JPH08192706A - Hinge structure of air bag device for front passenger seat - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To equally give tensile force to a hinge member and an attaching part on the side of an air-bag door even in the case where the air-bag door is bent at the time of developing the bag body of an air-bag. CONSTITUTION: A strap belt 35 is severally inserted in a pair of attaching holes 32 of an air-bag door 18, and a car body member or a retainer 38 being an attaching part on the side of an air-bag case is connected to the air-bag door 18 through the above strap belt 35. A space between a pair of attaching holes 32 of the air-bag door 18 is set up wider than a space between a pair of engaging parts 40 of the retainer 38, and an attaching space on the side of the air-bag door of a pair of strap belts 35 is set up wider in comparison with an attaching space on the side of the retainer.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hinge structure for an airbag device for a passenger seat, and more particularly to a hinge for an airbag device for a passenger seat used for an airbag door provided in a vehicle interior member such as an instrument panel. Regarding the structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an airbag door of an airbag device for a passenger seat for protecting an occupant seated in a passenger seat of a vehicle has been used as an instrument panel or a side door door trim located in front of the passenger seat. Equipped.

In the airbag doors of these passenger seat airbag devices, when the acceleration sensor operates and the airbag bag swells, it is deployed by the pressing force of the airbag bag. An example of the hinge structure of these airbag doors is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-86653.

As shown in FIG. 10, the air bag door 70 is divided into an air bag door upper 72 and an air bag door lower 74, and the air bag door upper 72 and the air bag door lower 74 are respectively divided into two parts. , And is fixed to the opening edge portion 76A of the airbag case 76 via a belt-shaped hinge member 78, respectively. Therefore, when pressed by the airbag bag body, the hinge member 78 causes the airbag door upper 72 to move upward (see FIG. 1).
The airbag door under 74 is deployed downward (in the direction of arrow W in FIG. 10) while being deployed in the direction of arrow 0 of FIG.

[0005]

However, in such a hinge structure of the passenger airbag apparatus, since the hinge members 78 are attached to the airbag door upper 72 in the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction, for example, When the longitudinal middle portion of the airbag door upper 72 is pressed against the airbag bag when the airbag bag is deployed, as shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 11, the vicinity of the hinge member attachment side of the airbag door upper 72 is indicated. 72A is curved in an arc shape. Therefore, on the side 78A where the hinge member 78 is attached to the airbag door upper 72, stress concentrates on the inner side in the longitudinal direction (point P side) where the distance from the airbag case 76 becomes longer. Therefore, on the side of the point P of the hinge member 78, the hinge member 7
8 or the attachment portion of the airbag door upper 72 may be damaged. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to reinforce the attachment portions of the hinge member 78 and the airbag door upper 72, and the reinforcement increases the weight.

In view of the above facts, the present invention is for a passenger seat which can apply tension evenly to the hinge member and the attachment portion on the side of the airbag door even when the airbag door is curved when the airbag bag is deployed. The purpose is to obtain a hinge structure for an airbag device.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hinge structure for a passenger airbag apparatus, which connects an airbag door to a vehicle body member or an airbag case by a pair of strap belts. It is characterized in that the mounting interval of the pair of strap belts on the airbag door side is wider than the mounting interval on the vehicle body member or the airbag case side.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the hinge structure of the airbag apparatus for a passenger seat is characterized in that the airbag door is connected to the vehicle body member or the airbag case by a pair of cords having a circular cross section.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the hinge structure of the airbag device for a passenger seat according to the second aspect, the mounting interval of the pair of circular cross-section cords on the airbag door side is set to a vehicle body member or an airbag. The feature is that it is wider than the mounting interval on the case side.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the hinge structure of the passenger airbag apparatus according to the second aspect, the pair of mounting holes on the vehicle body member or the airbag case side of the pair of circular cross-section cords are provided in the pair. It is characterized in that it is a long hole along the interval direction of the string.

[0011]

In the hinge structure of the airbag apparatus for the passenger seat according to claim 1 of the present invention, the airbag door is bent by being pressed by the airbag bag when the airbag bag is deployed, and the bending causes the pair of strap belts. Although the installation interval on the side of the airbag door becomes narrower, the installation interval on the side of the airbag door of the pair of strap belts is wider than the installation interval on the side of the vehicle body member or the side of the airbag case in advance. The pair of strap belts are substantially parallel to each other in a curved state, particularly near the maximum load. Therefore, tension is applied substantially evenly to the pair of strap belts and the attachment portion on the side of the airbag door, so that stress concentration can be alleviated. Further, the drag force of the pair of strap belts is reduced, and the airbag door is easily bent, so that the airbag door is stably deployed.

In the hinge structure of the passenger seat airbag device according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the hinge of the airbag door is composed of a pair of circular cross-section cords, the airbag door is opened when the airbag bag is deployed. Even when curved, unlike the strap belt, there is no stress concentration distributed in the belt width direction of the attachment portion. Therefore, the degree of freedom in mounting is great.
Further, since there is no stress concentration, the tension of the cord can be utilized 100%, and at the same time, a part of the energy acting on the airbag door can be absorbed by the cord.

In the hinge structure of the airbag apparatus for the passenger seat according to the third aspect of the present invention, when the airbag door is curved when the airbag bag is deployed, the mounting interval on the airbag door side becomes narrower, but the airbag is previously arranged. Since the mounting distance on the bag door side is wider than the mounting distance on the vehicle body member side or the airbag case side, the pair of circular cross-section cords are mutually connected in a curved state of the airbag door, especially near the maximum load. Since they are parallel, the tensile strength of the string can be effectively utilized.

In the hinge structure of the passenger seat airbag device according to claim 4 of the present invention, when the airbag door is curved when the airbag bag is deployed, the airbag door has a long hole extending along the interval direction of the pair of cords. Since the pair of cords having a circular cross section move in the mounting hole and become parallel to each other, the tensile strength of the cord can be effectively utilized.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the hinge structure of the passenger airbag device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the figure, an arrow FR indicates a front direction of the vehicle body, and an arrow UP indicates an upward direction of the vehicle body.

As shown in FIG. 4, a substantially rectangular airbag bag inflation opening 14 is formed in the upper portion 10A of the front portion of the passenger seat of the instrument panel 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, an airbag door 18 which is one of the constituent members of the airbag device 12 and covers the opening 14 is arranged in the opening 14. Is designed to be flush with the instrument panel 10 to adjust the appearance and to conceal and protect the airbag device 12 disposed inside the instrument panel 10.

Hooks 29 are integrally formed along the edge of the back surface 18A of the airbag door 18 near the rear edge in the vehicle front-rear direction at predetermined intervals. These hooks 2
The front end portion 29A of 9 projects toward the rear side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body.
0 edge 10B is engaged.

On the other hand, a strap belt mounting portion 31 is integrally formed along the edge of the rear surface 18A of the airbag door 18 near the front edge in the vehicle front-rear direction. A pair of mounting holes 32 whose longitudinal direction is the vehicle width direction are formed near both ends of the mounting portion 31 in the vehicle width direction.

A front edge portion 18B of the back surface 18A of the airbag door 18 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body has an edge portion 10C of the airbag bag bulging opening 14 of the instrument panel 10.
Is in contact with

Therefore, the airbag door 18 is detachably attached to the edge of the airbag bag swelling opening 14 of the instrument panel 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the airbag door 18
In the pair of mounting holes 32 of the strap belt 3
5, the strap belt 35 connects the retainer 38, which is a mounting portion on the side of the vehicle body member or the airbag case, and the airbag door 18.

As shown in FIG. 3, the retainer 38 has a long rectangular shape extending in the vehicle width direction, and a pair of engaging portions whose longitudinal direction is in the vehicle width direction are provided near both ends in the vehicle width direction. Four
0 is formed. A notch 42 is formed in each of the engaging portions 40 so that the strap belt 35 can be engaged.

As shown in FIG. 2, the strap belt 35
Passes one end portion 35A through the mounting hole 32 and folds back to join the intermediate portion 35C, and folds back the other end portion 35B to join the intermediate portion 35C to form a loop, and the loop of the retainer 38 is formed. Through the notch 42, the engaging portion 40
Is engaged with.

Therefore, the airbag door 18 can swing in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 2 (direction of arrow A in FIG. 2) with the strap belt 35 as a hinge portion.

As shown in FIG. 3, the spacing between the pair of mounting holes 32 is wider than the spacing between the pair of engaging portions 40.
The mounting distance L1 on the airbag door side of the pair of strap belts 35 is wider than the mounting distance L2 on the retainer side.

As shown in FIG. 4, the airbag device 12
Side wall portion 16 of the airbag case 16 forming the outer shell of the vehicle
Brackets 22 are fixed to A and 16B, respectively, and through holes 24 are formed in these brackets 22. Bolts 26 inserted into the through holes 24 from below are provided with screw holes 15 formed in the outer peripheral portion of the airbag bag inflation opening 14 of the instrument panel 10.
It is screwed to.

The lower surface 16C of the airbag case 16
A pair of brackets 27 are fixed to the bracket 27, and through holes 28 are formed in these brackets 27. Bolts 30 inserted into these through holes 28 from the rear of the vehicle body
Is the screw hole 4 formed in the instrument panel reinforcement 44.
It is screwed to 6.

A pair of weld bolts 48 are erected on the front side surface 16D of the airbag case 16 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body. These weld bolts 48 are used to inflate the airbag bag body of the instrument panel 10. Opening 14
Is inserted into the hole 49 of the mounting portion 10D formed near the front side of the. A nut 50 is screwed into the weld bolt 48 protruding from these holes 49.

As shown in FIG. 2, the airbag case 1
A retainer 38 is sandwiched between a front side surface 16D of the vehicle body 6 in the front-rear direction and a mounting portion 10D of the instrument panel 10. A pair of left and right through holes 52 are formed in the retainer 38, and a weld bolt 48 penetrates these through holes 52.

A cylindrical inflator 56 is provided near the bottom of the airbag case 16 in the vehicle width direction, and the airbag door 18 of the inflator 56 is provided.
A folded airbag bag (not shown) is housed on the side.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. In the hinge structure of the passenger airbag device of the first embodiment,
When the airbag bag is deployed, it is pressed by the airbag bag and the airbag door 18 is curved as shown by the imaginary line in FIG.
When the mounting portion 31 of the strap belt is also curved, the mounting distance L3 of the pair of strap belts 35 on the airbag door side is narrowed by this bending, but the mounting distance L1 of the pair of strap belts 35 on the airbag door side is previously set.
However, since the mounting distance L2 on the retainer side is wider than the mounting distance L2 on the retainer side, the pair of strap belts 35 is arranged in the curved state of the airbag door 18, particularly near the maximum load.
It becomes almost parallel as shown by the imaginary line.

Therefore, tension is applied substantially evenly around the pair of strap belts 35 and the attachment holes 32 on the side of the airbag door, so that stress concentration can be alleviated. In addition, a pair of strap belts 35 that act when the airbag door is bent
Since the drag force of the airbag door 18 is reduced, the airbag door 18 is easily bent, and the deployment posture of the airbag door 18 is stabilized.

Next, a second embodiment of the hinge structure of the passenger airbag device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same members as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, in the second embodiment, a pair of straps 60 having a circular cross section are used in place of the pair of strap belts 35 of the first embodiment. Each string 60
Is looped by the knot 60A, and the loop end portion 60B opposite to the knot 60A is passed through the attachment hole 32 of the attachment portion 31 of the airbag door 18, and the loop end portion 60B is looped on the knot 60A side. It passes through the end portion and engages with the engaging portion 40 via the notch 42 of the retainer 38.

As shown in FIG. 7, the spacing between the pair of mounting holes 32 is substantially equal to the spacing between the pair of engaging portions 40, and the spacing L between the pair of strings 60 on the side of the airbag door is L.
4 is substantially the same as the mounting distance L5 on the retainer side.
The length of the mounting hole 32 and the length of the engaging portion 40 are the same as those of the string 6
It is set according to the thickness of 0.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. In the hinge structure of the passenger side airbag device of the second embodiment, the airbag door 18 is pressed by the airbag bag body when the airbag bag body is deployed and the airbag door 18 is curved as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. When 31 is also curved, the mounting interval L6 of the pair of strings 60 on the airbag door side is narrowed due to this bending, but in the case of the string 60, stress concentration distributed in the belt width direction of the mounting portion is similar to a strap belt. Since there is no, there is great freedom in mounting. In addition, since there is no stress concentration, 100% of the tension of the string 60 can be used,
Thus, a part of the energy acting on the airbag door 18 can be absorbed.

Next, a third embodiment of the hinge structure of the passenger airbag device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same members as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the third embodiment,
Instead of the pair of strap belts 35 of the first embodiment, a pair of cords 64 having a circular cross section are used. After passing one end of each cord 64 through the mounting hole 32 of the mounting portion 31 of the airbag door 18, a loop is formed with the other end and a knot (not shown), and one loop end portion is provided with the notch 42 of the retainer 38. It is engaged with the engaging portion 40 via.

The spacing between the pair of mounting holes 32 is wider than the spacing between the pair of engaging portions 40, and the spacing L7 on the airbag door side of the pair of cords 64 is wider than the spacing L8 on the retainer side. Has become. The sizes of the mounting hole 32 and the engaging portion 40 are set according to the thickness of the string 64.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described. In the hinge structure of the passenger side airbag device according to the third embodiment, the airbag door 18 is pressed by the airbag bag body when the airbag bag body is deployed and the airbag door 18 is curved as shown by an imaginary line in FIG. When 31 is also curved, the installation interval L9 of the pair of strings 64 on the airbag door side becomes narrower, but the installation interval L7 of the pair of strings 64 on the airbag door side becomes wider than the installation interval L8 of the retainer side in advance. Therefore, since the pair of strings 64 are substantially parallel to each other in a state where the airbag door 18 is curved, particularly in the vicinity of where the maximum load is applied, the tensile strength of the string 64 can be effectively utilized.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the hinge structure of the passenger airbag device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same members as those in the third embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the fourth embodiment,
The engaging portion 40 of the retainer 38 is a long hole extending in the vehicle width direction, and the string 64 is movable in the vehicle width direction (arrow W direction in FIG. 9).

Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described. In the hinge structure of the passenger side airbag device of the fourth embodiment, the airbag door 18 is pressed by the airbag bag body when the airbag bag body is deployed and the airbag door 18 is curved as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. When 31 is also curved, the mounting interval L9 of the pair of strings 64 on the airbag door side becomes narrow, but the pair of strings 64 approach each other with the engagement portion 40 formed as a long hole along the vehicle width direction. To become parallel to each other as shown by the phantom line in FIG. Therefore, the tensile strength of the string 64 can be effectively utilized.

In the fourth embodiment, the engaging portion 40 of the retainer 38 is a long hole extending in the vehicle width direction, but instead of this, the attaching hole 32 of the attaching portion 31 of the airbag door 18 is provided. The string 64 may be movable in the vehicle width direction by forming a long hole along the vehicle width direction.

[0046]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hinge structure of an airbag device for a passenger seat, which connects an airbag door to a vehicle body member or an airbag case by a pair of strap belts. Since the mounting distance on the airbag door side is wider than the mounting distance on the vehicle body member or the airbag case side, even when the airbag door is curved, even tension is applied to the hinge member and the mounting portion on the airbag door side. It has an excellent effect of being able to. Further, since the airbag door is easily bent, it has an excellent effect that the deployed posture of the airbag door is stable.

According to the hinge structure of the airbag apparatus for a passenger seat of the present invention as defined in claim 2, since the airbag door is connected to the vehicle body member or the airbag case by a pair of cords having a circular cross section, like a strap belt, Since there is no stress concentration distributed in the belt width direction of the mounting portion, the degree of freedom in mounting is large. Further, since there is no stress concentration, it is possible to utilize 100% of the tension of the cord, and at the same time, it is possible to absorb a part of the energy acting on the airbag door by the cord.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the hinge structure of the passenger side airbag apparatus according to the second aspect, a pair of circular cross-section cords are attached to the vehicle body member or an airbag case on the airbag door side. Since it is made wider than the attachment interval on the side, in addition to the effect described in claim 2, there is an excellent effect that the tensile strength of the cord can be effectively utilized.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the hinge structure of the passenger airbag apparatus according to the second aspect, a pair of circular cross-section cords are provided in the pair of mounting holes on the side of the vehicle body member or the airbag case. Since the long holes are formed along the spacing direction of the cords, the pair of cords having a circular cross section move in the attachment holes and become parallel to each other, so that the tensile strength of the cords can be effectively utilized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hinge structure of an airbag apparatus for a passenger seat according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which is viewed obliquely from the rear of a vehicle body.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a hinge structure of the passenger seat airbag apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the hinge structure of the passenger seat airbag apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the rear of the vehicle body.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge structure of the passenger seat airbag apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as seen obliquely from the rear of the vehicle body.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a hinge structure of an airbag apparatus for a passenger seat according to a second embodiment of the present invention as seen obliquely from the rear of the vehicle body.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a main part showing a hinge structure of a passenger seat airbag apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the hinge structure of the passenger seat airbag apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear of the vehicle body.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the hinge structure of the passenger seat airbag apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rear of the vehicle body.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the hinge structure of the passenger seat airbag apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the rear of the vehicle body.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a hinge structure of a passenger seat airbag apparatus according to a conventional example, as viewed obliquely from the rear of the vehicle body.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a hinge structure of a passenger seat airbag device according to a conventional example as viewed from the rear of the vehicle body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 Airbag device 18 Airbag door 31 Strap belt mounting portion 32 Mounting hole 35 Strap belt 38 Retainer 40 Engaging portion 60 String 64 string

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A hinge structure for a passenger airbag apparatus, which connects an airbag door to a vehicle body member or an airbag case by a pair of strap belts, wherein the pair of strap belts are mounted on the airbag door side. A hinge structure for an airbag device for a passenger seat, which is wider than a mounting interval on a vehicle body member or an airbag case side. 2. A hinge structure for an airbag device for a passenger seat, characterized in that an airbag door is connected to a vehicle body member or an airbag case by a pair of cords having a circular cross section. 3. The passenger seat air according to claim 2, wherein a mounting interval of the pair of circular cross-section cords on the airbag door side is wider than a mounting interval on the vehicle body member side or the airbag case side. Hinge structure of bag device. 4. The assistant according to claim 2, wherein the attachment holes on the vehicle body member side or the airbag case side of the pair of cords having a circular cross section are elongated holes along the spacing direction of the pair of cords. Hinge structure for seat airbag system.