JPH09123863A - Leg protector - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) An object of the present invention is to reliably protect a leg portion by an airbag that deploys toward a leg portion of an occupant and a bracket provided inside thereof when a vehicle collides. SOLUTION: A knee air bag module 7 is arranged in front of a left and right knees 6 of a driver inside an under cover 2 attached to an instrument panel 1 of a vehicle, each having a bent portion. Each knee airbag module 7 by the left and right mounting brackets 21
When the knee airbag is connected to the front deck cross member 10 and the vehicle body is subjected to an impact of a predetermined value or more, the knee airbag is deployed from each knee airbag module 7 into the passenger compartment and cannot be received by the knee airbag. When the impact of the portion 6 acts on the mounting bracket 21, the bent portion is deformed to absorb energy.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for protecting an occupant, particularly a driver's leg, with an airbag or the like in the event of a vehicle collision.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to mitigate the collision of a driver's knees that move forward and upward when a vehicle collides with an in-vehicle equipment, conventionally, as shown in FIGS. The under cover 2 is integrally attached to the lower end of the ment panel 1 with screws, clips, etc., and the reinforcement 3 is fixed to the inner surface side thereof. Knee airbag modules 7 that operate when an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the vehicle are fixed inside the undercovers 2 located in front of the knees 6, respectively.
A window 8 is formed in the undercover 2 on the passenger compartment side of the knee airbag module 7, the window 8 is closed by a lid 9, and the undercover 2 and the front deck cross member 10 are bent to the left and right. 11 are connected.

Therefore, at the time of a vehicle collision, the knee airbag module 7 is activated to eject a high pressure gas, and the knee airbag 12 of the knee airbag module 7 expanded by the gas cracks the lid 9 of the under cover 2. The steering column cover 5 as indicated by the chain double-dashed line
The knee airbag 6 of the driver hits the deployed knee airbag 12 because the airbag is deployed in the lower cabin, and the impact acting on the knee airbag 6 is alleviated, and the knee airbag 12 cannot fully receive the knee airbag 12. When the knee portion 6 collides with the under cover 2, the attachment portion is easily damaged or broken,
Alternatively, as a result of the crib coming off and the under cover 2 being pushed forward, the bending member 11 is further bent and absorbs energy, thereby preventing a large impact from acting on the knee 6 and protecting the driver. Is being considered.

However, in the leg protection device for each knee of the driver, the fixing mechanism of the knee airbag module 7 to the reinforcement 3 and the under cover 2 and the front deck cross member 10 are connected to each other. There is an inevitable problem that the bending member 11 and the like are required and the structure is relatively complicated and the number of parts is increased.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to protect a leg portion by an air bag which is deployed toward a leg portion of an occupant and a bracket provided inside thereof when a vehicle collides with the leg portion. Is.

[0006]

Therefore, a leg protection device according to the present invention is arranged toward the knees of an occupant in a vehicle and is activated when an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the vehicle. Has an air bag module for deploying in the vehicle compartment, and a bracket for connecting the air bag module to an in-vehicle strength member, and a weak point portion is provided in the air bag case and / or the bracket of the air bag module. At least part of the acting impact force is absorbed by the deformation of the weak points.

That is, the airbag module is arranged toward the knees of the occupant in the vehicle, and when an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the vehicle, the airbag module is activated and the airbag is deployed into the vehicle compartment. The occupant's knees that are displaced due to the impact are received by the deployed airbag, and the impact acting on the knee is mitigated, while the impact from the knee that cannot be received by the airbag is the airbag case of the airbag module. When and / or when the airbag module is acted on the bracket for connecting to the strength member in the vehicle, at least a part of the impact force is absorbed by the deformation of the weak points, so that the legs of the occupant can be protected.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the following, each embodiment of the present invention will be described by giving the same reference numerals to the parts equivalent to those of the conventional device. 1 to 3, an under cover 2 is integrally attached to a lower end of an instrument panel 1 of a vehicle with a screw, a clip, or the like, and a reinforcement 3 is fixed to an inner surface side of the under cover 2 to cover a steering shaft 4. Undercovers 2 located in front of the driver's knees 6 on the left and right below the steering column cover 5.
Inside, the knee airbag modules 7 that are activated when an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the vehicle are arranged, and a window 8 is formed in the undercover 2 on the passenger compartment side of the knee airbag module 7, The window 8 is closed by a lid 9.

Further, each knee airbag module 7 and the front deck cross member 10 are connected by a metal plate mounting bracket 21 having a pair of left and right bending arms 20.

Therefore, when a vehicle impact is applied to the vehicle over a predetermined value, each knee airbag module 7 is actuated to eject a high pressure gas such as nitrogen gas or combustion gas, and the gas causes the knee gas module 7 to eject. The inflated knee airbag 12 of each knee airbag module 7 breaks the lid 9 of the under cover 2 and deploys into the vehicle compartment below the steering column cover 5 as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 1. When the knee airbag 12 was deployed
The reaction force of is transmitted to the front deck cross member 10 which is a strength member in the vehicle through the mounting bracket 21, and is sufficiently firmly supported by the front deck cross member 10. Therefore, the knee airbag 12 is always set in the vehicle. Since the knee airbag 6 is deployed in the same direction and shape as the knee airbag 6 of the driver hits the deployed knee airbag 12, the impact acting on the knee airbag 6 can be alleviated.

If the knee airbag 6 cannot fully receive the knee airbag 12 and an impact force acts on the undercover 2 from the knee portion 6, the above-mentioned mounting portion is easily damaged or broken, or the clip is removed and the undercover 2 is removed. As a result of being pushed forward, the bending arms 20 of each mounting bracket 21 are further bent as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 2, and this bending absorbs at least a part of the energy of the impact force. It is possible to prevent a large impact from acting on the driver 6, so that the driver can be reliably protected, and the reliability of the driver leg protection device can be improved.

Moreover, the knee airbag module 7 is connected to the front deck cross member 10 by the mounting bracket 21.
Since no special mechanism is required for attaching to the undercover 2, the overall structure of these devices can be simplified and the number of parts can be reduced, thereby reducing the cost of the device and the number of installation steps.

In the above embodiment, the left and right bending arms of the mounting bracket for connecting the knee airbag modules to the front deck cross member are provided in a pair of left and right. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the downward bending arm 2
The knee airbag module 7 is connected to the front deck cross member 10 by the left and right mounting brackets 23 each having two, and the knee airbag module 7 is activated when an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the vehicle, When the knee airbag of the driver hits the deployed knee airbag, the impact that acts on the knee is reliably mitigated, and the knee airbag that is deployed into the passenger compartment cannot fully receive the undercover from the knee. When an impact force is applied to the undercover, the mounting portion of the undercover is easily damaged or broken, or the clip is released and the undercover is pushed forward, so that the bending arm 22 of each mounting bracket 23 is indicated by a chain double-dashed line. As described above, at least a part of the impact force absorbs energy. Even so as to be, can each exhibit the same effects as the above embodiment.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the phosphorus reinforcement 3 is fixed to the inner surface side of the under cover 2 which is integrally attached to the lower end of the instrument panel 1 of the vehicle by screws, clips or the like. On the left and right below the steering column cover 5 that covers the steering shaft 4, inside the undercover 2 located in front of the knees 6 of the driver, knee air that operates when an impact of a predetermined value or more acts on the vehicle is applied. Each of the bag modules 7 is arranged, a window 8 is formed in the under cover 2 on the passenger compartment side of the knee airbag module 7, and the window 8 is closed by a lid 9.

In each knee airbag module 7, the left and right end portions 26 of the case 25 for accommodating the knee airbag 12 extend forward of the vehicle, and the front end portion of the mounting bracket 27 formed of a metal plate is the front. While being fixed to the deck cross member 10, the rear ends of the pair of left and right arms 28 of the bracket 27 are bent forward, and the tip ends of the bent portions 29 are welded or screwed to the case end 26, respectively. The knee airbag modules 7 are connected to the front deck cross members 10 by mounting brackets 27, respectively.

Therefore, as in the case of each of the above-described embodiments, the knee airbag module 7 is actuated when an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the vehicle, and enters the vehicle interior as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. When the knee portion 6 of the driver hits the deployed knee airbag 12, the impact acting on the knee portion 6 can be reliably mitigated, and the knee airbag 12 deployed in the vehicle compartment can fully receive the impact. If an impact force is applied to the undercover 2 from the knee 6 without doing so, the attachment portion of the undercover 2 to the instrument panel 1 is easily damaged or broken, or the clip is removed and the undercover 2 is pushed forward of the vehicle. As a result, the knee airbag module 7 is also pushed forward,
As shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 6, the case end portion 26 of the knee airbag module 7 is displaced forward, and the rear end bent portions 29 of the left and right arms 28 of each mounting bracket 27 are bent further deeply. Even if at least a part of the energy of the impact force is absorbed, the same effects as those of the above-described respective embodiments can be obtained.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the under cover 2 is integrally attached to the lower end of the instrument panel 1 of the vehicle by screws, clips or the like, and the steering column cover 5 covers the steering column 30. A relatively small knee airbag module 31 that operates when an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the vehicle is arranged inside the knee airbag module 31. The knee airbag module 31 includes a mounting bracket that has a bent plate portion 32 in left and right forks. 33
Is connected to the steering column 30 that is an in-vehicle strength member, is pressed against the periphery of the window 34 formed on the lower surface of the steering column cover 5, and is directed downward from the window 34.

The knee airbag module 31 has a case 36 accommodating the knee airbag 35, and blows nitrogen gas, combustion gas, or the like when the vehicle receives an impact of a predetermined value or more, and inflates the knee airbag 35 into the passenger compartment. And an inflator 37 for ejecting the case 36, as shown in FIG.
Notches 38 are appropriately formed in the bent edges and corners of the.

When an impact of a predetermined value or more is exerted on the vehicle due to a collision of the vehicle, each knee airbag module 31
Of the steering column cover 5 is inflated by the inflator 37 of FIG.
As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 7, the knee airbag module 31 is deployed into the vehicle interior below the steering column cover 5, but each knee airbag module 31 is mounted via a mounting bracket 33 having a left and right bifurcated bent plate portion 32. Since the knee airbag 35 is stably supported by the steering column 30, and the knee airbag 35 always deploys in the set direction and shape with respect to the vehicle interior, the knee portion 6 of the driver, which is displaced at the time of a collision of the vehicle, is knee airbag. The impact that is received by the bag 35 and acts on the knee 6 can be effectively mitigated.

In addition, the knee airbag 6 is displaced by the knee airbag 3.
When the knee portion 6 collides against the steering column cover 5 without being able to fully receive it in 5, the bending plate portion 32 constitutes a weak point portion in the mounting bracket 33, and the notch 38 causes the bending edge portion of the case 36 and Since the weak points are formed in the respective corners, the bracket 3 can be moved in accordance with the upward displacement of the steering column cover 5.
The bent plate portion 32 of 3 is bent further deeply and / or the bent edges of the case 36 are bent respectively, so that the inflator 37 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Are deformed so as to relatively intrude, and energy is absorbed for the collision of the knees 6 by these deformations respectively, so that a large impact is prevented from acting on the knees 6, and the driver is reliably protected. be able to.

In the above-described embodiment, the weak points of the bracket 33 and the weak points of the case 36 are deformed in an arbitrary order or at substantially the same time by setting the respective strengths to appropriate levels. Needless to say, it is also possible to use the side wall surface 39 of the case 36.
By appropriately forming notches such as slits,
The lateral wall surface 39 of the case 36 may be deformed to form a weak point.

[0022]

In the leg protection device according to the present invention, the airbag module is arranged toward the knees of the occupant in the vehicle, and when the vehicle is subjected to an impact of a predetermined value or more, the airbag module is activated. Since the bag is deployed in the passenger compartment, the occupant's knees that are displaced by the impact are received by the deployed airbag, and the impact acting on the knee is alleviated. When the impact of (1) acts on the case of the airbag module and / or the bracket that connects the airbag module to the in-vehicle strength member, at least a part of the impact force is absorbed by the deformation of the weak points, so that the configuration is relatively simple. It becomes possible to reliably protect the legs of the occupant.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a main part of the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a main part according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;

9 is an enlarged schematic perspective view of a main part in the embodiment of FIG.

10 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a conventional device.

FIG. 12 is a view on arrow XII of FIG. 11.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Instrument Panel 2 Under Cover 3 Reinforcement 5 Steering Column Cover 6 Knee 7 Knee Airbag Module 10 Front Deck Cross Member 20 Bending Arm 21 Mounting Bracket 22 Bending Arm 23 Mounting Bracket 25 Case 27 Mounting Bracket 28 Arm 29 Bending Part 30 Steering column 31 Knee air bag module 32 Bending plate part 33 Mounting bracket 35 Knee air bag 36 Case 37 Inflator 38 Notch

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An airbag module which is arranged toward a knee of an occupant of a vehicle and is activated when an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the vehicle to deploy the airbag in a vehicle compartment, and the airbag module. A weakness portion is provided in the airbag case of the airbag module and / or the bracket, and at least a part of the impact force acting on the weakness portion is absorbed by the deformation of the weakness portion. Leg protection device configured as. 2. The leg protection device according to claim 1, wherein the weak point is a bent portion provided on the bracket. 3. The leg protection device according to claim 1, wherein a pair of the brackets are provided on the left and right sides or the upper and lower sides. 4. The leg protection device according to claim 1, wherein the weak point is a notch provided in the airbag case. 5. The leg protection device according to claim 4, wherein the notch is formed in a bent edge portion, a corner portion and / or a lateral wall surface of the airbag case. 6. The airbag module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the airbag module is disposed inside an instrument panel of the vehicle or an under cover attached to a lower portion of the instrument panel, Leg protection device whose strength member is a front deck cross member. 7. The leg protection device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag module is arranged in a steering column cover of the vehicle, and the in-vehicle strength member is a steering column.