Airbag fastening structure and airbag fastening system for vehicle

Abstract

The utility model provides an airbag fastening structure and an airbag fastening system for a vehicle. The airbag fastening structure includes: a first assembly portion provided in the airbag module; the second assembling part is arranged in a steering wheel and is fastened to the first assembling part through a buckle matching fastening structure; the protection rib is arranged in an inclined pressing area where the first assembling part and the second assembling part are pressed for buckling fit fastening; and a pad for absorbing the fastening impact of the first assembly part and the second assembly part. The pad is provided in an inclined pressing region that does not overlap with the protective rib and an engagement region in which the first assembly portion and the second assembly portion are fastened to each other and supported by snap-fit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an airbag fastening structure that prevents damage in areas where components come into contact and rub against each other during the snap-fit ​​fastening process from the airbag module to the steering wheel. Background Technology

[0002] The driver's airbag was assembled into the steering wheel.

[0003] The airbag module of the driver's airbag includes an airbag pad and an inflator housed in the airbag housing, and the airbag cover is assembled onto the airbag housing.

[0004] Therefore, in the event of a vehicle accident, when the inflator detects a signal from the sensor, the igniter immediately explodes and burns the gas generator to produce gas.

[0005] When the gas produced in this way is supplied to the airbag cushion, the airbag cushion inflates appropriately to cushion the impact on the passenger, reduce or prevent injury, and thus ensure the passenger's safety.

[0006] Meanwhile, the driver's airbag has a hook on the airbag module and an armature in the center of the steering wheel. When the hook engages and is secured to the armature, the airbag module is assembled onto the steering wheel.

[0007] However, damage may occur in areas where the parts rub against each other during the process of fastening the hook to the armature. Furthermore, when the hook is in close contact with the armature, vibration and noise may occur during travel due to the collision between the hook and the armature.

[0008] The foregoing description of the background art is intended only to help understand the background art of this disclosure and is not intended to imply that this disclosure falls within the scope of related art known to those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0009] This utility model summary is provided to present in a simplified form the selection of concepts that will be further described in the detailed embodiments below. This utility model summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to serve as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0010] This disclosure provides an airbag fastening structure that prevents damage in areas where components come into contact and rub against each other during the snap-fit ​​fastening process from the airbag module to the steering wheel.

[0011] In general, an airbag fastening structure includes: a first assembly disposed in an airbag module; a second assembly disposed in a steering wheel and fastened to the first assembly by a snap-fit ​​fastening structure; a protective rib disposed in an inclined pressing region where the first assembly and the second assembly are pressed for snap-fit ​​fastening; and a pad configured to absorb fastening impacts from the first assembly and the second assembly, wherein the pad is disposed in an inclined pressing region that does not overlap with the protective rib and in an engagement region where the first assembly and the second assembly are engaged and supported by snap-fit ​​fastening.

[0012] The protective rib and the pad can be disposed in the first assembly part or the second assembly part.

[0013] The end of the first assembly can be formed in the shape of a hook with an inclined surface, such that the inclined surface on the outer surface of the hook becomes the inclined pressing area, and the protective rib protrudes along the inclined surface.

[0014] The protective ribs may be formed on each of the left and right sides of the inclined surface.

[0015] The protective rib may be formed in the middle of the inclined surface.

[0016] The end of the first assembly may have the shape of a hook with an inclined surface, such that the engagement surface of the inclined surface connected to the outer surface of the hook includes the engagement area, and wherein the pad may be disposed on the engagement surface.

[0017] The pad can extend from the mating surface to the middle of the inclined surface.

[0018] The protruding thickness of the protective rib can be greater than the thickness of the pad.

[0019] The end of the second assembly may have the shape of a hook with an inclined surface, such that the inclined surface on the outer surface of the hook includes the inclined pressing area, and wherein the protective rib may be pressed against and rubbed against the inclined surface of the second assembly.

[0020] The width of the second assembly part in the left-right direction may be greater than the width of the first assembly part in the same left-right direction.

[0021] In another general aspect of this disclosure, an airbag fastening system for a vehicle includes: a first assembly disposed in an airbag module; a second assembly disposed in the steering wheel of the vehicle; a protective rib included in one of the first assembly or the second assembly; and a pad included in the other of the first assembly or the second assembly, wherein the protective rib is disposed in an inclined pressing region where the first assembly and the second assembly are pressed together to form a snap-fit ​​fastening structure, and wherein the pad is configured to absorb fastening impacts of the first assembly and the second assembly during assembly.

[0022] The pad can be placed in the inclined pressing area that does not overlap with the protective rib, and in the engagement area where the first assembly part and the second assembly part are engaged and supported by each other through snap-fit ​​fastening. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0024] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the state in which the airbag module is separated from the steering wheel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the shape of the bottom side of an airbag module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 3 This is an enlarged view showing the shape of the protective ribs and pads according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating the structure of a first embodiment of the protective rib according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure and the thickness difference between the protective rib and the pad;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the structure of a second embodiment of the protective rib according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0029] Figures 6 to 9 This is a diagram illustrating the operation of a first assembly part snapping into and fastening to a second assembly part according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0030] In the following description, the embodiments described herein will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar elements will be given the same and similar reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals used, and therefore repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0031] In the following description, the terms “module” and “unit” used for components are given or used interchangeably only for ease of writing the specification and do not have different meanings or functions in themselves.

[0032] In describing the embodiments set forth herein, detailed descriptions of known functions or configurations incorporated herein will be omitted where it is determined that the description may obscure the subject matter of the embodiments set forth herein. Furthermore, it should be understood that the accompanying drawings are provided only for ease of understanding of the embodiments set forth herein, and that the technical concept of this disclosure is not limited to the drawings, but includes all modifications, equivalents, or substitutions falling within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0033] Ordinal terms such as "first" and "second" can be used to describe various elements, but elements are not limited to these terms. The terms mentioned above are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one element from others.

[0034] When an element is referred to as “connected” or “coupled” to any other element, it should be understood that not only can the element be directly connected or coupled to other elements, but another element may also exist between them. Conversely, when an element is referred to as “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to any other element, it should be understood that no other element exists between them.

[0035] Singular expressions may include plural expressions unless they are explicitly different in the context.

[0036] As used herein, the expressions “comprising” or “having” are intended to specify the presence of the mentioned features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, and should be construed as not excluding the possible presence or addition of one or more other features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0037] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] The airbag fastening structure according to this disclosure includes: a first assembly portion 100 disposed in an airbag module 10; a second assembly portion 200 disposed in a steering wheel 20 and fastened to the first assembly portion 100 by a snap-fit ​​fastening structure; a protective rib 130 disposed in an inclined pressing region where the first assembly portion 100 and the second assembly portion 200 are pressed for snap-fit ​​fastening; and a pad 140 configured to absorb fastening impacts from the first assembly portion 100 and the second assembly portion 200, the pad being disposed in an inclined pressing region that does not overlap with the protective rib 130, and in an engagement region where the first assembly portion 100 and the second assembly portion 200 are fastened together and supported by snap-fit ​​fastening.

[0039] refer to Figure 1and Figure 2 The first assembly part 100, formed of plastic material, is configured to protrude below the bottom surface (6 o'clock direction) of the mounting plate 10a forming the lower part of the airbag module 10.

[0040] In addition, the metal armature 20a is formed as a plate in the center part of the steering wheel 20, the steering shaft is assembled in the center of the armature 20a, and the spokes of the steering wheel 20 are fixed between the armature 20a and the rim.

[0041] Furthermore, below the top surface (6 o'clock position) of the armature 20a, a second assembly portion 200 is provided at a position corresponding to the first assembly portion 100, such that the first assembly portion 100 and the second assembly portion 200 are fastened together by a snap-fit ​​fastening structure. Here, the second assembly portion 200 can be provided separately from the armature 20a, or it can be integrally formed with the armature 20a.

[0042] That is, the lower end of the first assembly part 100 is formed in the shape of a hook, an inclined surface 110 with an inclined pressing area is formed on the hook of the first assembly part 100, and an engagement surface 120 with an engagement area is formed on the part connected to the inclined surface 110.

[0043] At this time, the upper end of the second assembly part 200 is also formed in the shape of a hook, and an inclined surface 210 having an inclined pressing area can also be formed on the hook of the second assembly part 200. In addition, an engagement surface 220 having an engagement area is formed at the portion connected to the inclined surface 210 of the second assembly part 200.

[0044] Therefore, when the first assembly portion 100 provided on the steering wheel 20 is pressed toward the second assembly portion 200 provided on the airbag module 10, the inclined surface 110 of the first assembly portion 100 and the inclined surface 210 of the second assembly portion 200 press against each other, thereby causing the first assembly portion 100 to elastically deform. As the inclined surface 110 of the first assembly portion 100 disengages from the inclined surface 210 of the second assembly portion 200, the first assembly portion 100 elastically recovers, and the first assembly portion 100 snaps into place and fastens to the second assembly portion 200, so that the mating surface 120 of the first assembly portion 100 and the mating surface 220 of the second assembly portion 200 engage with each other and abut against each other for support.

[0045] In particular, in this disclosure, during the snap-fit ​​fastening process of the first assembly part 100 and the second assembly part 200, the inclined surface 110 of the first assembly part 100 and the inclined surface 210 of the second assembly part 200 are pressed with the protective rib 130 inserted between them.

[0046] Furthermore, the mating surface 120 of the first assembly part 100 and the mating surface 220 of the second assembly part 200 engage and abut against each other when the pad 140 is inserted between them, and the pad 140 is fixed to an inclined surface that does not overlap with the protective rib 130.

[0047] In other words, in the section where the first assembly part 100 and the second assembly part 200 are pressed together, the two inclined surfaces do not rub against each other directly, but friction occurs when one of the two inclined surfaces presses against the protective rib 130.

[0048] Therefore, because the protective rib 130 rubs against the inclined surface, the pad 140 does not rub against the inclined surface, thereby preventing the pad 140 from being torn and damaged due to friction with the inclined surface.

[0049] In this disclosure, the protective rib 130 and the pad 140 may be provided on either the first assembly portion 100 or the second assembly portion 200.

[0050] For example, the protective rib 130 may be formed on the inclined surface 110 of the first assembly portion 100 or the inclined surface 210 of the second assembly portion 200.

[0051] Furthermore, the pad 140 may be formed on the inclined surface 110 and the mating surface 120 of the first assembly portion 100, or on the inclined surface 210 and the mating surface 220 of the second assembly portion 200.

[0052] In addition, such as Figure 3 and Figure 7 As shown, in this disclosure, the end of the first assembly portion 100 can be formed in the shape of a hook with an inclined surface 110, such that the inclined surface 110 on the outer surface of the hook becomes an inclined pressing area, and the protective rib 130 can protrude along the inclined surface 110.

[0053] That is, the inclined surface 110 is formed on the lower end of the first assembly portion 100 facing the second assembly portion 200, and the protective rib 130 protrudes along the inclined surface 110 of the first assembly portion 100.

[0054] Therefore, in the section where the first assembly portion 100 presses against the second assembly portion 200, the protective rib 130 formed on the first assembly portion 100 is pressed down while rubbing against the second assembly portion 200, thereby preventing the second assembly portion 200 from rubbing against the pad 140. Thus, the pad 140 is prevented from being damaged due to friction.

[0055] As a first embodiment of the structure of the protective rib 130, the protective rib 130 may be formed on each of the left and right sides of the inclined surface 110.

[0056] In other words, such as Figure 3and Figure 4 As shown, the protective rib 130 can be formed on each of the left and right sides of the inclined surface 110 of the first assembly part 100 along the inclined surface 110 in the vertical length direction.

[0057] As a second embodiment of the structure of the protective rib 130, the protective rib 130 may be formed in the middle of the inclined surface 110.

[0058] In other words, such as Figure 5 As shown, the protective rib 130 can be formed at the center of the inclined surface 110 of the first assembly part 100 along the vertical length direction of the inclined surface 110.

[0059] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, the end of the first assembly portion 100 may be formed in the shape of a hook having an inclined surface 110, the engagement surface 120 connected to the outer surface of the hook with the inclined surface 110 may be the engagement area, and the pad 140 may be provided on the engagement surface 120.

[0060] That is, the mating surface 120 of the first assembly part 100 is formed horizontally at the upper end of the inclined surface 110 formed on the first assembly part 100, and the mating surface 220 of the second assembly part 200 is formed horizontally at the lower end of the inclined surface 210 formed on the second assembly part 200.

[0061] Therefore, as Figures 7 to 9 As shown, when the first assembly part 100 moves downward, the inclined surface 110 of the first assembly part 100 and the inclined surface 210 of the second assembly part 200 press against each other and rub against each other, causing the first assembly part 100 to elastically deform.

[0062] During this process, when the mating surface 120 of the first assembly portion 100 is positioned below the mating surface 220 of the second assembly portion 200, the first assembly portion 100 is fastened to the second assembly portion 200 by a snap-fit ​​engagement using the elastic restoring force of the first assembly portion 100. This allows the pad 140, which is fixed to the mating surface 120 of the first assembly portion 100, to be supported on the bottom surface of the mating surface 220 of the second assembly portion 200. As a result, the pad 140 reduces the fastening impact and noise between the first assembly portion 100 and the second assembly portion 200.

[0063] Furthermore, in this disclosure, the pad 140 can extend from the mating surface 120 to the middle of the inclined surface 110.

[0064] In other words, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the pad 140 is not only fixed along the inclined surface 110 of the first assembly portion 100, but also fixedly extends from the inclined surface 110 to the middle of the mating surface 120.

[0065] Therefore, when the mating surface 120 of the first assembly part 100 is positioned below the mating surface 220 of the second assembly part 200 and is snap-fitted to the mating surface 220 of the second assembly part 200, snap-fitting can be achieved without causing the pad 140 to peel off or detach in the snap-fitting direction of the second assembly part 200.

[0066] Furthermore, since the protective rib 130 is formed on the inclined surface 110, the pad 140 does not need to be fixed to the inclined surface 110 and the rear surface of the hook, but only needs to be fixed to the middle of the inclined surface 110, thereby reducing the length of the pad 140 and reducing the cost.

[0067] Furthermore, in this disclosure, the protruding thickness of the protective rib 130 may be greater than the thickness of the pad 140.

[0068] In other words, such as Figure 5 As shown, since the thickness of the protective rib 130 is greater than the thickness of the pad 140, when the first assembly part 100 is assembled with the second assembly part 200, the inclined surface 210 of the second assembly part 200 can contact the protective rib 130, so as to prevent the inclined surface 210 from contacting the pad 140, thereby reliably preventing damage to the pad 140.

[0069] For reference, although it is preferred that the pad 140 extends fixedly from the mating surface 120 to the middle of the inclined surface 110, as Figures 5 to 9 As shown, however, the pad 140 may also have a structure that extends to the rear surface of the inclined surface 110 while covering the entire inclined surface 110.

[0070] Meanwhile, in this disclosure, the end of the second assembly portion 200 can be formed into the shape of a hook with an inclined surface 210, such that the inclined surface 210 on the outer surface of the hook becomes an inclined pressing area, thereby allowing the protective rib 130 to press against and rub against the inclined surface 210 of the second assembly portion 200.

[0071] In other words, the inclined surface 210 can be formed on the hook of the second assembly part 200, and the inclined surface 210 can have an inclination angle corresponding to the inclined surface 110 of the first assembly part 100.

[0072] Therefore, the pressing and friction between the first assembly part 100 and the second assembly part 200 can be achieved more stably, thereby improving the assemblability of the airbag module 10.

[0073] Furthermore, in this disclosure, the width of the second assembly part 200 in the left-right direction may be greater than the width of the first assembly part 100 in the left-right direction.

[0074] In other words, since the protective rib 130 is formed on the inclined surface 110 of the first assembly portion 100, if the width of the first assembly portion 100 in the left-right direction is less than the width of the second assembly portion 200 in the left-right direction, the protective rib 130 may detach from the inclined surface 210 of the second assembly portion 200 in the section where the first assembly portion 100 and the second assembly portion press against and rub against each other.

[0075] Therefore, since the width of the second assembly portion 200 in the left-right direction is greater than the width of the first assembly portion 100 in the left-right direction, the protective rib 130 can stably contact the inclined surface 210 of the second assembly portion 200 in the section where the first assembly portion 100 and the second assembly portion press against and rub against each other.

[0076] As described above, in this disclosure, since the protective rib 130 is formed on the inclined surface 110 of the first assembly portion 100, which is snapped and fastened to the steering wheel 20 during the process of snapping and fastening the airbag module 10 to the steering wheel 20, the inclined surface 210 of the second assembly portion 200 is prevented from contacting the pad 140, thereby preventing the pad 140 from being torn and damaged.

[0077] Although this disclosure has been described in detail with reference only to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the technical concept of this disclosure, and naturally such changes and modifications fall within the scope of this application.

[0078] Although only specific embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the technical concept of this disclosure, and of course, such changes and modifications fall within the scope of this application.

[0079] Cross-reference to related applications

[0080] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0057647, filed on April 30, 2024, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

Claims

1. An airbag fastening structure, characterized in that, The airbag fastening structure includes: A first assembly unit is disposed in the airbag module; The second assembly part is disposed in the steering wheel and is fastened to the first assembly part by a snap-fit ​​fastening structure; Protective ribs, wherein the protective ribs are disposed in the inclined pressing areas where the first assembly portion and the second assembly portion are pressed for snap-fit ​​fastening; and A pad, configured to absorb fastening impacts from the first assembly and the second assembly, The pad is disposed in the inclined pressing area that does not overlap with the protective rib, and in the joint area where the first assembly part and the second assembly part are fastened together and supported by a snap-fit.

2. The airbag fastening structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protective rib and the pad are disposed in the first assembly part or the second assembly part.

3. The airbag fastening structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end of the first assembly is formed in the shape of a hook with an inclined surface, such that the inclined surface on the outer surface of the hook becomes the inclined pressing area, and the protective rib protrudes along the inclined surface.

4. The airbag fastening structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The protective ribs are formed on each of the left and right sides of the inclined surface.

5. The airbag fastening structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The protective rib is formed in the middle of the inclined surface.

6. The airbag fastening structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end of the first assembly has a hook shape with an inclined surface, such that the engagement surface of the inclined surface connected to the outer surface of the hook includes the engagement area, and The pad is disposed on the mating surface.

7. The airbag fastening structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The pad extends from the mating surface to the middle of the inclined surface.

8. The airbag fastening structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The thickness of the protruding protective rib is greater than the thickness of the pad.

9. The airbag fastening structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The end of the second assembly has a hook shape with an inclined surface, such that the inclined surface on the outer surface of the hook includes the inclined pressing area, and The protective rib is pressed against and rubs against the inclined surface of the second assembly.

10. The airbag fastening structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The width of the second assembly part in the left-right direction is greater than the width of the first assembly part in the same left-right direction.

11. An airbag securing system for a vehicle, characterized in that, The airbag securing system for vehicles includes: A first assembly unit is disposed in the airbag module; A second assembly unit is disposed in the steering wheel of the vehicle; Protective rib, the protective rib being included in one of the first assembly portion or the second assembly portion; and The pad is included in the other of the first assembly portion or the second assembly portion. The protective rib is located in the inclined pressing area where the first assembly part and the second assembly part are pressed together to form a snap-fit ​​fastening structure. The pad is configured to absorb the fastening impact of the first assembly portion and the second assembly portion during assembly.

12. The airbag securing system for a vehicle according to claim 11, characterized in that, The pad is positioned in the inclined pressing area that does not overlap with the protective rib, and in the engagement area where the first assembly part and the second assembly part are engaged and supported by each other through a snap-fit ​​fastening.

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