Airbag anchoring member release mechanism

Abstract

To provide a cancelling mechanism of an air bag tying member which can be reduced in a size or in the number of components, when compared with conventional ones.SOLUTION: A cancelling mechanism 100 of an air bag tying member includes: a housing 10; a cylindrical member 20 having a part fit in the housing 10; an igniter 30 having a part fit in the cylindrical member 20; a holder 40 for holding the housing 10, the cylindrical member 20, and the ignitor 30; and an air bag tying member 70 used for adjusting inflation of an air bag. The cylindrical member 20 is a bottomed cylindrical member having an opening part provided on one end part and has a bottom part 21, a cylindrical part 22, and a flange part 23. The bottom part 21 is provided on the other end part of the cylindrical member 20 and has a regulating hole part 21a formed in a central part. The regulating hole part 21a can regulate spread of flame generated from the ignitor 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a release mechanism for an airbag anchoring member used in a safety device for an automobile or the like, and used to adjust the inflation of an airbag. [Background technology]

[0002] Airbag devices have become widespread in the past from the viewpoint of protecting occupants of automobiles and the like. Such airbag devices may include an initiator disposed within a housing and configured to provide an inherent seal to prevent the external release of pyrotechnic residue upon deployment, a cutter operatively connected to the initiator such that deployment of the initiator activates the cutter, and an airbag anchoring member release mechanism configured to secure the airbag anchoring member until the airbag anchoring member is released by activation of the cutter. An example of an airbag anchoring member release mechanism is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4950189 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the mooring member can be easily cut by operating the release mechanism of the airbag mooring member. However, in recent years, there has been a demand for further miniaturization or a reduction in the number of parts for such a release mechanism of the mooring member.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a release mechanism for an airbag anchoring member that can be made smaller and has fewer components than conventional mechanisms. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The present invention provides a release mechanism for an airbag anchoring member used to adjust the inflation of an airbag, the release mechanism comprising: a housing having a first cylindrical portion formed with a pair of holes for passing the airbag anchoring member, an opening provided at one end of the first cylindrical portion, and a bottom provided at the other end of the first cylindrical portion; a cylindrical member having a second cylindrical portion disposed in a state not blocking the pair of holes from the opening of the housing and having an outer wall surface with the same shape as the inner wall surface of the housing; an opening provided at one end of the second cylindrical portion and a bottom provided at the other end of the second cylindrical portion; an igniter having a cup-shaped member having an outer wall surface with the same shape as the inner wall surface of the cylindrical member, with at least a tip of the cup-shaped member fitted into the one end of the cylindrical member; and a holder for holding the housing, the cylindrical member, and the igniter, and a holder for holding the housing, the cylindrical member, and the igniter at the bottom of the cylindrical member. The cup-shaped member of the igniter is formed to penetrate therethrough in the axial direction, A restricting hole portion that restricts the spread of the flame generated when the igniter is activated have It is characterized by:

[0007] (2) The present invention teeth, a release mechanism for an airbag anchoring member used to adjust the inflation of an airbag, the release mechanism comprising: a housing having a first cylindrical portion formed with a pair of holes for passing the airbag anchoring member therethrough, an opening provided at one end of the first cylindrical portion, and a bottom provided at the other end of the first cylindrical portion; a cylindrical member having a second cylindrical portion disposed at the opening of the housing so as not to close the pair of holes and having an outer wall surface with the same shape as the inner wall surface of the housing, an opening provided at one end of the second cylindrical portion, and a bottom provided at the other end of the second cylindrical portion; an igniter having a cup-shaped member having an outer wall surface with the same shape as the inner wall surface of the cylindrical member, wherein at least a tip of the cup-shaped member is fitted into one end of the cylindrical member; and a holder for holding the housing, the cylindrical member, and the igniter. A recess recessed toward the inside of the housing is formed at a position on the bottom of the housing opposite the restriction hole. It may also be .

[0008] (3) From another perspective, the present invention is a release mechanism for an airbag anchoring member used to adjust the inflation of an airbag, the release mechanism comprising: a housing having a first cylindrical portion formed with a pair of holes for passing the airbag anchoring member therethrough, an opening provided at one end of the first cylindrical portion, and a bottom provided at the other end of the first cylindrical portion; a cylindrical member having a second cylindrical portion having an outer wall surface with the same shape as the inner wall surface of the first cylindrical portion, an opening provided at one end of the second cylindrical portion, and a bottom provided at the other end of the second cylindrical portion; and a cup-shaped member having an outer wall surface with the same shape as the inner wall surface of the cylindrical member, wherein at least a tip of the cup-shaped member is in contact with the cylindrical portion. the housing, the cylindrical member, and a holder that holds the igniter, wherein the cylindrical member has a head portion having a predetermined thickness formed on the bottom side of the cylindrical member, and a weak portion formed on the outer or inner circumference of the head portion on the igniter side, the head portion having a through hole that allows the airbag anchoring member to pass through in an initial state corresponding to the positions of the pair of hole portions, and a space is formed between the tip of the head portion and the bottom of the housing, into which the head portion moves when the weak portion breaks during activation of the igniter.

[0009] According to the above configurations (1) to (3), it is possible to provide a release mechanism for an airbag anchoring member that is smaller in size and has fewer components than conventional mechanisms. Furthermore, the reduction in the number of components also enables cost reduction compared to conventional mechanisms. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a release mechanism of the airbag anchoring member according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 after the release mechanism of the airbag anchoring member in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a release mechanism of an airbag anchoring member according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the airbag anchoring member of FIG. 2 after the release mechanism has been operated. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] First Embodiment Hereinafter, a release mechanism for an airbag anchoring member according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the airbag anchoring member release mechanism 100 of this embodiment includes a housing 10, a tubular member 20 having a portion that is fitted into the housing 10, an igniter 30 having a portion that is fitted into the tubular member 20, a holder 40 that holds (locks) the housing 10, the tubular member 20, and the igniter 30, and an airbag anchoring member 70 used to adjust the inflation of the airbag.

[0013] The housing 10 is a bottomed tubular member having an opening at one end, and includes a bottom 11, a tubular portion 12, a pair of holes 13, and a flange 14. The bottom 11 is provided at the other end of the housing 10 and has a recess 11a formed so as to be recessed toward the interior of the housing 10 at a position axially opposite a restriction hole 21a described below. Note that the recess 11a is formed as needed. The pair of holes 13 are provided in the tubular portion 12 so that an airbag anchoring member 70 (e.g., a tether) can be passed through and installed. The flange 14 is fixed to the holder 40 by crimping at an outer end 44 described below.

[0014] The cylindrical member 20 is a bottomed cylindrical member having an opening at one end, and includes a bottom 21, a cylindrical portion 22, and a flange 23. The bottom 21 is provided at the other end of the cylindrical member 20 and has a restricting hole 21a formed in approximately the center. The restricting hole 21a can restrict the spread of a flame emitted from the igniter 30. The cylindrical portion 22 has an outer wall surface that is the same shape as the inner wall surface of the cylindrical portion 12 of the housing 10, and is fitted into the cylindrical portion 12 from the opening side of the housing 10 to a position that does not block the pair of holes 13. The flange 23 is fixed to the holder 40 by crimping at an end 42. A space 50 is formed between the bottom 11 of the housing 10 and the bottom 21 of the cylindrical member 20.

[0015] The igniter 30 includes a cap member 31 that covers an ignition portion (not shown), and a pair of terminal pins 32 that are connected to the ignition portion and supplied with a predetermined amount of current. When a vehicle collides, the igniter 30 is activated when a collision is detected by collision detection means (not shown) provided on the vehicle, and based on this detection, a control unit provided on the vehicle supplies electricity to the ignition portion via the terminal pins 32.

[0016] Igniter 30 is fixed in place with a pair of terminal pins 32 inserted into a pair of holes 45 formed in the approximate center of holder 40, with the central axis of igniter 30 itself roughly aligned with the central axis of holder 40. A space 60 is formed between the tip of cap member 31 and bottom 21 of cylindrical member 20.

[0017] Holder 40 is a generally cylindrical, integrally molded metal product including a female connector portion 41, an end portion 42, a hole portion 43, and an outer end portion 44. End portion 42 has a generally cylindrical shape before flange portion 23 is crimped and fixed, and is deformed by being pressed when crimped and fixed. Similarly, outer end portion 44 has a generally cylindrical shape before flange portion 14 is crimped and fixed, and is deformed by being pressed when crimped and fixed. Hole portion 43 is formed in the approximate center of holder 40 so that igniter 30 can be inserted therein.

[0018] In the airbag anchoring member release mechanism 100 configured as described above, the flame generated by the activation of the igniter 30 is restricted and concentrated by the restricting hole 21a so as not to spread. Then, in the space 50, the airbag anchoring member 70, which is hit by the flame concentrated by the restricting hole 21a, is melted down (see FIG. 2). At this time, the airbag anchoring member 70 is pushed toward the bottom 11 by receiving a pressure wave along with the flame, but its movement toward the bottom 11 is restricted by the recess 11a. As a result, the airbag anchoring member 70 is more concentratedly exposed to the flame, making it more likely to be melted down. Then, the airbag (not shown) is released from the adjustment of inflation (mooring) by the airbag anchoring member 70.

[0019] According to this embodiment, a space larger than the diameter of the pair of holes 13 for passing the airbag anchoring member 70 is not required, and since a moving member (such as a cutter) that requires a distance to apply acceleration along the axial direction of the housing 10 as in the conventional case is not provided, the axial length of the housing 10 can be made shorter than in the conventional case. In other words, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a release mechanism for the airbag anchoring member 70 that is smaller in size and has fewer parts than in the conventional case. Furthermore, the reduction in the number of parts enables cost reduction compared to the conventional case.

[0020] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the movement of the airbag anchoring member 70 is restricted by the recess 11a, so that when activated, the airbag anchoring member 70 receives a more concentrated flame from the igniter 30 through the restricting hole portion 21a, making it easier for the airbag anchoring member 70 to melt.

[0021] Second Embodiment Next, a description will be given of a release mechanism for an airbag anchoring member according to the second embodiment. Note that unless otherwise specified, parts similar to those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals with the same last two digits, and their description may be omitted.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the release mechanism 200 of the airbag anchoring member of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a housing 110 and a tubular member 120 are used instead of the housing 10 and the tubular member 20 of the first embodiment.

[0023] Housing 110 is a bottomed tubular member having an opening at one end, and includes bottom 111, tubular portion 112, a pair of holes 113, flange 114, and crimping portion 115. Bottom 111 is provided at the other end of housing 110. Furthermore, pair of holes 113 are provided so that, in the initial state, airbag anchoring member 170 (for example, a tether) can pass through both through-hole 124a (described later) and tubular portion 112. Crimping portion 115 is a portion that crimps and fixes end 142 of holder 140.

[0024] The cylindrical member 120 is a bottomed cylindrical member having an outer wall surface of the same shape as the inner wall surface of the housing 110 and an opening provided at one end, and is equipped with a bottom portion 121, a cylindrical portion 122, a flange portion 123, and a head portion 124.

[0025] An annular fragile portion 122a is provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 122. The fragile portion 122a is broken by a pressure wave received when the igniter 130 is activated. Note that the fragile portion 122a may be provided on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 122.

[0026] The head portion 124 is provided on the bottom portion 111 side of the housing 110 of the bottom portion 121, and in the initial state, a through hole 124a through which the airbag anchoring member 170 passes is formed at a position corresponding to the pair of hole portions 113. That is, as shown in Fig. 3, in the initial state, the airbag anchoring member 170 is passed through the pair of hole portions 113 and the through hole 124a. Note that the through hole 124a is formed obliquely with respect to the horizontal direction, so that, for example, in Fig. 3, the shear force acting on the airbag anchoring member 170 can be concentrated on the right-side hole portion 113 and the right-side portion of the through hole 124a.

[0027] The holder 140 is similar to the holder 40 of the first embodiment, but the end 142 is fixed by crimping with the crimping portion 115, making the crimping fixation of the flange portion 123 by the end 142 more secure.

[0028] In the airbag anchoring member release mechanism 200 configured as described above, when the igniter 130 is activated, the bottom portion 121 receives a pressure wave generated from the igniter 130, causing the fragile portion 122a to break, and the bottom portion 121 and the head portion 124 move into the space 150 and are received by the bottom portion 111 of the housing 110 (see FIG. 4). At this time, the pair of holes 113 and the through-hole 124a cooperate to shear the airbag anchoring member 170 (see FIG. 4). Then, the airbag (not shown) is released from the adjustment of inflation (anchoring) by the airbag anchoring member 170.

[0029] According to this embodiment, the components that move during activation (head portion 124 and bottom portion 121) are not initially separated from cylindrical portion 122. That is, when igniter 130 is activated, head portion 124 and bottom portion 121 move after fragile portion 122a breaks and they are separated from cylindrical portion 122, which makes it possible to reduce the number of parts and assemble the device more easily than before. As a result, costs can be reduced more than before.

[0030] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the internal pressure generated by igniter 130 is directly transmitted to bottom 121, so that by adjusting the output of igniter 130 or the fragility of fragile portion 122a (radial thickness, material, etc.), it is possible to adjust the force for shearing airbag mooring member 170, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the material or shape of airbag mooring member 170.

[0031] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the above description of the embodiments, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0032] For example, in the first embodiment, the bottom portion 21 has a flat plane portion, but as a modification, it may have a shape such as a pointed mountain shape. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 10, 110 Housing 11, 111, 21, 121 bottom 11a Recess 12, 22, 112, 122 Cylindrical part 13, 45, 113, 145 Pair of holes 14, 23, 114, 123 flange 20, 120 Cylindrical member 21a Restriction hole 30, 130 igniter 31, 131 Cap member 32, 132 terminal pins 40, 140 holder 41, 141 Female connector part 42, 142 End 43, 143 Hole 44, 144 outer end 50, 60, 150, 160 spaces 70, 170 Airbag anchoring member 100, 200 release mechanism 115 Crimping part 122a Weak area 124 Head 124a Through hole

Claims

1. A release mechanism for an airbag anchoring member used to adjust the inflation of an airbag, a housing including a first cylindrical portion having a pair of holes formed therein through which the airbag anchoring member is passed, an opening provided at one end of the first cylindrical portion, and a bottom provided at the other end of the first cylindrical portion; a cylindrical member including: a second cylindrical portion provided in an opening portion of the housing so as not to close the pair of holes, the second cylindrical portion having an outer wall surface having the same shape as the inner wall surface of the housing; an opening portion provided at one end of the second cylindrical portion; and a bottom portion provided at the other end of the second cylindrical portion; an igniter having a cup-shaped member having an outer wall surface with the same shape as the inner wall surface of the cylindrical member, wherein at least a tip portion of the cup-shaped member is fitted into one end side of the cylindrical member; a holder that holds the housing, the cylindrical member, and the igniter; Equipped with a restricting hole formed in the bottom of the cylindrical member so as to penetrate the cup-shaped member of the igniter in the axial direction, the restricting hole restricting the spread of a flame generated when the igniter is activated.

2. A release mechanism for an airbag anchoring member used to adjust the inflation of an airbag, a housing including a first cylindrical portion having a pair of holes formed therein through which the airbag anchoring member is passed, an opening provided at one end of the first cylindrical portion, and a bottom provided at the other end of the first cylindrical portion; a cylindrical member including: a second cylindrical portion provided in an opening portion of the housing so as not to close the pair of holes, the second cylindrical portion having an outer wall surface having the same shape as the inner wall surface of the housing; an opening portion provided at one end of the second cylindrical portion; and a bottom portion provided at the other end of the second cylindrical portion; an igniter having a cup-shaped member having an outer wall surface with the same shape as the inner wall surface of the cylindrical member, wherein at least a tip portion of the cup-shaped member is fitted into one end side of the cylindrical member; a holder that holds the housing, the cylindrical member, and the igniter; Equipped with a restricting hole portion is formed in the bottom portion of the cylindrical member to restrict the spread of a flame generated when the igniter is activated, A release mechanism for an airbag anchoring member, characterized in that a recess recessed toward the inside of the housing is formed in a position on the bottom of the housing opposite the restriction hole portion.

3. A release mechanism for an airbag anchoring member used to adjust the inflation of an airbag, a housing including a first cylindrical portion having a pair of holes formed therein through which the airbag anchoring member is passed, an opening provided at one end of the first cylindrical portion, and a bottom provided at the other end of the first cylindrical portion; a cylindrical member including a second cylindrical portion having an outer wall surface with the same shape as the inner wall surface of the first cylindrical portion, an opening provided at one end of the second cylindrical portion, and a bottom provided at the other end of the second cylindrical portion; an igniter having a cup-shaped member having an outer wall surface with the same shape as the inner wall surface of the cylindrical member, wherein at least a tip portion of the cup-shaped member is inserted into one end side of the cylindrical member; a holder that holds the housing, the cylindrical member, and the igniter; Equipped with The cylindrical member has a head portion having a predetermined thickness formed on a bottom side of the cylindrical member, and a fragile portion formed on an outer periphery or an inner periphery closer to the igniter than the head portion, the head portion is formed with through holes through which the airbag anchoring member passes in an initial state, the through holes corresponding to the positions of the pair of holes; A release mechanism for an airbag mooring member, characterized in that a space is formed between the tip of the head portion and the bottom of the housing, into which the head portion moves when the fragile portion breaks when the igniter is activated.

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