JP2010076580A - Knee protection airbag apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a knee protection airbag apparatus capable of preventing an inflated airbag from strongly touching a key accessory even when the airbag is stored at a lower side in a column cover. <P>SOLUTION: The knee protection airbag apparatus M1 includes: a column cover 13 for covering the steering column; and an airbag 50 which expands and inflates by pressing a door 36 provided in the column cover so as to protect driver's knees. The column cover 13 arranges a cylinder opening 19 for exposing a key insertion opening 6a of a key cylinder 6 on a right side surface 17a. The column cover 13 is provided with an opening edge 22 arrange at least on a lower side in the periphery of the cylinder opening. The opening edge 22 is directly pressed on the inflated airbag 50 so as to suppress the inflated airbag 50 from touching the key accessory KA inserted in the key insertion opening so as to press the key accessory KA. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is attached to a steering column and pushes and opens a door provided on the column cover from the lower side in the folded and stored column cover so that the driver's knee can be protected when supplying inflation gas. The present invention relates to a knee protecting airbag device configured to include an airbag that is deployed and inflated.

  Conventionally, some knee protection airbag devices that can protect a driver's knee are mounted on a portion of an instrument panel below a column cover that covers a steering column (see, for example, Patent Document 1). And in this knee protection airbag device, in order to prevent the inflating airbag from being damaged due to strong interference (contact) with the accessory of the key inserted into the key cylinder, A strong interference preventing material is provided. Such a strong interference prevention material is arranged around the key cylinder, so that the inflating airbag does not come into contact with the key accessory. It was arranged to guide a part of an airbag to an area that did not contact the key accessory. And such a strong interference prevention material was configured to be fixed at a predetermined position in advance without moving, or to be arranged at a predetermined position by operating a driving means such as a motor. .

In addition, as a knee protection airbag device, there is an airbag device that is attached to a steering column and is folded and stored on the lower side in the column cover (for example, see Patent Document 2).
JP 2004-210097 A JP 2008-120290 A

  However, in the conventional strong interference prevention material for the knee protection airbag device arranged below the column cover, when applying to the knee protection airbag device in which the airbag is stored in the lower side of the column cover. There were the following problems.

  That is, in the knee protection airbag device in which the airbag is housed on the lower side in the column cover, the door provided at the column cover portion is pushed open by the inflating airbag to project the airbag. Therefore, if a strong interference prevention material of the type fixed around the key cylinder is to be disposed, it becomes difficult to dispose a door that is pushed by the airbag and opened on the column cover. Further, even if an attempt is made to dispose a strong interference prevention material of a type that is fed out by a driving means such as a motor, in addition to an air bag or an inflator that supplies an inflation gas, a strong interference prevention material and its driving means are provided in the column cover. In addition, it is necessary to provide a driving area for the strong interference prevention material, and it becomes difficult to dispose these strong interference prevention materials and their driving means in the narrow column cover.

  The present invention solves the above-described problem, and even when the airbag is housed in the lower side of the column cover, the knee can be prevented from strongly contacting the key accessory when inflated. An object is to provide a protective airbag device.

A knee protection airbag device according to the present invention includes a column cover that covers a steering column;
An airbag that is folded and stored on the lower side in the column cover, is supplied with inflation gas during operation, and protects the driver's knee, and pushes and opens the door provided on the column cover to expand and inflate ,
And configured with
For the cylinder for the column cover to expose the key insertion part of the key cylinder disposed in the steering column at one side in the left-right direction and above the airbag that has been inflated. An air bag device for knee protection configured by disposing an opening,
The column cover includes an opening peripheral portion disposed at least on the lower side around the cylinder opening,
The peripheral edge of the opening is pushed directly into the inflating airbag or indirectly by interposing a member in the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the opening, and the key inserted into the key insertion slot is inserted. The accessory is arranged so as to be pushed in a direction away from the key insertion slot.

  In the knee protection airbag device according to the present invention, when the airbag is inflated by being supplied with the inflation gas, the door is pushed open to expand and inflate from the lower side of the column cover, and Completely expand to protectably. At that time, the airbag pushes the opening peripheral edge directly or indirectly by interposing a member in the vicinity of the opening peripheral edge. Then, the peripheral edge of the pressed opening pushes the key accessory in a direction away from the key insertion port, and moves the tip side of the key accessory from the downward side to the horizontal side, or inflates the airbag. Since it is possible to move part or all of the key accessory from the area, contact with the key accessory of the inflating airbag can be mitigated or suppressed, and the key accessory of the airbag Can prevent strong interference.

  Further, the peripheral edge of the opening that pushes the key accessory is simply arranged at least on the lower side around the key cylinder, and the moving operation is performed by an inflating airbag without providing a separate drive source. Even if the main components of the airbag device such as an airbag or an inflator are arranged on the lower side in the column cover, the opening of the cylinder for exposing the key insertion port of the key cylinder is exposed. It can be easily disposed around.

  Furthermore, since the door itself is pushed by the airbag and does not move the key accessory, the key accessory must be placed directly above the opening where there is no door after the door is opened. Even with a knee protection airbag device that uses a column cover of the type, the periphery of the opening is placed around the cylinder opening to easily prevent strong interference with the key accessory of the airbag. it can. Therefore, in the present invention, the degree of freedom in arranging the door can be improved compared to the case where the door is arranged to open upward just under the key cylinder so as to push the key accessory with the door itself. it can.

  Therefore, in the knee protection airbag device according to the present invention, even if the airbag is housed on the lower side in the column cover, the opening peripheral portion that is directly or indirectly pushed by the inflating airbag has a key Since the key accessory is pushed in a direction away from the insertion port, it is possible to prevent the airbag during inflation from coming into strong contact with the key accessory. Further, in the knee protection airbag device according to the present invention, it is possible to easily arrange the opening peripheral portion such as a strong interference prevention material while suppressing the space in the column cover from being narrowed. The degree of freedom of installation can also be improved.

  And the opening peripheral part of this invention may be comprised so that it may assemble | attach to a column cover as a separate body from a column cover, or may be formed integrally with a column cover.

  In the case where the opening peripheral portion is provided separately from the column cover and assembled to the column cover, the opening peripheral portion is preferably connected to the column cover side by a connecting material. In such a configuration, even when the opening peripheral edge part separate from the column cover moves so as to press the key accessory, the connecting member maintains the state of being connected to the column cover and scatters away from the column cover. Can be prevented.

  In addition, when the peripheral edge of the opening is formed integrally with the column cover, the column cover is usually configured to include an upper cover on the upper side and a lower cover on the lower side, and the opening peripheral edge can be either the lower cover or the upper cover. It may be formed on the side.

  Furthermore, when the opening peripheral portion is indirectly pushed by the inflating airbag and pushes the key accessory, a door disposed on the column cover is used, and the door becomes the airbag during inflation. You may comprise so that a key accessory may be pushed so that an opening peripheral part may be pushed, when pushing and opening. That is, in this case, the peripheral edge of the opening is disposed so as to be indirectly pressed by the inflating airbag via the door and press the key accessory. In such a configuration, even when the opening peripheral portion cannot be arranged in the airbag deployment behavior area, the opening peripheral portion is pushed so that the key accessory can be smoothly pushed using the door. be able to. In such a configuration, the member that pushes the opening peripheral edge indirectly by being pushed by the inflating airbag is the door itself. For example, the member that indirectly pushes the opening peripheral edge is separately folded air. Compared to the case where the bag is disposed near the periphery of the opening in a case or the like for storing a bag, the number of components is not increased.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A knee protecting airbag device (hereinafter simply referred to as an airbag device) M1 of the first embodiment is shown in FIGS. A portion of the steering column 3 immediately below the steering wheel 1 of the vehicle is a mounting portion BP, and is mounted on the steering column 3. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the airbag device M <b> 1 includes an airbag 50 that inflates by inflating an inflation gas, an inflator 56 that supplies the inflation gas to the airbag 50, and the airbag 50 and the inflator 56. A retainer 59 for attaching the airbag 50 and the inflator 56 to the case 63, and a column cover 13 having a door 36 that is pushed and opened by the inflating airbag 50.

  In this specification, the up / down / front / rear / left / right directions correspond to the up / down / front / rear / left / right directions of the vehicle when traveling straight, unless otherwise specified.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the steering column 3 includes a main shaft 4 and a column tube 5 disposed around the main shaft 4, and a steering wheel 1 is connected to the main shaft 4. The column tube 5 is provided with brackets 5a and 5b for attaching and fixing the airbag apparatus M1 to the steering column 3. Mounting brackets 71 and 72 in the case 63 of the airbag apparatus M1 are attached to these brackets 5a and 5b by using fastening means such as bolts. An ignition key (hereinafter simply referred to as a key) EK key cylinder 6 for starting the engine is disposed on the right side surface of the column tube 5, and a key insertion opening 6 a on the front end surface of the key cylinder 6. Is exposed from a cylinder opening 19 provided in the portion of the right side wall 17 of the column cover 13 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). Since the cylinder expands below the key cylinder 6 so as not to interfere, the cylinder opening 19 is conversely disposed on the upper side of the airbag 50 that has completed the expansion.

  A key accessory KA such as a sub key is connected to the key EK inserted into the key insertion slot 6a so as to hang down by using a connection tool J such as a connection ring.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the column cover 13 is made of a synthetic resin including a substantially square cylindrical peripheral wall 14 that covers the steering column 3 and accommodates an instrument panel (hereinafter referred to as an instrument panel) 7. It protrudes rearward from the opening 10 for use (see FIGS. 2 and 4) and is disposed in front of the seated driver D. The instrument panel 7 includes an upper panel 8 on the upper side and a lower panel 9 on the lower side.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the column cover 13 can be formed with one protrusion opening 32 when the airbag 50 protrudes in an area extending from the lower surface 15a side to the left side surface 16a and the right side surface 17a. A door 36 that is pushed and opened by the airbag 50 is disposed, and an auxiliary door 40 is disposed so that a projecting opening 32 having a large area can be obtained. As shown in FIG. 1, the door 36 is disposed on the rear side of the rear surface 7 a of the instrument panel 7, and as shown in FIGS. 3, 7, and 10, the lower door portion is disposed on the lower wall 15 side of the column cover 13. 37, a left door portion 38 disposed on the left side wall 16 side of the column cover 13, and a right door portion 39 disposed on the right side wall 17 side of the column cover 13. A scheduled break portion 34 that can be broken by being pushed by the bag 50 is formed. The planned fracture portion 34 is configured by providing a linear concave groove on the inner peripheral surface side of the column cover 13 so as to reduce the thickness of the column cover 13. The door 36 has a left door portion 38 and a right door portion 39 connected to the left and right sides of the lower door portion 37, and when opened, the surrounding break planned portion 34 is broken, The hinge part 37a at the edge is opened to the rear side with the rotation center as the center. When the opening is completed with the lower door portion 37 fully opened so that the lower door portion 37 contacts the lower surface 15a of the column cover 13 with the hinge portion 37a as the rotation center, the left side of the lower door portion 37 is connected to the left and right sides. As shown in FIG. 7, the door portion 38 and the right door portion 39 are connected to the lower door portion 37 while bending the lower edge before opening as hinge portions 38a and 39a, respectively. The opening is completed so as to contact the left side surface 16a and the right side surface 17a. In addition, in the site | part of the upper edge 39b of the right door part 39, the fracture | rupture scheduled part 34 continues to the assembly hole 18 of the cap 45 mentioned later, and is parted by the site | part of the assembly hole 18, and the right door part 39 of FIG. A part of the upper edge 39 b constitutes a part of the lower edge 20 b of the fitting edge 20.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the auxiliary door 40 is provided on the front side of the door 36 so that the area of the protrusion opening 32 of the airbag 50 can be increased. As shown in FIGS. 3, 7, and 10, the auxiliary door 40 includes an auxiliary lower door portion 41 disposed on the lower wall 15 side of the column cover 13 and an auxiliary left door disposed on the left wall 16 side of the column cover 13. It is comprised from the part 42 and the auxiliary | assistant right door part 43 arrange | positioned at the right side wall 17 side of the column cover 13. As shown in FIG. The auxiliary lower door part 41, the auxiliary left door part 42, and the auxiliary right door part 43 are arranged so that the hinge part is arranged on the front edge side and the rear edge is rotated forward to open. Yes.

  In the column cover 13, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the left and right edges are connected to the left side wall 16 and the right side wall 17, respectively, at the front and rear edges of the area where the projection opening 32 is formed. Mounting walls 29 and 30 extending upward from the lower wall 15 are formed. The mounting walls 29 and 30 are formed with a plurality of locking holes 29a and 30a for inserting the locking pieces 68a and 69a of the case 63 and locking the peripheral edges of the locking pieces 68a and 69a. .

  The column cover 13 of the first embodiment is divided into two parts, an upper cover 24 on the upper side and a lower cover 26 on the lower side. Both the upper cover 24 and the lower cover 26 are made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene. In the case of the first embodiment, the assembly hole 18, the projection opening 32, the door 36, the auxiliary door 40, and the mounting walls 29, 30 for assembling the opening peripheral edge 22 around the cylinder opening 19 to the lower cover 26. Is formed. The upper cover 24 and the lower cover 26 engage with a locking projection (engaging portion) 25 and a locking recess (engaging portion) 27 that can be engaged with each other at a portion of the left side wall 16 and the right side wall 17. To each other (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The upper cover 24 is also provided with a support protrusion 24a that abuts on the column tube 5 (see FIGS. 2 and 4).

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 to 6, the opening peripheral edge portion 22 that forms the periphery of the cylinder opening 19 is disposed so as to surround the entire periphery of the cylinder opening 19 in the first embodiment. The annular cap 45 is formed. The cap 45 is formed of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene similar to that of the column cover 13 and is fitted to the fitting edge 20 at the periphery of the assembly hole 18 of the lower cover 26. The assembly hole 18 is opened in a substantially circular shape so as to surround the key insertion port portion 6 a, and the fitting edge 20 is configured as a peripheral portion of the assembly hole 18. In the case of the first embodiment, in the cap 45 as the opening peripheral portion 22, when the airbag 50 is inflated, the lower edge 45 b side, that is, the lower edge side peripheral edge 22 a side of the cylinder opening 19, Is pushed directly to the lower edge 20b of the fitting edge 20, and the upper edge side pressing point 22ap (see FIG. 5) at the lower edge side peripheral edge 22a is separated from the key insertion opening 6a. It is configured to push the key accessory KA in the direction (in the example shown, push up). In the case of the embodiment, this push-up (pushing) moves the tip AT side of the key accessory KA from the downward direction to the horizontal side direction (including upward) so that the key accessory KA is inflated with the airbag 50. It is set so that contact with can be reduced or suppressed. In other words, in the case of the embodiment, the tip AT of the key accessory KA is prevented from hitting (interfering) so as to be orthogonal to the vicinity of an interference portion 54 described later of the inflating airbag 50. . In the case of the embodiment, the pressing point 22ap on the lower edge 45b side of the cap 45 pushed by the airbag 50 rotates upward about the upper edge 45a side, and the key accessory KA is connected to the connector J. The cylinder opening 19 has an inner diameter dimension d0, a vertical width dimension B0 on the side of the lower edge 45b, and a vertical direction from the upper edge 45a to the lower edge 45b so that it can be pushed upward so that the vicinity is the center of rotation. An outer diameter dimension D0 along the direction is set (see FIGS. 1 and 5).

  A part of the lower edge 20b side of the fitting edge 20 is constituted by a part of the upper edge 39b of the right door portion 39 of the door 36 of the lower cover 26. The lower end 45c side is located inside the upper edge 39b, and the cap 45 is fitted into the fitting edge 20.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the cap 45 includes a locking claw 46 that is locked to the upper edge 20 a of the fitting edge 20 on the upper edge 45 a side, and projects a connecting member 47 from a part thereof. I am letting. The connecting member 47 includes a connecting piece portion 47 a at the tip extending from the cap 45, and a locking projection (connecting portion) 21 near the fitting edge 20 is inserted into the connecting piece portion 47 a so that the connecting portion 21 A locking hole 47b for locking the connecting piece 47a is formed. The connecting member 47 is locked to the connecting portion 21 so that when the airbag 50 is inflated, even if the cap 45 is detached from the fitting edge 20, the connecting member 47 is not detached from the lower cover 26 side of the column cover 13 and scattered. ,It is configured.

  As shown in the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 and FIG. 8, the airbag 50 includes a driver side wall portion 51 disposed on the driver D side when inflation is completed, and a column side wall portion 52 disposed on the column cover 13 side. The shape at the time of completion of the expansion is configured to be a horizontally long, substantially rectangular plate shape that is elongated in the left-right direction. The driver side wall portion 51 and the column side wall portion 52 are cut from a woven fabric such as polyester or polyamide so as to have the same outer shape, and the outer peripheral edges are sewn together to form the outer peripheral wall of the airbag 50. Further, the column side wall 52 has a gas discharge port 57 of an inflator 56 in the vertical direction of the airbag 50 (also in the front-rear direction when inflation is completed in a vehicle-mounted state) and in the vicinity of the substantially horizontal center. An insertion hole 52a having a circular opening for inserting the portion 56a side is formed, and a through hole for projecting each bolt 60 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) of the retainer 59 is formed on both the left and right sides above the insertion hole 52a. A hole 52b is formed. The insertion hole 52a is opened in a circular shape with an inner diameter dimension that allows the tip 56a side of the inflator 56 to be inserted without a gap. The airbag 50 has nuts by inserting the bolts 60 of the retainers 59 that pass through the respective through holes 52b and the ceiling walls 64 of the case 63 with the peripheral edges of the through holes 52b and 52b of the column side wall 52 as the mounting portions 53. By stopping 61, the inflator 56 and the ceiling wall 64 of the case 63 are attached and fixed. At that time, the attachment portion 53 is sandwiched between the retainer 59 and the ceiling wall 64 of the case 63 and attached to the case 63 (see FIGS. 2 and 4).

  The airbag 50 strongly interferes with the key accessory KA unless the vicinity of the right edge of the column side wall 52 when the inflation is completed is pushed up by the opening peripheral edge (cap 45) 22 to which the key accessory KA moves ( The contact portion 54 is in contact with the contact portion.

  The airbag 50 may be formed by folding one piece of cloth material in which the driver side wall portion 51 and the column side wall portion 52 are connected at a part of the periphery, and then stitching the outer periphery. .

  Further, the airbag 50 is provided with a tether (not shown) that connects the driver side wall 51 and the column side wall 52 to regulate the thickness so that the plate shape at the time of completion of inflation can be maintained. Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inflator 56 has a substantially cylindrical shape in which a plurality of gas discharge ports 57 are disposed at the distal end portion 56 a. The inflator 56 is inserted into the retainer 59 in a state in which the position of the distal end portion 56a is restricted, and the end surface of the base portion 56b is restricted to the stop piece 66 of the support seat 65 of the case 63. When the retainer 59 is fastened to the ceiling wall 64 of the case 63 with the nut 61, the retainer 59 is fixedly attached to the case 63 together with the airbag 50.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the retainer 59 has a rectangular tube shape in which the axial direction is arranged along the left-right direction, and a set for inserting the bolt 60 for attaching the retainer 59 to the case 63 and the tip 56 a of the inflator 56. And an attached hole 59a.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the case 63 is made of a sheet metal having an inverted U-shaped cross section, and has a ceiling wall 64 having a through hole (not shown) through which each bolt 60 of the retainer 59 passes, and a ceiling wall 64. And side walls 68 and 69 extending downward from the front and rear edges. A plurality of J-shaped locking pieces inserted into the locking holes 29a, 30a provided in the mounting walls 29, 30 of the column cover 13 and connected to the mounting walls 29, 30 are provided on the side walls 68, 69. 68a and 69a are formed. A substantially L-shaped support seat 65 extending forward is formed on the ceiling wall 64, and a stopper piece 66 that abuts the end surface of the inflator 56 on the base portion 56 b side is formed at the front end of the support seat 65. Yes.

  Further, on the upper surface side of the ceiling wall 64 of the case 63, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, mounting brackets 71 and 72 for mounting the airbag apparatus M 1 to brackets 5 a and 5 b extending from the column tube 5 of the steering column 3. Is formed.

  In the case of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the case 63 is bent downward on the right edge 64 a side so that the ceiling wall 64 can secure the arrangement space for the key cylinder 6. Then, the cap 45 as the opening peripheral portion 22 has a lower edge below the extension line Y (see FIG. 5) of the lower surface 64b of the right edge 64a so that the lower edge 45b side is directly pressed by the inflating airbag 50. The aforementioned inner diameter dimension d0, outer diameter dimension D0, and width dimension B0 are set by arranging the lower end 45c side of 45b.

  The operation of mounting the airbag device M1 of the first embodiment on a vehicle will be described. First, the airbag 50 is folded. At this time, the retainer 59 is housed in the airbag 50 with the bolts 60 protruding from the through holes 52b and 52b. The operation of storing the retainer 59 in the airbag 50 is performed by arranging the retainer 59 in the airbag 50 during the manufacturing process of the airbag 50, and the outer peripheral edges of the driver side wall 51 and the column side wall 52. They will be stitched together. And the airbag 50 is folded so that the width dimension of the left-right direction and the front-back direction may be narrowed from the state expanded flat. When the folding of the airbag 50 is completed, the airbag 50 is wrapped with a predetermined wrapping material for preventing collapse so as not to collapse.

  And the front-end | tip part 56a of the inflator 56 is inserted into the retainer 59 in the state inserted in the airbag 50 from the assembly hole 59a, and then the bolt 60 of the retainer 59 is inserted into the through-hole (the reference numeral in the figure). The inflator 56 is supported by the support seat 65, and the folded airbag 50 is housed between the side walls 68 and 69, and the projecting bolt 60 is inserted. If the nut 61 is fastened, the airbag assembly can be assembled by attaching the airbag 50, the inflator 56, and the retainer 59 to the case 63.

  Thereafter, the locking pieces 68a and 69a of the side walls 68 and 69 of the case 63 are attached to the mounting wall 21 with respect to the lower cover 26 in which the connecting piece 47a of the connecting material 47 is attached to the connecting portion 21 and the cap 45 is fitted into the fitting edge 20. 29 and 30 are inserted and locked in the locking holes 29a and 39a. Then, the mounting brackets 71 and 72 extending from the case 63 are fastened to the corresponding brackets 5a and 5b using predetermined bolts and nuts, and the lower cover 26 and the airbag assembly are attached to the column tube 5. Next, the engaging portions 25 and 27 are engaged with each other while the support protrusion 24 a is applied to the column tube 5, the upper cover 24 is coupled to the lower cover 26, and the column cover 13 is attached to the column tube 5. The device M1 can be mounted on the steering column 3 of the vehicle. When the mounting brackets 71 and 72 are fastened to the brackets 5a and 5b, lead wires for inputting actuation signals extending from the airbag actuation circuit are connected to the inflator 56.

  When the airbag apparatus M1 of the first embodiment is activated after being mounted on the vehicle, the inflator 56 causes the inflation gas G to be discharged from the gas discharge port 57 on the distal end portion 56a side (see FIG. 3). A working gas G is supplied to the airbag 50. Then, if the inflation gas G is supplied to the airbag 50, the inflation gas G is moved from the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction of the column cover 13 by the retainer 59 in the airbag 50, as shown in FIG. 3. It flows outward on the left and right sides toward the left door portion 38 and the right door portion 39 of the door 36. Therefore, the airbag 50 folded and stored in the column cover 13 is pushed by the inflation gas G flowing outward on the left and right sides, and the left door portion 38, the right door portion 39, and the auxiliary door 40. The auxiliary left door portion 42 and the auxiliary right door portion 43 are pushed open and project outward from the lower portion 13a of the column cover 13 at the mounting site BP outward in the initial stage of expansion. Thereafter, the airbag 50 is further supplied with the inflation gas G directed to both sides in the left-right direction, and is widely deployed on both the left and right sides, and the lower door portion 37 of the door 36 and the auxiliary lower door portion of the auxiliary door 40 from the mounting portion BP. 41 is pushed open to protrude and swell to increase the thickness to complete the expansion. And the airbag 50 will be arrange | positioned in the front side of the knee K so that the driver | operator D's right and left knee K can be protected (refer the dashed-two dotted line of FIG. 1, 2).

  At that time, the airbag 50 directly pushes the lower edge 45b side of the cap 45 as the opening peripheral portion 22 (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5 and A and B in FIG. 9). Therefore, the lower edge 45b side of the cap 45 is disengaged from the lower edge 20b side of the fitting edge 20, and the cap 45 rotates upward with the upper edge 45a side as the rotation center, and the key accessory KA is moved around the connector J. As a center of rotation, it jumps upward (see FIG. 9B and FIG. 10). That is, the pressing point 22ap of the cap 45 as the opening peripheral portion 22 pushes up the key accessory KA in the direction away from the key insertion port 6a, and moves the tip AT side of the key accessory KA from the downward direction to the lateral direction. Then, contact that is orthogonal to the vicinity of the interference portion 54 of the airbag 50 at the tip AT of the key accessory KA is prevented. Therefore, the contact of the inflating airbag 50 with the key accessory KA is mitigated or suppressed, and strong interference with the key accessory KA of the airbag 50 is prevented.

  Further, the cap 45 as the opening peripheral edge portion 22 that pushes up the key accessory KA is simply arranged on the entire circumference including the lower side around the key cylinder 6, without providing a drive source separately. The moving operation is performed by the inflating airbag 50, and the main components of the airbag apparatus M1 such as the airbag 50, the inflator 56, and the case 63 are arranged on the lower portion 13a side in the column cover 13. Even if it is provided, it can be easily disposed around the cylinder opening 19 where the key insertion opening 6a of the key cylinder 6 is exposed.

  Furthermore, the door 36 itself that is pushed by the airbag 50 does not move the key accessory KA. Therefore, after the door 36 is opened, the opening 36 (the projecting opening 32) that does not have the door 36 is opened. Even in the airbag apparatus M1 using the column cover 13 of the type in which the key accessory KA is disposed immediately above, the cap 45 as the opening peripheral portion 22 is disposed around the cylinder opening 19. Thus, strong interference with the key accessory KA of the airbag 50 can be easily prevented. For this reason, in the first embodiment, the degree of freedom in disposing the door 36 is higher than in the case of disposing a door that opens upward just below the key cylinder 6 so as to push up the key accessory KA by the door itself. Can be improved.

  Therefore, in the airbag apparatus M1 of the first embodiment, even if the airbag 50 is housed on the lower portion 13a side in the column cover 13, the opening peripheral portion 22 that is directly pushed by the inflating airbag 50 is used. Since the cap 45 pushes the key accessory KA in the direction away from the key insertion opening 6a, it is possible to prevent the airbag 50 when inflated from coming into strong contact with the key accessory KA. Further, in the airbag apparatus M1 of the first embodiment, the space in the column cover 13 is suppressed from being narrowed, and the opening peripheral edge portion 22 (cap 45) such as a strong interference prevention material can be easily disposed. Furthermore, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the door 36 can also be improved.

  And in 1st Embodiment, even if the cap 45 as the opening peripheral part 22 is assembled | attached and arrange | positioned to the column cover 13 as a separate body from the column cover 13, the cap 45 is in the time of inflation of the airbag 50. The key accessory KA can be pushed up, and is connected to the column cover 13 side by a connecting member 47. Therefore, the cap 45 separate from the column cover 13 separates the lower edge 45b side from the lower edge 20b of the fitting edge 20, and removes the locking claw 46 on the upper edge 45a side from the upper edge 20a of the fitting edge 20. On the other hand, even if the key accessory KA is moved so as to be pushed up, the state of being connected to the column cover 13 by the connecting member 47 is maintained, and it can be prevented that the key accessory KA is detached from the column cover 13 and scattered.

  In the first embodiment, the connecting member 47 is connected to the lower cover 26 side, but may be connected to the upper cover 24 side of the column cover 13.

  In the first embodiment, the opening peripheral edge portion 22 is configured from a cap 45 that is separate from the column cover 13 and is configured to be assembled to the lower cover 26 of the column cover 13. It may be configured to be assembled to the upper cover 24 as long as it can correspond to the key insertion slot 6a. Further, if the key accessory KA can be moved so as to be pushed up, the opening peripheral portion of the peripheral edge of the cylinder opening 19 may be formed integrally with the column cover 13.

  In the airbag apparatus M2 of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, an opening peripheral portion 22A is integrally formed with the upper cover 24A of the column cover 13A. The opening peripheral edge portion 22A is formed so as to extend downward from the main body 24AO of the upper cover 24A and to enter the lower cover 26 side so as to constitute the entire circumference around the cylinder opening 19. That is, the opening peripheral edge portion 22A extends downward so that the vicinity of the upper edge side peripheral edge 22b around the cylinder opening 19 is continuous with the main body 24AO and the lower edge side peripheral edge 22a enters the lower cover 26A side.

  And in this opening peripheral part 22A, in order to prevent that the front-end | tip AT of the key accessory KA hits orthogonally with respect to the interference part 54 vicinity of the inflating airbag 50, it was pushed by the airbag 50. The lower peripheral edge 22a side of the opening peripheral edge portion 22A rotates upward with the hinge portion 22c on the upper peripheral edge 22b side as the rotation center, and the key accessory KA jumps upward with the vicinity of the connector J as the rotation center. An inner diameter dimension d0 of the cylinder opening 19, a vertical width dimension B0 of the lower edge side peripheral edge 22a, and an outer diameter dimension D0 along the vertical direction from the upper edge side peripheral edge 22b to the lower edge side peripheral edge 22a are set. (See FIG. 13). Further, the opening peripheral edge 22A is also below the extension line Y (see FIG. 13) of the lower surface 64b of the right edge 64a in the case 63 so that the lower edge 22a of the opening is directly pressed by the inflating airbag 50. It is set so that the vicinity of the edge side peripheral edge 22a is arranged. The lower edge side peripheral edge 22a is coupled so as to be fitted into a substantially semicircular fitting edge 20A having only the lower edge 20b side of the lower cover 26A. A part of the lower edge 20b of the fitting edge 20A is composed of the upper edge 39b itself of the right door portion 39 of the door 36.

  In the second embodiment, the column cover 13A is formed in a substantially semicircular shape such that the upper peripheral edge 22A is formed in the upper cover 24A and the lower cover 26A is engaged with the lower peripheral edge 22a in the open peripheral edge 22A. The other door 36, the auxiliary door 40, the engaging portions 25 and 27, the airbag 50, the inflator 56, the retainer 59, and the case 63 are the same as in the first embodiment except that the edge 20A is provided. It is formed in the same way.

  In the airbag apparatus M2 of the second embodiment, when the inflation gas G from the inflator 56 is supplied to the airbag 50 and the airbag 50 is inflated during operation after being mounted on the vehicle, The bag 50 includes a left door portion 38 and a right door portion 39 of the door 36, an auxiliary left door portion 42 and an auxiliary right door portion 43 of the auxiliary door 40, and an auxiliary of the lower door portion 37 of the door 36 and the auxiliary door 40. The lower door part 41 is pushed open and protrudes, and then inflated to increase the thickness, to complete the expansion, and to be disposed on the front side of the knee K so as to protect the left and right knees K of the driver D; (See FIGS. 11 and 12).

  At that time, the airbag 50 directly pushes the lower edge side peripheral edge 22a of the opening peripheral edge 22A of the upper cover 24A (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 13 and A and B in FIG. 14). Therefore, the lower edge 22a of the opening peripheral edge 22A is disengaged from the lower edge 20b of the fitting edge 20A, and rotates upward with the upper edge 22b as the center of rotation, so that the upper edge is pressed at the lower edge 22a. The point 22ap pushes up the key accessory KA in the direction away from the key insertion port portion 6a, and jumps upward with the vicinity of the connector J as the center of rotation. Then, the front end AT side of the key accessory KA can be prevented from moving from the downward direction to the horizontal direction so as to be orthogonal to the vicinity of the interference portion 54 of the airbag 50. Therefore, the contact of the inflating airbag 50 with the key accessory KA is alleviated or suppressed, and strong interference with the key accessory KA of the airbag 50 is prevented, and the airbag apparatus M2 of the second embodiment. However, the same operation and effect as the first embodiment can be obtained.

  Furthermore, like the airbag device M3 of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, the opening peripheral edge 22B around the cylinder opening 19 may be formed integrally with the lower cover 26B. The opening peripheral edge portion 22B is formed continuously to the main body 26BO of the lower cover 26B so as to constitute the entire circumference around the cylinder opening 19. That is, the opening peripheral edge portion 22B has a substantially U shape as viewed from the right side in the vicinity of the upper edge side peripheral edge 22b around the cylinder opening 19 as a hinge part 22c continuous with the main body 26BO. If the lower edge side peripheral edge 22a is pressed against the inflating airbag 50 by forming the thin-walled expected break portion 23 in the shape of a letter, the expected break portion 23 is broken, and the lower edge side peripheral edge with the hinge portion 22c as the rotation center 22a is configured to open upward. In the third embodiment, on the upper edge 39b side of the right door portion 39 of the door 36, the planned break portion 34 that breaks when the door 36 is opened is the planned break portion around the lower edge side periphery 22a of the opening peripheral portion 22B. 23 and are formed so as to coincide with each other.

  And of course, the opening peripheral edge 22B is pushed by the airbag 50 in order to prevent the tip AT of the key accessory KA from hitting perpendicularly to the vicinity of the interference portion 54 of the inflating airbag 50. The lower edge side edge 22a side of the opening edge part 22B rotates upward with the hinge part 22c on the upper edge side edge 22b side as the rotation center, and the key accessory KA jumps upward with the vicinity of the connector J as the rotation center. An inner diameter dimension d0 of the cylinder opening 19, a vertical width dimension B0 of the lower edge side peripheral edge 22a, and an outer diameter dimension D0 along the vertical direction from the upper edge side peripheral edge 22b to the lower edge side peripheral edge 22a are set. (See FIG. 17). Further, in the opening peripheral edge portion 22B, the lower edge side peripheral edge 22a is directly pressed by the inflating airbag 50, and below the extension line Y (see FIG. 17) of the lower surface 64b of the right edge 64a in the case 63, It is set so that the vicinity of the edge side peripheral edge 22a is arranged.

  Also in this third embodiment, the column cover 13B is different from the other door 36 and the auxiliary door 40 only in that the scheduled break portion 23 is provided and the opening peripheral portion 22B is formed in the lower cover 26B. The engaging portions 25 and 27, the airbag 50, the inflator 56, the retainer 59, and the case 63 are formed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  Even in the airbag apparatus M3 of the third embodiment, if the airbag device M3 is operated after being mounted on the vehicle, the inflation gas G from the inflator 56 is supplied to the airbag 50, and the airbag 50 is inflated. The bag 50 includes a left door portion 38 and a right door portion 39 of the door 36, an auxiliary left door portion 42 and an auxiliary right door portion 43 of the auxiliary door 40, and an auxiliary of the lower door portion 37 of the door 36 and the auxiliary door 40. The lower door part 41 is pushed open and protrudes, and then inflated to increase the thickness, to complete the expansion, and to be disposed on the front side of the knee K so as to protect the left and right knees K of the driver D; (See FIGS. 15 and 16).

  At that time, the airbag 50 directly pushes the lower edge side peripheral edge 22a of the opening peripheral edge portion 22B of the lower cover 26B. Therefore, the opening peripheral edge portion 22B breaks the planned fracture portion 23 around the lower edge side peripheral edge 22a, and the lower edge side peripheral edge 22a rotates upward with the hinge portion 22c near the upper edge side peripheral edge 22b as the rotation center, and the lower edge side The pressing point 22ap on the upper edge side at the peripheral edge 22a pushes up the key accessory KA in the direction away from the key insertion opening 6a, and jumps upward with the vicinity of the connector J as the center of rotation. Therefore, the tip AT of the key accessory KA moves from the downward direction to the lateral direction, and can prevent contact with the vicinity of the interference portion 54 of the airbag 50 to be orthogonal to the opening peripheral portion 22B. Contact with the key accessory KA of the airbag 50 is alleviated or suppressed, and strong interference with the key accessory KA of the airbag 50 is prevented (see a two-dot chain line in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18). As a result, the airbag apparatus M3 of the third embodiment can obtain the same operations and effects as those of the first and second embodiments.

  In the first to third embodiments, when the airbag 50 is inflated, the opening peripheral portions 22, 22A, 22B around the cylinder opening 19 are directly pushed by the airbag 50 and moved. However, like the airbag devices M4, M5, and M6 of the fourth, fifth, and sixth embodiments shown in FIGS. 19 to 24, the doors 36C, 36D, and 36E at the time of opening are pushed by the airbag 50 at the time of inflation. When opening, you may arrange | position so that the key peripheral part 22C, 22D, 22E may be pushed so that the key accessory KA can be pushed up.

  19 and 20 is a modified example of the first embodiment. The cap 45C separate from the column cover 13 has a lower end 45c side of the lower edge 45b thereof and a right door portion 39C of the door 36C. The outer edge 39b is arranged outside and on the outer side. In the airbag device M4 of the fourth embodiment, the cap 45C constituting the opening peripheral edge portion 22C has the lower end 45c side of the lower edge 45b on the outer side of the upper edge 39b of the right door portion 39C of the door 36C. The other arrangements are the same as those of the first embodiment except that the arrangement is different from that of the first embodiment.

  Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, when the airbag 50 in operation is inflated, the cap 45C as the opening peripheral edge portion 22C is pushed by the airbag 50 and opened on the side of the upper edge 39b of the right door portion 39C of the door 36C. Pressed. That is, the cap 45C is indirectly pushed by the inflating airbag 50 with the right door portion 39C interposed, and the lower edge 45b side is disengaged from the lower edge 20b side of the fitting edge 20 and the upper edge 45a side. Rotate upward around the center of rotation. Then, the upper edge side pressing point 22ap at the lower edge side peripheral edge 22a pushes the key accessory KA in the direction away from the key insertion port portion 6a, and jumps upward with the vicinity of the connector J as the rotation center. The tip AT of the key accessory KA is moved from the downward direction to the horizontal direction (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 19, see FIG. 20). Therefore, also in the fourth embodiment, the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  An opening peripheral portion 22D shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 is a modification of the second embodiment, and the opening peripheral portion 22D integrally formed with the upper cover 24A of the column cover 13A is arranged on the lower end 22ab side of the lower edge side peripheral portion 22a. The door 36D is configured to be arranged outside the upper edge 39b of the right door portion 39D. In the airbag apparatus M5 of the fifth embodiment, the opening peripheral edge 22D is arranged such that the lower end 22ab side of the lower edge side peripheral edge 22a is outside the upper edge 39b of the right door part 39D of the door 36D. Other points are different from the second embodiment, and other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

  Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, when the airbag 50 in operation is inflated, the opening peripheral edge portion 22D is pushed to the upper edge 39b side in the right door portion 39D of the door 36D that is pushed by the airbag 50 and opened. That is, the opening peripheral edge portion 22D is indirectly pushed by the airbag 50 through the right door portion 39D, and the lower edge side peripheral edge 22a is disengaged from the lower edge 20b side of the fitting edge 20A and the upper edge 45a. Rotate upward with the side as the rotation center. Then, the upper edge side pressing point 22ap at the lower edge side peripheral edge 22a pushes the key accessory KA in the direction away from the key insertion port portion 6a, and jumps upward with the vicinity of the connector J as the rotation center. The tip AT of the key accessory KA is moved from the downward direction to the lateral direction (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 21, see FIG. 22). Therefore, also in the fifth embodiment, the same operation and effect as in the second embodiment can be obtained.

  The opening peripheral edge 22E shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 is a modification of the third embodiment, and the opening peripheral edge 22E integrally formed with the lower cover 26B of the column cover 13B breaks the lower end 22ab side of the lower edge peripheral edge 22a. With the planned portion 23 interposed, it is arranged outside the upper edge 39b of the right door portion 39E of the door 36E. In the airbag apparatus M6 of the sixth embodiment, the opening peripheral edge 22E is arranged such that the lower end 22ab side of the lower edge side peripheral edge 22a is outside the upper edge 39b of the right door part 39E of the door 36E. Other points are different from the third embodiment, and other configurations are the same as those of the third embodiment.

  Therefore, in the sixth embodiment, when the airbag 50 is inflated during operation, the opening peripheral edge 22E is pushed toward the upper edge 39b of the right door portion 39E of the door 36E that is pushed by the airbag 50 to open. That is, the opening peripheral edge 22E is indirectly pushed by the airbag 50 with the right door 39E interposed therebetween, and the opening peripheral edge 22E causes the breakable portion 23 around the lower edge side peripheral edge 22a to break. The lower edge side peripheral edge 22a rotates upward about the hinge portion 22c near the upper edge side peripheral edge 22b. Then, the upper edge side pressing point 22ap at the lower edge side peripheral edge 22a pushes the key accessory KA in the direction away from the key insertion port portion 6a, and jumps upward with the vicinity of the connector J as the rotation center. The tip AT of the key accessory KA is moved from the downward direction to the horizontal direction (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 23, see FIG. 24). Therefore, also in the sixth embodiment, the same actions and effects as in the third embodiment can be obtained.

And in these airbag devices M4, M5, M6 of the fourth to sixth embodiments,
Even when the opening peripheral portion cannot be arranged in the deployment behavior area of the airbag 50, the key accessory KA can be smoothly pushed up by using the right door portions 39C, 39D, 39E of the doors 36C, 36D, 36E. It is possible to push the opening peripheral portions 22C, 22D, and 22E so as to be able to.

  In such a configuration, the members that are pushed by the inflating airbag 50 and indirectly push the opening peripheral portions 22C, 22D, and 22E are the doors 36C, 36D, and 36E themselves. Compared to the case where the member that presses the peripheral edge is provided in the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the opening such as a case for separately storing a folded airbag, the number of components is not increased. Of course, if this point is not taken into account, a pressing member that indirectly pushes the peripheral edge of the opening may be separately provided in a case for storing a folded airbag.

  In the first to sixth embodiments, the opening peripheral portions 22, 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, and 22E that push up the key accessory KA are configured to move the entire circumference around the cylinder opening 19. In order to prevent strong interference with the key accessory KA of the airbag 50, the tip AT of the key accessory KA can be moved from the downward side to the side side by pressing the key accessory KA away from the key insertion portion 6a. Or if the key accessory KA can be removed from the inflation area of the airbag 50, only the lower edge 22a is pushed directly or indirectly by the airbag 50. And may be configured to move. However, as in each embodiment, if the opening peripheral portions 22, 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, and 22E are configured from the entire circumference around the cylinder opening 19, and can move, the key at the time of operation of the airbag device is provided. Even if the tip TA of the accessory KA is not downward, for example, it is sideways or upward, the key accessory KA can be smoothly pushed away from the key insertion portion 6a, and the tip TA side It is possible to prevent the key accessory KA from moving downward or to enter the key accessory KA through the inflated area of the airbag 50, and more stably to prevent strong interference with the key accessory KA of the airbag 50. .

  In the first to sixth embodiments, the case where the key insertion opening 6a of the key cylinder 6 is arranged on the right side surface 17a side of the column covers 13, 13A, 13B is exemplified. When the inlet 6a is arranged on the left side 16a side, an opening peripheral edge may be provided around the cylinder opening 19 in correspondence with the arrangement position.

1 is a schematic side view of the vicinity of a column cover on which a knee protecting airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is mounted. It is a general | schematic expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view along the front-back direction of the column cover vicinity where the airbag apparatus of 1st Embodiment is mounted. It is a general | schematic expanded cross-sectional view of the column cover vicinity in which the airbag apparatus of 1st Embodiment is mounted, and respond | corresponds to the III-III site | part of FIG. It is a general | schematic expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view along the left-right direction of the column cover vicinity in which the airbag apparatus of 1st Embodiment is mounted. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the cylinder opening shown in FIG. 4. It is a general | schematic expanded cross-sectional view of the opening for cylinders of 1st Embodiment, and respond | corresponds to the VI-VI site | part of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state before opening of the door in the column cover of 1st Embodiment, and the open state. It is a front view of the airbag used for the airbag apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view along the left-right direction of the column cover vicinity explaining the time of the action | operation of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic side view of a column cover and a key accessory showing the time of operation of the first embodiment. It is a schematic side view of the column cover vicinity where the airbag apparatus for knee protection of 2nd Embodiment is mounted. It is a general | schematic expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view along the left-right direction of the column cover vicinity in which the airbag apparatus of 2nd Embodiment is mounted. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the cylinder opening shown in FIG. 12. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view along the left-right direction of the column cover vicinity explaining the time of the action | operation of 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic side view of the column cover vicinity where the airbag apparatus for knee protection of 3rd Embodiment is mounted. It is a general | schematic expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view along the left-right direction of the column cover vicinity in which the airbag apparatus of 3rd Embodiment is mounted. FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the cylinder opening shown in FIG. 16. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view along the left-right direction of the column cover vicinity explaining the time of operation | movement of 3rd Embodiment. It is a general | schematic expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view of opening vicinity for cylinders in the airbag apparatus of 4th Embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view along the left-right direction of the column cover vicinity explaining the time of operation | movement of 4th Embodiment. It is a general | schematic expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view of cylinder opening vicinity in the airbag apparatus of 5th Embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view along the left-right direction of the column cover vicinity explaining the time of operation | movement of 5th Embodiment. It is a general | schematic expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view of cylinder opening vicinity in the airbag apparatus of 6th Embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view along the left-right direction of the column cover vicinity explaining the time of operation | movement of 6th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

3 ... Steering column,
6 ... Key cylinder,
6a ... Key insertion slot,
13 ... Column cover,
13a ... (bottom of the column cover),
17a ... right side (column cover),
19 ... Cylinder opening,
22, 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, 22E ... peripheral edge of the opening,
24, 24A, 24B ... upper cover,
26, 26A, 26B ... Lower cover,
36, 36C, 36D, 36E ... doors,
39, 39C, 39D, 39E ... right door,
50 ... Airbag,
EK ... key,
KA ... Key accessories,
D ... Driver,
K ... knees,
M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6... Knee protecting airbag device.

Claims (7)

A column cover that covers the steering column;
Air that is folded and stored in the lower side of the column cover and is expanded and expanded by pushing the door provided on the column cover to be open when the gas is supplied to protect the driver's knees. With a bag,
And configured with
The column cover exposes a key insertion port of a key cylinder disposed in the steering column at one side surface in the left-right direction and at a position above the airbag that has been inflated. A knee protection airbag device configured by disposing a cylinder opening of
The column cover includes an opening peripheral portion disposed at least on the lower side around the cylinder opening;
The peripheral edge of the opening is
The airbag that is inflated is pushed directly or indirectly through a member in the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the opening,
To push the accessory of the key inserted into the key insertion slot part in the direction away from the key insertion slot part,
An air bag device for knee protection characterized by being arranged.   The knee protection airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral edge of the opening is disposed separately from the column cover and assembled to the column cover.   The airbag apparatus for knee protection according to claim 2, wherein the peripheral edge of the opening is connected to the column cover side by a connecting material.   The knee protection airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral edge portion of the opening is formed integrally with the column cover made of synthetic resin. The column cover includes an upper cover on the upper side and a lower cover on the lower side,
The knee protection airbag device according to claim 4, wherein the peripheral edge of the opening is formed in the upper cover. The column cover includes an upper cover on the upper side and a lower cover on the lower side,
The knee protection airbag device according to claim 4, wherein the peripheral edge of the opening is formed in the lower cover. When the door is pushed and opened by the airbag when inflated, the door is disposed so as to push the peripheral edge of the opening,
The said opening peripheral part is arrange | positioned so that the said airbag may be pushed indirectly by the said airbag to inflate through the said door, and the said key accessory may be pushed. Item 7. The knee protection airbag device according to any one of items 6 to 9.

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