JPH07315098A - Bending device and manufacture thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an assist grip bendable with light operating force. CONSTITUTION:A storage recessed part 14 is formed at a roof side panel 11 inside an automobile, and an assist grip 21 is enclosed in the freely pulled-out state in the storage recessed part 14. In the assist grip 21, deformable cylindrical films 23, 23 are fitted to two bent parts 22a, 22a of a core body 22 and sealed. In the state of forming space parts 24 between skin material and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical films 23, 23, a soft skin body 25 is insert- formed in such a way as to integrally cover the outer peripheral part of the core body 22. The resin raw material of the skin body 25 does not therefore adhere to the bent parts 22a, 22a, and the assist grip 21 can be bent with light force.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bendable bending device in which a soft skin is provided on the outer peripheral portion of a core having a bent portion, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a so-called assist grip is attached to an inner side surface of a roof side panel or the like located above a side portion of each seat in an automobile.
By gripping the assist grip when traveling on a rough road or turning the vehicle, the occupant can maintain the posture. Further, such an assist grip is fixed in such a state that it always protrudes from the inside of the roof side panel into the vehicle interior, and there is a problem that it is difficult to improve the external appearance. Further, the surface portion of this assist grip is formed of a relatively hard material, and there is a problem that it is difficult to improve the grip comfort.

Therefore, as an assist grip that is normally housed in the roof side panel so as to be flush with the roof side panel and pulled out from the roof side panel when needed, for example, the structure shown in FIG. It is considered.

The assist grip 1 is constructed by integrally insert-molding a soft skin member 3 around a core member 2 which can be bent at a predetermined position. And the core body 2 is
Each of the side links 5 has a round bar-shaped center link 4 and a pair of side links 5 connected to both ends thereof. The hinge portion 4a is provided at each end of the center link 4, and each side link 5 is provided at each end thereof. The hinge portion 5a is rotatably connected by a link pin 6. Also,
A hinge portion 5b is provided at the other end of each side link 5, and an elongated hole 5c is formed in each hinge portion 5b. Then, after the core body 2 is mounted on the mold, a reactive semi-cured urethane material is injected into the mold to foam and fill, and the skin body 3 is integrally insert-molded around the core body 2. Thus, the assist grip 1 is configured.

On the other hand, a storage recess 8 is formed in the roof side panel 7 of the automobile, and supports 9 having support pins 9a are attached to both ends of the storage recess 8. The assist grip 1 is supported in a state in which the support pins 9a are rotatably and slidably inserted into the long holes 5c at both ends of the core body 2, respectively.

In this way, this assist grip 1
When not needed, it is pushed into the storage recess 8 and stored in a linearly extended state. Then, if necessary, by pulling the assist grip 1 to the front side, the core body 2 is bent at the hinge portions 5a and 5b, and the long hole 5c is formed into the support pin.
The assist grip 1 is pulled out into the vehicle compartment while sliding around the 9a as a fulcrum. Furthermore, since the periphery of the core body 2 is covered with the soft skin body 3, the gripping comfort is improved.

[0007]

However, in the above configuration, when the reactive semi-cured urethane material is injected into the mold in which the core body 2 is mounted, the reactive semi-cured urethane material is generated by the foaming pressure. , The hinge part 4a of the center link 4
Then, it penetrates into the gap between the side link 5 and the hinge portion 5a and is cured by reaction. Therefore, the epidermis 3 has the center link 4
In addition to being integrally joined to the side link 5, the center link 4 and the side link 5 enter the connecting portion and adhere to the connecting component, which makes it difficult for the connecting portion to rotate. Further, when the assist grip 1 is pulled out to the front side, the skin 3a located inside the connecting part is compressed and the skin 3b located outside the connecting part is stretched. At this time, since the skin body 3 bites into and is in close contact with the connecting portion, the compressive stress and the tensile stress of the skin body 3 are concentrated in an extremely narrow range near the connecting portion, and the operation force for pulling out the assist grip 1 is large. It has the problem of becoming.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a bending device which has a good appearance and a good tactile feel and can be smoothly bent by a light operating force, and a manufacturing method thereof.

[0009]

A bending device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a core body having a bendable bendable portion, and a deformable body fitted to the core body and covering at least an outer peripheral portion of the bendable portion. It is composed of a tubular membrane and a soft skin material, and integrally covers the core body and the outer peripheral portion of the tubular membrane with a space formed between the skin material and the outer peripheral portion of the tubular membrane. And an epidermis.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a bending device, wherein a core body having a bendable bend portion is used, and a deformable tubular membrane is fitted to an outer peripheral portion of the bend portion of the core body. The both ends of the tubular film are closely attached to the outer peripheral surface of the core body, the core body is installed in the mold, and the fluid soft resin having reactivity in the mold so as to cover the outer peripheral portion of the core body. A raw material material is injected, and the residual air in the tubular film is expanded by the reaction heat of the soft material raw material to form a space around the bent portion, and a skin material made of a soft material on the outer peripheral portion of the core body. Is formed.

[0011]

In the bending device according to the first aspect, the outer peripheral portion of the core is integrally covered with the skin made of the soft skin material, so that the appearance and the tactile feel are improved. The outer peripheral portion of the bent portion of the core is covered with a deformable tubular film, and a space is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the tubular film. Does not adhere to the bent portion of the core, the bending operation of the bent portion is not hindered by the epidermis, and the stress applied to the epidermis when the bent portion is bent is dispersed.

In the bending device manufacturing method according to the second aspect,
A tubular film is fitted around the bent portion of the core, and both ends thereof are brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the core. Then, the core body is set in a mold, and the reactive soft material material in a fluid state is injected into the mold so as to cover the core body. Since the soft material raw material generates reaction heat, residual air in the tubular film expands to form a space around the bent portion. After that, since the tubular film returns to its original shape due to the decrease in temperature, a skin material made of a soft material is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the core body with a space formed in the outer peripheral portion of the tubular film. It

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The construction of one embodiment of the bending device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numeral 11 denotes a roof side panel, which is attached to a vehicle body panel 12 above a side portion of a vehicle interior at a predetermined interval. As shown in FIG. 3, the roof side panel 11 is formed with a storage recess 14 located above the side of the seat 13 and opening into the vehicle compartment.
An assist grip 21 as a bending device is attached to the.

The assist grip 21 is fitted to the core body 22 and a core body 22 which is bendable at two bend portions 22a and 22a, and is arranged so as to cover at least these bend portions 22a and 22a, respectively. And the pair of tubular membranes 23 and 23
It has a skin 25 made of a soft skin material that integrally covers the outer peripheral portions of the core bodies 22 in a state where the space portions 24, 24 are formed between the outer peripheral portions of the 23, 23. The epidermis 25 is
Both ends of the core 22 are not covered and this part is exposed to the outside,
It is configured so that it can be connected to a support member 41 described later.

Further, the core body 22 has a center link 26 and a pair of side links 27, 27 each formed in a round bar shape or a plate shape. These links 26, 27, 27 are steel materials such as iron, It is made of light alloy such as aluminum alloy and magnesium alloy, synthetic resin, or resin such as fiber reinforced nylon and fiber reinforced polyester. One end of each side link 27 is connected to both ends of the center link 26 so as to be bendable.

As shown in FIG. 5, this connecting portion is provided with a plate-like link portion at both ends of the center link 26.
The link portions 26a are formed with circular holes 26b, respectively. On the other hand, one end portion of each side link 27 is provided with a link portion 27a formed of plate members facing each other with a predetermined gap therebetween.
Is slidably fitted into the link portion 26a of the center link 26. The link portion 27a of each side link 27 has a link portion of the center link 26.
A circular hole 27b communicating with the circular hole 26b of 26a is formed.
Further, in the circular hole 27b of the link portion 27a of each side link 27, a locking recess 27c having a stepwise expanded diameter is formed on the outside.

A shaft member 31, such as a rivet or a bolt, is inserted through the circular holes 26b, 27b, 27b of the links 26, 27, 27 facing each other. It is locked in each locking recess 27c. With these configurations, the links 26, 27, 27 are rotatably connected to each other, and the bendable core body 22 is formed by the two bent portions 22a, 22a.

On the other hand, the tubular film 23 is made of a soft skin material constituting the skin 25, for example, a rubber material or a soft synthetic resin which is not adhesive to the reactive urethane material and has flexibility or elasticity. Depending on the material such as wood, the thickness dimension is 0.05
Each bent portion of the core body 22 formed in a cylindrical shape of ˜0.25 mm
It is fitted so as to cover 22a.

Further, on the outer circumferences of both ends of the tubular film 23,
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a cylindrical seal material 29 is closely fitted. As the sealing material 29, for example, one formed by winding a vinyl adhesive tape into a cylindrical shape can be used. Further, this sealing material 29 is fitted in close contact with the outer periphery of each of the links 26, 27, 27 at a part in the length direction, and in a state where the inner peripheral side of the tubular membrane 23 is sealed from the outside, Both ends of the tubular film 23 are brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the corresponding links 26, 27, 27.

Further, the outer peripheral portion of the core 22 is integrally covered with a skin 25 made of a soft skin material. And
The skin body 25 has a cylindrical shape with substantially the same outer diameter over the entire length, and is formed by reaction-curing a synthetic resin material such as a reactive semi-cured urethane material such as reactive polyurethane. Then, the skin body 25 is the core body 22.
Is formed in a state of being closely adhered to the cylindrical membranes 23, 23, and cylindrical spaces 24, 24 having a bulged central portion are formed between the cylindrical membranes 23, 23 and the outer peripheral portions thereof.

Next, the mounting structure of the assist grip 21 will be described. First, each side link that constitutes the core 22
In the vicinity of the other end of 27 (both ends of the assist grip 21),
Each of the support portions 27d is formed, and the support portion 27d includes
Long holes 27e along the longitudinal direction of each side link 27
Are formed. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, support members 41, 41 are attached near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the storage recess 14 of the roof side panel 11. Each support member 41 is located on the rear surface side of the roof side panel 11, and is fixed to the vehicle body panel 12 by a screw 42 or the like. Further, a support pin 43 is projected from each support member 41.

The support grip 43 is supported by rotatably and slidably inserting the support pins 43 into the long holes 27e at both ends of the assist grip 21.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the assist grip 21 is pushed into the storage recess 14 when it is not needed, and is stored in a linearly extended state. In this state, the surface portion of the assist grip 21 facing the passenger compartment is formed to be substantially flush with the surface portion of the roof side panel 11.

Further, if necessary, the assist grip 21 is pulled toward the front side, as shown in FIG.
The bending portion 22a of the core body 22 bends around each shaft member 31 as a fulcrum, and the supporting pins 43 and each elongated hole 27e slide while bending around the support pin 43 as a fulcrum.
21 is pulled out into the passenger compartment.

In this case, the periphery of the bent portion 22a is covered with the deformable tubular film 23, and the space portion 24 is formed on the outer periphery thereof, so that the skin material of the skin body 25 adheres to the bent portion 22a. Without doing this, even when the robot bends, it extends and contracts independently of the bend. Therefore, the skin body 25 does not act as a resistance to the bending operation, the bending operation can be easily performed with a small operating force, and the assist grip 21 is easily handled.

Next, the manufacturing process of the assist grip 21 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, the center link
26 and a pair of side links 27, 27 are rotatably connected by a shaft member 31 to form a core body 22. For this core 22,
As shown in FIG. 5, the tubular films 23, 23 are fitted so as to cover the bent portions 22a, 22a, respectively, and further, a vinyl adhesive tape is wound around both ends of each tubular film 23 to attach the sealing material 29. It is mounted and fixed to the outer peripheral surfaces of the links 26, 27, 27 in a state where the inner surface side of the tubular membrane 23 is sealed from the outside.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the core body 22 is
Set it in the mold 47 as a mold and close the mold,
Other than both ends of the are positioned in the cavity 48. That is, this molding die 47 is for forming the skin body 25, and except the both end portions not covered by the skin body 25, all the other parts are located in the cavity 48.

After that, a reactive fluid material such as a urethane material is injected into the cavity 48 of the molding die 47. A short time after the completion of the injection, the reaction of the urethane material starts and heat of reaction is generated. Then, foaming is started by the reaction heat, and the progress of the foaming causes the urethane material to fill the cavity 48. After that, the urethane material gradually solidifies, but the reaction heat of the urethane material rises to near 100 ° C. until solidification.

Here, the inner peripheral side of the tubular film 23 is a sealing material 29.
However, air remains on the inner peripheral side of the sealing material 29, although in a small amount. When the cavity 48 of the molding die 47 is filled with the urethane material, the urethane material comes into contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the core body 22 and the tubular membrane 23, respectively. At this time, the urethane material adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the core body 22, but does not adhere to the tubular membrane 23 because the material has no adhesiveness with the urethane material.

Further, at this time, since the urethane material has risen to nearly 100 ° C. due to the reaction heat, the temperature of the tubular film 23 in contact with this urethane material rises equally and remains on the inner peripheral side thereof. Inflate the air. At this time, since the urethane material is in an uncured gel state, as shown in FIG. 7, the tubular film 23 swells outward due to the high-temperature expanding air, and the primary cavity 24 a is formed between the tubular film 23 and the core body 22. Occurs.

Thereafter, the urethane material is solidified and the molding die 47
Is opened, and the product (assist grip) having the surface skin 25 formed on its surface is released. Immediately after demolding, the product has residual heat of reaction but is gradually cooled. Further, when the cooling progresses to near room temperature, the air remaining between the core body 22 and the tubular membrane 23, which has been expanded by the reaction heat, contracts to the initial state. For this reason, the tubular film 23 that has bulged outward also contracts, and as shown in FIG. 8, the final space 24 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the tubular film 23 and the skin body 25 formed of the urethane material. Is formed, and the assist grip 21 is formed.

According to the assist grip 21, when the skin 25 is molded by the molding die 47, the bent portion of the core 22 is bent.
Since 22a is covered with the tubular film 23 in a sealed state from the outside, the urethane material does not enter the bent portion 22a, and the urethane material does not enter the bent portions 22a and 22a.
, 27a does not adhere and harden. Further, after the molding, since the space portion 24 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the tubular film 23 and the skin body 25, the core body 22 in the bent portion 22a is formed.
The skin and the skin body 25 can be surely brought into a non-adhered state or a non-adhered state. Therefore, the bending motions of the bending portions 22a, 22a of the core body 22 are not hindered, and a light bending motion can be performed, and the stress due to the tension and compression of the skin body 25 at the time of bending can be diffused. , Bent 22
The thickness of the skin body 25 at a can be reduced.

Therefore, the reaction force at the time of bending can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional one, and it can be pulled out from the storage portion of the roof panel with a light load, and the surface has a soft feeling and the shift grip is comfortable to grip. You can get 21.

In this way, this assist grip 21
When unnecessary, the occupant pushes into the storage recess 14 or linearly extends by the urging force of the occupant, so that it can be stored in the storage recess 14 in a state substantially flush with the roof side panel 11. The space in the room can be effectively used and the appearance can be improved. Also, if necessary, the passenger can pull out the assist grip 21 to the front side and pull out the assist grip 21 into the vehicle compartment for use.

Further, since the periphery of the core body 22 is integrally covered with the skin 25 made of soft synthetic resin, the surface portion has a soft feeling and improves the appearance and gripping comfort of the assist grip 21. be able to.

In addition, the space 2 inside the assist grip 21
Since 4 and 24 are simultaneously formed in the step of forming the skin body 25, they can be easily molded and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the case where the bending device is used as the assist grip 21 in an automobile has been described. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, it is used as the knob 52 for the interior door 51. You can also

The indoor door 51 is rotatably supported by the door frame 54 via a hinge portion 51a. A storage recess 55 that opens to the room is formed in the indoor door 51, and a knob 52 having the same structure as the assist grip 21 is attached to the storage recess 55.

As shown in FIG. 10, the knob 52 is also housed in the housing recess 55 when it is not needed, so that the space in the room can be effectively used and the appearance can be improved.
As shown in FIG. 5, it can be used as the knob 52 by pulling it out to the front if necessary.

Further, the bending device described above is, for example, shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 13 to FIG. 13, it can also be used for a safety bar (safety rod) 62 and a push handle 63 of a folding stroller (baby carriage) 61.

That is, the stroller 61 is formed by connecting a pair of lower frames 65 on both sides arranged in a substantially C-shape and an upper frame 66 having a substantially U shape, and between the frames 65, 66. A seat (not shown) on which an infant sits is supported. Wheels 68 are provided at the lower end of each lower frame 65.
Is attached. A side frame 71 is connected to each of the frames 65 and 66 located on both sides of the seat, and a safety bar for protecting the infant located on the front side of the seat between these side frames 71 ( Safety rod) 62 is connected. In addition, the upper frame 66
It is composed of a pair of vertical frames 73 on both sides and a hand push handle 63 rotatably connected to the upper ends of these vertical frames 73.

The safety bar 62 and the push handle 63 have substantially the same structure as the assist grip 21 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the center link 76 is provided. And a pair of side links 77, 77 are rotatably connected by a shaft member 31,
A core body 78 that is bent is formed by two bent portions 78a, 78a.

Further, cylindrical films 79, 79 and a sealing material 80 are provided so as to cover the bent portions 78a, 78a of the core body 78. Then, a space 81 is formed between the outer periphery of the tubular membranes 79, 79.
By forming the skin 83 made of a soft skin material that integrally covers the outer peripheral portions of the cores 78 in the state where the safety bar 62 and the hand push handle 63 are formed.

By using the safety bar 62 and the hand push handle 63, the appearance and the tactile feel can be improved, and the safety bar 62 and the hand push handle 63 can be changed as shown by the chain double-dashed lines in FIGS. 12 and 13. Since the stroller 61 can be easily bent, the stroller 61 can be folded small with a light operating force.

[0047]

According to the bending device of the first aspect, since the outer peripheral portion of the core body is integrally covered with the skin body made of the soft skin material, the appearance and the tactile sensation can be improved. . Further, since the outer peripheral portion of the bent portion of the core body is covered with the deformable tubular film and the space portion is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the tubular film, the outer peripheral portion of the core body is integrally covered. The skin material does not adhere to the bent part of the core, the bending motion of the bent part is not obstructed by the skin, and the stress applied to the skin when the bent part is bent is dispersed. It can be bent smoothly by force.

According to the method for manufacturing a bending device of the second aspect, the outer body of the soft material is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the core body so that the appearance and the tactile feel are good and the outer peripheral portion of the bent portion of the core body is covered. A bending device that forms a space and can be bent easily can be easily manufactured.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a bending device of the present invention with an assist grip pulled out.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a state in which an assist grip is pushed in as above.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inside of the vehicle showing the use state of the above assist grip.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a manufacturing process of the core body that constitutes the above assist grip.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view in which a part of the core body is cut away.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the core body is mounted on a molding die for forming a skin body.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the manufacturing process for the assist grip, which is subsequent to FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a manufacturing process of the assist grip, which is subsequent to FIG.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a door having a door knob according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the door knob is not used.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a stroller provided with a safety bar and a push handle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the same safety bar.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the above hand push handle.

FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of a conventional assist grip.

[Explanation of symbols]

 21 Assist grip as a bending device 22 Core 22a Bent part 23 Cylindrical membrane 24 Space part 25 Skin 29 Sealing material 47 Mold as mold

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A core body having a bendable bendable portion, a deformable tubular film fitted to the core body and covering at least the outer peripheral portion of the bendable portion, and a soft skin material. A bending device, comprising: a core body and a skin body that integrally covers the core film and the outer peripheral portion of the tubular membrane in a state where a space is formed between the skin material and the outer peripheral portion of the tubular membrane. . 2. A core body having a bendable bend portion is used, a deformable tubular membrane is fitted to an outer peripheral portion of the bend portion of the core body, and both ends of the tubular membrane are attached to the core. The core material is placed in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the body, the reactive soft material raw material is injected into the mold so as to cover the outer periphery of the core body, While expanding the residual air in the tubular membrane by the reaction heat of, forming a space around the bent portion,
A method for manufacturing a bending device, characterized in that a skin member made of a soft material is formed on an outer peripheral portion of the core member.