JP4727512B2 - Movable knee bolster - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a movable knee bolster that is provided on an instrument panel of a vehicle and protects a front passenger.

The movable knee bolster, which is provided on the instrument panel of the vehicle and protects the occupant in the front seat, drives the facing part facing the occupant's lower limb with the driving part to move forward, so that this facing part at the time of a vehicle collision etc. An occupant's lower limb is supported and its posture is maintained, and an impact absorbing portion is provided that absorbs an impact by plastic deformation when a load from the occupant increases. Such a movable knee bolster has a structure in which a drive unit for advancing and retracting the facing part has a shock absorbing function (for example, see Patent Document 1), or a structure in which a drive unit is provided outside the shock absorbing unit (for example, Patent Document) 2).
JP 2005-280461 A JP 2005-96525 A

  As in the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707, when the drive unit that advances and retreats the facing portion has a shock absorbing function, setting of each function becomes substantially difficult. On the other hand, as in the technique described in Patent Document 2, when the drive unit is provided outside the shock absorbing unit, the setting of each function is facilitated, but the arrangement space occupied by the movable knee bolster in the instrument panel Will become bigger. As a result, other functional parts, which have a considerable degree of design freedom due to the movable knee bolster, are further affected.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a movable knee bolster that can reduce the arrangement space in the instrument panel by making it compact and can suppress the influence on the degree of freedom of design of other functional parts.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is provided in an instrument panel (for example, the instrument panel 13 in the embodiment) of a vehicle (for example, the vehicle 11 in the embodiment) and a front seat (for example, the embodiment). A movable knee bolster (for example, the movable knee bolster 20 and the movable knee bolster 70 in the embodiment) that protects the lower limbs of the occupant seated in the passenger seat 21) in the passenger seat 21). And a shock absorber (for example, the impact in the embodiment) that can be plastically deformed when the driving unit (for example, the drive unit 58 and the drive unit 108 in the embodiment) that moves the facing portion back and forth with respect to the occupant and the lower limb of the occupant absorbing member 25, the shock absorbing member 75) and wherein the shock absorbing portion, relative the input direction from the lower limbs A surface portion near the lower limb (for example, the surface portions 28 and 78 in the embodiment), a surface portion farther from the lower limb than the surface portion near the lower limb (for example, the surface portions 26 and 76 in the embodiment), and the vicinity of the lower limb A curved portion connecting the surface portion of the lower limb and the surface portion on the far side of the lower limb (for example, the curved portions 27 and 77 in the embodiment), the drive unit is connected to the surface portion on the lower limb vicinity side, and the lower limb far side A relief portion (for example, relief portions 33 and 80 in the embodiment) into which the drive portion can be inserted at the time of plastic deformation of the shock absorbing portion is formed on the surface portion, and the drive portion is located near the lower limb and on the far limb side. It is characterized in that it is provided between the surface portion .

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit is characterized in that it is consolidated at a position spaced from said curved portion of surface of the lower limb near side.
The invention according to a third aspect is the invention according to the first or second aspect, wherein the shock absorbing portion has a surface portion near the lower limb, a steering support member (for example, an embodiment) on the end side opposite to the curved portion. The steering support member 15) in FIG. 5 or a connecting member (for example, the connecting members 43 and 88 in the embodiment) that connects the lower limb far side surface portion is provided.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, a hole (for example, the hole 35 in the embodiment) is formed in the surface portion near the lower limb, and the drive unit is And is connected to the facing portion through the hole.
The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a notch portion (for example, the notch portion 81 in the embodiment) is formed in the surface portion near the lower limb, and the driving portion is And is connected to the facing portion through the notch.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the drive part for moving the facing part back and forth with respect to the occupant is provided in the shock absorbing part, the whole is compact and does not require a wide arrangement space in the instrument panel, Can be completed in a small space. Therefore, the arrangement space in the instrument panel can be reduced, and the influence on the design freedom of other functional parts can be suppressed.

In addition, when the shock absorbing portion receives a load from the lower limb from the opposing portion via the drive portion, one surface portion connected to the drive portion moves toward the other surface portion facing in the input direction from the lower limb, The curved portion connecting these surface portions is bent to absorb the impact. At this time, the driving portion approaching the other surface portion together with the one surface portion can be inserted into the escape portion formed on the other surface portion so that a large stroke can be made. Therefore, even if the size is reduced, the shock absorbing portion can be greatly deformed, and high shock absorbing performance can be ensured.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the drive unit is connected to a position separated from the curved portion on one surface portion of the impact absorbing unit, the impact absorbing unit receives a load from the lower limb from the opposing unit via the drive unit. When this is received, one surface portion bends the curved portion efficiently, and more efficient shock absorption becomes possible.

  A movable knee bolster according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a front portion in a vehicle compartment 12 of a vehicle 11, and an instrument panel 13 is provided in the front portion of the vehicle compartment 12. The instrument panel 13 is provided with a steering support member 15 that supports a steering shaft (not shown) connected to the steering wheel 14 along the vehicle width direction, and both ends of the steering support member 15 are vehicle body skeleton members. It is fixed to a front pillar (not shown). The steering support member 15 is made of a cylindrical steel material having high rigidity, and has a function of increasing the rigidity of the vehicle body by connecting the left and right front pillars.

  The movable knee bolster 20 of the first embodiment is provided on the passenger seat (front seat) 21 side of the instrument panel 13 and protects the lower limbs of the occupant seated in the passenger seat. The movable knee bolster 20 constitutes a design surface in the passenger compartment 12, and advances and retracts the facing portion 22 facing the lower limb of the occupant seated in the passenger seat 21 with respect to the lower limb of the occupant. Here, in FIG. 1, the state in which the facing portion 22 is retracted with respect to the occupant is indicated by a solid line, and the state in which the facing portion 22 is advanced is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a mechanism configuration excluding the cover 23 shown in FIG. 1 constituting the design surface of the facing portion 22 of the movable knee bolster 20. The movable knee bolster 20 has a plurality of specifically, a pair of impact absorbing members (impact absorbing portions) 25 that are fixed to the steering support member 15 at a predetermined interval in the vehicle width direction. These shock absorbing members 25 are formed by press-molding a plate-shaped steel material, each of which has a planar shape as a whole and is fixed to the back side when viewed from the occupant of the steering support member 15 and extends downward. A curved surface portion (the other surface portion) 26, a curved portion (curved portion) 27 that is bent from the lower edge portion of the surface portion 26 and is turned back to the vehicle interior side, and a surface portion 26 of the curved portion 27 that has a planar shape as a whole. It has a surface portion (one surface portion) 28 extending upward from the opposite edge portion, and is substantially U-shaped in a side view (in other words, the curved portion 27 is formed by connecting the surface portions 26 and 28 to each other. Connected).

  The surface portion 26 is fixed to the steering support member 15 at the upper end portion, and is bent from the lower edge portion of the upper plate portion 30 and the upper plate portion 30 extending downward from the steering support member 15 and slightly extends toward the vehicle interior side. It has a stepped plate portion 31 that protrudes, and a lower plate portion 32 that is bent from an end edge portion of the stepped plate portion 31 on the vehicle interior side and extends downward, and is curved at the lower edge portion of the lower plate portion 32. The part 27 is connected. In the surface portion 26, a notch-shaped relief portion 33 that opens upward is formed at the center in the vehicle width direction across the upper plate portion 30, the step plate portion 31, and the lower plate portion 32.

  A hole 35 is formed in the center of the surface portion 28 in the vehicle width direction so as to be biased toward the upper side.

  Here, the shock absorbing member 25 has a pair of stepped bead portions 36 for improving the strength, the positions in the vehicle width direction are constant, respectively, from the escape portion 33 side of the stepped plate portion 31 of the surface portion 26, The lower plate portion 32, the curved portion 27, and the surface portion 28 are formed to extend. In addition, a convex bead portion 37 for improving strength is formed in the curved portion 27 and the surface portion 28 at a position between the pair of bead portions 36 up to a position before the hole portion 35.

  In addition, the movable knee bolster 20 is fixed to the vehicle interior side at the mounting position of each shock absorbing member 25 of the steering support member 15 and extends downward to be fixed to the corresponding shock absorbing member 25. have. The pair of connecting members 40 are also formed by press-molding a plate-shaped steel material, and each is fixed to the step plate portion 31 side of the upper plate portion 30 of the corresponding shock absorbing member 25. These connecting members 40 are also formed with a notch 41 at the center in the vehicle width direction, which is formed in the center in the vehicle width direction so as to align with the relief portion 33 of the corresponding shock absorbing member 25 and the position in the vehicle width direction. I am doing.

  Further, the movable knee bolster 20 is formed by press-molding a plate-shaped steel material, and is fixed to the lower surface of the steering support member 15 at the mounting position of each shock absorbing member 25, and extends to the vehicle interior side to correspond to the impact. It has a pair of connecting members 43 fixed to the upper side of the hole portion 35 of the surface portion 28 of the absorbing member 25.

  A pair of shock absorbing members 25 is fixed to a support base portion 45 formed by press-molding a plate-shaped steel material on the other surface portion 26 side of the surface portion 28 on each vehicle interior side. These support base portions 45 include a bottom plate portion (not shown) that is fixed to the curved portion 27 side of the hole portion 35 of the surface portion 28 and a pair of wall plate portions 47 that rise from both sides of the bottom plate portion in the vehicle width direction. A rotating shaft 48 is installed on the curved portion 27 side of the pair of wall plate portions 47 along the vehicle width direction. Further, the pair of wall plate portions 47 extend to the opposite side of the curved portion 27 from the bottom plate portion so as to be positioned on both sides of the hole portion 35 of the surface portion 28, and these extended portions also extend in the vehicle width direction. A rotating shaft 49 is installed along the line. The rotation shaft 49 is provided at a position separated from the bending portion 27.

  A holding member 52 that holds the cover 23 of the facing portion 22 shown in FIG. 1 is rotatably supported on both rotation shafts 48 of the pair of support base portions 45. The holding member 52 is also formed by press-molding a plate-shaped steel material, and is supported on the opposite side of the rotation shafts 48 on both sides, and a pair of extensions extending from the respective rotation shafts 48 to the vehicle interior side. A pair of plate portions 53, a connecting plate portion 54 that connects the extended leading end sides of the extending plate portions 53, and a pair of members that extend from the connecting plate portion 54 to the outside of the passenger compartment so as to face each extending plate portion 53. And an opposing plate portion 55. A rotation shaft 56 extending in the vehicle width direction is installed on the extension plate portion 53 and the counter plate portion 55 on one side in the vehicle width direction, and the extension plate portion 53 and the counter plate portion 55 on the other side in the vehicle width direction. In addition, a rotating shaft 56 is installed along the vehicle width direction.

  A drive unit 58 is disposed so as to connect the rotation shaft 56 on one side of the holding member 52 in the vehicle width direction and the rotation shaft 49 of the support base 45 on the same side. A drive unit 58 is arranged so as to connect the rotation shaft 56 on the other side in the width direction and the rotation shaft 49 of the support base 45 on the same side. At this time, each of the pair of drive parts 58 passes through the hole 35 of the surface part 28 from the rotation shaft 56 outside the shock absorbing member 25 on the side where it is disposed, and the inside of the shock absorbing member 25. Inserted into the shock absorbing member 25 and connected to a rotating shaft 49 inside. That is, the drive unit 58 is provided so that a part thereof is located in the shock absorbing member 25.

  Each of the pair of drive portions 58 is a rigid body that includes a cylinder 60 and a shaft 61 that is provided in the cylinder 60 and that moves forward and backward with respect to the cylinder 60 by driving of an electric motor (not shown), and can expand and contract as a whole. ing. The drive unit 58 includes a cylinder 60 rotatably connected to a rotation shaft 49 on the shock absorbing member 25 side, and a shaft 61 rotatably connected to a rotation shaft 56 of the holding member 52. On the other hand, the holding member 52, that is, the facing portion 22 is rotated by the advance / retreat of the shaft 61 to advance / retreat the passenger. That is, in the contracted state in which the shaft 61 is most retracted, the drive unit 58 positions the holding member 52 on the outer side of the passenger compartment. At this time, the driving member 58 is opposed to the holding member 52 and the cover 23 fixed thereto. The portion 22 is located at a position most retracted from the occupant as indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1 and a two-dot chain line in FIG. On the other hand, in the extended state where the shaft 61 is moved forward most, the holding member 52 is positioned on the vehicle interior side. At this time, the facing portion 22 is shown to the occupant as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. On the other hand, it is located at the most advanced position. The pair of drive units 58 are driven in the same manner in synchronization.

  In such a movable knee bolster 20, the position where the facing portion 22 is most retracted from the occupant is set as a standby position. For example, the seating of the occupant on the passenger seat 21 is detected by a seating sensor (not shown) provided in the passenger seat 21. Then, the facing portion 22 is advanced toward the occupant. Thus, the occupant's lower limb is supported by the facing portion 22 at the time of a vehicle collision or the like. At this time, the drive unit 58 swings, but the size of the hole 35, the escape portion 33, the notch 41, etc. are set so as to allow this swing.

  Here, when the facing portion 22 receives a load from the occupant at the time of a vehicle collision, the facing portion 22 presses the driving portion 58 connected to the rotating shaft 56 at one end side. The support base portion 45 that supports the rotation shaft 49 connected to the other end side and the surface portion 28 on the vehicle interior side of the shock absorbing member 25 to which the support base portion 45 is fixed receive a load on the vehicle exterior side. When this load exceeds a predetermined value, the surface portion 28 on the vehicle interior side of the shock absorbing member 25 connected to the drive portion 58 is directed toward the surface portion 26 on the vehicle interior outside facing the input direction from the lower limbs, that is, the vehicle interior / exterior direction. The bending portion 27 connecting these surface portions 26 is bent by plastic deformation and the connecting member 43 is bent by plastic deformation to absorb the impact (in other words, the shock absorbing member 25 is used by the occupant of the opposing portion 22). Plastic deformation when in contact with the lower limbs). At this time, the driving portion 58 approaching the surface portion 26 on the vehicle interior side together with the surface portion 28 on the vehicle interior side is inserted into the relief portion 33 formed on the surface portion 26 on the vehicle interior outside, thereby making a stroke without contacting the surface portion 26. (In other words, a relief portion 33 is formed in the surface portion 26 through which the drive portion 58 can be inserted during plastic deformation of the shock absorbing member 25).

  According to the movable knee bolster 20 of the first embodiment described above, since the drive unit 58 for moving the facing unit 22 forward and backward with respect to the occupant is provided in the shock absorbing member 25, the overall size becomes compact and the instrument is It does not require a large arrangement space in the panel 13 and can be completed in a small space. Therefore, the arrangement space in the instrument panel 13 can be reduced, and the influence on the design freedom of other functional parts can be suppressed.

  Further, when the shock absorbing member 25 receives a load from the lower limb from the opposing portion 22 via the drive unit 58, the one surface portion 28 connected to the drive portion 58 is opposed to the other surface portion 26 in the input direction from the lower limb. The curved portion 27 connecting the surface portions 26 and 28 is bent to absorb the impact. At this time, the driving portion 58 that approaches the surface portion 26 together with the surface portion 28 is formed in the escape portion 33 formed on the surface portion 26. A large stroke can be achieved by inserting it into. Therefore, even if the size is reduced, the shock absorbing member 25 can be greatly deformed, and high shock absorbing performance can be secured.

  Furthermore, since the drive unit 58 is connected to the surface portion 28 of the shock absorbing member 25 at a position away from the curved portion 27, the shock absorbing member 25 receives a load from the lower limbs from the facing portion 22 via the drive unit 58. Sometimes, the surface portion 28 bends the bending portion 27 efficiently, and more efficient shock absorption becomes possible.

  Note that the escape portion 33 through which the drive portion 58 is inserted when the shock absorbing member 25 is plastically deformed may have a hole shape instead of a notch shape.

  Next, a movable knee bolster according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference mainly to FIG. 3 focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The movable knee bolster 70 of the second embodiment also has a plurality of specifically shock absorbing members (shock absorbing portions 75) fixed to the steering support member 15 at a predetermined interval in the vehicle width direction. The shock absorbing member 75 is formed by press-molding a plate-shaped steel material. Each of the shock absorbing members 75 has a planar shape as a whole and is fixed to the front side as viewed from the occupant of the steering support member 15 so as to be on the vehicle interior side (occupant). A surface portion (the other surface portion) 76 extending to the side), a curved portion (curved portion) 77 that is bent from the edge of the surface portion 76 on the vehicle interior side and is turned back to the vehicle interior, and has a planar shape as a whole. The curved portion 77 has a surface portion (one surface portion) 78 extending from the edge opposite to the surface portion 76 to the vehicle compartment outer side, and the side view is substantially U-shaped (in other words, The curved portion 77 is formed by connecting the surface portions 76 and 78 to each other. Ide is).

On the curved portion 77 side of the surface portion 76, a hole-shaped escape portion 80 is formed at the center in the vehicle width direction.
Further, on the side opposite to the curved portion 77 of the surface portion 78, a notch 81 that opens to the outside of the vehicle compartment is formed in the center in the vehicle width direction.

  Here, the shock absorbing member 75 has a convex bead portion 82 for improving the strength at the center portion in the vehicle width direction from the outside of the passenger compartment to the curved portion 77 and the surface portion rather than the escape portion 80 of the surface portion 76. It extends to 78.

  The movable knee bolster 70 is fixed to the lower side of the steering support member 15 at the mounting position of each shock absorbing member 75, and extends to the vehicle interior side to be fixed to the corresponding shock absorbing member 75. 85. These connecting members 85 are also formed by press-molding a plate-shaped steel material, and each of the connecting members 85 is fixed to the outer side of the passenger compartment than the relief portion 80 of the surface portion 76 of the corresponding shock absorbing member 75. These connecting members 85 are formed with a notch 86 that opens to the vehicle interior side at the center in the vehicle width direction, and has a substantially U shape in plan view.

  Further, the movable knee bolster 70 is fixed to the upper surface portion 76 of each shock absorbing member 75 and extends downward through the notch portion 86 of the connecting member 85 to be fixed to the lower surface portion 78. A member 88 is provided. These connecting members 88 are also formed by press-molding a plate-shaped steel material, and the lower part has a shape that becomes wider toward the lower end side, and opens to the lower side at the center in the vehicle width direction of this part. A notch 89 is formed and has a substantially inverted Y shape when viewed from the front.

  On the upper surfaces of the lower surface portions 78 of the pair of shock absorbing members 75, support base portions 91 formed by press-molding a plate-shaped steel material are respectively fixed. The support base 91 is an intermediate plate portion 92 that is erected along the vehicle width direction on the curved portion 77 side of the surface portion 78, and bends from both sides of the intermediate plate portion 92 in the vehicle width direction and extends outside the vehicle compartment. A pair of wall plates 93 and a pair of bottom plates (only one is shown) that extend from the lower edge of each wall plate 93 in the direction of mutual separation and are fixed to the curved portion 77 side rather than the notch 81 of the surface portion 78. Part 94 and a pair of support plate parts 95 that are bent downward from both side edges in the vehicle width direction of the bottom plate part 94 and extend to the vehicle interior side. A pair of wall plates 93 is provided with a rotation shaft 96 extending along the vehicle width direction, and a pair of support plate portions 95 is provided with a rotation shaft 97 extending along the vehicle width direction.

  A holding member 100 that holds a cover (not shown in FIG. 3) that constitutes the design surface of the facing portion 22 is rotatably connected to both rotation shafts 97 of the pair of support base portions 91. The holding member 100 is also formed by press-molding a plate-shaped steel material, and is connected to both end sides of the rotating shafts 97 on both sides, and is extended to the vehicle interior side. 101, a main plate portion 102 that extends between the extending front ends of the extending plate portions 101 and extends outside the vehicle compartment, and two pairs of support plate portions 103 that extend upward from the vehicle compartment outside of the main plate portion 102. And have. The pair of support plate portions 103 on one side in the vehicle width direction is provided with a rotation shaft 104 extending along the vehicle width direction, and although not shown, the pair of support plate portions 103 on the other side in the vehicle width direction are also A rotation shaft 104 is installed along the vehicle width direction.

  The drive unit 108 is disposed so as to connect the rotation shaft 104 on one side of the holding member 100 in the vehicle width direction and the rotation shaft 96 of the support base 91 on the same side. The drive unit 108 is disposed so as to connect the rotation shaft 104 on the other side in the width direction and the rotation shaft 96 of the support base 91 on the same side. At this time, the pair of driving portions 108 are inserted into the inside of the shock absorbing member 75 from the rotation shaft 104 outside the corresponding shock absorbing member 75 through the notch 81 of the surface portion 78 to absorb the shock. It is connected to a rotation shaft 96 inside the member 75. That is, the drive unit 108 is provided so that a part thereof is located in the shock absorbing member 75.

  Each of the pair of drive units 108 is a rigid body having a cylinder 110 and a shaft 111 that moves forward and backward with respect to the cylinder 110 by driving of an electric motor (not shown) provided in the cylinder 110, and can extend and contract as a whole. ing. The drive unit 108 is configured such that the cylinder 110 is rotatably connected to the rotation shaft 96 on the shock absorbing member 75 side, and the shaft 111 is rotatably connected to the rotation shaft 104 of the holding member 100. On the other hand, the holding member 100 is rotated by the advance / retreat of the shaft 111 to advance / retreat the passenger. That is, the drive unit 108 positions the holding member 100 outside the passenger compartment as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 in the contracted state in which the shaft 111 is most retracted. At this time, the holding member 100 is It will be located in the most retreated position. On the other hand, in the extended state in which the shaft 111 is most advanced, the holding member 100 is positioned on the vehicle interior side as indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3. At this time, the holding member 100 is at the most advanced position with respect to the occupant. Will be located. The pair of drive units 108 are similarly driven in synchronization.

  In such a movable knee bolster 70 of the second embodiment, the position where the holding member 100 is most retracted with respect to the occupant is the standby position. For example, the occupant seated on the passenger seat 21 is provided in the passenger seat 21. Is detected by the seating sensor, the holding member 100 is advanced toward the occupant. At this time, the drive unit 108 swings, but the notch 81 of the shock absorbing member 75 and the notch 89 of the connecting member 88 are set so as to allow this swing.

  Here, when a load is received from the occupant during a vehicle collision, the holding member 100 presses the drive unit 108 having one end connected to the rotating shaft 104, and as a result, rotates the other end of the drive unit 108. The support base portion 91 supported by the moving shaft 96 and the lower surface portion 78 of the shock absorbing member 75 to which the support base portion 91 is fixed receive a load in the forward direction. When this load exceeds a predetermined value, the surface portion 78 of the shock absorbing member 75 connected to the drive unit 108 moves toward the upper surface portion 76 facing in the input direction from the lower limbs, that is, in the forwardly rising direction, and these surface portions 76. , 78 is bent by plastic deformation and the connecting member 88 is bent by plastic deformation to absorb the impact (in other words, when the impact absorbing member 75 is in contact with the lower limb of the occupant at the opposing portion). Plastic deformation). At this time, the drive unit 108 approaching the upper surface portion 76 together with the lower surface portion 78 is inserted into the relief portion 80 formed in the upper surface portion 76, so that it strokes without contacting the surface portion 76 (in other words, impact A relief portion 80 is formed in the surface portion 76 through which the drive portion 108 can be inserted when the absorbing member 75 is plastically deformed).

  Also in the movable knee bolster 70 of the second embodiment described above, since the drive unit 108 is provided in the shock absorbing member 75, the whole is compact like the first embodiment.

  Further, when the shock absorbing member 75 receives a load from the lower limb from the holding member 100 via the drive unit 108, the one surface portion 78 connected to the drive unit 108 is opposed to the other surface portion 76 in the input direction from the lower limb. The curved portion 77 connecting the surface portions 76 and 78 is bent to absorb the impact. At this time, the drive portion 108 approaching the other surface portion 76 together with the one surface portion 78 is moved to the other surface portion 76. A large stroke can be achieved by passing through the formed relief portion 80. Therefore, even if the size is reduced, the shock absorbing member 75 can be greatly deformed, and high shock absorbing performance can be secured.

  Further, since the drive unit 108 is coupled to the surface portion 78 of the shock absorbing member 75 at a position away from the curved portion 77, the surface portion when the shock absorbing member 75 receives a load from the lower limbs via the drive unit 108. 78 bends the bending portion 77 efficiently, and more efficient shock absorption becomes possible.

  Note that the escape portion 80 through which the driving portion 108 is inserted when the shock absorbing member 75 is plastically deformed can be formed in a notch shape instead of a hole shape.

1 is a perspective view showing a front portion of a vehicle interior of a vehicle to which a movable knee bolster according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a perspective view which shows the movable knee bolster of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the movable knee bolster of 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

11 Vehicle 13 Instrument panel 20 Movable knee bolster 21 Passenger seat (front seat)
22 Opposing part 25 Shock absorbing member (shock absorbing part)
26, 28 A pair of surface parts 27 A curved part (curved part)
33 Escape part 58 Drive part 70 Movable knee bolster 75 Shock absorbing member (shock absorbing part)
76, 78 A pair of surface parts 77 A curved part (curved part)
80 Escape part 108 Drive part

Claims (5)

A movable knee bolster provided on an instrument panel of a vehicle and protecting a lower limb of an occupant seated in a front seat,
A facing portion facing the lower limb of the occupant;
A drive section for moving the facing section forward and backward with respect to the occupant;
With a shock absorber that can be plastically deformed when in contact with the lower limbs of the occupant,
The shock absorbing portion includes a surface portion on the lower limb vicinity side facing in the input direction from the lower limb, a surface portion on the far limb side farther from the lower limb than the surface portion on the lower limb vicinity, a surface portion on the lower limb vicinity side, and the lower limb distant side. A curved portion connecting the side surface portion,
The driving part is connected to the surface part near the lower limb, and a relief part through which the driving part can be inserted at the time of plastic deformation of the shock absorbing part is formed on the surface part on the far side of the lower limb,
The movable knee bolster characterized in that the drive unit is provided between a surface part near the lower limb and a surface part far from the lower limb . The drive unit is movable knee bolster as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it is consolidated at a position spaced from said curved portion of surface of the lower limb near side. The shock absorbing portion includes a connecting member that connects a surface portion near the lower limb and a surface portion near the lower limb and a surface portion on the far side of the lower limb on an end side opposite to the curved portion. The movable knee bolster according to claim 1 or 2. A hole is formed in the surface near the lower limb,
4. The movable knee bolster according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit is connected to the facing unit through the hole. 5. A notch is formed in the surface near the lower limb,
4. The movable knee bolster according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit is connected to the facing unit through the notch. 5.

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