JPH09309397A - Air bag device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To try to reduce the number of parts of the air bag device, and man- hours required by assembly. SOLUTION: A case 1 roughly in a prism shape houses a cylindrical inflator 2 inside, and restrains the inflator 2 from being moved in the radial direction by its inner circumferential surface at the center part 18. Based on an ignition signal at the time of collision, gas is generated out of the inflator 2 so as to be injected out of an injection part 21, and the gas passes through the injection widow of the case 1, so that it is thereby guided to the direction of an air bag. A lead introducing pat 17 of the case 1 covers the connection terminal part 23 of the inflator 2, and allows a connector 28 connected with the terminal part 23 to be guided out from an opening part 13. Cauking pawls 11 and thrust holding pawls 12 are provide for the case 1 at plural places correspond to the stepped part 22, and the end face 27 of the inflator 2 in its circumferential direction, and let these paws be brought into contact with the stepped part 22 and the end face 27 by couking them to the inner side in the radial direction, so that the inflator 2 is thereby prevented from being moved in the axial direction.

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 used for protecting an occupant of a moving body, and more particularly to a device capable of assembling a cylinder type inflator with a simple structure. For example, the invention can be applied to a side collision airbag device in which an airbag is deployed in parallel with a door surface for the purpose of protection during a side collision.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an airbag device, an inflator is fixed by tightening a screw. For example, FIG. 11 shows a partial configuration of an airbag device including a cylinder-shaped inflator. As shown in FIG. 11, the inflator 32 is housed in the case 31, and the end portion 32 a of the inflator 32 is
The stud bolt 33 provided on the case is projected from the hole 31a to the outside of the case 31, and the nut 34 is attached from the outside of the case 31.
Was fastened to the stud bolt 33 to fix the inflator 32 to the case 31. Inflator 3
By fixing 2 to the case 31, the thrust of the gas ejected from the inflator 32 at the time of collision is received by the screw-fastened portion of the case 31 and the inflator 32, and the movement of the inflator 32 due to the thrust of the gas is restricted.

[0003]

However, in the above disclosed technique, the number of parts is increased in order to fix the inflator 32 to the case 1 by using the nut 34, and the number of assembling steps is increased by tightening the nut, so that the product cost is reduced. There is a problem of increase.

Therefore, in view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to fix an inflator to a case without using a nut, reduce the number of parts and the number of assembling steps, and realize a cost reduction of a product.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above-mentioned problems, the means described in claim 1 can be adopted.
According to this means, in the airbag device, the connector and the lead wire are introduced from the opening formed in the lead wire introducing portion of the holding means and connected to the connection terminal portion of the inflator. The gas generated from the inflator in response to the ignition signal transmitted from the lead wire is ejected from an injecting portion provided axially protruding from the first end surface on one side of the main body of the inflator. Movement of the inflator in the radial direction is restricted by the radial fixing portion of the holding means, and movement in the axial direction is restricted by the first and second axial fixing means. The first and second axial fixing means are respectively the first
And the second end face so as to restrict the movement of the inflator toward the injection portion side in the axial direction and to the side opposite to the injection portion. As a result, the inflator can be fixed to the holding means by bringing the holding means into contact with the inflator, so that fastening parts such as bolts and nuts are not required, and the number of parts and assembly man-hours of the airbag device can be reduced. The cost can be reduced. Further, since the connector and the lead wire are connected to the connecting terminal portion of the inflator through the opening of the lead wire introducing portion of the holding means, the connecting portion of the connector and the lead wire is protected by the lead wire introducing portion from an external acting force. be able to.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the gas outlet portion for ejecting the gas generated from the inflator is provided in the holding means, and the gas is introduced through the injection window formed in the gas outlet portion. Is ejected toward the airbag. Thereby, the gas generated from the inflator can be led out toward the airbag through the injection window, so that the generated gas can be effectively filled in the airbag.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the second axial fixing means is constituted by the convex portion formed so as to project radially inward of the inflator from the wall surface of the lead wire introducing portion of the holding means. As a result, when the inflator tries to move to the side opposite to the axial injection portion due to the thrust of the ejected gas, the convex portion formed inward in the radial direction is in contact with the second end surface, so that it is opposite to the inflator injection portion. Movement to the side is restricted, and the inflator can be satisfactorily held by the convex portion.

According to the means described in claim 4, the second axial fixing means is constituted by the claws formed by bending inwardly in the radial direction of the inflator from the wall surface of the lead wire introducing portion of the holding means. As a result, when the inflator tries to move to the side opposite to the axial injection portion due to the thrust of the ejected gas, the claw bent inward in the radial direction is in contact with the second end surface, so that the inflator axial injection is performed. The movement to the side opposite to the part is restricted, and the same effect as the means according to claim 3 can be obtained.

According to the means described in claim 5, the first axial fixing means is constituted by the convex portion formed so as to project inward in the radial direction of the inflator from the wall surface of the gas lead-out portion of the holding means. As a result, when the inflator tries to move toward the injection portion side in the axial direction, the convex portion formed inward in the radial direction is in contact with the first end surface, so the movement of the inflator toward the injection portion side in the axial direction is restricted. Thus, the convex portion can hold the inflator satisfactorily.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the first axial fixing means is constituted by the claws formed by bending the wall of the gas outlet of the holding means inward in the radial direction of the inflator. As a result, when the inflator tries to move toward the injection portion side in the axial direction, the claw bent inward in the radial direction is in contact with the first end surface, so that the movement of the inflator toward the ejection portion side in the axial direction is restricted. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the means described in claim 5.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below based on specific embodiments. FIG. 1 is a main sectional view showing the structure of a first embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a BB line in FIG.
A sectional view, FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line C-C in FIG. 1, and FIG.
It is DD sectional drawing in FIG. The inflator 2 has a cylindrical shape, and has a main body portion 20, an injection portion 21 axially protruding from a left end surface (first end surface) 26 of the main body portion 20,
The connecting terminal portion 23 is formed on the right end surface (second end surface) 27 of the main body portion 20. The main body portion 20 stores a squib (detonation element) (not shown) for inputting an ignition signal to ignite explosives, and a powder and compressed gas (not shown) ignited by the squib. The injection unit 21 is the main unit 2
It is formed in a cylindrical shape having a diameter smaller than 0, and a large number of gas injection holes 21 for injecting gas are formed on the peripheral surface thereof.
1 is formed. The injection unit 21 and the main body unit 20 are first
The end faces 26 are joined to each other via a tapered step portion 22 that constitutes a part of the end face 26. Further, the connection terminal portion 23 has a plurality of lead pins 230 for inputting an ignition signal from the outside,
The connector 28 to which the lead wire 25 is connected is coupled to the lead pin 230.

The case 1 (holding means) having the open ends 14 and 15 is formed into a substantially rectangular tube shape by press molding, and the inflator 2 is housed in the center portion (radially fixed portion) 18 thereof. There is. The inner diameter of the case 1 is formed to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inflator 2, and contacts the inner wall of the case 1 when the inflator 2 moves in the radial direction. Thereby, the radial movement of the inflator 2 is restricted.

At the left end of the case 1, a gas lead-out portion 16 having an injection window 10 as shown in FIG. 2 is formed so as to cover the injection portion 21 of the inflator 2 about the axis X of the inflator 2. ing. The gas ejected from the gas ejection hole 211 of the inflator 2 is guided in a predetermined direction by the gas lead-out portion 16 and ejected from the ejection window 10 in the direction of the airbag (not shown) to fill the inside thereof with the air. The bag is inflated and deployed. When the case 1 is assembled to the casing (not shown) of the airbag device (not shown), the opening end 14 is closed by the casing, its airtightness is maintained, and the gas ejected from the ejection window 10 is effective. Is introduced into the airbag.

At the right end of the case 1, as shown in FIG.
A lead wire introducing portion 17 is formed so as to cover the connecting terminal portion 23 around the axis X of the inflator 2. And
The lead wire introducing portion 17 has an opening 1 on the surface in the direction in which the connector 28 is attached to the lead pin 230 of the inflator 2.
3 are provided. From this opening 13 to the connector 28
Is inserted into the case 1 and fitted into the lead pin 230.

In order to regulate the movement of the inflator 2 in the direction of the axis X, the case 1 is provided with the following means. That is, in the gas outlet portion 16 of the case 1, the side of the central portion 18 of the case 1 serves as a fixed end, and the caulking claw 11 that can be deformed toward the inside of the case 1 as shown in FIG. Has been formed. This caulking claw 11
As shown in FIG. 2, except for the injection window 10, the case 1
Is formed at a plurality of locations (three locations in FIG. 2) in the circumferential direction.

Here, the structure of the crimping nail 11 is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A is a schematic view showing the E direction view of FIG. 1 in a state where the crimping nail 11 is not crimped,
FIG. 5B is a schematic view showing the FF cross section. As shown in FIG. 5A, a through groove 11a is formed in a U shape with respect to the case 1, and a bent portion 11b (a portion indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 5A, the above-mentioned fixed end). Are provided substantially orthogonal to the axis X direction. A portion having a rectangular shape surrounded by the through groove 11 a is the crimping claw 11. When the caulking claw 11 is not crimped, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the caulking claw 11 is contained within the wall thickness of the surrounding portion. This caulking claw 11 is case 1
The caulking claw 11 is projected inside the case 1 by crimping the inside of the case and bending from the bent portion 11b. A schematic view of the FF cross section at this time is shown in FIG.

After the inflator 2 is mounted on the case 1, the caulking claw 11 is crimped along the taper surface of the stepped portion 22 of the inflator 2, and as shown in FIG. Is held on its inner surface. As a result, the caulking claw 11 restricts the movement of the inflator 2 in the direction opposite to the A direction in FIG. 1 (on the injection portion 21 side in the axial direction).

On the other hand, in the lead wire introducing portion 17 of the case 1, the side on the right side of the open end 15 of the case 1 serves as a fixed end, and the thrust holding force capable of being deformed toward the inside of the case 1 as shown in FIG. The claw 12 is formed by punching out the peripheral portion thereof. As shown in FIG. 4, the thrust holding claws 12 are formed at a plurality of locations (three locations in FIG. 4) in the circumferential direction of the case 1, except for the opening 13. This thrust holding claw 1
The configuration 2 has a through groove and a bent portion similarly to the configuration of the crimping claw 11 shown in FIG.

After the inflator 2 is housed in the case 1, the thrust holding claw 12 is bent inward. In this state, the end surface 27 of the inflator 2 and the tip portion 12a of the thrust holding claw 12 contact each other. Thereby, the movement of the inflator 2 in the A direction (the side opposite to the injection portion 21 in the axial direction) is restricted. When the airbag device operates, gas is injected from the gas injection holes 211, and as a reaction thereof, the inflator 2 receives a strong force in the A direction along the axis X. This force is received by the thrust holding claws 12 and the movement of the inflator 2 can be reliably prevented. In particular, since the fixed end of the thrust holding claw 12 is provided on the open end 15 side as shown in FIG. 1, the holding strength thereof can be increased.

Next, the assembling of the inflator 2 and the case 1 will be described. 6 is a perspective view showing a state before the inflator 2 is inserted into the case 1, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the inflator 2 is inserted into the case 1. The inflator 2 is inserted from the opening end 15 side of the case 1. At this time, the caulking claw 1 formed on the case 1
1 and the thrust holding claw 12 have not been crimped.
Since it has the same sectional configuration as that of (b), it does not become an obstacle when the inflator 2 is inserted into the case 1.

After the inflator 2 is inserted into a predetermined position inside the case 1, the caulking claw 11 holds the stepped portion 22 of the inflator 2 by using a jig such as a crimped glass, and the thrust holding claw 12 is an end surface. Claw 11 so that it contacts 27
And, the thrust holding claw 12 is crimped (see FIG. 1). The caulking of the crimping claw 11 and the thrust holding claw 12 restricts the movement of the inflator 2 in the axis X direction. In this way, the inflator 2 is fixed to the case 1. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing this state from the connector 28 side.

Next, the operation of the airbag device including the case 1 and the inflator 2 shown above will be described. When a vehicle collision is detected, the squib is energized via the lead wire 25 and the connector 28, and the squib is ignited. Then, the explosive of the inflator 2 is ignited and the compressed gas is ejected. This gas is ejected from the gas ejection hole 211, is introduced into the airbag through the ejection window 10 of the case 1, and the airbag is inflated by the gas filling.

At this time, the inflator 2 is discharged by the ejected gas.
A thrust force is generated in the A direction and the inflator 2 tries to move in the A direction. However, since the end surface 27 of the inflator 2 is in contact with the thrust holding claw 12, the movement in the A direction is restricted. In particular, since the thrust holding claw 12 receives a force from the inflator 2 in its length direction, it has a high bending resistance,
The thrust holding claws 12 can securely hold the inflator 2 at the time of detonation. In addition, in the present embodiment, for example, the invention is applied to an airbag device or the like which is provided on a seat or a door of a vehicle and is activated in a side collision.

As shown in the above embodiment, by using the crimping claw 11 and the thrust holding claw 12 without using fastening parts such as bolts and nuts, the inflator 2 can be satisfactorily fixed to the case 1. While reducing the number of parts,
The number of assembling steps for fastening the fastening parts is reduced, and a low-cost airbag device can be realized. Further, in the present embodiment, the lead pin 230 provided on the end surface 27 of the inflator 2
The electrical connector 28 connected to the
More outsourced. That is, since the lead wire introducing portion 17 is provided around the connector 28, the connector 28 can be protected from external force.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the caulking claw 11 is caulked in a tapered shape along the stepped portion 22 of the inflator 2, but a protrusion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the case 1 to fix the inflator 2 in place. It may be fixed. The cross-sectional structure in this case is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of protrusions 19 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the case 1 along the circumferential direction abut the end surface 26, and restrict the movement of the inflator 2 in the direction opposite to the A direction. are doing. As a result, the same effect as the configuration shown in FIG. 1 can be obtained. Further, the same effect can be obtained by forming the projection 19 in a flange shape in the circumferential direction. The protrusion 19 can be formed by punching out the case 1.

In the structure shown in FIG. 1, the bent portion 11b of the caulking claw 11 is formed at a substantially right angle to the axis X direction, but the bent portion 11b may be provided in a different direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the inflator 2 can be held by the side surface portion 11c of the crimp claw 11 by forming the bent portion 11b substantially parallel to the axis X direction. By doing so, the same effect as that of the configuration shown in FIG. 1 can be obtained. Further, since the bending portion of the thrust holding claw 12 is formed substantially parallel to the axis X direction, the bending strength in the X axis direction becomes extremely large, so that the force from the inflator 2 acting at the time of gas generation can be reliably received. it can.

In the above embodiment, the case 1 is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to cover the entire length of the inflator 2, but the case 1 does not necessarily have to cover the entire length of the inflator 2 as long as the radial movement of the inflator 2 can be restricted. The central portion 18 of the case 1 may be formed in a part in the axis X direction. By doing so, the weight of the airbag device can be reduced. In the above embodiment, the case 1 is a press-molded product, but it may be a pipe material, an extrusion (pull-out) molded product, a forged product, or a cast product. Further, in the above embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the case 1 is a substantially rectangular tube shape, but it may be a cylindrical shape, a U-shape, or an L-shape.

As indicated above, according to the present invention,
By fixing the inflator by crimping the claws provided on the case, the number of parts and the number of assembling steps can be reduced, and a low cost airbag device can be realized. Further, by guiding the connector and the lead wire to the outside from the opening provided in the lead wire introducing portion of the case, the connecting portion can be protected from the external action force at the edge of the opening. Further, by using the injection window provided in the case, the gas ejected from the inflator can be led out toward the airbag, and the injected gas can be effectively filled in the airbag.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a main cross-sectional structure of a first embodiment device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a BB cross section in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a CC cross section in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a DD cross section in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a crimped nail.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an inflator and a case before insertion.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a case and an inflator in an inserted state.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the case and the inflator in the inserted state from the connector side.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration in which an inflator is fixed by a protrusion provided on a case.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a crimping claw in which a bent portion is provided in the axis X direction.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a conventional airbag device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Case 2 Inflator 10 Injection Window 11 Caulking Claw 11a Through Groove 11b Bending Part 11c Side Part 12 Thrust Holding Claw 13 Opening Part 14, 15 Opening End 16 Gas Leading Part 17 Lead Wire Introducing Part 18 Central Part 20 Body Part 21 Injecting Part 22 Stepped portion 23 Connection terminal portion 25 Lead wires 26, 27 End surface 28 Electrical connector 211 Gas ejection hole

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An airbag apparatus comprising a tubular inflator for injecting gas in response to an ignition signal, an airbag inflated and deployed by the gas, and a holding means for fixing the inflator. The inflator includes a main body portion having a first end surface provided on one side and a second end surface provided on the other side, an injection portion which axially projects from the first end surface and injects the gas, and the inflator. A connecting terminal portion for inputting the ignition signal to the inflator, and the holding means is connected to a radial fixing portion that restricts radial movement of the main body portion of the inflator, and the connecting terminal portion of the inflator. A connector and a lead wire introducing portion having an opening for introducing a lead wire, and the first end surface of the inflator are in contact with each other, and The first to regulate the movement of the serial injection portion side
Air comprising axial fixing means and second axial fixing means for abutting the second end surface of the inflator and restricting movement of the inflator in the axial direction to the side opposite to the injection portion. Bag device. 2. The holding means has a gas lead-out portion formed with an injection window that determines the injection direction of the gas injected from the injection unit into the airbag. Airbag device. 3. The second axial fixing means is a convex portion protruding inward in the radial direction of the inflator from a wall surface of the lead wire introducing portion of the holding means. Airbag device. 4. The claw formed by bending the second axial fixing means inward in the radial direction of the inflator from the wall surface of the lead wire introducing portion of the holding means. The airbag device according to 1. 5. The first axial fixing means is a convex portion that protrudes radially inward of the inflator from a wall surface of the gas lead-out portion of the holding means. Airbag device. 6. The first axial fixing means is a claw formed by being bent inward in the radial direction of the inflator from the wall surface of the gas outlet of the holding means. The airbag device described in.