JP2008149930A - Vehicular leg part protective airbag device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular leg part protective airbag device capable of further surely protecting a leg part of an occupant, by deploying an airbag between the leg part of the occupant and an instrument panel. <P>SOLUTION: This vehicular leg part protective airbag device for protecting the leg part 50 of the occupant, is provided with the airbag 12 deploying and inflating toward the leg part 50 when a vehicle collides, an inflator 14 supplying inflating gas to the airbag 12, and a cover 20 storing the airbag 12 on the instrument panel 2 side. The cover 20 is provided with a lid part 21 covering the airbag 12, and also a rupture part 24 having a shape of rupturing in response to deployment-inflation of the airbag 12 in these support parts 22 by arranging a plurality of support parts 22 at a predetermined interval for supporting the lid part 21 on the instrument panel 2 side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle leg protection airbag device that protects a passenger's leg when a vehicle collides.

Conventionally, as a device for protecting an occupant in the event of a vehicle collision or the like, an airbag is deployed and inflated between the occupant's leg and the instrument panel in the event of a vehicle collision, and the occupant's leg is Various types of vehicle leg protection airbag devices have been developed that suppress a collision with an instrument panel. As this device, Patent Document 1 discloses an airbag 512 as shown in FIG. 8, an inflator 514 that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 512, a retainer 511 that houses the airbag 512 and the inflator 514, An apparatus 500 having a cover 520 that covers the retainer 511 so as to cover the opening of the retainer 511, and the airbag 512 is supplied with inflation gas from the inflator 514 when the vehicle collides. Inflating the airbag 512 causes the cover 520 locked to the retainer 511 to be pushed away, so that the airbag 512 is deployed between the occupant's legs 50 and the instrument panel 2. 500 is disclosed. More specifically, the cover 520 is provided with a cover 521 that covers the opening of the retainer 511 and an outer peripheral wall 522 that extends from the outer periphery of the cover 521 toward the instrument panel 2. Is engaged with the retaining projection 522a provided on the outer peripheral wall 522 and the engaging hole 511a provided on the retainer 511, and is engaged with the retainer 511, and the engaged state is released. The cover 520 is configured to move toward the occupant's leg 50 side.
JP-A-10-315894

  However, in actuality, it is difficult to release the engagement state between the locked protrusion 522a and the locking hole 511a by the air bag 512 that instantaneously inflates. As shown in FIG. 9, there may occur a situation in which the airbag 512 is not fully deployed between the instrument panel 2 and the leg portion 50 without the engagement state being completely released.

  Further, in the device 500, the outer peripheral wall 522 moves to the leg portion 50 side, so that the outer peripheral wall 522 is bent by being pressed by the airbag 512 and scattered to the leg portion 50 side. .

  In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a leg protection airbag device for a vehicle that can deploy an airbag between an instrument panel and a leg more reliably at the time of a vehicle collision.

  The invention according to claim 1 for solving the above problem is provided in a portion of the instrument panel of the vehicle that faces the occupant's leg when seated, and protects the occupant's leg. In the protective airbag device, an airbag that expands and inflates toward the leg when a vehicle collides, an inflator that supplies inflation gas to the airbag, an opening that opens toward the leg, and the airbag A storage portion for storing the inflator; and a cover provided at an opening portion of the storage portion; the cover is connected to the lid portion covering the airbag from the leg side; and the lid portion And a plurality of support portions projecting from the back surface of the lid portion to the instrument panel side and supporting the lid portion to the instrument panel side, wherein the support portion is the airbag. Each has a rupture portion having a shape that breaks along with deployment and expansion, and is provided at a predetermined interval on the back side of the lid portion. The lid portion is used for deployment and inflation of the airbag. Along with this, the breakage portion breaks, so that the airbag moves from the instrument panel side to the occupant leg side and guides the airbag to the occupant leg side. (Claim 1).

  According to the present invention, at the time of a vehicle collision or the like, the airbag is deployed between the occupant's leg and the instrument panel by the inflation gas supplied from the inflator. Can be protected from collision with the instrument panel. Further, in the present invention, the lid portion for guiding the airbag to the leg portion side is supported by a plurality of support portions provided at predetermined intervals, and a break portion is provided in the support portion. Since the lid portion that covers the airbag is configured to move toward the occupant's leg side by breaking the rupture portion, while supporting the lid portion on the instrument panel side by the support portion, This lid part can be moved to the leg part side more reliably by the breakage of the broken part accompanying the deployment and expansion of the airbag. In particular, since the support portions are provided intermittently, and the pressing force from the airbag is effectively applied to the rupture portions of the support portions, the rupture portions can be easily broken, It becomes possible to develop more reliably between the instrument panel and the legs.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is preferable that the said fracture | rupture part is provided in the connection part vicinity with the said cover part among the said support parts (Claim 2).

  In this way, when the broken part breaks and the lid part moves to the leg part, the part of the support part that protrudes from the lid part moves to the leg part while being connected to the lid part. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the collision between the support portion moved to the leg side and the leg portion.

  Moreover, in this invention, while the said cover part has a shape extended in a vehicle width direction, it is preferable that the said support part is provided in the edge part vicinity of the direction perpendicular | vertical to the longitudinal direction of the said cover part (Claim 3). .

  In this structure, since the lid portion has a shape extending in the vehicle width direction, a contact portion between the lid portion and the occupant's leg portion can be secured, and the leg portion is more reliably secured by the lid portion. Can be fixed to. That is, it is possible to more reliably suppress the leg portion from colliding with the instrument panel or the like when the vehicle collides. Further, in this structure, since the support portion is provided in the vicinity of the edge portion in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lid portion, the lid portion can be easily moved to the leg side as the airbag is deployed and inflated. This lid portion can be more stably fixed to the instrument panel side while being moved.

  In the structure, it is preferable that the support portion is provided near the center in the longitudinal direction of the lid portion.

  In this structure, when the airbag is deployed and inflated, the support portion is provided near the center of the lid portion where the pressing force by the airbag is likely to be applied at an early stage. Thus, the airbag can be deployed and inflated to the leg side at an early stage.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the airbag has a shape extending in the vehicle width direction when deployed and inflated, and the support portion is provided in the vicinity of an edge portion of the lid portion in the vehicle width direction.

  In this structure, the airbag has a shape extending in the vehicle width direction, and the airbag can be reliably deployed between the occupant's legs and the instrument panel regardless of the seating position of the occupant. As a result, the occupant's legs can be more reliably protected. Further, in this structure, the support portion is provided in the vicinity of the edge portion of the lid portion in the vehicle width direction, and when the airbag is inflated in the vehicle width direction, the edge portion of the lid portion in the vehicle width direction is provided. Since the expansion and expansion from the gap to the leg portion side is suppressed, the pressing force by the airbag can be more uniformly applied to the support portion. That is, since the breaking portion of the support portion can be evenly broken when the airbag is deployed and inflated, the airbag can be more reliably deployed between the occupant's legs and the instrument panel. Become.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is preferable that the said cover part is connected with the said airbag (Claim 6).

  If it does in this way, it will be suppressed that the said cover part will fly to the leg part side at the time of the expansion | deployment of the said airbag, and it will become possible to suppress the collision with this cover part and a leg part.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the airbag can be more reliably deployed between the occupant's legs and the instrument panel to more reliably protect the occupants' legs. A leg protection airbag device can be provided.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an instrument panel of a vehicle to which a vehicle leg protection airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the said leg protection airbag apparatus for vehicles.

  The vehicle leg protection airbag device 10 is for protecting the occupant's legs in the event of a vehicle collision or the like. As shown in FIG. It is provided at a portion facing the leg portion 50. Specifically, the vehicle leg protection airbag device 10 on the driver's seat side is provided below the steering column 4, and the vehicle leg protection airbag device 10 on the passenger seat side is located below the glove box 5. Is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the vehicle leg portion protection airbag device 10 includes a case (storage portion) 11, an airbag 12, an inflator 14, and a cover 20.

  The case 11 is a metal box-shaped member that opens toward the rear of the vehicle, that is, toward the leg portion 50. The case 11 houses the airbag 12 and the inflator 14. Further, the case 11 is fixed to a support column 7 connected to the instrument panel member 6 extending in the vehicle width direction, whereby the vehicle leg protection airbag device 10 is fixed to the support column 7. It is configured as follows. Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the case 11, there is provided a locking protrusion 11 a that protrudes outward and locks a cover 20 described later. Here, in the present embodiment, the case 11 is fixed to the column 7 connected to the instrument panel member 6 as described above, but the fixing method of the case 11 is not limited to this, and the vehicle body side What is necessary is just to be fixed to the fixing member.

  The airbag 12 is deployed between the instrument panel 2 and the occupant's leg 50 in the event of a vehicle collision or the like, and protects the occupant's leg 50 from a collision with the instrument panel 2 or the like. belongs to. The airbag 12 is made of a woven fabric or the like, and has a shape that extends in the vehicle width direction and deploys between the leg portion 50 and the instrument panel 2 as shown in FIG. When inflation gas is supplied from the inflator 14 at the time of a vehicle collision or the like, the airbag 12 is inflated toward the leg portion 50 and presses a cover 20 described later. The airbag 12 is deployed to the leg portion 50 side by opening the lid portion 21 provided on the cover 20, and is interposed between the leg portion 50 and the instrument panel 2 so that the leg portion 50. Is prevented from colliding with the instrument panel 2. Further, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the airbag 12 is accommodated in a folded state in the case 11 in a normal state.

  The inflator 14 supplies inflation gas to the airbag 12 when a vehicle collision or the like is detected. The inflator 14 is provided with an inflation gas discharge port (not shown), and the inflation gas discharge port is connected to the airbag 12. Then, when a vehicle collision is detected based on detection values of various sensors provided in the vehicle, or when a vehicle collision is predicted, the interior of the airbag 12 is passed through the inflation gas discharge port. Supply inflation gas. The inflator 14 is fixed near the center of the case 11 and is configured to supply the inflation gas to the airbag 12 more uniformly. The inflator 14 is attached to the front of the vehicle relative to the airbag 12, and is configured so that the leg portion 50 does not collide with the inflator 14 which is relatively hard at the time of a vehicle collision or the like.

  The cover 20 is provided at an opening portion of the case 11 so that the airbag 12 and the inflator 14 are not visible from the vehicle interior. The cover 20 has a lid portion 21 and a plurality of support portions 22.

  The lid portion 21 is for covering the airbag 12 from the leg portion 50 side, and is a substantially plate-like member extending in the vehicle width direction. The lid portion 21 is formed of a relatively soft material such as resin, for example, TPO, and is configured not to give an impact to the leg portion 50 when contacting the leg portion 50. Further, the lid portion 21 is fixed to the case 11 by the support portion 22 so as not to be detached from the instrument panel 2 side in a normal state. On the other hand, the lid portion 21 is supported later when the airbag 12 is deployed and inflated. The rupture portion 24 of the portion 22 is supported so as to be separated from the case 11 toward the leg portion 50 side by breaking. The lid 21 is separated from the case 11 as described above, thereby forming an opening in the instrument panel 2 where the airbag 12 can be deployed and inflated on the leg 50 side. The lid portion 21 is provided with, for example, a bridge-like fixing member 23 for fixing the airbag 12, and the airbag 12 is inflated and deployed to the leg portion 50 side through the opening. At this time, the airbag 12 moves to the occupant's leg 50 side while being fixed to the airbag 12.

  The support portion 22 is for supporting the lid portion 21 so as to be separated from the case 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the support portion 22 has a shape that protrudes forward in the vehicle front-rear direction from the back surface side of the lid portion 21 in a state of being connected to the lid portion 21. The support portion 22 is provided with a locking hole 22a that engages with the locking protrusion 11a provided in the case 11, and by engagement between the locking protrusion 11a and the locking hole 22a, The support portion 22 and the lid portion 21 connected to the support portion 22, that is, the cover 20 are fixed to the case 11.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the support portions 22 are provided at predetermined intervals along the outer periphery of the lid portion 21. Specifically, three support portions 22 are provided in the vicinity of the upper and lower edges 21 a and 21 b in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lid portion 21. In particular, one support portion 22 is provided in the vicinity of the center of the upper and lower edge portions 21a and 21b. That is, at least two of the support portions 22 are close to the position where the inflator 14 is attached, and receive the pressing force of the airbag 12 relatively early when the airbag 12 is deployed and inflated. In the position. In addition, one support portion 22 is provided in the vicinity of both edge portions 21c and 21d in the longitudinal direction of the lid portion 21 and in the vicinity of the center of each of the edge portions 21c and 21d. In other words, the support portion 22 provided on the both longitudinal edges 21c and 21d has a front surface where the pressing force of the airbag 12 is applied to the support portions 22 provided on the upper and lower edges 21a and 21b of the lid portion 21. In addition, the airbag 12 is provided at a position to prevent the airbag 12 from expanding and inflating toward the leg portion 50 through the gap formed between the longitudinal edges 21c and 21d and the case 11. It has been.

  Further, the support portion 22 is formed with a break portion 24 in the vicinity of a connection portion with the lid portion 21. The breaking portion 24 is a portion for breaking the airbag 12 when the airbag 12 is inflated and separating the lid portion 21 from the support portion 22 to form an opening in which the airbag 12 can be deployed in the instrument panel 2. Is. The fracture portion 24 is formed by providing a cut in the connecting portion of the support portion 22 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support portion 22. That is, the breaking portion 24 has a thin wall shape as compared with the other portions of the lid portion 21 and the support portion 22 and is configured to be easily broken as the airbag 12 is deployed and inflated. .

  Next, the operation of the vehicle leg protection airbag device 10 will be described.

  When a vehicle collision or the like is detected, inflation gas is supplied from the inflation gas discharge port of the inflator 14 to the airbag 12.

  The airbag 12 supplied with the inflation gas starts to inflate from a portion close to the inflator 14. And this airbag 12 presses the part near the inflator 14 among the said cover parts 21, ie, the vehicle width direction center vicinity of the cover part 21, toward the leg part 50 side. When the vicinity of the center of the lid portion 21 is pressed, a tensile force is generated between the lid portion 21 and the support portion 22 provided near the center of the lid portion 21 and locked to the case 11. The break portion 24 provided on the support portion 22 is broken.

  Here, since the airbag 12 has a shape extending in the vehicle width direction as described above, the airbag 12 breaks the breaking portion 24 provided near the center in the vehicle width direction as described above. Thereafter, the portion of the lid portion 21 that is separated from the support portion 22 due to the breakage of the breakage portion 24 is deformed to the leg portion 50 side, and further expands in the case 11. And the pressing force by the airbag 12 will continue to be applied to the lid part 21, and the other fracture | rupture parts 24 will fracture | rupture sequentially. When all the broken portions 24 are finally broken, the lid portion 21 loses its support. Therefore, the lid portion 21 moves to the leg portion 50 side together with the airbag 12 while being fixed to the airbag 12. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the airbag 12 is inflated from the opening formed when the lid portion 21 is separated from the support portion 22 to the leg portion 50 side. It develops between the instrument panel 2 and suppresses the collision between the leg 50 and the instrument panel 2.

  Here, the airbag 12 has a shape extending in the vehicle width direction, and inflates in the vehicle width direction as the inflation gas is supplied. In the vehicle leg protection airbag device 10, As described above, since the support portions 22 are provided at both the vehicle width direction edges 21c and 21d of the lid portion 21, the vehicle width direction both edges 21c and 21c, before the break portion 24 near the center breaks. It is suppressed that the airbag 12 expand | deploys to the leg part 50 side from 21d. Therefore, when the airbag 12 starts to be inflated as described above, the breakage portion 24 of the support portion 22 provided near the center in the vehicle width direction can be broken early.

  Further, when the occupant's leg portion 50 and the cover 20 are close to or in contact with each other, such as when the occupant slides the seat 60 forward, the leg portion 50 of the lid portion 21 is separated from the leg portion 50. The fracture | rupture part 24 provided in the location where the pressing force of this is comparatively small will fracture | rupture. An opening is formed in the lid portion 21 in the vicinity of the fractured portion 24, and the airbag 12 is deployed toward the leg portion 50 through the opening as shown in FIG. . In particular, in the vehicle leg protection airbag device 10, the lid portion 21 has a shape extending in the vehicle width direction, and the breaking portion 24 is in the vicinity of each edge portion 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, 21 d of the lid portion 21. Since a plurality of the occupant's legs 50 are provided close to the cover 20, it is possible to secure a breakable portion 24 that is not pressed by the legs 50 and can be broken. Become. Therefore, by breaking the breakage portion 24 that is not pressed by the leg portion 50, the airbag 12 can be more reliably deployed and inflated toward the leg portion 50 side without being ruptured in the case 11.

  If the airbag 12 can be deployed and inflated toward the leg portion 50 without rupturing inside the case 11 as described above, the lid portion 21 with which the occupant's leg portion 50 is in contact with the lid portion 21 from the back side. A pressing force of the airbag 12 is applied. As a result, the leg portion 50 is supported by the airbag 12 via the lid portion 21, so that the leg portion 50 is prevented from being recessed into the back side of the instrument panel 2.

  As described above, in the leg protection airbag device 10 for the vehicle, the leg 50 and the instrument panel 2 are connected to a portion of the instrument panel 2 facing the occupant's leg 50 when the vehicle collides. An airbag 12 that can be deployed and inflated is provided therebetween, and a lid portion 21 that covers the airbag 12 is supported by a plurality of support portions 22 provided at predetermined intervals, and is provided on the support portion 22. Since the airbag 12 is configured to be expanded and inflated to the leg portion 50 side when the breaking portion 24 is broken as the airbag 12 is expanded and inflated, the lid portion 21 is instrumentally supported by the support portion 22. The lid portion 21 can be moved to the leg portion 50 side more reliably by the breakage of the breakage portion 24 while being reliably supported on the ment panel 2 side. In particular, since the support portions 22 are provided intermittently, the pressing force of the airbag 12 can be effectively applied to the rupture portions 24 of the support portions 22, and all of the rupture portions 24 can be easily handled. It can be broken. That is, the airbag 12 can be deployed between the leg portion 50 and the instrument panel 2 more reliably and more evenly.

  Further, if the break portion 24 is provided in the vicinity of the connecting portion of the support portion 22 with the lid portion 21 as in the above embodiment, the lid portion of the support portion 22 when the lid portion 21 is separated from the support portion 22. Since the portion that moves to the leg portion 50 side while being connected to the portion 21 can be made smaller, it is possible to prevent the leg portion 50 from being damaged by the support portion 22.

  In addition, if the lid portion 21 has a shape extending in the vehicle width direction as in the above-described embodiment, a portion where the lid portion 21 and the leg portion 50 come into contact with each other at the time of a vehicle collision or the like can be more reliably ensured. Therefore, the leg portion 50 can be more reliably supported by the lid portion 21. Further, in this case, if the support portion 22 is provided in the vicinity of both edges in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lid portion 21, the lid portion 21 can be supported more stably by the support portion 22. It becomes.

  Further, the pressing force by the airbag 12 is likely to be applied relatively early in the vicinity of the center of the lid portion 21 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, if the support portion 22 is provided in this portion, the lid portion 21 can be separated more efficiently and the airbag 12 can be deployed and inflated at an early stage.

  If the airbag 12 has a shape extending in the vehicle width direction, the leg 50 can be protected from collision with the instrument panel 2 regardless of the position of the occupant's leg 50. . Further, if the support portion 22 is provided in the vicinity of the edge in the vehicle width direction of the lid portion 21, the airbag 12 does not break the breaking portion 24, and the leg portion 50 side from the gap near the edge in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the lid portion 21 can uniformly apply the pressing force of the airbag 12, and the lid portion 21 can be separated from the support portion 22 more securely. It becomes.

  Further, if the lid portion 21 and the airbag 12 are connected, the lid portion 21 is prevented from scattering toward the leg portion 50 when the airbag 12 is deployed and inflated. It is possible to suppress the collision.

  Here, in the said embodiment, although the case where it was comprised so that it might be easy to fracture | rupture by providing the cut | notch part 24 and making it thin-walled, it was not restricted to this, For example, several penetrations were put at predetermined intervals You may comprise so that it may fracture | rupture easily by providing a hole.

  Moreover, the installation position of the support part 22 is not restricted to the above, and can be set suitably.

1 is a schematic perspective view of an instrument panel of a vehicle provided with a vehicle leg protection airbag device according to the present invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the leg protection airbag apparatus for vehicles shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the leg protection airbag apparatus for vehicles shown in FIG. It is a rear view of the cover of the leg protection airbag apparatus for vehicles shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the airbag of the leg protection airbag apparatus for vehicles shown in FIG. 1 expand | deployed. It is sectional drawing from the upper direction of the state shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the airbag of the vehicle leg protection airbag device shown in FIG. 1 is inflated and inflated in a state in which an occupant's legs and an instrument panel are close to each other. It is sectional drawing of the conventional leg protection airbag apparatus for vehicles. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the airbag of the conventional leg protection airbag apparatus for vehicles shown in FIG. 8 expand | deployed.

Explanation of symbols

2 Instrument panel 10 Vehicle leg protection airbag device 11 Case (storage part)
12 air bag 14 inflator 20 cover 21 lid part 22 support part 24 fracture part

Claims (6)

In a vehicle leg protection airbag device that is provided on a portion of an instrument panel of a vehicle that faces a leg of an occupant when seated, and protects the leg of the occupant,
An airbag that expands and inflates toward the leg when a vehicle collides, etc .;
An inflator for supplying inflation gas to the airbag;
A storage portion that opens toward the leg portion and stores the airbag and the inflator;
A cover provided at the opening of the storage unit,
The cover protrudes from the back surface of the lid portion to the instrument panel side in a state of being connected to the lid portion, covering the airbag from the leg portion side, and the lid portion is disposed on the instrument. With a plurality of support parts to be supported on the panel side,
The support portions each have a break portion having a shape that breaks along with the deployment and expansion of the airbag, and are provided at predetermined intervals on the back side of the lid portion,
The lid portion is moved from the instrument panel side to the occupant's leg side when the rupture portion is broken as the airbag is deployed and inflated, and the airbag is moved to the occupant's leg portion. A vehicle leg protection airbag device characterized by being guided to the side. The vehicle leg protection airbag device according to claim 1,
The leg protection airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the break portion is provided in the vicinity of a connection portion of the support portion with the lid portion. The vehicle leg protection airbag device according to claim 1 or 2,
While the lid portion has a shape extending in the vehicle width direction,
The vehicle leg protection airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the support portion is provided in the vicinity of an edge portion in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the lid portion. In the vehicle leg protection airbag device according to claim 3,
The leg protection airbag device for a vehicle, wherein the support portion is provided near a center in a longitudinal direction of the lid portion. The vehicle leg protection airbag device according to claim 3 or 4,
While the airbag has a shape extending in the vehicle width direction when deployed and inflated,
The leg protection airbag device for a vehicle, wherein the support portion is provided in the vicinity of an edge portion of the lid portion in the vehicle width direction. In the vehicle leg protection airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The leg protection airbag device for a vehicle, wherein the lid portion is connected to the airbag.

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