JP2003118528A - Air bag device for protecting knee - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air bag device for protecting the knee capable of reducing its weight and increasing the freedom degree of the disposition of peripheral devices. SOLUTION: This air bag device for protecting the knee is so formed that an air bag 26 disposed in a vehicle front side of an occupant MD and having inflation gas flowing therein projects, develops, and inflates from a case opening 18e to the vehicle rear side, while pushingly opening a door part 14 disposed in an air bag cover 12, so as to protect the knee K of the occupant MD. The air bag cover 12 can support the approximately whole surface of the vehicle front side of the air bag 26 completing the inflation. A case 18 is attached and fixed to the vehicle body side by a retaining member 38. The retaining member 38 is provided with a retainer part 40 retaining the case 18, a support part 43 capable of supporting the vehicle front side surface of the air bag cover 12, and a fixing part 44a for attaching and fixing it to the vehicle body side. The retaining member 38 is constituted of a skeleton structure formed of rod materials.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a knee-protecting airbag device in which an airbag that inflates and inflates by inflating gas can protect the knees of an occupant such as a driver or a passenger in a passenger seat.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an airbag device for knee protection having the above-mentioned structure, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 9-123863.

In this knee protection airbag device, the case for accommodating the folded airbag and the inflator for supplying the inflation gas to the airbag has a plate-like shape arranged on the vehicle front side of the airbag cover. It is configured to be attached and fixed to the body side of the vehicle by using a holding member, and is generated so as to press the case toward the vehicle front side when the inflation gas from the inflator is introduced and the airbag is inflated and inflated. The holding member receives the reaction force and the stress generated in the airbag when the inflated airbag interferes with the knee.

Further, usually, a steering column, a tilt mechanism, a telescopic mechanism, a parking brake device and the like are arranged close to each other in the vicinity of a portion where the airbag device having the above-mentioned structure is arranged. Further, recently, there are cases where a storage case or the like is arranged on the lower side of the column cover.

However, in the conventional knee protecting airbag device, the holding member for holding the case is formed in a plate shape so as to come into contact with the entire front surface of the airbag cover on the vehicle side. There was a restriction on the arrangement position of peripheral devices such as the tilt mechanism and the storage case. Further, the weight of the holding member itself is heavy, which causes an increase in the weight of the entire device.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and provides a knee protection airbag device which can be reduced in weight and, at the same time, increased in the degree of freedom in the arrangement position of peripheral devices. The purpose is to

[0007]

An airbag device for knee protection according to the present invention accommodates a folded airbag, an inflator for supplying inflation gas to the airbag, an airbag and an inflator, It is configured to include a case that is arranged on the vehicle front side of an occupant and has an opening on the vehicle rear side, and an airbag cover that is arranged so as to cover the vehicle rear side of the case. The airbag thus pushed, while pushing open the door portion arranged in the airbag cover, projects from the opening of the case toward the vehicle rear side,
A knee protection airbag device capable of being inflated and inflated to protect the knees of an occupant, wherein an airbag cover supports substantially the entire vehicle front side of the inflated airbag when the airbag is inflated and inflated. The case is configured to be attached and fixed to the body side of the vehicle by a holding member, and the holding member includes a holding portion that holds the case and a front portion of the airbag cover on the vehicle front side when the airbag is completely inflated. It is characterized in that it is provided with a supporting portion capable of supporting the surface and a fixing portion for mounting and fixing to the vehicle body side, and is constituted by a frame structure formed from a rod-shaped member.

Further, it is preferable that the holding member is provided with an attaching portion for attaching the airbag cover, and the attaching portion is provided with an attaching hole through which a clip provided on the airbag cover can be inserted and attached.

[0009]

According to the knee protecting airbag device of the present invention,
Since the holding member that holds the case is configured by the frame structure formed of the rod-shaped material, it is possible to reduce the weight as compared with the case where the holding member has the plate shape.

Further, in the knee protection airbag device of the present invention, the holding member for supporting the airbag cover is the frame structure formed of the rod-shaped member, but the pressing force of the occupant acts on the airbag cover. Is when the airbag has completed deployment, and the holding member does not contact and support the vehicle front side of the airbag cover over substantially the entire surface,
The pressing force acting on the airbag cover can be stably supported. Because the airbag at the time of completion of inflation is
Even if the airbag cover is pressed by partially interfering with the knees of the occupant, the pressing force received by the airbag cover is dispersed by the airbag itself, and the dispersed pressing force acts on the airbag cover. This is because even if the holding member is a skeleton structure formed of a rod-shaped member, it can stably support the airbag cover together with the airbag without damaging the airbag cover. As a result, the airbag which has completed the expansion and inflation can stably protect the occupant's knees.

Further, since the holding member is composed of a frame structure formed of rod-shaped members, it is possible to arrange peripheral equipment such as a tilt mechanism and a storage case by utilizing the space between the rod-shaped members. It is possible to increase the degree of freedom in the arrangement position of peripheral devices.

Therefore, in the knee protection airbag device of the present invention, the weight can be reduced without impairing the occupant restraint performance, and at the same time, the degree of freedom in the arrangement position of peripheral devices can be increased. .

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, if the clip projecting from the airbag cover is inserted into the mounting hole provided in the mounting portion provided in the holding member, the holding member is provided. Since the air bag cover can be attached and fixed, the work of attaching the air bag cover to the holding member becomes easy.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

A knee protection airbag device (hereinafter abbreviated as "airbag device") S which is an embodiment of the present invention,
Shown in Figs. In addition, in the present specification, up and down, left and right,
The front and rear correspond to the up, down, left, and right of the vehicle when the knee protection airbag device S is mounted on the vehicle.

The airbag device S is arranged below the steering column 3 on the vehicle front side of the driver MD in order to protect the knee K of the driver MD as the occupant M. The airbag device S includes the folded airbag 26.
An inflator 21 for supplying inflation gas to the airbag 26, a case 18 for accommodating the airbag 26 and the inflator 21, an airbag cover 12 arranged to cover the vehicle rear side of the case 18, and a case 18
And a holding member 38 for mounting and fixing the vehicle body side to the vehicle body side.

As shown in FIG. 1, the steering column 3 comprises a main shaft 4 connected to the steering wheel 1 and a column tube 5 covering the periphery of the main shaft 4. Between the column tube 5 and the column tube 5, a tilt mechanism (not shown) capable of adjusting the angle of the ring surface of the steering wheel 1,
A not-illustrated telescopic mechanism or the like that can stop the steering wheel 1 by moving it in the axial direction of the shaft is provided.

The column cover 8 is made of a synthetic resin having a substantially rectangular tube shape, and is arranged along the axial direction of the steering column 3 so as to cover the steering column 3 below the steering wheel 1. That is, the column cover 8 is arranged so as to be inclined rearward and upward such that the vehicle front side is arranged downward and the vehicle rear side is arranged upward. The lower surface 8a of the column cover 8 has a substantially rectangular shape, and is formed in a curved shape that rises rearward in the vehicle front-rear direction.

The airbag cover 12 is made of a thermoplastic elastomer such as polyolefin and has an instrument panel 10 composed of an upper panel 10a and a lower panel 10b.
Is arranged on the lower panel 10b side of the peripheral edge of the column cover 8 and covers the lower peripheral edge of the column cover 8 protruding from the instrument panel 10 and is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape when viewed from the vehicle rear side (see FIG. 3). ). The airbag cover 12 is disposed on the vehicle rear side of the holding member 38, covers the vehicle rear side of the folded airbag 26, and also serves as an interior material that covers the vehicle inside of the holding member 38. Then, in the embodiment, the airbag cover 12 uses the clip 12a to hold the holding member 38.
It is fixed to (see Figure 2). Further, the airbag cover 12 is provided with a substantially rectangular plate-shaped door portion 14 at a position where an opening 18e, which will be described later, of the case 18 is arranged so that the door portion 14 is pushed by the expanding and inflating airbag 26 and opens toward the inside of the vehicle. There is. The door portion 14 has a thin portion to be broken 13 which has an inverted U-shape when viewed from the inside of the vehicle, and a hinge portion 15 which is an integral hinge at the lower edge. When the airbag 26 is expanded and inflated, the door portion 14 is pushed by the airbag 26 to rupture the portion to be fractured 13, and the hinge portion 15 is opened downward on the inside of the vehicle with the hinge portion 15 as the center of rotation when opened. Further, the hinge portion 1 around the door portion 14
An outer peripheral side of the portion 5 and the planned breakage portion 13 is a substantially flat plate-like support portion 16 capable of supporting the vehicle front side of the inflated airbag 26 over substantially the entire surface.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the case 18 has a substantially rectangular box shape made of sheet metal and has a folded airbag 26.
Is arranged as a storage part for storing the
An air bag 26 is housed together with the inflator 21. The case 18 is configured such that the rear side of the vehicle is opened as an opening 18e, and includes a peripheral wall portion 18a having a substantially rectangular tube shape, and a substantially rectangular bottom wall portion 18d that closes the vehicle front side of the peripheral wall portion 18a. . A flange portion 18b for connecting and fixing the case 18 to the holding member 38 is formed on the peripheral edge of the opening 18e in the peripheral wall portion 18a. A plurality of (two in the embodiment) mounting holes 18c for mounting and fixing the inflator 21 and the airbag 26 are formed on the upper surface of the peripheral wall portion 18a on the vehicle front side. The case 18 is arranged so that the axial direction O of the peripheral wall portion 18a is along the column cover lower surface 8a (along the axial direction of the steering column 3) as shown in FIG.

The inflator 21 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, the cylinder type main body 22 is configured to be capable of discharging an expansion gas G by inputting an electric signal, and two brackets 23 and 23.
The main body 22 has a gas discharge port 22 for discharging the expansion gas G.
In the case of the embodiment, the electric signal from the control device for operating the airbag device (not shown) mounted on the steering wheel 1 is input at the same time as the steering wheel airbag device (not shown).
Will be activated. Each bracket 23 has a body 22
A retaining ring 23a made of a sheet metal attached to the main body 22 by being plastically deformed so as to be externally covered and reduced in diameter.
And a bolt 23b protruding from the retaining ring 23a. The inflator 21 is an airbag 26.
A mounting hole 29, which will be described later, of the airbag 26.
The bolts 23b are protruded from the bolts 23b, and the bolts 23b are protruded from the mounting holes 18c of the case 18 to fix the nuts 24, so that the bolts 23b are fixed to the case 18 together with the airbag 26. Also, the main body 22
A lead wire (not shown) is connected to.

The air bag 26 is made of flexible woven fabric such as polyester or polyamide, as shown in FIGS.
As shown in, the shape at the time of completion of expansion and expansion is configured as a substantially rectangular plate shape. In the case of the embodiment, the airbag 2
6 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape, and is composed of two woven fabrics including a vehicle body side wall portion 27 which is the column cover 8 side when inflated and an occupant side wall portion 28 which is the driver MD side. 27
-It is formed by stitching together the 28 peripheral edges. On the lower side of the vehicle body side wall portion 27, each bolt 2 of the inflator 21 is provided.
A mounting hole 29 through which 3b is inserted is formed.

In the airbag 26 of the embodiment,
The lower inflatable portion 31 on the side where the inflator 21 is housed so that it is divided into upper and lower parts at the arrangement position of the tether 34 described later
And an upper inflatable portion 32 extending above the lower inflatable portion 31. The lower inflating section 31 uses the inflating gas G.
As an upstream side portion of the case 18 protruding from the opening 18e of the case 18 toward the vehicle rear side and covering the vehicle rear side of the opening 18e and the lower portion of the support portion 16 of the airbag cover 12 on the vehicle rear side, and Knee of driver MD K (KL
・ The front side of KR) can be covered. Further, the upper inflatable portion 32 communicates with the lower inflatable portion 31 as a site on the downstream side of the inflating gas G, and protrudes upward from the lower inflatable portion 31 along the lower surface 8a of the column cover 8 to open. Air bag cover 1 to be arranged on the periphery of 18e
It is possible to cover at least the upper portion of the second support portion 16 on the vehicle rear side and the vicinity of the upper end 8b on the column cover lower surface 8a side. In addition, in the case of the embodiment, the lower inflatable portion 31 at the time of the inflating and inflating has a sufficient margin for the knee KL /
In order to protect the KR, the width dimension in the left-right direction is set to be larger than that of the opening 18e.

Further, inside the airbag 26, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, tethers 34 and 35 for connecting the vehicle body side and the passenger side wall portions 27 and 28 are provided. This tether 3
4.35 allows the airbag 26 to smoothly enter between the knee K of the driver MD and the lower surface 8a of the column cover while keeping the thicknesses of the lower inflatable portion 31 and the upper inflatable portion 32 constant during the deployment and inflation. It is provided for this purpose. Tether 34
35 is formed of a flexible material and is sewn to the wall portions 27 and 28 similarly to the wall portions 27 and 28 of the airbag 26. In the case of the embodiment, the arrangement position of the inflator 21 is shown. Is substantially parallel to the vehicle left-right direction, and the left and right ends of the airbag 26 are separated from the left and right edges 26a and 26b of the airbag 26. Further, the tether 34 is provided as a thickness regulating means and at the same time, the expansion gas G discharged from the inflator 21.
Is also directed to the left and right edges 26a and 26b of the airbag 26, and also serves as a gas flow guide member for guiding the upper inflation portion 32 through the gas circulation holes 36 and 36. The gas flow holes 36, 36 are located at the left end 3 of the tether 34.
4a and the left edge 26a of the airbag, and between the right end 34b of the tether 34 and the right edge 26b of the airbag.

The holding member 38, as shown in FIGS.
In the embodiment, a holding portion 40 configured by a frame structure formed of a rod-like member and holding the case 18, a mounting portion 48 for mounting the airbag cover 12, and a support portion 16 of the airbag cover 12 for the vehicle. And a support portion 43 capable of supporting the front surface. And
In the embodiment, the holding member 38 is formed by subjecting a metal cylindrical pipe material to bending, welding, and the like.

The holding portion 40 is arranged on the vehicle rear side of the flange portion 18b of the case 18, and is arranged over the entire circumference of the peripheral edge of the opening 18e. Holding part 40
Are two vertical bar portions 40a arranged substantially parallel to the edge of the opening 18e along the front-rear direction at the peripheral edge of the case opening 18e, and the opening 18e extending along the left-right direction at the peripheral edge of the case opening 18e. It is provided with two horizontal bar portions 40b arranged substantially in parallel with the edge portion of, and is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape. Then, the holding portion 40 includes bolts, nuts,
The case 18 is attached and fixed using rivets, welding, and the like. In the embodiment, the bolt 41 protruding from the predetermined position of the holding portion 40 to the vehicle front side is fixed to the nut 42 to fix the case 18 (see FIG. 2). In the case of the embodiment, the holding portion 40 also supports the support portion 16 of the airbag cover 12.

The support portion 43 includes two upper support portions 44,
Two lower support parts 45 and four auxiliary parts 46 arranged so as to connect between the upper support part 44 and the lower support part 45.
And are provided. Each of the upper support portions 44, from the vicinity of the connecting portion between the horizontal rod portion 40b and the vertical rod portion 40a, 40a arranged on the upper side of the holding portion 40,
It is arranged obliquely upward and toward the vehicle rear side along the airbag cover 12. Each of the lower support portions 45 is obliquely downward from the vicinity of the connecting portion between the horizontal rod portion 40b and the vertical rod portions 40a, 40a arranged on the lower side of the holding portion 40 and along the airbag cover 12. Thus, the vehicle is arranged toward the front side of the vehicle.
The auxiliary parts 46 connect the upper support parts 44 and the lower support parts 45, respectively, and connect the vertical bar parts 40 of the holding part 40.
It is arranged so as to be substantially parallel to a or the horizontal bar portion 40b. Further, the vertical bar portion 40a of the holding portion 40 and the vertical bar portion 40a
And the auxiliary portion 46 arranged substantially parallel to the vertical bar portion 4
The auxiliary portion 48 is formed so as to connect the vertical bar portion 40a and the auxiliary portion 46 substantially orthogonal to the 0a and the auxiliary portion 46. The upper and lower support portions 44, 45 and the auxiliary portions 46, 48 are arranged in contact with the vehicle front surface of the support portion 16 in the airbag cover 12, and the vehicle front surface of the support portion 16 is disposed. Is configured to be supported.

The tips 44a of the upper support portions 44 are provided.
And the tips 45a of the lower support parts 45 are fixing parts for mounting and fixing the holding member 38 to the vehicle body side. In the embodiment, the vicinity of the tip end 44a of each upper side support portion 44 is formed by being bent toward the vehicle front side, and the bolt 53 is projectingly provided at the tip end 44a (see FIG. 1). Then, a bolt 53 formed at the tip 44a is attached to a mounting plate portion 55 formed in the instrument panel reinforcement IR as a structural member disposed below the steering column 3 so as to be substantially orthogonal to the steering column 3.
The nuts 54 are passed through and the nuts 54 are fixed, and the tips 44a of the upper support portions 44 are attached and fixed to the instrument panel reinforcement IR. In addition, the tip 4 of each lower support portion 45
As shown in FIG. 3, 5a is a frame portion FC / F of the vehicle.
It is configured such that the bolt 56 is fixed to the R and is fixedly attached.
In the case of the embodiment, the frame portion FR is the front body pillar in the vehicle body, and the frame portion FC is the center brace in the vehicle body.

The attachment portion 50 for attaching the airbag cover 12 to the holding member 43 is made of a plate-shaped metal,
In the embodiment, it is arranged so as to project from the auxiliary portion 48. Then, the airbag cover 1 is attached to the mounting portion 50.
A mounting hole 51 is formed so that the clip 12a formed in 2 can be inserted and the head portion of the clip 12a is supported in a non-removable manner.

Next, the mounting of the airbag apparatus S on a vehicle will be described. First, the airbag 26 is folded with the inflator 21 built therein. Each bolt 23b of the inflator 21 has a mounting hole 29
Let it stick out from. Further, a lead wire (not shown) extending from the inflator body 22 is put out from a predetermined insertion hole (not shown) of the airbag 26.

In the case of the embodiment, the airbag 26 is folded in two steps, a vertical folding step and a horizontal folding step. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A, the airbag 26 is in a state in which the occupant side wall portion 28 is brought into contact with the vehicle body side wall portion 27 and is flatly deployed.
The left and right edges 26a and 26b are respectively folded toward the vehicle body side wall portion 27 side so that the left and right edges 26a and 26b of the right and left edges 26a and 26b approach the center of the passenger side wall portion 28. further,
As shown in FIG. 7C, the left and right edges 61 and 62 of the airbag 26 after being folded are approached to the vicinity of the center of the passenger side wall portion 28, respectively. Fold towards the folds 63
-Form 63. Next, as shown in FIG. 7D, the folding portions 63, 63 are folded back so as to be placed on the side wall portion 28 of the occupant, and the vertical folding step is completed.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 7D and 7E, the vertically folded airbag 26 is mounted on the vehicle body side wall portion 2 from the upper edge 26a.
The folding operation is completed by folding the airbag 26 so as to wind it toward the 7 side, and the folding operation of the airbag 26 is completed.

After the airbag 26 has been folded, it is wrapped with a breakable wrapping film (not shown) for preventing collapse, and each bolt 23b is projected from the wrapping film, and each projected bolt 23b is shown in FIG. The thin plate-shaped spring nut 58 is assembled to the above. Then, attach each bolt 23b to the mounting hole 18 of the case 18.
The nut 24 is attached to each of the protruding bolts 23b.
If the screws are screwed together, the inflator 21 and the airbag 26
And can be stored and fixed in the case 18. The lead wire (not shown) extending from the inflator body 22 is taken out from the wrapping film and the insertion hole (not shown) of the case 18.

The flange portion 18b of the case 18
Is attached and fixed to the holding member 38 by a bolt 41 and a nut 42 formed on the holding portion 40 of the holding member 38. Then, the upper support portion 4 of the holding member 38
Each fixing portion 44a formed at the tip of 4 is fixed to the instrument panel reinforcement IR with the bolt 53 and the nut 54, and the fixing portion 45a formed at the tip of each lower support portion 45 is connected to the frame portion FC of the vehicle. Bolts 56 are fixed to the FRs respectively, lead wires (not shown) are connected to the control circuit, the clips 12a are inserted into the mounting holes 51, and the airbag cover 12 is mounted and fixed to the holding member 38. Furthermore, if the instrument panel 10 or the like is attached to the vehicle,
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the airbag device S can be mounted on a vehicle.

When a predetermined electric signal is input to the inflator body 22 after the airbag device S is mounted on the vehicle, the inflation gas G is discharged from the gas discharge port 22a and the airbag 26 is inflated. , While breaking the wrapping film (not shown) and pushing the door portion 14 of the airbag cover 12 open to project toward the vehicle rear side, and further along the column cover lower surface 8a while eliminating lateral folding and vertical folding, It will be greatly expanded and expanded upward (see the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 1). At this time, in the embodiment,
Since the airbag 26 is folded so as to be rolled from the upper edge 26a toward the vehicle body side wall portion 27 side in the lateral folding step, the airbag 26 is deployed along the lower surface 8a of the column cover 8 while canceling the folding. It will expand.

Further, in the airbag device S of the embodiment, since the holding member 38 for holding the case 18 is constituted by the frame structure formed of the pipe material as the rod-shaped material, the holding member 38 is plate-shaped. It becomes possible to reduce the weight as compared with the case.

Further, in the airbag device S of the embodiment, the supporting portion 4 of the holding member 38 for supporting the airbag cover 12 is provided.
3 is a frame structure made of pipe material,
The pressing force of the driver MD acts on the airbag cover 12 when the airbag 26 completes its deployment, and the support portion 43 of the holding member 38 substantially entirely covers the front side of the airbag cover 12 in the vehicle. Even if you do not contact and support
It is possible to stably support the pressing force acting on the airbag cover 12. This is because even if the airbag 26 at the time of completion of inflation presses the airbag cover 12 by partially interfering with the knee K of the driver MD, the pressing force received by the support portion 16 of the airbag cover 12 is the airbag. 26 is dispersed by itself and the dispersed pressing force acts on the support portion 16 of the airbag cover 12, so that the holding member 38 damages the airbag cover 12 even if it is a frame structure formed of a pipe material. Without the airbag 26,
This is because the airbag cover 12 can be stably supported. As a result, the airbag 26 that has completed deployment and inflation
Can stably protect the knee K of the driver MD.

Further, in the airbag device S of the embodiment,
Since the holding member 38 is composed of the frame structure formed of the pipe material, the space between the pipe materials is used to make use of the space between the pipe materials and the peripheral devices such as the tilt mechanism and the storage case P (see FIG. 3).
Therefore, the degree of freedom of the arrangement position of the peripheral device can be increased.

Therefore, in the airbag apparatus S of the embodiment, it is possible to reduce the weight without impairing the occupant restraint performance, and at the same time, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in the arrangement position of the peripheral equipment.

Further, in the airbag device S of the embodiment, the mounting hole 51 formed in the mounting portion 50 of the holding member 38.
And a clip 12a protruding from the airbag cover 12
When the air bag cover 12 is inserted into the holding member 38,
Since it is possible to attach and fix the above, it becomes easy to attach the holding member 38 of the airbag cover 12. Of course, if this point is not taken into consideration, the airbag cover 12 may be configured to be attached and fixed to the holding member 38 using, for example, bolts and nuts. Further, if the airbag cover 12 is directly fixed to the body side of the vehicle at a predetermined position, the holding member 38 does not need to have a mounting portion for mounting and fixing the airbag cover 12. Good.

Further, as a holding member constituted by a frame structure formed of a pipe material, for example, FIGS.
Alternatively, each of the configurations shown may be used. Figure 8
The holding member 66 shown in FIG. 2 is configured by bending two rod-shaped members which are substantially symmetrical to each other in the left-right direction, and is arranged on both left and right edge sides of the case 18 so as to extend in the front-back direction (vertical direction). Two holding portions 67 arranged and an upper support portion 6 as a support portion 68 formed by extending both ends of each holding portion 67.
9 and the lower support portion 70. The holding portion 67 is configured to hold the case 18 by using bolts and nuts, like the holding portion 40 of the holding member 38 described above. The tip 69a of each upper support 69
And the tips 45a of the lower support portions 45 are fixing portions for attaching and fixing the holding member 38 to the vehicle body side using bolts and nuts, respectively. The vicinity of the tip 69a of each upper support portion 69 is formed by being bent toward the vehicle front side, similarly to the vicinity of the tip 44a of each upper support portion 44 of the holding member 38 described above. In addition, each holding portion 67 has a plate-shaped mounting portion 7 protruding leftward or rightward.
2 is formed. The mounting portion 72 is formed with a mounting hole 72 into which the clip 12a formed on the airbag cover 12 can be inserted. In addition, in the embodiment, the holding member 66 is configured by bending two rod-shaped members, but as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. May be arranged substantially parallel to each other, and the ends may be attached and fixed to predetermined positions on the body side of the vehicle.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a holding member 76
Alternatively, a structure in which two rod-shaped members are arranged substantially parallel to each other along the left-right direction of the vehicle may be used. In this case, the vicinity of the center is a holding portion 77 that is arranged on both front and rear edges of the flange portion 18b of the case 18 and that holds the case 18 using bolts, nuts, etc., and is supported on both left and right sides of the holding portion 77. The part 78 will be arranged. The tip 78a of the support portion 78 serves as a fixing portion for attaching and fixing the holding member 76 to the vehicle body side by using bolts and nuts.
A plate-shaped mounting portion 79 formed so as to project upward or downward along the airbag cover 12 is disposed near the center of the holding portion 77, and the mounting portion 79 includes an airbag. Clip 12a formed on the cover 12
A mounting hole 80 is formed so that the can be inserted.

Furthermore, as the holding member 83, as shown in FIG.
You may use the thing of the structure shown in. The holding member 83 is
A holding portion 84 that is arranged on both left and right edge sides and a front edge side of the flange portion 18a of the case 18 and that holds the case 18 by using bolts and nuts, and both end portions of the holding portion 84 extend obliquely upward. Support portion 8 formed by
5, the upper support portion 86 as 5 and the front edge side of the holding portion 84,
And a lower support portion 87 as a support portion 85 formed extending in the left-right direction. Then, the tip 86a of each upper support portion 86 and the tip 87a of each lower support portion 87 respectively utilize bolts and nuts,
The holding member 83 serves as a fixing portion for mounting and fixing the holding member 83 on the vehicle body side. The vicinity of the tip 69a of the upper support portion 69 is formed by being bent toward the vehicle front side. Further, an auxiliary portion 88 capable of supporting the airbag cover 12 is formed along the left-right direction between the upper support portions 69, 69. In the vicinity of the case 18 in the lower side support portion 87, a plate-shaped mounting portion 90 formed so as to project upward along the airbag cover 12 is disposed. An attachment hole 91 is formed so that the clip 12a formed in the bag cover 12 can be inserted. The upper support portion 69 may be arranged along the front-rear direction without being bent, as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 10.

Furthermore, the holding member 94 may be constructed as shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, the holding member 94
Is the flange portion 102a of the case body 102 near the center
On the trailing edge side in, the rod-shaped member is arranged along the left-right direction of the vehicle. In this case, the vicinity of the center is a holding portion 95 for holding the case 101 using bolts, nuts, etc., and on both left and right sides of the holding portion 95,
The support portion 96 is arranged. And the support part 9
The tip ends 96a of the respective 6 serve as fixing portions for attaching and fixing the holding member 94 to the vehicle body side using bolts, nuts, or the like. In the vicinity of the case 101 of the support portion 96, a plate-shaped mounting portion 98 formed so as to project upward along the airbag cover 12 is disposed, and the mounting portion 98 has an airbag cover. Mounting hole 99 into which the clip 12a formed in 12 can be inserted
Are formed. The case 101 is configured to include a case body 102 and extension portions 103 that extend obliquely along the airbag cover 12 from both left and right front edges of the flange portion 102a of the case body 102. is there. The extended portion 103 has a configuration in which the end portion 103a is attached and fixed to the vehicle body side using a bolt, a nut, or the like, and has a configuration for supporting the airbag cover 12 in an auxiliary manner. Of course, the holding member 9 is attached to the case 18 described above.
4 may be used.

In each of the above embodiments, the holding member 38 is used.
-66.76.83.94 is made of a cylindrical pipe material, but the holding member 38.66.76.83.94
The material constituting is not limited to this as long as it is a rod-shaped material. For example, a rod-shaped material having an angled cross section or a substantially cylindrical rod-shaped material may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, the airbag device S arranged in front of the vehicle of the driver MD in order to protect the knees of the driver MD has been described as an example, but as shown in FIG. In order to protect the knees of the passenger seat-installer MP who is seated in the passenger seat as the occupant M, the airbag device S is arranged at a position on the vehicle front side of the passenger seat-installer MP who is seated in the passenger seat. Good. Also in this case, the tips 44a and 45a, which are the fixing portions of the holding member 38, are attached and fixed to the instrument panel reinforcement IR and the frame portions FL and FC of the vehicle, respectively, as described above. In the case of the embodiment, the frame portion FL is the front body pillar in the body of the vehicle, and the frame portion FC
Is a center brace in the vehicle body.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view in a vehicle front-rear direction showing a usage state of a knee protection airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing a usage state of the knee protecting airbag apparatus of the same embodiment as seen from the vehicle rear side.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the holding member used in the same embodiment as seen from the vehicle rear side.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view when the airbag used in the same embodiment is deployed and inflated by itself.

6 is a schematic sectional view of a VI-VI portion of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing folding of the airbag of the same embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a holding member according to another embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the vehicle rear side.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a holding member according to still another embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the vehicle rear side.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a holding member according to still another embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the vehicle rear side.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a holding member according to still another embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the vehicle rear side.

FIG. 12 is a schematic front view seen from the vehicle rear side showing a state in which the knee protecting airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention is arranged on the vehicle front side of the passenger seat.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 ... Airbag cover, 12a ... Clip, 14 ... Door part, 16 ... Support part, 18 ... Case, 18b ... Flange part, 18e ... Opening, 21 ... Inflator, 26 ... Airbag, 38.66.76.83. 94 ... Holding member, 40/67/77/84/95 ... Holding portion, 43/68/78/85/96 ... Support portion, 44a / 45a / 69a / 70a / 78a / 86a / 8
7a / 96a ... Fixing part, 50/72/79/90/98 ... Mounting part, 51/73/80/91/99 ... Mounting hole, 101 ... Case, 102 ... Case body, 102a ... Flange part, 103 ... Extension Installation part, IR ... Instrument panel reinforcement, FC / FL / FR ... Frame part, K (KR / KL) ... Knee, MD ... Driver, MP ... Passenger seat mounted, S ... Knee protection airbag device.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takashi Koyama             Aichi Prefecture Kasuga-cho, Nishikasugai-gun Ochiai character Nagahata 1             Address within Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Chiharu Toya             Aichi Prefecture Kasuga-cho, Nishikasugai-gun Ochiai character Nagahata 1             Address within Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 3D044 BA03 BB01 BC15                 3D054 AA02 AA08 AA14 BB09 BB11                       CC11 CC29 DD15

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A folded air bag, an inflator for supplying inflation gas to the air bag, the air bag and the inflator are housed, and a rear side of the vehicle is formed as an opening so that a vehicle front of an occupant. And an airbag cover disposed so as to cover the vehicle rear side of the case, the airbag into which the inflation gas is introduced flows into the airbag cover. A knee protection airbag device capable of protecting an occupant's knees by pushing out a provided door portion, projecting from the opening of the case to the vehicle rear side, expanding and inflating, and wherein the airbag cover is When the airbag is deployed and inflated, the vehicle front side of the airbag that has completed inflation,
The case is configured to be supported over substantially the entire surface, and the case is configured to be attached and fixed to the body side of the vehicle by a holding member, and the holding member includes a holding portion that holds the case, and the holding member when the airbag is completely inflated. It is provided with a support portion capable of supporting the vehicle front side surface of the airbag cover, and a fixing portion for mounting and fixing the airbag cover on the vehicle body side, and is composed of a frame structure formed of a rod-shaped member. Characteristic knee protection airbag device. 2. The holding member includes a mounting portion for mounting the airbag cover, and the mounting portion includes a mounting hole into which a clip provided on the airbag cover can be inserted for mounting. The knee protection airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag device is configured.