Airbag cover

Abstract

To provide a cover capable of suppressing sagging of an airbag.SOLUTION: A cover of an airbag that is mounted on a moving body and has a first end portion and a second end portion located at a position different from the first end portion includes a first through-hole that is provided in the first end portion and into which an attachment portion of the airbag is inserted, and an engagement portion that is provided in the second end portion and is engageable with a claw portion provided in a housing that houses the airbag.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cover for an airbag. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cover made of a sheet-like material that covers an airbag. The sheet-like material has insertion holes at both ends. The sheet-like material is folded so that the insertion holes at both ends overlap, and is attached to the airbag by inserting attachments into the insertion holes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-155018 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The cover disclosed in Patent Document 1 is fixed to the insertion holes on both ends using a single mounting fixture. This means that the cover cannot support the weight of the airbag at the side away from the mounting fixture, which could cause the airbag to sag downward. If the airbag sags downward, it could prevent the airbag from achieving the desired deployment performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present disclosure can be realized in the following forms.

[0006] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cover for an airbag mounted on a vehicle, the cover having a first end and a second end located at a position different from the first end. The cover for the airbag includes a first through-hole provided at the first end into which a mounting portion of the airbag is inserted, and an engaging portion provided at the second end that can engage with a claw provided on a housing that accommodates the airbag. This form of airbag cover has a first through hole provided at the first end into which the mounting portion of the airbag is inserted, and an engaging portion provided at the second end that can engage with a claw portion provided on the housing that stores the airbag, so sagging of the airbag can be suppressed compared to a configuration in which both the first end side and the second end side are fixed with the mounting portion. (2) In the airbag cover of the above-described form, the engagement portion may be constituted by a first slit, and may further include a second slit that is a fold line for folding the cover and is provided at a position different from the first slit, and a plurality of second through holes that are provided at positions symmetrical to the second slit and into which the mounting portion is inserted. This type of airbag cover includes a second slit, which is a folding line for folding the cover, and a plurality of second through-holes, which are provided symmetrically with respect to the second slit and into which the mounting portions are inserted, so that the cover can be partially doubled when attached. Specifically, the cover is folded so that the second through-holes, which are provided symmetrically with respect to the second slit, overlap each other, and then the mounting portions are inserted into the first through-hole and the second through-hole, thereby doubling the folded portion and attaching the cover. This can further reduce sagging compared to a single-layer cover. (3) The airbag cover of the above aspect may further include a third slit that is provided at a position different from the first slit and the second slit and is configured to be rupturable when the airbag inflates and deploys. According to this form of airbag cover, the cover is provided with a third slit that is configured to be rupturable when the airbag inflates and deploys, and therefore, compared to a configuration in which the third slit is not provided, the cover is less likely to interfere with the inflation and deployment of the airbag. (4) In the airbag cover of the above aspect, the third slit may be provided closer to the first end than the second slit and closer to the second end than the second slit. According to the airbag cover of this embodiment, the third slits are provided on both the first end side of the second slit and the second end side of the second slit, so that the cover is more likely to break when the airbag inflates and deploys, and interference with the airbag inflation and deployment can be more effectively prevented, compared to a configuration in which the third slits are provided only on the first end side or only on the second end side. Specifically, since the third slits can be provided in both the first and second layers of the double-layered cover when the cover is attached, the cover is more likely to break when the airbag inflates and deploys, compared to a configuration in which the third slits are provided only on either the first or second layer. (5) In the airbag cover of the above aspect, the first slit, the second slit, and the third slit may have different slit widths. In this type of airbag cover, the first slit, the second slit, and the third slit have different widths, so that workers can easily distinguish between the slits when installing the cover, thereby reducing the possibility of workers installing the cover incorrectly. (6) The airbag cover of the above aspect may further include wing portions that cover the sides of the airbag when the cover is attached to the airbag. According to the airbag cover of this configuration, the airbag can be supported more firmly and sagging of the airbag can be further suppressed compared to a configuration without wing portions. (7) In the airbag cover of the above embodiment, the cover may constitute a part of the interior design surface of the vehicle. According to this type of airbag cover, the cover constitutes part of the interior design of the vehicle, so there is no need to attach a lid member to cover the opening of the housing, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0007] The present disclosure may be realized in various forms, for example, in the form of an occupant protection device equipped with an airbag cover. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an occupant protection device including a cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a process diagram of a cover mounting method. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a cover of the second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a cover having a cutout. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A. First embodiment: <Overall structure> FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an occupant protection device 100 including a cover 140 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 shows a cross section of the occupant protection device 100 in the front-rear direction as viewed from the left. The occupant protection device 100 according to this embodiment is a knee airbag device that is mounted on a vehicle and protects the lower legs of an occupant P seated in the passenger seat of the vehicle. The occupant protection device 100 is disposed in a space below an instrument panel 1. The occupant protection device 100 includes an airbag body 110, an inflator 120, a housing 130, and a cover 140. In this embodiment, the term "airbag" refers to an entity that includes the airbag body 110 and the inflator 120.

[0010] In this disclosure, the direction along the vehicle's traveling direction is referred to as the "front-rear direction." The vertical direction as seen from the vehicle's occupant P is referred to as the "up-down direction." The direction along the left-right direction (width direction) of the vehicle is referred to as the "left-right direction." The "front-rear direction," "up-down direction," and "left-right direction" are directions that intersect with each other.

[0011] <Configuration of Airbag Body 110> The airbag body 110 is a bag that inflates and deploys when gas is supplied to the interior. The airbag body 110 is formed by sewing together one or more pieces of base fabric. The airbag body 110 is provided with an insertion hole into which a mounting portion 121 of an inflator 120, which will be described later, is inserted. The airbag body 110 is stored in a housing 130 by being folded multiple times.

[0012] <Configuration of inflator 120> The inflator 120 generates gas when a vehicle collision is detected or predicted. The inflator 120 has a cylindrical external shape. The inflator 120 has an attachment portion 121. The attachment portion 121 is a protrusion for assembling the airbag body 110, the inflator 120, the housing 130, and the cover 140. The attachment portion 121 is, for example, a bolt, a hook, or the like. The inflator 120 is disposed inside the airbag body 110 so that the attachment portion 121 passes through a through-hole in the airbag body 110. In this embodiment, the inflator 120 is located at the front side within the housing 130 when the occupant protection device 100 is attached to the vehicle. The attachment portion 121 is oriented in the vertical direction.

[0013] <Configuration of the housing 130> The housing 130 accommodates the airbag body 110, the inflator 120, and the cover 140. The housing 130 has a box-like external shape that opens downward when attached to the vehicle. The housing 130 has a through-hole into which the attachment portion 121 is inserted. The housing 130 has a claw portion 131 that protrudes rearward when attached to the vehicle.

[0014] <Configuration of cover 140> FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cover 140. The cover 140 covers the outer periphery of the airbag body 110 and maintains the airbag body 110 in a folded state. In addition, in this embodiment, the cover 140 constitutes part of the interior design of the vehicle. The cover 140 is made of a sheet-like material such as nonwoven fabric. The cover 140 has a rectangular external shape in a plan view. The cover 140 has a first end E1, which is the end on the right side of the paper in FIG. 2, and a second end E2, which is the end on the left side of the paper in FIG. 2. In other words, the first end E1 and the second end E2 are end portions located at different positions. In the following description, the surface of the cover 140 on the front side of the paper will be referred to as the first surface SF1, and the surface on the back side of the paper will be referred to as the second surface SF2. The cover 140 has a first slit SL1, a second slit SL2, two third slits SL3, two first through holes BL1, and four second through holes BL2.

[0015] The first slits SL1 are provided at the second end E2 of the cover 140. The first slits SL1 are provided along the up-down direction of the cover 140 shown in FIG. 2. The first slits SL1 are formed of, for example, four cuts. The first slits SL1 are configured to be able to engage with the claw portions 131 of the housing 130. How the cover 140 is attached to the housing 130 will be described later.

[0016] The second slits SL2 are provided between the first end E1 and the second end E2, closer to the second end E2 than the center. The second slits SL2 are provided parallel to the first slits SL1. The second slits SL2 are also provided from the top end to the bottom end of the cover 140 shown in FIG. 2. The second slits SL2 are composed of, for example, 11 cuts. The second slits SL2 are used as creases when folding the cover 140.

[0017] Two third slits SL3 are provided. Specifically, one is provided closer to the first end E1 than the second slits SL2. The other is provided closer to the second end E2 than the second slits SL2. That is, the two third slits SL3 are provided so as to sandwich the second slits SL2. The third slits SL3 are formed of, for example, 12 cuts. The third slits SL3 are configured to be rupturable when the airbag main body 110 is inflated and deployed.

[0018] In this embodiment, the slit widths of the first slit SL1, the second slit SL2, and the third slit SL3 are different from one another, and the positions of the first slit SL1, the second slit SL2, and the third slit SL3 are different from one another.

[0019] Two first through holes BL1 are provided in the first end E1. Specifically, the two first through holes BL1 are provided spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction of the cover 140 shown in Fig. 2. The attachment portion 121 is inserted into the first through holes BL1.

[0020] The second through holes BL2 are provided in pairs, sandwiching the second slit SL2. Specifically, the second through holes BL2 are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the second slit SL2. Here, "symmetrical positions" means that when the cover 140 is folded along the second slit SL2, the second through holes BL2 positioned on either side of the second slit SL2 overlap with each other. In this embodiment, the second through holes BL2 can also be said to be positioned line-symmetrical with respect to the second slit SL2. The attachment portion 121 is inserted into the second through holes BL2.

[0021] <Installation of cover 140> 3 is a process diagram of a method for attaching the cover 140. Attaching the cover 140 is performed as one step in the manufacturing process of the occupant protection device 100. The method for attaching the cover 140 includes a folding step P10, an assembly step P20, and an engagement step P30. Note that the assembly step P20 and the engagement step P30 in FIG. 3 show enlarged cross sections along the front-rear direction of the occupant protection device 100 attached to the vehicle.

[0022] In the folding process P10, the cover 140 is folded. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, the cover 140 is folded using the second slit SL2 as a fold line so that the second surface SF2 is visible on the front side. As a result, the second through holes BL2 that were positioned symmetrically with respect to the second slit SL2 overlap each other.

[0023] In the assembling step P20, the airbag body 110, the inflator 120, the housing 130, and the cover 140 are assembled together.

[0024] The mounting portion 121 of the inflator 120 passes through the through hole of the airbag body 110 and the first and second through holes BL1 and BL2 of the cover 140. Specifically, after the cover 140 is folded in the folding step P10, it is rolled up so that the first and second through holes BL1 and BL2 overlap. In this state, the mounting portion 121 is inserted into the first and second through holes BL1 and BL2, causing the folded portion including the second end E2 to hang down as shown in FIG. 3. The mounting portion 121 is fastened with a nut 122.

[0025] In the engaging step P30, the first slits SL1 engage with the claws 131 of the housing 130. While the portion that was hanging down in the assembling step P20 is pulled rearward and upward, the claws 131 are passed through the slits of the first slits SL1. This completes the installation of the cover 140.

[0026] The airbag cover 140 of the first embodiment described above has a first through hole BL1 provided at the first end E1, into which the mounting portion 121 of the airbag is inserted, and a first slit SL1 provided at the second end E2, which can engage with the claw portion 131 provided on the housing 130 that stores the airbag. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which both the first end E1 side and the second end E2 side are fixed by the mounting portion 121, sagging of the airbag can be suppressed.

[0027] Furthermore, the airbag cover 140 of the first embodiment includes the second slit SL2, which is a folding line for folding the cover 140, and a plurality of second through holes BL2, which are provided at positions line-symmetrical with respect to the second slit SL2 and into which the mounting portions 121 are inserted. This allows the cover 140 to be partially double-layered when the cover 140 is attached. Specifically, as shown in the engagement step P30 in FIGS. 1 and 3, the portion from the second end E2 to the second slit SL2 can be double-layered. This allows for more suppression of sagging compared to when the cover 140 is single-layered.

[0028] Furthermore, according to the cover 140 of the airbag of the first embodiment, the third slit SL3 is provided which is configured to be rupturable when the airbag inflates and deploys, and therefore, compared to a configuration in which the third slit SL3 is not provided, the cover 140 can be prevented from interfering with the inflation and deployment of the airbag.

[0029] Furthermore, according to the airbag cover 140 of the first embodiment, two third slits SL3 are provided, so compared to a configuration with one third slit SL3, the cover 140 is more likely to break when the airbag inflates and deploys, and this can prevent the cover 140 from interfering with the inflation and deployment of the airbag.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the airbag cover 140 of the first embodiment, the third slits SL3 are provided on the first end E1 side of the second slits SL2 and on the second end E2 side of the second slits SL2. This makes the cover 140 more likely to break when the airbag inflates and deploys, and prevents the airbag from being hindered from inflating and deploying, compared to a configuration in which the third slits SL3 are provided only on the first end E1 side or the second end E2 side. Specifically, as shown in the engagement step P30 of FIG. 3 , the third slits SL3 are provided so as to sandwich the second slits SL2, so that the third slits SL3 are provided in both the first and second layers of the double-layered cover 140 when the cover 140 is attached. This makes the cover 140 more likely to break when the airbag inflates and deploys, compared to a configuration in which the third slits SL3 are provided only on either the first or second layer.

[0031] Furthermore, according to the airbag cover 140 of the first embodiment, the slit widths of the first slit SL1, the second slit SL2, and the third slit SL3 are different from one another, so that a worker can easily distinguish between the slits when attaching the cover 140. This prevents a worker from accidentally engaging a slit other than the first slit SL1 with the claw portion 131 and from using a slit other than the second slit SL2 as a folding line.

[0032] Furthermore, since cover 140 constitutes part of the interior design of the vehicle, there is no need to attach a lid member to cover the opening of housing 130, which reduces manufacturing costs.

[0033] B. Second embodiment: 4 is a plan view showing a cover 140b of the second embodiment. The cover 140b of the second embodiment differs from the cover 140 of the first embodiment in that it further includes a wing portion WP. Configurations not specifically described below are the same as those of the cover 140 of the first embodiment, and therefore descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, one wing portion WP is provided on the top and bottom of the cover 140b. The wing portion WP has a rectangular external shape. A third through-hole BL3 is provided in the wing portion WP. When the cover 140b is attached to the airbag, the attachment portion 121 is inserted into the third through-hole BL3 while being aligned with the first through-hole BL1 and the second through-hole BL2. When the cover 140b is attached to the airbag, the sides of the airbag are the portions located on the front and back sides of the paper when the occupant protection device 100 is attached to the vehicle as shown in FIG. 1. In other words, the sides of the airbag are the left and right ends of the airbag when the occupant protection device 100 is attached to the vehicle.

[0035] The cover 140b of the second embodiment described above includes the wing portions WP, which can more firmly support the airbag and further prevent the airbag from sagging, compared to a configuration without the wing portions WP. The wing portions WP also prevent the airbag from shifting left and right.

[0036] C. Other Embodiments: (C1) Fig. 5 is a plan view of the cover 140c provided with a notch SL2c. In each of the above embodiments, the second slit SL2 may be configured as a notch SL2c as shown in Fig. 5. The notch SL2c can be used as a folding line. Also, in each of the above embodiments, the third slit SL3 may be configured as a notch. Even with such a third slit SL3, the cover 140, 140b, 140c can be configured to be easily torn, and obstruction of inflation and deployment of the airbag can be suppressed.

[0037] (C2) In the above embodiment, the first slit SL1 may be any engaging portion. The engaging portion is any structure that can engage with the claw portion 131. Such a structure is, for example, a hook attached to the cover 140, a through-hole provided in the cover 140, or the like.

[0038] (C3) In each of the above embodiments, the second slit SL2 and the third slit SL3 may be omitted. That is, among the first slit SL1, the second slit SL2, and the third slit SL3, only the first slit SL1 may be provided, or both the first slit SL1 and the second slit SL2 may be provided, or both the first slit SL1 and the third slit SL3 may be provided. According to such an embodiment, sagging of the airbag can be suppressed compared to a configuration in which the first slit SL1 is not provided.

[0039] (C4) In the above embodiments, the third slits SL3 are provided on the first end E1 side and the second end E2 side of the second slits SL2, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The third slits SL3 may be provided only on the first end E1 side or the second end E2 side of the second slits SL2. Furthermore, the number of third slits SL3 is not limited to two, and may be any number. According to such a configuration, obstruction to inflation and deployment of the airbag can be suppressed compared to a configuration in which the third slits SL3 are not provided.

[0040] (C5) In each of the above embodiments, the slit widths of the first slit SL1, the second slit SL2, and the third slit SL3 may be the same.

[0041] (C6) In each of the above embodiments, a cover member may be provided to cover the downward opening of the housing 130. In other words, the covers 140, 140b, 140c do not need to form part of the interior design of the moving body.

[0042] (C7) In each of the above embodiments, two first through holes BL1, four second through holes BL2, and two third through holes BL3 are provided, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. There may be any number of first through holes BL1 and third through holes BL3, one or more, and any number of second through holes BL2, two or more.

[0043] (C8) In each of the above embodiments, the claw portion 131 protrudes rearward, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The claw portion 131 may protrude downward or forward. Furthermore, the claw portion 131 may be configured as a pin.

[0044] (C9) In the above embodiments, the first slit SL1, the second slit SL2, and the third slit SL3 are arranged parallel to one another, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The first slit SL1, the second slit SL2, and the third slit SL3 do not have to be parallel to one another.

[0045] (C10) In each of the above embodiments, the mounting portion 121 is provided on the inflator 120, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The mounting portion 121 may be a retainer or the like that is attached to the airbag body 110.

[0046] (C11) In each of the above embodiments, the occupant protection device 100 is a knee airbag device, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The occupant protection device 100 may be a curtain airbag device.

[0047] (C12) In the above embodiments, the airbag refers to an airbag including the airbag body 110 and the inflator 120, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The airbag may refer to only the airbag body 110.

[0048] (C13) In each of the above embodiments, the cover 140 may be made of any material, such as natural leather, synthetic leather, a soft sheet, soft resin, or metal.

[0049] (C14) In each of the above embodiments, the occupant protection device 100 may be provided on any moving body other than a vehicle. Such moving bodies include, for example, ships, airplanes, spacecraft, and so-called flying cars.

[0050] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described in the Summary of the Invention section can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the above-described problems or achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1...instrument panel, 100...occupant protection device, 110...airbag body, 120...inflator, 121...mounting portion, 122...bolt, 130...housing, 131...claw portion, 140, 140b, 140c...cover, BL1...first through hole, BL2...second through hole, BL3...third through hole, E1...first end, E2...second end, P...occupant, SF1...first surface, SF2...second surface, SL1...first slit, SL2...second slit, SL2c...notch, SL3...third slit, WP...wing portion

Claims

1. A cover for an airbag mounted on a vehicle, the cover having a first end and a second end located at a position different from the first end, a first through-hole provided in the first end portion and into which a mounting portion of the airbag is inserted; an engaging portion provided at the second end portion and engageable with a claw portion provided on a housing that accommodates the airbag; Airbag cover.

2. 2. The airbag cover of claim 1, The engagement portion is configured by a first slit, a second slit provided at a position different from the first slit and serving as a folding line for folding the cover; a plurality of second through holes, each of which is provided at a position symmetrical with respect to the second slit and into which the mounting portion is inserted; Airbag cover.

3. 3. The airbag cover according to claim 2, The airbag cover further includes a third slit provided at a position different from the first slit and the second slit and configured to be rupturable when the airbag inflates and deploys.

4. 4. The airbag cover according to claim 3, The third slit is provided on one side of the second slit closer to the first end portion and on the other side of the second slit closer to the second end portion.

5. 4. The airbag cover according to claim 3, The airbag cover, wherein the first slit, the second slit, and the third slit have different slit widths.

6. 4. The airbag cover according to claim 3, An airbag cover further comprising wing portions that cover sides of the airbag when the cover is attached to the airbag.

7. The airbag cover according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The cover is an airbag cover that forms part of the interior design surface of the vehicle.

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