JPH04104054U - Safety device for starting device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] A release means can be moved with a small operating force, and the release means can selectively switch the activation device to either an activated state or a non-operated state and reliably maintain that state. let [Structure] The lock plate 26 of the release part 24 arranged in the starting device 14 is connected to the shaft part 20A of the drive shaft 20.
It interferes with the system and prevents its movement. The lock lever 3 is connected to the fitting part 30 of the release part 24 via a compression coil spring 34.
6 is loosely fitted into the lever 36B, and an engagement pin 42 that selectively engages with the circular holes 50, 52 of the holding plate 44 is fitted on the lever 36B.
has been erected. By rotating the tool 66 while fitting it into the fitting portion 30, the engagement pin 42 engages with the circular hole 52, allowing the shaft portion 20A to swing. In this way, the engaging pin 42 of the lever 36B selectively engages with either of the circular holes 50, 52 of the holding plate 44, so that the activation device 1
4. The switching of the operation is reliable, and the operating force required at the time of switching is small.

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea]

0001

[Industrial application field]

This invention is particularly designed for airbags that inflate the bag body toward the passenger when the vehicle suddenly decelerates. The present invention relates to a safety device for a starting device which is preferably applied to a device.

0002

[Conventional technology]

An activation device equipped with an activation means that activates when a vehicle suddenly decelerates is, for example, a steering wheel. It is installed in airbag devices that are attached to the wheels. This kind of With airbag devices, the airbag device is not completely attached to the steering wheel. A safety device is installed to prevent the airbag system from activating before the The applicant has already filed an application for this type of safety device for airbag devices. (Refer to Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 105059/1999). Below is the outline of its configuration. I will explain it briefly.

0003 In this structure, an umbrella-shaped part that can be slid along the axis of the starting device is attached to the axis of the starting device. A lock bar (release means) is provided, and the lock bar moves inertially when the vehicle suddenly decelerates. Two balls with a swingable shaft in contact with a part of the periphery of the balls. It has a live shaft. The lock bar consists of a disc-shaped base and a half of this base. It consists of a pair of flexible pieces that protrude in the radial direction. Base is balled by compression coil spring The pair of flexible pieces are pressed in the same direction as the direction of movement of the drive shaft. It crosses in the direction perpendicular to the axis and abuts on the shaft part. Therefore, the flexible piece of the lock bar When the ball is in contact with the shaft of the drive shaft, the ball will move due to inertia. This will prevent shocks from being applied when assembling the airbag device to the steering wheel. Even if it does, the airbag will not deploy.

0004 Note that this lock bar should be moved in a direction perpendicular to its sliding direction (perpendicular to the axis of the starting device). The holder, which is movable in the angular direction and has an inclined surface at the tip, is the holder of the activation device. By inserting it toward the axial center, the release pin is pushed in the axial direction of the activation device. It is designed to slide while being raised and elastically deforming the flexible piece. to this As a result, the drive shaft becomes swingable, and the starting device becomes ready for operation.

[0005]

[Problem that the idea aims to solve]

However, according to the above configuration, the lock bar is pushed by the biasing force of the compression coil spring. The drive shaft is held in the rocking prevention position (locked position). When assembling the airbag device to the steering wheel, remove the lock bar in the axial direction. Prevent the lock bar from sliding in the unlocking direction even if force is applied Due to necessity, it was necessary to make the biasing force of the compression coil spring sufficiently strong. Also , when releasing the lock bar from preventing the drive shaft from swinging, use the compression compressor. The lock bar, directly the long pin connected to the holder, resists the biasing force of the coil spring. The problem is that a large amount of operating force is required because the pin has to be inserted. there were.

[0006] Considering the above facts, the present invention allows the release means to be moved with a small operating force. , and the activation device is selected between an activated state and a non-activated state by the release means. A safety device for the starting device that can switch over and reliably maintain that state. The purpose is to obtain.

[0007]

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention includes a starter body equipped with an actuating means that operates when a vehicle suddenly decelerates, and a first position in which the actuating means is in an actuated condition; and a first position in which the actuating means is in an inoperative condition. a release means for selectively taking one of the positions of 2, and movement together with the release means; and a switching means partially provided with an engaging portion, and a switching means that selectively engages with the engaging portion. An engaged portion is provided to move the release means to either the first position or the second position. a holding means for holding the engaging part in the direction of engagement with the engaged part; It is characterized by having a pressing means for pressing.

[0008]

[Effect] Taking as an example an airbag device to which the activation device safety device according to the present invention is applied, the present invention will be explained below. The operation based on the above structure of the invention will be explained.

[0009] When the release means of the starter body is in the second position, the release means of the starter body is in the second position. The activation means are in an inactive state. Therefore, the airbag system equipped with this activation device body The unit is also in an inactive state. In this state, the switching means is switched by the pressing force of the pressing means. The engaging part selectively engages with the engaged part of the holding means, and the releasing means is in the second position. is maintained.

0010 Switching the actuating means from this state, i.e. the non-actuating state of the actuating means, to the actuating state In order to The engagement state with the engagement portion is released. Next, the release means moves from the second position to the first position. The release means is rotated or the switching means is moved so that the switching The engagement position of the engaging portion of the means with the engaged portion of the holding means is changed. And release hand By assuming the first position of the stage, the actuating means is ready for actuation. Therefore, The abag device is also ready to operate, and if the vehicle suddenly decelerates in this state, the The bag is inflated towards the target. Meanwhile, the release means is switched from the first position to the second position. If you wish to do so, simply perform the opposite operation to the above. Note that the switching means is a release method. Since it moves with the step, even if the release means is moved following the movement of the switching means. Alternatively, the switching means may be moved to follow the movement of the release means.

[0011] When the actuating means and therefore the starting device are in the inactive state, the The engaging part of the switching means selectively engages the engaged part of the holding means, and the releasing means position or the second position, so the release means (lock bar) Take measures such as sufficiently increasing the biasing force of the compression coil spring that presses and biases the There is no need to do so, and a large amount of operating force is required to release the release means. Not at all.

0012

【Example】 An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0013] Figure 1 shows a passenger airbag to which the activation device safety device according to the present invention is applied. A device (hereinafter referred to as P-seat airbag device 10) is shown. Furthermore, Figure 1 ~ In Fig. 3, the arrow FR shown as appropriate is the front side of the vehicle, the arrow IN is the inside side of the vehicle, and the arrow The mark UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle. The airbag device 10 for the P seat is not shown. It is housed in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped-shaped housing part formed in the instrument panel. There is.

[0014] This airbag device 10 for the P seat includes an airbag case 12 and this airbag case. and an airbag cover (not shown) that is deployably attached to the base 12. Ru. The airbag case 12 has a substantially cylindrical shape with both axial ends closed. The rear side of the vehicle is open. This opening is closed by the airbag cover. has been done.

[0015] Although not shown in Fig. 1, there is a large amount of power inside the airbag case 12 when the vehicle suddenly decelerates. A cylindrical inflator that generates a large amount of gas and is normally in a folded state. When the vehicle suddenly decelerates, the gas from the inflator bulges out towards the passenger side. A bag body is stored there.

[0016] A substantially cylindrical activation device 14 is provided at one end of the airbag case 12 in the axial direction. It is located. Inside this starting device 14, a vehicle is housed in a cylinder (not shown). A ball 16 is provided which inertially moves in the direction of arrow FR in FIG. 1 during sudden deceleration. In addition, a shaft is provided in the starting device 14 so that the moving direction of the ball 16 and the axis are perpendicular to each other. An ignition pin 18 is arranged. The ignition pin 18 is connected to the shaft 18A. The shaft 18A is integrally formed in the axially intermediate portion of the shaft 18A, and the direction perpendicular to the axis is the radial direction. It is provided with a collar portion 18B. The shaft 18A of this ignition pin 18 has a compression coil. An air spring (not shown) is wrapped around the ignition pin 18 to connect it to the airbag case 12. It is pressurized in the direction. Note that the movement trajectory of the ignition pin 18 and the movement of the ball 16 are It is positioned so as not to interfere with the moving locus.

[0017] A drive shaft 20 is arranged between the ball 16 and the ignition pin 18. . The drive shaft 20 is a shaft portion whose axis is parallel to the shaft 18A of the ignition pin 18. 20A, and a shaft portion 20A that is integrally formed approximately in the axially intermediate portion of this shaft portion 20A and is long in the direction perpendicular to the axis. The locking portion 20B is formed in the hand direction, and the locking portion 20B is formed to protrude from both longitudinal ends of the locking portion 20B. 20C of protrusions. This drive shaft 20 has a pair of protrusions. It is pivotably supported by the starting portion 20C. In addition, the drive shaft 20 The ball 16 is in contact with one end in the axial direction of the shaft portion 20A, and the ball 16 is in contact with one end in the axial direction. A compression coil spring (not shown) is attached to the other end in a direction parallel to the direction of inertial movement of the ball 16. The bias pin 22 is in contact with the bias pin 22 which is pressed and biased by the (omitted). In addition, the dragon The collar portion 18B of the ignition pin 18 is locked to the locking portion 20B of the eve shaft 20. has been done. Note that the ball 16, ignition pin 18, and drive shaft 20 described above , two bias pins 22, etc. are provided.

[0018] Now, inside the starting device 14, there is a A release portion 24 is provided which has a rotational axis along. The release portion 24 is a pair. Consisting of a lock plate 26, a shaft portion 28, a fitting portion 30, and a support shaft 32. These lock plate 26, shaft part 28, fitting part 30 and support All shafts 32 are integrally formed.

[0019] Each lock plate 26 is approximately fan-shaped, and has a radius from the circumferential surface of the shaft portion 28. protrudes in the direction. The arcuate surface of each lock plate 26 corresponds to each drive shaft 2. It is in contact with the opposite side of the ball 16 in the shaft portion 20A of No. 0. Therefore, this state In this case, the activation device 14 and, by extension, the P-seat airbag device 10 are in a non-operating state. There is. Note that the position of the release part 24 in this state (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2) ) is the second position, and the lock plate 26 rotates to lock the drive shaft 20. A position retracted from the contact position with the shaft portion 20A (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) position) is the first position. One axial end of the shaft portion 28 (on the vehicle upper side) A supporting shaft 32 is installed coaxially with the shaft portion 28, and the other axial direction of the shaft portion 28 is erected on the same axis. A rectangular parallelepiped-shaped fitting part 30 is coaxially provided at the end (lower side of the vehicle). Fitting The joining portion 30 protrudes to the outside of the activation device 14. The shaft near the support shaft 32 and the fitting part 30 A peripheral surface of the foot portion 28 is pivotally supported by the activation device 14. Therefore, the release unit 24 is A fixed amount of rotation is possible. A torsion coil spring 3 is attached to the circumferential surface of the shaft portion 28 on the support shaft 32 side. 4 is wrapped. One end of the torsion coil spring 34 is locked to the activation device 14, The other end is locked to one side of the lock plate 26 on the upper side of the vehicle. others The female torsion coil spring 34 has a lock plate 26 that drives the release portion 24. The shaft 20 is urged to rotate in the direction in which it comes into contact with the shaft 20A (in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 1). are doing.

[0020] Furthermore, a lock lever 36 corresponds to the fitting portion 30. The lock lever 36 , a cylindrical boss 36A, and a substantially triangular shape protruding from the boss 36A in the radial direction. The shaped lever 36B and the hook-shaped lever 36B also protrude from the boss 36A in the radial direction. It is equipped with an interference lever 36C. The boss 36A has a rectangular parallelepiped shape through which the fitting portion 30 can be freely inserted. A shaped hole 38 is formed, and the fitting portion 30 is loosely fitted into this hole 38. In the loosely fitted state, the fitting part 30 passes through the boss 36A of the lock lever 36. Ru. Further, a compression coil spring 40 is wound around the fitting part 30, and the shaft part 28 and the and the boss 36A of the lever 36. One of the compression coil springs 40 The end is abutted against and locked to the axial end surface (fitting part 30 side) of the shaft part 28, and The other end of the compression coil spring 40 is one end surface in the axial direction of the boss 36A of the lock lever 36. It is abutted against and latched to. Therefore, the compression coil spring 40 locks the lock lever 36. It is pressed and biased in the direction of exit from the fitting portion 30 (the direction opposite to the arrow UP).

[0021] The lever 36B of the lock lever 36 has an engagement pin 42 on the lower surface of the vehicle. It is erected. A substantially rectangular flat holding plate 44 is located near the lever 36B. It is located. One corner of the holding plate 44 is located on the vehicle lower side of the starting device 14. It is fixed to the formed mounting portion 46 with screws 48. The one of the holding plates 44 Corners located diagonally to the corners are circular to avoid interference with the lock lever 36. It is cut out on the arc. Along the periphery of this cutout, a retaining plate Two circular holes 50 and 52 are formed in 44. The circular holes 50 and 52 are the engagement pins 4 2, and has a slightly larger diameter than the engagement pin 42. . Therefore, the engagement pin 42 can selectively engage the circular holes 50 and 52. . Note that the arc length connecting the circular hole 50 and the circular hole 52, that is, the rotation of the lock lever 36 The amount is set to be approximately 1/4 rotation amount of the tool 66, which will be described later. The swing stroke of the shaft portion 20A of the drive shaft 20 during deceleration is ensured. There is.

[0022] When the engagement pin 42 is engaged in one of the circular holes 50, the lock of the release part 24 is so that the brake plate 26 and the shaft 20A of the drive shaft 20 interfere with each other. It has become. In addition, when the engagement pin 42 is engaged in the other circular hole 52, , the lock plate 26 of the release part 24 is connected to the shaft 20A of the drive shaft 20. They are designed not to interfere with each other. In addition, on the arc connecting both circular holes 50 and 52 , there are stopper pins (not shown) on both sides of the vehicle that protrude upwards from the vehicle. The amount of rotation of the lock lever 36 and the release portion 24 is regulated.

[0023] Further, an L-shaped flange 54 is provided on the end surface of the airbag case 12 on the activation device 14 side. is installed. A through hole 56 is formed on the free end side surface of the L-shaped flange 54. has been done. There is an instrument panel on the upper side of the vehicle of this L-shaped flange 54. An L-shaped fixing flange 58 fixed to the handle is disposed. Fixed flange 5 A circular hole 60 coaxial with the through hole 56 is formed on the free end side surface of 8. Furthermore, a weld nut coaxial with the circular hole 60 is fixed. These L-shaped flaps Through hole 56 of flange 54 and circular hole 60 of fixed flange 58, inside weld nut A fixing bolt 62 is passed through and screwed into the hole. The fixing bolt 62 penetrates and threads In the assembled state, the P seat airbag device 10 is fixed to the instrument panel. determined.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, this fixing bolt 62 prevents rotation of the interference lever 36C. located on the trajectory. Therefore, the state before the fixing bolt 62 is completely screwed In this case, the tip of the interference lever 36C interferes with the head of the fixing bolt 62, and the lock lever -36 engagement pin 42 can be engaged from the other circular hole 50 to the one circular hole 52. There is no such thing. When the fixing bolt 62 is completely screwed, the interference lever The tip of -36C no longer interferes with the head of the fixing bolt 62, and the lock lever 36 The engagement pin 42 is engageable from the other circular hole 50 to the one circular hole 52. In the engaged state, the fixing bolt 62 is fixed to the vehicle by the bent portion of the interference lever 36C. It is completely hidden when viewed from below.

[0025] In addition, in the above-mentioned starting device 14, the lock lever 36 and the holding plate are 44 is almost hidden. That is, in the axial direction of the starting device 14 when viewed from the lower side of the vehicle. Not only the release part 24 but also the lock lever 36 and the holding plate 44 are arranged within the dimension P. It is.

[0026] Below, we will explain how to assemble the P-seat airbag device 10 into the housing section. Explain the effect of the example.

[0027] First, place the airbag device 10 for the P seat into the housing section of the instrument panel. to accommodate. In this state, the tip of the interference lever 36C is Since the part is interfering with the head of the fixing bolt 62, use the tool 66 to remove the fitting part 30. cannot be rotated. Therefore, the lock plate 26 of the release part 24 This prevents the shaft portion 20A of the drive shaft 20 from swinging. Therefore, starting device 1 4, and thus the P seat airbag device 10 remains inactive.

[0028] From this state, screw the fixing bolt 62 into the through hole of the L-shaped flange 54 and fix it. The weld nut 60 is passed through and screwed into the circular hole of the flange 58. This is it The airbag device 10 for the P seat is fixed to the instrument panel. this In this state, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, the tip of the interference lever 36C is fixed. Since it does not interfere with the head of the bolt 62, rotate the fitting part 30 using the tool 66. It is possible to Therefore, without fitting the tool 66 to the tip of the fitting part 30, First, the lock lever 36 is pressed against the urging force of the compression coil spring 40 to engage it. The pin 42 is withdrawn from one circular hole 50 of the holding plate 44. Then, the mating part 30 rotates the lock lever 36 and holds it with the engagement pin 42. The push that was applied to the tool 66 when the other circular hole 52 of the plate 44 was coaxial The pressure is weakened to engage the engagement pin 42 and the other circular hole 52. In the state after engagement , the head of the fixing bolt 62 is fixed by the bent portion of the interference lever 36C of the lock lever 36. is hidden when viewed from the bottom of the vehicle. Therefore, in this state, the fixing bolt 62 cannot be removed. It cannot be removed.

[0029] At the same time, the release part 24 also rotates in the same direction, and the pair of lock plates 26 moves from the second position to the first position. Therefore, the lock plate 26 and the door The interference between the live shaft 20 and the shaft 20A is released, and the drive shaft The seat 20 becomes swingable. Therefore, the activation device 14 and the P seat airbag device 10 becomes ready for operation.

[0030] If the occupant drives the vehicle in this state, under normal vehicle running conditions, the ball 16 does not move by inertia. Therefore, the activation device 14 will not operate. this When the vehicle suddenly decelerates, the ball 16 moves inertia toward the front of the vehicle in FIG. Ru. Therefore, the drive shaft 20 is pressed by the ball 16 and swings. follow Then, the engagement between the locking portion 20B of the drive shaft 20 and the collar portion 18B of the ignition pin 18 is established. The stopped state is released, and the ignition pin 18 is activated by the biasing force of a compression coil spring (not shown). Move towards the detonator. As a result, a large amount of gas is generated from the inflator, damaging the bag. It bulges out towards the passenger sitting in the front passenger seat, protecting the passenger from shock when the vehicle suddenly decelerates. .

[0031] On the other hand, when removing the P-seat airbag device 10 from inside the accommodation section, the above-mentioned It is sufficient to follow the procedure in reverse order. That is, first, the tool 66 is fitted into the fitting part 30. While pushing the lock lever 36 against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 40, The engaging pin 42 of the clever 36 is moved out of the other circular hole 52 of the holding plate 44. Ru. Next, by rotating the fitting part 30, the lock lever 36 is rotated and engaged. The pin 42 is engaged with one circular hole 50 of the holding plate 44. This will release The lock plate 26 of the portion 24 may interfere with the shaft 20A of the drive shaft 20. Ru. Therefore, the swinging of the drive shaft 20 is prevented, and the starting device 14 and the P The seat airbag device 10 becomes inactive.

[0032] In addition, in this state, the interference lever 36C is retracted from the screwing trajectory of the fixing bolt 62. and no longer interfere with each other. Therefore, the fixing bolt 64 is attached to the fixing flange. 58 and is removed from the L-shaped flange 54. As a result, the airbag device for the P seat 10 can be removed from within the housing section of the instrument panel.

[0033] As described above, in this embodiment, whether the starting device 14 is in the non-operating state or the operating state, Even if the engagement pin 42 of the lock lever 36 is inserted into the circular holes 50, 5 of the holding plate 44, 2 is selectively and securely fitted with the biasing force of the compression coil spring 40. 14, and by extension the non-operating state and operating state of the P-seat airbag device 10. can be maintained reliably. Therefore, the airbag device for the P seat is in an inactive state. 10 may be applied in the direction of inertial movement of the ball 16 during the assembly work into the housing section. Even if the airbag device 10 for the P seat is activated, the airbag device 10 for the P seat will not be activated. In addition, The biasing force of the compression coil spring that presses and biases the lock bar is also strong enough. Since it is not necessary to switch the starting device 14 from the inactive state to the active state, The switching operation of the release part 24 can be performed with a small operating force.

[0034] In addition, not only the release part 24 but also the lock lever 36 and the holding plate 44 are included in the activation device. The dimension of the housing part along the vehicle width direction is The airbag for the P seat can be minimized to the necessary minimum, so The gaging device 10 can be advantageously arranged.

[0035] Furthermore, the tool 66 is inserted from the lower side of the vehicle, fitted into the fitting part 30, and rotated. The activation device 14 can be switched to either the activated state or the deactivated state by simply Therefore, it can be applied to vehicle models where it is desired to insert the tool 66 etc. from the lower side of the vehicle. can be done.

[0036] In addition, in this embodiment, when installing the P seat airbag device 10 into the housing section, Make sure that the fixing bolt 62 penetrates and screws into the L-shaped flange 54 and fixing flange 58. If not, rotate the lock lever 36 to activate the activation device 14 from the inactive state. It is not possible to switch to the state of , rotate the lock lever 36 in the opposite direction to activate the activation device 14. The fixing bolt 62 cannot be removed unless it is switched to a non-operating state. Because it is structured as follows, it is possible to uniquely regulate the work procedure by workers. .

[0037] Note that in this embodiment, the present invention is applied to the airbag device 10 for the P seat; however, This invention is not limited to this, but the present invention can be applied to airbag devices of the type installed in the rear seats. You may. In addition, when the vehicle suddenly decelerates, the retracting shaft of the webbing retractor can be quickly retracted. It is the operating source of the so-called preload device that rotates and attaches the webbing tightly to the passenger. The present invention may be applied to a certain starting device.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fitting portion 30 is made to protrude toward the lower side of the vehicle, and this through end portion is Although it is configured to work by fitting the tool 66, the lock is not limited to this. The end of the boss 36A of the lever 36 on the lower side of the vehicle is shaped like a bolt head, and the lock lever The tool 66 may be fitted into the boss 36A of the -36 for operation.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a compression coil spring 40 is used as the pressing means, but However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the lock lever 36 may be pressed by an electrical structure such as a plunger. It is also possible to have a configuration in which

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the release part 24 and the lock lever 36 are separate bodies. , but the invention is not limited to this, and the pair of lock plates 26 may be thickened while forming both integrally. and the compression coil spring 40 is connected to the axial tip of the shaft portion 28 of the release portion 24 (the vehicle It may also be configured to press both upper tips).

[0041]

[Effect of the idea]

As explained above, the safety device for the starting device according to the present invention can be released with a small operating force. The means can be moved and the releasing means can cause the activation device to be activated and activated. To selectively switch to and reliably maintain one of the inactive states. It has the excellent effect of being able to

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an airbag device for a P seat according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the lock plate of the lock lever shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the lower side of the vehicle, showing states before and after rotation;

3 is a bottom view of the lock lever shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the lower side of the vehicle, showing states before and after rotation of the interference lever; FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

14 Starting device (starting device main body) 20 Drive shaft (operating means) 24 Release part (release means) 36 Lock lever (switching means) 40 Compression coil spring (pressing means) 42 Engagement pin (engagement part) 44 Holding plate (holding means) 50, 52 Circular hole (non-engaging part)

Continuation of front page (72) Creator Shoichi Hashimoto Toyota Motor Corporation, 1 Toyota-cho, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Car Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An activation device main body comprising an actuation means that operates when a vehicle suddenly decelerates, a first position in which the actuation means is enabled, and a second position in which the actuation means is inactivated.
a release means that selectively takes one of the positions; a switching means that moves together with the release means and is partially provided with an engaging portion; and an engaged member that selectively engages with the engaging portion. holding means that is provided with a mating portion and holds the release means at either the first position or the second position; and a holding means that presses the engaging portion in a direction to engage the engaged portion. A safety device for a starting device, characterized in that it has a pressing means that is