Airbag housing

Abstract

Airbag housing, with: a first cover configured to receive an airbag cushion, the first cover having first attachment portions formed along a periphery of the first cover; and a second cover configured to cover the airbag cushion and comprising: second fastening portions formed along a periphery of the second cover and configured to engage with the first fastening portions and be fastened to the first cover; a fraction formed in a portion of the second cover and configured to reduce stiffness; and fracture distribution parts formed at ends of the fracture part, the fracture distribution parts being configured to distribute the fracture force to prevent severing of portions of the second cover other than the fracture part.

Description

Cross-reference to related application(s)

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119 of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0079551, filed on June 19, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Background1. Field of invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an airbag housing that improves the assemblability of an airbag housing product while reducing manufacturing costs. 2. Description of the state of the art

[0003] In an airbag case, one side edge of an upper cover and one side edge of a lower cover are connected by a hinge structure, and the other side edge of the upper cover and the other side edge of the lower cover are fixed by a hook structure.

[0004] That is, when an airbag cushion is accommodated in the lower cover while the upper cover is opened and then the upper cover is closed, the upper cover is rotated about a hinge and a hook formed on the upper cover extends through a hook hole formed in the lower cover, so that the upper cover and the lower cover engage with each other and thereby close the airbag case.

[0005] However, in this closed structure of the airbag case, if the thickness of a hinge portion becomes excessively large due to a difference between the 3D design shape of the hinge portion and the actual product shape, the upper cover and the lower cover may not be properly engaged with each other and may fall apart.

[0006] The matters described in this background section are provided for convenience only and should not be construed as reflecting prior art already known to those skilled in the art. Brief description of the invention

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been developed in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an airbag case assembled by joining two independent, separate covers to improve the assemblability of an airbag case product and reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0008] The technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above. Other technical problems not mentioned will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates from the following description.

[0009] According to a general aspect of the invention, an airbag case comprises: a first cover configured to receive an airbag cushion, the first cover having first attachment portions formed along a periphery of the first cover; and a second cover configured to cover the airbag cushion and comprising: second attachment portions formed along a periphery of the second cover and configured to engage with the first attachment portions and be attached to the first cover; a fracture portion formed in a portion of the second cover to reduce rigidity; and fracture dispersing portions formed at ends of the fracture portion, the fracture dispersing portions configured to disperse the fracture force to prevent cutting into portions of the second cover other than the fracture portion.

[0010] Each of the fracture distribution parts may be formed in the shape of a hole configured to penetrate the second cover.

[0011] Each of the fracture distribution parts may be formed in the shape of a circular hole.

[0012] A thickness of portions of the second cover in which the fracture distribution parts are formed may be greater than a thickness of a remaining portion of the second cover.

[0013] The first cover may further include outer walls formed around its periphery and the periphery of the second cover, wherein the first attachment portions and the second attachment portions may be formed on the outer walls of the first cover and on the outer walls of the second cover, respectively, and wherein the first cover may further include inner walls provided within the outer walls so that the airbag cushion is received in a space created by the inner walls.

[0014] The inner walls may be arranged within fastening areas between the first fastening sections and the second fastening sections.

[0015] The inner walls may be arranged adjacent to the first fastening sections and the second fastening sections.

[0016] The inner walls may be formed such that they have a greater height than the outer walls of the first cover and the outer walls of the second cover.

[0017] The inner walls may be formed in the shape of a plate such that one end of each of the inner walls is fixed to an inner surface of one of the first cover and the second cover, and a remaining end of each of the inner walls protrudes toward the other of the first cover and the second cover, wherein the second cover may be configured to face the inner walls.

[0018] The inner walls may be supported vertically on an inner surface of the first cover and an inner surface of the second cover.

[0019] The second fastening portions of the second cover can engage with the first fastening portions of the first cover as a hook fastening structure.

[0020] The first fastening portions may have hooks, and the second fastening portions may have hook grooves, or the first fastening portions may have hook grooves and the second fastening portions may have hooks, wherein the first fastening portions are fastened to the second fastening portions to form the hook fastening structure.

[0021] The fracture portion may be configured as a tear line shaped as a broken line to reduce the stiffness of the fracture portion.

[0022] The fraction may have a U-shape. Short description of the drawings

[0023] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a view showing the assembled state of an airbag case according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a view showing a state in which a first cover and a second cover according to the present invention are separated from each other; Fig. 3 a cross-sectional view along the line AA of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a view for explaining interior walls according to the present invention. Detailed description

[0024] In the following description of the embodiments disclosed in the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations contained therein will be omitted when doing so might make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are only for a better understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present invention, and the technical idea disclosed in the present invention is not limited by the accompanying drawings and should be understood to include any changes, equivalents, or substitutions included within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0025] In the following description of the embodiments, terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various elements, but are not intended to limit the elements. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from other elements.

[0026] Singular expressions may include plural expressions unless they have clearly different contextual meanings.

[0027] In the following description of the embodiments, terms such as "including," "having," and "with" are to be interpreted to indicate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, or parts specified in the description, or combinations thereof, and do not preclude the presence of, or the possibility of adding, one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0028] The suffixes "module" and "part" for components used in the following description are provided or used interchangeably only for the convenience of preparing the description of the present invention and have no particular meaning or function in themselves.

[0029] When an element or layer is described as "connected" or "coupled" to another element or layer, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or there may be intervening elements or layers. Conversely, when an element is described as "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers.

[0030] Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention will be described in detail, and the same or similar components in different drawings will be denoted by the same reference numerals and repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0031] An airbag housing according to the present invention includes a first cover 100 configured to accommodate an airbag cushion and having first attachment portions 120 formed along the periphery of the first cover 100, and a second cover 200 provided in a shape to cover the airbag cushion and having second attachment portions 220 formed along the periphery of the second cover 200 to be engaged with and attached to the first attachment portions 120 in a hook attachment structure, a fracture portion 230 formed in a portion of the second cover 200 intended to be severed due to relatively low rigidity, and fracture distribution portions 240 formed at ends of the fracture portion 230 and configured to distribute a fracture force.to prevent severing of sections of the second cover 200 other than the fraction 230.

[0032] According to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a portion of the first cover 100 formed in the shape of a rectangular plate becomes the upper surface of the airbag case, and first outer walls 110 are formed along the front, rear, left and right peripheral surfaces of the plate by folding, so that the first cover 100 is formed in a rectangular encapsulation shape.

[0033] In addition, the first fixing portions 120 are formed along the first outer walls 110, and in this case, a plurality of first fixing portions 120 may be formed at regular intervals on relatively long first outer walls 110 among the first outer walls 110.

[0034] Here, the first fastening portion 120 may be either a hook or a hook groove forming a hook fastening structure.

[0035] Further, a portion of the second cover 200 formed in the shape of a rectangular plate becomes the lower surface of the airbag case, and second outer walls 210 are formed along the front, rear, left and right peripheral surfaces of the plate by folding, so that the second cover 200 is formed in a rectangular encapsulation shape.

[0036] The second cover 200 is formed in the encapsulation shape corresponding to the first cover 10, and the second portions 220 are formed at positions corresponding to the first fixing portions 120 along the second outer walls 210.

[0037] When the first fastening portions 120 are hooks, the second fastening portions 220 may be formed as hook grooves so that the first fastening portions 120 and the second fastening portions 220 are fastened by the hook fastening structure.

[0038] The fractional part 230 is designed as a tear line in the form of a broken line, so that the stiffness of the fractional part 230 is low.

[0039] The fraction 230 is formed in a "U" shape along three sides, except for at least one of the four sides that form the perimeter of the plate that defines the first outer walls 110 of the first cover 100.

[0040] Accordingly, when the airbag cushion accommodated in the airbag case is deployed, the fracture portion 230 is cut by the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion, and the upper surface of the airbag case is rotated around the side where the fracture portion 230 is not formed to open, whereby the airbag cushion can expand and deploy through the opened portion.

[0041] In particular, the fracture distribution parts 240 having a shape that distributes the fracture force are formed at both ends of the fracture part 230.

[0042] Therefore, the breaking force from the breaking part 230 is distributed in the breaking distribution parts 240, thereby preventing the remaining portion of the second cover 200 that comes into contact with the breaking distribution parts 240 from being severed.

[0043] Thus, the present invention enables the upper surface of the airbag case to be rotated in a hinge structure by the fracture part 230 to be stably opened, thereby improving the deployment performance of the airbag cushion folded in the airbag case.

[0044] In particular, the first cover 100 and the second cover 200 are formed independently and separately from each other, and the airbag case is assembled by the fixing structure of these covers 100 and 200, thereby improving the assemblability of an airbag case product and reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0045] Furthermore, the fracture distribution parts 240 may be formed in the shape of a hole penetrating the second cover 200.

[0046] The fracture distribution parts 240 may be formed in the shape of a circular hole.

[0047] Specifically, the fracture distribution parts 240 may be formed in the shape of a hole that vertically penetrates the plate portion of the second cover 200 serving as the upper surface of the airbag case.

[0048] Further, the fraction distribution parts 240 at the ends of the fraction part 230 may be formed to have a diameter larger than the width of the fraction part 230, that is, the size of the fraction part 230 in the width direction.

[0049] Therefore, the breaking force transmitted from the breaking part 230 to the breaking distribution parts 240 is distributed along the inner surfaces of the holes forming the breaking distribution parts 240, thereby preventing the portions of the second cover 240 that come into contact with the inner surfaces of the holes from being severed.

[0050] Furthermore, the thickness t1 of portions of the second cover 200 in which the fracture distribution parts 240 are formed may be greater than the thickness t2 of the remaining portion of the second cover 200.

[0051] According to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, in the plate portion of the second cover 200 serving as the upper surface of the airbag case, the thickness t1 of some areas of the plate portion including the fracture distribution parts 240 is larger than the thickness t2 of the remaining area of ​​the plate portion.

[0052] Therefore, the thickness of the inner surfaces of the holes constituting the fracture distribution parts 240 is relatively increased, the rigidity of the inner surfaces of the holes is enhanced, and the cutting of the portions of the second cover 200 that come into contact with the inner surfaces of the holes is more reliably prevented.

[0053] Further, in the present invention, the first outer walls 110 and the second outer walls 210 are formed around the periphery of the first cover 100 and the periphery of the second cover 200, the first fixing portions 120 and the second fixing portions 220 are formed on the first outer walls 110 of the first cover 100 and the second outer walls 210 of the second cover 200, respectively, and inner walls 130 are provided inside the outer walls 110 and 210 such that the airbag cushion is accommodated in a space created by the inner walls 130.

[0054] According to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the inner walls 130 are provided in areas facing the first outer walls and the second outer walls in a space formed between the first cover 100 and the second cover 200.

[0055] The inner walls 130 may be arranged at the front, rear, left, and right sides of the space within the airbag housing to define a predetermined storage space, and the folded airbag cushion may be accommodated in the storage space.

[0056] Therefore, the inner walls 130 can prevent the airbag cushion from separating to the outside of the airbag case not only in the folded state of the airbag cushion but also during the deployment process of the airbag cushion, and can also define a path along which the airbag cushion is deployed to improve the deployment of the airbag cushion.

[0057] Additionally, the inner walls 130 may be disposed within attachment areas between the first attachment portions 120 and the second attachment portions 220.

[0058] Furthermore, the inner walls 130 may be arranged adjacent to the first fastening sections 120 and the second fastening sections 220.

[0059] For example, the first fastening portions 120 and the second fastening portions 220 may be formed on the left and right outer walls 110 and 210 of the first cover 100 and the second cover 200, respectively, and the first fastening portions 120 and the second fastening portions 220 may also be formed on the front and rear outer walls 110 and 210 of the first cover 100 and the second cover 200, respectively.

[0060] Therefore, the inner walls 130 are provided in interior regions adjacent to the left and right outer walls 110 and 210, and the inner walls 130 are also provided in interior regions adjacent to the front and rear outer walls 110 and 210.

[0061] Therefore, when the airbag cushion is deployed, the deployment force of the airbag cushion is first transmitted to the inner walls 130, thereby greatly reducing the load transmitted to the attachment portions between the first attachment portions 120 and the second attachment portions 220, maintaining the attachment force between the first attachment portions 120 and the second attachment portions 220, and securing the attachment rigidity between the first cover 100 and the second cover 200.

[0062] Furthermore, the inner walls 130 may be formed such that they have a greater height than the heights of the first outer walls 110 of the first cover 100 and the second outer walls 210 of the second cover 200.

[0063] That is, the first outer walls 110 and the second outer walls 210 are in contact with each other and thus form the height of the space formed in the airbag housing.

[0064] Therefore, if the height of the inner walls 130 is less than the height of the first outer walls 110 or the second outer walls 210, the airbag cushion can expand beyond the inner walls 130 toward the outer walls 110 and 210.

[0065] Therefore, by forming the inner walls 130 to have a height greater than the heights of the first outer wall 110 and the second outer wall 210, the inner walls 130 can stably play a role of guiding the airbag cushion while preventing the airbag cushion from expanding toward the outer walls 110 and 210.

[0066] Furthermore, the inner walls 130 may be formed in the shape of a plate such that one end of each of the inner walls 130 is fixed to the inner surface of the first cover 100 or the inner surface of the second cover 200, and the other end of each of the inner walls 130 protrudes toward the cover 200 or 100 facing the inner walls 130.

[0067] For example, as in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, one end of the inner wall 130 may be a fixed end fixed to the bottom surface of the second cover 200, and the other end of the inner wall 130 may be a free end protruding toward the first cover 100.

[0068] Furthermore, the inner walls 130 may be vertically supported on the inner surface of the first cover 100 and the inner surface of the second cover 200.

[0069] That is, one end of the inner wall 130 may be vertically fixed to the bottom surface of the first cover 100, and the other end of the inner wall 130 may protrude toward the second cover 200 and be vertically supported on the ceiling surface of the second cover 200.

[0070] Therefore, the inner walls 130 act as ribs that reinforce the rigidity of the airbag housing and thereby increase the support rigidity of the airbag housing.

[0071] As described above, in the present invention, the airbag case is mounted by a hook fastening between the first cover 100 and the second cover 200 which are separated independently from each other, thereby improving the assemblability of the airbag case and reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0072] Further, the upper surface of the airbag case in the hinge structure is rotated by the fracture part 230 and the fracture distribution parts 240 to be opened, thereby improving the deployment performance of the airbag cushion.

[0073] As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, an airbag case is assembled by a hook fastening structure between a first cover and a second cover which are provided separately and independently of each other, whereby the assemblability of an airbag case product can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0074] Furthermore, the upper surface of the airbag case is rotated in a hinge structure by a fracture part and fracture distribution parts to be opened, thereby improving the deployment performance of the airbag cushion.

[0075] The effects achieved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates from the above description.

[0076] Although the present invention has been explained with reference to specific embodiments, it is clear that various modifications and changes will be apparent to those skilled in the art within the technical scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] KR 10-2024-0079551

[0001]

Claims

[1] Airbag housing, with: a first cover configured to receive an airbag cushion, the first cover having first attachment portions formed along a periphery of the first cover; and a second cover configured to cover the airbag cushion and comprising: second fastening portions formed along a periphery of the second cover and configured to engage with the first fastening portions and be fastened to the first cover; a fraction formed in a portion of the second cover and configured to reduce stiffness; and fracture distribution parts formed at ends of the fracture part, wherein the fracture distribution parts are configured to distribute the fracture force to prevent severing of portions of the second cover other than the fracture part. [2] The airbag case according to claim 1, wherein each of the fracture distribution parts is formed in the shape of a hole configured to penetrate the second cover. [3] The airbag case according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the fracture distribution parts is formed in the shape of a circular hole. [4] The airbag case according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a thickness of portions of the second cover in which the fracture distribution parts are formed is greater than a thickness of a remaining portion of the second cover. [5] Airbag housing according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first cover further comprises outer walls formed around the periphery of the first cover and the periphery of the second cover, wherein the first fastening portions and the second fastening portions are formed on the outer walls of the first cover and on the outer walls of the second cover, respectively, and wherein the first cover further comprises inner walls provided within the outer walls so that the airbag cushion is received in a space created by the inner walls. [6] The airbag housing according to claim 5, wherein the inner walls are arranged within attachment areas between the first attachment portions and the second attachment portions. [7] The airbag housing according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the inner walls are arranged adjacent to the first attachment portions and the second attachment portions. [8] An airbag housing according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the inner walls are formed to have a greater height than the outer walls of the first cover and the outer walls of the second cover. [9] The airbag case according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the inner walls are formed in the shape of a plate such that one end of each of the inner walls is fixed to an inner surface of one of the first cover and the second cover, and a remaining end of each of the inner walls protrudes toward a remaining one of the first cover and the second cover, and the second cover is configured to face the inner walls. [10] The airbag housing according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the inner walls are vertically supported on an inner surface of the first cover and an inner surface of the second cover. [11] The airbag case according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second fastening portions of the second cover are engaged with the first fastening portions of the first cover as a hook fastening structure. [12] Airbag housing according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the following features applies: the first fastening sections have hooks and the second fastening sections have hook grooves; or the first fastening sections have hook grooves and the second fastening sections have hooks, and wherein the first fastening portions are fixed to the second fastening portions to form the hook fastening structure. [13] The airbag housing according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the fracture portion is configured as a broken line shaped tear line to reduce the rigidity of the fracture portion. [14] The airbag housing of claim 13, wherein the fraction has a U-shape.

Images