Structure mounting structure

Abstract

The structure mounting structure of the present application is a structure mounting structure for mounting a structure on an instrument panel on a front passenger seat side of a vehicle. The structure mounting structure includes a movement mechanism that moves the structure in a manner that does not impede deployment of an airbag of a front passenger seat airbag device that has already inflated and deployed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure mounting structure for fitting to the lower part of a structure mounted on the dashboard on the side of the front passenger seat of a vehicle, and more specifically, to reduce input to the occupant by ensuring space for airbag deployment through advantageous movement of the structure when the airbag deploys. Background Technology

[0002] Traditionally, a mid-mount type front passenger seat airbag device is known as an airbag device installed in automobiles, comprising an airbag module consisting of an airbag and an inflator. The airbag module is configured to be placed within the dashboard in front of the front passenger seat. The airbag inflates diagonally rearward and upward toward the occupant. This front passenger seat airbag device is provided with a deployment adjuster that adjusts the deployment of the lower half of the airbag when it deploys (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 6-127325 (JP 6-127325A)).

[0003] According to this design, the center-mounted airbag module is equipped with a deployment adjuster for adjusting the deployment of the lower half of the airbag. Therefore, compared to a high-mounted airbag system that expands upwards relative to the vehicle and deploys along the windshield, the airbag volume can be reduced. Furthermore, due to the adjustment of the deployment adjuster, the airbag does not expand directly towards the displaced occupant, thus preventing impact on the displaced occupant as in conventional situations. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In recent years, the number of cars with dashboards featuring structures such as shelves or displays has been increasing. In the configuration of JP 6-127325A, when it is assumed that a structure exists on the dashboard, the airbag deploys before the cover 17a fully opens. In this case, the airbag deploys towards the occupant, and the input from the airbag to the occupant may increase.

[0005] The structural mounting structure of the present invention is configured to mount a structure on the dashboard on the front passenger seat side of a vehicle. The structural mounting structure includes a motion mechanism that moves the structure in a manner that does not obstruct the deployment of the airbag of an inflated and deployed front passenger seat airbag device.

[0006] The structural mounting structure, configured to mount the structure on the dashboard according to the present invention, can reduce input to the occupants by ensuring space for airbag deployment through the advantageous movement of the structure when the airbag deploys. Attached Figure Description

[0007] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram showing the interior of a vehicle having a structure equipped with a structural mounting structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram illustrating the installation structure of the structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 3 This is another schematic construction diagram illustrating the structural installation structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 4 This is yet another schematic construction diagram illustrating the structural installation structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the airbag system of a vehicle with a dashboard when the airbag system is deployed, wherein a structure without the structure mounting structure of the present invention is mounted on the dashboard.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle having an airbag device with a structure mounting structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention when the airbag device is deployed.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a schematic structural diagram showing the interior of a vehicle having a structure equipped with a structural mounting structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 8 This is a schematic structural diagram illustrating the structural installation structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 9A This is another schematic construction diagram illustrating the structural mounting structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 9B This is yet another schematic construction diagram illustrating the structural mounting structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0018] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing the airbag device of a vehicle having a structure equipped with a structure mounting structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention when the airbag device is deployed. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The following will refer to Figures 1 to 10 Various embodiments of the structural mounting structure of the present invention are described. Incidentally, the arrows “Rear” (Rr), “Up” (UP) and “Outer (Right)” (OUT(RH)) shown in the figures represent the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the upper side in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the right side in the width direction of the vehicle, respectively.

[0020] First Embodiment

[0021] First, refer to Figures 1 to 4 The first embodiment is described.

[0022] exist Figure 1 In this embodiment, the airbag module 1 is equipped with an airbag 2 stored inside the airbag module 1 and an inflation device 3. The inflation device 3 injects gas into the airbag 2, causing the airbag 2 to inflate and deploy when an acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied. The airbag module 1 is mounted inside the area of ​​the vehicle dashboard 5 located in front of the front passenger seat. Furthermore, a structure 4 is mounted on the dashboard 5 via a rotating mechanism 7. It should be noted that the rotating mechanism 7 in this embodiment is equivalent to the motion mechanism of the present invention. The structure 4 can refer to, for example, a shelf capable of holding items or a front passenger seat display. The structure 4 is attached to enhance user-friendliness. Incidentally, the airbag 2 is typically housed and arranged inside the dashboard 5 in a folded state. Additionally, the windshield is indicated by 6.

[0023] An airbag deployment cover (not shown) is formed on the dashboard 5 in the area corresponding to the airbag module 1. The airbag deployment cover is opened by a tear (not shown), which ruptures when the airbag 2 inflates and deploys. Therefore, when a collision is detected, the inflator 3 is actuated to cause the folded airbag 2 to inflate and deploy toward the airbag deployment cover. The airbag 2 compresses and ruptures the airbag deployment cover and inflates diagonally rearward and upward toward the occupant.

[0024] Reference Figures 2 to 4 The rotating mechanism section 7 will be described. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the rotating mechanism 7 comprises a hinge portion 71, a pin portion 72, an upper plate portion 73, and a lower plate portion 74. As shown, the upper plate portion 73 is joined to the lower surface of the structure 4. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the upper plate portion 73 and the lower plate portion 74 are equivalent to the upper and lower joining portions of the present invention, respectively. Incidentally, the lower plate portion 74 is joined to the instrument panel 5. In this embodiment, the joining of the upper plate portion 73 and the lower plate portion 74 is achieved by adhesion with double-sided tape, but is not limited thereto. Various known joining structures can be used, such as fastening with bolts and nuts.

[0025] like Figure 3As shown, the pin 72 is composed of an upper fitting portion 72A and a lower fitting portion 72B. It should be noted that the pin 72 in this embodiment is equivalent to the fixing portion of the present invention. Incidentally, in this embodiment, fixing is achieved by fitting, but it is not limited to this. Various known fixing methods can be used, such as fixing by anchoring. The upper fitting portion 72A engages with the upper plate portion 73, and the lower fitting portion 72B engages with the lower plate portion 74. As shown, the upper fitting portion 72A and the lower fitting portion 72B are generally engaged with each other. The upper fitting portion 72A and the lower fitting portion 72B are configured such that they disengage from each other when a load equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied to the upper side of the vehicle. Incidentally, in this embodiment, the predetermined value is set to a load value at which the inflated and deployed airbag 2 abuts against the rear end of at least one of the structure 4 and the upper plate portion 73 relative to the vehicle, and compresses at least one of the structure 4 and the upper plate portion 73 substantially upward relative to the vehicle. Furthermore, in other fixing methods, the fixing is also set so that it is canceled when a load equal to or greater than a predetermined value is input to the upper side of the vehicle. Incidentally, the load can be input not only by the airbag 2 directly abutting against the end of the structure 4, but also by a portion of the airbag deployment cover, which has been ruptured by the deployment of the airbag 2, abutting against the rear end of at least one of the structure 4 and the upper plate 73 relative to the vehicle.

[0026] like Figure 4 As shown, the hinge portion 71 is configured to rotate about an axis extending in the vehicle width direction. It should be noted that the hinge portion 71 and the upper plate portion 73 in this embodiment are equivalent to the movable portion of the present invention. When a load equal to or greater than a predetermined value is input to the upper side of the vehicle, the pin portion 72 disengages, and the upper plate portion 73 rotates upward relative to the vehicle about the hinge portion 71.

[0027] Next, we will refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the deployment of the airbag 2 when the mounting structure for mounting structure 4 does not have the rotating mechanism 7. Incidentally, Figure 5 No embodiments of the invention are shown. Figure 5 As shown, when the structure 4 mounted on the dashboard 5 is fixed, the airbag 2 is restricted from deploying in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Therefore, the input to the neck of occupant P may increase.

[0028] Next, we will refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6This is a schematic diagram showing the deployment of the airbag 2 when the structure mounting structure for mounting the structure 4 has a rotating mechanism 7. The structure 4 is mounted on the dashboard 5 via the rotating mechanism 7, the rear end of the lower plate 74 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is located in front of the deployment area of ​​the airbag 2, and the rear end of the upper plate 73 or the structure 4 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is located in the deployment area of ​​the airbag 2.

[0029] At this time, the lower plate portion 74 is positioned so as not to overlap with the deployment area of ​​the airbag 2. Therefore, upon the deployment of the airbag 2, the deployment load of the airbag 2 is input to at least one of the upper plate portion 73 and the structure 4 located in the deployment area of ​​the airbag 2. The pin portion 72 disengages, and the upper plate portion 73 rotates upward relative to the vehicle about the hinge portion 71. As a result, the structure 4, which is engaged with the upper plate portion 73, moves upward relative to the vehicle. Therefore, space for the deployment of the airbag 2 is ensured, and the airbag 2 can deploy upward relative to the vehicle. Thus, the input to the occupant P is reduced.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rotating mechanism 7 is configured to have an upper plate 73 and a lower plate 74, but is not limited thereto. The hinge 71 and the pin 72 can be directly engaged to the structure 4 and the instrument panel 5, respectively. In addition, the structure 4 can be pushed upward without being pushed upward by the deployment load of the airbag 2, and the upper plate 73 can be electrically rotated upward relative to the vehicle by a motor or the like (not shown) provided on the hinge 71.

[0031] Second Embodiment

[0032] Next, we will refer to Figures 7 to 10 The second embodiment will now be described. Incidentally, in the following description of the second embodiment, the same components as in the foregoing embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted. The following description will be limited to the differences between these embodiments.

[0033] In this embodiment, structure 4 is mounted on instrument panel 5 via sliding mechanism 8, allowing structure 4 to move in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, such as... Figure 7 As shown. It should be noted that the sliding mechanism 8 in this embodiment is equivalent to the motion mechanism of the present invention.

[0034] Sliding mechanism 8 will refer to Figure 8 , Figure 9A and Figure 9B Describe it. For example... Figure 8As shown, the sliding mechanism 8 comprises upper sliding portions 81R and 81L, lower sliding portions 82R and 82L, an upper plate portion 83, and a lower plate portion 84. As shown, the upper plate portion 83 is engaged with the lower surface of the structure 4. Incidentally, the lower plate portion 84 is engaged with the instrument panel 5. It should be noted that the upper plate portion 83 and the lower plate portion 84 in this embodiment are equivalent to the upper and lower engaging portions of the present invention, respectively.

[0035] Next, we will refer to Figure 9A and Figure 9B The upper sliding portions 81R and 81L and the lower sliding portions 82R and 82L are described. Incidentally, reference symbols R and L are assigned to mirror-symmetric components having the same reference numeral. Therefore, in this embodiment, only the component assigned reference symbol R will be described.

[0036] Figure 9A This is a schematic structural diagram of the upper sliding portion 81R. The upper sliding portion 81R engages with the lower surface of the upper plate portion 83 and has a roller portion 85R and a fitting hole 87R. The roller portion 85R is disposed on the surface of the upper sliding portion 81R facing the lower sliding portion 82R, and each roller portion 85R is configured to be rotatable about an axis extending along the vehicle width direction. The fitting hole 87R is disposed in the surface of the upper sliding portion 81R facing the lower sliding portion 82R and is configured to engage the fitting protrusion 88R, which will be described later. It should be noted here that each of the fitting hole 87R and the fitting protrusion 88R in this embodiment is equivalent to the fixing portion of the present invention. Incidentally, in this embodiment, fixing is achieved by fitting, but is not limited thereto. Various known fixing methods can be used, such as fixing by anchoring.

[0037] Figure 9BThis is a schematic structural diagram of the lower sliding portion 82R. The lower sliding portion 82R engages with the upper surface of the lower plate portion 84 and has a guide portion 86R and a mating protrusion 88R. The guide portion 86R is provided on the surface of the lower sliding portion 82R facing the upper sliding portion 81R and is configured such that the roller portion 85R can move in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. It should be noted that each of the upper sliding portion 81R, the upper plate portion 83, the roller portion 85R, and the guide portion 86R in this embodiment is equivalent to the movable portion of the present invention. The mating protrusion 88R is configured to engage with the mating hole 87R. The mating hole 87R and the mating protrusion 88R are set in such a way that they disengage from each other when a load equal to or greater than a predetermined value is input to the upper side of the vehicle. Incidentally, in this embodiment, the predetermined value is set to a load value at which the inflated and deployed airbag 2 abuts against the rear end of at least one of the structure 4 and the upper plate portion 83 relative to the vehicle and substantially presses forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, in other fixing methods, the fixing is also set such that it is eliminated when a load equal to or greater than the predetermined value is applied to the upper side of the vehicle. Incidentally, the load can be applied not only by the airbag 2 directly abutting against the end of the structure 4, but also by a portion of the airbag deployment cover, which has been ruptured by the deployment of the airbag 2, abutting against the rear end of at least one of the structure 4 and the upper plate portion 83 relative to the vehicle.

[0038] Next, we will refer to Figure 10 , Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the deployment of the airbag 2 when the structural mounting structure used to install the structure 4 has a sliding mechanism 8. Figure 10 As shown, the structure 4 is mounted on the instrument panel 5 via the sliding mechanism 8. The rear end of the lower plate portion 84 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is located in front of the deployment area of ​​the airbag 2, and the rear end of the upper plate portion 83 or the structure 4 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is located in the deployment area of ​​the airbag 2.

[0039] At this time, the lower plate portion 84 is positioned in a manner that does not overlap with the deployment area of ​​the airbag 2. Therefore, the deployment load of the airbag 2 is input to at least one of the upper plate portion 83 and the structure 4 located in the deployment area of ​​the airbag 2, the fitting hole 87R and the fitting protrusion 88R disengage from each other, and the upper plate portion 84 moves forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Therefore, the structure 4 also moves forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Thus, space for the airbag 2 to deploy is ensured, the airbag 2 can deploy upwards relative to the vehicle, and the input to the occupant P is reduced.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sliding mechanism 8 is configured to have an upper plate portion 83 and a lower plate portion 84, but is not limited thereto. The upper sliding portions 81R and 81L and the lower sliding portions 82R and 82L can be directly engaged to the structure 4 and the instrument panel 5, respectively. In addition, the structure 4 can be compressed forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle without using the deployment load of the airbag, and the upper plate portion 83 can be electrically moved forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by means of a motor or the like (not shown) provided on each roller portion 85R.

[0041] Embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, it is obvious that the present invention is not limited to the foregoing, but can be implemented with modifications in various ways other than those described above without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A structure mounting structure configured to mount a structure on a dashboard on the side of a front passenger seat of a vehicle, the structure mounting structure comprising: A motion mechanism, configured to move the structure in a manner that does not impede the deployment of the airbag in the front passenger seat airbag system, wherein... The motion mechanism is configured to be positioned above the front passenger seat airbag device in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The motion mechanism includes: The upper plate is configured to be joined to the structure; The lower plate, which is configured to engage with the instrument panel; and A hinge portion, positioned between the upper plate and the lower plate and configured to rotate the upper plate about the hinge portion. The motion mechanism is configured such that when the lower plate is engaged with the dashboard... The upper plate is positioned at its rear end in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to overlap with the deployment area of ​​the airbag, such that in response to the deployment of the airbag, the deployment load from the airbag is applied to the rear end of the upper plate. The lower plate is positioned at the rear end in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in a manner that does not overlap with the deployment area of ​​the airbag.

2. The structural installation structure according to claim 1, wherein... The motion mechanism is configured to move the structure by using the deployment load of the inflated and deployed airbag.

3. The structural installation structure according to claim 2, wherein... The motion mechanism has: The movable part, consisting of the hinge and the upper plate, is configured to move the structure; and A fixed part, which fixes the movable part, and The fixing part is configured to be released by using the deployment load of the airbag.

4. The structural installation structure according to claim 1, wherein... The motion mechanism has: The movable part, consisting of the hinge and the upper plate, is configured to move the structure; and A fixed part, which fixes the movable part, and The fixing part is configured to be released by using the deployment load of the airbag.

5. The structural installation structure according to claim 4, wherein... The movable part is configured to rotate about an axis extending in the width direction of the vehicle. The fixed part is positioned relative to the vehicle behind the movable part and is configured to fix the movable part so that the movable part does not rotate. The movable part is configured to rotate the structure upward relative to the vehicle in response to the deployment load of the airbag received by at least one of the structure and the upper plate.

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