JPH07144596A - Air bag device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve fabricating workability, reduce a part cost and lighten weight by providing a structure for fixing a pad cover, which houses an air bag and a gas generator, by deforming a base plate partly into a prescribed shape. CONSTITUTION:In an air bag device, an air bag 1, gas generator 2 for inflating the air bag 1, retainer 18 for mounting the air bag 1 on a base plate 3, etc., are mounted on a flat plate part 3A of the base plate 3, to mount the gas generator 2 inserted in a central mounting hole 11 of the flat plate part 3A. A pad cover 4 for housing the air bag 1 and the gas generator 2 is provided. Here by partly bending the base plate 3, a side internal surface part 6 is formed, and further by folding back this side internal surface part, a side external surface part 7 is formed. Between an end retaining part 7A serving as a coming off stop means further formed in the side external surface part 7 and a base bottom part 6A of the side internal surface part 6, a pad cover end part 5 is fixedly interposed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air bag device attached to a steering wheel of an automobile, and more particularly to a device for attaching and fixing a pad cover to a base plate attached to a steering wheel via an attaching plate or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of air bag apparatus, a pad cover for accommodating an air bag, a gas generator and the like has been attached and fixed to a base plate by JP-A-55-110643 and JP-A-63-163. 184549
JP-A-4-27639 and the like. FIG. 15 is described in JP-A-4-27639, and in this example, an air bag cover 24 covering the air bag 21 is fixed to an attachment plate 23 to which the air bag 21 is attached. In the bag device, the airbag 21, the inflator 22, the retainer 18
(A ring-shaped object for fixing the airbag 21 to the mounting plate 23)
An upright portion 26 is provided upright from the peripheral edge of the flat plate portion 23A of the attachment plate 23 to which is attached, the side peripheral wall 25 of the airbag cover 24 is attached to the upright portion 26 and pressed by the contact plate 12, and these are riveted 13 It is a through-fixed type and is called "rivet type". Further, FIG. 16 is described in JP-A-55-110643,
In this example, the peripheral edge of the side peripheral wall 25 of the airbag cover 24 that covers the periphery of the airbag 21 is the airbag cover 24.
The claw plate 14 having the locking claw 15 that is inserted and locked in the locking groove 28 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the side peripheral wall 25, and the insertion formed on the lower end surface of the side peripheral wall 25 of the airbag cover 24. It is fixed to the mounting plate 23 by being snap-fastened with the restriction wall 16 of the mounting plate 23 inserted into the groove 17, and is called a "snap-in type".

[0003]

However, in such a conventional device for attaching the pad cover to the base plate, both the "rivet type" and the "snap-in type" have a plurality of plates such as a rivet, a contact plate, and a claw plate. However, the structure is complicated, the number of steps for that is increased, the workability is deteriorated, and the weight is increased. As a result, this leads to an increase in cost, and the increase in weight of the airbag device attached to the central portion of the steering wheel of the automobile causes a large moment of inertia around the steering, resulting in poor steering performance. In the present invention, by solving the problems in the conventional airbag device as described above, the structure is simple and the pad cover can be easily attached to the base plate by a simple attachment device for the pad cover to the base plate. Provided is a lightweight airbag device capable of ensuring sufficient strength.

[0004]

Therefore, according to the present invention, at least an airbag for protecting an occupant in a collision, a base plate for mounting a gas generator for inflating the airbag, and a base plate fixed to the base plate are provided. An air bag device comprising an air bag and a pad cover for housing a gas generator, characterized in that the pad cover is fixed by deforming a part of the base plate into a predetermined shape. Preferably, in the airbag device, a part of the base plate is bent to form a side inner surface part, and further folded back to form a side outer surface part, and the side outer surface part and the side inner surface part form a pad cover end. The part is clamped and fixed. Further, pad cover terminal end retaining means may be provided at the side outer surface portion or side inner surface portion, or a locking groove or a locking hole that engages with the retaining means may be provided at the pad cover terminal end portion. It's good.

[0005]

According to the present invention, at least an airbag 1 for protecting an occupant in a collision, a base plate 3 to which a gas generator 2 for inflating the airbag 1 is attached, and the airbag 1 fixed to the base plate 3 is used. And a pad cover 4 accommodating the gas generator 2 in the airbag device, by deforming a part of the base plate 3 into a predetermined shape.
Preferably, in the airbag device, a part of the base plate 3 is bent to form a side inner surface portion 6, and the side outer surface portion 7 is further formed by folding back. The outer surface 7
Since the pad cover end portion 5 is clamped and fixed by the side inner surface portion 6 and the side inner surface portion 6, a caulking portion is formed by deforming a part of the base plate 3 into a predetermined shape. The pad cover end portion 5 can be attached to the base plate 3 with a sufficient structure but with sufficient strength. Also, as the mounting parts, only the pad cover and the base plate need to be prepared, and since the weight of the base plate itself is at the same level as before and no extra member is required, the workability is improved and the parts cost is reduced. It also contributes greatly to weight reduction. Further, the side outer surface portion 7 or the side inner surface portion 6 is provided with a pad cover terminal portion 5 retaining means, and the pad cover terminal portion 5 is provided with a locking groove 8 or a locking hole 10 which engages with the retaining means. In that case, it is sufficient to prevent the pad cover 4 that is split along the planned split line from blowing off when the airbag 1 is operated.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention. An airbag 1, a gas generator 2 for inflating the airbag 1, and a retainer 18 for attaching the airbag 1 to a base plate 3 are shown. Etc. are attached to the flat plate portion 3A of the base plate 3. As is clear from the perspective view of the base plate 3 shown in FIG.
The gas generator 2 is inserted and attached to the mounting hole 11 at the center of. In the present example, a lower end flange 5A parallel to the flat plate part 3A of the base plate 3 is provided at the lower end of the end part 5 of the pad cover 4 that houses the airbag 1, the gas generator 2, and the like. On the other hand, a part of the base plate 3 is a base portion 6 parallel to a side inner surface portion 6 bent downward, that is, in a direction opposite to the occupant, and a flat plate portion 3A subsequently bent outward.
A is formed, and the lower end of the end portion 5 of the pad cover 4 having the end flange 5A is disposed so as to be in contact with the side inner surface portion 6 and the base portion 6A, and the bottom portion 6A is surrounded by the end portion 5A. Further, the side outer surface portion 7 is formed by folding back, and the pad outer end portion 5 is sandwiched and fixed by the side outer surface portion 7 and the side inner surface portion 6 to form a caulking portion. 7A is an end pressing portion as a retaining means for preventing the pad cover end portion 5 formed by further folding back the side outer surface portion 7 so as not to come out. It may be configured like the raising piece 9A. In addition, when the caulking portion formed by the side inner surface portion 6, the base portion 6A, the side outer surface portion 7 and the end holding portion 7A sandwiches and fixes the pad cover end portion 5, the pad cover end portion 5 is removed from the base plate 3. It suffices to prevent the pad cover from coming off, and it goes without saying that it includes a caulking state in which the side outer surface portion 7 and the terminal pressing portion 7A bite to the extent that the pad cover terminal portion 5 is deformed. And are in a sandwiched state without excess or deficiency, and also include a sandwiched state in which there is some margin between them. In FIG. 2, both side inner surface portions 6 and side outer surface portions 7 are shown.
Is formed in a continuous shape, but the inner side surface portion 6 and the outer side surface portion 7 on the front side are formed in an intermittent manner so that the terminal end portion 5 of the pad cover is clamped and fixed.

With this structure, the caulking portion is formed by deforming a part of the base plate 3 into a predetermined shape, and thus the pad cover end portion has a simple structure but sufficient strength. 5 can be attached to the base plate 3. It is sufficient to prepare only the pad cover and the base plate as the attachment parts, which can greatly contribute to the improvement of the workability, the reduction of the parts cost and the reduction of the weight. Since the upper end of the end flange 5A of the pad cover end portion 5 is regulated by providing the end pressing portion 7A as described above, it is possible to effectively prevent the opened pad cover 4 from being blown off when the airbag 1 is operated.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, which is shown in FIG.
3A, but as shown in FIG. 3 (A), as the terminal pressing portion 7A as the pad cover terminal portion 5 retaining means provided on the side outer surface portion 7,
Unlike the embodiment, the side outer surface portion 7 is bent further in parallel with the base portion 6A of the base plate 3 so as to surround the end flange 5A of the pad cover end portion 5 without further folding back. In this example, the end holding portion 7A
As a result, it is only necessary to bend the base plate 3 in parallel with the base portion 6A, and the end portion treatment is relatively easy. FIG. 3B shows an exploded perspective view of the airbag device according to the present invention as an example of the second embodiment. As is clear from this, the head of the gas generator 2 is inserted into the mounting hole 11 of the base plate 3, the airbag 1 is held by the retainer 18 from above, and the retainer 18,
The airbag 1, the base plate 3, and the gas generator 2 are integrally fixed by through bolts or the like, and further, the inner and outer surface portions 6 and 7 formed on the side surface of the base plate 3 and the end pressing portion 7A are added. For the fastening part,
The terminal portion 5 of the pad cover 4 is securely fixed by a simple structure without coming off.

FIG. 4 is a third embodiment of the present invention. The outer side surface portion 7 of the base plate 3 and the end pressing portion 7A are similar to those of the second embodiment shown in FIG. The part 5 does not have a terminal flange 5A provided in parallel with the flat plate part 3A, but is formed straight and has a locking groove 8 for engaging the terminal pressing part 7A of the base plate 3.
Is engraved. As a result, the shape of the pad cover terminal portion 5 is formed straight to simplify the structure.

FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the shapes of the base plate 3 and the end portion 5 of the pad cover are similar to those of the second embodiment of FIG.
The end pressing portion 7A of the embodiment is further bent upward to form the splicing portion 7B parallel to the side inner surface portion 6. As a result, it is possible to reduce the caulking surface pressure of the end pressing portion 7A on the pad cover end portion 5, to reliably hold the pad cover end portion 5 and reduce damage, and as shown on the right side of the drawing. , The relief portion 7C at the upper end of the splicing portion 7B
It is also possible to prevent the side wall surface of the end portion 5 of the pad cover from being damaged by the edge of the upper end of the abutment portion 7B during crimping.

FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to that of the second embodiment of FIG. 3 except that the inner side surface portion 6 of the base plate 3 has a pad cover end portion 5. The locking claw 9 or the cut-and-raised piece 9A as a retaining means is provided. FIG. 6 (A) shows that the locking claw 9 or the cut-and-raised piece 9A as a retaining means for the pad cover terminal portion 5 is provided only inside the terminal collar 5A.
(B) shows the end portions of the pad cover 5 on both sides of the end collar 5A.
The locking claw 9 or the cut-and-raised piece 9A as a retaining means is provided. Thus, at the time of caulking by the side outer surface portion 7, the locking claws 9 or the cut-and-raised pieces 9A bite into the side wall surface of the pad cover end portion 5, and the pad cover end portion 5 and the side outer surface portion 7 of the base plate 3 are connected to each other. It strongly presses against the pressing portion 7A, and surely acts to prevent the pad cover end portion 5 from coming off.

FIG. 7 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the third embodiment of FIG. 4, and the pad cover end portion 5 is formed in a straight shape, Figure 7
(A) is the end pressing portion 7 of the base plate 3.
A and a locking groove 8 formed in the pad cover terminal end portion 5 for receiving this are directed obliquely downward to an acute angle. In FIG. 7 (B), the terminal pressing portion 7A of the base plate 3 is further folded back until it becomes parallel to the side outer surface portion 7, and a step portion at the lower end of the locking groove 8 engraved in the pad cover terminal portion 5 is formed. It is locked. As a result, once the side outer surface portion 7 is swaged, the pad cover end portion 5 does not easily fall off.

FIG. 8 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the sixth embodiment of FIG. 7 in the base plate 3 as can be understood from FIG. 8 (A). Although the terminal pressing portion 7A is directed obliquely downward and at an acute angle, the pad cover terminal portion 5 is formed with a locking hole 10 obliquely downward directed at an acute angle in order to receive the terminal pressing portion 7A. FIG. 8 (B) shows the locking part in a perspective view, and a plurality of locking holes 10 ... Are drilled in the pad cover terminal part 5, and end pressing parts 7A. A plurality of the provided side outer surface portions 7 ... Are folded back and formed. The number, width, length, etc. of these end pressing portions 7A ... Can be appropriately set according to the shape and size of each portion of the airbag. In addition, FIG.
Is a locking hole 10 formed in the end portion 5 of the pad cover.
Are formed in parallel with the base 6A of the base plate 3, so that the end pressing portion 7A of the side outer surface portion 7 is also inserted and engaged in parallel with the base 6A. Then, the end holding portion 7
The inner end of A is configured to be locked in a locking recess 6B formed in the side inner surface portion 6 of the base plate 3. With these, the movement of the end portion of the pad cover end portion 5 is regulated and a complete retaining action of the pad cover end portion 5 is achieved, so that the entire pad cover 4 can be firmly fixed to the base plate 3.

FIG. 9 shows an eighth embodiment of the present invention. This example should be called a modified example of FIG. 8C, in which the locking hole 10 formed in the pad cover terminal portion 5 is formed in parallel with the base portion 6A of the base plate 3, and therefore a plurality of holes are formed. The terminal pressing portion 7A of the side outer surface portion 7 formed by cutting and raising is also inserted and engaged in parallel with the base portion 6A. The inner end portion of the end pressing portion 7A does not have the locking recess 6B as formed on the side inner surface portion 6 of the base plate 3 of the embodiment of FIG. 8C as shown in FIG. 9B. Is fully inserted into the locking hole 10. Figure 9
(C) shows an end pressing part claw 7D formed by bending the inner end part of the end pressing part 7A. The end pressing part claw 7D is formed in the locking hole 10 of the pad cover terminal part 5 and is enlarged. The locking hole 10A securely locks the step.
Further, FIG. 9 (D) shows a modified example of FIG. 9 (C).
A plurality of locking holes 10 are formed in the pad cover terminal end portion 5 in a staggered manner so as to be vertically shifted. Moreover, the cut-and-raised pieces, which are cut and raised in the zigzag shape in the opposite directions, are adopted, and so to speak, two-step retaining means are formed. As a result, the movement of the end portion of the pad cover end portion 5 is restricted, and a complete retaining action of the pad cover end portion 5 is achieved, so that the entire pad cover 4 can be firmly fixed to the base plate 3.

FIG. 10 shows a ninth embodiment of the present invention, which is similar to that of FIGS. 8 and 9, but like the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 3, 5, and 6. On the pad cover end 5
Is formed with a terminal flange 5A, and in this example, a plurality of terminal flanges 5A are intermittently projected toward the inside. In FIG. 10 (A), on the side inner surface portion 6 of the base plate 3, long portions constituting the side outer surface portion 7 serving as a caulking portion and the terminal pressing portion 7A and short tongue pieces 6C are alternately formed. , Tongue insertion hole 5B for receiving these tongues 6C
Is formed by penetrating vertically through the end flange 5A. As a result, as understood from FIG. 10 (B), in addition to the retaining action by locking the terminal pressing portion 7A in the locking hole 10, the tongue piece 6C and the tongue piece insertion hole 5B are provided.
The pad cover 4 as a whole can be firmly fixed to the base plate 3 by the retaining action by locking with. Figure 1
In 0 (C), a plurality of end flange brim insertion holes 7E are formed in the side outer surface portion 7 serving as a caulking portion of the base plate 3, and further an end holding portion 7A is intermittently provided at the upper end of the side outer surface portion 7. The pad cover end portion 5 has a plurality of end flanges 5A intermittently projecting outward and simultaneously formed with a plurality of locking holes 10. And FIG. 10 (D)
As will be understood from the above, the end flange 5A is inserted into the end flange insertion hole 7E, and the end pressing portion 7A is inserted into the locking hole 10, respectively. As a result, in addition to the retaining action due to the engagement of the terminal pressing portion 7A with the retaining hole 10, the retaining action due to the engagement between the terminal flange 5A and the terminal flange insertion hole 7E protects the entire pad cover 4. Firmly fixed to the base plate 3.

FIG. 11 shows a tenth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment has a pad cover end portion 5 in which a substantially straight or slightly lower portion is formed in a tapered shape having a thick wall, and the base plate 3 is provided. The side outer surface portion 7 in FIG. 2 is crimped by being pressed against the side wall surface of the pad cover terminal portion 5 so as to simplify the structure. In some cases, a cut-and-raised piece 9A may be provided on the flat side outer surface portion 7 in order to enhance the retaining action, as shown on the right side of the drawing.

FIG. 12 shows an eleventh embodiment of the present invention, which has a pad cover end 5 similar to that of the eighth embodiment of FIG. 11, but with the side outer surface of the base plate 3. In order to press and hold the side wall surface of the end portion 5 of the pad cover by crimping, the end pressing portion 7A parallel to the flat plate portion 3A is faced, and it is strong by the edge action of the corner of the end pressing portion 7A. The pad cover end portion 5 is held in the.

FIG. 13 shows a twelfth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the side inner surface portion 6 of the base plate 3 is bent upward, that is, in the direction of the occupant, and then folded back, and then the flat plate of the base plate 3 is folded. It is formed by bending outwardly in parallel with the portion 3A to form the base portion 6A, and further by bending it upward to form the side outer surface portion 7. In this example, as in the case of the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. Alternatively, a slightly lower portion is formed with a thick wall taper end portion 5
In addition, since the side outer surface portion 7 of the base plate 3 is crimped by being attached and pressed, the structure can be simplified, and the side inner surface portion 6 bent upward can cause the airbag 1 and the gas generation. Since the position of the flat plate portion 3A of the base plate 3 to which the container 2 is attached can be relatively lowered to the lower end position of the pad cover terminal portion 5, the volume of the pad cover 4 can be maximized. As shown on the right side of the drawing, a cut-and-raised piece 9A may be provided on the side outer surface portion 7 as a retaining means.

FIG. 14 shows a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, like the tenth embodiment of FIG. 13, the flat plate portion 3A of the base plate 3 is relatively padded. This structure simplifies the structure of the pad cover 4 by lowering it to the lower end position of the cover end portion 5 so as to maximize the volume of the pad cover 4. The side inner surface portion 6 of the base plate 3 is formed by bending the side inner surface portion 6 of the base plate 3 upward, that is, in the direction of the occupant, and then inserting the side inner surface portion 6 into the locking hole 10 formed in the pad cover end portion 3. Bend outward by bending outwards in parallel with 3A.
A, and is further bent downward to form the side outer surface portion 7. In the structure described above, all parts of the base plate that fix the pad cover are initially open, and after combining with the pad cover, the base plate side is deformed into a predetermined shape and caulked, so to speak, only the base plate is deformed. Although the pad cover is fixed by means of the present invention, in addition to the present invention, a structure in which the base plate is fitted into the groove formed in the pad cover is also used without fixing by rivets or caulking. Of course good things. Needless to say, various combinations of the shape of the end portion of the pad cover and the base plate are adopted within the scope of the present invention.

As a result of testing the airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention described in detail above, the inventors have experimentally tested the airbag in the normal airbag operating temperature range of -40 ° to 90 ° C. Although the bag device was repeatedly deployed, it showed a mounting strength comparable to that of the conventional product, and the airbag deployment performance was also good. Moreover, the steering performance of the steering wheel has improved as the weight of the device has decreased. Furthermore, regarding the number of parts, bolts, rivets,
Since the backing plate and claw plate are not used at all, the weight can be reduced compared to the conventional product, and the manufacturing cycle was reduced to about 15 seconds from the process that previously required 30 seconds per piece. did it.

[0021]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, an airbag for protecting an occupant in a collision, a base plate for mounting a gas generator for inflating the airbag, and a base plate fixed to the base plate are provided. In an airbag device including a pad cover that houses the airbag and the gas generator, the pad cover is fixed by deforming a part of the base plate into a predetermined shape. In the airbag device, a side inner surface portion is formed by bending a part of the base plate, and is further folded back to form a side outer surface portion. The pad outer end portion is sandwiched and fixed by the side outer surface portion and the side inner surface portion. Since it was configured as
By deforming a part of the base plate into a predetermined shape, a caulking portion is formed, whereby the pad cover end portion can be attached to the base plate with sufficient strength while having a simple structure that is lightweight. Became. Also, as the mounting parts, only the pad cover and the base plate need to be prepared, and the weight of the base plate itself is the same level as before, so no extra members are required, improving workability and reducing parts cost, It also contributes significantly to the reduction of weight and enables total cost reduction. Further, a pad cover terminal end retaining means is provided on the side outer surface portion or the side inner surface portion of the base plate, and a locking groove or a locking hole that engages with the retaining means is provided at the pad cover terminal portion to provide an airbag. It was possible to prevent the pad cover that had been torn off during operation from being blown away. And again, when the side inner surface of the base plate is first bent in the direction of the occupant,
The position can be relatively lowered to the base plate, and the volume of the pad cover 4 can be maximized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a base plate according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an airbag device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a sectional view and (B) is an exploded perspective view.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an airbag device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an airbag device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an airbag device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an airbag device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an airbag device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing an airbag device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing an airbag device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing an airbag device according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing an airbag device according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing an airbag device according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing an airbag device according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a first conventional airbag device.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a second conventional airbag device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Airbag 2 Gas Generator 3 Base Plate 3A Flat Plate Part 4 Pad Cover 5 Pad Cover End Part 5A End Part Tsuba 6 Side Inner Surface Part 6A Base Part 6B Locking Recess 7 Side Outer Part 7A End Pressing Part 7B Splicing Part 7C Relief Part 8 Locking Groove 9 Locking Claw 9A Cut-and-raised Piece 10 Locking Hole 11 Mounting Hole 12 Paddle Plate 13 Rivet 14 Claw Plate 15 Locking Claw 16 Restriction Wall 17 Inserting Groove 18 Retainer

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An airbag for protecting an occupant at the time of a collision, a base plate to which a gas generator for inflating the airbag is attached, and the airbag and the gas generator fixed to the base plate are housed. An air bag device comprising a pad cover, wherein the pad cover is fixed by deforming a part of the base plate into a predetermined shape. 2. In the airbag device, a side inner surface portion is formed by bending a part of the base plate, and is further folded back to form a side outer surface portion. The side outer surface portion and the side inner surface portion form a pad cover. The air bag device according to claim 1, wherein the air bag device is configured to clamp and fix the end portion. 3. The airbag apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a pad cover terminal end retaining means is provided on the side outer surface portion or the side inner surface portion. 4. The airbag apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a locking groove or a locking hole that engages with the retaining means is provided at the end of the pad cover.