JP2004190810A - Mounting structure of energy absorption (ea) material and locking piece - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mounting structure of an EA material allowing the easy mounting of the EA material on a member such as a trim, allowing an improvement of impact absorbing properties, and a secure mounting of the EA material on the member even for the EA material of various shapes, sizes, and hardnesses. <P>SOLUTION: The EA material 1 made of a synthetic resin such as a hard urethane foam is mounted on the trim 2 as the member through a locking piece 3. The locking piece 3 comprises a tubular part 6, an anchor 5 extending from the rear end of the tubular part outward in a flange form, a flange 7 extending from the tip of the tubular part 6 outward in a flange form, a plurality of projections 8 projectedly formed on the tubular part 6 from the tip face thereof in a direction parallel with the axial direction of the tube part 6, and a surrounding wall 9 surrounding the outer periphery of the projections 8. The EA material 1 is mounted on the trim 2 by abutting on the trim 2 while inserting into an opening 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mounting structure of an EA material (impact energy absorbing material), and more particularly to a mounting structure of an EA material suitable for application to an automobile trim. The present invention also relates to a locking piece used for the EA material mounting structure.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An EA material made of rigid urethane foam is attached to a door trim of an automobile to absorb impact energy (EA) in a side collision (side collision). As a method of attaching a hard urethane foam EA material to the door trim, JP-A-2001-322507 describes a structure shown in FIGS. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting structure of the EA material described in FIG. 7 of the same publication, FIG. 4 (a) is a perspective view of a tubular body 20 used in this structure, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional perspective view of the tubular body 20.
[0003]
The tubular body 20 has a tubular portion 21 and an overhanging portion 22 integrally. A claw portion 23 is provided inward from the tip of the cylindrical portion 21. A recess 27 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rod 26 projecting from the trim 31, and the claw 23 is engaged with the recess 27.
[0004]
In addition, a slit 24 is provided in the cylindrical portion 21 in a direction parallel to the axis of the cylindrical portion 21 from the front end, and the cylindrical portion 21 is elastically deformable in the diameter-enlarging direction.
[0005]
To attach the EA material 33 to the trim 31, the EA material 33 is arranged along the surface of the trim 31 so that the rod 26 is inserted into the mounting hole 34 of the EA material 33, and then the tubular body 20 is fitted to the rod 26. Then, the claw portion 23 is engaged with the concave portion 27. As a result, the overhang portion 22 presses down the peripheral portion of the mounting hole 34 of the EA material 33.
[0006]
The cylindrical portion 21 has a tapered shape so as to be easily inserted into the mounting hole 34. When the tubular body 20 is mounted on the rod 26, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 21 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 34.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-322507 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-described conventional EA material mounting structure, when attaching the EA material to the trim 31, the work of applying the EA material to the trim 31 and the work of subsequently fitting the tubular body 20 to the rod 26 are performed. Two work processes are required, and work is troublesome. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a mounting structure of an EA material in which the workability of mounting the EA material to a member such as a trim is significantly improved, and a locking piece therefor.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the EA material mounting structure of the present invention, in the structure in which the EA material is mounted on the member, the projection of the locking piece provided integrally with the EA material is engaged with the locked portion provided on the member. Thus, the EA material is attached to the member, and the base end side of the projection is surrounded by the surrounding wall.
[0010]
In such an EA material mounting structure, since the locking piece is integrated with the EA material, the EA material with the locking piece is applied to the member while the projection of the locking piece is attached to the member. The EA material can be attached to the member in one operation step of engaging with the locking portion. Further, since the base end side of the projection is surrounded by the surrounding wall, it is possible to prevent a constituent material (for example, a foamed synthetic resin) of the EA material from entering the base end side of the projection during the production of the EA material.
[0011]
In the present invention, the protrusion is elastically deformable, and after being elastically deformed when being engaged with the locked portion, is elastically restored to engage with the locked portion. Thereby, the projection can be easily attached to the locked portion.
[0012]
In the present invention, the locked portion is preferably an opening. The locked portion having the opening as described above can be easily provided at a desired position. In this case, it is preferable that the projection of the locking piece has a claw engaged with the edge of the opening. In particular, it is preferable that a claw portion is provided on a side surface of the protrusion in the protruding direction, and it is preferable that a plurality of protrusions be provided along the edge of the opening.
[0013]
With such an attachment structure of the EA material, the EA material can be attached to the member by applying the EA material to the member while inserting the projection into the opening. In addition, since a plurality of protrusions are provided along the edge of the opening, movement (rattle) in the direction along the member surface of the EA material is prevented.
[0014]
In the present invention, the locking piece has a flange, the protrusion and the surrounding wall are provided so as to protrude from the flange, and the edge of the opening is sandwiched between the tip of the surrounding wall and the claw portion. Is preferred. With this configuration, the movement (rattle) of the EA material in the member contact / separation direction is prevented.
[0015]
In the present invention, since the base of the locking piece is embedded in the EA material, the bonding strength between the locking piece and the EA material can be increased. Further, by providing the base of the locking piece so as not to penetrate the EA material, it is possible to enhance the impact absorption characteristics of the EA material in the vicinity of the locking piece.
[0016]
In the present invention, the EA material is preferably made of a synthetic resin, particularly a foamed synthetic resin such as rigid urethane foam. The locking piece can be firmly integrated with the synthetic resin EA material by embedding its base.
[0017]
In the case of manufacturing this synthetic resin EA material, the molding can be performed efficiently by fitting and holding the surrounding wall of the locking piece in the EA material molding die. Further, the surrounding wall is in close contact with the mold, so that urethane or the like is prevented from entering the inside of the surrounding wall, and the occurrence of burrs is prevented.
[0018]
The mounting structure of the EA material is suitable for mounting a head protection pad or a pillar pad arranged along the inner surface of the automobile cabin, but is not limited thereto.
[0019]
The locking piece of the present invention (claim 13) has a base buried in the EA material, a flange provided on one end side of the base, and is elastically deformable and protruded from the flange. A plurality of projections to be inserted into the material mounting opening, a claw provided on a side surface of the projection, and engageable with an end of the opening, and a projection protruding from the flange in the same direction as the projection. And a surrounding wall surrounding the base end side of the projection. This locking piece is suitable for the mounting structure of the EA material.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is a substantially horizontal sectional view showing an attachment structure of an EA material according to the embodiment, and FIGS. 1B and 1C are diagrams of a locking piece used in the attachment structure of the EA material. FIG. 2 (a) is a longitudinal sectional view and a perspective view, FIG. 2 (a) is a sectional view for explaining a method of manufacturing an EA material with a locking piece, and FIG. 2 (b) is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 2 (a).
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, a plate-like EA material 1 made of a synthetic resin such as rigid urethane foam is attached to a trim (a door trim in this embodiment) 2 as a member via a locking piece 3. In this embodiment, an opening 4 is provided in the trim 2 as a locked portion, and the locking piece 3 is engaged with the opening 4. The opening 4 is preferably circular, but is not necessarily limited to this.
[0022]
The locking piece 3 includes a tubular portion 6, an anchor 5 projecting outward from the rear end of the tubular portion 6 in a flange shape, a flange 7 projecting outward from the distal end of the tubular portion 6 in a flange shape, A plurality (two in this embodiment) of projections 8 projecting from the tip end surface of the cylindrical portion 6 in a direction parallel to the cylinder axis direction of the cylindrical portion 6, and surround the outside of a projection group composed of the projections 8. And a surrounding wall 9 protruding from the flange 7 in the same direction as the projection 8. The plurality of projections 8 (four in this embodiment) are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the opening 4. The number of the protrusions 8 is practically about 2 to 4.
[0023]
A claw portion 8a is provided on a side surface of the protrusion 8 in the protruding direction so as to project laterally. The protruding height of the claw portion 8a is increased toward the side as it approaches the flange 7, and the outer side surface of the protrusion 8 is a tapered tapered surface. Thereby, the projection 8 can be easily inserted into the opening 4.
[0024]
The surrounding wall 9 is annular. The height of the surrounding wall 9 is smaller than the distance from the flange 7 to the lower end of the claw portion 8a. Thereby, a space S exists between the claw portion 8a and the flange 7.
[0025]
The locking piece 3 is integrally formed of a synthetic resin as a whole, and the projection 8 is elastically deformable in a centripetal direction.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 1, the locking piece 3 has the tubular portion 6 and the anchor 5 embedded in the EA material 1. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the flange 7 on the outer peripheral side of the surrounding wall 9 is exposed on the surface of the EA material 1, but this portion may be embedded in the EA material. However, in any case, the upper end side of the surrounding wall 9 is flush with or protrudes from the plate surface of the EA material 1. By clamping the edge of the opening 4 of the trim 2 between the upper end of the surrounding wall 9 and the claw portion 8a, the positional relationship between the EA material 1 and the trim 2 in the contact / separation direction is uniquely determined.
[0027]
Although only one locking piece 3 is shown in FIG. 1, two or more locking pieces 3 may be provided according to the size and shape of the EA material 1. The position of the locking piece 3 is also selected according to the size and shape of the EA material 1.
[0028]
The EA material 1 with the locking piece 3 is attached to the trim 2 by inserting the projection 8 into the opening 4 and applying it to the trim 2. When the EA material 1 is pressed against the trim 2, the projection 8 is pushed into the opening 4. When the claw portion 8a is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the opening 4, the projection 8 is inserted into the opening 4 while bending in the approaching direction. When the claw 8a passes through the opening 4, the projection 8 elastically returns to its original shape, the side surface of each projection 8 is elastically pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the opening 4, and the claw 8a and the surrounding wall are formed. 9 sandwiches the edge of the opening 4 that has entered the space S. In this manner, the EA material 1 can be attached to the trim 2 only by one operation step of stacking the EA material 1 with the locking pieces 3 on the trim 2, and the attachment work efficiency is significantly improved. Also, the side surface of each projection 8 of the locking piece 3 elastically abuts the inner peripheral surface of the opening 4, and the edge of the opening 4 is sandwiched between the claw 8 a of each projection 8 and the upper end of the surrounding wall 9. As a result, the EA material 1 is immovable in both the surface direction and the contact / separation direction of the trim 2, and the attachment of the EA material 1 is extremely firm.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 1A, the locking piece 3 has a tubular portion 6 and an anchor 5 embedded in the EA material 1, and the tubular portion 6 and the anchor 5 are about half in the thickness direction of the EA material 1 (for example, (30-50%). As described above, since the locking piece 3 does not penetrate the EA material 1 and the EA material 1 has a sufficient thickness in the vicinity of the locking piece 3, the EA material is also formed in the vicinity of the locking piece 3. 1 is excellent in shock absorption characteristics.
[0030]
In the mounting structure of the EA material 1, the arrangement and number of the locking pieces 3 and the openings 4 are arbitrary, and even if the EA material has various shapes, it can be firmly and easily mounted on the trim. it can. Further, even if the EA material is soft, the EA material can be securely fastened by increasing the number of the locking pieces 3 and the openings 4.
[0031]
In order to manufacture the EA material 1 with the locking piece 3, as shown in FIG. 2, a mold including a lower mold 10 and an upper mold 11 is used, and the locking piece 3 is placed on the cavity surface of the upper mold 11. What is necessary is just to make it hold | maintain, and to supply and mold a synthetic resin material in a cavity. In the case of urethane or the like, a stock solution of urethane or the like may be supplied into the lower mold 10 and foamed. Note that injection foam molding may be used.
[0032]
The upper mold 11 holding the locking piece 3 is provided with a concave portion 12 for receiving the projection 8 of the locking piece 3. In addition, an annular step portion 13 into which the surrounding wall 13 is tightly fitted is provided at an entrance portion of the concave portion 12. The engagement piece 3 can be held by the upper mold 11 by tightly fitting the surrounding wall 9 to the step portion 13. In this embodiment, when the surrounding wall 9 is fitted to the stepped portion 13, an area of the flange 7 outside the surrounding wall 9 is in close contact with the lower surface of the upper die 11 as shown in FIG. Thereby, the locking piece 3 is firmly held by the upper mold 11 without tilting.
[0033]
In this manner, the above-described molding is performed by holding the locking piece 1 on the upper mold 11. After the synthetic resin is cured to a predetermined degree in the mold, the molded product is removed from the mold, whereby the EA material 1 with the locking piece 3 is obtained.
[0034]
In addition, since the surrounding wall 9 is tightly fitted to the step portion 13 and the flange 7 is in close contact with the lower surface of the upper mold 11, the synthetic resin is prevented from entering the upper end surface of the surrounding wall 9 and the inside of the surrounding wall 9, and the burr is prevented. Is prevented from occurring.
[0035]
The above embodiment is an example of the present invention, and the present invention can take forms other than those illustrated. For example, the flange 7 and the anchor 5 may have shapes other than those illustrated.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the EA material can be easily attached to a member such as a trim. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to improve the shock absorption characteristic by an EA material, and to attach it firmly to a member even if it is an EA material of various shapes, sizes, and hardness.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing an EA material mounting structure according to an embodiment, FIG. 1B is a longitudinal sectional view of a locking piece of the EA material mounting structure, and FIG. () Is a perspective view of this locking piece.
FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view for explaining a method of manufacturing an EA material with a locking piece, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 2A.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a conventional example.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the structure of FIG. 3;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 EA material 2 Trim 3 Locking piece 4 Opening 5 Anchor 6 Tubular part 7 Flange 8 Projection 8a Claw part 9 Surrounding wall 10 Lower mold 11 Upper mold 12 Depression 13 Step

Claims (15)

In the structure where the EA material is attached to the member,
The EA material is attached to the member by engaging a projection of a locking piece provided integrally with the EA material with a locked portion provided on the member,
A mounting structure for an EA material, wherein a base end side of the projection is surrounded by a surrounding wall. 2. The projection according to claim 1, wherein the projection is elastically deformable, and after being elastically deformed when engaged with the locked portion, is elastically restored to engage with the locked portion. A mounting structure for an EA material. 3. The EA material mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein the locked portion is an opening. 4. The EA material mounting structure according to claim 3, wherein the projection has a claw engaged with an edge of the opening. The mounting structure for an EA material according to claim 4, wherein the claw portion is provided on a side surface of the projection in a protruding direction. 6. The EA material mounting structure according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of the protrusions are provided along an edge of the opening. 7. The locking piece according to claim 5, wherein the locking piece has a flange, the protrusion and the surrounding wall project from the flange, and the edge of the opening between a tip of the surrounding wall and the claw portion. A mounting structure for an EA material, wherein the EA material is sandwiched. The EA material mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a base of the locking piece is embedded in the EA material. 9. The mounting structure for an EA material according to claim 8, wherein a base of the locking piece is buried in the EA material in a non-penetrating manner. The mounting structure for an EA material according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the surrounding wall is annular. The mounting structure for an EA material according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the EA material is made of a synthetic resin foam such as hard urethane. 12. The EA material mounting structure according to claim 11, wherein the foamed synthetic resin is not present inside the surrounding wall. A base buried in the EA material;
A flange provided on one end side of the base,
A plurality of projections projecting from the flange, which are elastically deformable and are inserted into the EA material mounting opening;
A claw portion provided on a side surface of the projection and engageable with an end of the opening;
An enclosing wall projecting from the flange in the same direction as the projection, and surrounding a base end side of the projection;
A locking piece for mounting an EA material, comprising: 14. The locking piece according to claim 13, wherein the claw portion of the protrusion is further arranged in the protruding direction than the tip of the surrounding wall in the protruding direction. An EA material mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the locking piece is the locking piece according to claim 13.

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