Tether clip and pillar garnish mounting structure

Abstract

To provide a tether clip and a pillar garnish mounting structure, in which a pair of stopper portions easily engage with a tether storage portion when a curtain airbag is inflated.SOLUTION: A tether clip includes: a base portion 32 that approaches a base wall 54A when an engagement holding portion 40 is separated from an insertion hole 54X toward a pillar side as a result that an anchor portion 30 of the tether clip 10 is connected to a leading-end composing portion 27 and a curtain airbag is inflated; a first stopper portion 34 a leading-end portion 34A of which is separated from a tether portion 20 and forms a curved shape when a basal-end portion is connected to a base portion and is free; and a second stopper portion 36 having such a linear shape that a leading-end portion 36A is separated from the tether portion when the basal-end portion is connected to the base portion and is free, and having its total length shorter than the first stopper portion. The shapes of the first stopper portion and the second stopper portion are set such that, when the basal portion approaches the bottom wall while the leading-end portion of the first stopper portion comes into contact with a connection wall 54C, the leasing-end portion of the second stopper portion does not enter a communication hole and comes into contact with the bottom wall.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tether clip and a pillar garnish mounting structure. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a pillar garnish mounting structure in which a pillar of a vehicle and a pillar garnish attached to the pillar are connected by a tether clip. The pillar garnish has a garnish main body that stores a curtain airbag in a folded state, and a tether storage section. The tether storage section has a bottom wall that is separated from the garnish main body and has an insertion hole formed therein, and a connection wall that connects the garnish main body and the bottom wall. The tether clip has an engagement holding section that is fitted into the insertion hole, a long tether section that extends from the engagement holding section, and an anchor section that is provided at a tip configuration section of the tether section. The anchor section has a pair of stoppers that are symmetrical to each other with respect to the tip configuration section of the tether section.

[0003] When the curtain airbag deploys and the engaging and holding portion of the tether clip comes out of the insertion hole of the pillar garnish, the pillar garnish moves along the tether clip toward the tip component of the tether clip. Furthermore, a pair of retaining portions of the anchor portion of the tether clip engage with the bottom wall of the tether storage portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-88081 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When the pillar garnish of Patent Document 1 moves toward the tip component of the tether clip, one of the retaining portions may engage with the tether storage portion, while the other retaining portion may enter the insertion hole of the tether storage portion.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVETION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a tether clip and pillar garnish mounting structure in which a pair of retaining portions are easily engaged with a tether storage portion when a curtain airbag is deployed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The tether clip described in claim 1 is a tether clip for connecting a pillar garnish having a garnish main body for storing a curtain airbag in a folded state, and a tether storage section having a bottom wall separated from the garnish main body and having an insertion hole formed therein, and a connection wall connecting the garnish main body and the bottom wall, to a pillar of a vehicle, the tether clip comprising: a fastening section for fastening to the pillar; a seat section facing the bottom wall from the pillar side and unable to pass through the insertion hole; an engagement holding section provided on the seat section and fitted into the insertion hole; and a long tether section extending from the seat section in a direction penetrating the insertion hole, at least a portion of which is disposed within the tether storage section. and an anchor portion connected to a tip component portion which is an end portion of the tether portion opposite to the fastening portion, and which moves away from the bottom wall when the engagement holding portion is fitted into the insertion hole, wherein the anchor portion comprises: a base portion connected to the tip component portion and which approaches the bottom wall when the engagement holding portion moves away from the insertion hole toward the pillar side as the curtain airbag deploys; a first elastically deformable removal prevention portion having a base end connected to the base and a tip end which moves away from the tether portion and has a curved shape when in a free state; and a second elastically deformable removal prevention portion having a base end connected to the base and a straight shape whose tip end moves away from the tether portion when in a free state. the overall length of the second retaining portion is shorter than the overall length of the first retaining portion, the connection wall is spaced from the insertion hole, the bottom wall is provided with a first rib extending along an edge of the insertion hole on the connection wall side and positioned closer to the garnish body than the insertion hole, and a second rib extending along an edge of the insertion hole on the opposite side to the connection wall and positioned closer to the garnish body than the insertion hole, the distance between the tip of the first retaining portion and the tip of the second retaining portion when the anchor portion is in a free state is longer than the distance between the first rib and the second rib, when the tip of the first retaining portion is in contact with the connection wall while the base approaches the bottom wall and an intermediate component of the first retaining portion contacts the first rib, the second rib is positioned between the tip of the second retaining portion and the insertion hole, The tip of the second retaining portion does not enter the insertion hole and does not contact the bottom wall. do .

[0008] The engaging and retaining portion of the tether clip described in claim 1 is released from the insertion hole in the bottom wall of the tether storage portion of the pillar garnish toward the pillar side when the curtain airbag is deployed. This causes the first and second retaining portions of the tether clip to approach the bottom wall side. Since the first retaining portion has a curved shape in a free state, the tip of the first retaining portion is likely to come into contact with the connecting wall of the tether storage portion when the curtain airbag is deployed. When the base portion approaches the bottom wall while the tip of the first retaining portion is in contact with the connecting wall of the tether storage portion, the tip of the second retaining portion comes into contact with the bottom wall without entering the insertion hole. Therefore, when the curtain airbag is deployed, the first and second retaining portions of the tether clip described in claim 1 are likely to engage with the tether storage portion.

[0009] Furthermore, since the first and second removal prevention portions are elastically deformable, the first and second removal prevention portions are less likely to be damaged when the first and second removal prevention portions engage with the tether storage portion.

[0012] Claim 2 The tether clip according to the invention described in As claimed in claim 1 In the invention, the shape of the insertion hole when viewed in the thickness direction of the bottom wall is rectangular, the first and second removal prevention portions are both plate-shaped, the widthwise dimensions of at least a portion of the first removal prevention portion and at least a portion of the second removal prevention portion are larger than the widthwise dimensions of the insertion hole, and when the base approaches the bottom wall without the tip portion of the first removal prevention portion contacting the connecting wall, when the anchor portion and the bottom wall are viewed in the thickness direction of the bottom wall, the widthwise directions of the first and second removal prevention portions are aligned with the widthwise direction of the insertion hole.

[0013] Claim 2In the invention described in, when the curtain airbag is deployed, the width direction of the first and second retaining portions may be aligned with the short side direction of the insertion hole when the anchor portion and the bottom wall are viewed along the thickness direction of the bottom wall. When the base approaches the bottom wall with the width directions of the first and second retaining portions aligned with the short side direction of the insertion hole, at least a part of the first and second retaining portions engage with the bottom wall. Therefore, in this case, there is little risk that the first and second retaining portions will pass through the insertion hole in the bottom wall. Therefore, when the curtain airbag is deployed, As claimed in claim 2 The first and second retaining portions of the tether clip are easily engaged with the tether storage portion.

[0014] Claim 3 The tether clip according to the invention described in Claim 2 In the invention, the widthwise dimension of the base portion is larger than the widthwise dimensions of the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion.

[0015] Claim 3 In the invention described in, when the curtain airbag is deployed, the width direction of the first and second retaining parts may be aligned with the short side direction of the insertion hole when the anchor part and the bottom wall are viewed along the thickness direction of the bottom wall. If the base approaches the bottom wall while the width directions of the first and second retaining parts are aligned with the short side direction of the insertion hole, the base engages with the bottom wall. Therefore, when the curtain airbag is deployed, it becomes more difficult for the first and second retaining parts to pass through the insertion hole of the bottom wall.

[0016] Claim 4 The pillar garnish mounting structure according to the invention described in the above relates to a pillar of a vehicle, a pillar garnish having a tether storage section including a garnish main body for storing a curtain airbag in a folded state, and a bottom wall separated from the garnish main body and having an insertion hole formed therein, and a connecting wall for connecting the garnish main body and the bottom wall. Claims 1-3 The connectors are connected by a tether clip according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Effect of the Invention

[0017] As described above, the tether clip and pillar garnish mounting structure of the present invention has the excellent effect that the pair of anti-pullout portions easily engage with the tether storage portion when the curtain airbag is deployed, thereby making it difficult for the pillar garnish to detach from the tether clip. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal direction of a pillar garnish of a pillar garnish mounting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of an upper end portion of the pillar garnish shown in FIG. 1 taken along the width direction of the pillar garnish. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an insertion hole formed in a bottom wall of a tether housing portion of the pillar garnish shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a tether clip according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the anchor portion of the tether clip shown in FIG. 4 in section. [Figure 6] 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the arrow line VI-VI in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] 13 is a cross-sectional view of the anchor portion, the tether portion, and the tether storage portion when the pillar garnish moves in a direction away from the pillar and the tip portion of the first anti-detachment portion contacts the second side wall of the tether storage portion. FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7 when the pillar garnish has moved further away from the pillar from the position in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7 when the second retaining portion comes into contact with the bottom surface of the bottom groove of the tether storage portion. [Figure 10] 10 is a perspective view of the anchor portion, the tether portion, and the tether storage portion in the state shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the tether clip and the bottom wall to show the dimensional relationship between a tip configuration portion of a tether portion of the tether clip and an insertion hole in the bottom wall of the tether storage portion. FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is a perspective view of the anchor portion and the tether housing portion when the pillar garnish has moved in a manner different from that in FIGS. 7 to 10. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 12 of a modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, a pillar garnish 50 and a pillar garnish mounting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The left and right front pillars 60 and pillar garnish mounting structures of the vehicle body are symmetrical to each other. Therefore, the following description will be directed to the left front pillar 60 and pillar garnish mounting structure.

[0020] An arrow 60L shown in FIG. 1 indicates the longitudinal direction of the front pillar 60, and an arrow Wd indicates the thickness direction of the pillar inner panel 62. Furthermore, FL indicates one side of the longitudinal direction 60L of the front pillar 60. The end on one side of the front pillar 60 is the front end (lower end) of the front pillar 60. Furthermore, IN indicates one side of the thickness direction Wd of the pillar inner panel 62. The thickness direction Wd is approximately parallel to the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the direction indicated by IN is approximately parallel to the direction from the pillar inner panel 82 toward the vehicle interior space (compartment).

[0021] 1 and 2, a pair of left and right front pillars 60 are provided at the front of a vehicle equipped with the tether clip 10. Each front pillar 60 is a metal vehicle body frame member that extends from the front end of the vehicle body roof (not shown) toward the front lower side of the vehicle.

[0022] The front pillar 60 includes a pillar inner panel 62 constituting the inner plate thereof, and a pillar outer panel (not shown) constituting the outer plate thereof. The pillar inner panel 62 is formed with a clip attachment hole 62X as a through hole.

[0023] Next, the tether clip 10 and the pillar garnish 50, which are components of the pillar garnish mounting structure, will be described.

[0024] The pillar garnish 50, which is an integrally molded resin product, is provided on the passenger compartment side of the pillar inner panel 62. The longitudinal direction of the pillar garnish 50 is parallel to the extension direction of the front pillar 60. The pillar garnish 50 includes a pillar garnish main body 52 (hereinafter simply referred to as "garnish main body 52") and a tether storage section 54. As shown in Fig. 2, the cross-sectional shape of the garnish main body 52 is approximately C-shaped.

[0025] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a tether storage section 54, which is a hollow body, is connected to the back surface (inner surface) of the upper end portion of the garnish main body 52. ​​The tether storage section 54 includes a bottom wall 54A, a first side wall 54B, a second side wall (connecting wall) 54C, and a third side wall 54D. The bottom wall 54A is spaced from the back surface of the garnish main body 52 toward the pillar inner panel 62. The bottom wall 54A is approximately parallel to the back surface of the garnish main body 52. ​​The first side wall 54B, the second side wall 54C, and the third side wall 54D connect the bottom wall 54A and the back surface of the garnish main body 52. ​​The first side wall 54B and the second side wall 54C face each other in the short direction of the pillar garnish 50 (the left-right direction in Fig. 2). The inclination angle of the insertion hole 54X formed in the bottom wall 54A with respect to the axis 54XA of the second side wall 54C is larger than that of the first side wall 54B. The ends of the first side wall 54B and the second side wall 54C on the front pillar 60 side are connected by the bottom wall 54A. The third side wall 54D connects the ends of the first side wall 54B and the second side wall 54C on the lower front side of the vehicle. An opening 54E is formed at the end of the tether storage section 54 on the upper rear side of the vehicle (opposite side to FL).

[0026] The bottom wall 54A is formed with an insertion hole 54X as a through hole. As shown in FIG. 3, the shape of the insertion hole 54X when viewed in the plate thickness direction Wd of the pillar inner panel 62 (thickness direction of the bottom wall 54A) is rectangular. The shape of the insertion hole 54X when viewed in the plate thickness direction Wd may be approximately rectangular. This approximately rectangular shape is also included in the "rectangle" in the claims. The longitudinal direction of the insertion hole 54X is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pillar garnish 50. In other words, the longitudinal direction of the insertion hole 54X is parallel to the arrow 60L in FIG. 1. The longitudinal dimension of the insertion hole 54X is 54EL. The lateral direction of the insertion hole 54X is parallel to the width direction of the pillar garnish 50. The lateral dimension of the insertion hole 54X is 54SL, which is shorter than the dimension 54EL.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7 to FIG. 10, a first rib 54F and a second rib 54G are provided on the inner surface of the bottom wall 54A, which are located on both sides of the short side of the insertion hole 54X and extend along the long side of the insertion hole 54X. The corner of the second rib 54G on the first side wall 54B side of the end portion on the garnish main body 52 side is chamfered. That is, a guide surface 54Ga is formed on the corner of the second rib 54G. Furthermore, a bottom groove 54H located between the first rib 54F and the second side wall 54C, and a bottom groove 54I located between the second rib 54G and the first side wall 54B are provided on the inner surface of the bottom wall 54A. The bottom groove 54H and the bottom groove 54I extend in a direction parallel to the first rib 54F and the second rib 54G.

[0028] Next, a description will be given of the tether clip 10. The tether clip 10 shown in Figures 1 and 4 is a member for attaching the pillar garnish 50 to the pillar inner panel 62.

[0029] The tether clip 10 is an integrally molded resin product. The elastically deformable tether clip 10 has a seat portion 12, a fastening portion 14, a tether portion 20, an anchor portion 30, and an engagement holding portion 40.

[0030] A substantially rectangular flat seat portion 12 is provided in the middle of the tether clip 10 in the longitudinal direction (extension direction). A pair of engagement holders 40 and the base end of the tether portion 20 are connected to a first surface 12A, which is one surface of the seat portion 12 in the thickness direction. A fastening portion 14 is connected to a second surface 12B, which is the other surface of the seat portion 12 in the thickness direction.

[0031] The fastening portion 14 is a portion that is fastened to the pillar inner panel 62. Note that the basic configuration of the fastening portion 14 is substantially the same as the known configuration disclosed in, for example, JP 2017-88081 A and the like, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 4, each engagement retaining portion 40 has a pair of engagement protrusions 44A. When each engagement retaining portion 40 is in a free state, a width 40W (see Fig. 4) of a portion of each engagement retaining portion 40 on the base end side of the pair of engagement protrusions 44A is substantially the same as a dimension 54SL in the short side direction of the insertion hole 54X. When each engagement retaining portion 40 is in a free state, a distance 44L between the tips of the pair of engagement protrusions 44A is longer than the dimension 54SL in the short side direction of the insertion hole 54X. Each engagement retaining portion 40 is elastically deformable in a direction in which the pair of engagement protrusions 44A approach and move away from each other.

[0033] A base end portion 22 of an elongated tether portion 20 is connected to a portion of the first surface 12A of the seat portion 12 located between the pair of engagement holding portions 40. As shown in FIG. 1, the longitudinal direction L of the tether portion 20 in a free state is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the pillar garnish 50.

[0034] The tether portion 20 has a base end portion 22, a first curved portion 24 connected to the base end portion 22, an extending portion 25 connected to the first curved portion 24 and substantially parallel to the seat portion 12 in a free state, a second curved portion 26 connected to the extending portion 25, and a tip configuration portion 27 connected to the second curved portion 26. The length of the tether portion 20 is set according to the distance by which the pillar garnish 50 is separated from the pillar inner panel 62 when a curtain airbag 70 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, is deployed.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, the tip configuration part 27, which is linear in a free state, has one end 27A connected to the second curved part 26 and the other end 27B connected to the anchor part 30. The width 27W (see FIG. 5) of the tip configuration part 27 gradually increases from the one end 27A toward the other end 27B. The width 27W of the one end 27A and the other end 27B is shorter than the dimension 54EL in the longitudinal direction of the insertion hole 54X. As shown in FIG. 11, the width 27W of the one end 27A is shorter than the dimension 54SL in the lateral direction of the insertion hole 54X, and the width 27W of the other end 27B is longer than the dimension 54SL. The thickness 27TH (see FIG. 5) of the tip configuration part 27 gradually decreases from the one end 27A toward the other end 27B. The thickness 27TH of the one end 27A and the other end 27B is shorter than the dimension 54SL in the lateral direction of the insertion hole 54X.

[0036] An anchor portion 30 is connected to the tip constituent portion 27 of the tether portion 20. As shown in Fig. 1 and Figs. 4 to 6, the anchor portion 30 includes a base portion 32, a first retaining portion 34 having a base end portion (one end portion) connected to the base portion 32, and a second retaining portion 36 having a base end portion (one end portion) connected to the base portion 32. The base portion 32 connected to the tip constituent portion 27 extends in a direction parallel to the width 27W direction of the tip constituent portion 27. A dimension 32L (see Fig. 5) in the extension direction of the base portion 32 is the same as the width 27W of the other end 27B of the tip constituent portion 27.

[0037] The first retaining portion 34 and the second retaining portion 36 are plate-shaped. As shown in FIG. 1, the first retaining portion 34 is located on one side of the base portion 32 in the thickness 27TH direction of the tip component 27 when viewed from the width 27W direction of the tip component 27 (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1). The second retaining portion 36 of the anchor portion 30 is located on the other side of the base portion 32 in the thickness 27TH direction when viewed from the width direction of the tip component 27. As shown in FIG. 6, the first retaining portion 34 is curved in a free state. The distance between the first retaining portion 34 and the tip component 27 in the thickness 27TH direction of the tip component 27 gradually increases from the base end side of the first retaining portion 34 toward the tip portion 34A. The portion between the intermediate portion 34B, which is the portion between the base end of the first retaining portion 34 and the tip portion 34A, and the tip portion 34A is approximately parallel to the thickness 27TH direction of the tip component 27. The width (width dimension) 34L of the first retaining portion 34 is constant over the entire length. The width 34L of the first retaining portion 34 is the same as the longitudinal dimension 32L of the base portion 32. The second retaining portion 36 has a linear shape in a free state. The distance between the second retaining portion 36 and the tip component 27 in the thickness 27TH direction of the tip component 27 gradually increases from the base end side of the second retaining portion 36 toward the tip portion 36A. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when the anchor portion 30 in the free state is viewed (in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 6), the first retaining portion 34 and the second retaining portion 36 are asymmetric with respect to the center line 27CL of the tip component 27. The width (width dimension) 36L of the second retaining portion 36 is constant over the entire length. The width 36L of the second retaining portion 36 is the same as the longitudinal dimension 32L of the base portion 32. The longitudinal dimension 32L and the widths 34L, 36L are shorter than a longitudinal dimension 54EL of an insertion hole 54X of the tether storage section 54, and longer than a lateral dimension 54SL of the insertion hole 54X (see FIG. 3). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, a total length 34LT which is the distance along the first retaining portion 34 from the base end of the first retaining portion 34 to the tip end 34A of the first retaining portion 34 in the free state is longer than a total length 36LT which is the distance along the second retaining portion 36 from the base end of the second retaining portion 36 to the tip end 36A of the second retaining portion 36 in the free state.

[0038] The tether clip 10 having the above-described configuration is attached to the pillar garnish 50 in a state in which it is separated from the pillar inner panel 62. Specifically, the anchor portion 30, in which the first retaining portion 34 and the second retaining portion 36 are elastically deformed in a direction approaching the tip configuration portion 27, is inserted into the insertion hole 54X of the tether storage portion 54 from the front pillar 60 side. After the anchor portion 30 passes through the insertion hole 54X and is positioned inside the tether storage portion 54, the first retaining portion 34 and the second retaining portion 36 are returned to their free state. Furthermore, the tether clip 10 is moved relative to the tether storage portion 54 (rotated 90°), and the pair of engagement holding portions 40 aligned in the longitudinal direction of the insertion hole 54X are inserted into the insertion hole 54X as shown in FIG. 1. When each of the engagement projections 44A provided on each of the engagement holders 40 moves in the thickness direction of the bottom wall 54A inside the insertion hole 54X, each of the engagement projections 44A is pushed by the inner surface of the insertion hole 54X, and the pair of engagement holders 40 is elastically deformed. When each of the engagement projections 44A passes through the insertion hole 54X, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the pair of engagement holders 40 return to a free state, and the portion of each of the engagement holders 40 on the base end side from the pair of engagement projections 44A fits into the insertion hole 54X. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 2, a part of the first surface 12A of the seat 12 contacts the outer surface of the tether storage section 54, and the end of each of the engagement projections 44A on the seat 12 side contacts the inner surface of the tether storage section 54 (the first rib 54F and the second rib 54G). 1, most of the anchor portion 30 and the tip constituent portion 27 of the tether portion 20 pass through the opening 54E and are positioned outside the tether storage portion 54. In this manner, the pillar garnish 50 and the tether clip 10 separated from the pillar inner panel 62 are integrated together.

[0039] Next, the fastening portion 14 of the tether clip 10 is press-fitted into the clip attachment hole 62X of the pillar inner panel 62. This causes the pillar garnish 50 to be attached to the front pillar 60 via the tether clip 10. The longitudinal middle portion of the garnish main body 52 is fastened to the pillar inner panel 62 by a clip (not shown) separate from the tether clip 10. The lower end portion of the garnish main body 52 is inserted into an insertion hole formed in the outer end portion of the instrument panel (not shown) in the vehicle width direction.

[0040] 2, wiring items 72 such as a wire harness and a drain hose are arranged in a front space S1 formed between the front part 52A of the garnish main body 52 and the pillar inner panel 62. A folded curtain airbag 70 is stored in a rear space S2 formed between the rear part 52C of the pillar garnish main body 52 and the pillar inner panel 62. The deployment direction of the curtain airbag 70 is toward the rear lower side of the vehicle and toward the inside of the passenger compartment.

[0041] (Action and Effects) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0042] Next, the operation and effect of the pillar garnish 50 attached to the front pillar 60 of the vehicle using the tether clip 10 will be described.

[0043] 2 is deployed during a side collision or rollover, the deployment pressure of the curtain airbag 70 causes the pillar garnish 50 to move in a direction away from the front pillar 60. Then, the insertion hole 54X of the pillar garnish 50 disengages from the engagement holding portion 40 of the tether clip 10, and the pillar garnish 50 moves in a direction away from the front pillar 60. Furthermore, the tether portion 20 moves relative to the insertion hole 54X of the pillar garnish 50, and the anchor portion 30 approaches the bottom wall 54A of the tether storage portion 54.

[0044] At this time, due to the structures of the tether clip 10 and the pillar garnish 50, there is a high possibility that the anchor portion 30 approaches the bottom wall 54A of the tether storage portion 54 while the pillar garnish 50 rotates relative to the tether portion 20. More specifically, when the anchor portion 30 approaches the bottom wall 54A when the curtain airbag 70 is deployed, there is a high possibility that the rotational positions of the pillar garnish 50 (insertion hole 54X) and the anchor portion 30 about the tether portion 20 change by approximately 90°. That is, when the anchor portion 30 and the bottom wall 54A approaching each other are viewed along the longitudinal direction of the tether portion 20, there is a high possibility that the widths 34L, 36L of the first and second retaining portions 34 and 36 are approximately perpendicular to the short-side direction of the insertion hole 54X (see FIG. 7). Incidentally, the first retaining portion 34 has a curved shape, and the portion between the intermediate constituent portion 34B and the tip portion 34A of the first retaining portion 34 is approximately parallel to the thickness direction 27TH of the tip constituent portion 27. Therefore, in this case, there is a high possibility that the tip portion 34A of the first retaining portion 34 of the tether clip 10 will come into contact with a part of the inner surface (portion 54Ea) of the second side wall 54C.

[0045] The imaginary lines in FIG. 6 show a comparative example of the first retaining portion 34. In the free state, the first retaining portion 34 of this comparative example has a linear shape with a total length greater than that of the second retaining portion 36. In this comparative example, as shown by the imaginary lines in FIG. 8, when the anchor portion 30 approaches the bottom wall 54A side from the position in FIG. 7, the tip portion 34A of the first retaining portion 34 may collide with the bottom surface of the bottom groove 54H without contacting the inner surface of the second side wall 54C. In this case, a large force is applied from the bottom surface of the bottom groove 54H to the tip portion 34A along the extension direction of the first retaining portion 34, so that the first retaining portion 34 may buckle (break). In contrast, when the tip portion 34A of the first retaining portion 34, which is curved, comes into contact with the second side wall 54C (part 54Ea), the first retaining portion 34 is elastically deformed in the curved direction, so that the first retaining portion 34 is less likely to break at this time.

[0046] After the tip 34A comes into contact with the portion 54Ea, the anchor portion 30 moves further toward the bottom wall 54A in the direction of the arrow DA in Fig. 7. When the tip 34A moves along the inner surface of the second side wall 54C to the position shown in Fig. 8, the tip 36A of the second retaining portion 36 is positioned closer to the second rib 54G than the side edge of the insertion hole 54X on the second rib 54G side.

[0047] 9 along the inner surface of the second side wall 54C, the intermediate component 34B of the first retaining portion 34 comes into contact with the first rib 54F. When the tip 34A comes into contact with the inner surface of the second side wall 54C and the intermediate component 34B comes into contact with the first rib 54F in this manner, the tip 36A is positioned closer to the first side wall 54B than the second rib 54G.

[0048] Furthermore, when the tip portion 34A contacts the third side wall 54D, the tether storage portion 54 is likely to rotate relative to the anchor portion 30 in the RD direction indicated by the arrow in Figures 8 and 9. That is, the second side wall 54C is likely to push the first removal prevention portion 34 (anchor portion 30) in the RD direction while rotating relative to the anchor portion 30 in the RD direction. Therefore, as shown in Figure 9, the second removal prevention portion 36 moves toward the bottom groove 54I while being guided by the guide surface 54Ga of the second rib 54G, and the tip portion 36A of the second removal prevention portion 36 contacts the bottom surface of the bottom groove 54I.

[0049] Furthermore, when the curtain airbag 70 is deployed, the pillar garnish 50 may not rotate relative to the tether portion 20, and the anchor portion 30 may approach the bottom wall 54A of the tether storage portion 54. That is, as shown in Fig. 11, the anchor portion 30 may approach the bottom wall 54A of the tether storage portion 54 in a state in which the width direction of the first retaining portion 34 (and the second retaining portion 36) and the short side direction of the insertion hole 54X are substantially parallel to each other. In this case, as shown in Fig. 12, when the anchor portion 30 and the bottom wall 54A are viewed along the longitudinal direction of the tether portion 20, the width directions of the first retaining portion 34 and the second retaining portion 36 may be aligned with the short side direction of the insertion hole 54X. That is, when the anchor portion 30 and the bottom wall 54A are viewed along the longitudinal direction of the tether portion 20, the width direction of the first and second retaining portions 34 and 36 may be parallel to the short side direction of the insertion hole 54X, or the width direction of the first and second retaining portions 34 and 36 may be slightly inclined with respect to the short side direction of the insertion hole 54X. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3, the widths 34L and 36L of the first and second retaining portions 34 and 36 are longer than the short side dimension 54SL of the insertion hole 54X of the tether storage portion 54. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 12, a part of the first and second retaining portions 34 and 36 contact the first and second ribs 54F and 54G. Therefore, in this case, there is little risk that at least one of the first and second retaining portions 34 and 36 enters the insertion hole 54X of the tether storage portion 54. That is, in this case as well, the first retaining portion 34 and the second retaining portion 36 are highly likely to engage with the inner surface of the tether housing portion 54 (the first rib 54F, the second rib 54G) without entering the insertion hole 54X.

[0050] In either case where the pillar garnish 50 rotates relative to the tether portion 20 as described above, there is a high possibility that the first and second retaining portions 34 and 36 will not enter the insertion holes 54X and will engage with the inner surface of the tether storage portion 54. When the first and second retaining portions 34 and 36 engage with the inner surface of the tether storage portion 54 as described above, the force applied from the tether storage portion 54 to the first and second retaining portions 34 and 36 is smaller than when only one of the first and second retaining portions 34 and 36 engages with the inner surface of the tether storage portion 54, so that the first and second retaining portions 34 and 36 are less likely to be damaged. Therefore, when the curtain airbag 70 is deployed, the pillar garnish 50 is less likely to come off the tether clip 10.

[0051] Furthermore, when the anchor part 30 engages with the tether storage part 54 in the manner shown in Figs. 7 to 10, the first retaining part 34 elastically deforms when it comes into contact with the tether storage part 54. Therefore, the first retaining part 34 is unlikely to be damaged by contact with the tether storage part 54. Furthermore, the first retaining part 34 elastically deforms in this manner, absorbing the impact generated on the anchor part 30 by the collision between the anchor part 30 and the tether storage part 54, so that the second retaining part 36 is unlikely to be damaged when the tip part 36A comes into contact with the bottom groove 54I. Furthermore, when the anchor part 30 engages with the tether storage part 54 in the manner shown in Fig. 12, the first retaining part 34 and the second retaining part 36 elastically deform when they come into contact with the first rib 54F and the second rib 54G. Therefore, when the first and second removal prevention portions 34, 36 come into contact with the first and second ribs 54F, 54G, the second removal prevention portions 36 are unlikely to be damaged.

[0052] 11, when the anchor portion 30 approaches the bottom wall 54A of the tether storage portion 54, the insertion hole 54X is pushed and widened in the short direction by the intermediate portion 27M, whose width 27W is larger than the short dimension 54SL of the insertion hole 54X when the intermediate portion 27M in the longitudinal direction of the tip configuration portion 27 is inserted into the insertion hole 54X. That is, the short dimension 54SL of the insertion hole 54X changes to a dimension 54SLE that is slightly larger than the short dimension 54SL of the insertion hole 54X. In this manner, the intermediate portion 27M of the tip configuration portion 27 pushes and widens the insertion hole 54X, thereby slowing down the moving speed of the anchor portion 30 as it approaches the bottom wall 54A. Therefore, when a part of the first removal prevention portion 34 and a part of the second removal prevention portion 36 contact the first rib 54F and the second rib 54G, a large force is unlikely to be applied from the first rib 54F and the second rib 54G to the first removal prevention portion 34 and the second removal prevention portion 36. Therefore, when the first removal prevention portion 34 and the second removal prevention portion 36 contact the first rib 54F and the second rib 54G, there is little risk that the first removal prevention portion 34 and the second removal prevention portion 36 will be damaged.

[0053] Furthermore, the upper end of the pillar garnish 50 (the end on the right side of the pillar garnish 50 in FIG. 1) is connected to the front end of the roof (not shown) of the vehicle body. Therefore, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 1, if the second retaining portion 36 were shaped symmetrically to the first retaining portion 34 with respect to the center line 27CL, the tip of the second retaining portion 36 would interfere with the tip of the roof before the curtain airbag 70 is deployed. On the other hand, the second retaining portion 36 of the tether clip 10 of this embodiment is configured in a straight line with a total length 36LT shorter than the total length 34LT of the first retaining portion 34. Therefore, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, the tip 36A of the second retaining portion 36 does not interfere with the tip of the roof before the curtain airbag 70 is deployed.

[0054] The tether clip 10 and the pillar garnish mounting structure according to the embodiment have been described above. However, the design of the tether clip 10 and the pillar garnish mounting structure can be modified as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0055] For example, the present invention may be implemented in the manner shown in Fig. 13. The dimension 32LA in the extension direction of the base 32A of the anchor part 30 of this modification is longer than the dimension 32L in the extension direction of the base 32 of the above embodiment. Both ends of the base 32A are located laterally than both side edges of the first and second retaining parts 34 and 36. When the anchor part 30 of this modification engages with the tether storage part 54 in the same manner as in Fig. 12, both ends of the base 32A are located laterally than the insertion hole 54X as shown in Fig. 13. Therefore, when the anchor part 30 of this modification engages with the tether storage part 54, the possibility that the first and second retaining parts 34 and 36 enter the insertion hole 54X is lower than the possibility that the first and second retaining parts 34 and 36 enter the insertion hole 54X of the above embodiment.

[0056] The overall length of the second retaining portion 36 may be equal to or greater than the overall length of the first retaining portion 34 .

[0057] The first rib 54F and the second rib 54G may be omitted from the tether storage portion 54.

[0058] The pillar garnish 50 in the above embodiment is a front pillar garnish. However, the present invention may be applied to pillars other than front pillars and pillar garnishes attached thereto. For example, the present invention may be applied to rear pillars and rear pillar garnishes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 10 Tether Clip 12 Seat 14 Fastening part 20 Tether section 27 Tip component 30 Anchor section 32 Base 34 First retaining part 34A Tip 36 Second retaining part 36A Tip 40 Engagement holding part 50 Pillar garnish 52 Pillar garnish body 54 Tether storage area 54A Bottom wall 54C Second side wall (connecting wall) 54X Through hole 60 Pillar

Claims

1. A tether clip connects a pillar garnish having a garnish body that stores a curtain airbag in a folded state, and a tether storage section having a bottom wall that is separated from the garnish body and has an insertion hole formed therein, and a connection wall that connects the garnish body and the bottom wall, to a pillar of a vehicle, A fastening portion that is fastened to the pillar; a seat portion that faces the bottom wall from the pillar side and cannot pass through the insertion hole; an engagement holding portion provided on the seat portion and fitted into the insertion hole; a long tether portion extending from the seat portion in a direction penetrating the insertion hole and at least a portion of which is disposed within the tether storage portion; an anchor portion connected to a tip constituent portion that is an end portion of the tether portion opposite to the fastening portion, and which separates from the bottom wall when the engagement holding portion is fitted into the insertion hole; Equipped with The anchor portion is a base portion connected to the tip constituent portion and approaching the bottom wall when the engagement holding portion is separated from the insertion hole toward the pillar side due to the deployment of the curtain airbag; a first retaining portion having a base end connected to the base portion and a tip end separated from the tether portion and curved in a free state; a second retaining portion having a base end connected to the base portion and having a linear shape in which a tip end is separated from the tether portion when in a free state; Equipped with The entire length of the second retaining portion is shorter than the entire length of the first retaining portion, The connection wall is separated from the insertion hole, The bottom wall is provided with a first rib extending along an edge of the insertion hole on the connection wall side and positioned closer to the garnish body than the insertion hole, and a second rib extending along an edge of the insertion hole on the opposite side to the connection wall and positioned closer to the garnish body than the insertion hole, a distance between the tip end of the first retaining portion and the tip end of the second retaining portion when the anchor portion is in a free state is longer than a distance between the first rib and the second rib, A tether clip in which, when the tip portion of the first prevention portion contacts the connecting wall while the base approaches the bottom wall and the intermediate component of the first prevention portion contacts the first rib, the second rib is positioned between the tip portion of the second prevention portion and the insertion hole, and the tip portion of the second prevention portion does not enter the insertion hole and contacts the bottom wall.

2. The shape of the insertion hole when viewed in the thickness direction of the bottom wall is rectangular, The first retaining portion and the second retaining portion are both plate-shaped, a width direction dimension of at least a part of the first retaining portion and at least a part of the second retaining portion is larger than a width direction dimension of the insertion hole, 2. A tether clip as described in claim 1, wherein when the base approaches the bottom wall without the tip portion of the first retaining portion contacting the connecting wall, when the anchor portion and the bottom wall are viewed in the thickness direction of the bottom wall, the width direction of the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion is aligned with the short direction of the insertion hole.

3. A tether clip as described in claim 2, wherein the widthwise dimension of the base is greater than the widthwise dimensions of the first and second retention portions.

4. A pillar of a vehicle; a pillar garnish including a tether storage section having a garnish body that stores a curtain airbag in a folded state, a bottom wall that is separated from the garnish body and has an insertion hole formed therein, and a connecting wall that connects the garnish body and the bottom wall; A pillar garnish mounting structure connected by the tether clip according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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