WO2010143289A1

WO2010143289A1 - Knee airbag device with glove box door

Info

Publication number: WO2010143289A1
Application number: PCT/JP2009/060690
Authority: WO
Inventors: 仁松島
Original assignee: トヨタ自動車株式会社
Priority date: 2009-06-11
Filing date: 2009-06-11
Publication date: 2010-12-16

Abstract

A cover for closing an opening for mounting an air bag module is eliminated from an inner panel of a glove box door. This simplifies the shape of the inner panel to reduce costs. A knee airbag device is provided with a glove box door (14) and an airbag module (16). The glove box door (14) is formed by mounting an inner panel (34) to an outer panel (32). The outer panel (32) forms an occupant-side outer wall of a glove box having a containing space and is located on the vehicle interior side when the glove box door is in a closed state, and the inner panel (34) is located on the containing space side of the glove box. The airbag module (16) includes a knee airbag (38) mounted in a folded state and also includes an inflator (40) for supplying inflating gas to the knee airbag (38). Also, the airbag module (16) is mounted between the outer panel (32) and the inner panel (34), which are within the glove box door (14), and is fastened to the rear surface (32A) of the outer panel (32).

Description

Knee airbag device with grab door

The present invention relates to a knee airbag device with a grab door.

A structure in which a knee airbag module having a knee airbag and an inflator is incorporated in a grab box door (grab door) is disclosed (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

German Patent Application No. 4209604 US Pat. No. 6,276,713

However, when the airbag module is assembled to the grab door as in the conventional example described above, the inner panel side of the grab door that is located on the grab box storage space side when the airbag module is closed, Since a large opening for assembling the airbag module is formed in the panel, a separate cover for closing the opening is required, and there is room for improvement in terms of cost.

In consideration of the above fact, the present invention eliminates the cover for closing the airbag module assembly opening in the grab door inner panel, simplifies the shape of the inner panel, and reduces costs. With the goal.

1st aspect of this invention comprises the passenger | crew side outer wall of the grab box which has a storage space, and is comprised by assembling | attaching the inner panel located in the said storage space side to the outer panel located in the vehicle interior side in a closed state. A grab door, a folded knee airbag, and an inflator that supplies inflation gas to the knee airbag. The grab door is provided between the outer panel and the inner panel in the grab door, and And an airbag module fastened and fixed to the back surface.

In the knee airbag device with the grab door according to the first aspect, the airbag module is provided between the outer panel and the inner panel in the grab door and fastened and fixed to the back surface of the outer panel, and the inner panel is attached to the outer panel. Since it is assembled and configured, the cover for closing the opening for assembling the airbag module in the inner panel can be eliminated. In addition, this makes it possible to simplify the shape of the inner panel and reduce the cost.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the knee airbag device with a grab door according to the first aspect, an attachment boss is provided on the back surface of the outer panel, and the airbag module is fastened to the attachment boss. It is fixed.

In the knee airbag device with a grab door according to the second aspect, the mounting boss is provided on the back surface of the outer panel, and the airbag module is fastened and fixed to the mounting boss. The cover for closing the opening for assembling the air bag module can be eliminated to reduce the cost.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the knee airbag device with a grab door according to the second aspect, a nut corresponding to a fixing screw used for fastening and fixing the airbag module is insert-molded on the mounting boss. Yes.

In the knee airbag device with the grab door according to the third aspect, since a nut corresponding to a fixing screw used for fastening and fixing the airbag module is insert-molded in the mounting boss, the fixing screw is tightened on the nut. The airbag module can be fixed to the outer panel of the grab door. For this reason, the assembly work of an airbag module can be performed easily.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the glove door-attached knee airbag device according to the first aspect, an attachment portion is formed to protrude from the back surface of the outer panel, and the airbag module includes the attachment portion. These are fixed by being sandwiched and fastened by a mounting bracket extending from the airbag module and a separate abutting member.

In the knee airbag device with a grab door according to the fourth aspect, when the airbag module is fixed to the outer panel of the grab door, the mounting portion protruding from the back surface of the outer panel is separated from the mounting bracket extending from the airbag module. It clamps | pinches with the contact member of and is fastened. Thus, the assembly | attachment intensity | strength of the airbag module with respect to an outer panel can be raised more by using a separate contact member.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the knee airbag device with a grab door according to the first aspect, a rib that is coupled to the inner panel after the airbag module is fixed is erected on the back surface of the outer panel. The airbag module is fixed by fastening a mounting bracket extending from the airbag module to the rib using a fixing screw.

In the knee airbag device with a grab door according to the fifth aspect, since the airbag module is fastened and fixed to the rib standing on the back surface of the outer panel using the fixing screw, the knee airbag is inflated and deployed. The reaction force at the time can be handled by the shear strength of the fixing screw and the buckling strength of the rib. Further, since the ribs are bonded to the inner panel after the airbag module is fixed and the strength is increased, no further reinforcing means is required.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the knee airbag device with a grab door according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the outer panel is made of a synthetic resin and is softer than the outer panel. A vertical wall portion that is joined to the back surface of the outer panel at least at the base portion, and is erected from the base portion to the inner panel side along the assembly region of the airbag module, and the airbag An airbag door member provided between the module and the outer panel and having a door base member that is deployed to the vehicle compartment side together with a part of the outer panel when the knee airbag is inflated and deployed; A hook is provided, and the hook is locked to the vertical wall portion of the airbag door member.

In the knee airbag device with a grab door according to the sixth aspect, an airbag door member made of a synthetic resin softer than the outer panel is joined to the back surface of the outer panel, and a hook provided in the airbag module is provided. In addition to being locked to the vertical wall portion of the airbag door member, the airbag module is fastened and fixed to the back surface of the outer panel that is harder than the airbag door member. For this reason, compared with the structure which only latches an airbag module to a comparatively soft airbag door member, assembly | attachment intensity | strength can be improved greatly.

As described above, according to the glove door-attached knee airbag device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the inner panel of the grab door eliminates the cover for closing the opening for assembling the airbag module. It is possible to obtain an excellent effect that the shape of the panel can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

According to the glove door-attached knee airbag device according to the second aspect, the cover for closing the opening for assembling the airbag module in the inner panel can be eliminated with a simple configuration, and the cost can be reduced. An excellent effect is obtained.

According to the glove door-attached knee airbag device according to the third aspect, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that the assembly work of the airbag module can be easily performed.

According to the glove door-attached knee airbag device according to the fourth aspect, an excellent effect is obtained in that the fastening strength of the airbag module with respect to the outer panel can be further increased by using a separate contact member.

According to the knee airbag device with a grab door according to the fifth aspect, the reaction force when the knee airbag is inflated and deployed can be handled by the shear strength of the fixing screw and the buckling strength of the rib. The excellent effect that the reinforcing means which becomes can be made unnecessary is acquired.

According to the knee airbag device with a grab door according to the sixth aspect, the assembling strength can be remarkably increased as compared with the structure in which the airbag module is merely locked to the relatively soft airbag door member. An excellent effect is obtained.

1 to 6 relate to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a knee airbag device with a grab door. It is an exploded perspective view showing a knee air bag device with a grab door. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of FIG. 2 showing a mounting boss provided on the inner surface of the outer panel. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the state which assembled | attached the airbag module to the outer panel. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of FIG. 4 showing an assembled state of the airbag module to the outer panel. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along arrow 6-6 in FIG. 5, showing a state where the airbag module is assembled to the outer panel. 7 to 17 relate to the second embodiment, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the knee airbag device with a grab door. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the state which assembled | attached the airbag module to the outer panel. It is a principal part expansion perspective view of FIG. 7 which shows the attaching part provided in the inner surface of the outer panel, and a separate contact member. It is a principal part expansion perspective view of FIG. 8 which shows the assembly | attachment state of the airbag module to an outer panel. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the arrow 11-11 in FIG. 10, showing a state where the airbag module is assembled to the outer panel. FIGS. 12 to 14 relate to a first modification of the second embodiment, and FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part showing a mounting portion provided on the inner surface of the outer panel and a separate contact member. It is a principal part expansion perspective view which shows the assembly | attachment state of the airbag module to an outer panel. FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along arrow 14-14 in FIG. 13 showing an assembled state of the airbag module to the outer panel. FIGS. 15 to 17 relate to a second modification of the second embodiment, and FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part showing a mounting portion provided on the inner surface of the outer panel and a separate contact member. It is a principal part expansion perspective view which shows the assembly | attachment state of the airbag module to an outer panel. FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along arrow 17-17 in FIG. 16, showing a state where the airbag module is assembled to the outer panel. 18 to 20 relate to the third embodiment, and FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part showing a rib provided on the back surface of the outer panel. It is a principal part expansion perspective view which shows the assembly | attachment state of the airbag module to an outer panel. FIG. 20 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along arrow 20-20 in FIG. 19 showing an assembled state of the airbag module to the outer panel.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
In FIG. 1, a knee airbag device 10 with a grab door according to the present embodiment is a knee airbag device provided corresponding to a passenger seat 12 in a vehicle, and has a grab door 14 and an airbag module 16. ing.

A grab box 22 is assembled at a position on the vehicle front side of the passenger seat 12 in the instrument panel 18 provided from the driver seat (not shown) side to the passenger seat 12 side. The grab box 22 includes, for example, a main body 26 that constitutes a storage space 24 and a grab door 14. The main body 26 is configured, for example, as a box that opens to the passenger compartment 28 side (vehicle rear side).

The grab door 14 is a lid that forms an occupant-side outer wall of the grab box 22 having the storage space 24, and an inner panel 34 positioned on the storage space 24 side is disposed on the outer panel 32 positioned on the vehicle compartment 28 side in the closed state. For example, it is integrally assembled. A stud (not shown) is provided at the lower part of the grab door 14, and the stud is rotatably supported by an instrument panel 18, for example. Thereby, the grab door 14 can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 26.

The outer panel 32 of the grab door 14 is made of a relatively hard synthetic resin, and an airbag door member 36 made of a synthetic resin softer than the outer panel 32 is joined to the back surface 32A of the outer panel 32. Yes. The material of the airbag door member 36 is, for example, an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer. As shown in FIG. 2, the airbag door member 36 is configured by integrally including a base portion 36 A, a vertical wall portion 36 B, and a door base material 36 C. The airbag door member 36 is joined to the back surface 32A of the outer panel 32 by, for example, vibration welding, for example, at the base portion 36A and the door base material 36C.

The base 36A is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape, for example. The vertical wall portion 36B is erected on the inner panel 34 side from the base portion 36A along the assembly region of the airbag module 16, and is, for example, a substantially rectangular frame shape that is slightly larger than the module case of the airbag module 16. Is formed. In the vertical wall portion 36B, a plurality of through holes 36D are formed in alignment along the vehicle width direction in an upper side 36U located on the upper side of the vehicle when the grab door 14 is closed and a lower side 36L located on the lower side of the vehicle. ing.

The door base material 36 C is provided between the airbag module 16 and the outer panel 32 in the frame of the base portion 36 A, and is formed as a pair in the vertical direction when the grab door 14 is closed. As shown in FIG. 1, hinge portions 36E that connect the base portion 36A and the upper and lower door base materials 36C are respectively provided at the root portion of the upper side 36U and the root portion of the lower side 36L of the vertical wall portion 36B. .

Further, a tear line 36T is formed at a boundary portion between the upper and lower door base materials 36C and a boundary portion between both end edges of the door base material 36C in the vehicle width direction and the base portion 36A. The tear line 36T is a planned breakage portion that breaks upon receiving the inflation pressure of the knee airbag 38 (FIG. 1) that is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. As shown in FIG. 2, corresponding to the tear line 36T, the outer panel 32 is also formed with

tear lines

32E and 32T as the planned fracture portions. The groove depth of the tear line 32T is set deeper than the groove depth of the tear line 32E, and when the knee airbag 38 is inflated and deployed, the tear line 32T breaks prior to the tear line 32E. . The tear line 36T of the airbag door member 36 may be a slit.

When the knee airbag 38 (FIG. 1) is inflated and deployed, the door base material 36C is broken by the

tear lines

36T, 32E, and 32T due to the inflation pressure of the knee airbag 38, and then the upper and lower hinge portions 36E are the center. In addition, each of the outer panels 32 is configured to be deployed on the vehicle compartment 28 side.

1 and 2, the airbag module 16 includes a folded knee airbag 38 and an inflator 40 that supplies inflation gas to the knee airbag 38, and includes an outer panel 32 in the grab door 14. It is provided between the inner panel 34 and is fastened and fixed to the back surface 32 A of the outer panel 32.

Specifically, the airbag module 16 is configured by storing a folded knee airbag 38 including an inflator 40 in a module case 42 made of, for example, metal, synthetic resin, or cloth. The inflator 40 is provided with, for example, two stud bolts 44 that penetrate the knee airbag 38 and the bottom surface 42 A of the module case 42, and a nut 46 is fastened to the stud bolt 44 from the outside of the module case 42. Thus, the inflator 40 and the knee airbag 38 are fixed to the module case 42.

The inflator 40 is a gas generation source for supplying inflation gas to the knee airbag 38. The inflator 40 is configured in, for example, a cylindrical shape extending in the vehicle width direction, and is disposed in the folded knee airbag 38. ing. The position of the inflator 40 is, for example, the center of the module case 42 in the vehicle vertical direction when the grab door 14 is closed. The inflator 40 is connected to an airbag ECU (not shown) via a wire harness (not shown), and is actuated by an operating current from the airbag ECU to inflate the knee airbag 38. It is comprised so that the gas for operation may be supplied. The airbag ECU is configured to flow an operating current to the inflator 40 when, for example, a frontal collision of the vehicle is determined based on a signal from a collision sensor (not shown).

A plurality of hooks 48 are respectively provided on the upper side 42U and the lower side 42L of the module case 42, and the hooks 48 are formed on the upper side 36U and the lower side 36L of the vertical wall portion 36B of the airbag door member 36, respectively. The through holes 36D are respectively locked. In the illustrated example, the hook 48 is joined to the module case 42, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the hook 48 may be integrally formed with the module case 42.

2 to 6, a mounting boss 50 is provided on the back surface 32 A of the outer panel 32. The mounting bosses 50 are provided, for example, at two locations on both sides of the airbag door member 36 in the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the base portion of the mounting boss 50 is formed in a circular arc shape in cross section in order to suppress stress concentration when the knee airbag 38 is inflated and deployed. As shown in FIG. 6, the mounting boss 50 is insert-molded with a nut 54 corresponding to a fixing screw 52 used for fastening and fixing the airbag module 16. Further, the mounting boss 50 is formed with a hole 50A (FIG. 3) for inserting the fixing screw 52 therein. Note that the attachment of the nut 54 to the attachment boss 50 is not limited to insert molding.

The mounting bracket 56 is provided at two positions corresponding to the mounting boss 50 on the side surfaces 42S on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the module case 42 in the airbag module 16.

For example, the mounting bracket 56 is joined to the side surface 42S of the module case 42, and is connected to the base portion 56A and a base portion 56A formed in a U-shaped cross section so as to straddle the vertical wall portion 36B of the airbag door member 36. The mounting portion 56B extends in the vehicle width direction up to a position overlapping the mounting boss 50. As shown in FIG. 2, a through hole 56 C for allowing the fixing screw 52 to pass is formed in the attachment portion 56 B. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the airbag module 16 is fixed to the mounting boss 50 on the back surface 32 A of the outer panel 32 by fastening the fixing screw 52 to the nut 54 via the mounting bracket 56. Has been.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the inner panel 34 is attached to the outer panel 32 at the coupling portion 58 so as to cover the airbag module 16 after the airbag module 16 is assembled to the outer panel 32. Welded and integrated. The means for assembling the inner panel 34 to the outer panel 32 is not limited to welding, and may be performed by fastening or bonding.

(Function)
This embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. 2 and 4 to 6, in the glove door-attached knee airbag device 10 according to the present embodiment, the airbag module 16 is provided between the outer panel 32 and the inner panel 34 in the grab door 14, and the outer panel. Since the inner panel 34 is integrally combined with the outer panel 32, the cover for closing the opening for assembling the airbag module 16 in the inner panel 34 is abolished. be able to. In particular, in the present embodiment, the mounting boss 50 is provided on the back surface 32A of the outer panel 32, and the airbag module 16 is fastened and fixed to the mounting boss 50. Therefore, the shape of the inner panel 34 can be achieved with a simple configuration. The cost can be reduced. Further, by eliminating the cover, a member (not shown) such as a corrugated tube for holding a wire harness (not shown) connected to the airbag module 16 becomes unnecessary.

Since a nut 54 corresponding to a fixing screw 52 used for fastening and fixing the airbag module 16 is insert-molded on the mounting boss 50, the airbag module 16 is attached to the grab door by fastening the fixing screw 52 to the nut 54. 14 outer panels 32 can be fixed. For this reason, the assembly | attachment operation | work of the airbag module 16 can be performed easily.

Briefly describing the assembling operation of the airbag module 16, an airbag door member 36 is joined in advance to the outer panel 32 of the grab door 14, and the airbag door member 36 is inserted into the through hole 36D of the vertical wall portion 36B. Temporary assembly is performed so that the hook 48 of the airbag module 16 is locked. At this time, the mounting bracket 56 of the airbag module 16 is positioned so as to substantially correspond to each mounting boss 50.

In this state, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 to 6, the fixing screw 52 is passed through the through hole 56 C in the mounting bracket 56 and fastened to the nut 54 in the mounting boss 50. Fastening and fixing of the airbag module 16 with respect to is completed. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the inner panel 34 is welded to the outer panel 32, whereby the outer panel 32 and the inner panel 34 are integrated to form the grab door 14.

Next, the operation of the knee airbag device 10 with a grab door at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle will be described. For example, when the vehicle has a frontal collision and the airbag ECU determines the occurrence of the frontal collision based on a signal from the collision sensor, an ignition current is supplied to the inflator 40. The inflator 40 is activated by the ignition current to generate a large amount of gas. By supplying this gas to the knee airbag 38, the knee airbag 38 starts to expand and deploy.

At this time, in FIG. 1, the knee airbag 38 tends to inflate between the module case 42 and the airbag door member 36 (outer panel 32). The case 42 and the airbag door member 36 act in a direction to separate them from each other. However, the module case 42 is locked to the vertical wall portion 36B of the airbag door member 36 by the hook 48, and further, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the back surface of the outer panel 32 via the mounting bracket 56. It is fastened and fixed directly to the mounting boss 50 of 32A. That is, the airbag module 16 is not only locked to the airbag door member 36 made of a relatively soft synthetic resin, but also fastened and fixed to the outer panel 32 made of a relatively hard synthetic resin. ing. Therefore, the assembling strength can be remarkably increased as compared with the structure in which the airbag module 16 is merely locked to the relatively soft airbag door member 36.

Since the assembly strength of the airbag module 16 with respect to the outer panel 32 is high as described above, the airbag module 16 is not detached from the outer panel 32 side due to the inflation pressure of the knee airbag 38. Accordingly, a reaction force at the initial stage of deployment of the knee airbag 38 can be generated in the module case 42 and can be effectively applied to the airbag door member 36 (outer panel 32) side from the inflation pressure of the knee airbag 38.

Due to the inflation pressure, the tear line 36T of the airbag door member 36 and the

tear lines

32E and 32T of the outer panel 32 are broken, so that the pair of door base materials 36C is formed in the outer panel 32 around the upper and lower hinge portions 36E. Deploy to the vehicle compartment 28 side with each part. At this time, since the groove depth of the tear line 32T is set deeper than the groove depth of the tear line 32E, the tear line 32T breaks prior to the tear line 32E. In this way, an opening is formed in the outer panel 32 (not shown). The knee airbag 38 bulges from the inside of the grab door 14 toward the vehicle compartment 28 through the opening, and is deployed. With the knee airbag 38, the knee 60K (FIG. 1) of the occupant 60 can be restrained.

Although illustration is omitted, for reinforcement of the grab door 14, a rib may be provided on the back surface 32A of the outer panel 32, and the rib and the inner panel 34 may be welded.

[Second Embodiment]
7 to 11, in the knee airbag device 20 with a grab door according to the present embodiment, a mounting portion 62 protrudes from the back surface 32A of the outer panel 32, and the airbag module 16 includes the mounting portion 62, The mounting bracket 56 extending from the airbag module 16 and a separate abutting member 64 are sandwiched and fastened to fix.

Specifically, the attachment portion 62 is integrally formed with the outer panel 32, for example, and is provided at one location on each side of the airbag door member 36 in the vehicle width direction. The mounting portion 62 includes a pair of leg portions 62A erected on the back surface 32A of the outer panel 32, and a seat portion 62B that connects the pair of leg portions 62A, for example, substantially parallel to the back surface 32A of the outer panel 32. It is configured. In the seat portion 62B, through holes 62C through which the fixing screws 52 are passed are formed, for example, at two locations. In addition, a protrusion 62D that protrudes toward the back surface 32A is integrally formed, for example, at the center in the longitudinal direction of the seat 62B. As shown in FIG. 9, for example, a U-shaped slit 62E is formed around the protrusion 62D, and the protrusion 62D is configured to be elastically swingable in the thickness direction of the seat 62B. Yes.

The abutting member 64 is a plate-like member made of, for example, metal having a dimension that can be superimposed on the back surface side (between the seat portion 62B and the outer panel 32) of the seat portion 62B of the mounting portion 62, and the through-hole 62C. It has a corresponding through hole 64C and, for example, a through hole 64D corresponding to the protrusion 62D. In the abutting member 64, a nut 54 to which the fixing screw 52 is screwed is fixed to the back surface of the portion corresponding to the through hole 64C by, for example, welding.

In addition, it is good also as a support part (not shown) provided in the back surface side of the seat part 62B in the attaching part 62, and making it possible to insert the contact member 64. FIG. In this case, when the abutting member 64 is inserted into the back surface side of the mounting portion 62, the protrusion 62 D once elastically swings and then engages with the through hole 64 D of the abutting member 64. Therefore, prior to assembly of the airbag module 16 to the outer panel 32, the abutting member 64 can be stably attached to the attachment portion 62. This also makes it possible to further improve the workability when fastening the fixing screw 52 to the nut 54.

Note that if the mounting portion 62 is not provided with a support portion (not shown) as described above, the projection 62D may not be elastically swingable in the thickness direction of the seat portion 62B. Moreover, you may provide the recessed part (not shown) in which protrusion 62D can engage instead of through-hole 64D of the contact member 64. FIG. In the illustrated example, the space between the seat portion 62B of the mounting portion 62 and the back surface 32A of the outer panel 32 is penetrated in the vehicle width direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, one side of the mounting portion 62 in the vehicle width direction. You may comprise so that the edge part of may be closed. This is because the strength of the attaching portion 62 is improved, and the strength of attaching the airbag module 16 to the outer panel 32 is further improved.

The other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings and the description thereof is omitted.

(Function)
This embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. 7 to 11, in the knee airbag device 20 with a grab door according to the present embodiment, when the airbag module 16 is fixed to the outer panel 32 of the grab door 14, the mounting portion is formed to protrude from the back surface 32 A of the outer panel 32. 62 is clamped by a mounting bracket 56 extending from the airbag module 16 and a separate abutting member 64.

Specifically, the airbag door member 36 is joined to the outer panel 32 of the grab door 14 in advance, and the hook 48 of the airbag module 16 is engaged with the through hole 36D of the vertical wall portion 36B of the airbag door member 36. Temporary assembly is performed so as to stop. At this time, the mounting bracket 56 of the airbag module 16 is positioned so as to substantially correspond to each mounting portion 62.

Subsequently, the abutting member 64 is applied to the back surface of the mounting portion 62. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the protrusion 62 D of the mounting portion 62 enters the abutting member 64, thereby positioning the through-hole 64 D of the member 64 and the corresponding through-hole 64 C of the member 64. The positioning of the attachment portion 62 with the through hole 62C is performed. 7, 8, 10, and 11, the hook 48 of the airbag module 16 is locked in the through hole 36 D of the vertical wall portion 36 B of the airbag door member 36 and then fixed. The screw 52 is passed through the through-hole 56C of the mounting bracket 56, the through-hole 62C of the mounting portion 62, and the through-hole 64C of the abutting member 64, and is fastened to the nut 54 of the corresponding member 64, thereby seat 62B of the mounting portion 62. However, the mounting bracket 56 and the abutting member 64 are sandwiched, and the fastening and fixing of the airbag module 16 to the outer panel 32 is completed.

In the present embodiment, as described above, when the airbag module 16 is assembled to the back surface 32A of the outer panel 32, the airbag module 16 is assembled to the outer panel 32 by using, for example, a separate metal contact member 64. The strength can be further increased.

The assembly of the inner panel 34 to the outer panel 32 is the same as in the first embodiment.

(Modification 1)
12 to 14, in the first modification of the present embodiment, a flange 62 F is erected on the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the seat 62 B of the mounting portion 62. A through hole 62G is formed in the flange 62F.

On the other hand, a flange 64F corresponding to the flange 62F of the attachment portion 62 is also erected on the end portion of the abutting member 64 outside the general portion 64B in the vehicle width direction. A through hole 64G corresponding to the through hole 62G of the attachment portion 62 is formed in the flange 64F. When the general portion 64B of the abutting member 64 is applied to the back side of the mounting portion 62 and the

flanges

64F and 62F are overlapped, the through

holes

64G and 62G are matched. In this state, for example, the fixing screw 66 is inserted into the through

holes

64G and 62G from the flange 64F side and fastened to the nut 68 arranged on the flange 62F side, so that the abutting member 64 is fixed to the mounting portion 62. It has become. In this state, for example, two through holes 62 C of the attachment portion 62 are respectively matched with the through holes 64 C of the abutting member 64.

When the airbag module 16 is assembled to the outer panel 32, the hook 48 of the airbag module 16 is locked in the through hole 36D of the vertical wall portion 36B of the airbag door member 36 (see FIG. 8). As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the fixing screw 52 is passed through the through hole 56 C (FIG. 7) and the through holes 62 C and 64 C in the mounting bracket 56 and fastened to the nut 54 of the abutting member 64. At this time, since the through hole 62C of the attachment portion 62 and the through hole 64C of the abutting member 64 are matched, the operation of fastening the fixing screw 52 to the nut 54 can be easily performed. In this manner, the seat portion 62B of the attachment portion 62 is sandwiched between the attachment bracket 56 and the general portion 64B of the abutting member 64, and the fastening and fixing of the airbag module 16 to the outer panel 32 is completed.

(Modification 2)
15 to 17, in the second modification of the present embodiment, the leg portion 62A of the mounting portion 62 is disposed opposite to the vehicle width direction, and a through hole 62G is formed in the leg portion 62A on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Has been. A nut 68 is disposed at a position corresponding to the through hole 62G on the back surface of the leg portion 62A. Moreover, the nut 54 is arrange | positioned in the position corresponding to the through-hole 62C among the back surfaces of the seat part 62B.

On the other hand, the vertical wall 64A is formed over the entire length of the member 64, for example, at the end of the abutting member 64 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the general portion 64B. In other words, the abutting member 64 has an L-shaped cross section. A through hole 64G corresponding to the through hole 62G of the attachment portion 62 is formed in the vertical wall portion 64A. The abutting member 64 is applied to the mounting portion 62 so that the vertical wall portion 64A overlaps the leg portion 62A on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the general portion 64B overlaps the seat portion 62B, and the fixing screw 66 is inserted into the through

holes

64G and 62G. The abutting member 64 is fixed to the mounting portion 62 by being fastened to the nut 68. In this state, for example, two through holes 64 C of the abutting member 64 are respectively matched with the through holes 62 C of the attachment portion 62.

When the airbag module 16 is assembled to the outer panel 32, the hook 48 of the airbag module 16 is locked in the through hole 36D of the vertical wall portion 36B of the airbag door member 36 (see FIG. 8). 15 to 17, the fixing screw 52 is passed through the through hole 56C (FIG. 7) and the through

holes

64C and 62C in the mounting bracket 56, and the nut disposed on the back surface of the seat 62B in the mounting part 62. Fasten to 54. At this time, the through holes 64 C of the abutting member 64 respectively match the through holes 62 C of the mounting portion 62, so that the operation of fastening the fixing screw 52 to the nut 54 can be easily performed. In this way, the fastening and fixing of the airbag module 16 to the outer panel 32 is completed. In this state, the attachment portion 62 is reinforced by the abutting member 64.

[Third Embodiment]
In FIG. 18 to FIG. 20, in the knee airbag device 30 with a grab door according to the present embodiment, a rib 70 is erected on the back surface 32 A of the outer panel 32, and the airbag module 16 extends from the airbag module 16. The mounting bracket 56 is fixed to the rib 70 by fastening.

19 and 20, the ribs 70 are integrally formed on the back surface 32A of the outer panel 32, for example, on both sides of the airbag door member 36 in the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIG. 20, the height of the rib 70 corresponds to the distance between the outer panel 32 and the inner panel 34 in the grab door 14.

The mounting bracket 56 is formed by bending a metal plate, for example, and is joined to the bottom surface 42A of the module case 42 in the airbag module 16 at the base 56A. Further, a pair of mounting brackets 56 are provided on each side of the airbag module 16 in the vehicle width direction, for example. At the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the base portion 56A of the mounting bracket 56, an attachment portion 56B along the inner side surface in the vehicle width direction of the rib 70 is bent, for example, on the outer panel 32 side. The mounting portion 56B is provided with a through hole (not shown), and a nut 54 is fixed by welding, for example, at a position corresponding to the through hole on the inner surface in the vehicle width direction of the mounting portion 56B. Yes.

In the rib 70, a through hole 70A corresponding to a through hole (not shown) of the mounting bracket 56 is formed. A fixing screw 52 that is screwed into the nut 54 is passed through the through hole 70A.

As shown in FIG. 20, the inner panel 34 is, for example, welded to the outer panel 32 at the coupling portion 58 so as to cover the airbag module 16 after the airbag module 16 is assembled to the outer panel 32. Integrated. At this time, the rib 70 provided on the outer panel 32 is also coupled and integrated with the inner panel 34 by, for example, welding at the coupling portion 72. The means for assembling the inner panel 34 to the outer panel 32 is not limited to welding, and may be performed by fastening or bonding.

(Function)
This embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. 18 to 20, in the knee airbag device 30 with the grab door according to the present embodiment, the airbag module 16 is fastened to the rib 70 erected on the back surface 32 A of the outer panel 32 using the fixing screw 52. Since it is fixed, the reaction force when the knee airbag 38 is inflated and deployed can be handled by the shear strength of the fixing screw 52 and the buckling strength of the rib 70 integrated with the outer panel 32 and the inner panel 34. . Since the rib 70 is bonded to the inner panel 34 after the airbag module 16 is fixed and the strength thereof is increased, no further reinforcing means is required.

When assembling the airbag module 16 to the outer panel 32, first, the hook 48 of the airbag module 16 is locked in the through hole 36D of the vertical wall portion 36B of the airbag door member 36 (see FIG. 4). At this time, the attachment portion 56B of the attachment bracket 56 in the airbag module 16 is in a position close to or in contact with the inner side surface of the rib 70 in the vehicle width direction, and is a through hole (not shown) formed in the attachment portion 56B. ) Generally matches the through hole 70A (FIG. 18) of the rib 70. Therefore, it is easy to pass the fixing screw 52 through the through hole 70A and the through hole (not shown) of the attachment portion 56B.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the fastening screw 52 is fastened to a nut 54 provided in the attachment portion 56 B of the attachment bracket 56, whereby the fastening and fixing of the airbag module 16 to the outer panel 32 is completed. . Since the airbag module 16 can be directly fastened and fixed to the outer panel 32 using the rib 70 for reinforcing the grab door 14, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost.

In each of the above embodiments, the hook 48 of the airbag module 16 is locked in the through hole 36D of the vertical wall portion 36B of the airbag door member 36. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A mounting bracket may be provided on each of the upper, lower, left, and right sides, and may be configured to be directly fastened to the back surface 32A of the outer panel 32. The airbag door member 36 may not be used.

(Explanation of symbols)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Grab door attaching knee airbag device 12 Passenger seat 14 Grab door 16 Air bag module 20 Grab door attaching knee airbag device 22 Grab box 24 Storage space 26 Main body 28 Car compartment 30 Grab door attaching knee airbag device 32 Outer panel 32A Back surface 34 Inner panel 36 Air Bag door member 36A Base portion 36B Vertical wall portion 36C Door base material 38 Knee airbag 40 Inflator 48 Hook 50 Mounting boss 52 Fixing screw 54 Nut 56 Mounting bracket 62 Mounting portion 64 Abutting member 70 Rib

Claims

A grab door that constitutes an occupant-side outer wall of a grab box having a storage space, and is configured by assembling an inner panel positioned on the storage space side to an outer panel positioned on the vehicle compartment side in a closed state;
A folded knee airbag and an inflator that supplies inflation gas to the knee airbag, and is provided between the outer panel and the inner panel in the grab door and to the back surface of the outer panel An airbag module fastened and fixed
A knee airbag device with a grab door.
A mounting boss is provided on the back surface of the outer panel,
The knee airbag device with a grab door according to claim 1, wherein the airbag module is fastened and fixed to the mounting boss.
The knee airbag device with a grab door according to claim 2, wherein a nut corresponding to a fixing screw used for fastening and fixing the airbag module is insert-molded on the mounting boss.
On the back surface of the outer panel, a mounting portion is formed to protrude,
The glove door-attached knee airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag module is fixed by sandwiching and fastening the attachment portion between an attachment bracket extending from the airbag module and a separate contact member.
On the back surface of the outer panel, a rib that is coupled to the inner panel after the airbag module is fixed is erected,
The knee airbag device with a grab door according to claim 1, wherein the airbag module is fixed by fastening a mounting bracket extending from the airbag module to the rib using a fixing screw.
The outer panel is made of synthetic resin,
A vertical wall portion made of a synthetic resin softer than the outer panel, joined to the back surface of the outer panel at least at the base, and erected from the base toward the inner panel along the assembly region of the airbag module And an airbag door member provided between the airbag module and the outer panel and having a door base material that is deployed on the vehicle compartment side together with a part of the outer panel when the knee airbag is inflated and deployed.
The airbag module is provided with a hook,
The knee airbag device with a grab door according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hook is locked to the vertical wall portion of the airbag door member.