be wrapped in a protector cloth that maintains the folded shape. Further, as shown in FIG. 3(C), an opening 21 is formed at the bottom of the airbag 2 through which the head of the main body 3b of the inflator 3 can be inserted. , a through hole 22 through which the fastener 5 is inserted is formed.

The inflator 3 includes a substantially cylindrical main body portion 3b that accommodates a gas generating agent, and a flange portion 3f having a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the main body portion 3b. The flange portion 3f may be configured integrally with the main body portion 3b, or may be configured separately. The flange portion 3f may have a substantially square shape, a substantially circular shape, or a combination of a substantially square shape and a substantially circular shape. Additionally, generally, through holes 3h are formed at the four corners of the flange portion 3f, through which fixing fasteners are inserted.

The retainer 4 is a component that constitutes the base of the airbag module. The airbag 2 and the inflator 3 are fixed to the bottom surface 41 of the retainer 4, and the module cover 8 is fixed to the wall surface 42 of the retainer 4. Further, an opening 43 through which the head of the main body 3b of the inflator 3 can be inserted is formed in the bottom surface 41, and a through hole 44 through which the fastener 5 is inserted is formed around the opening 43. There is. Further, a connecting member 45 connected to the guide pin 71 of the horn plate 7 is arranged on the retainer 4 . Furthermore, a movable contact 46 constituting a horn switch may be arranged near the connecting member 45.

The fastener 5 includes, for example, a bolt 51 and a nut 52. Fasteners 5 are used to secure the airbag 2 and inflator 3 to the retainer 4. The bolt 51 may be fixed to the bag ring 6 by welding or the like.

The bag ring 6 is a component that presses the outer periphery of the opening 21 of the airbag 2 from the inside. An opening 61 through which the head of the main body 3b of the inflator 3 can be inserted is formed in the center of the bag ring 6, and around the opening 61, as shown in FIG. 3(C), A through hole 62 through which the fastener 5 is inserted is formed.

The horn plate 7 is fixed to, for example, a core metal of a steering wheel. The horn plate 7 is arranged at a position corresponding to a guide pin 71 connected to the connecting member 45 of the retainer 4, a horn spring 72 arranged between the horn plate 7 and the retainer 4, and a movable contact 46 of the retainer 4. A fixed contact 73 is provided. The guide pin 71 is arranged to be movable up and down with respect to the horn plate 7.

Therefore, when the occupant pushes in the module cover 8, the airbag module and guide pin 71 are pushed down, and when the occupant releases his/her hand, the airbag module and guide pin 71 are pushed up by the biasing force of the horn spring 72 and restored to their original positions. do.

The module cover 8 is a component that accommodates the airbag 2. Further, since the module cover 8 is a component disposed approximately at the center of the steering wheel and is visible to the occupants, its surface is often decorated to maintain harmony within the vehicle interior.

By the way, in the above-mentioned inflator 3, the through hole 3h formed in the flange portion 3f is generally formed at a position that coincides with the through hole 22 of the airbag 2 and the through hole 44 of the retainer 4, and It is designed for a fixed fastener 5 to be inserted therethrough.

However, if the specifications of the inflator 3 are changed after the design and manufacture of each part of the airbag device 1 are completed, or if a high-performance, compact inflator 3 is developed, the originally planned inflator 3 may be replaced with another one. Inflator 3 may be changed. At this time, the position of the through hole 3h may not match the other through holes 22, 44, and the inflator 3 cannot be fixed with the fastener 5.

If such a specification change occurs, it is necessary to change the position of the bolt 51 fixed to the bag ring 6 or the position of the through hole 44 of the retainer 4, etc., resulting in a reduction in work time and man-hours. increases, leading to an increase in costs.

Therefore, in this embodiment, by using the inflator mounting jig 9, even if the position of the through hole 3h of the inflator 3 does not match the through holes 22, 44 of other parts, the design of other parts can be changed. The inflator 3 can be fixed to the retainer 4 without having to do so.

The inflator mounting jig 9 is, for example, arranged to sandwich the flange portion 3f with the retainer 4, and includes a recess 9c in which the flange portion 3f can be positioned, and a mounting hole 9h that communicates with the through holes 22 and 44. An opening 9a through which the main body 3b of the inflator 3 can be inserted is provided. The inflator mounting jig 9 may be made of metal or resin.

The inflator mounting jig 9 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a first plate 91 having a mounting hole 9h and an opening 9a, as shown in FIGS. and a second plate 92 provided with a punching hole 9s formed in a shape along the outer shape including the flange portion 3f and the attachment hole 9h.

In this embodiment, the recess 9c is formed by overlapping the first plate 91 and the second plate 92, as shown in FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B). The flange portion 3f of the inflator 3 is arranged in this recess 9c.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3(C), the airbag 2 is arranged on the upper surface of the retainer 4, and the bag ring 6 is arranged on the airbag 2. At this time, the through hole 44 of the retainer 4, the through hole 22 of the airbag 2, and the through hole 62 of the bag ring 6 are arranged at matching positions.

Further, a second plate 92 is arranged on the lower surface of the retainer 4, a flange portion 3f is inserted into the die-cutting hole 9s, and a first plate 91 is arranged below the second plate 92 and the flange portion 3f. At this time, the through hole 44 of the retainer 4 and the attachment hole 9h formed in the first plate 91 are arranged at matching positions.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3(C), from the top, the through hole 62 of the bag ring 6, the through hole 22 of the airbag 2, the through hole 44 of the retainer 4, the die cut hole 9s of the second plate 92, and the The mounting holes 9h of one plate 91 are arranged so as to communicate with each other. The fastener 5 is inserted into this communicating hole, and the bag ring 6, airbag 2, retainer 4, second plate 92, and first plate 91 are fixed. In addition, in FIG. 3(C), for convenience of explanation, the illustration of the fastener 5 is omitted.

At this time, the flange portion 3f of the inflator 3 is inserted and fixed in the gap (cutout hole 9s) formed between the first plate 91 and the retainer 4. If the thickness of the second plate 92 is greater than the thickness of the flange portion 3f, the inflator 3 may vibrate up and down. Therefore, the thickness of the second plate 92 may be the same as or slightly smaller than the thickness of the flange portion 3f.

According to the inflator mounting jig 9 according to the present embodiment described above, the flange portion 3f of the inflator 3 is sandwiched between the retainer 4 and the inflator mounting jig 9 without using the mounting hole 3h of the inflator 3. The inflator 3 can be fixed with.

Therefore, by using the inflator mounting jig 9, even if the position of the through hole 3h of the flange portion 3f is misaligned with the through holes 22, 44 of other parts, the existing part (bag ring 6 , retainer 4, airbag 2, etc.), the inflator 3 can be assembled into the airbag module.

Note that the configuration other than the inflator mounting jig 9 of the airbag device 1 described above is merely an example, and is not limited to the illustrated configuration. Furthermore, the airbag device 1 is not limited to one that is placed on a steering wheel, but as long as the airbag device 1 uses a disk-shaped inflator 3, it can be used as an airbag device that is placed on the instrument panel of the passenger seat, etc. , or other airbag devices.

Here, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a modification of the inflator mounting jig according to the first embodiment. Note that FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inflator 3 placed on the inflator mounting jig 9, viewed from below. In this modification, a notch 9n that can communicate with the punching hole 9s of the second plate 92 is formed on the outer periphery of the first plate 91. By forming such a notch 9n, it is possible to visually confirm whether the flange 3f of the inflator 3 is correctly inserted into the molding hole 9s (ie, the recess 9c).

Further, the cutout portions 9n are formed, for example, at two places on the left and right sides of each side, but it is sufficient that the cutout portions 9n are formed on at least one side. Moreover, by forming the cutout portions 9n at two locations on the left and right sides of the side, one of the cutout portions 9n will always communicate with the punching hole 9s regardless of whether the first plate 91 is on the front or back side. Although not shown, the cutout portion 9n may be a through hole that can communicate with the die cut hole 9s.

Next, an inflator mounting jig 9 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5(A) to 5(C). Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an inflator mounting jig according to the second embodiment, in which (A) is a plan view, (B) is a cross-sectional view of the inflator installed, and (C) is an airbag mounting jig. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the device. Note that the same components as those in the embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

The inflator mounting jig 9 according to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 5(A) to 5(C) is composed of a single plate 93 by integrating the above-described first plate 91 and second plate 92. This is what I did. That is, the inflator mounting jig 9 according to the present embodiment has a recess 9c, a mounting hole 9h, and an opening 9a formed in a single plate 93.

The plate 93 may be formed by forming the first plate 91 and the second plate 92 and then integrating them by adhesion, welding, etc., or by mechanically cutting the recess 9c, mounting hole 9h, and opening 9a from a single plate member. It may be formed by processing. Further, the depth of the recess 9c may be the same as or slightly smaller than the thickness of the flange portion 3f.

When the plate 93 according to this embodiment is used, as shown in FIG. 5(C), from the top, the through hole 62 of the bag ring 6, the through hole 22 of the airbag 2, the through hole 44 of the retainer 4, The punching hole 9s of the plate 93 and the mounting hole 9h are arranged so as to communicate with each other. The flange portion 3f of the inflator 3 is arranged within the recess 9c of the plate 93. In addition, in FIG. 5(C), the illustration of the fastener 5 is omitted for convenience of explanation.

Next, an inflator mounting jig 9 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6(A) to 7(B). Here, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an inflator mounting jig according to a third embodiment, in which (A) is a plan view and (B) is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 6(A). . FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which an inflator is placed on an inflator mounting jig according to a third embodiment, in which (A) is a plan view and (B) is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 7(A). , is. Note that the same components as those in the embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

The inflator mounting jig 9 according to the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B) is composed of a single plate 94, similar to the plate 93 according to the second embodiment described above. It is something. The plate 93 according to the second embodiment has a wall thickness of two plates at the outside of the punching hole 9s and the attachment hole 9h, whereas the plate 94 according to the third embodiment has a wall thickness of two plates. It has a substantially uniform wall thickness.

With this configuration, the inflator mounting jig 9 can be easily formed by machining and pressing a single plate member. Further, by eliminating unnecessary wall thickness, it is possible to reduce the weight of the plate 94 according to the third embodiment. Note that the plate 94 may be formed by injection molding.

Further, when the plate 94 is formed from a single plate member, it may not be possible to make the corners of the stepped portion forming the recessed portion 9c stand up compared to the plate 93 according to the second embodiment. If the recess 9c is formed smoothly, the horizontal positioning of the flange 3f may become slightly loose.

Therefore, a protrusion 9p that can be engaged with a through hole 3h formed in advance in the flange portion 3f may be formed on the surface of the recess 9c of the plate 94. As shown in FIG. 7(A), when the inflator 3 is placed in the recess 9c, the protrusion 9p is configured to be locked in the through hole 3h. With this configuration, horizontal movement of the flange portion 3f can be suppressed.

Note that the protrusion 9p may be formed on the first plate 91 according to the first embodiment described above, or may be formed on the plate 93 according to the second embodiment.

Further, the outer shape of the plate 94 may be formed to have irregularities in the circumferential direction so that the extra wall portion is at a substantially constant distance from the recess 9c and the attachment hole 9h. With this configuration, unnecessary extra thickness can be eliminated, and the weight of the plate 94 can be reduced.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 Airbag device 2 Airbag 3 Inflator 3b Main body 3f Flange 3h Through hole 4 Retainer 5 Fastener 6 Bag ring 7 Horn plate 8 Module cover 9 Inflator mounting jig 9a Opening 9c Recess 9h Mounting hole 9n Notch 9p Projection 9s Die-cut holes 21, 43, 61 Openings 22, 44, 62 Through hole 41 Bottom surface 42 Wall surface 45 Connection member 46 Movable contact 51 Bolt 52 Nut 71 Guide pin 72 Horn spring 73 Fixed contact 91 First plate 92 Second plate 93 ,94 plate

Claims (7)

An airbag that is inflated and deployed in an emergency, an inflator that supplies inflation gas to the airbag, a flange disposed on the inflator, a retainer that supports the airbag and the inflator, and the airbag and the retainer. An inflator mounting jig for use in an airbag device including a fastener inserted into a through hole formed in each of the inflator mounting jig,
arranged so that the flange portion is sandwiched between the retainer,
comprising a recess in which the flange portion can be positioned, a mounting hole communicating with the through hole, and an opening through which the inflator can be inserted;
An inflator mounting jig characterized by: The first plate includes a first plate having the mounting hole and the opening, and a second plate having a punching hole formed in a shape along the outer shape including the flange portion and the through hole. The inflator mounting jig according to claim 1, wherein the recess is formed by overlapping the second plate and the second plate. The inflator mounting jig according to claim 2, wherein the first plate includes a cutout or a through hole that can communicate with the die cut hole. The inflator mounting jig according to claim 1, wherein the recess, the mounting hole, and the opening are formed in one plate. The inflator mounting jig according to claim 4, wherein the plate has a substantially uniform wall thickness. The inflator mounting jig according to claim 1, further comprising a protrusion that can be engaged with a through hole formed in advance in the flange. An airbag device comprising the inflator mounting jig according to any one of claims 1 to 6.