Fastening strap tightening assembly

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a fastening strap assembly (100) configured to secure a first component (510) and a second component (520) of a vehicle together before and during the deployment of a vehicle safety airbag. The fastening strap assembly includes a fastening strap housing (110) and a fastening pin. The fastening strap housing includes a fastening seat, a bracket, and a fastening strap that connects the fastening seat to the bracket. The fastening seat is configured to be attached to the first component (510). The fastening pin locks the bracket into a hole in the second component (520) in a locked position. The fastening pin includes a torsion bar extending along an extension axis, the torsion bar being elastically deformable by torsion about the extension axis, and the torsion bar engaging with the bracket at a distal end of the torsion bar.The retaining pin further includes an actuator comprising a cam surface and a release surface connected to the cam surface. The cam surface engages with an edge of the hole in the second element (520) to cause the torsion bar to twist so as to lock the support in the hole of the second element (520) by means of the retaining pin. See Figure 1A for abbreviations.

Description

Title of the invention: Fastening strap tightening assembly Technical field of the invention

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a mounting for an airbag that is configured for use with a vehicle, and more specifically to a tether strap clamp assembly for an airbag that is configured to connect vehicle components together during airbag deployment. Technical background

[0002] Before being used in a vehicle, a vehicle safety airbag is rolled up and then covered by a trim panel (e.g., an A-pillar trim panel) of a vehicle. However, the vehicle trim panel is mounted to another member (e.g., a metal plate) of the vehicle by means of a fastener. When the safety airbag is deployed, the vehicle trim panel will be unfolded so that the deployed airbag can operate. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates, in at least one of its embodiments, to a tether strap tightening assembly configured to secure a first member and a second member of a vehicle together before and during deployment of a safety airbag of the vehicle, the tether strap tightening assembly comprising:

[0004] a fastening strap housing comprising a fastening seat, a bracket, and a fastening strap that connects the fastening seat to the bracket, wherein the fastening seat is configured to be secured to the first member, and the bracket is configured to be at least partially inserted into a hole in the second member; and

[0005] a securing pin, the securing pin having a locked position, the securing pin being configured to lock the bracket in the hole of the second member at the locked position, and the securing pin comprising:

[0006] a torsion bar extending along an extension axis, the torsion bar being elastically deformable by torsion about the extension axis, and the torsion bar engaging with the support on a distal end of the torsion bar; and

[0007] an actuator, the actuator being connected to a proximal end of the torsion bar, the actuator comprising at least one cam surface and at least one release surface connected to the at least one cam surface, wherein the at least one cam surface extends spirally around the extension axis and is configured to fit an edge of the hole of the second member to drive the torsion bar to twist to allow the fixing pin to be inserted into the hole of the second member; wherein the at least one release surface is configured to fit the edge of the hole of the second member, such that upon completion of the process of inserting the fixing pin into the hole of the second member, the torsion bar returns to a substantially undeformed state to lock the bracket in the hole of the second member; and wherein the fixing pin is configured to be releasable from the locked position by twisting the torsion bar to allow the bracket to be removed from the second member.

[0008] According to the aforementioned fastening strap tightening assembly, the fastening pin further comprises a head portion, and the torsion bar and the actuator are connected to the head portion from the same side. The head portion is configured to allow the fastening pin to be released from the locked position by manipulating the head portion.

[0009] According to the aforementioned fastening strap clamping assembly, the bracket comprises a supporting portion and a holding portion, the supporting portion being connected to the fastening strap, and the holding portion extending around at least a portion of the fastening pin and being insertable into the hole of the second member,

[0010] wherein the holding portion is connected to the support portion on a proximal end of the holding portion, and the holding portion engages with the distal end of the torsion bar on a distal end of the holding portion and holds the distal end of the torsion bar, to allow the proximal end of the torsion bar to be twisted relative to the distal end of the torsion bar.

[0011] According to the aforementioned fastening strap clamp assembly, the holding portion comprises a pair of legs extending parallel to each other and a foot portion connected between distal ends of the pair of legs, the torsion bar and the fastening pin actuator being located between the pair of legs, and the distal end of the torsion bar engages with the foot portion in a fitted manner.

[0012] According to the aforementioned fixing strap clamp assembly, the foot part is provided with a slot and a pair of protruding portions extending toward each other from two opposite slot walls of the slot. Two opposite sides of the distal end of the torsion bar are provided with a pair of recessed portions. The distal end of the torsion bar can be inserted into the slot of the foot part, and the pair of protruding portions of the slot can respectively engage with the pair of recessed portions.

[0013] According to the aforementioned fixing strap clamp assembly, the support portion comprises a receiving cavity for receiving the head portion and a flange for the head portion support, the flange projecting from an interior surface of the receiving cavity and defining a passage for the attachment pin to pass therethrough.

[0014] According to the fastening strap clamping assembly, the head portion of the fastening pin comprises a locking device, wherein the locking device cooperates with the receiving cavity to limit a torsion angle of the torsion bar.

[0015] According to the aforementioned fastening strap tightening assembly, the at least one cam surface extends gradually away from the extension axis in a direction toward the head portion. The at least one release surface is formed on the top of the actuator which is close to the head portion, and extends obliquely downward gradually away from the head portion in a direction toward the corresponding cam surface.

[0016] According to the aforementioned fixing strap clamp assembly, the actuator comprises a pair of actuating arms, and at least a portion of the torsion bar is located between the pair of actuating arms. The at least one cam surface comprises a pair of cam surfaces, the pair of cam surfaces being respectively formed on the pair of actuating arms, and at least one release surface comprises a pair of release surfaces, the pair of release surfaces being respectively connected to the pair of cam surfaces.

[0017] According to the aforementioned fixing strap clamp assembly, the support portion of the bracket and the fixing seat can engage with each other so as to form a hook. Brief description of the drawings

[0018] [Fig.1A]] is a perspective view of a fastening strap tightening assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] [Fig.lB]] is an exploded view of the fastening strap clamp assembly shown in [Fig.lA];

[0020] [[Fig.2A]] is a perspective view of a housing of the fastening strap clamp assembly shown in [Fig.1B];

[0021] [[Fig.2B]] is an enlarged perspective view of a bracket of the fastening strap housing shown in [Fig.2A];

[0022] [[Fig.3A]] is a perspective view, viewed from the top down, of a securing pin of the securing strap clamp assembly shown in [Fig.1B];

[0023] [[Fig.3B]] is another perspective view, seen from the top down, of the attachment pin of the attachment strap clamp assembly shown in [Fig.1B];

[0024] [[Fig.4A]] is a perspective view of the fastening strap clamp assembly shown in [Fig.1A] in a pre-assembled state;

[0025] [[Fig.4B]] is a top view of the fastening strap clamp assembly shown in [Fig.4A] along arrow E;

[0026] [[Fig.4C]] is a sectional view of the fastening strap clamp assembly shown in [Fig.4B] along line II;

[0027] [[Fig.4D]] is a sectional view of the fastening strap clamp assembly shown in [Fig.4B] along line II-II;

[0028] [Fig.5A]] is a perspective view from a first perspective of the attachment strap clamp assembly shown in [Fig.1A] when attached to a first member and a second member;

[0029] [[Fig.5B]] is a perspective view from a second perspective of the attachment strap clamp assembly shown in [Fig.1A] when attached to the first member and the second member;

[0030] [[Fig.5C]] is a top view of the second element of [Fig.5A];

[0031] [[Fig.6A]] is a partial top view of the strap tightening assembly of fastener shown in [Fig.5A] when a fixing pin is in a locked position;

[0032] [[Fig.6B]] is a partial perspective view, viewed from the bottom up, of the securing strap tightening assembly shown in [Fig.5A] when the securing pin is in the locked position;

[0033] [[Fig.7A]] is a top partial view of the securing strap clamp assembly shown in [Fig.5A] when the securing pin is in a released state;

[0034] [[Fig.7B]] is a partial perspective view, viewed from the bottom up, of the fastening strap clamp assembly shown in [Fig.5A] when the fastening pin is in the released state; and

[0035] [[Fig.8]] is a side view of the tether strap clamp assembly shown in [Fig.5A] when an airbag is deployed. Detailed description of the invention

[0036] Various particular embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings which are part of this specification. It is understood that although terms indicating orientations, such as "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", "upper" and "lower", are used in the present disclosure to describe structural parts in various examples of the present disclosure, these terms are used herein for illustration purposes only and are determined based on the exemplary orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. As the embodiments described in this disclosure vulgation may be arranged in different senses, these terms indicating meanings are only illustrative and should not be considered as limitations.

[0037] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a securing strap clamp assembly, which may be used to connect a first member (e.g., an A-pillar trim panel of a vehicle) to a second member (e.g., a metal plate of the vehicle), such that prior to and during deployment of a safety airbag covered by the A-pillar trim panel of the vehicle, the first member (e.g., the A-pillar trim panel of the vehicle) and the second member (e.g., the metal plate of the vehicle) of the vehicle may be securely fastened to each other to prevent the A-pillar trim panel from being separated from the metal plate of the vehicle.

[0038] Figures 1A and 1B show a fastening strap clamp assembly 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, [Fig. 1A] being a perspective view of the fastening strap clamp assembly 100, and [Fig. 1B] being an exploded view of the fastening strap clamp assembly 100 shown in [Fig. 1A]. As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the fastening strap clamp assembly 100 includes a fastening strap housing 110 and a fastening pin 130 which are assembled to form the fastening strap clamp assembly 100.

[0039] The fastening strap housing 110 may be a one-piece member of integrally molded plastic. The fastening strap housing 110 includes a fastening seat 112, a bracket 114, and a fastening strap 116 that connects the fastening seat 112 to the bracket 114. The fastening seat 112 is configured to be secured to the first member (e.g., a first member 510 shown in FIG. 5), and the bracket 114 is configured to be secured to the second member (e.g., a second member 520 shown in FIG. 5). For example, the fastening seat 112 is secured to a corresponding mounting portion of the first member by means of a latch, hook, etc. The bracket 114 is at least partially inserted into a hole in the second member and is locked into the hole in the second member by means of the fastening pin 130.The fixing strap 116 is shaped like a long strip, so that the fixing strap 116 can allow the fixing seat 112 and the support 114 to be separated from each other by a certain distance while connecting the fixing seat 112 to the support 114. The number of fixing straps 116 is not limited to one as shown in the figure, but several fixing straps can be provided.

[0040] Figures 2A and 2B show the specific structures of the parts of the fixing strap housing 110, [Fig. 2A] being a perspective view of the fixing strap housing 110, and [Fig. 2B] being an enlarged perspective view of the bracket 114 of the fastening strap housing 110. As shown in [Fig.2A], the fastening seat 112 includes a first plate 221, a second plate 223, and a connecting beam 225 that connects the first plate 221 to the second plate 223. The connecting beam 225 may have a plate-like structure extending perpendicular to the first plate 221 and the second plate 223. The connecting beam 225 is located between the first plate 221 and the second plate 223 and allows the two plates to be connected substantially parallel to each other. Optionally, the first plate 221 and the second plate 223 may also be connected so as to form an angle with respect to each other instead of being parallel to each other. Since the connecting beam 225 separates the first plate 221 and the second plate 223 from each other, there is a gap 227 between the first plate 221 and the second plate 223.

[0041] The first plate 221 is connected to the fixing strap 116 which is substantially flat strip-shaped. The second plate 223 has an extension portion 224 which is substantially flat strip-shaped and a hook portion 222 arranged on the end of the extension portion 224 which is close to the fixing strap 116. The extension portion 224 extends substantially parallel to the first plate 221. The hook portion 222 is formed of a bent structure which is bent toward the first plate 221. The fixing portion 222 is configured to hook the first member fixed to the fixing seat 112 to improve the fixing effect of the fixing seat 112 on the first member. The side of the first plate 221 opposite the second plate 223 is provided with a pair of engagement structures 229. The engagement structures 229, for example, hook-shaped shown in [Fig.2A], are used to engage with corresponding engagement structures on the support 114. .

[0042] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the support 114 has a central axis A, and includes a support portion 241 connected to the fixing strap 116 and a holding portion 243 extending from the support portion 241 in a direction along the central axis A. The holding portion 243 can be inserted into the hole of the second member.

[0043] The support portion 241 is substantially in the form of a ring extending around the central axis A, and has an upper surface 282 and a lower surface 284 opposite each other, and a receiving cavity 286 extending from the upper surface 282 to the lower surface 284. The holding portion 243 extends from the lower surface 284. The lower surface 284 faces the second member to be mounted, and the lower surface 284 is provided with a pair of fingers 285 for abutting against the second member. The fingers 285 are located respectively on two opposite sides of the receiving cavity receiving 286. The upper surface 282 is provided with corresponding engagement structures 287 for engagement with the engagement structures 229 on the fixing seat 112, so that the support portion 241 and the fixing seat 112 can engage with each other so as to form a hook. The corresponding engagement structure 287 of the support 114, for example, has a recess which can receive the hook portion.

[0044] The support portion 241 further comprises a flange 283 extending from an inner surface of the receiving cavity 286. The flange 283 defines a passage 288. The cross-sectional shape of the passage 288 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis A fits with the cross-sectional shape of the fixing pin 130 having the maximum radial size, so that the fixing pin 130 can be inserted into the passage 288, and during the process of inserting the fixing pin 130, the passage 288 can serve to guide the fixing pin 130.

[0045] The support portion 241 further comprises an opening 289 which opens into the receiving cavity 286, and the opening 289 forms a notch on the support portion 241. The opening 289 does not penetrate into the support portion 241 in the direction of the central axis A, and the flange 283 is always provided below the opening 289. The opening 289 has a pair of opposing side walls 289a, 289b for limiting the rotation of the fixing pin 130.

[0046] The holding portion 243 of the bracket 114 has a pair of legs 244a, 244b extending parallel to each other along the central axis A. The pair of legs 244a, 244b are located on the two opposite sides of the central axis A, and are then separated from each other by a certain distance, so that an insertion portion of the fixing pin 130 is received between the legs. The pair of legs 244a, 244b are connected to the supporting portion 241 on proximal ends of the legs. The holding portion 243 is connected to a foot portion 245 which is located between the distal ends of the pair of legs 244a, 244b, and the foot portion 245 is provided with a slot 251 for fitting with the fixing pin 130. In addition, the holding portion 243 further comprises a position limiting structure 247.The position limiting structure 247 is arranged between the pair of legs 244a, 244b and located above the foot portion 245. A passage 253 is formed in the position limiting structure 247, and the passage 253 is aligned with the slot 251 in the foot portion 245 in the direction along the central axis A. The specific structures of the foot portion 245 and the position limiting structure 247 are more clearly shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D.

[0047] The pair of legs 244a, 244b each have a front side edge 264a, 264b extending in the direction along the central axis A and a rear side edge 265a, 265b extending in the direction along the central axis A. The two front side edges 264a, 264b are located in a plane PI, and the two rear lateral edges 265a, 265b are located in a plane P2. The two planes PI and P2 are substantially parallel to each other and define between them an inter-leg space 268.

[0048] Figures 3A-3B show the specific structure of the fixing pin 130, [Fig. 3A] being a perspective view of the fixing pin 130 seen from the top downwards, and [Fig. 3B] being another perspective view of the fixing pin 130 seen from the top downwards. The fixing pin 130 shown in [Fig. 3B] is the fixing pin 130 shown in [Fig. 3A] rotating at a clockwise angle about an extension axis C of the fixing pin 130. The fixing pin 130 is configured to lock the bracket 114 in a hole 525 of the second member 520.

[0049] As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the fixing pin 130 comprises: a torsion bar 310 extending along the extension axis C, an actuator 320, a head portion 330 and a neck portion 340 connecting the actuator 320 and the torsion bar 310 to the head portion 330. The torsion bar 310 and the actuator 320 are connected to the head portion 330 from the same side. The actuator 320 has a substantially inverted “U”-shaped structure, and comprises a pair of actuator arms 322a, 322b and a connecting portion 326 which connects the pair of actuator arms 322a, 322b. The connecting portion 326 is connected to the upper ends of the pair of operating arms 322a, 322b, and the lower ends of the pair of operating arms 322a, 322b are free ends. The pair of operating arms 322a, 322b connects to the head portion 330 via the connecting portion 326 and the neck portion 340.The pair of actuating arms 322a, 322b are arranged symmetrically with respect to the extension axis C.

[0050] The torsion bar 310 extends downward from a position of the connecting portion 326 of the actuator 320 between the pair of actuating arms 322a, 322b. The torsion bar 310 is substantially elongated and has a torsion portion 311 located between the pair of actuating arms 322a, 322b and an engagement portion 313 located below the pair of actuating arms 322a, 322b. One end of the torsion portion 311 is connected to the connecting portion 326 of the actuator 320, and the other end thereof is connected to the engagement portion 313. The engagement portion 313 is located on a distal end of the torsion bar 310.The torsion portion 311 of the torsion bar 310 is an elongated rod of uniform width and thickness, and the width of the engagement portion 313 of the torsion bar 310 is much greater than the width of the torsion portion 311, so that the engagement portion 313 extends in the width direction to a position directly below the pair of operating arms 322a, 322b. In the thickness direction of the engagement portion 313, two opposite sides of the portion . engagement 313 are provided with a pair of recessed portions 315 for engagement with the foot portion 245 of the support 114, which will be described in detail in connection with Figures 4A-4D.

[0051] Still referring to Figures 3A and 3B, the actuator 320 further comprises a pair of cam surfaces 323a, 323b provided on the pair of actuating arms 322a, 322b and a pair of release surfaces 324a, 324b provided on the top of the actuator 320, the pair of release surfaces 324a, 324b being respectively connected to the pair of cam surfaces 323a, 323b. The pair of cam surfaces 323a, 323b extend spirally around the extension axis C and gradually move away from the extension axis C in a direction toward the head portion 330. That is, when the pair of cam surfaces 323a, 323b extend toward the head portion 330, the pair of cam surfaces 323a, 323b extend gradually away from each other, and the distance between the pair of cam surfaces 323a, 323b reaches the maximum on upper ends thereof connected to the release surfaces 324a, 324b.The pair of release surfaces 324a, 324b extend obliquely downwardly away from the head portion 330 in a direction toward the corresponding cam surfaces 323a, 323b. That is, instead of extending in a direction not perpendicular to the extension axis C, the release surfaces 324a, 324b extend to form an included angle with this direction. The cam surfaces 323a, 323b and the release surfaces 324a, 324b are provided to enable the fastening strap clamp assembly 100 to be secured in the hole of the second member and removed from the second member, which will be described in detail below.

[0052] The top of the head portion 330 is provided with an operating cavity 332, and the operating cavity 332 is configured to be engageable with an operating tool, so that an operator can use the operating tool to drive the rotation of the head portion, so that the actuator 320 and the torsion bar 310 are driven to rotate to release the fastening strap clamp assembly 100 from the second member. The head portion 330 is further provided with a locking device 335, and the locking device 335 cooperates with the receiving cavity 286 of the support portion 241 of the support 114 to limit a torsion angle of the torsion bar 310.In one embodiment shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the locking device 335 is a tab extending from the head portion 330, and moves into the opening 289 of the support portion 241 of the support 114 and contacts the side walls 289a, 289b of the opening 289. In addition, the locking device 335 is sized such that, when the securing pin 130 is mounted in the support 114 in place, the locking device 335 extends out of the receiving cavity 286 of the support portion 241 from the opening 289 of the support portion 241. Therefore, . the operator can also use the locking device manually (without the aid of a tool) 335 to drive the head portion 330 to rotate.

[0053] Figures 4A-4D show a strap clamp assembly 100 in a pre-assembled state, and show the cooperative relationship between the elements of the fastening strap clamp assembly 100, [Fig. 4A] being a perspective view of the fastening strap clamp assembly 100 in a pre-assembled state, [Fig. 4B] being a top view of the fastening strap clamp assembly 100 shown in [Fig. 4A] along arrow E, [Fig. 4C] being a sectional view of the fastening strap clamp assembly shown in [Fig. 4B] along line II, and [Fig. 4D] being a sectional view of the fastening strap clamp assembly shown in [Fig. 4B] along line II-II.As shown in Figures 4A-4D, when the fixing strap clamp assembly 100 is in a pre-assembled state, the fixing pin 130 is inserted into the bracket 114 in place, and the pair of engagement structures 229 on the fixing seat 112 engages with the corresponding engagement structures 287 on the bracket 114, so that the fixing strap 116 is in a folded state, with the fixing seat 112 disposed next to the bracket 114, and the entire fixing strap clamp assembly 100 is then in a folded state. The fixing strap clamp assembly 100 in the pre-assembled state can be conveniently transported and stored.

[0054] As shown in Figures 4A-4D, when the fixing pin 130 is inserted into the bracket 114 in place, the extension axis C of the fixing pin 130 coincides with the central axis A of the bracket 114. The head portion 330 of the fixing pin 130 is supported by the flange 283 on a support portion 241 of the bracket 114. The locking device 335 of the head portion 330 is located in the opening 289 of the support portion 241, and the distance between the two side walls 289a, 289b of the opening 289 is greater than the size of the locking device 335, so that the locking device 335 can rotate about the extension axis C in the opening 289. The engagement portion 313 of the torsion bar 310 of the fixing pin 130 is inserted into the slot 251 in the foot portion 245 of the support 114 and the passage 253 in the position limiting structure 247.The pair of cam surfaces 323a, 323b of the fixing pin 130 extend respectively through the plane P1 where the front side edges 264a, 264b of the pair of legs 244a, 244b are located and the plane P2 where the rear side edges 265a, 265b are located and extend out of the inter-leg space 268, and the pair of release surfaces 324a, 324b are located outside the inter-leg space 268.

[0055] As shown in [Fig.4D], the slot 251 in the foot portion 245 of the bracket 114 is internally provided with a pair of protruding portions 452 extending toward each other from the two opposing slot walls 451 of the slot 251, the portions protrusions 452 extending respectively into the recessed portions 315 in the engagement portion 313 of the torsion bar 310. In this way, the engagement portion 313 of the torsion bar 310 is fixed in the foot portion 245 of the support 114 in a fitted manner. The shape and size of the passage 253 in the position limiting structure 247 of the support 114 are designed to match the shape and size of an upper portion of the engagement portion 313 of the torsion bar 310, so that the position limiting structure 247 can further prevent the engagement portion 313 of the torsion bar 310 from moving relative to the support 114.

[0056] Since the housing 110 of the fixing strap is a plastic part, the slot 251 in the foot portion 245 of the support 114 and the passage 253 in the position limiting structure 247 are provided so that the foot portion 245 and the position limiting structure 247 have a certain elasticity and can generate a certain elastic deformation when a force is applied thereto. Therefore, although the thickness of a lower end of the engaging portion 313 of the torsion bar 310 is greater than the distance between the pair of protruding portions 452 in the foot portion 245 of the support 114, the engaging portion 313 of the torsion bar 310 can still pass between the pair of protruding portions 452 in the foot portion 245.In the process of inserting the fixing pin 130 into the holder 114, the lower end of the engaging portion 313 of the torsion bar 310 will enlarge the distance between the pair of protruding portions 452, so that the lower end of the engaging portion 313 can pass between the pair of protruding portions 452 in the foot portion 245, until the pair of protruding portions 452 on the engaging portion 313 extend respectively into the recessed portions 315 on the engaging portion 313 of the torsion bar 310, and the distance between the pair of protruding portions 452 will return to the state in which the foot portion 245 has not been stressed. By means of the cooperation between the protruding portions 452 and the recessed portions 315, the engaging portion 313 of the torsion bar 310 is fixed in the foot portion 245 of the support 114 and cannot be twisted together with the twisting portion 311 of the torsion bar 310.

[0057] In a pre-assembled position shown in Figures 4A-4D, the torsion portion 311 of the torsion bar 310 is not twisted and is in an unstressed state.

[0058] Figures 5A-5C show the cooperative relationship between the fastening strap clamp assembly 100 in a state of use and the members attached to the fastening strap clamp assembly. [Fig. 5A] is a perspective view from a first perspective of the fastening strap clamp assembly 100 when attached to the first member and the second member, [Fig. 5B] is a perspective view from a second perspective of the fastening strap clamp assembly 100 when attached to the first member and the second member, and [Fig.5C] is a top view of the second member shown in [Fig.5A]. As shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, the fastening strap clamp assembly 100 is used to secure the first member 510 to the second member 520, with the fastening seat 112 of the fastening strap clamp assembly 100 being secured to the first member 510, and the bracket 114 being secured to the second member 520. The first member 510 has a connecting plate 517 in which an insertion slot 515 is formed. The insertion slot 515 extends in the length direction of the connecting plate 517, but does not penetrate the connecting plate 517 in the length direction, and the insertion slot 515 then has an open end 512 and a closed end (not shown in the figure) opposite each other.The connecting beam 225 of the fixing seat 112 (covered by the view in Figs. 5A-5C) is inserted into the insertion slot 515 from the open end 512, and the connecting plate 517 is clamped in the gap 227 between the first plate 221 and the second plate 223 of the fixing seat 112. The hook portion 222 of the fixing seat 112 hooks the end of the connecting plate 517 which is close to the closed end of the insertion slot 515. The second member 520 is provided with a through hole 525 (as shown in [Fig. 5C]), and the holder 114 is fixed in the hole of the second member 520 by means of the fixing pin 130. More specifically, the second member 520 is clamped between the fingers 285 on the lower face 284 of the support part 241 and the actuating part 320 of the fixing pin 130 and is thus locked in place.

[0059] As shown in [Fig.5C], the through hole 525 in the second member 520 is a substantially square hole having four edges 523 and corners 526 formed by the adjacent edges 523. The hole 525 is sized such that the distance DI between the two opposite corners 526 is greater than the distance between vertices of the pair of cam surfaces 323a, 323b, so that the actuating portion 320 of the fixing pin 130 can pass through the hole 525 when the pair of cam surfaces 323a, 323 are respectively aligned with a pair of corners 526. Furthermore, the size of the hole 525 is also related to the pair of legs 224a, 224b of the bracket 114.More specifically, the distance DI between the two opposite corners 526 is slightly greater than the maximum distance dl between the outer contours of the pair of legs 224a, 224b of the support 114, so that the support 114 can be inserted into the hole 525 only when the pair of legs 224a, 224b are respectively aligned with the two opposite corners 526. This configuration on the one hand facilitates the positioning of the support 114 relative to the second element 520 when it is mounted in the hole 525, and on the other hand can prevent the support 114 from rotating relative to the second element 520 by the interaction between the pair of legs 224a, 224b of the support 114 and the hole 525 after the support 114 is . mounted in the 525 hole in place.

[0060] Figures 6A and 6B show the positional relationship of the securing pin 130 and the bracket 114 with the hole 525 of the second member 520 in the securing strap clamp assembly 100 when the securing pin 130 is in the locked position, [Fig. 6A] being a partial top view of the securing strap clamp assembly 100 when the securing pin 130 is in the locked position, and [Fig. 6B] being a partial perspective view, seen from the bottom up, of the securing strap clamp assembly 100 when the securing pin 130 is in the locked position. For convenience of illustration, the first member 510 and the securing seat 112 are removed in Figures 6A and 6B.As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, when the fixing pin 130 is in the locked position, the locking device 335 of the head portion 330 of the fixing pin 130 is disposed proximate the side wall 289a of the opening of the support 140, and the cam surfaces 323a, 323b are located directly below the edges 523 of the second member 520 and are then protected by the second member 520.

[0061] Figures 7A and 7B show the positional relationship of the securing pin 130 and the bracket 114 with the hole 525 of the second member 520 in the securing strap clamp assembly 100 when the securing pin 130 is in the released position, [Fig. 7A] being a partial top view of the securing strap clamp assembly 100 when the securing pin 130 is in the released position, and [Fig. 7B] being a partial perspective view, seen from the bottom up, of the securing strap clamp assembly 100 when the securing pin 130 is in the released position. For convenience of illustration, the first member 510 and the securing seat 112 are removed in Figures 7A-7B. As shown in Figures 7A and 7B, when the fixing pin 130 is in the released position, the locking device 335 of the head portion 330 of the fixing pin 130 is disposed near the side wall 289b of the opening of the support 140.Although the cam surfaces 323a, 323b are located below the second member 520, they are located at the corners 526 of the hole 525 and therefore not protected by the second member 520. The head portion 330 of the fixing pin 130 in Figures 7A and 7B is the head portion 330 of the fixing pin 130 in Figures 6A and 6B rotated at an angle counterclockwise.

[0062] An exemplary manner of a process of connecting the fastening strap clamp assembly 100 to the first member 510 and the second member 520 and then achieving the use state shown in Figures 5A and 5B will be described below.

[0063] When the fastening strap tightening assembly 100 is connected to the first element 510 and the second element 520, firstly, the fastening seat 112 of the assembly The fastening strap clamp assembly 100 in the pre-assembled state (as shown in [Fig.4A]) is fixedly connected to the first member 510, so that the fastening strap clamp assembly 100 is pre-mounted on the first member 510. Then, the holder 114 of the fastening strap clamp assembly 100 is locked in the second member 520 by means of the fixing pin 130.

[0064] The fixing seat 112 can be easily connected to the first member 510. It is sufficient to align the connecting plate 517 of the first member 510 with the gap 227 between the first plate 221 and the second plate 223 of the fixing seat 112 and to insert the connecting beam 225 of the fixing seat 112 into the insertion slot 515 from the open end 512 of the insertion slot 515 in the connecting plate 517 of the first member 510 until the hook portion 222 of the fixing seat 112 hooks the end of the connecting plate 517 which is close to the closed end of the insertion slot 515.

[0065] The process of locking the support 114 in the second element 520 by means of the fixing pin 130 will be described below in connection with FIGS. 4A, 5A-5C, 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B.

[0066] When the fastening strap clamp assembly 100 is in the pre-assembled state shown in [Fig.4A], the position of the fastening pin 130 in the bracket 114 is the same as the locked position shown in Figures 6A and 6B. In this position state, the bracket 114, together with the fixing pin 130 therein, is inserted into the hole 525 of the second member 520. As the fixing strap clamp assembly is now fixed with the first member 510, the operator first places the pair of legs 224a, 224b of the bracket 114 against the pair of corners 526 of the hole 525, respectively, and then applies a downward insertion force to the top of the first member 510 (the insertion force is then applied to the fixing strap clamp assembly 100), so that the ends of the pair of legs 224a, 224b of the bracket 114 are inserted into the hole 525.As the bracket 114 and the fixing pin 130 are gradually inserted downward, the pair of cam surfaces 323a, 323b of the fixing pin 130 abuts against the pair of edges 523 of the hole 525. As the cam surfaces 323a, 323b extend away from the extension axis C gradually from the bottom to the top, under the insertion force applied to the fixing strap tightening assembly 100, the cam surfaces 323a, 323b of the fixing pin 130 slide on the edges 523 of the hole 525, so that the actuating portion 320 of the fixing pin 130 rotates about the central axis A. As the engaging portion 313 of the torsion bar 310 is fixed by the foot portion 245 of the bracket 114, under the rotation of the actuating portion 320 about the central axis A, the torsion portion 311 of the torsion bar 310 is driven to twist about the central axis A in a direction indicated by the arrow J. in [Fig.6A] until the pair of cam surfaces 323a, 323b slide to the upper end of the torsion bar relative to the edges 523 of the hole (i.e., the insertion process ends). Since the upper ends of the cam surfaces 323a, 323b are connected to the release surfaces 324a, 324b, by means of the release surfaces 324a, 324b and the edges 523 of the hole 525, the operating portion 320 can pass through the hole 525 and reach a position below the second member 520, and the torsion bar 310 is twisted in a direction indicated by the arrow K in [Fig. 7A] to return to an initial state in which the torsion bar is substantially unstressed (undeformed), i.e., reaching the state shown in [Fig. 6A].In this way, the second element 520 is clamped between the actuating portion 320 of the fixing pin 130 and the support portion 241 of the support 114, so that the support 114 is locked in the second element 520.

[0067] The fastening strap clamp assembly 100 then reaches the state of use shown in Figures 5A and 5B, and the first member 510 is secured in place relative to the second member 520.

[0068] When the holder 114 is to be removed from the second member 520, a tool may be used to cooperate with the operating cavity 332 in the head portion 330 of the fixing pin 130 (or the locking device 335 of the head portion 330 is directly manipulated by hand), so that the head portion 330 of the fixing pin 130 is twisted in the direction indicated by the arrow J in [Fig. 6A] until the fixing pin 130 reaches a released position shown in [Fig. 7B], so that the fixing pin 130 and the holder 114 can be removed from the second member 520.

[0069] [Fig. 8] is a side view of the fixing strap tightening assembly shown in [Fig. 5A] when an airbag is deployed. In a use environment in which the first member 510 is a pillar trim panel of a vehicle and the second member 520 is a metal plate of the vehicle, a safety airbag that is not deployed is arranged between the first member 510 and the second member 520 in the state shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. When the safety airbag 800 is deployed instantaneously, the safety airbag 800 applies a force to the first member 510 to enable the engagement structure 229 of the fixing seat 112 to be separated from the corresponding engagement structure 287 on the bracket 114, so that the first member 510 is ejected from the second member 520.In such a use environment, the use of the fixing strap clamp assembly 100 of the present disclosure is particularly convenient and reliable. This is because the fixing pin 130 of the fixing strap clamp assembly 100 of the present disclosure actuates the bar. torsion to twist under the effect of the actuating force generated by the sliding engagement of the cam surface with the edge of the hole, so that the automatic secure connection between the bracket 114 of the fastening strap clamp assembly 100 and the second member 520 can be achieved simply by applying a downward insertion force to the fastening strap clamp assembly 100 without the use of a tool, which is particularly suitable for the streamlined installation process during the mass production process of vehicles and allows workers to ensure its installation in place without the need to learn special installation skills.The above structure also enables the fixing pin 130 to securely lock the bracket 114 in the second member 520; so that the bracket 114 is not pulled out of the second member 520 by the first member 510 due to the large ejection force when the airbag is deployed instantaneously. That is, when the airbag is deployed instantaneously, the second member 520 will restrict the first member 510 by means of the fixing strap 116, which prevents the first member 510 from being ejected toward the passenger compartment of the vehicle. In addition, according to the fixing strap tightening assembly 100 of the present disclosure, the fixing pin 130 can be moved from the locked position to the released position by means of a simple tool (or a simple operation directly by hand), in order to remove the support 114 from the second member 520, which can facilitate the replacement or reinstallation of the safety airbag.In addition, according to the fixing strap clamp assembly 100 of the present disclosure, the torsion bar 310 of the fixing pin 130 is fixed to the bracket 114 in an assembled manner, and the fixing pin 130 and the bracket 114 are manufactured separately, so that the requirement for a mold is not high.

[0070] The fastening strap clamp assembly according to the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and other embodiments may be possible. For example, the torsion bar may engage with the bracket on the distal end of the torsion bar in other ways instead of the fitted manner. The number of cam surfaces may be one instead of two. The number of release surfaces may also be one instead of two, and so on.

[0071] Although the present disclosure has been described in connection with the exemplary embodiments set forth above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and / or substantial equivalents that are known or common or soon to be anticipated may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure as set forth above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present This disclosure is intended to encompass all alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and / or substantial equivalents known or previously disclosed. The technical effects and technical problems in this disclosure are given by way of example and are not limited thereto. It should be noted that the embodiments described in this disclosure may have other technical effects and may solve other technical problems. List of reference signs

[0072] 100 Fixing strap tightening assembly

[0073] 110 Fixing strap housing

[0074] 112 Fixing seat

[0075] 114 Support

[0076] 116 Fixing strap

[0077] 130 Fixing pin

[0078] 221 First plate

[0079] 222 Hook part

[0080] 223 Second plate

[0081] 224 Extension part

[0082] 225 Connecting beam

[0083] 227 Space

[0084] 229 Commitment structures

[0085] 241 Support part

[0086] 243 Holding part

[0087] 244a Paw

[0088] 244b Paw

[0089] 245 Foot part

[0090] 247 Position limiting structure

[0091] 251 Slot

[0092] 253 Passage

[0093] 264a Front side edge

[0094] 264b Front side edge

[0095] 265a Rear side edge

[0096] 265b Rear side edge

[0097] 268 Inter-leg space

[0098] 282 Upper surface

[0099] 283 Bride

[0100] 284 Lower surface

[0101] 285 Fingers

[0102] 286 Receiving cavity

[0103] 287 Engagement structures

[0104] 288 Passage

[0105] 289 Opening

[0106] 289a Side wall

[0107] 289b Side wall

[0108] 310 Torsion bar

[0109] 311 Torsion portion

[0110] 313 Engagement portion [YES] 315 Recessed portion

[0112] 320 Actuator

[0113] 322a Actuating arm

[0114] 322b Actuating arm

[0115] 323a Cam surface

[0116] 323b Cam surface

[0117] 324a Release surface

[0118] 324b Release surface

[0119] 326 Connecting part

[0120] 330 Head part

[0121]

[0122] 332 Operating cavity 335 Locking device

[0123] 340 Neck part

[0124] 451 Slot wall

[0125] 452 Projecting part

[0126] 510 First member

[0127] 512 Open end

[0128] 515 Insertion slot

[0129] 517 Connecting plate

[0130] 520 Second member

[0131] 523 Edge

[0132] 525 Hole

[0133] 526 Corner

[0134] 800 Safety airbag

Claims

Claims

1. A fastening strap clamp assembly (100) configured to secure a first member (510) and a second member (520) of a vehicle together before and during deployment of a safety airbag of the vehicle, the fastening strap clamp assembly comprising: a fastening strap housing (110) having a fastening seat (112), a bracket (114), and a fastening strap (116) that connects the fastening seat (112) to the bracket (114), wherein the fastening seat (112) is configured to be secured to the first member (510), and the bracket (114) is configured to be at least partially inserted into a hole (525) of the second member (520); and a securing pin (130), the securing pin (130) having a locked position, the securing pin (130) being configured to lock the bracket (114) in the hole (525) of the second member (520) in the locked position, and the securing pin (130) comprising: a torsion bar (310) extending along an extension axis (C), the torsion bar (310) being elastically deformable by torsion about the extension axis (C), and the torsion bar (310) engaging with the support (114) on a distal end of the torsion bar; and an actuator (320), the actuator (320) being connected to a proximal end of the torsion bar (310), the actuator (320) having at least one cam surface (323a, 323b) and at least one release surface (324a, 324b) connected to the at least one cam surface (323a, 323b), wherein the at least one cam surface (323a, 323b) extends spirally around the extension axis (C) and is configured to fit with an edge (523) of the hole (525) of the second member (520) to cause the torsion bar (310) to twist to allow the fixing pin (130) to be inserted into the hole (525) of the second member (520);wherein the at least one release surface (324a, 324b) is configured to fit with the edge (523) of the hole (525) of the second element (520), so that at the end of the process of inserting the fixing pin (130) into the hole (525) of the second element (520), the torsion bar (310) returns to a substantially undeformed state to lock the support (114) in the hole (525) of the second element (520); and wherein the fixing pin (130) is configured to be releasable from the locked position by; twisting the torsion bar (310) to allow the support (114) to be removed from the second member (520).

2. The fastening strap tightening assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the fastening pin (130) further comprises a head portion (330), the torsion bar (310) and the actuator (320) are connected to the head portion (330) from the same side, and the head portion (330) is configured to allow the fastening pin (130) to be released from the locked position by means of manipulation of the head portion (330).

3. The fastening strap clamp assembly (100) of claim 2, wherein the support (114) comprises a support portion (241) and a holding portion (243), the support portion (241) being connected to the fastening strap (116), and the holding portion (243) extending around at least a portion of the fastening pin (130) and being insertable into the hole (525) of the second member (520), wherein the holding portion (243) is connected to the support portion (241) on a proximal end of the holding portion, and the holding portion (243) engages with the distal end of the torsion bar (310) on a distal end of the holding portion and holds the distal end of the torsion bar (310), to allow the proximal end of the torsion bar (310) to be twisted relative to the distal end of the torsion bar (310).

4. The fastening strap clamp assembly (100) according to claim 3, wherein the holding portion (243) has a pair of legs (244a, 244b) extending parallel to each other and a foot portion (245) connected between the distal ends of the pair of legs (244a, 244b), the torsion bar (310) and the actuator (320) of the fastening pin (130) are located between the pair of legs (242, 244), and the distal end of the torsion bar (310) engages with the foot portion (245) in a fitted manner.

5. A fastening strap clamp assembly (100) according to claim 4, wherein the foot portion (245) is provided with a slot (251) and a pair of protrusions (452) extending toward each other from two opposite slot walls (451) of the slot (251); and two opposite sides of the distal end of the torsion bar (310) are provided with a pair of recessed portions (315), in which the distal end of the torsion bar (310) can be inserted into the slot (251) of the foot portion (245), and the pair of protruding portions (452) of the slot (251) can respectively engage with the pair of recessed portions (315).

6. The fastening strap clamp assembly (100) of claim 3, wherein the support portion (241) includes a receiving cavity (286) for receiving the head portion (330) and a flange (283) for supporting the head portion (330), the flange (283) projecting from an inner surface of the receiving cavity (286) and defining a passage (288) for the fastening pin (130) to pass therethrough.

7. The fastening strap clamp assembly (100) of claim 6, wherein the head portion (330) of the fastening pin (130) comprises a locking device (335), wherein the locking device (335) cooperates with the receiving cavity (286) to limit a torsion angle of the torsion bar (310).

8. The fastening strap tightening assembly (100) according to claim 2, wherein the at least one cam surface (323a, 323b) gradually extends away from the extension axis (C) in a direction toward the head portion (330); and the at least one release surface (324a, 324b) is formed at the top of the actuator (320) which is close to the head portion (330), and extends obliquely downward gradually away from the head portion (330) in a direction toward the corresponding cam surface (323a, 323b).

9. The fastening strap tightening assembly (100) according to claim 2, wherein the actuator (320) comprises a pair of actuating arms (322a, 322b), and at least a portion of the torsion bar (310) is located between the pair of actuating arms (322a, 322b); and the at least one cam surface comprises a pair of cam surfaces (323a, 323b), the pair of cam surfaces (323a, 323b) being respectively formed on the pair of actuating arms (322a, 322b), and the at least one release surface (324) comprises a pair of release surfaces (324a, 324b), the pair of release surfaces (324a, 324b) being respectively connected to the pair of cam surfaces (323a, 323b).

10. A fastening strap clamp assembly (100) according to claim 1, in which the support portion (241) of the support (114) and the fixing seat (112) can engage with each other so as to form a hook.

Images