A hot press tooling for airbag sizing

Abstract

The application discloses a hot-pressing tool for air bag shaping, which comprises an upper cover and a tank body. The upper cover comprises an upper cover plate and a pressing plate. The pressing plate is detachably and liftable installed at the bottom of the upper cover plate. The tank body comprises a generator base and a tank wall. A joint structure is arranged between the upper cover plate and the upper opening of the tank body, so that the upper cover plate can be tightly buckled at the upper opening of the tank body through the joint structure. After the upper cover plate is buckled with the tank body, the pressing plate is located in the tank body, and an air bag forming space is formed between the bottom of the pressing plate and the top of the generator base. The hot-pressing tool for air bag shaping can be applied to the hot fixing technology of the air bag, can realize the reduction of the air bag package block volume by 45% at most, can shape the air bag package block into a shape matching the DAB cover shape, does not need additional wrapping cloth and other parts to help shaping, and maximizes the utilization of the internal space of the safety air bag assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of airbag technology, specifically to a hot pressing tool. Background Technology

[0002] With the technological advancements in airbags and the increasing demands from users, driver airbags (DABs) are trending towards smaller designs. On one hand, smaller airbags increase the driver's field of vision and reduce the space they occupy in the passenger compartment. On the other hand, smaller airbags can provide more precise protection for the head and chest, avoiding unnecessary forces on non-critical areas.

[0003] In existing technologies, the volume of the airbag in an airbag is generally reduced by folding. However, folded airbags are prone to rebound, causing them to become loose and deformed, making them unsuitable for the processing and installation of small-volume airbags. Furthermore, additional components such as wrapping fabric are required to help maintain the airbag's shape. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides a thermoforming fixture for air bag shaping, applied in the heat-fixing technology for air bags, which can achieve the shaping of the air bag mass and maintain the volume of the air bag after compression. The specific solution is as follows:

[0005] This application provides a hot press fixture for shaping air bags, comprising: an upper cover and a tank body; the upper cover includes: an upper cover plate and a pressure plate; the pressure plate is detachably and liftably installed at the bottom of the upper cover plate; the tank body includes: a generator base and a tank wall; a connecting structure is provided between the upper cover plate and the upper opening of the tank body, so that the upper cover plate can be tightly fastened to the upper opening of the tank body through the connecting structure; after the upper cover plate is fastened to the tank body, the pressure plate is located inside the tank body, and an air bag forming space is formed between the bottom of the pressure plate and the top of the generator base.

[0006] Optionally, the pressure plate is a contoured pressure plate, the shape of which is set according to the shape of the upper surface of the air bag as needed.

[0007] Optionally, the hot pressing fixture further includes an adjustment structure, which is installed between the upper cover plate and the pressure plate to adjust the distance between the upper cover plate and the pressure plate.

[0008] Optionally, the adjustment structure includes shims, and the distance between the upper cover plate and the pressure plate is adjusted by adjusting the number of shims.

[0009] Optionally, the shape of the top surface of the generator base is set accordingly to the shape of the lower surface of the air bag as needed.

[0010] Optionally, the tank also includes an ejection structure disposed on the lower side of the generator base. The ejection structure moves upward along a through hole disposed on the generator base to eject the gas bag from the tank.

[0011] Optionally, the connecting structure includes a handle and a locking element; the handle is rotatably mounted on the top of the upper cover plate, and the locking element is mounted on the tank body; the handle and the locking element are connected in a mating manner.

[0012] Optionally, a temperature measuring device is also included, which is installed on the outer bottom of the generator base and is used to measure the temperature of the hot pressing fixture.

[0013] Optionally, a base is also included, which provides a mounting base for the tank, and the tank is mounted on the base via a mounting structure at the bottom.

[0014] Optionally, the tank or the base is provided with a first code that uniquely corresponds to the tank. The first code establishes a correspondence with the air bag that uses the tank by establishing a unique second code, thereby establishing a correspondence between the air bag and the tank.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, this application has the following advantages:

[0016] This application provides a hot-pressing fixture for airbag shaping, comprising: a top cover and a tank body; the top cover includes: a top cover plate and a pressure plate; the pressure plate is detachably and liftably installed at the bottom of the top cover plate; the tank body includes: a generator base and a tank wall; a connecting structure is provided between the top cover plate and the upper opening of the tank body, allowing the top cover plate to be tightly fastened to the upper opening of the tank body through the connecting structure; after the top cover plate and the tank body are fastened together, the pressure plate is located inside the tank body, and an airbag forming space is formed between the bottom of the pressure plate and the top of the generator base. The hot-pressing fixture for airbag shaping provided in this application, applied in the heat-fixing technology for airbags, can reduce the volume of the airbag bale by up to 45%, and can shape the airbag bale to match the shape of the DAB cover, without the need for additional wrapping cloth or other parts to assist in shaping, maximizing the utilization of the internal space of the airbag assembly. Using the hot-pressing fixture provided in this application will not affect the performance of the airbag or the overall vehicle system performance. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of the hot pressing tooling provided in this application;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of the top cover and handle of the hot pressing fixture provided in this application;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the shape of the pressure plate of the hot pressing fixture provided in this application;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram of the tank body of the hot pressing fixture provided in this application;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of the tank, locking components, and base of the hot pressing fixture provided in this application;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the ejection structure of the hot pressing fixture provided in this application.

[0023] The reference numerals in each of the attached figures are as follows:

[0024] 1. Top cover; 12. Top cover plate; 13. Pressure plate; 2. Tank body; 22. Tank wall; 23. Generator base; 4. Gasket; 5. Handle; 6. Locking element; 7. Temperature measuring device; 8. Ejection structure; 9. Base; 10. First code. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this application, the application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described below. Therefore, based on the embodiments provided in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0026] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., in the claims, specification, and drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not used to describe a specific order or sequence. Such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented in a sequence other than that shown or described in this application. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "having," and their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0027] It should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, "B corresponding to A", "B corresponding to A", "A corresponds to B" or "B corresponds to A" means that B is associated with A, and B can be determined based on A. Determining B based on A does not mean that B is determined solely based on A; B can also be determined based on A and / or other information.

[0028] To facilitate understanding of the various embodiments of this application, the application background of the embodiments will be explained.

[0029] In existing technologies, the volume of the airbag in an airbag is generally reduced by folding. However, folded airbags are prone to rebound, causing them to become loose and deformed, making them unsuitable for the processing and installation of small-volume airbags. Furthermore, additional components such as wrapping fabric are required to help maintain the airbag's shape.

[0030] To address the above issues, this application provides a hot pressing fixture for shaping air bags. When applied to the heat-fixing technology for air bags, it can shape the air bag and maintain the volume of the compressed air bag.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, this application provides a hot-pressing fixture for air bag shaping, including: an upper cover 1 and a tank body 2. The upper cover 1 includes: an upper cover plate 12 and a pressure plate 13, the pressure plate 13 being detachably and liftably installed at the bottom of the upper cover plate 12. The tank body 2 includes: a generator base 23 and a tank wall 22. A connecting structure is provided between the upper cover plate 12 and the upper opening of the tank body 2, so that the upper cover plate 12 can be tightly fastened to the upper opening of the tank body 2 through the connecting structure. After the upper cover plate 12 and the tank body 2 are fastened together, the pressure plate 13 is located inside the tank body 2, and an air bag forming space is formed between the bottom of the pressure plate 13 and the top of the generator base 23.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, the upper cover 1 may also include an adjustment structure, which is installed between the upper cover plate 12 and the pressure plate 13, for adjusting the distance between the upper cover plate 12 and the pressure plate 13; by adjusting this distance, the distance between the pressure plate 13 and the generator base 23 is substantially and indirectly adjusted. The adjustment structure can be implemented in various ways; one feasible method is to use a shim, for example... Figure 2 The gasket 4 in the middle can be used to adjust the distance between the upper cover plate 12 and the pressure plate 13 by adjusting the number of gaskets 4. The gasket 4 can be used as follows: Figure 2 As shown, it is set on the upper side of the pressure plate 13. The gasket 4 can also be set at the four opposite corners of the upper cover plate 12 and the pressure plate 13.

[0033] like Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the pressure plate 13 is a contoured pressure plate, and the shape of its bottom surface is set accordingly to the shape of the upper surface of the air bag as needed.

[0034] In addition, such as Figure 4 As shown, the top surface of the generator base 23 is set accordingly to the shape of the lower surface of the required air bag.

[0035] The internal geometry of the airbag forming space formed between the bottom of the contoured pressure plate 13 and the top of the generator base 23 corresponds to the internal geometry of the space where the airbag is to be installed, facilitating airbag installation. For example, the internal geometry of the airbag forming space can be consistent with the internal geometry of the DAB cover. The contoured pressure plate 13 and the generator base 23 can be customized according to different shape requirements, and the distance between the pressure plate 13 and the generator base 23 can be adjusted as needed by adjusting the structure to adapt to the needs of different airbags; the remaining components can be universal parts to save costs.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, the connecting structure may include a handle 5 and a locking element 6. The handle 5 is rotatably mounted on the top of the upper cover 12, and the locking element 6 is mounted on the tank body 2. The handle 5 and the locking element 6 are connected to achieve a tight fit between the upper cover 12 and the tank body 2. The locking element 6 may be a locking pin, respectively disposed on opposite sides of the tank body 2.

[0037] To prevent the gas bag from sticking badly to the tank wall 22 of the tank body 2, both the tank wall 22 and the generator base 23 can be coated with Teflon coating.

[0038] The hot pressing fixture may also include a temperature measuring device 7, which can be installed on the outer bottom of the generator base 23 to measure the temperature of the hot pressing fixture. The temperature measuring device 7 can be a temperature sensor. When the hot pressing fixture containing the air bag is transferred to the temperature chamber via a conveyor, precise temperature control is required. The temperatures to be controlled include the ambient temperature and the temperature of the hot pressing fixture. The ambient temperature is measured by a temperature sensing device installed inside the temperature chamber, and the temperature of the hot pressing fixture is measured by a temperature sensor installed at the bottom of the generator base. By sensing the ambient temperature and the temperature of the hot pressing fixture, the holding time of the hot pressing fixture can be adjusted according to the required heat-fixing effect of the air bag, so that the air bag reaches the designed temperature and holding time.

[0039] like Figure 5 As shown, the hot press fixture may also include a base 9, which provides a mounting base for the tank 2. The tank 2 is mounted on the base 9 via a mounting structure at the bottom.

[0040] The tank body 2 or the base 9 is equipped with a first code 10 that uniquely corresponds to the tank body 2. The first code 10 establishes a correspondence with a unique second code of the air bag using the tank, thus establishing a correspondence between the air bag and the tank body 2 used, facilitating subsequent traceability. When the processed air bag does not meet the production standards, the correspondence between the air bag and the tank body 2 used can be used to easily find the tank body 2 used by the problematic air bag, thereby verifying whether the corresponding tank body 2 has a problem.

[0041] In another embodiment of this application, such as Figure 6 As shown, the tank 2 of the hot pressing fixture may also include an ejector structure 8, which is located on the lower side of the generator base 23. The ejector structure 8 can move upward along the through hole provided on the generator base 23 to eject the gas bag from the tank 2. The ejector structure 8 can be a top column structure, and through holes can be provided at the four corners of the generator base of the tank. When the hot pressing fixture is in the normal fixture state, that is, when the hot pressing fixture is applied to the hot pressing process of the gas bag, the upper surface of the top column structure 8 is flush with the upper surface of the bottom plate of the generator base 23 to prevent the gas bag in the tank 2 from being pressed out of the through hole, thereby affecting the hot pressing and shaping of the gas bag block. After the hot pressing fixture has cooled down, the top cover 1 is removed, and the top column structure 8 can move upward along the through hole to eject the gas bag from the tank 8. After undergoing a series of processes including extrusion, heating, heat preservation, and cooling within the tank 2, the gas bag adheres tightly to the tank wall 22. When removing the gas bag from above, its flat top surface can easily damage or deform the heat-fixed gas bag assembly. Therefore, four through holes are provided at the four corners of the generator base 23. This allows the top column structure 8 to move upwards along the through holes, loosening the adhesion between the gas bag and the tank wall, and thus pushing the gas bag out of the tank 2 from below, preventing deformation or damage to the heat-fixed gas bag assembly.

[0042] The ejector structure 8 can provide space for installing the temperature measuring device 7, ensuring that the temperature measuring device 7 will not be squeezed when the ejector structure 8 moves upward. The ejector structure 8 can also have through holes in its base plate to facilitate the installation of the temperature measuring device 7 and the routing of its wiring harness. The base plate of the ejector structure 8 can be mounted on the base 9 via a mounting structure.

[0043] The usage process of the hot press fixture is as follows:

[0044] After being randomly folded, the air bag to be processed is moved into the tank 2. The pressure plate 13 is placed inside the opening of the tank 2, and then downward pressure is provided by an external pressing device. After the air bag reaches the designated position, the handle 5 is rotated, and it engages with the locking pins 6 on both sides of the tank 2, thus fixing the top cover 1 and the air bag. The pressure on the air bag can be converted into the downward stroke of the air bag. Since the relative position of the handle 5 and the tank 2 does not change, the pressure on the air bag needs to be adjusted by adjusting the position of the pressure plate 13; specifically, the distance between the top cover plate 12 and the pressure plate 13 can be adjusted by adjusting the number of shims 4, thereby adjusting the pressure on the air bag.

[0045] The hot-pressing fixture is then moved into a temperature chamber and heated at a preset temperature. The temperature chamber is a large, insulated structure equipped with heating and insulation devices, as well as a conveying mechanism, such as a chain conveyor, allowing the hot-pressing fixture to move within the chamber and be removed when the required time has elapsed. Specifically, the ambient temperature of the hot-pressing fixture is measured by a temperature sensor inside the chamber, and the temperature of the hot-pressing fixture is measured by a temperature sensor located at the bottom of the generator base. This allows for adjustment of the heat-fixing time of the hot-pressing fixture according to the required heat-fixing effect of the air bag, ensuring that the air bag reaches the designed temperature and heat-fixing time.

[0046] After the holding time is reached, the hot pressing fixture is removed from the temperature chamber and moved into the cooling chamber. A conveying mechanism is also installed inside the cooling chamber to move the hot pressing fixture. Once the hot pressing fixture reaches the preset cooling temperature, it is transferred to the unloading device. The unloading device is used to open the hot pressing fixture, and with the assistance of the ejector structure 8, the shaped air bag block is removed.

[0047] The hot-pressing fixture provided in this application, when used in the heat-fixing technology for airbags, can reduce the volume of the airbag assembly by up to 45% and shape the airbag assembly to match the DAB cover design. This eliminates the need for additional wrapping fabric or other parts to aid in shaping, maximizing the utilization of the internal space of the airbag assembly. Using the hot-pressing fixture provided in this application will not affect the performance of the airbag or the overall vehicle system performance.

[0048] Although this application discloses preferred embodiments as described above, it is not intended to limit this application. Any person skilled in the art can make possible changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope defined in the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A hot press tooling for air bag molding, characterized by, include: Top cover and tank body; The upper cover includes: an upper cover plate and a pressure plate; the pressure plate is detachably and liftably installed at the bottom of the upper cover plate; The tank body includes: a generator base and a tank wall; A connecting structure is provided between the upper cover plate and the upper opening of the tank body, so that the upper cover plate can be tightly fastened to the upper opening of the tank body through the connecting structure. After the upper cover plate is fastened to the tank body, the pressure plate is located inside the tank body, and an air bag forming space is formed between the bottom of the pressure plate and the top of the generator base.

2. The hot press tooling for airbag molding according to claim 1, wherein The pressure plate is a contoured pressure plate, and the shape of its bottom surface is set accordingly to the shape formed on the upper surface of the air bag as needed.

3. The hot press tooling for air bag molding according to claim 1, wherein Also includes: An adjustment structure is installed between the upper cover plate and the pressure plate to adjust the distance between the upper cover plate and the pressure plate.

4. The hot press tooling for airbag molding according to claim 3, wherein The adjustment structure includes shims, and the distance between the upper cover plate and the pressure plate is adjusted by adjusting the number of shims.

5. The hot press tooling for airbag molding according to claim 1, wherein The shape of the top surface of the generator base is set accordingly to the shape of the lower surface of the air bag as needed.

6. The hot pressing fixture for shaping air bags according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tank also includes an ejection structure, which is disposed on the lower side of the generator base. The ejection structure moves upward along a through hole disposed on the generator base to eject the gas bag from the tank.

7. The hot pressing fixture for shaping air bags according to claim 1, characterized in that, The combined structure includes a handle and a locking element; the handle is rotatably mounted on the top of the upper cover plate, and the locking element is mounted on the tank body; the handle and the locking element are connected in a cooperating manner.

8. The hot pressing fixture for shaping air bags according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a temperature measuring device, which is installed on the outer bottom of the generator base and is used to measure the temperature of the hot pressing fixture.

9. The hot pressing fixture for shaping air bags according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a base that provides a mounting base for the tank, and the tank is mounted on the base via a mounting structure at the bottom.

10. The hot pressing fixture for shaping air bags according to claim 9, characterized in that, The tank or the base is provided with a first code that is uniquely associated with the tank. The first code establishes a correspondence with the unique second code of the air bag that uses the tank, thereby establishing a correspondence between the air bag and the tank.

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