JP2002059800A - Airbag support structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an airbag support structure capable of stabilizing the deployment mode of an airbag and preventing noises during travel. SOLUTION: The casing 54 of the airbag 5 is supported by an upper bracket 6 supporting an air-conditioner unit 100, and a deployment supporting portion 4 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 101 of the unit 100. A microclearance h (about 2 to 5 mm) is provided between the casing 54 and the supporting portion 4 and the casing 54 is elastically supported by thin-walled ribs 42.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a support structure of an airbag provided on an instrument panel to reduce a shock to a passenger in a passenger seat at the time of deployment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, as a support structure of an airbag for an assist airbag, a structure in which an airbag is supported by a steering member has been known. The steering member is a high-rigidity member made of, for example, a metal pipe or the like, which is horizontally mounted in the instrument panel to support the steering shaft with high rigidity. However, a structure in which such a high-rigidity member is laid horizontally over the entire width of the vehicle has a problem that weight and cost are increased.

[0003] Therefore, there has been proposed a structure in which the steering member is not provided as described above. In this structure, the airbag cannot be supported by the steering member. For this reason, a technique has been proposed in which the casing of the airbag device is supported by a bracket that supports the air conditioning unit. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing such a conventional technique. In the figure, the air conditioning unit 300 includes a support bracket 16.
0, it is fixed to a dash panel 200 by a flange 161 erected at the front end. The airbag 150 has a leg 151 fixed to an arm 162 provided at the rear end of a support bracket 160 that supports the air conditioning unit 300 in a cantilevered state.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, since the airbag 150 is cantilevered, when the airbag 150 is actuated, that is, the airbag 150 is deployed by explosion. In this case, the reaction force of the explosion is input to the leg 151 and the support bracket 160 below the front of the vehicle, and in the subsequent deployment of the airbag 150, the reaction force of the expansion is input so as to be pulled upward and rearward of the vehicle. The portion 151 and the support bracket 160 are deformed. Therefore, there is a problem that the deployment state of the airbag 150 (this is referred to as a deployment mode) may become unstable.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides an airbag support structure which can stabilize an airbag deployment mode and does not generate noise during traveling. It is intended to be.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an airbag, wherein a casing of the airbag is supported by a support bracket for supporting the air-conditioning unit. An unfolding support portion is provided which serves as a support surface of the casing when unfolded, and the unfolding support portion is disposed with a very small gap between the unfolded support portion and the lower surface of the casing.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the casing of the airbag is supported by a support bracket that supports the air conditioning unit, the upper surface of the housing of the air conditioning unit becomes a support surface of the casing when the airbag is deployed. A support portion is provided, and an elastic member that elastically supports the casing when the airbag is not deployed is provided between the support portion during deployment and the casing. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the airbag supporting structure according to the second aspect, the elastic member is configured by a thin rib integrally formed with the support portion at the time of deployment. The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claims 1 to 3
In the airbag support structure according to the above, the support portion at the time of deployment is formed integrally with the housing of the resin air-conditioning unit, and is constituted by a grid-like rib raised from the upper surface of the housing. And According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the airbag support structure according to the third or fourth aspect, the thin ribs are integrally formed at four corners of the support portion when deployed.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, during traveling, the casing of the airbag is separated from the support portion at the time of deployment by providing a very small gap. Even if they vibrate, they do not collide with each other and generate abnormal noise. On the other hand, when the airbag is deployed, if the casing attempts to move downward in front of the vehicle due to the reaction force of the explosion, the lower surface of the casing hits the support portion during deployment, and further movement is restricted by the air conditioning unit. Therefore, there is obtained an effect that the deployment mode of the airbag is stabilized without the casing being shaken.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, an elastic member is provided between the casing and the support portion when deployed, and when the airbag is not deployed, the relative movement between the casing and the support portion when deployed is caused by this elasticity. It is regulated by the member. As a result, the collision between the two can be suppressed, and the resonance of the peripheral devices of the airbag due to the collision between the two can also be suppressed, and thus the effect of preventing the generation of abnormal noise can be obtained. Can be On the other hand, when the airbag is deployed, if the casing attempts to move downward in front of the vehicle due to the reaction force of the explosion, the lower surface of the casing abuts on the elastic member and then crushes it to hit the supporting portion during deployment, and Movement is regulated by the air conditioning unit. Therefore, there is obtained an effect that the deployment mode of the airbag is stabilized without the casing being shaken. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the elastic member for elastically supporting the casing is constituted by a thin rib integrally formed with the supporting portion during deployment. Therefore, the support portion can be formed at the same time when the supporting portion is formed at the time of deployment, and there is an effect that the manufacturing is easy and the mounting workability is excellent. In the invention described in claim 4, the support portion at the time of deployment is formed integrally with the housing of the resin air-conditioning unit, and is constituted by a grid-like rib raised from the upper surface of the housing. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an effect that it is easy to manufacture the support portion at the time of deployment, and it is possible to secure a light weight and a high support rigidity. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the thin ribs are integrally formed at the four corners of the support portion at the time of deployment, the casing can be elastically supported effectively.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an airbag support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the airbag support structure, and FIG. 3 shows a support portion when deployed in the embodiment. It is a perspective view. First,
The configuration of the airbag support structure according to the embodiment will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an air conditioning unit, and a blower unit 96, a cooler unit 97, and a heater unit 18 are continuously and integrally formed from the left. The cooler unit 97 includes a housing 101 that accommodates an evaporator, an air mixing door, and the like (not shown) and is formed in a box shape by a resin that forms an air passage. The housing 101 is attached to the dash panel 1 by an upper bracket 6 and a lower bracket 7, which are support brackets described in the claims, and a bracket (not shown).

The upper bracket 6 includes a housing 10
A front flange 63 for mounting the dash panel 1 at the front end is screwed into a boss portion 65 erected on the upper surface of the upper surface of the dash panel 1. Bracket arm portions 61 and 62 are provided. A vertical flange 64 is provided upright on the front-rear peripheral edge of the upper bracket 6. The housing 10 is provided between the two bracket arms 61 and 62.
1 is provided with an unfolded support portion 4 formed integrally with the support member 1 and erected from the upper surface of the housing 101. As shown in FIG. 3, the support portion 4 at the time of unfolding has an outer frame 4 formed in a cylindrical shape.
4 and ribs 4 formed in a lattice shape inside the outer frame 44.
5, and the entire upper end surface is formed so as to conform to the lower surface shape of the casing 54 of the airbag 5. further,
At the four corners of the support portion 4 at the time of deployment, thin ribs 42 are erected integrally with the outer frame 44. The airbag 5 is provided with a lid 51 on a rear upper surface, and a rear lower portion of a casing 54,
Left and right legs 52 and 53 are provided. The legs 52 and 53 are connected to the bracket arms 61 and 62, respectively.
, And are fixed by bolts and nuts. In this mounting state, as shown in FIG.
A small gap h (about 2-5 mm) is provided between the lower surface of the casing 4 and the upper end face of the support portion 4 during deployment. It is in contact with the lower surface.

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described. (When driving)

When vibrations during traveling are input to the air conditioning unit 100 and the airbag 5, the casing 54 may be displaced relative to the housing 101 because the casing 54 is cantilevered. Since the thin rib 42 is in contact with the upper end surface of the support portion 4 in a state where the upper portion is crushed,
The collision of the casing 54 with the housing 101 is restricted. Therefore, the vibration of the casing 54 itself is suppressed, and the resonance of the surrounding members such as the lid 51 and the internal configuration of the casing 54 due to the collision is also suppressed, and the noise caused by these resonances is reduced. Occurrence can be prevented. Further, in the present embodiment, since the thin rib 42 formed integrally with the support portion 4 at the time of deployment is used as an elastic member for elastically supporting the casing 54, manufacturing is easy and mounting work is also easy.

(When the airbag is deployed) First, the airbag 5
Explodes, the lid 51 opens, and a bag (not shown) is deployed toward the passenger seat. The casing 5
4 further attempts to squash the thin ribs 42 and move downward in front of the vehicle. At this time, this movement corresponds to the bracket arm 61,
62, and is received by the support part 4 at the time of deployment, and movement exceeding the minimum gap is restricted. Therefore, the deployment mode of the airbag does not change, and the deployment mode can be stabilized. When the airbag is deployed, the casing 54 is closed.
The deployment supporting portion 4 for restricting the movement of the
Since it is integrally formed in a lattice shape, it is easier to manufacture as compared with the case where it is formed separately, and it can be formed to be lightweight and highly rigid.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in the embodiment, the lower surface of the casing 54 is elastically supported by the thin ribs 42 formed integrally with the support portion 4 at the time of deployment. However, the thin ribs 42 are not indispensable. The elastic member may be provided between the casing 54 and the support portion 4 when deployed.
It is also possible to attach to. In addition, the support part 4 at the time of deployment
Is formed in a lattice shape integrally with the housing 101, but the shape is not limited to the lattice shape shown in the embodiment, and may be formed separately from the housing 101.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an airbag support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an airbag support structure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a deployed support portion in the airbag support structure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 dash panel 4 deploying support portion 42 thin rib 44 outer frame 45 rib 5 airbag 51 lid 52, 53 airbag leg 54 casing 6 upper bracket 61, 62 bracket arm 63 front flange 7 lower bracket 100 air conditioning unit 101 Housing h Clearance

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Shinobu Yoshida 10-1 Amanuma, Hiratsuka-shi, Kanagawa F-term in Nissan Shatai Co., Ltd. (reference) 3D054 AA03 AA07 AA14 BB13 FF10 FF16 FF17 FF18 FF20

Claims (5)

[Claims] An airbag casing is supported by a support bracket that supports an air conditioning unit, and a deployment support portion that becomes a support surface of the casing when the airbag is deployed is provided on an upper surface of a housing of the air conditioning unit. An airbag support structure, wherein the deployment support portion is disposed with a very small gap between the support portion and the lower surface of the casing. 2. The air bag casing is supported by a support bracket that supports the air conditioning unit, and a deployment support portion is provided on an upper surface of the housing of the air conditioning unit to be a support surface of the casing when the air bag is deployed. An airbag support structure, wherein an elastic member that elastically supports the casing when the airbag is not deployed is provided between the deployment support portion and the casing. 3. The airbag support structure according to claim 2, wherein the elastic member is formed by a thin rib integrally formed with the support portion at the time of deployment. 4. The unfolding support portion is formed integrally with a housing of an air conditioning unit made of resin, and is constituted by a grid-like rib rising from an upper surface of the housing. 4. The airbag support structure according to any one of 1 to 3. 5. The airbag support structure according to claim 3, wherein the thin ribs are integrally formed at four corners of the support portion when deployed.