Member disengagement apparatus

• US 7,784,579 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2006
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Taguchi, Katsuaki, Naito, Tadashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILHELM, TIMOTHY
• Application Number:
  US11/508,928
• Publication Number:
  US 20070057563A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,468 Days
• Field of Search: 137 67- 77, 180/279, 180/271, 206/335, 296/37.8, 296/37.12, 297/216.16
• US Class Current: 180/271
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/01508 using quick release attachments
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42709 involving residual deformation or fracture of the structure
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 37/00 Nuts or like thread-engaging members specially shaped for rotations by a tool F16B23/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 37/0857 with the threaded portions of the nut engaging the thread of the bolt by the action of one or more springs or resilient retaining members F16B37/0821 and F16B37/0835 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/02 by means of fastening members using screw-thread F16B5/0004 takes precedence; construction of screw-threaded connections F16B25/00 - F16B39/00

Abstract

A member disengagement apparatus comprises fastening release parts for disengaging fastened members fastened by fastening parts, a release operation unit for releasing the fastening release parts, an operation-inhibiting unit for inhibiting a release operation of the release operation unit, and a control unit for controlling the operation-inhibiting unit. The control unit controls the operation-inhibiting unit so that the release operation is no longer inhibited when specific emergency signals are received.

Claims

1. A member disengagement apparatus for disengaging a plurality of fastened members fastened by fastening parts, the apparatus comprising:

fastening release parts for disengaging the fastened members, wherein each of the fastening release parts comprises;

a heating part for generating heat according to a release operation of the release operation unit; and

a joining member composed of a low-melting material that melts when heated by the heating part;

wherein the fastening parts are disengaged by melting of the joining member;

a release operation unit for releasing the fastening release parts;

an operation-inhibiting unit for inhibiting a release operation of the release operation unit; and

a control unit for controlling the operation-inhibiting unit such that the release operation is no longer inhibited when specific emergency signals are received.

2. The member disengagement apparatus of claim 1, wherein the emergency signals include a signal that causes a vehicle airbag to expand and deploy;

and the fastened members are members of a vehicle that are disengaged during specific emergencies.

3. The member disengagement apparatus of claim 2, wherein the release operation unit and the operation-inhibiting unit are disposed in a widthwise middle of an instrument panel of the vehicle.

4. The member disengagement apparatus of claim 3, wherein the operation-inhibiting unit comprises:

a holding concavity that holds the release operation unit and that is formed in the instrument panel;

a lid for opening and closing the holding concavity;

a supporting pin for openably and closeably supporting one end of the lid;

an urging member for urging the lid in an opening direction; and

a lid opening part for opening the lid according to a determent release signal from the control unit.

5. The member disengagement apparatus of claim 1;

wherein the release operation unit comprises a press-button switch for activating the release operation.

6. A member disengagement apparatus for disengaging a plurality of fastened members fastened by fastening parts, the apparatus comprising:

fastening release parts for disengaging the fastened members,

a release operation unit for releasing the fastening release parts,

wherein each of the fastening release parts comprises;

a heating part for generating heat according to a release operation of the release operation unit; and

a joining member composed of a low-melting material that melts when heated by the heating part;

wherein

the fastening parts are disengaged by melting of the joining member;

an operation-inhibiting unit for inhibiting a release operation of the release operation unit;

a control unit for controlling the operation-inhibiting unit such that the release operation is no longer inhibited when specific emergency signals are received; and

a dedicated power source for supplying electricity to the control unit and for disengaging the plurality of fastened members when the release operation unit is activated, wherein the dedicated power source and the control unit are configured as one unit.