JP2004058965A - Open structure for air bag door - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize smooth opening of an air bag door. <P>SOLUTION: A hinge adjacent part of a breaking scheduled part extending along a hinge end 15 of the air bag door 14 is extended to a position deviated to the outside from the hinge 42 by a predetermined amount and the hinge end 15 is outwardly extended from the hinge 42. A space 50 opened toward the hinge end 15 of the air bag door 14 is defined at an opening end of a fixed bracket surrounding the air bag door 14 to a cylindrical shape. When the air bag door 14 and a door support member 44 are opened to a front side of a base material 12 making the hinge as an opening center, since the hinge end 15 is displaced to a back side of the base material 12 to retreat into the space 50, the interference of the hinge end 15 and the base material 12 is avoided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an opening structure of an airbag door, and more particularly, to an opening structure when an airbag door provided on a base material of a vehicle interior member is opened when an airbag device is operated.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Most passenger cars are equipped with a driver airbag device and a passenger airbag device as standard equipment for the purpose of protecting occupants in the event of a collision or the like. Among them, the passenger seat airbag device is mounted in a state of being housed inside an instrument panel 10 as a vehicle interior member mounted in front of a passenger compartment, as shown in FIG. 7, for example. For this reason, the airbag door 14 that opens to the passenger compartment when receiving the pressing force of the airbag 64 that has started inflating by the operation of the airbag device 60 is provided on the base material 12 that constitutes the instrument panel 10. The airbag opening 14 is provided at a portion corresponding to the inflator 62 of the airbag device 60, and as a result of opening the airbag door 14, the airbag insertion opening 16 is defined in the base material 12.
[0003]
The airbag door 14 is (1) formed separately from the base material 12 and assembled to the base material 12 in a later step. (2) The airbag door 14 is formed integrally with the base material 12 and is always provided with the base material 12. It is roughly classified into a form configured as a part of the material 12, and the like. FIG. 7 exemplifies the airbag door 14 of the form (2), in which a breakable portion 18 is formed along an outer edge line of the airbag door 14, and the airbag device 60 is operated. When the pressing force of the airbag 64 is applied to the airbag door 14, the breakable portion 18 breaks, so that the airbag door 14 is separated from the base material 12 and opened. In FIG. 7, the breakable portion 18 is extended in a so-called “Japanese character shape” and includes a central breakable portion 18 </ b> A and an outer edge breakable portion 18 </ b> B. Although a double opening type is illustrated as an example, a single opening type including one door and a four side opening type including four doors are also available.
[0004]
By the way, the pressing force of the airbag 64 which expands when the airbag device 60 is activated is very strong, and the airbag door 14 (the base material 12) which receives the pressing force of the airbag 64 has a very strong pressing force. As a result, a large impact force is applied, and in some cases, the airbag door 14 and / or the door peripheral portion (backside peripheral portion) 20 adjacent thereto may be damaged. Therefore, on the back side of the airbag door 14 and the back side of the door peripheral portion 20, one side of the airbag device 60 is provided for the purpose of preventing breakage and scattering of the airbag door 14 and the door peripheral portion 20. The other end of the insert member 30 to which the end is connected is connected.
[0005]
The insert member 30 is made of, for example, metal and has one end connected to the inflator 62 of the airbag device 60 and the other end behind the door peripheral portion 20, as illustrated in FIG. It comprises a rectangular cylindrical fixed bracket (fixed support member) 32 to be connected, and movable brackets 34, 34 provided inside the fixed bracket 32 and connected to the back side of the respective airbag doors 14, 14. (In the case of double door type). The fixing bracket 32 includes a cylindrical portion 36 connected to the inflator 62, and a support frame portion 38 integrally formed at an end of the cylindrical portion 36 and connected to the back side of the door peripheral portion 20. ing. On the other hand, each of the movable brackets 34, 34 is joined to a plate-shaped fixing member 40 welded or screwed to the cylindrical body 36 of the fixed bracket 32, and an end is joined to a hinge 42 connected to the fixing member 40. And the door support member 44 connected to the back surface of the corresponding airbag doors 14, 14. Note that the hinge 42 is always in an arc-shaped dimensional allowance state (when the airbag device 60 is not operated), and can be extended and deformed into a linear state with the opening of the airbag door 14.
[0006]
The support frame portion 38 of the fixed bracket 32 and the door support member 44 of each of the movable brackets 34, 34 constituting such an insert member 30 are formed by a known technique with respect to the door peripheral portion 20 and the airbag doors 14, 14. They are connected using a certain thermal caulking technique. That is, while the first engaging projection 22 protruding from the rear side of the door peripheral portion 20 is inserted into the first engaging hole 46 provided in the support frame portion 38, heat caulking is performed to connect the fixing bracket 32. The movable bracket 34 is connected by heat caulking with the second engaging projection 24 projecting from the back side of the airbag door 14 being inserted through the second engaging hole 48 provided in the door support member 44. Has become. Although not shown, the insert member 30 made of a synthetic resin is connected using a vibration welding technique or the like on the assumption that the insert member 30 has compatibility with the base material 12.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the conventional airbag door opening structure, as shown in FIG. 8A, the extension position of the outer edge scheduled breaking portion 18 </ b> B in the scheduled breaking portion 18 and the opening of the cylindrical body portion 36 in the fixed bracket 32. The end and the position where the hinge 42 is formed on the movable bracket 34 are made to substantially match. However, in such an open structure of the airbag door, the opening edge 17 of the airbag insertion port 16 formed by the breakage of the breakable portion 18 (outer edge breakage planned portion 18B) is formed by the cylindrical portion of the fixed bracket 32. The opening end of the airbag 64 faces the deployment area of the airbag 64. For this reason, the airbag 64 in the course of inflation easily comes into contact with the opening edge 17 (FIG. 8B), and when it comes into contact, the airbag 64 may be torn or the inflation may be delayed. However, there is a possibility that the occupant protection function of the airbag 64 may not be properly exerted.
[0008]
Therefore, in order to avoid the above-mentioned inconvenience, as shown in FIG. 9A, the outer edge of the scheduled breakage portion 18B extends along the hinge end 15 of the airbag door 14 at the scheduled breakage portion 18B of the airbag door 14. A portion (hereinafter referred to as a “hinge adjacent portion”) 18 </ b> C is extended from the hinge 42 to a position deviated outward by a required amount from the hinge 42, and is rearward by a required amount from the opening end of the cylindrical body portion 36 in the fixing bracket 32. It has been proposed to bias (outward). When the extension position of the breakable portion 18 is set in this manner, the opening edge 17 of the airbag insertion port 16 retreats from the opening end of the cylindrical body 36 of the fixing bracket 32 and moves from the deployment region of the airbag 64. Since the airbag 64 is retracted, the occupant protection function is prevented from being hindered by the airbag 64 coming into contact with the opening edge 17. However, in such an open structure of the airbag door, the hinge end 15 of the airbag door 14 extends outward (rearward) from the hinge 42 by the amount of deviation of the breakable portion 18. . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the airbag door 14 opens to the front side of the base 12 around the hinge 42, the hinge end 15 is displaced toward the base 12 or the fixed bracket 32. As a result, the opening of the airbag door 14 is restricted, which may hinder the smooth inflation of the airbag 64.
[0009]
In addition, when the hinge end 15 interferes with the base member 12 or the fixed bracket 32 in the opening-restricted state and the pressing force of the airbag 64 is further applied to the airbag door 14, the thermally caulked second member Excessive stress may be applied to the landing piece 24 to break it, and the airbag door 14 may be dissociated from the door support member 44 and scattered to the occupant seat side.
[0010]
[Object of the invention]
The present invention has been proposed in order to preferably solve the above-described problem. By preventing the hinge end of the airbag door from interfering with the base material during opening, the airbag door can be smoothly opened. An object of the present invention is to provide an airbag door opening structure configured to be realized.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the intended object, the present invention provides an airbag door provided on a base material of a vehicle interior member and always configured as a part of the base material, A portion to be broken which is extended along an outer edge line of the airbag device and which breaks when the airbag device is operated to allow the door to open, one end is connected to the airbag device, and the other end is connected to the airbag device. A cylindrical fixed support member connected to a peripheral portion on the back side of the airbag door; and a door support member connected to the back side of the airbag door, end-joined to a hinge connected to the inside of the fixed support member. In the opening structure of the airbag door consisting of
A hinge-adjacent portion of the portion to be broken, which extends along a hinge end of the airbag door, is extended to a position offset from the hinge by a required amount so that the hinge end is outward from the hinge. Let it extend,
At the open end of the fixed support member that surrounds the airbag door in a cylindrical shape, a space that opens toward the hinge end of the airbag door is defined,
When the airbag device is operated, the breakable portion is broken, and when the airbag door and the door support member are opened to the front side of the base material with the hinge as an open center, the hinge end is formed of the base material. By displacing to the rear side and retracting into the space, interference between these hinge ends and the base material can be avoided.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, an open structure of an airbag door according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings by taking a preferred embodiment. The same members and portions as those already described in the section of the prior art described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9 are designated by the same reference numerals.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view illustrating an open structure of an airbag door according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the insert member shown in FIG. The opening structure of the embodiment includes an airbag door 14 provided on a base material 12 constituting the instrument panel 10, a scheduled break portion 18 extending along an outer edge line of the airbag door 14, A fixed bracket (fixed support member) 32 connected to the rear peripheral portion (door peripheral portion) 20 of the door 14 and a door support member 44 end-joined to a hinge 42 connected to the inside of the fixed bracket 32. It is carried out on the premise of having the configuration. The door support member 44, which is a part of the fixed bracket 32 and the movable bracket 34, is unitized in advance as a single insert member 30, and then is provided on the back side of the base material 12 (the back side of the airbag door 14). Be linked.
[0014]
The substrate 12 is an integral resin molded member molded based on, for example, an injection molding technique. The airbag door 14 is formed simultaneously as a part of the substrate 12 when the substrate 12 is molded. Then, in a post-process after the base material is formed, the breakable portion 18 is formed along the outer edge line of the airbag door 14, thereby distinguishing the airbag door 14 from the door peripheral portion 20. The breakable portion 18 is a thin portion obtained by forming a groove along the outer edge line of the airbag door 14 on the back side of the base 12 using, for example, a laser processing machine or the like. Therefore, since the groove is not visible at all from the front side of the base material 12, the existence of the breakable portion 18 and the airbag door 14 is not recognized.
[0015]
In the embodiment, the airbag door 14 is a double-opening type including two horizontally-long rectangular airbag doors 14, and the breakable portion 18 provided on the base material 12 is provided with the airbag doors 14 as described above. Along the outer edge line of 14, 14, it is extended in a "substantially Japanese character shape". That is, the planned breakable portion 18 has a central breakable planned portion 18A extending in an “I shape” along a boundary line between the two airbag doors 14 and 14 and a “b” along the outer edge line of the airbag doors 14 and 14. And the outer edge break scheduled portion 18B extending in a “character shape”. The breaking strength of the outer edge break scheduled portion 18B is set to be slightly larger than the break strength of the center break scheduled portion 18A, and when the pressing force of the airbag 64 is applied to each of the airbag doors 14,14. First, the central rupture scheduled portion 18A is broken to separate the doors 14, 14, and then the outer edge rupture scheduled portion 18B is sequentially broken to separate the airbag doors 14, 14 from the base material 12. Can be
[0016]
The fixing bracket 32 constituting the insert member 30 is made of metal formed from, for example, a steel plate or the like, and is formed integrally with a cylindrical body 36 connected to the inflator 62 and an end of the cylindrical body 36 to form a door. And a support frame portion 38 connected to the back side of the peripheral portion 20. On the other hand, each of the movable brackets 34, 34 constituting the insert member 30 is connected to the plate-shaped fixing member 40 which is welded or screwed to the cylindrical portion 36 of the fixing bracket 32, and to the fixing member 40. The door support member 44 is connected to the rear surface of the corresponding airbag doors 14 and 14 at the end portions of the four hinges 42 in total. The hinge 42 is always in an arcuate dimension when the airbag device 60 is not operated (when the airbag device 60 is not operated), and can be extended and deformed to a linear state when the airbag door 14 is opened.
[0017]
The airbag door opening structure according to the embodiment is configured so that the airbag door 14 can be smoothly opened by further adding the following components.
[0018]
First, at the scheduled outer edge breakage portion 18B of the scheduled breakage portion 18, the hinge adjacent portion 18C extending along the hinge end 15 of the airbag door 14 is moved outward from the hinge 42 by a required offset amount S. (Rearward). As a result, the hinge end 15 of the airbag door 14 separated from the base material 12 by the breakage of the breakable portion 18 (18A, 18B, 18C) is separated from the hinge 42 by an amount corresponding to the deviation S. Extends backwards. The amount of deviation S is suitably about 2 to 15 mm, so that the extension of the hinge end 15 is also about 2 to 15 mm.
[0019]
On the other hand, in the fixed bracket 32, a space 50 opening toward the hinge end 15 of each of the airbag doors 14, 14 is provided at an open end of a cylindrical body 36 that surrounds the airbag doors 14, 14 in a cylindrical shape. , 50 are defined. That is, the cylindrical portion 36 of the fixed bracket 32 is connected to the inflator 62 of the airbag device 60 and the first cylindrical portion 36A to which the movable brackets 34, 34 are connected, and the first cylindrical portion 36A. 36A, and a second cylindrical body 36B having a width dimension in the opening direction of the airbag door 14 larger than the first cylindrical body 36A. The spaces 50, 50 are defined in the portion 36B. In the embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the space 50 is exemplified as a substantially right-angled shape. However, the cross-sectional shape of the space 50 is formed into, for example, an R shape on the assumption that the space 50 does not interfere with the hinge end 15. Is also good.
[0020]
Next, the operation of the airbag door opening structure according to the embodiment configured as described above will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. Note that the airbag door 14 located on the right side (passenger seat side) and the airbag door 14 located on the left side (front glass side) in FIG. Only the airbag door 14 located at the position shown in FIG.
[0021]
First, when the airbag device 60 is operated by detecting an impact such as a collision, and the airbag 64 starts to inflate, the airbag 64 comes into contact with the door support member 44 of each of the movable brackets 34, 34. As a result, the door support member 44 is pushed up. Accordingly, the pressing force of the airbag 64 is applied to the back side of the corresponding airbag door 14 via the door support member 44, and the stress gradually concentrates on the portion 18 to be broken. As described above, since the breaking strength of the central portion 18A is set to be smaller than that of the outer edge portion 18B, the central portion 18A first breaks (FIG. 3).
[0022]
When the rupture of the central rupture scheduled portion 18A is completed, the rupture proceeds to the outer edge rupture scheduled portion 18B as the inflation of the airbag 64 proceeds. Finally, when the breakage of the hinge adjacent portion 18C at the outer edge break scheduled portion 18B is completed, the door support member 44 and the airbag door 14 which have received the pressing force of the airbag 64 are moved around the hinge 42 as an open center. It opens to the front side of the base material 12 (FIG. 4).
[0023]
At this time, the hinge end 15 extending rearward from the hinge 42 is displaced to the reverse side of the base material 12 and retreats into the space 50. That is, as the airbag door 14 is opened, the hinge end 15 sinks toward the back side of the base 12, so that interference between the edge of the hinge end 15 and the base 12 is preferably avoided. . In addition, since the space 50 is defined, contact between the hinge end 15 and the fixed bracket 32 is also avoided.
[0024]
When the hinge end 15 sinks toward the back side of the base material 12, the airbag door 14, which has received the pressing force of the airbag 64, is further displaced without any restriction on the opening, and is more than 90 degrees (for example, 120 degrees). (Approximately degrees), and comes into contact with the opening edge 17 formed by the breakage of the outer edge break scheduled portion 18B (the hinge adjacent portion 18C) at an appropriate time when opened to the opening angle of about (degrees) (FIG. 5). Accordingly, the airbag door 14, which is urged to be displaced in the opening direction by receiving the pressing force of the airbag 64, further opens the contact portion with the opening edge 17 as a new hinge point.
[0025]
Then, the airbag door 14 is opened and displaced around the hinge point until the hinge 42 is extended and deformed in a straight line, and when the hinge 42 is completely extended, the opening is regulated and stops (FIG. 6). ).
[0026]
As described above, in the airbag door opening structure according to the embodiment, the hinge end 15 of the airbag door 14 extends rearward from the hinge 42, and the space 50 opened to the hinge end 15 is attached to the fixing bracket 32. With the definition, the hinge end 15 is displaced toward the back side of the base material 12 as the air bag door 14 receiving the pressing force of the airbag 64 opens to the front side of the base material 12. Thus, the interference between the hinge end 15 and the base material 12 can be suitably avoided, and the smooth opening of the airbag door 14 can be realized. As a result, no excessive stress is applied to the second engaging projections 24 connecting the airbag door 14 and the door support member 44, so that the airbag door 14 is dissociated from the door support member 44 and the occupant's seat. Inconveniences such as scattering to the side can be prevented from occurring.
[0027]
By appropriately setting the length of the hinge 42, the collision of the airbag door 14 with the front side of the door peripheral portion 20 is avoided. That is, if the hinge 42 is set to be completely extended immediately before the airbag door 14 collides with the door peripheral portion 20, damage caused by the airbag door 14 colliding with the door peripheral portion 20 can be prevented. Can be prevented.
[0028]
On the other hand, as is clear from FIG. 6, the opening edge 17 formed in the base material 12 due to the breakage of the hinge adjacent portion 18C in the outer edge break expected portion 18B starts to inflate by the operation of the airbag device 60. The air bag 64 is retracted from the deployment area of the bag 64, thereby preventing the air bag 64 from contacting the opening edge 17. Therefore, the inconvenience that the inflated airbag 64 is torn by contact with the opening edge 17 is avoided, and the occupant protection function of the airbag 64 is not hindered.
[0029]
The opening structure of the airbag door of the present application is not limited to the airbag door 14 provided in the instrument panel 10 illustrated in the above-described embodiment, but an airbag door for a side airbag provided in a door trim, a pillar garnish. And airbag doors for curtain airbags provided on roof side panels.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the airbag door opening structure of the present invention, the hinge end of the airbag door is extended rearward from the hinge, and the space opened to the hinge end is defined in the fixed bracket. As a result, the hinge end is displaced toward the back side of the base material as the airbag door receiving the pressing force of the airbag is opened to the front side of the base material, so that the hinge end and the base end are displaced. There is an advantage that the airbag door can be smoothly opened by suitably avoiding interference with the material. This has a beneficial effect such as preventing the inconvenience of the airbag door from being dissociated from the door support member and flying toward the occupant's seat, for example.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an open structure of an airbag door according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an insert member that includes a fixed bracket and a movable bracket, and defines a space in the fixed bracket.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a state in which a pressing force of the airbag, which has started to be inflated by the operation of the airbag device, is applied to the airbag door, and a break starts to occur at a central break-scheduled portion.
FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which the airbag door and the door support member are opened to the front side of the base material with the hinge as the opening center after the breakage at the center break scheduled portion and the outer edge break scheduled portion is sequentially completed, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a state in which a hinge end is displaced in a back side direction of a base material and retracts into a space.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a state where the airbag door is further opened under the condition that interference between the hinge end and the base material is avoided and the airbag door contacts the opening edge of the base material. is there.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a state in which the opening of the airbag door is completed by extending and deforming the hinge in a linear state.
FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the instrument panel, which is broken at a portion where an airbag door is provided.
8A and 8B are explanatory cross-sectional views illustrating a conventional open structure of an airbag door, wherein FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an extended position of a portion to be broken, an open end of a cylindrical body in a fixed bracket, and a movable bracket. (B) shows that when the airbag door is opened under the setting as shown in (a), the airbag being inflated opens the base material. This indicates that an inconvenience of contact with the edge occurs.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are explanatory cross-sectional views illustrating an open structure of an airbag door proposed to avoid the inconvenience shown in FIG. 8B, and FIG. (B) deviates from the opening end of the cylindrical body portion of the fixed bracket by a required amount, and (b) extends rearward from the hinge when the airbag door is opened under the setting as shown in (a). This indicates that the hinge end of the protruded airbag door interferes with the base material or the fixing bracket, and the inconvenience of restricting the opening of the airbag door occurs.
[Explanation of symbols]
12 Base material 14 Airbag door 15 Hinge end 17 Opening edge 18 Expected break 18C Hinge adjacent portion 32 Fixed bracket (fixed support member)
36A First cylinder portion 36B Second cylinder portion 42 Hinge 44 Door support member 50 Space 60 Airbag device 64 Airbag

Claims (3)

An airbag door (14) provided on a base material (12) of a vehicle interior member and always configured as a part of the base material (12), and extends along an outer edge line of the airbag door (14). And a breakable portion (18) that breaks when the airbag device (60) is operated to allow the door (14) to open, and one end is connected to the airbag device (60), and the other end is connected to the airbag device (60). Is fixed to a cylindrical fixed support member (32) connected to a peripheral portion on the rear side of the airbag door (14), and a hinge (42) connected to the inside of the fixed support member (32). A door support member (44) connected to the rear side of the airbag door (14), the airbag door being partially joined,
The hinge adjacent portion (18C) of the to-be-broken portion (18) extending along the hinge end (15) of the airbag door (14) is displaced outward by a required amount from the hinge (42). So that the hinge end (15) extends outward from the hinge (42),
A space (50) opening toward the hinge end (15) of the airbag door (14) is defined at the open end of the fixed support member (32) that cylindrically surrounds the airbag door (14). And
Due to the operation of the airbag device (60), the portion to be broken (18, 18C) is broken, and the airbag door (14) and the door support member (44) are pivoted about the hinge (42) as the open center. Upon opening to the front side of the material (12), the hinge end (15) is displaced to the back side of the base material (12) and retracts into the space (50), whereby the hinge end (15) is opened. An airbag door opening structure characterized in that interference between the airbag door and the base material (12) can be avoided. The fixed support member (32) is connected to the airbag device (60) and is connected to the door support member (44). The first cylindrical body (36A) includes a first cylindrical body (36A). ), And a second cylindrical portion (36B) having a width dimension in the opening direction of the airbag door (14) larger than the first cylindrical portion (36A). The airbag door opening structure according to claim 1, wherein the space (50) is defined in the second cylindrical body (36B). The opening edge (17) formed in the base material (12) by the breakage of the breakable portion (18) is a deployment area of the airbag (64) that has started inflating by the operation of the airbag device (60). The airbag door opening structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the airbag (64) is retracted from the opening, thereby preventing the airbag (64) from contacting the opening edge (17).

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