JPH0966790A - Air bag device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To fix a cover body easily and solidly by forming a cross projection bar which is provided and protrudes in the direction which crosses the direction of projection of a locking projection section from the locking projection section and is inserted into a receive section. SOLUTION: In an air bag device 11, a cover body 61 fits a mounting piece section 64 into a support piece section 23 of a support member 22 and locks a locking projection section 66 in an end of the support piece section 23 for positioning and temporary fixation in order to mount the cover body 61 on the support member 22 easily. Rivets which fix the cover body 61 on the support member 22 are eliminated or the number of them is reduced to reduce the manufacturing cost. Moreover, since a cross projection bar 68 is inserted into a receive section by the cover body 61, it is possible to regulate their positions correctly when the air bag device is mounted, reduce the manufacturing cost, suppress the deformation of the cover body 61, and support the cover body 61 solidly.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an airbag device in which an airbag is covered with a cover body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an airbag device provided in a boss (pad) of a steering wheel of an automobile has been used. This airbag device includes a base plate attached to the steering wheel body,
An inflator that injects gas, an airbag that inflates with the gas, and a cover body made of resin such as polyurethane or thermoplastic elastomer that covers the airbag are attached to the base plate. Then, the airbag is stored inside the cover body in a folded state, is inflated by the pressure of the gas injected from the inflator at the time of a collision of an automobile, and the cover body is cleaved, and is deployed in front of the driver. , Is designed to protect the driver from the impact of a collision.

The base plate is formed with a side wall portion having a substantially rectangular tube shape, and the cover body is integrally formed with a mounting piece portion having a substantially square tube shape which is fitted to the side wall portion. The base plate, which is formed with the airbag and the inflator, is covered with the cover body, and the mounting pieces are fitted to the side walls, and the rivets are formed in the through holes formed in advance in the side walls and the mounting pieces. Is inserted and crimped, and the cover body is fixed to the base plate.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional structure, complicated work such as aligning the through hole of the side wall portion with the corresponding through hole of the mounting piece and inserting and crimping the rivet is required, and automation is difficult. In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to improve productivity such as a long tact time.

[0005] In this respect, for example, actual development Sho 63-16025
The airbag device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4 or Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-184545 is known. In this airbag device, a pad pressing plate fixed to the lower surface or the upper surface of the base plate is used, and the end portion of the base plate and the end portion of the pad pressing plate are connected to the inner side surface and the lower end portion of the mounting piece of the cover body, respectively. The cover body is held by being engaged with and sandwiched by the horizontal concave groove formed in.

However, as described above, in the structure in which the end portions of the base plate and the pad pressing plate are respectively engaged with the horizontal concave grooves formed in the cover body, the cover body can be supported in the inflating direction of the airbag. There is a problem in that the horizontal position of the cover cannot be reliably regulated, and the work of assembling the airbag device becomes complicated. Further, in order to compensate for the decrease in strength due to the formation of the two concave grooves all around the mounting piece portion of the cover body, there is a problem that the material or the shape is limited and the design is limited. ing. In particular, since the airbag device is mounted on a steering wheel or the like which is a visible part inside the vehicle, it is necessary to have a preferable shape that is in harmony with the surrounding design while incorporating the airbag, but it is a design limitation. However, it has a problem that it is difficult to improve the appearance.

[0007]

As described above, in the structure in which the cover body is fixed to the base plate by using a large number of rivets, a complicated work for fixing the rivets is required, and it is difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost. Have a problem with. Further, in the configuration in which the end portion of the base plate or the pad pressing plate is engaged with the concave groove formed in the cover body, the horizontal position of the cover body cannot be reliably regulated, and the assembly work of the airbag device becomes complicated. In addition, it has a problem that it is susceptible to design restrictions.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device capable of easily and firmly fixing a cover body.

[0009]

An airbag device according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided with an airbag that is inflated and deployed by gas, a resin cover body that covers the airbag, and a receiving portion to which the cover body is attached. A support member, and the cover body is provided with a mounting piece portion that fits into a supporting piece portion provided on the supporting member, and a protrusion projecting from the mounting piece portion and locked to an end portion of the supporting piece portion. And an intersecting ridge protruding from the engaging protrusion in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the engaging protrusion and inserted into the receiving part. .

In this structure, the airbag is covered with the cover body, and when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the cover body is broken from a predetermined portion and the airbag projects. Then, the cover body is fitted with the support piece portion of the support member, and the locking projection is locked to the end portion of the support piece portion so as to be positioned and temporarily fixed, and the cover body is supported. Easy to attach to the member. Further, since the cover body is formed by inserting the intersecting ridge into the receiving portion, the position is properly regulated at the time of mounting and the deformation of the cover body is suppressed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an airbag device is inflated and expanded by gas, a resin cover body that covers the airbag and has a mounting piece portion, a support member to which the cover body is attached, and a presser foot. A member, the cover body is provided with a projection protruding from the attachment piece, and the locking projection is sandwiched between the end of the support member and the end of the pressing member, and the locking projection. An intersecting protrusion is formed so as to protrude in a direction intersecting with the protruding direction of the locking protrusion and to be inserted into a receiving portion provided in at least one of the support member and the pressing member.

In this structure, the airbag is covered by the cover body, and when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the cover body is broken from a predetermined portion and the airbag projects. Then, the locking protrusion of the cover body is held by sandwiching the attachment piece between the end portion of the support member and the end portion of the pressing member, and is easily attached to the support member. Further, since the cover body is formed by inserting the intersecting ridge into the receiving portion, the position is properly regulated at the time of mounting and the deformation of the cover body is suppressed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the airbag apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the intersecting ridge connects the mounting piece portion and the locking projection portion.

Further, in this structure, deformation of the locking projections is suppressed by the crossed projections, and the cover body is firmly attached to the support member.

An airbag device according to a fourth aspect is the airbag device according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which the protrusion of the crossing projection from the mounting piece is determined from the connecting portion with the locking projection. It is formed so as to gradually decrease.

In this structure, it is possible to prevent the intersecting ridges from projecting inward of the cover body to narrow the space for accommodating the airbag, and to prevent sink marks from being formed on the outer surface of the cover body. Deterioration of the appearance of the body is suppressed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the airbag device according to any of the first to fourth aspects, the intersecting ridge engages with the receiving portion.

In this structure, the cover body is accurately positioned and held.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the airbag device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a steering wheel of an automobile. The steering wheel 1 includes an annular rim portion (ring portion) 2 which is a grip steering portion, and a boss portion located inside the rim portion 2. The steering wheel main body 5 includes a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) spokes 4 connected to the rim portion 2 and the boss portion 3. A boss that is fitted to a steering shaft that protrudes from the vehicle body side (not shown) and a boss plate that is provided integrally with or separately from the boss are provided at the lower portion (vehicle body side) of the boss portion 3. The boss portion 3 of the steering wheel body 5 is provided via horn switch mechanisms provided on both sides of the boss plate.
An airbag device 11 is attached to the.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the airbag device 11 is provided with a metal base plate 21 as a support member, and the base plate 21 has an upper plate portion 22 having a substantially flat plate shape. A support piece portion 23 is formed so as to be bent downward from the peripheral portion of the upper plate portion 22. A circular hole-shaped inflator mounting hole 24 is formed at the center of the upper plate portion 22, and the inflator mounting hole is formed.
Located on the periphery of 24, 4 holes for bolts at equal intervals
25 are formed. Further, the support piece 23 has a substantially octagonal tubular shape. And, the support piece 23 located on both sides
Bracket portions 26 are respectively extended downward from the above, and the airbag device 11 is attached to the steering wheel body 5 by fixing the bracket portions 26 to the brackets of the steering wheel body 5 with bolts or the like. . In addition, the support piece portions 23 located in the front and rear are recessed inward in a substantially V-shape in a plane at predetermined intervals, and the outer surface of the support piece portion 23 has a depth inclined in a downward direction. A plurality of V-grooves 29 are formed as receiving portions whose size becomes large.

Further, 33 is an airbag, which is
Reference numeral 33 denotes a bag shape and is arranged on the upper surface of the upper plate portion 22 of the base plate 21 in a state of being folded small. As shown in FIG. 3, the airbag 33 has a circular opening.
34 is formed, and a plurality of bolt through holes (not shown) are formed around the opening 34. Further, an annular retainer 36 is inserted inside the airbag 33 through the opening 34, and the opening 34 of the airbag 33 is aligned with the inflator mounting hole 24 of the base plate 21. As shown in, the four mounting bolts (stud bolts) 37 fixed integrally to the retainer 36.
However, the air bag 33 and the bolt through hole 25 of the base plate 21 are inserted, and the lower plate side of the upper plate portion 22 of the base plate 21 is projected.

Reference numeral 41 denotes an inflator, which has a substantially columnar main body portion 42, and a plurality of gas injection ports 43 for injecting gas are formed on the peripheral surface of the upper portion of the main body portion 42. Has been done. Also, this inflator 41 has
A plate-shaped flange portion 45 is provided.
The bolt has through holes 46 formed at four positions. Further, a lead wire 47 is led out from the lower surface of the main body portion 42, and a connector 48 provided at an end portion of the lead wire 47 makes an electrical connection between the steering wheel side and the vehicle body side (not shown). It is connected to a cable reel device.

Further, 51 is a pressing plate as a pressing member, and this pressing plate 51 is formed by bending a metal plate or the like.
A flat plate-shaped fixing portion 52 and a substantially J-shaped hook portion 54 extending downward, bent outward, and further bent upward are formed. Further, the fixing portion 52 is formed with a pair of bolt through holes 55.

Further, 61 is a cover body, and this cover body 61
Is an upper plate portion 62 that injects a soft synthetic resin or the like to cover a part of the boss portion 3 and the spoke portion 4 of the steering wheel main body 5, and is protruded downward from the back surface of the upper plate portion 62. The mounting piece portion 64 is formed integrally with each other, and is formed in a substantially octagonal box shape having an opened lower surface.

The upper plate portion 62 serves as a center pad of the steering wheel 1, and is formed into a curved surface smoothly connected to the spoke portion 4 so as to form a harmonized design of the steering wheel 1. There is. Further, the back surface of the upper plate 62 is recessed in a substantially H-shaped plane, and a tear line 65 that can be broken is formed.

The mounting piece 64 has a substantially octagonal tubular shape, and locking projections 66 integrally project from the lower ends of the front and rear mounting pieces 64 toward the inside. Further, the locking protrusion 66 has a substantially prismatic shape whose longitudinal direction is on both sides of the cover body 61, and the lower surface thereof has an engaging groove along the longitudinal direction.
67 are formed. Further, cross protrusions 68 are integrally formed at predetermined intervals on the upper surface of each locking protrusion 66. The intersecting ridge 68 has a vertical plate shape that is triangular in a side view, that is, the edge of the intersecting ridge 68 is
The locking projection 66 is formed in an inclined shape in which the dimension of projection from the mounting piece portion 64 decreases from the upper surface toward the upper side.

When assembling the airbag device 11, first, the base plate 21 on which the folded airbag 33 is placed is provided with the engaging projections 66 facing each other so as to cover the airbag 33 from the upper side. While elastically deforming the mounting piece 64 so as to expand in the direction of separating from each other,
Cover 61 is covered. Then, the mounting piece 64 of the cover body 61 is fitted to the outside of the supporting piece 23 of the base plate 21 in a state where the mounting piece 64 is restored and deformed, and the upper surface of the locking projection 66 is the supporting piece 23. The lower end is abutted to be positioned in the vertical direction, and further, each of the intersecting ridges 68 is inserted into and engaged with the V groove 29 to be positioned in the horizontal direction (circumferential direction). That is, in this state, due to the return deformation of the mounting piece portion 64, the locking projection 66 projecting (overhanging) inside the mounting piece portion 64 abuts and locks the lower end portion of the support piece portion 23, 61 is positioned on the base plate 21 and temporarily fixed.

Then, while the mounting bolts 37 are inserted from the lower side of the base plate 21 into the respective bolt through holes 46, the airbag is passed through the inflator mounting hole 24 and the opening 34.
The main body portion 42 of the inflator 41 is pushed into the inside of the 33, and the flange portion 45 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the base plate 21.

Further, the fixing portions 52 of the pair of front and rear pressing plates 51 are brought into contact with the lower surface of the flange portion 45 of the inflator 41 while inserting the mounting bolts 37 from the lower side of the base plate 21 into the respective bolt through holes 55. At the same time, the tip end portion of the hook portion 54 is inserted and engaged with the engagement groove 67 of the locking protrusion 66 of the cover body 61.

Then, in this state, the nut 70 is screwed and fastened to the lower end portion of the mounting bolt 37, so that the airbag 33, the base plate 21, the inflator 41, and the holding plate are provided between the retainer 36 and the nut 70. 51 is tightened together and fixed by connection. Further, in this state, the locking projection 66 of the cover body 61 is sandwiched between the tip of the support piece portion 23 of the base plate 21 and the tip of the hook portion 54 of the pressing plate 51, and the cover body 61 is fixed to the base plate. It is firmly fixed to 21.

Then, in this state, the airbag device 11
The completed airbag device 11 is fixed to the steering wheel body 5 using bolts and the like, and is electrically connected to the electric components on the vehicle body side using the lead wires 47.

In addition, when a vehicle collides, a signal from a collision diagnosis unit (not shown) is used to output an inflator.
When the igniter 41 is activated and the filled propellant reacts, nitrogen gas or the like is rapidly injected into the inside of the airbag 33 from the gas injection port 43 formed on the peripheral surface, and the folded airbag is formed. 33 expands rapidly. Then, due to the inflation pressure of the airbag 33, the upper plate portion 62 of the cover body 61.
Split along the tear line 65, a pair of front and rear door pieces are formed, and further, these door pieces rotate forward and backward to form a projecting opening of the airbag 33. From this projecting opening, the occupant's front side is formed. The airbag 33 is designed to be inflated.

Then, the airbag device 11 of the present embodiment
According to the cover body 61, the cover piece 61 is simply put on the base plate 21, and the mounting piece portion 64 is fitted to the support piece portion 23, and the locking projection 66 is locked to the end portion of the support piece portion 23. Positioning and temporary fixing can be performed when the cover body 61 is assembled to the base plate 21, and the assembly process can be simplified.

Further, by engaging the hook portion 54 of the pressing plate 51 with the engaging groove 67 of the cover body 61, the locking projection 66 of the cover body 61 which is temporarily fixed is formed on the pressing plate 51 and the base plate 21. Since it is possible to prevent the locking projection 66 from being deformed in the direction away from the support piece 23 (expansion direction), the cover body 61 can be firmly fixed and the mounting reliability is improved. can do.

In this way, the cover body 61 can be positioned and temporarily fixed to the base plate 21 only by fitting without using a rivet or the like, and can be attached to the holding plate 51.
Also, existing mounting bolts for fixing the inflator 41 etc.
Since it can be fixed by the 37 and the nut 70 and there is no need to use a new fastening member, the number of parts and the number of assembly steps can be reduced, the mounting work can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, a locking projection protruding from the cover body 61
Since 66 is connected to the mounting piece portion 64 by the crossed ridges 68 and is reinforced, it is possible to suppress deformation and breaking stress from concentrating on the connecting portion between the locking projection portion 66 and the mounting piece portion 64, and thus the airbag. 33
Even at the time of unfolding, the cover body 61 can be firmly attached to the base plate 21.

The intersecting ridge 68 is formed inside the cover body 61, and the upper plate portion 62 of the cover body 61 is formed.
Not connected to, and the projection size from the mounting piece 64 is
Since the edge portion is formed so as to be gradually reduced from the connecting portion with 66 and the edge portion is inclined, the intersecting ridge 68 projects toward the inside of the cover body 61 to narrow the storage space of the airbag 33, or the mounting space for the steering wheel body 5. And interference with other parts attached to the boss portion 3 can be suppressed, and sink marks and the like can be prevented from being generated on the outer surface of the upper plate portion 62 of the cover body 61 to prevent deterioration of the outer appearance of the cover body 61. can do.

Further, the intersecting ridges 68 are the base plates.
Since it is inserted and engaged in the V groove 29 formed in the support piece portion 23 of 21, the horizontal position can be accurately regulated and held when the cover body 61 is attached, and the assembling work is facilitated. The manufacturing cost can be reduced, deformation of the cover body 61 after assembly can be suppressed, and the cover body 61 can be firmly supported.

Further, by bending the support piece portion 23 of the base plate 21 at a predetermined interval to form the V groove 29, the support piece portion 23 can be given a corrugated shape, and the strength of the base plate 21 can be increased.

In the above embodiment, the support piece 23 of the base plate 21 is bent at a predetermined interval to form the V groove 29. However, for example, as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to form the notch 81 as the receiving portion by notching the supporting piece portion 23 at a predetermined interval. With this configuration, in addition to the above-described effects, the manufacturing cost of the base plate 21 can be reduced, and the protrusion size of the airbag 33 into the storage space can be reduced.

In each of the above embodiments, the cover body
A cross protrusion 68 is formed on the upper side of the locking protrusion 66 of 61, and the cross protrusion 68 is formed on the support piece 23 of the base plate 21.
Although engaged in the groove 29, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, stepped portions 83 are formed on the outer side of the lower surface of the locking projections 66, and plate-shaped intersecting protrusions perpendicular to the stepped portions 83 are formed at predetermined intervals. Forming the article 84,
A hook portion 86 that is bent in a step-like shape and that engages with the step portion 83 is formed on the pressing plate 51, and this hook portion 86 is bent to form V grooves 87 that engage with the intersecting ridges 84 at predetermined intervals. You can also do it. Also in this configuration, as in each of the above-described embodiments, the engagement between the intersecting ridge 84 and the V-shaped groove 87 suppresses the horizontal displacement (circumferential direction) of the cover body 61 and the deformation thereof. The cover body 61 and the presser plate 51
Positioning can be facilitated when assembling and, and the cover body 61 and the pressing plate 51 can be firmly assembled.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a cross projection 68 is formed on the upper side of the locking projection 66 of the cover body 61, and the cross projection 68 is formed on the support piece 23 of the base plate 21. It is also possible to form the V-shaped groove 87 that engages with the V-shaped groove 29, which engages with the V-shaped groove 29, which is formed on the lower surface of the locking projection 66, and which is engaged with the V-shaped groove 84, on the pressing plate 51. In addition, in this configuration, the cover body 61 can be more reliably prevented from shifting or deforming in the horizontal direction (circumferential direction).

In each of the above embodiments, the intersecting ridges
The 68 is adapted to engage with the V groove 29 so as to fit with each other, but the intersecting ridge 68 and the V groove 29 may be loosely fitted so as to form a gap in a predetermined range.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, a rivet for fixing the base plate 21 and the cover body 61 can be used together.

Further, the airbag device can be applied not only to the steering wheel 1 but also to passenger seat passengers.

[0047]

According to the airbag device of the first aspect of the present invention, in the cover body, the mounting piece is fitted to the support piece of the support member, and the locking projection is engaged with the end of the support piece. Stop,
The cover body can be easily attached to the support member by being positioned and temporarily fixed. Therefore, manufacturing costs can be reduced by eliminating or eliminating rivets and the like for fixing the cover body to the support member. Further, since the cover body is formed by inserting the intersecting ridge into the receiving portion, the position can be properly regulated at the time of attachment, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, the deformation of the cover body can be suppressed, and the cover body can be firmly supported.

According to the airbag device of claim 2,
The locking protrusion of the cover body is held by sandwiching the attachment piece between the end portion of the support member and the end portion of the pressing member, and can be easily attached to the support member. Therefore, manufacturing costs can be reduced by eliminating or eliminating rivets and the like for fixing the cover body to the support member. Also, the cover body is
Since the intersecting ridges are inserted into the receiving portion, the position can be correctly regulated at the time of attachment, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, the deformation of the cover body can be suppressed, and the cover body can be firmly supported.

According to the airbag device of claim 3,
In addition to the effect of claim 1 or 2, due to the intersecting ridge,
Since the attachment piece and the locking projection are connected, deformation of the locking projection can be suppressed and the cover body can be firmly attached to the support member.

According to the airbag device of claim 4,
In addition to the effect according to any one of claims 1 to 3, since the projecting dimension of the crossing ridge from the mounting piece is gradually reduced from the connecting portion with the locking projection, the crossing ridge of the cover body is formed. It is possible to suppress the inward protruding of the cover body from being narrowed and also to suppress the occurrence of sink marks on the outer surface of the cover body, thereby suppressing deterioration of the appearance of the cover body.

According to the airbag device of claim 5,
In addition to the effect according to any one of claims 1 to 4, since the intersecting ridge engages with the receiving portion, the cover body can be accurately positioned and held.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of an airbag device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a steering wheel including the same airbag device.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the same airbag device.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the same airbag device with a part cut away.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing another embodiment of the airbag device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the airbag device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the airbag device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Airbag device 21 Base plate as a support member 23 Support piece portion 29 V groove as a receiving portion 33 Airbag 51 Holding plate as a holding member 61 Cover body 64 Mounting piece portion 66 Locking protrusion 68 Crossing protrusion 81 Receiving portion Notch as

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An airbag which is inflated and deployed by gas,
A cover member made of resin for covering the airbag and a support member to which the cover member is attached and which is provided with a receiving portion are provided, and the cover member has an attachment piece fitted to a support piece portion provided on the support member. A portion, a locking projection protruding from the mounting piece and locked to an end of the support piece, and a direction extending from the locking projection to a direction in which the locking projection extends. An airbag device, characterized in that it is provided with a projecting projection and a crossing projection that is inserted into the receiving portion. 2. An airbag which is inflated and deployed by gas,
A cover member made of resin provided with a mounting piece portion for covering the airbag, and a support member and a pressing member to which the cover body is attached, the cover body protruding from the mounting piece portion, A locking projection that is sandwiched between the end of the member and the end of the pressing member, and a projection that extends from the locking projection in a direction that intersects with the projection direction of the locking projection. An airbag device, characterized in that a crossing projection to be inserted into a receiving portion provided on at least one of the pressing members is formed. 3. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the intersecting ridge connects the attachment piece and the locking projection. 4. The air according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the intersecting ridge is formed so that a projecting dimension from the mounting piece gradually decreases from a connecting portion with the locking protrusion. Bag device. 5. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the intersecting ridge engages with the receiving portion.