JP2004230923A - Vehicle occupant protection system - Google Patents

Abstract

An occupant can easily get off a vehicle after a lower limb restraining operation is completed.
When an active knee bolster (20) is operated and a body (22) of the active knee bolster (20) rotates rearward about a shaft (44), a wire (48) connected to a bracket (40) of the active knee bolster (20) moves. The shaft member 58 of the footrest 50, to which the other end 48B of the footrest 50 is connected, moves rearward of the vehicle along the slit 56 of the base 54 of the footrest 50, so that the footrest support bracket 60 , The main body 66 of the footrest 50 falls forward on the vehicle centering on the shaft member 70, and the inclination angle θ1 of the main body 66 with respect to the floor 52 is reduced.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle occupant protection device, and more particularly to a vehicle occupant protection device that is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile and restrains a lower leg of the occupant in a collision.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a vehicle occupant protection device that is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile and restrains a lower leg of an occupant during a collision, a reverse speed of the occupant is detected at the time of the collision, and when the reverse speed exceeds a predetermined value, the electromagnetic cylinder is detected. A configuration is known in which a driving signal is output, a knee bolster is actuated, and only when it is necessary to hold down the occupant's knee, the knee is pressed before the knee is jumped up by the knee bolster (for example, see Patent Reference 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-5-221276
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional technique, when the lower limb (knee) of the occupant is restrained by the knee bolster, the space under the foot is narrow, which hinders the occupant from getting off the vehicle after the lower limb restraining operation is completed. .
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a vehicle occupant protection device that enables an occupant to easily get off a vehicle after a lower limb restraining operation is completed.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention according to claim 1 includes a deceleration detecting unit that detects a vehicle deceleration,
A lower limb restraint device for restraining a lower limb of an occupant;
A drive device for operating the lower limb restraint device;
In the vehicle occupant protection device, wherein the drive device receives the output signal of the deceleration detection means and operates the lower limb restraint device,
A foot space expanding means for expanding a foot space of an occupant in accordance with the operation of the lower limb restraining device is provided.
[0007]
Therefore, when the driving device operates the lower limb restraint device in response to the output signal of the deceleration detecting means, the lower limb restraint device moves to restrain the occupant's lower limb. In this case, the foot space expanding means can expand the foot space of the occupant with the operation of the lower limb restraining device. As a result, the occupant can easily get off the vehicle after the lower limb restraining operation is completed.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle occupant protection device of the first aspect, the underfoot space enlarging means is a footrest inclination angle changing means for changing an inclination angle of a footrest.
[0009]
Therefore, when the driving device operates the lower limb restraint device in response to the output signal of the deceleration detecting means, the lower limb restraint device moves to restrain the occupant's lower limb. In this case, the footrest inclination angle changing means can change the inclination angle of the footrest in accordance with the operation of the lower limb restraint device, and can widen the foot space of the occupant. As a result, the occupant can easily get off the vehicle after the lower limb restraining operation is completed.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle occupant protection device according to the first aspect, the underfoot space enlarging means is a pedal inclination angle changing means for changing an inclination angle of a vehicle operation pedal. .
[0011]
Therefore, when the driving device operates the lower limb restraint device in response to the output signal of the deceleration detecting means, the lower limb restraint device moves to restrain the occupant's lower limb. In this case, the inclination angle of the vehicle operation pedal can be changed by the operation of the lower limb restraint device by the pedal inclination angle changing means, and the foot space of the occupant can be increased. As a result, the occupant can easily get off the vehicle after the lower limb restraining operation is completed.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided deceleration detecting means for detecting a vehicle deceleration,
A lower limb restraint device for restraining a lower limb of an occupant;
A drive device for operating the lower limb restraint device;
In the vehicle occupant protection device, wherein the drive device receives the output signal of the deceleration detection means and operates the lower limb restraint device,
After the operation of the lower limb restraint device is completed, a lower limb restraint device separating means for separating the lower limb restraint device from the occupant's lower limb is provided.
[0013]
Therefore, when the driving device operates the lower limb restraint device in response to the output signal of the deceleration detecting means, the lower limb restraint device moves to restrain the occupant's lower limb. Thereafter, the lower limb restraining device can be separated from the lower limb of the occupant by the lower limb restraining device separating means. As a result, the occupant can easily get off the vehicle after the lower limb restraining operation is completed.
[0014]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle occupant protection device according to the fourth aspect, the lower limb restraining device separating means is a cushioning material removing means for removing a cushioning material of the lower limb restraining device. I do.
[0015]
Therefore, when the driving device operates the lower limb restraint device in response to the output signal of the deceleration detecting means, the lower limb restraint device moves to restrain the occupant's lower limb. Thereafter, the cushioning material of the lower limb restraining device can be removed by the cushioning material removing means. As a result, the occupant can easily get off the vehicle after the lower limb restraining operation is completed.
[0016]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle occupant protection device according to the fourth aspect, the lower limb restraining device separating means is a support releasing means for releasing the support of the lower limb restraining device.
[0017]
Therefore, when the driving device operates the lower limb restraint device in response to the output signal of the deceleration detecting means, the lower limb restraint device moves to restrain the occupant's lower limb. Thereafter, the support of the lower limb restraint device can be released by the support release means. As a result, the occupant can easily get off the vehicle after the lower limb restraining operation is completed.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A first embodiment of a vehicle occupant protection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0019]
In the drawings, an arrow FR indicates a vehicle forward direction, an arrow UP indicates a vehicle upward direction, and an arrow IN indicates a vehicle width inward direction.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle occupant protection device of the present embodiment includes an acceleration sensor 10 as deceleration detecting means for detecting deceleration of the vehicle and detecting collision of the vehicle. Further, the acceleration sensors 10 are respectively provided on the left and right front side members, and are connected to a control circuit 12 as a control means having a microcomputer.
[0021]
A body 22 of an active knee bolster 20 as a lower limb restraining device is disposed at a portion facing a lower limb (particularly, a knee) 16A of the occupant 16 seated on the front seat of the instrument panel 14 of the vehicle. The main body 22 of the active knee bolster 20 is moved rearward of the vehicle (in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 4) by an actuator 24 as a driving device of the active knee bolster 20, and as shown in FIG. The lower leg 16A is restrained from the front of the vehicle.
[0022]
An EA material (energy absorbing material) 26 as a cushioning member is disposed on the side of the occupant of the base 25 in the main body 22 of the active knee bolster 20. Further, the actuator 24 of the active knee bolster 20 includes a cylinder 30 which is operated by gas from an inflator which is operated by a squib connected to the control circuit 12, and the cylinder 30 is fixed to, for example, an instrument panel reinforcement 32. Mounted on the support bracket 34.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 1, lower end portions 40A, 41A of left and right drive brackets 40, 41 supporting left and right main bodies 22 of the active knee bolster 20 are connected by a shaft 44 extending in a vehicle width direction. The shaft 44 is rotatably supported by a support bracket 34 fixed to the instrument panel reinforcement 32 and a support bracket 36. The rod 30 </ b> A of the cylinder 30 attached to the support bracket 34 is connected to the drive bracket 40 by a pin 46.
[0024]
Accordingly, when the cylinder 30 is operated, the main body 22 of the active knee bolster 20 rotates together with the left and right drive brackets 40 around the shaft 44 toward the rear of the vehicle (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1).
[0025]
One end 48A of a wire 48 as a footrest inclination angle changing means, which is means for expanding the space under the foot, is connected to the upper end 40B of the drive bracket 40. The wire 48 extends downward of the vehicle via a pulley 49. Have been.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 2, the base 54 of the footrest 50 fixed to the floor 52 of the vehicle has a U-shaped cross-section when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction, with the opening facing upward. Slits 56 are formed in front portions of the wall portions 54A and 54B as footrest inclination angle changing means, which are means for enlarging a foot space along the vehicle longitudinal direction. The slits 56 and the through holes 62 formed in the lower portion 60A of the footrest support bracket 60 as footrest inclination angle changing means, which are means for expanding the space under the feet, are space expanding means along the vehicle width direction. A shaft member 58 such as a pin as a footrest inclination angle changing unit is inserted, and the other end 48 </ b> B of the wire 48 is connected to the shaft member 58. Further, through holes 64 are formed at the rear portions of the left and right side walls 54A and 54B in the base 54 of the footrest 50, respectively.
[0027]
The main body 66 of the footrest 50 has a U-shaped cross section when viewed from the front and rear direction of the vehicle, and has a U-shape with an opening directed downward, and a through hole 68 is provided at a rear portion of each of the left and right side walls 66A and 66B. Is formed. A shaft member 70 such as a pin is inserted into the through hole 68 and the through hole 64 of the base 54 along the vehicle width direction, and the main body 66 of the footrest 50 It is rotatable around.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 1, the wire 48 is routed upward from the vehicle front side of the main body 66 of the footrest 50 through the vehicle rear side of the shaft member 70, and the wire 48 is moved upward (see FIG. 1) by the operation of the knee bolster 20. When the shaft member 58 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 1, the shaft member 58 connected to the end 48B of the wire 48 moves rearward of the vehicle along the slit 56 (in the direction indicated by the arrow C in FIG. 1).
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 5, when the shaft member 58 connected to the end portion 48B of the wire 48 moves rearward of the vehicle along the slit 56 (in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 5), the footrest support bracket 60 is centered on the shaft member 58. When the footrest support bracket 60 rotates about the shaft member 58 toward the front of the vehicle (the direction of arrow D in FIG. 5), the footrest support bracket 60 The main body 66 of the footrest 50 supported from below falls down forward of the vehicle (in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 5) around the shaft member 70, and the inclination angle θ1 of the main body 66 of the footrest 50 with respect to the floor 52 changes. I have.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 3, a through hole 76 is formed in an arm 74 of a brake pedal 72 as a vehicle operation pedal, and is provided at a rear portion 78A of an arm support bracket 78 as a pedal inclination angle changing means as a foot space expanding means. Has a through hole 79 formed therein. A through-hole 79 of the arm support bracket 78 and a through-hole 76 of the arm 74 penetrate a shaft member 82 such as a pin as a pedal inclination angle changing means as a foot space expanding means along the vehicle width direction. The arm support bracket 78 is rotatable about the shaft member 82 with respect to the arm 74.
[0031]
At the lower rear end of the arm support bracket 78, a convex portion 78B is formed toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. The convex portion 78B engages with a notch 84 formed below the through hole 76 in the arm 74. are doing. A through hole 84 is formed in the front end portion 78C of the arm support bracket 78, and a through hole 84 is formed in the through hole 84 by a shaft member 86 such as a pin. Is connected to one end 80A.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 1, the wire 80 extends upward from the vehicle, the upper portion extends rearward through the pulley 82, and the other end 80 </ b> B supports the right main body 22 of the active knee bolster 20. The drive bracket 41 is connected to the upper end 41B of the drive bracket 41.
[0033]
Therefore, when the wire 80 moves upward (in the direction of the arrow E in FIG. 1) by the operation of the knee bolster 20, the arm support bracket 78 connected to the end 80A of the wire 80 moves upwardly of the vehicle around the shaft member 82 (see FIG. 1 (in the direction of arrow F). When the arm support bracket 78 rotates upward around the shaft member 82 around the vehicle, the projection 78B of the arm support bracket 78 is disengaged from the notch 84 of the arm 74 of the brake pedal 72, and the arm 74 of the brake pedal 72 is cut off. , The inclination angle θ2 of the brake pedal 72 with respect to the floor 52 is changed by deforming the vehicle downward (in the direction of arrow G in FIG. 1).
[0034]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
[0035]
In the present embodiment, when the vehicle collides, the control circuit 12 first determines whether or not the deceleration is equal to or greater than a predetermined value based on an input signal from the acceleration sensor 10.
[0036]
When it is determined that the deceleration is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the control circuit 12 operates the actuator 24 of the active knee bolster 20 to move the lower leg 16A of the occupant 16 with the main body 22 of the active knee bolster 20, as shown in FIG. to bound.
[0037]
At this time, when the main body 22 of the active knee bolster 20 rotates rearward about the shaft 44 in the vehicle direction (the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 1), the wire 48 having one end 48A connected to the bracket 40 of the active knee bolster 20 is formed. 1 (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1), the shaft member 58 of the footrest 50 to which the other end 48B of the wire 48 is connected moves along the slit 56 of the base 54 of the footrest 50 toward the rear of the vehicle (FIG. (In the direction of arrow C).
[0038]
When the shaft member 58 connected to the end 48B of the wire 48 moves rearward of the vehicle (in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 5) along the slit 56, the footrest support bracket 60 moves around the shaft member 58 in front of the vehicle (see FIG. 5, the main body 66 of the footrest 50 supported from below by the footrest support bracket 60 falls around the shaft member 70 toward the front of the vehicle (the direction of arrow D in FIG. 5), and the floor of the main body 66 52 becomes smaller.
[0039]
On the other hand, when the main body 22 of the active knee bolster 20 rotates in the vehicle rear direction (the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 1) about the shaft 44, the wire 80 having one end 80B connected to the bracket 41 of the active knee bolster 20, The arm 80 moves upward (in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 1), and the arm support bracket 78 to which the other end 80A of the wire 80 is connected rotates above the vehicle (in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 1) around the shaft member 82. When the arm support bracket 78 rotates upward around the shaft member 82 around the vehicle, the projection 78B of the arm support bracket 78 comes off from the notch 84 of the arm 74 of the brake pedal 72, and the arm 74 of the brake pedal 72 starts from the notch 84. As a result, the inclination angle θ2 of the brake pedal 72 with respect to the floor 52 is reduced by being deformed downward (in the direction of arrow G in FIG. 1).
[0040]
As a result, in the vehicle occupant protection device of the present embodiment, the foot space 90 of the occupant 16 can be increased with the operation of the active knee bolster 20. As a result, the occupant 16 can easily get off the vehicle after the lower limb restraining operation by the body 22 of the knee bolster 20 is completed.
[0041]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the shaft member 58 of the footrest 50 to which the other end 48 </ b> B of the wire 48 is connected extends along the slit 56 of the base 54 of the footrest 50 toward the rear of the vehicle (FIG. 1). 6 in the direction of arrow C), but instead of this configuration, a footrest support bracket 92 as a footrest inclination angle changing means, which is a foot space enlarging means, is attached to the base 54 of the footrest 50 as shown in FIG. Is rotatably supported by a shaft member 94 at the front end of the vehicle, and the end 48B of the wire 48 is connected to the front end 94A of the footrest support bracket 92 so that the wire 48 is positioned above the vehicle (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 6). Then, the footrest support bracket 92 rotates around the shaft member 94 toward the rear of the vehicle (in the direction of arrow H in FIG. 6), DOO body 66 of the footrest 50 which has been supported from below the support bracket 92 may be inclined angle θ1 fall into (arrow D direction in FIG. 6) the front of the vehicle about the shaft member 70 is reduced.
[0042]
Further, the configuration of the pedal inclination angle changing means applied to the brake pedal 72 in the present embodiment can also be applied to other vehicle operation pedals such as an accelerator pedal.
[0043]
Next, a second embodiment of the vehicle occupant protection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0044]
The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the main body 22 of the active knee bolster 20 includes a substrate 100, a wire 102 and a guide plate 104 as cushioning material removing means as a lower limb restraining device separating means, and an EA material 106. And is formed by integral foaming. The substrate 100 in the main body 22 of the active knee bolster 20 is fixed to the actuator 24 of the active knee bolster 20.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 8, the substrate 100 in the main body 22 of the active knee bolster 20 has a rectangular plate shape, and the substrate 100 has a plurality of concave grooves 100A formed along the vehicle width direction. A plurality of through holes 108 are formed in the bottom of these grooves 100A.
[0047]
The wire 102 in the main body 22 of the active knee bolster 20 is made of, for example, a thin metal wire, and is arranged in a rectangular loop along the edge on the vehicle rear side surface of the substrate 100. A handle 110 made of cloth, resin, or the like is attached to the upper part of the wire 102, and the handle 110 is moved from the storage position (the position shown in FIG. 8) which is tilted backward to the vehicle upper side (the direction of arrow J in FIG. 8). ) Can be launched.
[0048]
The guide plate 104 in the main body 22 of the active knee bolster 20 is formed of, for example, a rectangular thin plastic plate, and is disposed on the rear side surface of the substrate 100 with the wire 102 interposed therebetween. The guide plate 104 has a plurality of through holes 112 formed therein.
[0049]
The EA material 106 in the main body 22 of the active knee bolster 20 is made of, for example, hard urethane or the like, and is disposed on the vehicle rear side surface of the guide plate 104. In addition, a recess 114 for accommodating the handle 110 is formed on the upper surface 106A of the EA material 106.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 7, a part 106 </ b> B of the EA material 106 in the main body 22 of the active knee bolster 20 reaches the vehicle front side of the substrate 100 through the through hole 112 of the guide plate 104 and the through hole 108 of the substrate 100. The substrate 100, the wires 102, and the guide plate 104 are connected by the EA material 106.
[0051]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
[0052]
In the present embodiment, when the vehicle collides, the control circuit 12 first determines whether or not the deceleration is equal to or greater than a predetermined value based on an input signal from the acceleration sensor 10.
[0053]
When it is determined that the deceleration is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the control circuit 12 operates the actuator 24 of the active knee bolster 20 to restrain the lower leg of the occupant with the main body 22 of the active knee bolster 20.
[0054]
After the end of the lower limb restraining operation, the handle 110 of the wire 102 is pulled out from the concave portion 114 formed on the upper surface 106A of the EA material 106, and the handle 110 is gripped and the wire 102 is moved upward (in the direction of arrow K in FIG. 7). Pull out to.
[0055]
When the wire 102 is pulled out above the vehicle, the wire 102 moves along the guide plate 104, and the EA material 106C between the guide plate 104 and the substrate 100 can be cut by the wire 102. Therefore, the wire 102, the guide plate 104, and the EA material 106 can be separated from the substrate 100.
[0056]
As a result, in the vehicle occupant protection device of the present embodiment, the main body 22 of the knee bolster 20 can be separated from the lower limb of the occupant after the lower limb restraining operation by the main body 22 of the knee bolster 20 is completed. You can get down to.
[0057]
Further, in this embodiment, since the EA material 106 cut from the wire 102 is only the EA material 106C that has passed through the through hole 112 of the guide plate 104, the cut surface can be made smaller and the EA material 106 can be cut more easily than the wire 102. it can.
[0058]
In addition, instead of the wire 102 and the guide plate 104 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a through hole 120 was formed between the substrate 100 of the main body 22 of the active knee bolster 20 and the EA material 106. For example, as a configuration in which a separation plate 122 is provided as a cushioning material removing means, which is a lower limb restraining device separating means made of paper, a resin film, or the like, and is integrally foamed, and a handle 110 is provided above the separation plate 122. Is also good.
[0059]
Further, in the present embodiment, the wire 102 is pulled out to the upper side of the vehicle, but the wire 102 may be pulled out in a direction other than the upper side of the vehicle such as the vehicle width direction.
[0060]
Next, a third embodiment of the vehicle occupant protection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0061]
The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0062]
As shown in FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, the left and right support brackets 34 and 36 that support the active knee bolster 20 are connected to the instrument panel reinforcement via a lock unit 130 serving as a support release unit that is a lower limb restraining device separating unit. The mounting bracket 134 is fixed to the mounting bracket 32.
[0063]
Further, the connecting arms 130A and 130B of the lock unit 130 are engaged with lock pins 134A and 134B erected on the mounting bracket 134, and the connecting arm 130B is provided as support releasing means which is a lower limb restraining device separating means. One end 136A of the wire 136 is connected.
[0064]
A handle 140 is connected to the other end 136 </ b> B of the wire 136, and the handle 140 is attached to an upper portion of the main body 22 of the active knee bolster 20.
[0065]
When the active knee bolster 20 is operated, the handle 140 moves rearward of the vehicle (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 10) together with the main body 22 of the active knee bolster 20. After that, when the handle 140 is gripped and the wire 136 is pulled backward (in the direction of arrow K in FIG. 10) as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 10 (in the direction of arrow L), the connecting arm 130B rotates rearward in the vehicle (in the direction of arrow M in FIG. 10), and the engagement with the lock pins 134A and 134B erected on the mounting bracket 134 is released. I have.
[0066]
Therefore, after the active knee bolster 20 is operated, the handle 140 is gripped and the wire 136 is pulled rearward of the vehicle, whereby the active knee bolster 20 can be easily moved from the lower limb restraining position to the lower limb restraining releasing position.
[0067]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
[0068]
In the present embodiment, when the vehicle collides, the control circuit 12 first determines whether or not the deceleration is equal to or greater than a predetermined value based on an input signal from the acceleration sensor 10.
[0069]
When it is determined that the deceleration is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the control circuit 12 operates the actuator 24 of the active knee bolster 20 to restrain the lower leg of the occupant with the main body 22 of the active knee bolster 20.
[0070]
Thereafter, the user grips the handle 140 that has moved with the main body 22 of the active knee bolster 20 toward the rear of the vehicle (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 10), and pulls the wire 136 toward the rear of the vehicle (in the direction of arrow K in FIG. 10). The connecting arms 130A and 130B rotate in the directions indicated by the arrows L and M in FIG. 10, and the engagement with the lock pins 134A and 134B provided on the mounting bracket 134 is released. Therefore, the active knee bolster 20 can be easily moved from the lower limb restraint position to the lower limb restraint release position.
[0071]
As a result, in the vehicle occupant protection device of the present embodiment, the main body 22 of the knee bolster 20 can be separated from the lower limb of the occupant after the lower limb restraining operation by the main body 22 of the knee bolster 20 is completed. You can get down to.
[0072]
The configuration of the lock unit 130 is not limited to the above configuration, and may be another configuration using a known ball lock or the like.
[0073]
In the above, the present invention has been described in detail with respect to a specific embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention. Some will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, in each of the above embodiments, the vehicle occupant protection device of the present invention is applied to the driver occupant protection device for the driver's seat, but the vehicle occupant protection device of the present invention may be applied to other vehicle occupants such as a passenger seat. It is also applicable to protection devices.
[0074]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention according to claim 1 comprises deceleration detecting means for detecting a vehicle deceleration, a lower limb restraining device for restraining an occupant's lower limb, and a driving device for operating the lower limb restraining device, wherein the driving device is a deceleration. In the vehicle occupant protection device that operates the lower limb restraint device in response to the output signal of the detection device, the vehicle has an underfoot space expanding device that expands the occupant's foot space with the operation of the lower limb restraint device. It has an excellent effect that it is easy to get off the vehicle.
[0075]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle occupant protection device according to the first aspect, the underfoot space enlarging means is a footrest inclination angle changing means for changing an inclination angle of the footrest. This has an excellent effect that the occupant can easily get off the vehicle.
[0076]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle occupant protection device according to the first aspect, since the underfoot space enlarging means is a pedal inclination angle changing means for changing an inclination angle of a vehicle operation pedal, the lower limb restraining operation is terminated. Later, there is an excellent effect that the occupant can easily get off the vehicle.
[0077]
The present invention according to claim 4 comprises deceleration detecting means for detecting vehicle deceleration, a lower limb restraining device for restraining the occupant's lower limb, and a driving device for operating the lower limb restraining device, wherein the driving device is a deceleration. In the vehicle occupant protection device for operating the lower limb restraint device in response to the output signal of the detecting means, the lower limb restraint device separating means for separating the lower limb restraint device from the occupant's lower limb after the operation of the lower limb restraint device is provided, There is an excellent effect that the occupant can easily get off the vehicle after the operation is completed.
[0078]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle occupant protection device according to the fourth aspect, since the lower limb restraining device separating means is a cushioning material removing means for removing a cushioning material of the lower limb restraining device, the lower limb restraining operation ends. Later, there is an excellent effect that the occupant can easily get off the vehicle.
[0079]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle occupant protection device according to the fourth aspect, the lower limb restraining device separating means is a support releasing means for releasing the support of the lower limb restraining device. This has an excellent effect that the occupant can easily get off the vehicle.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle occupant protection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from an obliquely rear inner side of a vehicle.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the vehicle occupant protection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from diagonally rear inner side of the vehicle.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a part of the vehicle occupant protection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from diagonally rear inner side of the vehicle.
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the vehicle occupant protection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing an operation state of the vehicle occupant protection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a vehicle occupant protection device according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a vehicle occupant protection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a vehicle occupant protection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from diagonally rear inner side of the vehicle.
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a vehicle occupant protection device according to a modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the obliquely rear inner side of the vehicle.
FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing a vehicle occupant protection device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 acceleration sensor (deceleration detecting means)
12 Control circuit
20 Active knee bolster (lower limb restraint device)
22 Body of Active Knee Bolster
24 Active knee bolster actuator (drive device)
26 EA materials
34 support bracket
36 Support bracket
48 wires (means for expanding the space under foot, means for changing the angle of inclination of the footrest)
50 Footrest
52 Footrest Base
56 slits (means for expanding the space under the feet, means for changing the angle of inclination of the footrest)
58 Shaft member (foot space expansion means, footrest inclination angle changing means)
60 Footrest support bracket (means for expanding the space under the foot, means for changing the inclination angle of the footrest)
66 Body of footrest
72 Brake pedal (vehicle operation pedal)
74 Brake pedal arm
78 Arm support bracket (means for expanding foot space, means for changing pedal tilt angle)
80 wires (means for expanding foot space, means for changing pedal inclination angle)
82 shaft member (means for expanding the space under foot, means for changing pedal inclination angle)
92 Footrest support bracket (foot space expansion means, footrest inclination angle changing means)
102 wire (lower limb restraining device separating means, cushioning material removing means)
104 Guide plate (lower limb restraining device separating means, cushioning material removing means)
122 Separation plate (lower limb restraining device separating means, cushioning material removing means)
130 Lock unit (lower limb restraint device separation means, support release means)
134 Mounting bracket
134A lock pin
134B lock pin
136 wire (lower limb restraint device separation means, support release means)

Claims (6)

Deceleration detection means for detecting vehicle deceleration,
A lower limb restraint device for restraining a lower limb of an occupant;
A drive device for operating the lower limb restraint device;
In the vehicle occupant protection device, wherein the drive device receives the output signal of the deceleration detection means and operates the lower limb restraint device,
An occupant protection device for a vehicle, comprising: a foot space expanding means for expanding a foot space of an occupant in accordance with the operation of the lower limb restraining device. 2. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the underfoot space enlarging means is a footrest inclination angle changing means for changing an inclination angle of a footrest. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the underfoot space enlarging unit is a pedal inclination angle changing unit that changes an inclination angle of a vehicle operation pedal. Deceleration detection means for detecting vehicle deceleration,
A lower limb restraint device for restraining a lower limb of an occupant;
A drive device for operating the lower limb restraint device;
In the vehicle occupant protection device, wherein the drive device receives the output signal of the deceleration detection means and operates the lower limb restraint device,
A vehicle occupant protection device comprising a lower limb restraining device separating means for separating the lower limb restraining device from a lower limb of an occupant after the operation of the lower limb restraining device is completed. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 4, wherein the lower limb restraining device separating means is a cushioning material removing means for removing a cushioning material of the lower limb restraining device. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 4, wherein the lower limb restraint device separating means is a support release means for releasing support of the lower limb restraint device.

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