CN101516687B - Knee-protecting airbag apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a knee-protecting airbag apparatus (M1) including an airbag (61) folded and housed in a lower area (16a) inside the column cover (16). The airbag (61) pushes and opens a door section (34) on the column cover upon deployment. When the door section (34) is thus opened, a door (35) of the door section (34) blocks off an allowance gap (H) formed between an outer circumference (18) of the column cover (16) subjected to position adjustment and a lower area (11a) of a peripheral region (11) of an installation opening (10) on a dashboard (7) for installing the column cover (16) by locating a rear edge region (36) of the door (35) to abut on a rear side (12) of the dashboard (7) or the lower area (11a) of the peripheral region (11) of the installation opening (10) on the rear side (12) of the dashboard (7).

Description

Airbag apparatus for protecting knee

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of airbag apparatus for protecting knee of when vehicle collision, protecting the navigating mate knee; and; more specifically; relate to a kind of airbag apparatus for protecting knee; this airbag apparatus for protecting knee is installed on steering column, makes air bag be accommodated in the column shroud that hides steering column with folded state.

Background technology

Disclosed in JP 8-301054, JP 9-104317, JP 10-71911 and DE10250405; knownly be installed in the airbag apparatus for protecting knee of steering column in prior art, air bag is accommodated in the lower area of column shroud inner space with folded state.In operation, air bag is provided with charge air conditioning and is stretched out from column shroud, thereby launches in the front of navigating mate knee.

Summary of the invention

Column shroud is configured to tubulose, and be used for hiding in the following manner steering column: column shroud is stretched out backward from instrument carrier panel, and is positioned at the front of navigating mate knee.

At steering column regulating mechanism (such as telescoping mechanism and/or leaning device) is housed and is used to regulate under the situation of steering handwheel position,, column shroud can and/or be moved up and down with the steering column front and back by the operation of this regulating mechanism.When mobile like this, consider worry column shroud may with the instrument carrier panel interference, therefore, between the opening on column shroud and the instrument carrier panel (being used to install column shroud and steering column) periphery, be formed with the allowance gap, so that column shroud can move.

Research direction be, make under the situation of gap increase even column shroud is moved in operation owing to regulating mechanism, air bag is launched smoothly in the front of navigating mate knee, and can not make air bag enter the allowance gap.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a kind of airbag apparatus for protecting knee, even under the situation of regulating the column shroud position, airbag apparatus for protecting knee of the present invention also can make and be accommodated in column shroud in-to-in air bag and launch smoothly.

Known be equally in the prior art, disclosed as JP 9-104317 and JP10-71911, when the air bag of airbag apparatus for protecting knee when column shroud is stretched out, the airbag cover that air bag pushing and column shroud form as one, and it is opened.But airbag cover is constructed with the attenuate tearing part that forms around the airbag cover, thereby, when being subjected to the swelling gasbag pushing, but the tearing part be torn so that opening to be provided, air bag can therefrom be stretched out with the front at the navigating mate knee launches.

Adopt this structure, but, must overcome the higher drag of airbag cover during airbag deployment in order to tear the tearing part of airbag cover.

For airbag cover is opened rapidly, so that air bag can be at the front of navigating mate knee rapid deployment, the output that can improve aerator is so that air bag just has higher internal pressure in the starting stage of expanding.Yet; when adopting this measure; although but at high speed is opened airbag cover; but be installed at airbag apparatus for protecting knee under the situation of steering column; because column shroud is near the knee of navigating mate; so airbag cover in the opening procedure or the air bag that is in the starting stage of expanding are easily and the knee interference.Therefore, in order to protect knee, need separation means (separate means) to reduce the internal pressure of air bag.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a kind of airbag apparatus for protecting knee; this airbag apparatus for protecting knee reduces the airbag cover resistance that air bag is subjected to when airbag cover is opened; and; even have the air bag internal pressure that reduces, guarantee that also air bag is from the airbag housing rapid deployment in the airbag inflation starting stage.

The airbag apparatus for protecting knee of first aspect present invention is installed on the steering column of vehicle.Steering column stretches out backward from instrument carrier panel, and steering column is equipped with steering handwheel in its back-end, and steering column is equipped with the regulating mechanism that is used at least in vertical adjustment steering handwheel position.Airbag apparatus comprises column shroud, air bag and door portion.Column shroud has tubular form, and is installed on the steering column, is used to hide steering column.Column shroud is arranged on the construction opening (being used for installing column shroud) on the instrument carrier panel, on the instrument carrier panel trailing flank, leaves the allowance gap between column shroud and the construction opening periphery, is used to make column shroud to move with steering column by the operation of regulating mechanism.Airbag fold also is accommodated in the bottom in the column shroud, and, when the trigger gas bag apparatus when air bag is provided with charge air conditioning, air bag stretches out and launches from column shroud.Air bag has a kind of like this shape: when air bag in the expansion of the front of navigating mate knee and when launching, air bag hides at least: the downside of the column shroud of stretching out from instrument carrier panel, and, be positioned at the rear section on column shroud downside, left side and the right side in the instrument carrier panel.Door portion is formed on column shroud from its downside to left surface with on the zone of right flank, is used for opening when being subjected to the air bag pushing, stretches out opening so that an air bag to be provided.Door portion comprises the Xiamen that is arranged in the column shroud downside, the right door that is arranged in the left-hand door of column shroud left surface and is arranged in the column shroud right flank.

At least open forward and away from column shroud from its hinder marginal part the Xiamen, and hinder marginal part is resisted against on the trailing flank of instrument carrier panel, perhaps be resisted against on the lower edge of the construction opening periphery on the instrument carrier panel trailing flank, be used for blocking from behind formed allowance gap between the periphery of column shroud (moving) and the construction opening periphery lower edge on the instrument carrier panel trailing flank, thereby avoid air bag to enter the allowance gap by regulating mechanism.

Employing has the airbag apparatus of said structure, if fill with charge air conditioning to air bag, by Xiamen, left-hand door and the You Men of air bag thrust door portion, stretches out opening so that air bag to be provided on column shroud.This makes air bag to stretch out opening from air bag to stretch out and launch; to be positioned at the trailing flank on column shroud downside, left side and right side the downside that hides column shroud (stretching out) at least and the instrument carrier panel from instrument carrier panel; thereby the knee of the navigating mate that protection moves forward is avoided bumping against with these parts.

At this moment, at least the Xiamen hinder marginal part of door portion is against the trailing flank of instrument carrier panel, or on the instrument carrier panel periphery lower edge of construction opening, thereby, block formed allowance gap between the periphery lower edge of construction opening on the outside face of column shroud (carrying out position adjustments) and the instrument carrier panel from behind by regulating mechanism.The easiest operation because of regulating mechanism of the allowance gap area that forms under column shroud is vertically changing.Yet, adopt said structure, even this allowance gap area enlarges, air bag is launched smoothly and do not enter the allowance gap.

When the operation by leaning device moves on to uppermost position in fig-ure with column shroud, the allowance gap maximum that forms under the column shroud.The operation of regulating mechanism (as leaning device and/or telescoping mechanism) has no significant effect the gap length that is formed at column shroud left side and right side.In view of the above, preferably, be to make the allowance gap minimum that is formed at column shroud left side and right side with the shape set of column shroud and construction opening, for example, by construction opening is formed rectangular shape, and column shroud is made for tubular shape, has and the corresponding square-section of construction opening.Adopt this structure, only need to be provided with the Xiamen of door portion at least, make it block formed allowance gap under the column shroud, just can prevent reliably that air bag from entering the allowance gap, and do not need to consider that the structure of left-hand door and right door is to block in formed narrow allowance gap, the column shroud left and right sides.Under above-mentioned condition, if connect mutually to provide an air bag to stretch out opening with the Xiamen when left-hand door is opened being subjected to the air bag pushing with right door, then left-hand door and right can be designed to: upwards open from lower edge, perhaps open backward from leading edge.

Just, adopt the airbag apparatus of first aspect present invention,, be accommodated in air bag in the column shroud and also can launch smoothly and do not enter the allowance gap even column shroud stands position adjustments.So, being positioned at the trailing flank on column shroud downside, left side and right side in downside by hiding column shroud at least and the instrument carrier panel, air bag can be protected occupant's knee of reach.

Certainly, the left-hand door of door portion and right door also can be configured to be similar to the Xiamen, to open forward and away from column shroud from its hinder marginal part, and hinder marginal part is resisted against on the instrument carrier panel trailing flank, or be resisted against on the left border and right border of the construction opening periphery that is positioned on the instrument carrier panel trailing flank, be used for blocking from behind formed allowance gap between the left border of construction opening periphery on the periphery of column shroud (moving) and the instrument carrier panel trailing flank and right border, thereby prevent that air bag from entering the allowance gap by regulating mechanism.

This structure allows to have bigger allowance gap on the left side and the right side of column shroud, further increased the configuration design degree of freedom of column shroud, this is because carry out vertical and/or fore-and-aft direction when moving in column shroud, need not to consider the problem of interfering between the left border of construction opening periphery on column shroud and the instrument carrier panel and the right border.

In said structure, preferably, each in the Xiamen of door portion, left-hand door and the right door all has flexible; And, pre-determine the posterior border position and the length of horizontal two edge of Ge Men from the rear end to the front end of Xiamen, left-hand door and right door as following mode.Xiamen, left-hand door and the posterior border position of right door pre-determine, when by regulating mechanism column shroud being moved on to the front position when making the allowance gap maximum, lower edge, left border and the right border (lower periphery of construction opening) of construction opening periphery contact on the zone that (in the mode of stretching out from the column shroud periphery) opened in deflection in each and the instrument carrier panel.The length of each horizontal two edge from the rear end to the front end pre-determines, when by regulating mechanism column shroud being moved on to the rearmost position when making the allowance gap maximum, lower edge, left border and right border (lower periphery of construction opening) that construction opening periphery on portion and the instrument carrier panel is opened in the deflection of each contact.

Adopt this structure, because all doors of door portion all have flexible, deflection is opened portion (just, be positioned at the hinder marginal part zone at instrument carrier panel trailing flank rear in the door) to open from the outstanding bend mode of column shroud outside face, and the deflection portion of opening is resisted against the lower periphery (lower edge of construction opening periphery, left border and right border) of construction opening on the column shroud.At this moment, if pre-determine each posterior border position and the length of horizontal two edge of Ge Men from the rear end to the front end in the above described manner, even allowance gap maximum during the moving forward and backward of column shroud also can whole or part deflection or bending from the zone that instrument carrier panel stretches out backward in each.So the lower periphery of portion's construction opening on the instrument carrier panel is opened in the deflection of door, thereby, seal the allowance gap.

In addition, flexible if the door of door portion all has, then by pre-determining two parameters, the posterior border position of each just, and, the length of each horizontal two edge from the rear end to the front end, even regulate column shroud forward, backward, up or down, also can make door block the allowance gap from behind smoothly.

Adopt said structure, when the length length of each horizontal two edge from the rear end to the front end to a certain degree the time, the deflection of each open portion on the certain limit to be close to the trailing flank of mode construction opening lower periphery on the instrument carrier panel.In this case, make the air bag of expansion can cross deflection and open the zone of being close to instrument carrier panel in the portion, launch in its vicinity along the trailing flank of instrument carrier panel.This disposing helps guarantee that air bag is subjected to the suitable antagonistic force of instrument carrier panel trailing flank when bearing the navigating mate knee, thereby, with suitable cushion characteristic protection knee.

In said structure, preferably, when column shroud is arranged in the rearmost position, to observe from vehicular sideview, in the Xiamen of door portion, left-hand door and the right door, the front end of horizontal two edge of door is close to the periphery of construction opening on the instrument carrier panel.This structure makes each of portion can guarantee to have enough fore-and-aft direction length, and make each lower periphery of construction opening on the instrument carrier panel in the following manner: be arranged in the place, rearmost position in column shroud, each has the zone that is attached at the instrument carrier panel trailing flank within the specific limits.As a result, air bag launches in the mode that is attached at the instrument carrier panel trailing flank, and, be arranged in any position between front position and the rearmost position in column shroud, can both easily guarantee antagonistic force from instrument carrier panel.

, each in the Xiamen of door portion, left-hand door and the right door (is suitable for fracture when being subjected to the air bag pushing if but all having the tearing part on every side at it, but feasible fracture by the tearing part is opened door, to provide air bag to stretch out opening), then on the outside face of column shroud, do not have defiber around each, thereby improved the outward appearance of column shroud.If do not consider this advantage, also can make the Xiamen, left-hand door of a portion and each in the right door locate to be connected, and except that the articulated section, each periphery separate in advance with the peripheral region of column shroud with column shroud its articulated section (each is opened around the articulated section).

Except door portion, on column shroud, can form auxiliary door, auxiliary door is adjacent with Xiamen, left-hand door and the right door of door portion from behind, makes auxiliary door and door portion form air bag jointly and stretches out opening.

Adopt this structure, the effect that the expansion air bag stretches out the openings area is played by the auxiliary door portion that is positioned at the back, front door portion then plays the effect that hides the allowance gap, thereby, air bag stretches out to launch smoothly from column shroud, and can not enter construction opening on the instrument carrier panel, can not blocked by the periphery that air bag stretches out opening yet.

The airbag apparatus for protecting knee of second aspect present invention is fit to be installed on the steering column of vehicle.The airbag cover that airbag apparatus comprises column shroud, air bag and has door.Column shroud has tubular form, is used to hide steering column.Airbag fold is accommodated on the interior bottom of column shroud, so that when the trigger gas bag apparatus, can it be expanded by charge into charge air conditioning to air bag, thereby air bag launches with the protection knee in the front of navigating mate knee.Airbag cover is arranged in the bottom of column shroud, and in order to the air bag that covering is taken in, airbag cover comprises door, and this door is suitable for opening when being subjected to the swelling gasbag pushing, stretches out opening so that air bag to be provided on column shroud.The Men Zaiqi outer peripheral edges are provided with burbling area, and before door was opened, burbling area separated in advance with the periphery that the column shroud upper gasbag stretches out opening, thereby, the resistance that air bag is subjected to when having reduced to open.

If the air bag to the second aspect present invention airbag apparatus fills with charge air conditioning, by the door of air bag pushing airbag cover and open it,, air bag stretches out opening on column shroud so that being provided.Then, air bag stretches out and launches in the knee front of navigating mate from opening.

At this moment, the door outer peripheral edges of airbag cover are provided with burbling area, and before door was opened, burbling area separated in advance with the periphery that the column shroud upper gasbag stretches out opening.Just, stretch out opening for air bag is provided, door does not have the part that needs fracture, perhaps need the part that ruptures seldom, otherwise air bag will stand higher drag.In view of the above, even the internal pressure of air bag is not very high, when being subjected to the air bag pushing, the door of airbag cover is also successfully opened fast.As a result, air bag stretches out with further expansion fast from airbag housing.

So; adopt the airbag apparatus for protecting knee of second aspect present invention, the airbag cover resistance that air bag will stand when having reduced to open airbag cover, and; even the internal pressure of air bag is less in the airbag inflation starting stage, can guarantee that also air bag is from the airbag housing rapid deployment.

Airbag cover and column shroud can form by synthetic resin is whole, and perhaps, selectively, airbag cover is separated formation with column shroud.

Form if airbag cover and column shroud are whole, door can be designed to: the articulated section of door is an integral hinge, and, except that integral hinge, between the outer peripheral edges that the outer peripheral edges and the column shroud air bag of door stretches out opening, form slit, constitute burbling area by slit.

Adopt this structure, during the air bag pushing of being expanded when door, the integral hinge deflection, and make and can open to provide air bag to stretch out opening.Because the burbling area of door is by the slit formation that forms along periphery (except that the integral hinge position) outdoors, open fast.Form because airbag cover and column shroud are whole, this structure will further be convenient to the manufacturing of airbag cover.

If airbag cover forms the individual components that separates with column shroud, also door can be formed the hinged door of opening around the articulated section downwards, and airbag cover be connect mutually with column shroud at the place, articulated section of door.

Adopt this structure because the articulated section (door is opened around it) also play and column shroud between the effect of joint portion, reduced the number of components of joint portion.Certainly, when door was opened, door still was connected with column shroud at the place, articulated section, so Men Buhui flies away from column shroud.

The articulated section can comprise: turning cylinder, as the center of turn of door; And bearing part, support turning cylinder in the mode that allows turning cylinder to rotate.Turning cylinder and bearing part can be arranged on column shroud or the door by corresponded manner.

Selectively, the articulated section can constitute by having flexible band spare.In this case, the band part firmly is connected with the door of airbag cover at its first end, and firmly is connected with the periphery that the column shroud air bag stretches out opening at its second end.

If airbag cover is separated formation, connect mutually in the articulated section of door place's airbag cover and column shroud simultaneously with column shroud, and if air bag stretches out the downside that opening is formed at column shroud, when the formation air bag stretched out opening, door rotated.At this moment, if door be designed to comprise a plurality of maintenance pillars along its outer peripheral edges, will keep pillar to remain in the periphery that air bag stretches out opening by the inner peripheral surface of column shroud, prevent to open downwards.The periphery that stretches out opening along the column shroud air bag forms this maintenance pillar, to keep the outer peripheral edges of door, also can obtain identical effect.These keep pillar should be designed to have such confining force: allow door to open when airbag inflation.Do not need to be used to prevent a device that moves up, because this moving by folding air bag towards the column shroud in-to-in limited.

Separate to form so that when being kept by column shroud when airbag cover and column shroud, the door of airbag cover can be a sliding door, during airbag inflation, sliding door is slided along the opening surface that air bag stretches out opening, stretches out opening so that air bag to be provided.In this case, the thrust pressure during airbag inflation can be used as a propulsive effort that makes door move or slide, and alternatively, and is arranged in the combined action of column shroud in-to-in actr.Suitable is, sliding door comprises compression zone, and swelling gasbag advances compression zone, thereby door is moved, to make full use of the thrust pressure of air bag.More preferably, on door and column shroud, arrange guide, in order to moving of guiding door.

In addition, if airbag cover is separated with column shroud, airbag cover can be installed on the column shroud, makes door be arranged in the column shroud upper gasbag and stretches out position, opening place, so that open when the air bag pushing of being expanded.

Air bag stretches out opening can be arranged in following arbitrary position: on the downside of column shroud, the left surface of column shroud and right flank or the column shroud from the downside to the left surface and the part of right flank.

Stretch out opening if on the left surface of column shroud and right flank, respectively form an air bag, impel air bag towards about launch, help to guarantee that air bag is laterally providing the protection area of broad.

Also be formed on from the downside to the left surface and on the part of the column shroud of right flank the time, guarantee the protection area of air bag broad in the horizontal when air bag stretches out opening.In addition, air bag is launched near the lateral center of column shroud downside.In view of the above, if the knee of navigating mate be positioned at column shroud under, knee also can obtain the protection of swelling gasbag.

Description of drawings Fig. 1 is a schematic side elevation, illustrates near the column shroud that is equipped with according to the first embodiment of the invention airbag apparatus for protecting knee; Fig. 2 is a lateral plan, and the operation of the regulating mechanism of graphic steering handwheel by being installed on steering column is in the rearmost position, and vertically moves together with column shroud; Fig. 3 is a lateral plan, and graphic steering handwheel is in the front position by the operation of regulating mechanism, and vertically moves together with column shroud; Fig. 4 is near the schematic elevational view the column shroud shown in Figure 1 when observing from behind; Fig. 5 is the schematic vertical cross-sectional of the airbag apparatus for protecting knee of first embodiment; Fig. 6 is the schematic amplification view along the line VI-VI of Fig. 5, the diagram airbag apparatus; Fig. 7 is the air bag schematic elevational view of observing from behind, and the airbag apparatus that this air bag is suitable for first embodiment uses; Fig. 8 is the schematic cross sectional views of column shroud shown in Figure 1; Fig. 9 partial isometric is illustrated schematically in and forms the mode that air bag stretches out opening on the column shroud of Fig. 1; Figure 10 is schematic vertical cross-sectional, illustrates airbag apparatus for protecting knee shown in Figure 5 and is in serviceability; The schematic cross sectional views of column shroud illustrated each mode of opening in the portion especially when Figure 11 was the airbag apparatus operation; Figure 12 is the schematic elevational view of observing from behind, and the airbag apparatus of pictorial image 5 is in serviceability; Figure 13 is the schematic vertical cross-sectional that airbag apparatus shown in Figure 5 is in serviceability, and wherein column shroud is arranged in last and uppermost position in fig-ure; Figure 14 is the schematic cross sectional views of airbag apparatus when operation column shroud, and each unfolding mode of door portion when column shroud is arranged in last and uppermost position in fig-ure is shown especially; Figure 15 is the schematic vertical cross-sectional that airbag apparatus shown in Figure 5 is in serviceability, and wherein column shroud is arranged in the most preceding and uppermost position in fig-ure; Figure 16 is the schematic cross sectional views of airbag apparatus when operation column shroud, each unfolding mode of door portion when column shroud being shown especially being arranged in the most preceding and uppermost position in fig-ure; Figure 17 is a partial isometric, and diagram is to the improvement of column shroud in first embodiment; Figure 18 is a partial isometric, and diagram is to another improvement of column shroud in first embodiment; Figure 19 is a partial isometric, is illustrated schematically in and forms the mode that air bag stretches out opening on the second embodiment column shroud; Figure 20 is the schematic vertical cross-sectional that the second embodiment airbag apparatus is in serviceability, and wherein column shroud is arranged in last and uppermost position in fig-ure; Figure 21 is the schematic cross sectional views of airbag apparatus when operation column shroud shown in Figure 19 of second embodiment, each unfolding mode of door portion when column shroud being shown especially being arranged in last and uppermost position in fig-ure; Figure 22 is the schematic vertical cross-sectional in airbag apparatus when operation of second embodiment, and wherein, column shroud is arranged in the most preceding and uppermost position in fig-ure; Figure 23 is the schematic cross sectional views of airbag apparatus when operation column shroud of second embodiment, each unfolding mode of door portion when column shroud being shown especially being arranged in the most preceding and uppermost position in fig-ure; Figure 24 is a schematic side elevation, and diagram is equipped with near the column shroud of third embodiment of the invention airbag apparatus for protecting knee; Figure 25 is that the steering column along fore-and-aft direction schematically amplifies vertical cross-sectional, and the airbag apparatus of the 3rd embodiment wherein is housed; Figure 26 is the schematic partial isometric that is suitable for the column shroud that airbag apparatus for protecting knee shown in Figure 25 uses, be illustrated in form on the column shroud that air bag stretches out before the opening and after; Figure 27 is the schematic cross sectional views of column shroud shown in Figure 26; Figure 28 is the schematic vertical cross-sectional of airbag apparatus for protecting knee shown in Figure 25; Figure 29 is the schematic elevational view of observing from behind, near the column shroud when illustrating airbag apparatus shown in Figure 25 operation; Figure 30 is near the schematic side elevation of column shroud, and the airbag apparatus for protecting knee of four embodiment of the invention wherein is housed; Figure 31 is that the steering column along fore-and-aft direction amplifies schematic vertical cross-sectional, and the airbag apparatus of the 4th embodiment wherein is housed; Figure 32 is the schematic vertical cross-sectional of amplification along Figure 31 center line XXXII-XXXII, illustrates the airbag apparatus of the 4th embodiment; Figure 33 is the schematic vertical cross-sectional of amplification along Figure 31 center line XXXIII-XXXIII, illustrates the airbag apparatus of the 4th embodiment; Figure 34 is the axonometric drawing that uses door in the airbag apparatus of the 4th embodiment; Figure 35 is the schematic vertical cross-sectional of amplifying, and diagram is in the airbag apparatus of the 4th embodiment in the operation; Figure 36 is according to the schematic vertical cross-sectional of the amplification of the airbag apparatus for protecting knee of fifth embodiment of the invention; Figure 37 is the axonometric drawing that uses door in the airbag apparatus of the 5th embodiment; Figure 38 is the schematic vertical cross-sectional of amplification that is in the 5th embodiment airbag apparatus in the operation; Figure 39 is near the schematic side elevation the column shroud, and the airbag apparatus for protecting knee according to sixth embodiment of the invention wherein is housed; Figure 40 is along the schematic vertical cross-sectional of the amplification of fore-and-aft direction, and diagram is equipped with the steering column of the 6th embodiment airbag apparatus; Figure 41 is the axonometric drawing that is suitable for the airbag cover of the 6th embodiment airbag apparatus use; Figure 42 is the schematic vertical cross-sectional of amplification along XLII-XLII line among Figure 40, illustrates the airbag apparatus of the 6th embodiment; Figure 43 is the schematic vertical cross-sectional of amplification that is in the 6th embodiment airbag apparatus in the operation; Figure 44 is near the schematic side elevation the column shroud, and the airbag apparatus for protecting knee according to seventh embodiment of the invention wherein is housed; Figure 45 is along the schematic vertical cross-sectional of the amplification of fore-and-aft direction, and diagram is equipped with the steering column of the 7th embodiment airbag apparatus; Figure 46 is the axonometric drawing that is suitable for the airbag cover of the 7th embodiment airbag apparatus use; Figure 47 is the schematic vertical cross-sectional of amplification that is in the 7th embodiment airbag apparatus in the operation; Figure 48 is the axonometric drawing that is suitable for the airbag cover of the 8th embodiment airbag apparatus use; Figure 49 is near the schematic side elevation the column shroud, and the airbag apparatus according to eighth embodiment of the invention wherein is housed; Figure 50 is the schematic side elevation that is in the 8th embodiment airbag apparatus in the operation; Figure 51 is near the schematic side elevation that is equipped with according to the column shroud of the airbag apparatus for protecting knee of ninth embodiment of the invention; Figure 52 is the schematic vertical cross-sectional of amplification along Figure 51 center line LII-LII, illustrates the airbag apparatus of the 9th embodiment; Figure 53 is the schematic side elevation that is in the 9th embodiment airbag apparatus in the operation; And Figure 54 is along the schematic vertical cross-sectional of horizontal amplification, and diagram is in the 9th embodiment airbag apparatus in the operation.

The specific embodiment

Below, with reference to the description of drawings embodiments of the present invention.Yet the present invention is not limited to disclosed embodiment here.The scope of protection of present invention is included in all improvement and the relevant equivalent replacement thereof that carries out in the claims.

As shown in Figure 5, be installed on steering column 3 according to the airbag apparatus for protecting knee M1 of first embodiment of the invention, and comprise air bag 61, air bag 61 is accommodated in bottom 16a in the column shroud 16 with folded state.Airbag apparatus M1 comprises: column shroud 16, and it hides steering column 3; Air bag 61; Aerator 66 is used for supplying with charge air conditioning to air bag 61; And housing 71, hold air bag 61 and aerator 66.Air bag 61 is designed to, and when expanding, front door portion 34 and the rear door portion 56 that is formed on the column shroud 16 is pushed, and it is opened, and air bag 61 is launched, as shown in Figure 4 in the front of the navigating mate D knee K (KL and KR) that is seated at operator's saddle.

As Fig. 1, Fig. 4 and shown in Figure 5, column shroud 16 is formed the roughly square tube shape that hides steering column 3 by synthetic resin.Column shroud 16 is installed on the tubing string pipe 5 of steering column 3 in its unshowned zone, and column shroud 16 is arranged in the navigating mate D front of taking one's seat in the following manner: stretch out backward from formed construction opening 10 (being used to install column shroud 16) on instrument carrier panel (instrument panel or dashboard) 7.Instrument carrier panel 7 comprises upper plate 8 that is arranged in upside and the lower plate 9 that is arranged in downside.Steering column 3 is arranged to stretch out backward from instrument carrier panel 7, is hidden by column shroud 16 simultaneously.Steering column 3 comprises main shaft 4 and is installed in main shaft 4 tubing string pipe 5 on every side.Steering handwheel 1 is connected with the rear end of main shaft 4.Steering column 3 is equipped with the regulating mechanism CM that is made up of telescoping mechanism and leaning device, is used for the position (Fig. 1 to Fig. 3) at fore-and-aft direction and vertical adjustment steering handwheel 1.By the operation of regulating mechanism CM, column shroud 16 is moved with steering column 3.In addition, on the trailing flank 7a of instrument carrier panel 7, between the periphery 18 of the periphery of construction opening 10 and column shroud 16, be provided with allowance gap H (HL, HV), be used to allow moving of column shroud 16, thereby, column shroud 16 when mobile so not can with instrument carrier panel 7 interferences.Allowance gap HL refers to be arranged in the gap of column shroud 16 cross sides, and allowance gap HV then refers to be arranged in the gap of column shroud 16 belows.In addition, the maxim of allowance gap HVM IDS HV described below.

In the process of using regulating mechanism CM, if make steering handwheel 1 be positioned at the rearmost position by the operation telescoping mechanism, and be located at uppermost position in fig-ure by the operation leaning device, then steering handwheel 1 and column shroud 16 are in state shown in long and two-short dash line among solid line among Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.Then, make steering handwheel 1 be positioned at the most following and rearmost position by the operation leaning device, then steering handwheel 1 and column shroud 16 are in state shown in long and short dash line among Fig. 2.By the operation telescoping mechanism make steering handwheel 1 be positioned at the front position, and the operation leaning device make steering handwheel 1 be positioned at uppermost position in fig-ure, then steering handwheel 1 and column shroud 16 are in state shown in long and two-short dash line among solid line among Fig. 3 and Fig. 2.Then, if by the operation leaning device, make steering handwheel 1 be positioned at the most preceding and upper/lower positions, then steering handwheel 1 and column shroud 16 are in state shown in Fig. 3 long and short dash line.

Near the trailing flank 7a of instrument carrier panel 7, be about 40mm by means of telescoping mechanism at the travel distance LD of column shroud 16 fore-and-aft directions, and be about 20mm at the travel distance VD of vertical direction by means of leaning device.

As Fig. 1, Fig. 4 (using long and two-short dash line), Fig. 7 and shown in Figure 10, during expansion, air bag 61 forms the rectangular plate shape along horizontal expansion.Navigating mate sidewall 62 that launches towards navigating mate D respectively when air bag 61 is included in airbag deployment and the tubing string sidewall 63 that launches towards column shroud 16.Navigating mate sidewall 62 and tubing string sidewall 63 are cut into identical profile by Woven fabrics such as polyester, polyamide, unite by a seam to form air bag 61 in outer peripheral edges then.The position is provided with mounting hole 64 to tubing string sidewall 63 (in first embodiment being 2) more than one, is used to receive the bolt 68b (Fig. 5) of aerator 66 (being accommodated in air bag 61 inside).

As shown in Figure 4; air bag 61 has a kind of like this shape; when launching fully; be positioned at the trailing flank 12,13 and 14 in column shroud 16 belows and zone, the left and right sides the downside 18a of air bag 61 covering column shroud 16 (stretching out backward) and the instrument carrier panel 7, with knee KL and the KR of protection navigating mate D from instrument carrier panel 7.

Except the method for above-mentioned manufacturing air bag 61, also can make air bag 61 in the following way: doubling single piece of fabric part (wherein navigating mate sidewall 62 is connected with the part place of tubing string sidewall 63 at wall portion periphery), and the remainder of periphery united by a seam.Air bag 61 inside comprise unshowned frenulum, and frenulum connects navigating mate sidewall 62 and tubing string sidewall 63, the thickness of air bag 61 during with the restriction expansion, thus it is tabular that air bag 61 is held in.

As shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6, aerator 66 comprises: cylinder body 67, and it is provided with air extractor duct 67a, is used to emit charge air conditioning; And generally tubular diffuser 68, be used to keep body 67.Diffuser 68 has: opening 68a is used to allow charge air conditioning outwards to flow out thus; And two bolt 68b, be used for aerator 66 is installed on tubing string pipe 5 together with air bag 61 and housing 71.Each bolt 68b is fastened to the support 5a of tubing string pipe 5 with nut 69.

Housing 71 is made by sheet metal, and has inverted U-shaped cross section.Housing 71 comprises roof 72 and the sidewall 73 and 74 that extends from the front and rear edge of roof 72 downwards.Each sidewall 73 and 74 is provided with and keeps pillar (retaining leg) 73a, 74a.With keeping pillar 73a and 74a to be placed on the assembly wall 19 and 20 of column shroud 16 among the formed slot 19a and 20a,, make sidewall 73 connect mutually with assembly wall 19 and 20 with 74 to keep by assembly wall 19 and 20.Roof 72 is provided with through hole 72a, is used to receive the bolt 68b of aerator 66.

As Fig. 8 and shown in Figure 9, in the outside face 18 of column shroud 16 from downside 18a to left surface 18b with in the zone of right flank 18c, column shroud 16 comprises front door portion 34 and rear door portion 56, front door portion 34 and rear door portion 56 are suitable for opening when being subjected to air bag 61 pushings, provide single air bag to stretch out opening 22 jointly, therefrom stretch out to allow air bag 61.Front door portion 34 comprises Xiamen 35, left-hand door 42 and the right door 49 that lays respectively on column shroud 16 downside 18a, left surface 18b and the right flank 18c, but tearing part 24 centers on each door in these doors, but tearing part 24 fractures when being subjected to air bag 61 pushings.Each 35,42 and 49 is suitable for opening forward and away from column shroud 16 from trailing edge 36,43 and 50.Rear door portion 56 comprises bottom 57, left part 58 and right part 59, bottom 57, left part 58 and right part 59 respectively with the Xiamen 35 of front door portion 34, left-hand door 42 and right door 49 adjacent layouts, but tearing part 24 places therebetween.

On the inside face of the general square shape tubular peripheral wall 17 of column shroud 16, form thinning part or linear recess, but as tearing part 24.But tearing part 24 comprises central portion 25, upper left quarter 26, lower left quarter 27, upper right quarter 28, right lower quadrant 29, left back 31 and right back 32, and all these parts all become the wire form.Central portion 25 horizontal expansions with separation front door portion 34 and rear door portion 56, and comprise transverse part 25a, left vertical portion 25b and right vertical portion 25d.Transverse part 25a is in the lower wall 17a of column shroud 16 upper edge horizontal expansion.A left side vertical portion 25b and right vertical portion 25d respectively on left wall 17b and right wall 17c left end and the right-hand member from transverse part 25a extend upward, with near the lower periphery 11 of construction opening 10, along the trailing flank 12,13 and 14 extensions (Fig. 2 to Fig. 4) of lower plate 9 in the instrument carrier panel 7.Left end 25c and right-hand member 25e (end of left vertical portion 25b and right vertical portion 25d) are positioned at the position, side of the roof 72 of housing 71.The lower periphery 11 of construction opening 10 refers to the lower area of opening 10 peripheries, and comprises lower edge 11a, left border 11b and right border 11c.

Upper left quarter 26 extends forward from the left end 25c of central portion 25.Roughly along lower wall 17a and the crossing crestal line of left wall 17b, lower left quarter 27 is from extending forward near the transverse part 25a of central portion 25 and the boundary of left vertical portion 25b (perhaps the lower wall 17a of perisporium 17 and left wall 17b intersection area).Upper right quarter 28 extends forward from the right-hand member 25e of central portion 25.Roughly along lower wall 17a and the crossing crestal line of right wall 17c, right lower quadrant 29 is from extending forward near the transverse part 25a of central portion 25 and the boundary of right vertical portion 25d (perhaps the lower wall 17a of perisporium 17 and right wall 17c intersection area).Left back 31 from the left end 25c diagonal manner of central portion 25 backward and extend downward lower wall 17a.Right back 32 from the right-hand member 25e diagonal manner of central portion 25 backward and extend downward lower wall 17a.

By in the transverse part 25a the place ahead and the zone between lower left quarter 27 and right lower quadrant 29 of central portion 25, limit the Xiamen 35 of front door portion 34.By in the left vertical portion 25b the place ahead and the zone between upper left quarter 26 and lower left quarter 27 of central portion 25, limit left-hand door 42.By in the right vertical portion 25d the place ahead and the zone between upper right quarter 28 and right lower quadrant 29 of central portion 25, limit right door 49.Upper left quarter 26 and upper right quarter 28 each comfortable front end are provided with reclinate curve 26a, 28a.Lower left quarter 27 and right lower quadrant 29 each comfortable front end are provided with curve 27a, 27b and curve 29a, 29b, curve 27a, 27b and curve 29a, 29b from lower left quarter 27 and right lower quadrant 29 front end separately with the circumferential extension of bifurcation approach along perisporium 17.These curves 26a, 28a, 27a, 27b, 29a and 29b help to shorten the length of each leading edge of 35,42 and 49 39,46,53, just, shorten the length in zone between length regional between length, curve 26a and the curve 27a in zone between curve 27b and the curve 29b and curve 28a and the curve 29a, these leading edges are heavy walls and as hinge, and each 35,42 and 49 is opened around hinge separately.This structure helps Xiamen 35, left-hand door 42 and right door 49 to open around leading edge 39,46 and 53, but makes whole central portion 25, upper left quarter 26, lower left quarter 27, upper right quarter 28 and right lower quadrant 29 fractures of tearing part 24 simultaneously.

Rear door portion 56 is limited by the rear area of central portion 25, and is surrounded by left back 31 and right back 32.In the first embodiment, rear door portion 56 is single parts, and its middle and lower part 57, left part 58 and right part 59 are continuous each other.

Front door portion 34 each 35,42 and 49 and each one 57,58 and 59 of rear door portion 56 be designed to guarantee to have flexible.In the first embodiment, each 35,42,49 and each 57,58,59 each comfortable whole zone all have than thin structure, thereby, although but to compare these parts all thicker with tearing part 24, it is flexible to guarantee that also it has.

The Xiamen 35 of front door portion 34, left-hand door 42 and right door 49 are designed to prevent that air bag 61 from entering allowance gap HL or HV (during by the mobile column shroud 16 of the operation of regulating mechanism CM, on the outside face 18 of column shroud 16 and lower plate 9 between the lower periphery 11 of construction opening 10 formation allowance gap HL or HV) in expansion process.Particularly, Xiamen 35, left-hand door 42 and right door 49 are designed to: when opening, their trailing edge 36,43 and 50 places on the trailing flank 12,13 and 14 lower periphery 11 of instrument carrier panel 7 lower plates 9, so that block allowance gap HL and HV (Figure 10, Figure 11 and Figure 13 to Figure 16) from behind.

More specifically, each 35,42 is become with 50 Position Design with 49 trailing edge 36,43: under state shown in Figure 15 and 16, operation by regulating mechanism CM, make column shroud 16 move on to front position PF, in other words, by using telescoping mechanism and leaning device that column shroud 16 is moved on under the state of the most preceding and uppermost position in fig-ure, the outside face 18 of column shroud 16 and the allowance gap HL between the lower periphery 11 and HV (HVM) are when getting maxim, and the deflection of door 35,42 and 49 is opened portion 40,47 and 54 and contacted with the lower periphery 11 of construction opening 10.Deflection is opened portion 40,47 and 54 and is referred to that each is positioned at the zone at rear in 35,42 and 49 with respect to the trailing flank 12,13 and 14 of lower plate 9, and these deflections are opened portion and opened with the mode deflection that the outside face 18 from column shroud 16 stretches out.

In addition, the length DL (Fig. 2) of door 42 and 49 length UL and door 35 is designed to: under Figure 13 and state shown in Figure 14, operation by regulating mechanism CM moves on to rearmost position PB with column shroud 16, in other words, by using telescoping mechanism and leaning device that column shroud 16 is moved on to last and uppermost position in fig-ure, make allowance gap HL and HV (HVM) when getting maxim, the deflection of door 35,42 and 49 is opened portion 40,47 and 54 and is contacted with the lower periphery 11 of construction opening 10.Length UL and DL refer to: observe from the side, each both lateral sides of 35,42 and 49 is 36,43 and 50 length to front end from the rear end, but or to the length of curve 26a, 27a, 27b, 28a, 29a and the 29b of tearing part 24 (upper left quarter 26, lower left quarter 27, upper right quarter 28 and right lower quadrant 29).As mentioned above, the zone that portion 40,47 and 54 refers to be positioned at respect to the trailing flank 12,13,14 of lower plate 9 in the door 35,42 and 49 rear is opened in deflection, and portion 40,47 is opened in deflection and 54 deflections are opened into the mode of stretching out from the outside face 18 of column shroud 16.

In addition, in the first embodiment, observe from vehicular sideview, at PB place, the rearmost position of column shroud (Fig. 2), but the front end of tearing part 24 each one, just, leading edge 39,46 and 53 position are arranged as the lower periphery 11 near construction opening 10 in curve 26a, 27a, 27b, 28a, 29a and 29b or Xiamen 35, left-hand door 42 and the right door 49.

Only otherwise change the fore-and-aft direction position of column shroud 16, during by the vertical mobile steering handwheel 1 of operation leaning device, can obviously not change size at the allowance gap of column shroud 16 left and right sides HL, just, can obviously not change the left surface 18b of column shroud 16 and left border 11b and the gap between the right border 11c (Figure 11, Figure 14 and Figure 16) of right flank 18c and lower plate 9 lower periphery 11.In the first embodiment, remain in the scope of 5mm to 10mm at the allowance gap of column shroud 16 left and right sides HL.On the contrary, the vertical size that obviously changes at vertical allowance gap HV that moves of steering handwheel 1 just, obviously changes the gap between the lower edge 11a of construction opening 10 on the downside 18a of column shroud 16 and the lower plate 9.Particularly, when steering handwheel 1 moves on to uppermost position in fig-ure, allowance gap HV maximum (gap HVM).In the first embodiment, vertical allowance gap HV changes in 5mm to 25mm scope.When column shroud 16 is moved forward and backward, when steering handwheel 1 is arranged in uppermost position in fig-ure, all be maximum (gap HVM) at any position allowance gap HV.

Consider above-mentioned situation, for blocking left side and the needed structure of allowance gap, right side HL, it is just much of that only to need to consider that column shroud 16 is arranged in the situation of front position PF, at front position PF place, because left-hand door of front door portion 34 42 and right door 49 enter lower plate 9 inboards, the fore-and-aft direction length that portion 47 and 54 are opened in deflection is difficult to guarantee (left-hand door 42 and right door 49 are difficult to deflection).If column shroud 16 is positioned at rear side with respect to front position PF, just guaranteed that deflection opens portion 47 and 54 and have long fore-and-aft direction length (making left-hand door 42 and the 49 easy deflections of right door), make trailing edge 43 and 50 trailing flank 13 of left border 11b and the trailing flank 14 of right border 11c in the lower periphery 11 of construction opening 10 on the lower plate 9 reliably of left-hand door 42 and right door 49, thereby, cover allowance gap HL (Figure 11, Figure 14 and Figure 16).

For blocking the needed structure of vertical allowance gap HV, as long as be arranged under the situation of front position PF in column shroud 16, it is just enough that allowance gap HV (HVM) can be blocked in Xiamen 35, at front position PF place, because Xiamen 35 enters lower plate 9, be difficult to guarantee that deflection opens the fore-and-aft direction length of portion 40 (Xiamen 35 is difficult to deflection), and, gap HV maximum, thus make the trailing edge 36 of Xiamen 35 be difficult to reach the lower edge 11a of the lower periphery 11 of construction opening 10 on the lower plate 9.If column shroud 16 is positioned at rear side with respect to front position PF, the deflection that has guaranteed Xiamen 35 is opened portion 40 and is had long fore-and-aft direction length, make trailing edge 36 trailing flank 12 of the lower edge 11a of the lower periphery 11 of construction opening 10 on the lower plate 9 reliably of Xiamen 35, thereby, hide allowance gap HVM (Figure 10, Figure 13 and Figure 15).

Adopt the said structure of airbag apparatus for protecting knee first embodiment; if make air bag 61 inflations by charge air conditioning G; air bag 61 pushes Xiamen 35, left-hand door 42 and the right door 49 of front door portion 34, but makes that being arranged in front door portion 34 each tearing part 24 on every side ruptures.Then, the trailing edge 36,43 and 50 of each is opened forward and away from column shroud 16, and simultaneously, rear door portion 56 is opened backward, thereby provides air bag to stretch out opening 22 on column shroud 16.Then; air bag 61 stretches out opening 22 from air bag and stretches out and launch; to be positioned at the trailing flank 12,13 and 14 on column shroud 16 downsides, left side and right side the downside 18a that hides column shroud 16 (stretching out) and the instrument carrier panel 7 from instrument carrier panel 7; knee KL and the KR of the navigating mate D that protection moves forward are in order to avoid bump against these parts (Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 13 to Figure 16).

At this moment, the trailing edge 36,43 and 50 trailing flanks 12,13 and 14 against instrument carrier panel 7 of the Xiamen 35 of front door portion 34, left-hand door 42 and right door 49 perhaps against the lower periphery 11 of construction opening 10, thereby block allowance gap H (HL, HV).

Therefore, air bag 61 can launch smoothly in knee KL and the KR front of navigating mate D, and allowance gap HL or HV between construction opening 10 lower periphery 11 of can not enter column shroud 16 outside face 18 of (stand regulating mechanism CM operation) and lower plate 9.

Just, even column shroud 16 process position adjustments, the air bag 61 that is accommodated in the airbag apparatus M1 in the column shroud 16 also can launch smoothly, and can not enter allowance gap H (HL, HV).So, in the downside 18a of column shroud 16 and instrument carrier panel 7, be positioned at the trailing flank 12,13 and 14 places on column shroud 16 downsides, left side and right side, knee KL and the KR of the navigating mate D that air bag 61 protections move forward at least.

In addition, because the Xiamen 35 of front door portion 34, left-hand door 42 and right door 49 all have flexible, open with deflection or bend mode that the outside face 18 from column shroud 16 stretches out at trailing edge 36,43 and position, 50 place (trailing flank 12,13 and 14 with respect to lower plate 9 is positioned at the rear), and deflection is opened on the lower periphery 11 that portion 40,47 and 54 is resisted against construction opening 10.At this moment, pre-determine trailing edge 36,43 of each and 50 position, make that when by regulating mechanism column shroud 16 being moved on to front position PF and make allowance gap HL and during the HV maximum portion 40,47 and 54 contact with the lower periphery 11 (lower edge 11a, left border 11b and right border 11c) of construction opening 10 on the lower plate 9 (Figure 15 and Figure 16) is opened in the deflection of each.In addition, pre-determine each horizontal two edge of 35,42 and 49 from the rear end 36,43 and 50 length UL and DL to front end (but curve of tearing part 24) 26a, 27a, 27b, 28a, 29a and 29b, make that when by regulating mechanism column shroud 16 being moved on to rearmost position PB and make allowance gap HL and during the HV maximum portion 40,47 and 54 contact with the lower periphery 11 (lower edge 11a, left border 11b and right border 11c) of construction opening 10 on the lower plate 9 (Figure 13 and Figure 14) is opened in the deflection of each.Just, even during column shroud 16 moves forward and backward, make allowance gap HL and HV maximum, when each when trailing edge 36,43 and 50 is opened, but make the upper left quarter 26, lower left quarter 27, upper right quarter 28 and the right lower quadrant 29 whole or part fractures that are arranged in each 35,42 and 49 both lateral sides in the tearing part 24, make that portion 40,47 is opened in deflection and 54 deflections are opened and lean, thereby seal allowance gap HL and HV smoothly with the lower periphery 11 of construction opening 10.

If the Xiamen 35 of front door portion 34, left-hand door 42 and right door 49 have flexible, by pre-determining two parameters, just, pre-determine the position of each trailing edge of 35,42 and 49 36,43 in the front door portion 34 and 50, and, but pre-determine the length UL and the DL of the upper left quarter 26, lower left quarter 27, upper right quarter 28 and the right lower quadrant 29 that are arranged in each 35,42 and 49 both lateral sides in the tearing part 24, even regulating under the situation of column shroud 16 forward, backward, up or down, these doors also can block allowance gap HL and HV smoothly.

Especially, when preseting length UL and DL, as long as lower periphery 11 places at construction opening 10, each deflection of front door portion 34 is opened portion 40,47 and 54 within the specific limits to be close to the trailing flank 12,13 and 14 of mode against lower plate 9, as Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 13 to shown in Figure 16, the air bag 61 of expansion just can launch in its vicinity along trailing flank 12,13 and 14, and crosses trailing flank 41a, 48a and 55a that the part 41,48 and 55 (this part is called the portion of being close to 41,48 and 55) of being close to lower plate 9 in portion 40,47 and 54 is opened in deflection.When knee KL that bears navigating mate D and KR, this disposes and helps guarantee that the trailing flank 12,13 and 14 from lower plate 9 applies suitable antagonistic force to air bag 61, thereby, with suitable damping characteristics protection knee KL and KR.

At this moment, it is desirable to, when column shroud 16 is arranged in rearmost position PB, observe from vehicular sideview, each front end of 35,42 and 49 (but curve of tearing part 24) 26a, 27a, 27b, 28a, 29a and 29b are arranged as the lower periphery 11 near construction opening 10 on the instrument carrier panel 7 in the front door portion 34.This structure makes each of front door portion 34 35,42 and 49 can guarantee to have enough fore-and-aft direction length, and, even column shroud 16 is arranged in rearmost position PB, in as Figure 13 and certain limit shown in Figure 14, this structure allows each 35,42 and 49 to be against on the lower periphery 11 of construction opening 10, to obtain and the trailing flank 12,13 and 14 portions of being close to 41,48 and 55 that attach of lower plate 9.As a result, no matter column shroud 16 is arranged in any position between front position PF and the rearmost position PB, and when air bag 61 launched, air bag 61 all launched along the trailing flank 12,13 and 14 of the lower plate 9 of instrument carrier panel 7, and guarantees the antagonistic force from lower plate 9 easily.

Certainly, even column shroud 16 is arranged in front position PF (Figure 15 and Figure 16), perhaps be arranged in any position (Figure 10 and Figure 11) between front position PF and the rearmost position PB, since each 35,42 and 49 have flexible, the near zone of construction opening 10 peripheries on lower plate 9, each 35,42 and 49 bending of front door portion 34, and be against on the lower periphery 11 of opening 10, to obtain in certain limit and the trailing flank 12,13 of lower plate 9 and the portions of being close to 41,48 and 55 of 14 attachings.So during expansion, air bag 61 launches in its vicinity along the trailing flank 12,13 and 14 of lower plate 9, and assurance is from the suitable antagonistic force of lower plate 9.

In this specific embodiment, boundary between boundary between front door portion 34 Central Left Gates 42 and the Xiamen 35 and right door 49 and the Xiamen 35, just, but the lower left quarter 27 of tearing part 24 and right lower quadrant 29 are arranged as roughly along lower wall 17a in the column shroud 16 and crossing crestal line and lower wall 17a and the crossing crestal line of right wall 17c of left wall 17b.Yet, but the lower left quarter 27 of tearing part 24 and right lower quadrant 29 also can be arranged on left wall 17b and the right wall 17c, as shown in figure 17, perhaps be arranged on the lower wall 17a, as shown in figure 18.

In the first embodiment, except front door portion 34, column shroud 16 is provided with rear door portion 56, rear door portion 56 is arranged as from the Xiamen 35 of rear and front door portion 34, left-hand door 42 is adjacent with right door 49, thereby, all open by front door portion 34 and rear door portion 56, form air bag and stretch out opening 22.Adopt this structure, rear door portion 56 plays and enlarges the effect that air bag stretches out opening 22 aperture areas, front door portion 34 plays the effect that hides allowance gap H (HL and HV) simultaneously, thereby, air bag 61 stretches out smoothly and launches from column shroud 16, and can not enter construction opening 10 on the instrument carrier panel 7, can not blocked by the neighboring area that air bag stretches out opening 22 yet.

Although the rear door portion of this specific embodiment 56 forms single part, but also can form rear door portion 56 as follows: formation separating part but the lower left quarter 27 of tearing part 24 and right lower quadrant 29 extend back, and omit left back 31 and right back 32, make bottom 57, left part 58 and right part 59 open backward independently.In addition, rear door portion 56 also can form by reaching two parts of opening left to the right.

The column shroud 16A of the airbag apparatus for protecting knee M2 of second embodiment as shown in Figure 19 to Figure 23 also can only be provided with front door portion 34A and stretch out opening 22 to form air bag.In the 34A of door portion, Xiamen 35A, left-hand door 42A and right door 49A are configured to extand rearward to the zone of rear door portion 56 in first embodiment.

Equally, in the column shroud 16A of present embodiment, as Figure 22 and shown in Figure 23, pre-determine among the 34A of portion each edge 36 behind the door, 43 and 50 position, make when making column shroud 16A move on to front position PF by unshowned regulating mechanism, and when making allowance gap HL and HV maximum, just, when making column shroud 16A move on to the most preceding by operation telescoping mechanism and leaning device and during the position of going up most, Xiamen 35A, portion 40 is opened in the deflection of left-hand door 42A and right door 49A, 47 and 54 (just, door 35A, be positioned at lower plate 9 trailing flanks 12 among 42A and the 49A, 13 with 14 rear and the zone of opening with the mode deflection of stretching out from the periphery 18 of column shroud 16A) contact with the lower periphery 11 of construction opening 10 on the lower plate 9, to guarantee that air bag stretches out opening 22 and has and be enough to the area that allows air bag to stretch out.

In addition, as Figure 20 and shown in Figure 21, pre-determine each 35A, horizontal two edge of 42A and 49A are from the rear end 36,43 and 50 to front end (but curve of tearing part 24) 26a, 27a, 27b, 28a, the length UL of 29a and 29b and DL (Figure 19), make and to move on to rearmost position PB and to make allowance gap HL and during the HV maximum as column shroud 16A, just, during the position that column shroud 16A is arranged at last and goes up most by operation leaning device and telescoping mechanism, each 35A, portion 40 is opened in the deflection of 42A and 49A, 47 and 54 contact with the lower periphery 11 of construction opening 10 on the lower plate 9.

In addition, in second embodiment, equally, observe from vehicular sideview, at PB place, the rearmost position of column shroud (Fig. 2), the front end of Xiamen 35A, left-hand door 42A and right door 49A, but perhaps be arranged in the front end (or curve 26a, 27a, 27b, 28a, 29a and 29b) of the part of each 35A, 42A and 49A both lateral sides in the tearing part 24, near the lower periphery 11 of construction opening 10.

So second embodiment obtains the work effect identical with first embodiment.

In first and second embodiments, the left-hand door 42/42A of front door portion 34/34A and right door 49/49A are configured to the allowance gap HL between left border 11b that seals at construction opening 10 on the lower plate 9 and the periphery 18 of right border 11c and column shroud 16/16A.Yet, also allowance gap, left and right sides HL can be configured to smallerly, swelling gasbag 61 can not be entered, for example, by construction opening 10 is formed rectangular shape, and column shroud 16,16A are manufactured the tubular form that has with construction opening 10 corresponding square-sections.Adopt this structure, only by the Xiamen 35/35A of front door portion 34/34A is set, be used to block the allowance gap HV between the periphery 18 of the lower edge 11a of construction opening 10 on the lower plate 9 and column shroud 16/16A, just can prevent reliably that air bag 61 from entering allowance gap H (HV and HL).In addition, because do not need to block narrow gap HL, improved the Design freedom of left-hand door 42/42A and right door 49/49A by the structure of left-hand door 42/42A and right door 49/49A.

Certainly, if be similar to aforementioned embodiments, the left-hand door 42/42A of front door portion 34/34A and right door 49/49A are configured to block allowance gap HL on column shroud 16/16A left side and right side, then can arrange bigger allowance gap HL at the cross side of column shroud 16/16A.Because do not need to consider following situation: when vertical and/or fore-and-aft direction moves at column shroud 16/16A, the left border 11b of construction opening 10 and the interference between the right border 11c on column shroud 16/16A and the lower plate 9, this structure has improved the configuration design degree of freedom of column shroud 16/16A.

In addition, in first and second embodiments, but the Xiamen 35/35A of front door portion 34/34A, left-hand door 42/42A and right door 49/49A have tearing part 24 respectively around it, but tearing part 24 is suitable for fracture when being subjected to air bag 61 pushings, but make each open, stretch out opening 22 so that air bag to be provided by the fracture of tearing part 24.Adopt this structure, on the outside face of column shroud 16/16A, defiber can not occur around each of front door portion 34/34A, thereby, the outward appearance of column shroud 16/16A improved.Yet, if do not consider this advantage, the Xiamen 35/35a of front door portion 34/34A, left-hand door 42/42A and a right door 49/49A also can be configured to: except that its articulated section (just leading edge 39,46 and 53), the periphery of each separates (referring to Figure 24 the 3rd embodiment shown in Figure 29 extremely) in advance with column shroud 16/16A zone on every side.As just example, also can form opening at 16a place, the bottom of column shroud 16/16A, and the parts be provided with Xiamen 35/35A, left-hand door 42/42A and right door 49/49A (for example, the airbag cover of separating with column shroud 16/16A) are installed in this opening, so that front door portion 34/34A to be set.

The following describes the 3rd embodiment of the present invention.As shown in figure 25, be installed on steering column 3 according to the airbag apparatus for protecting knee M3 of the 3rd embodiment, and comprise air bag 145, air bag 145 is accommodated in bottom 116a in the column shroud 116 with folded state.Airbag apparatus M3 comprises: column shroud 116 hides steering column 3; Air bag 145; Aerator 151 is used for supplying with charge air conditioning to air bag 145; And housing 156, hold air bag 145 and aerator 151.Air bag 145 is designed to the portion that pushes the door open when expanding, just, push the preceding Xiamen 134 that is formed on the column shroud 116, left front door 135, right front door 136 and back door 138 open, and air bag 145 is launched in the front of the knee K that is seated at the navigating mate D on the navigating mate seat (KL and KR), as shown in figure 29.

As Figure 24, Figure 25 and shown in Figure 29, column shroud 116 is formed the roughly square tube shape that hides steering column 3 by synthetic resin.Column shroud 116 is installed on the tubing string pipe 5 of steering column 3 in its unshowned zone, and the mode to stretch out backward from construction opening 10 (be formed on the instrument carrier panel 7, be used to install column shroud 116), is arranged in the front of the navigating mate D that takes one's seat.With the same in first embodiment shown in Figure 1, steering column 3 is arranged to stretch out backward, hidden by column shroud 116 simultaneously from instrument carrier panel 7, and steering column 3 comprises main shaft 4 and is installed in tubing string pipe 5 around the main shaft 4.Steering handwheel 1 is connected with the rear end of main shaft 4.Instrument carrier panel 7 comprises upper plate 8 that is arranged in upside and the lower plate 9 that is arranged in downside.

Shown in long and two-short dash line and solid line among Figure 24, Figure 28 and Figure 29, with the same in first embodiment, when air bag 145 forms expansion along the rectangular plate shape of horizontal expansion.Navigating mate sidewall 146 that launches towards navigating mate D respectively when air bag 145 is included in airbag deployment and the tubing string sidewall 147 that launches towards column shroud 116.Navigating mate sidewall 146 and tubing string sidewall 147 are cut into identical appearance by Woven fabrics such as polyester, polyamide, unite by a seam to form air bag 145 in outer peripheral edges then.The position is provided with mounting hole 148 to tubing string sidewall 147 (in the 3rd embodiment being 2) more than one, is used to receive the bolt 153b (Figure 25 and Figure 33) of aerator 151 (being accommodated in air bag 145 inside).

As shown in figure 29; air bag 145 has a kind of like this shape; when launching fully; the trailing flank 7a that air bag 145 hides the lower plate 9 of the downside 118a of column shroud 116 (stretching out backward from instrument carrier panel 7) and instrument carrier panel 7 be located on column shroud 116 belows, left side and the right side zone 11, with knee KL and the KR of protection navigating mate D.

Except the method for above-mentioned manufacturing air bag 145, also can make air bag 145 in the following way: doubling single piece of fabric part (wherein navigating mate sidewall 146 is connected with the part place of tubing string sidewall 147 at wall portion periphery), and the remainder of periphery united by a seam.Air bag 145 inside comprise unshowned frenulum, and frenulum connects navigating mate sidewall 146 and tubing string sidewall 147, the thickness of air bag 145 during with the restriction expansion, thus it is tabular that air bag 145 is held in.

As shown in figure 25, with the same in first embodiment, aerator 151 comprises: cylinder body 152, and it is provided with air extractor duct 152a, is used to emit charge air conditioning; And generally tubular diffuser 153, be used to keep body 152.Diffuser 153 has: opening 153a is used to allow charge air conditioning outwards to flow out thus; And two bolt 153b (Figure 33), be used for aerator 151 is mounted to tubing string pipe 5 together with air bag 145 and housing 156.Each bolt 153b is fastened to the support 5a of tubing string pipe 5 with nut 154.

As shown in figure 25, with the same in first embodiment, housing 156 is made by sheet metal, and has inverted U-shaped cross section, and housing 156 comprises roof 157 and the sidewall 158 and 159 that extends from the front and rear edge of roof 157 downwards.Each sidewall 158 and 159 is provided with and keeps lug (retaining lugs) 158a/159a.With keeping lug 158a and 159a to be placed among the slot 119a and 120a that forms on the assembly wall 119 and 120 of column shroud 116,, make sidewall 158 connect mutually with assembly wall 119 and 120 with 159 to keep by assembly wall 119 and 120.Roof 157 is provided with through hole 157a, is used to receive the bolt 153b of aerator 151.

To shown in Figure 29, from downside 118a to left surface 118b with in the zone of right flank 118c, column shroud 116 is provided with airbag cover 133 in the outside face 18 of column shroud 116 as Figure 26.Airbag cover 133 comprises four doors: preceding Xiamen 134, left front door 135, right front door 136 and back door 138, these doors are suitable for opening when being subjected to air bag 145 pushings, stretch out opening 122 so that an air bag to be provided jointly.In the 3rd embodiment, airbag cover 133 is made by synthetic resin integral body with column shroud 116.

Preceding Xiamen 134 is positioned on the lower wall 117a of column shroud 116, and left front door 135 is positioned on the left side wall 117b of column shroud 116, and right front door 136 is positioned on the right side wall 117c of column shroud 116.Each 134,135 and 136 is suitable for opening around articulated section 134a, the 135a and the 136a that are arranged in its leading edge, makes its trailing edge 134b, 135b and 136b towards the place ahead.Extend on lower wall 117a, left side wall 117b that back door 138 is arranged in column shroud 116 and the right side wall 117c, and make back door 138 be suitable for opening, make its leading edge 138b towards the rear around the articulated section 138a that is arranged in its trailing edge.

Articulated section 134a, 135a, 136a and 138a are integral hinges 141, and, these integral hinges 141 connect each 134,135,136 and 138 and column shroud 116.Outer peripheral edges and column shroud 116 upper gasbags in the door 134,135,136 and 138 of airbag cover 133 except that integral hinge 141 stretch out between the periphery of opening 122, form slit 124, thereby on each outer peripheral edges of 134,135,136 and 138, burbling area SP is set.

By the continuous wire hole that from the outside to the inboard, the roughly square tube perisporium 117 of column shroud 116 is penetrated, form slit 124.In the 3rd embodiment, slit 124 also is arranged between the adjacent door, and comprises central portion 125, upper left quarter 126, lower left quarter 127, upper right quarter 128, right lower quadrant 129, left back 130 and right back 131.Central portion 125 horizontal expansions, thus hinder marginal part 134b, the 135b of three doors in front side 134,135 and 136 and the exterior region 138b at 136b and back door 138 are separated.Upper left quarter 126 is arranged in the upper limb that air bag stretches out left front door 135 in the periphery of opening 122, and extends forward from the left upper end of central portion 125.Lower left quarter 127 is arranged between preceding Xiamen 134 and the left front door 135, and roughly extends forward along the crossing crestal line of the lower wall 117a of column shroud 116 and left wall 117b.Upper right quarter 128 is arranged in the upper limb that air bag stretches out right front door 136 in the periphery of opening 122, and extends forward from the upper right side of central portion 125.Right lower quadrant 129 is arranged between preceding Xiamen 134 and the right front door 136, and roughly extends forward along the crossing crestal line of the lower wall 117a of column shroud 116 and right wall 117c.The periphery that stretches out opening 122 for left back 130 along air bag from the left upper end of central portion 125 to the oblique back of lower wall 117a and extend downwards, simultaneously, the periphery that stretches out opening 122 for right back 131 along air bag from the upper right side of central portion 125 to the oblique back of lower wall 117a and extend downwards.

Each articulated section 134a, 135a and 136a are configured to shorter, thereby they are easy to bending, to help opening of preceding Xiamen 134, left front door 135 and right front door 136.Particularly, the front end of upper left quarter 126 and upper right quarter 128 is bent downwardly, and the front end of lower left quarter 127 and right lower quadrant 129 is then to articulated section 134a, 135a and 136a branch.

Adopt the said structure of the 3rd embodiment airbag apparatus for protecting knee M3; if air bag 145 is expanded by the charge air conditioning G that discharges from the exhausr port 152 of aerator 151; preceding Xiamen 134, left front door 135 and right front door 136 are subjected to air bag 145 pushings; and open around articulated section 134a, 135a and 136a; make trailing edge 134b, 135b and 136b towards the place ahead, as Figure 26 and shown in Figure 28, simultaneously; open around articulated section 138a at back door 138, makes leading edge 138b towards the rear.So, on the area division of downside 118a, the left surface 118b of column shroud 116 and right flank 118c, form air bag and stretch out opening 122.Then; air bag 145 stretches out opening 122 from air bag and stretches out and launch; to hide the downside 118a of column shroud 116 (stretching out) from instrument carrier panel 7; and; hide the trailing flank 7a that is positioned at column shroud 116 downsides, left side and right side in the instrument carrier panel 7; thereby knee KL and the KR of the navigating mate D that protection moves forward are in order to avoid bump against these parts.

In airbag apparatus for protecting knee M3 according to third embodiment of the invention; preceding Xiamen 134, left front door 135, right front door 136 and back door 138 each outer peripheral edges respectively are provided with burbling area SP; burbling area SP door 134,135,136 with separate thereby the resistance that air bag 145 will stand when having reduced to open before 138 open in advance with periphery that column shroud 116 upper gasbags stretch out opening 122.In the 3rd embodiment, between adjacent door, also form burbling area SP.Just, each all will not rupture in 134,135,136 and 138 and open forming the part that air bag stretches out opening 122, otherwise air bag 145 makes airbag cover 133 fractures will be subjected to high-drag when opening.In view of the above, even the internal pressure of air bag 145 is not very high, when being subjected to air bag 145 pushing, each of airbag cover 133 134,135,136 and 138 also can successfully be opened fast.As a result, air bag 145 stretches out with further expansion fast from housing 156.

So; employing is according to the airbag apparatus for protecting knee M3 of the 3rd embodiment; the resistance of the airbag cover 133 that air bag 145 stands when having reduced to open airbag cover 133; thereby; even air bag 145 has less internal pressure in the starting stage of airbag inflation, can guarantee that also air bag 145 is from housing 156 rapid deployments.

In addition, in the 3rd embodiment, airbag cover 133 is made the manufacturing of this airbag cover 133 of being more convenient for column shroud 116 by synthetic resin integral body.

In the 3rd embodiment, preceding Xiamen 134, left front door 135 and right front door 136 are arranged on the lower wall 117a of perisporium 117 in the column shroud 116, left wall 117b and the right wall 117c, and back door 138 also is arranged on lower wall 117a, left wall 117b and the right wall 117c.Yet, be used to form door that air bag stretches out opening 122 and also can be only only the preceding Xiamen 134 on lower wall 117a and back door 138 constitute by scope, also be formed with slit 124 certainly.Selectively, door also can only the bigger preceding Xiamen 134 on lower wall 117a or big back door 138 constitute by scope.Adopt any of these structures, air bag stretches out on the downside 118a that opening all only is formed on column shroud 116, so the slit that forms along the outer peripheral edges of door only forms on downside 118a, even the slit broad, the sight line that also is difficult to enter automotive occupant.So, can not influence the outward appearance of column shroud 116.

In addition, selectively, airbag cover can form the parts that separate with column shroud.Figure 30 to Figure 35 diagram is according to the airbag apparatus for protecting knee M4 of four embodiment of the invention.Airbag apparatus M4 comprises airbag cover 163, and airbag cover 163 is separated formation with column shroud 116A, and fits in air bag on the column shroud 116A and stretch out opening 122A and form in the zone.Although column shroud 116A and airbag cover 163 have the structure that is different from the 3rd embodiment, the miscellaneous part of the 4th embodiment such as air bag 145, aerator 151 and housing 156 all have the structure identical with the 3rd embodiment.

The air bag of the 4th embodiment stretches out opening 122A and has rectangular shape, and is positioned on the lower wall 117a of perisporium 117 of column shroud 116A, thereby 145 downside 118a from column shroud 116A of air bag stretch out.

To shown in Figure 33, airbag cover 163 is made by the synthetic resin material identical with column shroud 116A as Figure 31.The door 164 of airbag cover 163 forms rectangular plate shape, is used for closed airbag and stretches out opening 122A.Door 164 trailing edge 164b is as articulated section 165, and door 164 165 is opened around the articulated section when air bag 145 pushings of being expanded, thereby, door 164 open so that its leading edge 164c downwards and rotate backward.Articulated section 165 comprises pair of rotary axes 166 and bearing 167, and 167 pairs of turning cylinders 166 of bearing support and allow turning cylinder 166 to rotate simultaneously.Turning cylinder 166 forms from the both lateral sides of the trailing edge 164b of door 164 and stretches out to the left and right.By stretching out the hole that gets out on the back-end region of opening 122A periphery at column shroud 116A upper gasbag, form bearing 167, be used to hold turning cylinder 166.Just, except that articulated section 165, door 164 outer peripheral edges 164a is as stretching out the burbling area SP that the inside face of opening 122A separates with column shroud 116A upper gasbag.

Door 164 is provided with a plurality of maintenance pillars 168 along its outer peripheral edges 164a, keeps pillar 168 to remain in the periphery 123 that air bag stretches out opening 122A by the inside face of column shroud 116A.Make and keep the maintenance application force of pillar 168 to be set at:, keep pillar 168 deflections and break away from from periphery 123 if door 164 is subjected to the pushing of swelling gasbag 145.

In the airbag apparatus M4 of the 4th embodiment, same, if be provided with charge air conditioning G to air bag 145 folding and that take in, air bag 145 expands as shown in Figure 31 and Figure 35.Then, air bag 145 pushing airbag cover 163, make and keep pillar 168 to break away from from the periphery 123 that air bag stretches out opening 122A, and door 164 around the articulated section 165 turning cylinder 166 open backward and downwards, thereby, air bag 145 on column shroud 116A, forms air bag and stretches out opening 122A, so that can stretch out.Therefore, air bag 145 stretches out opening 122A from air bag and stretches out, and launches in the front of the knee K of navigating mate D (KL and KR), shown in long and two-short dash line among Figure 30.

In the 4th embodiment, the door 164 of airbag cover 163 has set in advance burbling area SP on its outer peripheral edges 164a, and this burbling area SP separates with the periphery that column shroud 116A upper gasbag stretches out opening 122A.Just, airbag cover 163 the zone that do not need to rupture to provide air bag to stretch out opening 122A, otherwise air bag 145 will stand higher resistance when making airbag cover 163 fractures and opening.In view of the above, even the internal pressure of air bag 145 is not very high, when being subjected to air bag 145 pushing, the door 164 of airbag cover 163 is smooth opening fast also.As a result, air bag 145 stretches out with further expansion from housing 156 fast, and obtains the work effect identical with the 3rd embodiment.

In the 4th embodiment, airbag cover 163 is the individual components that separate with column shroud 116A, and connects mutually with column shroud 116A.Yet, since the part of articulated section 165 also as with the joint portion of column shroud 116A, reduced the amount of parts of joint portion.Certainly, if door 164 open, 165 places in the articulated section, door 164 still keeps being connected with column shroud 116A, so 164 can not fly away from column shroud 116A.

In the 4th embodiment, articulated section 165 comprises pin shape turning cylinder 166 and bearing 167, and wherein, pin shape turning cylinder 166 is formed at the part of door 164, and bearing 167 is formed at the part of column shroud 116A, is used to hold turning cylinder 166.Yet turning cylinder 166 also can be selected to be formed on the part of column shroud 116A, and bearing 167 is formed on the part of door 164.

If airbag cover forms the individual components that separates with column shroud, and connect mutually with column shroud, also can adopt extremely following the 5th embodiment shown in Figure 38 of Figure 36 at articulated section place.Although the articulated section 165A of the 5th embodiment has the structure different with the 4th embodiment, miscellaneous part has structure identical in the 4th embodiment.

The articulated section 165A of the 5th embodiment comprises a pair of flexible band spare 170 that has.The first end 170a of band part 170 164 firmly is connected with door, and the second end 170b that is with part 170 then firmly is connected with the periphery 123 that column shroud 116A upper gasbag stretches out opening 122A.In this specific embodiment, band part 170 is formed by Woven fabrics such as polyamide, and be arranged in a trailing edge 164b of 164 about two positions.

In the airbag apparatus M5 of the 5th embodiment, same, if be provided with charge air conditioning G to the folding air bag of taking in 145, air bag 145 is as Figure 36 and expansion shown in Figure 38.Then, air bag 145 pushing airbag cover 163, make and keep pillar 168 to break away from from the periphery 123 that air bag stretches out opening 122A, then, 170 deflections of band part are opened near the door 164 strip winding spares 170 (as articulated section 165A) backward and downwards, thereby, on column shroud 116A, form air bag and stretch out opening 122A, be used to allow air bag 145 to stretch out.Therefore, air bag 145 stretches out that opening 122A stretches out and launches in the knee K of navigating mate D (KL and KR) front from air bag, and, obtain the work effect identical with the 4th embodiment.

In the 4th and the 5th embodiment, door 164 is provided with along its outer peripheral edges 164a and keeps pillar 168, keeps pillar 168 to remain on the periphery 123 that air bag stretches out opening 122A by the inside face of column shroud 116A.Yet, shown in the long and two-short dash line among Figure 32 and Figure 36, also can be chosen in column shroud 116A and go up this maintenance pillar 168A of formation, to keep the outer peripheral edges 164a of door 164.Certainly, keep the maintenance application force of pillar 168A to be set at: if door 164 is subjected to the pushing of swelling gasbag 145, to keep pillar 168A deflection, and allow the outer rim 164a of door 164 to break away from from periphery 123.

In this structure of the 4th and the 5th embodiment, door 164 is hinged doors, it is opened downwards around articulated section 165/165A (its center of turn extends along horizontal or fore-and-aft direction), on the downside of column shroud 116A, to provide air bag to stretch out opening 122A, the measure that needs to take in this structure is: when airbag apparatus M4/M5 is failure to actuate, use device avoids door 164 to open downwards, such as, utilize and to stretch out on the periphery 123 of opening 122A or formed maintenance pillar 168/168A on the outer peripheral edges of door 164 at air bag.Do not need to be used to prevent door 164 devices of upwards opening, because this moving by folding air bag 145 to column shroud 116A in-to-in limited.

Although the door 164 in the 4th and the 5th embodiment is that door also can be a sliding door around articulated section 165/165A revolution and the hinged door opened, as at Figure 39 to the airbag apparatus for protecting knee M6 according to the 6th embodiment shown in Figure 43.In the 6th embodiment, airbag cover 173 is the individual components that separate with column shroud 116B.Air bags on the door 174 sealing column shroud 116B stretch out opening 122B, and door 174 is sliding doors, are suitable for stretching out the opening surface OP of opening 122B or opening along axially sliding backward of steering column 3 along air bag.Air bag stretches out opening 122B and is arranged in from the lower wall 117a of column shroud 116B perisporium 117 to left wall 117b and the zone of right wall 117c.

Although the column shroud 116B of the 6th embodiment, airbag cover 173 and housing 156B have the structure different with the 3rd embodiment, miscellaneous part such as air bag 145 and aerator 151 have with the 3rd embodiment in same general configuration.

To shown in Figure 42, airbag cover 173 is made by the synthetic resin with shape retention as Figure 40, and comprises diapire 175 and from the upwardly extending sidewall 177 of diapire 175 both lateral sides.Each sidewall 177 is provided with guiding flange 178 at the top, guiding flange 178 is along laterally protruding.Diapire 175 hides air bags and stretches out the zone that is positioned among the opening 122B on the column shroud 116B downside 118a, and simultaneously, left and right sides sidewall 177 hides air bags and stretches out the left surface 118b that is positioned at column shroud 116B among the opening 122B and the zone on the right flank 118c.Diapire 175 in the top side or the inboard be provided with compression zone 176, each compression zone 176 has the set square shape and laterally is being arranged in parallel.Guiding flange 178 slidably fits in the guide recess 180, and guide recess 180 is formed at the inboard of column shroud 116B.On left wall 117b and right wall 117c, guide recess 180 is stretched out near extending axially along steering column 3 upper end of opening 122B from air bag.Guiding flange 178 constitutes the guide that guiding doors 174 are opened jointly with guide recess 180.Compression zone 176 is suitable for being subjected at its front 176a the pushing backward of swelling gasbag 145.Front 176a respectively has ramp shaped, raises backward and upwards from diapire 175.

As Figure 40 and shown in Figure 42, housing 156B is made by sheet metal and has an inverted U-shaped cross section.The sidewall 158 and 159 that housing 156B has roof 157 and extends downwards from the front and rear edge of roof 157.With respect to the sidewall in the 3rd embodiment, sidewall 158 and 159 has short vertical extension and does not keep lug.Rear wall 159 has from the upwardly extending slit 159b of end, is used for holding from behind compression zone 176.

In the airbag apparatus M6 of the 6th embodiment, if be provided with charge air conditioning G to the folding air bag of taking in 145, air bag 145 is as Figure 40 and expansion shown in Figure 43.Then, the front 176a of air bag 145 pushing compression zones 176 makes guiding flange 178 slide in guide recess 180, so that door 164 moves backward, stretches out opening 122B thereby form air bag on column shroud 116B.By air bag 145 at the inner propulsive effort that expands and the front 176a of compression zone 176 is pushed of housing 156B, and, the gap H that forms between the periphery 123 leading edge 123a that the leading edge 175a that enters at diapire 175 of pushing air bag 145 and column shroud 116B upper gasbag stretch out opening 122B, and push the propulsive effort of leading edge 175a backward, the formation air bag stretches out opening 122B.Therefore, air bag 145 stretches out that opening 122B stretches out and launches in the front of the knee K of navigating mate D (KL and KR) from air bag, shown in the long and two-short dash line of Figure 39.

In the 6th embodiment, same, the door 174 of airbag cover 173 also is provided with burbling area SP in advance on outer peripheral edges 174a, and burbling area SP separates with the periphery 123 that column shroud 116B upper gasbag stretches out opening 122B.Just, the zone that airbag cover 173 will not rupture and stretch out opening 122B to provide, air bag 145 will stand higher resistance when opening otherwise airbag cover ruptures.In view of the above, even the internal pressure of air bag 145 is not very high, when being subjected to air bag 145 pushings, the door 174 of airbag cover 173 can successfully be opened fast.As a result, air bag 145 stretches out with further expansion fast from housing 156B.

In the 6th embodiment, can utilize actr 181 and the traction element 182 represented by long and two-short dash line among Figure 40 to quicken the slip of door 174.Actr 181 can comprise micro gas generator etc., is used for moving backward of auxiliary door 174.Traction element 182 extends from actr 181, is used for being connected with door 174.Adopt this structure, the thrust pressure when being expanded in conjunction with air bag 145 by the propulsive effort (traction) of actr 181 can make door 174 open quickly.

In addition, sliding door 174 can only form at the downside 118a of column shroud 116B, as long as air bag stretches out opening 122B and can guarantee that enough aperture areas are used for air bag 145 and stretch out.

In the said structure, airbag cover is the individual components that separates with column shroud, as the improvement of this structure, also can adopt following the 7th embodiment.At Figure 44 to the airbag apparatus for protecting knee M7 according to the 7th embodiment shown in Figure 47; airbag cover 183 is installed on steering column 3; make and the mode of door 184 to be subjected to opening when swelling gasbag 145 pushes be arranged in the position that column shroud 116C upper gasbag stretches out opening 122C.Air bag stretches out opening 122C and is arranged in column shroud 116C and goes up zone from the lower wall 117a of perisporium 117 to left wall 117b and right wall 117c.

Although the column shroud 116C of the 7th embodiment, airbag cover 183 and housing 156C have with the 3rd embodiment in different structures, other parts such as air bag 145 and aerator 151 have with the 3rd embodiment in roughly the same structure.

Airbag cover 183 comprises door 184 and installation portion 188.Door 184 is made by synthetic resin such as thermoplastic elastomer, with deflection when the airbag inflation and open.Door 184 is configured to, has roughly U-shaped cross section, and comprise diapire 185 and sidewall 186, the air bag that diapire 185 is suitable for hiding on the downside 118a that is positioned at column shroud 116C stretches out opening 122C, sidewall 186 extends upward from the both lateral sides of diapire 185, is used to hide the left surface 118b that is positioned at column shroud 116C and the air bag on the right flank 118c and stretches out opening 122C.

Installation portion 188 is constructed with down L shaped cross section.Installation portion 188 comprises: board 189, from door 184 diapire 185 rear portions above the edge laterally extend upward; And adapter plate 190, extend forward from the upper end of board 189.Adapter plate 190 is provided with mounting hole 190a, is used for receiving the bolt 153b of aerator 151 diffusers 153.By means of bolt 153b, adapter plate 190 is reinstated the support 5a that nut 154 is fastened to the tubing string pipe 5 of steering column 3 together with housing 156C one.

When 145 pushings of the air bag that expanded, be positioned at board 189 fwd articulated sections 187 on the diapire 185 around being arranged in, door 184 is backward and rotate.When diapire 185 was opened, left side wall and right side wall 186 were opened in the upset mode, to contact with left surface 118b and the right flank 118c of column shroud 116C.

Housing 156C is made by sheet metal, and has down L shaped cross section as shown in figure 45.The sidewall 158 that housing 156C has roof 157 and extends downwards from the leading edge of roof 157.

In the airbag apparatus M7 of the 7th embodiment, if be provided with charge air conditioning G to the folding air bag of taking in 45, air bag 145 is as Figure 44 and expansion shown in Figure 47.Then, the pushing of door 184 air bags that expanded 145, and 187 open backward and downwards around the articulated section, stretch out opening 122C thereby on column shroud 116C, form air bag.Therefore, air bag 145 stretches out opening 122C from air bag and stretches out, and launches in the knee K of navigating mate D (KL and KR) front, shown in long and two-short dash line among Figure 44.

The door 184 of airbag cover 183 has set in advance burbling area SP on outer peripheral edges 184a, burbling area SP separates with the periphery 123 that column shroud 116C upper gasbag stretches out opening 122C.Just, airbag cover 183 the zone that do not need to rupture to provide air bag to stretch out opening 122C, otherwise air bag 145 will stand higher drag.In view of the above, even the internal pressure of air bag 145 is not very high, when being subjected to air bag 145 pushings, the door 184 of airbag cover 183 also can be opened fast.As a result, air bag 145 stretches out with further expansion fast from housing 156C, and obtains the work effect identical with the 3rd embodiment.

In the 7th embodiment, divide the airbag cover 183 that is arranged with column shroud 116C, with air bag 145, aerator 151 and housing 156C, be firmly fixed at steering column 3.This structure helps to guarantee door 184 stable opening.

In addition, in the 7th embodiment, the outer peripheral edges 184a of door 184 is covered in periphery 123 outside faces (Figure 45) that column shroud 116C upper gasbag stretches out opening 122C, and this overlapping region constitutes burbling area SP.This structure is different with the 3rd to the 5th embodiment, in the 3rd to the 5th embodiment, burbling area SP stretches out interior week (Figure 25 of opening 122/122A towards perisporium 117 upper gasbags of column shroud 116/116A, Figure 31 and Figure 36), make preceding Xiamen 134 or door 164 be arranged to roughly concordant with column shroud 116/116A.The door of the 7th embodiment 184 is arranged to, the mode that forms ladder from downside 118a, left surface 118b and the right flank 118c of column shroud 116C.Yet this layout of door 184 can influence the outward appearance of column shroud 116C, because door 184 is arranged in the lower area of column shroud 116C downside 118a, left surface 118b and right flank 118c, just, is positioned on the bottom 116a of column shroud 116C.

The airbag cover of separating and being installed on steering column with column shroud also can be selected to be configured to as Figure 48 to the 8th embodiment shown in Figure 50.In the airbag apparatus for protecting knee M8 of the 8th embodiment, the door 184 of airbag cover 183D includes only diapire 185, and diapire 185 is used to hide the downside 118a that column shroud 116D upper gasbag stretches out opening 122D.

In the 8th embodiment, on the left wall 117b of column shroud 116D and right wall 117c, auxiliary door 191 is set, be used to increase the aperture area that air bag stretches out opening 122D, as Figure 49 and shown in Figure 50.But each auxiliary door 191 is provided with the tearing part 121 of attenuate at front and rear edge, to tear when air bag 145 pushings of being expanded.When opening, auxiliary door 191 is upwards opened and is helped augmented airbag to stretch out the aperture area of opening 122D.Arrange auxiliary door 191 in such a way, make it not hinder the expansion of air bag in the airbag inflation starting stage.Certainly, can use to penetrate the slit that column shroud 116D forms, but replace tearing part 121 with attenuate structure.

Air bag in the above-described embodiment stretches out aperture arrangement in the zone from the downside of column shroud to left surface and right flank, or only is arranged in downside.Selectively, opening also can only be formed on the left surface and the right flank of column shroud, and is such in the 9th embodiment shown in Figure 51 to Figure 54.

The airbag cover 203 of the airbag apparatus for protecting knee M9 of the 9th embodiment forms by synthetic resin is whole with column shroud 116E.Airbag cover 203 comprises the door 204 on the left wall 117b that is arranged in column shroud 116E respectively and the right wall 117c.Each 204 has the rectangular plate shape shape, and is provided with slit 194 along periphery.Each slit roughly is horizontal U-shaped, makes door 204 open around the integral hinge 141 that is positioned at trailing edge (playing the effect of articulated section 204a), makes leading edge 204b rotate backward and outwards.

In the 9th embodiment, the cylindrical shape diffuser 153 of aerator 151E about end have outlet 153a, be used to emit charge air conditioning G, shown in Figure 52, thereby, when air bag 145 expands easily towards about outside pushing left and right door 204.

In the airbag apparatus M9 of the 9th embodiment, equally, when being provided with to air bag 145 from charge air conditioning G that the exhausr port 152a of aerator 151E discharges, air bag 145 thrust doors 204 that expand, so that door is opened backward around articulated section 204a, stretch out opening 122E thereby on the left surface 118b of column shroud 116E and right flank 118c, form air bag.Therefore, air bag 145 stretches out opening 122E from air bag and stretches out, and launches in the knee K of navigating mate D (KL and KR) front, shown in long and two-short dash line among Figure 51.

Each of the 9th embodiment 204 set in advance slit 194 on outer peripheral edges,, stretch out the burbling area SP that the periphery of opening 122E separates with column shroud 116E upper gasbag that is.Just, door 204 will not rupture with the zone that provides air bag to stretch out opening 122E, otherwise air bag 145 will stand higher resistance.In view of the above, even the internal pressure of air bag 145 is not very high, when being subjected to air bag 145 pushings, the door 204 of airbag cover 203 is also opened fast.As a result, air bag 145 stretches out with further expansion from housing 156 fast.

In the 9th embodiment, air bag stretches out on the left surface and right flank that opening 122E is formed at column shroud 116E bottom.Adopt this structure, impel air bag 145 towards about open, this helps to guarantee that air bag 145 is along the protection zone that laterally has broad.In addition, air bag 145 can be excessively not backward or is stretched out towards the knee K of navigating mate D.Certainly; if open area 122,122B and 122C are as in the 3rd, the 6th and the 7th embodiment; be formed on downside 118a from column shroud 116,116B and 116C to the zone of left surface 118b and right flank 118c, can guarantee in the horizontal when airbag inflation that also air bag 145 has the protection area of broad.In addition, in the 3rd, the 6th and the 7th embodiment, air bag 145 also launches near the lateral center of the downside 118a of column shroud 116,116B and 116C.In view of the above, even the knee K of navigating mate places under column shroud 116,116B and the 116C, the air bag 145 of expansion also can be protected knee K.

Claims (7)

1. airbag apparatus for protecting knee; be fit to be installed on the steering column of vehicle; described steering column stretches out backward from instrument carrier panel; and; described steering column is equipped with steering handwheel in its back-end; described steering column is equipped with regulating mechanism, is used at least in the position of the described steering handwheel of vertical adjustment, and described airbag apparatus comprises:

Column shroud, described column shroud has tubular form, and be installed in and be used to hide described steering column on the described steering column, described instrument carrier panel is provided with the construction opening that is used to install described column shroud, described column shroud is arranged in the described construction opening, on the trailing flank of described instrument carrier panel, leave the allowance gap between the periphery of described column shroud and described construction opening, be used for described column shroud being moved with described steering column by operating described regulating mechanism;

Air bag, described airbag fold also is accommodated in the interior bottom of described column shroud, and, when triggering described airbag apparatus when described air bag is provided with charge air conditioning, described air bag stretches out to expand from described column shroud and launches, when when the expansion of the front of navigating mate knee launches, described air bag forms certain shape, to hide following position at least: the downside of the described column shroud of stretching out from described instrument carrier panel, and, the rear section of described instrument carrier panel, this rear section are positioned at downside, left side and the right side of described column shroud, and

Door portion, described door portion is formed in the described column shroud downside from described column shroud on the part of left surface and right flank, when being subjected to the pushing of described air bag, described door portion opens to provide an air bag to stretch out opening, described door portion comprises the Xiamen that is arranged in described column shroud downside, the right door that is arranged in the left-hand door of described column shroud left surface and is arranged in described column shroud right flank, wherein:

Open away from described column shroud forward from its hinder marginal part the Xiamen of described at least door portion, and described hinder marginal part is resisted against on the trailing flank of described instrument carrier panel, perhaps be resisted against on the lower edge that is positioned at the described construction opening periphery on the described instrument carrier panel trailing flank, be used for blocking from behind formed allowance gap between the lower edge of the periphery of described column shroud and described construction opening periphery, thereby avoid described air bag to enter described allowance gap, by described regulating mechanism described column shroud is moved, the lower edge of described construction opening periphery is positioned on the described instrument carrier panel trailing flank.

2. airbag apparatus for protecting knee according to claim 1, wherein:

The left-hand door and the right Men Congqi hinder marginal part of described door portion are opened forward and away from described column shroud, and described hinder marginal part is resisted against on the described instrument carrier panel trailing flank, perhaps be resisted against on the left border and right border of the described construction opening periphery on the described instrument carrier panel trailing flank, be used for blocking from behind formed described allowance gap between the left border of the periphery of described column shroud and described construction opening periphery and the right border, thereby avoid described air bag to enter described allowance gap, by described regulating mechanism described column shroud is moved, the left border of described construction opening periphery and right border are positioned on the described instrument carrier panel trailing flank.

3. airbag apparatus for protecting knee according to claim 2, wherein:

In the Xiamen of described door portion, left-hand door and the right door each all has flexible;

The position of hinder marginal part pre-determines in described Xiamen, described left-hand door and the described right door, when described column shroud being moved on to the front position when making described allowance gap maximum by described regulating mechanism, the part that each deflection is opened is stretched out from the periphery of described column shroud, contacts with lower edge, left border and the right border of described construction opening periphery on the described instrument carrier panel; And

Pre-determine the length of horizontal two edge from the rear end to the front end of each, thereby, when by described regulating mechanism described column shroud being moved on to the rearmost position when making described allowance gap maximum, lower edge, left border and right border that the described construction opening periphery on portion and the described instrument carrier panel is opened in the deflection of each contact.

4. airbag apparatus for protecting knee according to claim 3; wherein when described column shroud is arranged in described rearmost position; observe the described construction opening periphery on the close described instrument carrier panel of front end of horizontal two edge of Xiamen, left-hand door and the right door of described door portion from described vehicular sideview.

5. airbag apparatus for protecting knee according to claim 1; but all has the tearing part around each in the Xiamen of wherein said door portion, left-hand door and the right door; but described tearing part is suitable for fracture when being subjected to the pushing of described air bag; but thereby open described door by the fracture of described tearing part, in order to being provided, described air bag stretches out opening.

6. airbag apparatus for protecting knee according to claim 1, wherein:

In the Xiamen of described door portion, left-hand door and the right door each is all at the place, articulated section and is connected with described column shroud, and each is opened around its articulated section; And

Except that described articulated section, each in described Xiamen, left-hand door and the right door is separated in advance in the peripheral region of peripheral region with described column shroud.

7. airbag apparatus for protecting knee according to claim 1; comprise the auxiliary door that is formed on the described column shroud; described auxiliary door is adjacent from Xiamen, left-hand door and the right door of rear portion and described door portion, and opening stretches out in described auxiliary door and described door the portion described air bag of formation jointly.

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