JPH07329699A - Forced operation structure for sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To forcibly make a sensor capable of being in operation by a simple operation with the sensor installed on a vehicle as is by forming a forced operation structure for the sensor out of a support member which releases engagement with a catch fire member by trigger material following the detection of vehicle abrupt deceleration by a detection means, supports the trigger material against the energization force of an elastic member, and can release the support. CONSTITUTION:When a vehicle is running, provided that the forced operation structure is changed over to an operation capable condition which enables vehicle abrupt deceleration to be detected by an inertia mass body 40 acting as a detection member, with a safety release closure 64 changed over by a rod material 86, the inertia mass body 40 detects vehicle abrupt deceleration, a trigger lever 50 connected to the inertia mass body 40 via an arm 42 is rotated, and the engagement of the trigger lever 50 with a catch fire pin 30 is released. Besides, when the inertial mass body 40 does not detect vehicle abrupt deceleration, the trigger lever 50 is supported by an engagement lever 82 acting as a support member, its support is released, and an acceleration sensor 10 is then actuated. By this constitution, the acceleration sensor 10 can thereby be forcibly actuated by a simple operation with the sensor installed on the vehicle as is.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sensor forcibly actuating structure capable of forcibly actuating a sensor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An air bag device is generally known as a vehicle occupant protection device. Such an airbag device protects an occupant at the time of sudden deceleration of the vehicle, so that the sensor detects the sudden deceleration of the vehicle and the bag body is inflated.

That is, at the time of sudden deceleration of the vehicle, the sensor of the inflator incorporated in the airbag device detects this rapid deceleration, and the sensor ignites the detonator, thereby supplying gas from the inflator into the bag body. Is designed to be inflated.

On the other hand, when a vehicle provided with such an airbag device is discarded or the steering wheel is replaced, the inflator of the airbag device is forcibly ignited in consideration of safety, and then the airbag is installed. The device needs to be discarded.

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
The airbag device 212 is attached to the rope 21 while stacking 0.
The inflator is forcibly ignited by dropping it from the state in which it is suspended by 4 and operating the sensor of the inflator in the airbag device 212. Therefore, labor and time are required to stack tires.

Further, the airbag device 212 is strictly fixed to the vehicle body side so that the airbag device is not intentionally removed for purposes other than disposal or loosened by vibration or the like. Many, airbag device 2
It took a lot of labor and time to remove the 12 car bodies.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above facts, the present invention has a structure in which a sensor can be forcibly operated, and can be forcibly operated by a simple operation while being attached to a vehicle. It is an object of the present invention to provide a forced activation structure for a sensor that can discard an airbag device and the like.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sensor forcibly operating structure, a detection member for detecting a sudden deceleration of a vehicle, an igniting member movably arranged and constantly receiving a biasing force by an elastic member, and the detection member. A trigger member that is connected to a member and that is engaged with the ignition member and that releases engagement between the ignition member and the ignition member upon detection of a sudden vehicle deceleration by the detection member; A supporting member formed to support the trigger member against the biasing force of the elastic member and to release the support.

[0009]

The operation of the forced operation structure of the sensor according to claim 1 will be described below.

When the vehicle is running, the detection member detects a sudden deceleration of the vehicle, the trigger member connected to the detection member operates, and the engagement between the trigger member and the ignition member is released. It Therefore, the ignition member that receives the biasing force of the elastic member moves by the biasing force and collides with, for example, the detonator to ignite the detonator.

Further, when the vehicle is discarded, the supporting of the trigger member by the supporting member is released, and the trigger member becomes movable. Then, along with this, the ignition member that has been engaged with the trigger member is moved by the urging force of the elastic member,
Similarly to the above, for example, the detonator is ignited by colliding with the detonator.

Therefore, even if the detection member does not detect the sudden deceleration of the vehicle, the trigger member is supported by the support member formed so that the support can be released. The sensor can be operated, and it is now possible to safely and easily dispose of, for example, an airbag device.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment to which the sensor forcible operation structure according to the present invention is applied is shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, and the present embodiment will be described based on these drawings.

An inflator for inflating a bag body of an airbag device (not shown) is provided with an acceleration sensor 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 for operating the inflator. The inflator is supported by a steering wheel (not shown) and attached to the vehicle.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the acceleration sensor 10 includes a sensor cover 12 formed in a substantially circular tube shape having a wall portion 14 at one end. Inside the sensor cover 12, a body block 18, a holder 36 and a lid block 20 are continuously arranged, and the body block 18 located on the upper side is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. Further, the lower lid block 20 is formed in a circular tube shape, and an O-ring 24 is arranged between the sensor cover 12 and the lid block 20 to ensure hermetic sealing.

Further, a through hole 16 is formed in the center of the wall portion 14, and the through hole 1 is formed in the body block 18.
A through hole 26 is formed at a position coaxial with 6. An ignition pin 30, which is a cylindrical ignition member, is disposed in the holder 36 so as to be slidable coaxially with the axis P1 of the acceleration sensor 10, and the ignition pin 30 is movable along the axis P1. Has been done.

A point is formed on the side of the ignition pin 30 corresponding to the body block 18, and the ignition pin 30 is moved to the side of the bottom wall 22 of the body block 18 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). In the state of the imaginary line), the pointed portion projects from the above-mentioned through hole 26 to the outside of the acceleration sensor 10.

On the other hand, a concave portion 30A is formed in the ignition pin 30 coaxially with the outer peripheral portion of the ignition pin 30, and a cylindrical guide portion 36A formed in a holder 36 is inserted into the concave portion 30A. There is. The holder 36 and the recess 30A
A fire ring spring 38, which is an elastic member for urging the ignition pin 30 toward the detonator 90 serving as an ignition charge, is arranged between the bottom of the ignition pin 30 and the bottom of the ignition pin 30. It is biased in the direction of arrow F).

On the other hand, the inertial mass body 40 has a spherical shape, is movably held in a cylindrical case 41 fitted and arranged in the holder 36, and when an acceleration of a predetermined value or more is applied, Inertia moves in the direction of arrow B from the positions shown in FIGS.

Further, the inertial mass body 40 is in contact with a receiving portion 42A formed in a disk shape on one end side of the arm 42. A long hole 43 formed in the longitudinal direction of the axis P1 is formed near one end of the arm 42.
Further, a plate-shaped spring receiving member 46 is fixed near the other end of the arm 42.
A bias spring 44 is arranged between the holder 36 and the holder 36. Therefore, the bias spring 44 always urges the inertial mass body 40 in the direction of arrow F via the arm 42 to hold it at the positions shown in FIGS. Then, the inertial mass body 40, the arm 42, and the like constitute a detection member.

On the other hand, the trigger lever 50 which is a trigger material
Has a columnar trigger main body 50A with a shaft 52 protruding from both ends and a drive shaft 50B extending through the trigger main body 50A. The arm 42 is provided on the distal end side of the drive shaft 50B. An engagement shaft 53 rotatably engaged with the other end side is fixed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the shaft 52 of the trigger lever 50 is inserted into the first recess 18A formed in the body block 18 in a partially opened state.
Further, an engaging lever 82, which is a U-shaped support member as shown in FIG. 6, is fitted in a second recess 18B formed in the body block 18 adjacent to the first recess 18A. , The first recess 1A is formed by the engagement lever 82, which is arranged so that the left end of the first recess 18A faces the first recess 18A.
The open portion of 8A is closed and the first concave portion 18A
The shaft 52 of the trigger lever 50 is positioned so as to be sandwiched between the inner wall surface and the engaging lever 82. Therefore, the trigger lever 50 is supported by the body block 18, and the trigger lever 50 rotates about the shaft 52 in the counterclockwise direction (arrow A direction) from the position shown in FIGS. It is possible.

Further, the engaging lever 82 is prevented from being deformed by the urging force of the firing spring 38 which gives the urging force to the ignition pin 30.
A contact portion 82A projects upward in FIG. 4 and contacts the inner wall surface of the second concave portion 18B at the left end portion thereof. A releasing portion 82B for pulling out the engaging lever 82 to the right is formed on the right portion of the engaging lever 82 so as to extend to the right side, and the releasing pin 8 is provided at the right end portion of the releasing portion 82B.
4 is fixed while penetrating.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a part of the trigger body 50A is cut away, and the ignition pin 30 is formed.
The side edges are engaging claws 56, and the ignition pin 3
An engaging recess 54 is formed in the shoulder portion on the pointed side of 0, and an engaging claw 56 is engaged with the engaging recess 54.
Then, in this engaged state, the pointed portion of the ignition pin 30 urged by the firing spring 38 has the through hole 26.
It is held at a position separated from (the position indicated by the solid line in FIGS. 1 and 2). Further, when the trigger lever 50 rotates about the shaft 52 in the arrow A direction, the engagement between the engagement claw portion 56 and the engagement recess 54 is released.

As described above, by pulling the release pin 84 in the direction of arrow C with a wire or the like (not shown), the support of the shaft 52 by the engagement lever 82 is released and the trigger body of the trigger lever 50 is released, as shown in FIG. 50A moves in the direction of arrow F. As a result, the engagement between the engagement concave portion 54 and the engagement claw portion 56 is released, and the ignition pin 30 is forcibly moved to the position shown in FIG.

On the other hand, on the outer peripheral side of the receiving portion 42A of the arm 42, there is arranged a circular safety release lid 64 which is in contact with the coil spring 62 at its distal end and is biased by the coil spring 62 in the direction of arrow F. , This safety release lid 6
One end of the shaft 74 is engaged with the base end side of the shaft 4.

The shaft 74 extends through the lid block 20 and projects from the lid block 20.
A disc-shaped release plate 80 is attached to the front end of 4.

A convex portion 66 loosely fitted in the long hole 43 of the arm 42 is formed on the tip end side of the safety release lid 64 to prevent the inertial mass body 40 from moving as shown in FIG. In the state, the positional relationship is such that the convex portion 66 is adjacent to the upper end side of the long hole 43.

On the other hand, in the airbag device, a rod member 86 having a bifurcated distal end is movably arranged. The rod member 86 moves to the right side in FIG. 2 to release the acceleration sensor 10. The release plate 80 can be pushed downward while engaging with the plate 80.

Then, by engaging the rod member 86 with the release plate 80, as shown in FIG. 2, the inertial mass body 40 is brought into an operable state in which the acceleration can be detected. The positional relationship is such that the convex portion 66 is adjacent to the lower end side of the.

In addition to the detonator 90, the inflator to which the acceleration sensor 10 is attached contains an enhancer, a gas generating substance, etc., which are not shown, and the ignition pin 30 of the acceleration sensor 10 is connected to the detonator 90 during rapid deceleration of the vehicle.
Then, the detonator 90 is ignited by the collision with the detonator 90, the gas generating substance is burned based on the ignition, and gas is generated. The gas is supplied into the bag body through the gas holes of the inflator and the bag body is inflated.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the inflator is mounted on the vehicle, since the release plate 80 and the safety release lid 64 are in the positions shown in FIG. 1, the protrusion 42 of the safety release lid 64 fixes the arm 42 and the acceleration sensor 10 malfunctions. There is nothing to do. After mounting the inflator, the release plate 80 is moved by the rod material 86 to a position in an operable state as shown in FIG.
As a result, the shaft 74 and the safety release lid 64 move in the arrow B direction, and the inertial mass body 40 and the arm 42 become movable in the arrow B direction. As a result, the acceleration sensor 10 is set in an operable state.

On the other hand, when the vehicle is running, the safety release lid 64 is switched by the rod member 86 to the operable state in which the inertial mass body 40 can detect the rapid vehicle deceleration as described above. When the inertial mass body 40 detects a sudden deceleration of the vehicle, the trigger lever 50 connected to the inertial mass body 40 via the arm 42 rotates, and the engagement between the trigger lever 50 and the ignition pin 30. Is released.

Therefore, the ignition pin 30 which receives the biasing force of the firing spring 38 moves by this biasing force, collides with the detonator 90, and the detonator 90 is ignited.

When the vehicle is discarded, the release pin 84
By pulling out, the support of the trigger lever 50 by the engagement lever 82 is released, and the trigger lever 50 becomes movable. Along with this, the ignition pin 30 engaged with the trigger lever 50 becomes
8 is moved by the urging force of 8 and the detonator 90
And the detonator 90 is ignited.

That is, by releasing the support of the shaft 52 of the trigger lever 50, the trigger lever 50 rotates about the engaging shaft 53 as shown in FIG. And
The engagement claw portion 56 of the trigger lever 50 separates from the engagement recess 54 of the ignition pin 30 to release the holding of the ignition pin 30.
For this reason, the ignition pin 30 is connected to the firing spring 3
It moves in the direction of arrow F by the urging force of 8, and the ignition pin 30
Of the detonator 9 collides with the detonator 90 by protruding from the through hole 26.
0 is ignited. This ignites the enhancer,
Then, the gas generating agent is ignited and burned.

As described above, even when the inertial mass body 40 does not detect the sudden deceleration of the vehicle, the trigger lever 50 is supported by the engagement lever 82 formed so that the support can be released, so that the engagement lever is forcibly forced. The support of the trigger lever 50 by 82 can be released and the acceleration sensor 10 can be operated, and the forced operation can be performed with a simple operation while being attached to the vehicle. Therefore, the airbag device can be safely and easily discarded.

Next, a second embodiment to which the sensor forcible operation structure according to the present invention is applied is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and the present embodiment will be described based on these drawings. The same members as those shown in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the duplicated description will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the ignition pin 30 is biased by the firing spring 38 as in the first embodiment. In the body block 18 of the acceleration sensor 10 formed of synthetic resin, a pair of bearing portions 92, which are annular support members made of synthetic resin, are provided instead of the engaging lever 82 as in the first embodiment. The shaft 52 of the trigger lever 50 is rotatably supported by the bearing 92. That is, the bearing portion 92 resists the urging force of the firing spring 38 transmitted through the ignition pin 30 and the shaft 52 of the trigger lever 50 moves.
I support you.

Further, a nichrome wire 94 is arranged by insert molding or the like in the body block 18 near the bearing portion 92. Both ends of the nichrome wire 94 are connected to the wiring 96, and the ends of the wiring 96 extend outside the acceleration sensor 10.

Therefore, when the wiring 96 is energized and the nichrome wire 94 is heated, the bearing 92 is melted, the shaft 52 slips out of the bearing 92, and the trigger lever 50 moves, so that the trigger lever 50 is ignited. The engagement with the pin 30 is released, and the ignition pin 30 moves by the urging force of the firing spring 38.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When mounting the inflator on the vehicle, the acceleration sensor 10 does not malfunction as in the first embodiment. After mounting the inflator, the release plate 80 is moved to a position in an operable state as shown in FIG. As a result, the acceleration sensor 10 is set in an operable state.

Further, when the vehicle is running, as in the first embodiment, the safety release lid 64 is switched by the rod member 86, so that the inertial mass body 40 detects a sudden vehicle deceleration and moves. As a result, the acceleration sensor 10 operates.

When the vehicle is discarded, an electric current is externally applied to the wiring 96 to heat and melt the bearing portion 92,
By releasing the support of the shaft 52 by the bearing portion 92, the trigger lever 50 is rotated about the engagement shaft 53. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, the tip of the ignition pin 30 projects from the through hole 26 and collides with the detonator 90, and the detonator 90
Is ignited. As a result, the enhancer is ignited, and subsequently the gas generating agent is ignited and burned.

As described above, the bearing portion 92 is forcibly melted to release the support of the shaft 52 of the trigger lever 50 and the acceleration sensor 10 can be operated. Therefore, the same as in the first embodiment. In addition, it became possible to operate it forcibly with a simple operation while it was attached to the vehicle. Therefore, the airbag device can be safely and easily discarded.

Next, a third embodiment to which the sensor forcible operation structure according to the present invention is applied is shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, and the present embodiment will be described based on these drawings. The same members as those shown in the first and second embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and the duplicated description will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the acceleration sensor 10 of this embodiment has a trigger lever 50 having a structure substantially similar to that of the first and second embodiments. In the trigger lever 50 according to the present invention, the shaft 52 is not attached so as to project from both ends, and instead, the engaging recess 112 is formed at a portion corresponding to the portion to which the shaft 52 is attached.
Are formed.

On the other hand, in the body block 18, the support shaft 1
A pair of release levers 116 rotatably supported around 14 are arranged, and a locking portion 118A formed by bending toward the base end side of an engagement rod 118 formed in an arc shape.
Are locked to the pair of release levers 116, respectively. Then, the tip end side of the engaging rod 118 is inserted into the recess 112 of the trigger lever 50, and the trigger lever 50
Are supported by the pair of engagement rods 118.

Further, as in the first embodiment, the ignition pin 3
0 is biased by the firing spring 38, and the engagement rod 118 supports the trigger lever 50 against the biasing force of the firing spring 38 transmitted through the ignition pin 30.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, the engaging rod 11
When the release lever 116 that locks the base end side of 8 is rotated around the support shaft 114, the engaging rod 118 whose distal end side is inserted into the recess 112 of the trigger lever 50 is recessed 112.
The trigger lever 50 moves out of the position. And
The engagement between the trigger lever 50 and the ignition pin 30 is released, and the ignition pin 30 moves due to the urging force of the firing spring 38.

That is, the recess 112 and the release lever 1
16 and the engagement rod 118 etc. comprise a support member.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When mounting the inflator on the vehicle, the acceleration sensor 10 does not malfunction as in the first embodiment. Further, after mounting the inflator, the release plate 80 is moved to the operable position. As a result, the acceleration sensor 10 is set in an operable state.

Further, when the vehicle is traveling, since the safety release lid 64 is switched by the rod member 86 as in the first embodiment, the inertial mass body 40 detects the sudden deceleration of the vehicle and moves. As a result, the acceleration sensor 10 operates.

When the vehicle is discarded, the release lever 116 is operated from the outside so that the release lever 116 is moved to the support shaft 1.
When it is rotated about 14, the engaging rod 118, whose proximal end is locked, comes out from the recess 112,
The support of the trigger lever 50 is released.

Then, as the trigger lever 50 rotates about the engaging shaft 53, the engagement between the trigger lever 50 and the ignition pin 30 is released, and like the first embodiment. The tip of the ignition pin 30 projects from the through hole 26 and collides with the detonator 90, and the detonator 90 is ignited. As a result, the enhancer is ignited, and subsequently the gas generating agent is ignited and burned.

As described above, it is possible to forcibly rotate the trigger lever 50 to operate the acceleration sensor 10. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to perform a simple operation while the vehicle is attached to the vehicle. It became possible to activate it.
Therefore, the airbag device can be safely and easily discarded.

In the above embodiment, the detecting member is the acceleration sensor 10 which mechanically detects the acceleration, but other types of acceleration sensors may be used. Also, the safety release lid 6
4, the shaft 74 and the release plate 80 constitute the safety device, but other types of safety device may be applied.

On the other hand, although the detecting member is the spherical inertial mass body 40 in the above embodiment, it may be an inertial mass body having another shape, for example, a cylindrical inertial mass body instead. Further, it goes without saying that the ignition member may have another shape instead of the cylindrical ignition pin 30.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but can be variously modified. For example, in each of the above embodiments, the occupant protection device is an airbag device, but the invention is not limited to this, and in the webbing retractor, the webbing is closely attached to the occupant when the vehicle suddenly decelerates. Of course, it is also applicable to the one that starts the preloader for mounting.

[0060]

According to the sensor forcibly operating structure of the present invention, the sensor can be forcibly operated so that the sensor can be forcibly operated by a simple operation while being attached to a vehicle, and the sensor can be operated safely and easily. It has an excellent effect that the airbag device and the like can be discarded.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an acceleration sensor to which a sensor forced-acting structure according to the present invention is applied, showing a state where movement of an inertial mass body is stopped.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an acceleration sensor to which a sensor forced-acting structure according to the present invention is applied, showing an operable state.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the acceleration sensor to which the sensor forcible operation structure according to the present invention is applied, showing a forcible operation state.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a main part of the first embodiment of the acceleration sensor to which the sensor forced-acting structure according to the present invention is applied, and is a view corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 2.

5 is an enlarged view showing a main part of the first embodiment of the acceleration sensor to which the sensor forcible operation structure according to the present invention is applied, and is a view corresponding to FIG. 3. FIG.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a trigger lever and an engagement lever used in a first embodiment of an acceleration sensor to which a sensor forced-acting structure according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of an acceleration sensor to which a sensor forced-acting structure according to the present invention is applied, showing an operable state.

8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the acceleration sensor to which the sensor forcible operation structure according to the present invention is applied, showing an operable state.

10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a view corresponding to a cross section taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9 and showing a forcibly operated state.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing disposal of a conventional airbag device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Acceleration Sensor 30 Ignition Pin (Ignition Member) 38 Firing Spring (Elastic Member) 40 Inertial Mass Body (Detection Member) 42 Arm (Detection Member) 50 Trigger Lever (Trigger Material) 82 Engagement Lever (Support Member) 92 Bearing Part (Support member) 112 Recessed portion (support member) 116 Release lever (support member) 118 Engaging rod (support member)

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Naomi Oe No. 1 Noda, Toyoda, Oguchi-cho, Niwa-gun, Aichi Prefecture Tokai Rika Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A detection member for detecting a sudden deceleration of a vehicle, an ignition member movably arranged and constantly receiving an urging force by an elastic member, and an ignition member connected to the detection member and engaged with the ignition member. A trigger member that releases engagement with the ignition member in response to detection of vehicle sudden deceleration by the detection member, and the trigger member against the biasing force of the elastic member transmitted through the ignition member. And a support member formed to support and release the support.